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Ozark Heritage Welcome Center Tourism Assistant Terry Hampton, left, accepts the donation of a historic West Plains art print from Michael and Tonya Hinton. The couple, former West Plains resident, donated the gift along with their daughter, Melissa. The print was previously owned by West Plains native and Grand Ole Opry star Jan Howard and displayed in her Nashville home before being purchased by the Hintons at her estate sale.

Jan Howard art print returns to West Plains

A fine art print once owned by West Plains native and Country music pioneer Jan Howard has returned home following a donation Ozark Heritage Welcome Center by Michael and Tonya Hinton and their daughter, Melissa.

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Saturday, October 3, 2026

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FYI

        Christos House 'Take Back the Night' reservation deadline Friday Friday is the deadline to reserve seats for the Christos House "Take Back the …
West Plains Kiwanis Club members, in keeping with Kiwanis motto “Serving the Children of the World,” have donated $2,000 to Junction Hill School. The funds will be used to buy recess equipment and a 9 Square in the Air game for its middle school. The game combines elements of volleyball and four square. Any money left over will be set aside by the Junction Hill Booster Club for future projects. Front row: Kiwanis Club Treasurer Cass Johnson presents the funds to Junction Hill Superintendent and Principal Tim Perkins. Back row: club members Weston Gant, Ron Grennan, John Grisham, Aaron Wheeler and Scott Womack.

Kiwanis Club donates to Junction Hill School

     

Public defender’s office disputes judge’s order in WP murder case

            A court order requiring the state public defender’s office to represent a local murder suspect is being challenged by the …
Representatives from K-MAC Enterprises and Taco Bell present a $40,000 Taco Bell Foundation grant to the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater West Plains Area. Front row, from left: Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Elisabeth Cawthon, David Black (Market Coach, K-MAC/Taco Bell) and Brandy Goebel (Boys & Girls Club). Back row, from left: Jodi Vogel (District Coach), Anthony Cox (Restaurant General Manager) and Kylie Prince (Restaurant General Manager).

$40K Taco Bell grant powers new Boys & Girls Club Teen Center

For teenagers, the future can often seem abstract — a distant reality set against another awkward conversation about life plans. The Boys & Girls Club of the Greater West Plains Area is working to make that future clearer through its new Teen Center, a dedicated space where local youth can spend time after school while preparing for adulthood.
News
West Plains student council sponsor Kirsten Zuercher, kneeling, makes a last-minute fix to an errant corsage worn by 2026 Homecoming crown bearer Dallas Smith on Friday. The moment happened just before Smith took the field for the halftime coronation ceremony at Zizzer Stadium. West Plains defeated the Hillcrest Hornets 34-12. See Pages 12 and 13 of today’s Quill for more Homecoming coverage.

Quick fix for young royalty

     

Van Alst indicted on rape, incest charges

A West Plains man has been charged with first-degree rape and class E felony incest following a grand jury indictment in Howell County Circuit Court.
Guests gather at Silver Springs Ranch during a previous Ozarks Healthcare Foundation Blue Jean Ball. The 13th annual event returns to the venue this Saturday starting at 6 p.m.

Silver Springs Ranch set to host Blue Jean Ball

The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation will host its 13th annual Blue Jean Ball this Saturday, bringing an evening of Western-themed entertainment, live music and fundraising to Silver Springs Ranch.
FORGING HISTORY — Dressed in period buckskins and a top hat, blacksmith Sid Brink works at his portable coal forge during the 2024 Ozark Heritage Festival in West Plains. Brink will return to demonstrate traditional metalworking alongside a lineup of living history reenactors and regional artisans during the 32nd annual festival on Oct. 16 and 17.

Living history encampment, traditional artisans on display at 32nd annual heritage fest

Traditional craftspeople, historical reenactors and living history encampments will showcase the pioneer spirit of the Ozarks during the 32nd annual Ozark Heritage Festival in downtown West Plains.

Two Festus residents killed in aircraft crash

Two Festus residents suffered fatal injuries when their gyrocopter struck a power line and crashed in Reynolds County.
Sports
Deadline approaching for West Plains youth basketball sign-ups
      West Plains Parks and Recreation has youth volleyball games scheduled today and youth basketball registration remains open through its TeamSideline page. Free …
West Plains freshman Matthew Stewart takes a breath on his way to winning the 400 freestyle on Sept. 24, at the West Plains Civic Center. Stewart finished in 6:04.92 to help the Zizzers defeat Poplar Bluff 69-46. West Plains won seven of the meet's 12 events.
The West Plains boys swimming and diving team captured first place in seven of 12 events to defeat the Poplar Bluff Mules 69-46 at the West Plains Duals on Sept. 24.
      Lady Zizzers volleyball tops Logan-Rogersville in four sets The West Plains Lady Zizzers defeated the Logan-Rogersville Lady Wildcats 3-1 (25-12, 26-24, …
The West Plains Zizzers will host Military Appreciation Night during their home football game on Friday.
Josh Stoltzfus and Lisa Cooper captured the overall male and female titles at the annual I Ran From the Cops 5K on Sept. 12, in Willow Springs.

ZIZZERS SPORTS BRIEFS

        Zizzers cross country sweeps Kentucky invitational The West Plains boys and girls cross country teams both captured first place at the Marshall …

Bo Pace Grizzly Golf Classic set for Oct. 12

The annual Bo Pace Grizzly Golf Classic, presented by UBS Financial Services Inc./Camden, Lunsford, Sanfelippo & Dickinson Wealth Management, will take place Oct. 12 at the West Plains Country Club.
West Plains' Melak Tekle follows through on a return on the tennis courts at West Plains High School. Tekle picked up an 8-4 singles win during the Lady Zizzers' matchup against the Lebanon Yellowjackets on Sept. 8.

Lady Zizzers tennis shows toughness in packed week of competition

The week opened with a match that came down to the wire on Sept. 7, as Rolla edged West Plains 5-4.

Zizzers cross country teams sweep home invitational

Zizzers runners round a turn on the West Plains High School course. From left: Wyatt Milliman, Weldon Perkins, Bryon Davis, Dylan Wade, Knox Weisbrod, Blake Romans, Chaska Shearin, Joseph Roberson and race winner Hunter Stanley, who took first place with a time of 17:45. The boys team packed the top 10, with Shearin placing second, Romans third, Roberson fourth, Wade fifth, Weisbrod seventh, Davis eighth, Perkins ninth and Milliman 10th.
The West Plains High School boys and girls cross country teams each captured first-place championships at the 2026 Zizzer Invitational, also known as the Joe Bill Dixon Invitational, on Sept. 15.

Start time delayed for diving portion of Thursday's swim meet

  The start time for the diving portion of the West Plains boys multi-team swimming and diving meet scheduled for Thursday has been pushed back.  
People & Events

CFO, Coover Foundation open grant round for rural schools

    The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and the Coover Charitable Foundation have opened applications for a grant program designed to support rural schools and their hometowns. …
Festivalgoers gather at tables in downtown Thayer during the 2016 Fall Festival. This year's celebration returns to the downtown area on Oct. 10, offering free admission, live music, a car bash and a variety of family activities.

Thayer Fall Festival to bring autumn fun downtown Oct. 10

The Thayer Fall Festival will bring an evening of free family entertainment, live music and classic autumn activities to downtown Thayer from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Dr. Josh Cotter, director of the Southern Missouri Technical Institute in West Plains, speaks to the DKG Xi Chapter during its Sept. 19 meeting at the West Plains Country Club, as newly installed chapter President Carol Silvey listens at right. Cotter discussed the institute's two-year block courses offered to juniors and seniors from 13 area schools. The programs — which include auto body and collision repair, auto mechanics technology, carpentry, commercial and advertising art, culinary arts, health sciences, a nursing early admissions track and welding technology — are designed to expand career opportunities for students beyond traditional academic paths. During the morning business session, Silvey was awarded the president's pin and ReBena Atkinson was elected second vice president. The chapter also hosted a silent auction for its yearly scholarships, announced an upcoming Dec. 5 bake sale at Hirsch's Feed & Farm Supply and planned its November meeting in Eminence, which will feature the Cross Country Trail Rides. Other meeting highlights included a cookie auction, a plaque presentation for longtime member Anna Mae Burkhead, and door prizes awarded to Atkinson and Brenda Smith.

SoMo Tech director highlights career paths and DKG meeting

         
Parker French and his dog, Oliver, wear matching plaid hoodies in their first-place photo contest submission. Titled “Dogs Against the Machine” and submitted by his wife, Brandy French, the West Plains duo captured 45% of the vote to win the "Copy Cats, Doggy Doubles" contest.

Copy Cats, Doggy Doubles photo contest winners announced

Area residents and their animal companions recently went head-to-head in the "Copy Cats, Doggy Doubles" photo contest, presented by All Pet & Equine Supply in West Plains.
Community members gather for an event outside the historic Lincoln Schoolhouse at 1400 E. Pony Thomas St. in West Plains. The organization behind the site’s preservation, the Lincoln School Project, was recently named a Rising Star award winner in the 2026 Ozarks Alive Rock Picking Awards for its early success and long-term impact on sharing regional history.

Lincoln School Project wins Ozarks Alive 'Rising Star' award

    The Lincoln School Project has been named a Rising Star award winner in the 2026 Ozarks Alive Rock Picking Awards, recognized for its early success and expected long-term …
Records
Arkansas news
Missouri news
Features
Presenters at the Southern Missouri Builders Association’s first “Understanding the Journey Home” workshop Sept. 19 at Ozarks Small Business Incubator in West Plains represented real estate, construction, remodeling, lending, utilities, title services and insurance. From left, they are Becky Buttler, Lee Jordan, Myles Smith, Steve Bunn, Mindy Trail, Ashley Matejek, Whitney Frazier, Cari Perry and Haleigh Walker. The workshop focused on decisions involved in buying, building or remodeling a home.

SOMO Builders Association hosts homeownership workshop

The Southern Missouri Builders Association hosted its first “Understanding the Journey Home” workshop Sept. 19 at the Ozarks Small Business Incubator in West Plains.
Vintage Floral in downtown Willow Springs recently celebrated its 15-year business anniversary with a community gathering on Sept. 17. During the event, Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce Director Kim McCormick presented the boutique's team — including Sherry Hollis, Christy Graves and Shelby Gray — with a certificate recognizing the milestone. The shop's team, at center in matching shirts, is surrounded by family, friends, customers and chamber representatives. Chamber Board Treasurer Robert Hollis also spoke during the event to recognize the business as a community asset. Vintage Floral offers formal wear, flowers, gifts and unique clothing.

Vintage Floral celebrates 15 years

     
Dora FFA students Kaleb Herring, center left, and Braxtin Wright, center right, receive a $500 donation on behalf of their chapter from West Plains Elks Lodge 2418. Presenting the check, from left: Ritchie Schertz, Mark Herring, Danny Cobb, Craig Jordan and Bobby Pankey. Kaleb Herring and Wright said the funds will be used to support the chapter’s cattle-working and trapshooting teams.

Elks donate $500 to Dora FFA

         

Missouri home prices rise in August despite dip in sales volume

    Missouri’s real estate market saw rising residential sales prices in August, though total dollar volume dipped compared to the previous month, according to a new report from …

Mtn. View lottery player wins $3 million prize

A conversation with a store clerk led a Missouri Lottery player to discover he won $3 million on a Mega Millions ticket.
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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