News | West Plains Daily Quill

Missouri Democratic Party's presidential primary is March 23

The Missouri Democratic Party (MDP) is accepting requests for mail-in ballots to vote in the presidential primary election scheduled on March 23. Registered Missouri voters can request a ballot online by March 12 at request.mrgvote.com/Missouri, or call 855-433-8683. more

3/4/24

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: … more

3/4/24

A man stands near his home looking at a street he says has been flooded for months, on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in Prichard, Ala. Up to 60% of the city’s water leaks from a decrepit distribution system. Communities nationwide are losing trillions of gallons. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

LOCALIZE IT: Struggling US cities lose trillions of gallons of drinking water from decrepit systems

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: Communities across the country are losing trillions of gallons of treated drinking water from distribution systems sometimes more than a century old. The problem is … more

3/4/24

Colton's to donate Tuesday sales toward cystic fibrosis cause

Colton's Steak House and Grill, local franchise owner Haley Mitchell and staff will host the restaurant’s fundraising Cystic Fibrosis Day from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. more

3/2/24

West Plains Bank and Trust Company, a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), along with West Plains Housing Authority were chosen to receive a Competitive Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant for $657,000 to help local families find a safe and affordable place to call home. The money will be invested in Walnut Grove Apartments, a 74-unit complex at 302 Walnut St. in West Plains.From left: West Plains Housing Authority Representatives Ryan Warren, Brenda Warren and Mandy Pitts, and West Plains Bank and Trust Company President and CEO David M. Gohn and Vice President and Compliance Officer David King.

WP Housing Authority chosen for grant awarded through West Plains Bank and Trust, Des Moines bank partnership

West Plains Bank and Trust Company, a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), and the West Plains Housing Authority were chosen to receive a Competitive Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant for $657,000 to help local families find a safe and affordable place to call home, bank officials announced this week. more

3/2/24

FILE - The Missouri Capitol is seen, Sept. 16, 2022, in Jefferson City, Mo. The Missouri Republican Party will hold presidential caucuses on March 2, 2024, giving voters their chance to weigh in on who should represent the party on the November presidential ballot. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Republicans in Idaho, Missouri and Michigan will meet to weigh in on the presidential race

More delegates are up for grabs Saturday as Donald Trump looks to get closer to clinching the Republican nomination and Nikki Haley continues seeking her first win. Trump is overwhelmingly favored … more

By JONATHAN J. COOPER | 3/2/24

Southern Bank of West Plains has donated $1,000 to help with cystic fibrosis research through Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains, and the group’s upcoming annual concert fundraiser event will give music fans a chance to contribute while enjoying an evening of entertainment provided by nationally-acclaimed country recording artist Sara Evans. It will begin at 7 p.m. March 16 at the West Plains Civic Center with live and silent auctions and a performance by local volunteer singing group Jessica's Friends. Tickets for adults are $30 in advance or $40 at the door, and $5 for children age 12 and younger, whether purchased in advance or at the door. They may be purchased with a credit card by phone by calling the civic center at 417-256-8123, at Ticketmaster.com/Sara Evans or by scanning a QR code on promotional posters that will take users to the Ticketmaster website. From left: Jessica's Friends member Katlyn Johnson; Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains volunteer Lois Frazier; Southern Bank employees Jeromy Beasley, Skyler Tompkins, Lindsey Peterman, Andrea Atchison and Weston Gant; Cystic Fibrosis volunteer Kaigan Barker; Southern Bank employee Amanda Wallace; Cystic Fibrosis volunteer Jessica Joice-Frazier; Southern Bank employee Tyler Martin holding sons Mason and Blake; and Jessica's Friends members Nevaeh Johnson and Bella Johnson.

Southern Bank donates $1,000 toward Cystic Fibrosis Concert

3/1/24

Police: Officer hurt while apprehending man on outstanding warrants

A West Plains man wanted on active county warrants for charges of second-degree domestic assault, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree child endangerment reportedly injured an officer during his arrest and now faces additional charges. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/1/24

Missouri police charge man with 2 counts first-degree murder after officer, court employee shot

Prosecutors charged a man with two counts of first-degree murder for the killing of a court employee who tried to serve an eviction notice at a home in Independence, Missouri and an officer who … more

By HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH | 3/1/24

West Plains Council on the Arts President Kathleen Morrissey gave a presentation and was praised by West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff and city council members for her work promoting Ozarks arts and culture for several decades, including work on the longtime and local Old Time Music Ozarks Heritage Festival. She is holding her award, a blown glass sculpture created by a Missouri artist.

WP Council approves new housing construction, awards Garner Villas bid to local company

At its regular monthly meeting held Feb. 20, the West Plains City Council recognized Kathleen Morrissey for her award from the Missouri Arts Council for her work as an individual for her leadership in promoting the arts, the culmination of several decades of service in the area and statewide. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/1/24

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: … more

3/1/24

Missouri lawmaker calls to allow divorce during pregnancy. Why can't it happen there already?

Judges some places don't grant divorces when one of the parties is pregnant — and one Missouri lawmaker is trying to change that, at least in her state. For state Rep. Ashley Aune and others, the … more

By GEOFF MULVIHILL | 3/1/24

Charge filed in 20-year-old Fulton Co. murder case

Fulton County Sheriff Jake Smith has announced an arrest and a first-degree murder charge filed in connection with a homicide that happened almost 20 years ago in Salem, Ark. The case is reportedly the result of work by Fulton County Detective Dale Weaver that began about a year ago. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 2/29/24

The Budweiser Clydesdales will be a part of the Neon Parade on April 6, a part of the Eclipse West Plains Party in the Path festivities.

Call for entries issued for April 6 Neon Parade

West Plains area businesses, schools, churches, clubs and other organizations are invited to take part in the Neon Parade, set for 7:30 p.m. April 6. Sponsored by Midway Towing, it is one of the “Party in the Path” events to celebrate the upcoming total solar eclipse in West Plains on April 8. more

2/28/24

Captain D's Cystic Fibrosis Day is Saturday

Cystic fibrosis fundraising supporters Zach and Jessica Stokes, owners of Captain D's in West Plains, have announced their fifth annual Cystic Fibrosis Day, to be held Saturday at the restaurant, 1402 Preacher Roe Blvd. more

2/28/24

Tuesday was the first day of filing for candidates to be placed on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary election, and several lined up at the Howell County Clerk Kelly Waggoner's to get the job done early. From left: Waggoner is signing up Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood and Public Administrator John Pruett, both running for reelection, and Dr. Gary DeShazo, West Plains, who is running for the office of Howell County Coroner held by Tim Cherry. Filing for the August election runs through March 26, with a final certification date of May 28. For unregistered voters, the last day to register to vote in that election is July 10. The Howell County Clerk's Office is at 35 Court Square in West Plains. To register to vote in person, bring a current government-issued photo ID. A receipt from a political party showing proof of a paid filing fee is also required in order to file as a candidate, along with a government-issued photo ID. Provisional ballots may be cast if the voter is registered, but doesn't possess any of the official forms of identification, however, the ballot will only be counted if the voter returns to their polling place on election day with a valid photo ID or the signature on the provisional ballot envelope is determined by the local election authority to match the signature on the voter registration record. Municipal and school board elections will be held April 2; the last day to register to vote for that election is March 6.

Filing begins for August primary elections

2/28/24

The new Moody Community Building, in the same site as the former building, off of E Highway in Moody, is now fully wheelchair-accessible, including the restrooms. An open house is set to begin at 6 p.m. Saturday for the public to tour the facility, with refreshments to be served.

Moody Community Building to be featured in Saturday open house

Members of the Moody Community Building board of directors invite all to an open house to be held beginning 6 p.m. Saturday at the community building, off of E Highway in Moody. Sandwiches and other refreshments will be served and a tour of the new facility will be given. There is no charge, but donations for upkeep of the building will be accepted. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 2/28/24

Arkansas Election Testing, Advisory

EDITORS: NEWS DIRECTORS: NOT FOR BROADCAST, PUBLICATION OR USE ONLINE The Arkansas primary election is Tuesday, March 5. Poll close: 8:30 EST/ 7:30 CST First results expected: … more

2/28/24

Voting for Best of West Plains ends Friday

Voters have until the end of the week to weigh in on their local favorites by choosing the Best of West Plains. more

2/28/24

Former WPHS coach sentenced on child-endangerment charge

Christopher R. Taylor, 43, Pottersville, has pleaded guilty to child endangerment without sexual conduct, and handed a seven-year sentence with five years of supervised probation. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 2/27/24