An accidental fire Tuesday at West Plains Recycling Center, 2813 Holiday Lane, appears to have been caused by heat from equipment used at the business, which ignited one of the piles of materials, according to a report submitted by the West Plains Fire Department. more

The Baxter County, Ark., Sheriff's Office is investigating a death on Moccasin Creek on the Baxter/Izard county line, said Sheriff John Montgomery in a statement emailed to media at about 4 p.m. Thursday. more

The 37th Judicial CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) in West Plains has received a generous donation of several beautiful quilts and coordinating paintings from the South Central Correctional Center’s Restorative Justice Program in Licking. more

The Willow Springs City Council will hold a public hearing on its 2024 tax rate levy at 5:30 p.m. today, ahead of its regular monthly meeting in the council chambers at city hall, 900 W. Main St. more

Howell County Sheriff’s Office investigators discovered skeletal remains on Saturday in a rural part of the county, announced Public Information Officer Angela Conboy in a statement issued to media outlets shortly before 11 a.m. Thursday. more

A Butler County jury has found former school resource officer and Howell County deputy Rob Pilkington guilty of five counts of statutory sodomy or attempt and three counts of first-degree statutory rape or attempt, both involving a victim younger than 14, plus a count of using a child in a sexual performance, causing serious emotional injury, a Class B felony. more

An 88-year-old Missouri woman was among more than 40 people sickened with listeria food poisoning tied to a deadly outbreak involving Boar's Head deli meats. Sue Fleming was hospitalized for nine … more

The third annual West Plains Folds of Honor Golf Tournament successfully raised $30,000, which will be used to fund educational scholarships benefitting the spouses and children of fallen or disabled military veterans and America’s first responders, announced fundraiser organizers.  more

A dedication for the “Porter Wagoner’s Guitar” sculpture will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 28 at the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, 2999 Porter Wagoner Blvd. more

Sealed bids are due to the Howell County Commission by 11 a.m. Thursday for the repair and/or replacement of five low-water crossings in the Southern District, and by 11:30 a.m. Thursday for one such crossing in the Northern District. more

On Sept. 7, a miniature Ozarks Heritage Festival “preview” is scheduled to take place in and around the West Plains Civic Center grounds, organizers announce. more

The Richards School Board will hold its annual tax rate hearing Thursday ahead of its regular monthly meeting. more

The Willow Springs School Board will hold a special, closed session at 7 p.m. today in the school board room. more

Linda Hartog Harring, 59, West Plains, has been charged with felony driving while intoxicated, resulting in injury, and misdemeanor failure to yield while making a left turn, The charges were filed after Harring allegedly was intoxicated when she caused a crash a two days after Christmas 2023. more

A Bakersfield man is charged with felony first-degree child molestation after a victim came forward about incidents that happened as far back as February 2022. more

Taylor A. Deckard, 18, Alton, has been charged with third-degree child molestation involving a victim younger than 14 after allegedly kissing and touching a 13-year-old on the chest and buttocks while she was sleeping. more

Voters in at least seven states will decide referendums on abortion rights this year, with potentially more to come. Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada and South Dakota will hold … more

The West Plains Aquatic Center will officially close its doors for the 2024 summer swim season on Sunday. more

The West Plains Police Department has advised residents in the area of Second, Third and Fourth streets, that a suspect in the burglary of several sheds and outbuildings in that neighborhood has been identified, and police have recovered stolen property that needs to go back to the rightful owners. more