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The West Plains Daily Quill is launching an upgraded digital experience for its readers this week, featuring a modern, streamlined website design and improved email newsletters. Beginning …

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Wednesday, October 14, 2026

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Tona Bowen stands outside West Plains City Hall after being named the city's new finance director. Bowen, who brings more than 20 years of municipal finance and administrative experience to the post, officially began her duties Tuesday.

City of WP names Tona Bowen new finance director

The City of West Plains has named Tona Bowen as its new finance director, bringing more than two decades of government finance, budgeting and administrative experience to the role. Bowen began her …

Cabool resident killed in Saturday multi-vehicle crash

A 78-year-old Cabool driver suffered fatal injuries in a four-vehicle crash at 4:25 p.m. Saturday on north U.S. 63, 8 miles south of Houston in Texas County. Tpr. J.L. Sentman with Troop G of …
BOUND FOR STATE — The West Plains High School field golf team captured second place Thursday in the Class 3, District 3 Tournament at West Plains Country Club, and are now looking ahead to state competition for the first time in 15 years. The team — which includes, from left, Head Coach James Sharp and members Allie Petrus, Rose Reeves, Charlie Huddleston, Bella Juline and Libby Gohn — will travel to New Bloomfield in Callaway County to compete Monday and Tuesday at Meadow Lake Acres Country Club.

Lady Zizzers golf team qualifies for first state tournament since 2011

The Lady Zizzers golf team is state-bound, after taking second place Thursday in the Class 3, District 3 Tournament at the West Plains Country Club.  The Class 3 state tournament is …
Matt Morris, left, and his wife, Brandi Richardson, display their prize package at the West Plains Daily Quill office after taking second place in the recent “Copy Cats, Doggy Doubles” people’s choice photo contest. Morris and his dog, Hank, earned the spot with their entry titled “Double Trouble! (I have a type!),” submitted by Richardson. The couple lives in Rolla and has family in Oregon County, West Plains and Willow Springs. The prize package included four St. Louis Renaissance Festival tickets, a $10 gift card from All Pet, a large pizza from Little Caesars, premium dog toys, $25 in Chamber Bucks and a three-month Quill subscription.

Second place smiles

         
News
McWilliams Pumpkin Patch is open for the season and hosted two Gainesville first grade classes for a field trip Thursday morning. The students learned about agriculture and livestock on a train ride around the farm and observed animals familiar and fancy, including ponies, goats, pigs, emus, llamas, alpacas and peacocks. The pumpkin patch also offers a ground-level jumping pillow, giant slide, hay bale maze and the human-size “hamster wheel” race shown here. Inside the wheel are students in Ally Roe and Rachel Hogan’s classes. McWilliams has pumpkins, gourds and mums for sale, and hours are 2 to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Located at 4007 County Road 6920 off U.S. 160 southwest of West Plains, the business is open through the last weekend in October.

Pumpkin patch playtime

     

Four-hour standoff leads to felony charge

A Willow Springs man faces a felony charge of resisting arrest following a four-and-a-half-hour standoff that drew multiple law enforcement agencies and a SWAT team to his home.

FYI

Oz Faire, hosted by Always a Future for Kids, runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday at the Heart of the Ozarks Bluegrass Association (HOBA) Park, 1138 Bluegrass Lane off Lanton Road.
Parker French, right, stands with his wife, Brandy, as they collect their first-place prizes in the West Plains Daily Quill’s recent “Copy Cats, Doggy Doubles” people’s choice photo contest. Parker French and his dog, Oliver, wore matching plaid hoodies to secure the win with their entry, “Dogs Against the Machine,” submitted by Brandy French. The first-place prize included four tickets to the St. Louis Renaissance Festival, a Mug Root Beer float gift set donated by Pepsi MidAmerica, a $25 gift card from All Pet, two large pizzas from Little Caesars, dog toys, $25 in Chamber Bucks and a six-month Quill subscription. Second place was awarded to Matt Morris, Rolla, whose wife, Brandi Richardson submitted a photo of him and his dog, Hank, titled “Double Trouble! (I have a type!).” Their prize package included tickets to the St. Louis Renaissance Festival, a $10 gift card from All Pet, a large pizza from Little Caesars, dog toys, $25 in Chamber Bucks and a three-month Quill subscription.

‘Doggy Doubles’ champions

    Parker French, right, stands with his wife, Brandy, as they collect their first-place prizes in the West Plains Daily Quill’s recent “Copy Cats, Doggy Doubles” …

Local agencies aid in federal meth bust

Officers with the Licking Police Department and the Texas County Sheriff’s Office assisted federal authorities in a Dent County drug investigation that resulted in federal methamphetamine charges against three men.
Sports
West Plains' Violet Hafer prepares to bump the ball as the Lady Zizzers take on Bolivar on Sept. 29,at the West Plains Civic Center. Hafer led the team with eight kills and four aces as West Plains swept the Liberators 3-0 (25-10, 25-12, 25-11) to improve to 21-1-1 on the season.
Lady Zizzers earn No. 1 district seed, edge Marshfield in five-set thriller
The West Plains Lady Zizzers volleyball team has secured the No. 1 seed for the upcoming Class 4 District 6 tournament following a seeding meeting held on Thursday. The district tournament will …
Zizzers swim team goes 5-4 at Jefferson City meet The West Plains boys swimming team went 5-4 in dual meet scoring at the Jefferson City Invitational, improving its season record to 19-7. …
West Plains freshman Benton Long works the ball against Branson senior Dylan Hill on Oct. 6, at Zizzer Stadium. The match remained scoreless throughout regulation before the Pirates scored in overtime to defeat West Plains 1-0.
The West Plains boys soccer team fell 4-1 to Trinity Academy Home School Association on Saturday. Hudson Cox scored the lone goal for the Zizzers on a penalty kick. Trinity Academy also …
            With the postseason fast approaching, the West Plains Zizzers varsity boys cross country team took advantage of a strategic …
West Plains Parks and Recreation youth volleyball games are scheduled for today, with youth basketball registration closing Monday and adult softball continuing next week.

Lady Zizzers tennis bests Hillcrest, places fifth at Joplin Tournament

West Plains' Addi Simpson goes for a return during her doubles match alongside teammate June Sanderson as the Lady Zizzers take on Hillcrest on Sept. 24 at the West Plains High School tennis courts. West Plains defeated the Lady Hornets 5-4.
The West Plains Lady Zizzers tennis team secured its fourth win of the season with a tight 5-4 victory over the Hillcrest Lady Hornets on Sept. 24.

Lady Zizzers bounce back to claim walk-off victory over Hartville

Lady Zizzers freshman infielder Morgan Russell comes around to cross the plate Sept. 30, as West Plains took on Hartville and scored a 10-9 walk-off win at Zizzer Ballpark.
      The West Plains Lady Zizzers softball team shook off a difficult stretch to secure a 10-9 walk-off victory over Hartville on Sept. 30 at Zizzer Ballpark.  

Zizzer Softball raises $600 to fight cancer

West Plains Zizzer Softball hosted its annual Strike Out Cancer game Sept. 29, at Zizzer Ballpark to raise awareness and honor those whose lives have been impacted by the disease. Through T-shirt sales and donations, the softball team was able to donate $600 to Ozarks Healthcare Cancer Treatment Center, according to West Plains R-7 Activities Director Dr. Ashley Cooley. She expressed thanks to Posey Patch for donating roses presented during the game. "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who purchased a shirt, made a donation, attended the game or helped make the evening possible," Cooley said. "The strength, courage and memory of those affected by cancer are never taken for granted." Front row, from left: Lady Zizzers softball team members Morgan Russell, Roxie Bryant, Gracie Young, Molly Orr, Bella Bridges, Remini Williams and Cadence Tackitt. Back row: assistant coach Kris Kirby, Head Coach Don Long, Kennedy Evans, Adilee Joyner, Bailey Wake, Aubrey Ellison, Brooklyn White, Sloane McNett, Oliva Cudworth, Mick Price, Taylor House and assistant coach Madalyn Ivy. 
     

Lady Zizzers win conference championship in tiebreaker

West Plains' Charlie Huddleston tees off Sept. 30 at the West Plains Country Club as the Lady Zizzers played host to Poplar Bluff. Huddleston and teammates Bella Juline and Hadley Smith shot a 71 to top the three-person scramble.
    The West Plains Lady Zizzers captured the Ozark Mountain Conference championship on Thursday edging out the competition in a fifth-score tiebreaker at Silo Ridge in Bolivar.  

Zizzers stifle Carl Junction in Friday win

West Plains quarterback Cale Combs finds himself in a tight spot against the Carl Junction defense Friday at Zizzer Stadium. The West Plains defense delivered a dominant performance to secure a 7-0 victory, improving the team's record to 5-1. The Zizzers held the Bulldogs to just 38 rushing yards, 150 yards of total offense and zero fourth-down conversions. The game's lone score came in the second quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Gavin Marshall, followed by an extra-point kick from Caleb Cobb. "This game was won with a lot of heart and determination," West Plains Head Coach Brock Kenaga said. "It was just a good, old-fashioned, hard-nosed game. Both offenses struggled to move the ball, so it just came down to who was going to have the fewest mistakes and who wanted it more."
               
People & Events
Members of the Josiah Howell Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Ozark Spring Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution gather at their recent annual picnic. The event, held for the third year, took place Sept. 12  at Galloway Park in West Plains and was prepared with assistance from members of the auxiliary and the Ozark Spring Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition members of the SAR, auxiliary and DAR, attendees included Missouri Society SAR President Ken Lawrence and his wife, Patty Lawrence; JHSAR President and MOSSAR State Vice President Garry Pirch and his wife, Cindy Pirch, OSDAR parliamentarian and president of the JHSAR Auxiliary; OSDAR Regent Tina Cline; and Cathy Roberts, recipient of the Lydia Darragh Medal.

SAR holds third annual picnic

       

Friends of Garnett to meet Friday

Missouri State University-West Plains’ Education Abroad program will be the topic of the Friends of the Garnett Library meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Friday in the Carol Silvey Student Union, located inside Hass-Darr Hall, 201 Garfield Avenue.

Cathy Roberts receives patriotic recognition

The Josiah Howell Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution recently recognized Cathy Roberts of West Plains with the Lydia Darragh Medal.
Quilts made using patterns of long ago were on display during Pioneer Days Sept. 26 in Mtn. View. Though often elevated to an art these days, the craft of quiltmaking demonstrates the resourcefulness of homemakers of long ago, who usually gathered scraps of worn clothing or old bed sheets that were repurposed into bed coverings. The quilt show was sponsored by Connolly Insurance.

From harvest to heritage: Fall festivals bring communities together

                                  …

Schools, nonprofits can apply for state park transportation grants

    The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks is accepting applications for its 2026-2027 Bus Grant Program, which helps fund student field trips to …
Records
Arkansas news
Missouri news
Features

Annual Christmas Craft & Décor Sale set for Nov. 6, 7

          St. Paul Lutheran Church, 291 Kentucky Ave. in West Plains, will hold its annual Christmas Craft and Décor Sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. …
The Rambling Rose Garden Club has presented its annual Business Beautification Award to St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 1551 Bill Virdon Blvd. In West Plains. The award, presented to businesses making extra effort to maintain flower beds and landscaping improvements, was given in recognition of the church’s zinnia beds. From left: club members Mary Schmidt, Secretary Sandra Riley, Judy McGoldrick, Akemi Anders, Dawn Dionne, Treasurer Marge Riel and President Diane Scherff; Father Mathew Naduchirayil with the church; member Ruth Edgeller; and St. Mary’s Administrative Assistant Ann Hall. Club members also include Vice President Barbara Butler, Mary Mike Taylor and Judy Norton.  

St. Mary’s recognized for business beautification

       

Affordable Access Program saves MSU-WP students more than $50,000

Missouri State University-West Plains students have saved more than $50,000 to date on course materials through the university’s Affordable Access Program at Drago College Store, officials shared.

Houston receives $127,623 grant for small business incubator

    The city of Houston has received a $127,623 U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development grant to establish the Idea Lab Small Business Incubator. The grant …

Demand good on moderate to heavy supply at slaughter market

Compared to last week, slaughter cows and bulls were $2 to $5 lower Wednesday at Ozarks Regional Stockyards.
Special Sections
2024 Letters to Santa cover
A host of Zizzers stop a Hillcrest run during the West Plains High School homecoming game Friday at Zizzer Stadium. The West Plains defense held the Hornets scoreless in the second half as the Zizzers secured a 34-12 victory.

Zizzers take charge of second half for homecoming win

The West Plains Zizzers pulled away in the second half to secure a 34-12 homecoming victory over the Hillcrest Hornets on Friday.
Aubrey Tidwell, back left, was crowned the 2026 West Plains Homecoming Queen on Friday during halftime of the Zizzers' football game against Hillcrest at Zizzer Stadium. Joining her are her escort, Mason Matejek, center, and 2025 Homecoming Queen Olivia Rodriguez, right. In front are flower girl Natalie Schultz and crown bearer Dallas Smith. The Zizzers won the game 34-12.

Zizzer Homecoming Highlights

                                  …
The Mtn. View Chamber of Commerce will host the 36th annual Pioneer Days beginning with a pancake breakfast at 7:30 a.m. Saturday in downtown Mtn. View. The festival features live music, heritage demonstrations, contests, vendors, food and family activities.

Pioneer Days set for Saturday in Mtn. View

The Mtn. View Chamber of Commerce will host the 36th annual Pioneer Days on Saturday in downtown Mtn. View, featuring live music, heritage demonstrations, contests, vendors, food and family activities.

West Plains R-7 Homecoming Spirit Week

    Monday: No school across the district.   West Plains High School • Tuesday: "Hotel California" (Comfy Clothes Day). • Wednesday: "Back in Black" …

Zizzer Homecoming Parade theme announced

The 2026 West Plains High School Homecoming Parade will be held Friday. This year’s parade theme is “Rock and Roll,” as the Zizzers prepare to play the Hillcrest Hornets.

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