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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.

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Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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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.
News

MSU-WP chancellor addresses Grizzly Lofts incident

Following a Sept. 11 disturbance at the Missouri State University-West Plains Grizzly Lofts that resulted in charges for two non-students, Chancellor Zora Mulligan issued a statement addressing the incident and detailing updates to campus safety protocols.
Faurot Hall, located at the Missouri State University Fruit Experiment Station in Mtn. Grove, will once again host classes for Missouri State University-West Plains beginning in January 2027. Constructed in 1901 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the facility served as MSU-WP’s original Mtn. Grove home from 1995 to 2004.

MSU-WP Mtn. Grove campus returning to historic Faurot Hall

After more than two decades at Shannon Hall, the Missouri State University-West Plains Mtn. Grove location is relocating back to its original home at Faurot Hall.
A rifle giveaway hosted by Bakersfield American Legion Post 374 raised $3,250 to support local veteran services, high school enlistment scholarships and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. From left: Post Adjutant Vince Drexelius, rifle winner Shelby Snorek, Post Commander Jeff Scott and Post Finance Officer Darrell Mohesky pose with the Henry .44-magnum Golden Boy rifle.

Raising funds for veterans

     
Joselyn Hancock

Missing Fulton County Girl Found

Thirteen-year-old Joselyn Hancock, reported missing in the Camp area of Fulton County, Ark., has been found.
Representatives from Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply present a $2,500 check to the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation in support of the 13th annual Blue Jean Ball. Proceeds from the event support the foundation’s mission to enhance local medical services and patient care. The Blue Jean Ball will take place Oct. 3 at Silver Springs Ranch off Highway PP, southwest of West Plains. Tickets are available online at givebutter.com/c/blue-jean-ball-2026-mg4rzt or by calling 417-853-5200. From left: Hirsch employee Bart Warner, foundation representative Sammi Radosevich and Hirsch co-owner Dixie Williams, employee John Willis, co-owner John Williams and employee Mark Bunch.

Hirsch Feed & Farm Supply sponsors 13th annual Blue Jean Ball

       
Sports
Zizzers to host Military Appreciation Night
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.
Registration remains open through Oct. 12, for West Plains Parks and Recreation's 2026 youth basketball programs, while local softball and volleyball leagues continued play earlier this week.
        Zizzers cross country sweeps Kentucky invitational The West Plains boys and girls cross country teams both captured first place at the Marshall …
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.

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.  
Zizzer Tennis Head Coach Jordan Letterman

Letterman brings purpose, passion to West Plains tennis

        Jordan Letterman nearly called it quits on tennis in high school, and later considered a completely different career path in college. But after years …

WP Parks and Rec posts softball scores, upcoming volleyball games

        West Plains Parks and Recreation has posted recent adult softball results, youth volleyball games for this weekend and ongoing youth basketball …

Grizzly Volleyball home opener, tailgate set for Tues.

Missouri State University-West Plains and the Grizzly Club will host a tailgate beginning at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in the West Plains Civic Center exhibit hall, 110 St. Louis St. in West Plains.
People & Events

BEAR CITY ROUNDUP

A full slate of activities is planned for the Oct. 3 Bear City Fall Festival in Willow Springs:
The Bear City Fall Festival has long attracted crowds to the streets of downtown Willow Springs, as seen in this 2015 file photo.

Bear City Fall Festival Saturday

    The Bear City Fall Festival will bring vendors, food, live entertainment and two brand-new competitions to downtown Willow Springs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 3. …

COMMUNITY CALENDAR:

 Know of an event not listed here? Email submissions by 9 a.m. Wednesdays to news@westplainsdailyquill.net with “CALENDAR” in the subject line. Three sentence maximum must include event description, date, time, location, cost and source for more information. Weekly events will be printed for no more than a month at a time unless renewed by the host. Call the Quill, 417-256-9191 with questions. Unless otherwise noted, events are in West Plains.
AMVETS Post 98 Ladies Auxiliary, represented by Trena Finley, left, presents a donation of school supplies to South Fork Elementary Principal Seth Huddleston, center, and fifth grade teacher Cheyenne Ade. The auxiliary recently raised nearly $2,000 to support Howell County schools and educators.

AMVETS Ladies Aux. raises nearly $2K for local schools, launches holiday fundraiser

The AMVETS Post 98 Ladies Auxiliary recently wrapped up a highly successful school supply drive, raising nearly $2,000 to support local students and teachers across Howell County.
Sarah Jo Sample and the Tonedaddys will take the main stage with a mix of rock and blues at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 3 during the 41st Annual Ozark Black Gold Walnut Festival in Alton.

41st annual Walnut Festival returns with expanded contests, special cruise-in

The 41st annual Ozark Black Gold Walnut Festival will fill the historic Court Square in Alton on Oct. 3, bringing expanded contests, live entertainment and a maxed-out vendor layout to the community.
Records
Arkansas news
Missouri news
Features

Rep. Jason Smith honored for rural Alzheimer's advocacy

U.S. Rep. Jason Smith, representing Missouri’s 8th Congressional District,was recently honored by the National Grange with a Rural Health Champion Award for his efforts to improve Alzheimer’s care and diagnostics in rural communities.

Slaughter stock sells lower

Compared to last week, slaughter cows and bulls were $2 to $4 lower Wednesday at the Ozarks Regional Stockyards. Demand was moderate on a moderate supply of 581 head.

Area student named to Columbia College dean's list

Savanna Moore of Mtn. View has been named to the Columbia College dean's list for the summer 2026 semester.

USA Grazing Systems in Ava: Equipping Ozarks cattlemen with advanced watering and fencing infrastructure

For cattle producers across southern Missouri and northern Arkansas looking to build resilient forage stands, optimize daily gains, and cut hay dependency, pasture design is shifting toward high-density rotational grazing.

OzSBI announces 50% Mo. tax credits available for 2026 donations

The Ozarks Small Business Incubator has received 50% tax credits from the Missouri Department of Economic Development to help fund regional entrepreneurship initiatives and facility improvements.
Special Sections
2024 Letters to Santa cover
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.

West Plains Schools announces half-day schedule for Homecoming Friday

West Plains Schools will operate on a half-day schedule on Friday to accommodate this year’s Homecoming celebration.

WPHS Class of ’86 to gather for 40th reunion

The West Plains High School Class of 1986 will hold its 40th reunion during a two-day celebration Friday and Sept. 26.

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