Business | West Plains Daily Quill

Jasper Engines & Transmissions names scholarship award winners for 2025

Officials with Jasper Engines and Transmissions have announced the winners of the company’s annual scholarship program. Applicants must be dependent children of full-time Jasper associates. A rating system based on several criteria is used to determine the recipients. more

7/19/25

MFA Oil upgrades WP Petro-Card 24 station

MFA Oil Company, a farmer-owned energy cooperative, announces the completion of significant upgrades at its Petro-Card 24 station at 3007 Porter Wagoner Blvd., West Plains. The location is open to the public 24 hours a day and offers 87-octane gasoline and clear and red-dyed diesel fuel. more

7/18/25

Sparklight celebrates rebranding

7/18/25

Mike Gwaltney, center, groundskeeper and general maintenance worker at Missouri State University-West Plains, officially retired from his full-time position July 1. Gwaltney received a piano arch mantle clock and a certificate noting his years of service from MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster, right, who also retired on July 1. With them is Crockett Oaks, associate vice-chancellor for Business Support Services.

Gwaltney celebrates retirement from MSU-WP

7/18/25

Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company has promoted Scott Dangler to load crew manager at the company’s West Plains branch, officials announced. Dangler has dedicated 10 years to the organization, previously serving as a mid-shift order builder. Dangler and his family reside in Mtn. Grove. Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is a fourth-generation, family-owned bottler operating in Missouri for 105 years. Founded by the Rice family in 1920, Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper products are manufactured in Springfield, with sales and distribution branches in southern Missouri and northwest Arkansas.

Ozarks Coca-Cola promotes Scott Dangler

7/11/25

Amanda Zitter, branch manager for FNBC’s Mtn. Grove office, has expanded her leadership responsibilities to include oversight of the West Plains retail team, announced officials with the bank, based in Ash Flat, Ark. Zitter joined the FNBC team in 2022 with the acquisition of two Missouri branches. She brought with her a background in community banking, having previously served as teller, universal banker and branch assistant. She has led the Mtn. Grove retail team since 2020. In her expanded role, said officials, she will lead the retail teams in West Plains and Mtn. Grove, working closely with Julie Davis, vice president of retail operations, and Missouri Community President Zack Lashley to support deposit growth, enhance product and service delivery and ensure operational efficiency across both locations. “Amanda has demonstrated leadership and commitment to her customers and community,” said Davis. “She is an experienced banker and we’re confident she will continue to make a positive impact as she takes on this expanded role.” Zitter lives in Mtn. View with her husband Travis and their three children.

Zitter promoted to branch manager for FNBC’s Missouri market

7/11/25

West Plains R-7 School District officials extend their congratulations to Guidance Counselor Amy Barlow, left, recipient of the district’s Above and Beyond Award. “Since joining the West Plains High School team last year, Mrs. Barlow has quickly stepped into a leadership role, building a supportive, positive environment for both students and staff,” explained Communications Director Lana Snodgras. “Her dedication to student success, tireless work ethic and commitment to her team have made a lasting impact. Whether guiding students through their next steps or staying late to support her peers, Mrs. Barlow consistently goes above and beyond. We’re proud to recognize her outstanding service.” With Barlow is high school Principal Ryan Smith.

Amy Barlow recognized for going ‘Above and Beyond’

7/11/25

Edward Jones' Foster earns CFP certification

Financial Advisor Heather E. Foster of the financial services firm Edward Jones in West Plains has received the Certified Financial Planner, or CFP, certification, granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.  more

7/5/25

West Plains R-7 School District officials announce Haley Falterman as the 2025 New Professional of the Year. In just her second year of teaching, said officials, Falterman has already become a standout educator. “Her classroom is a welcoming space where students feel supported, valued and motivated to succeed,” said Commmunications Director Lana Snodgras. “She sets high expectations and provides the encouragement and guidance each student needs to reach their full potential. Haley’s ability to connect with her students and make learning meaningful has not gone unnoticed. Through thoughtful instruction and a genuine passion for education, she is creating an environment where curiosity, effort and growth are celebrated every day.” Falterman, center right, teaches fourth grade at West Plains Elementary School. With her are, from left, assistant principals Amy Marshall and Sarah Land, and Principal Virginia Uphaus.

R-7 names Falterman New Professional of the Year

7/5/25

CEC Conference invites community builders to recharge, reconnect and reimagine local impact

University of Missouri Extension invites economic developers, chamber of commerce directors, nonprofit professionals and community leaders from across the state to attend the 2025 Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities Conference, Sept. 30 through Oct. 2, in downtown Excelsior Springs. more

7/4/25

Bruce Bressler, lineman with Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative, center, introduced this year’s entertainment, Molly Clair, right, and Company at the 86th annual Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative membership meeting in May.

HOEC annual meeting draws 1,200

The 86th annual meeting of Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative drew more than 1,200 people to the West Plains Civic Center. Hamburgers and hotdogs with chips and drinks were available and … more

6/29/25

Dr. Priscilla Frase, chief medical information officer at Ozarks Healthcare.

Dr. Priscilla Frase named to Becker’s list

Ozarks Healthcare officials announced Dr. Priscilla Frase, chief medical information officer and interim director of information technology, has been named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s … more

6/29/25

Judy Carr, center, associate professor of psychology/sociology at Missouri State University-West Plains will retire from her position Aug. 1 after 27 1/2 years as a full-time member of the faculty. Carr was hired as a per course faculty member in spring 1992 and joined the full-time faculty on Jan. 5, 1998, as instructor of Psychology/Sociology. She was promoted to assistant professor on Aug. 13, 2001, and was granted tenure on Aug. 12, 2002. She was promoted to her current rank on Aug. 13, 2012. In addition to teaching, Carr served as Faculty Senate chair from 2008-2009 and was on the Kids’ College planning committee for several years. She’s received numerous awards during her career, including the Faculty Mentor Awards in 2007 and 2011, the Faculty Merit Award in 2012, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education in 2015, and the West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year in 2024. At a reception May 7, Carr received a certificate noting her years of service and a piano arch mantle clock from MSU-WP Chancellor Dennis Lancaster, left, and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Dr. Michael Orf.

Carr to retire after 33 years

6/21/25

Vendors sought for Elvis event

The Avenue Theatre, 307 Washington Ave. in West Plains, is seeking vendors for its second Elvis on the Avenue event, set to begin at 11 a.m. July 6. Food trucks and general vendors are both … more

6/21/25

OzSBI launches brand building, web development scholarships for small businesses

Officials with the Ozark Small Business Incubator announce the launch of the Brand Building Scholarship and Discount and the Website Development Digital Impact Scholarship, made possible through a … more

6/21/25

Conjure House Coffee to host soft reopening Tues.

Officials with the Ozark Small Business Incubator invite the public to attend the soft opening of its client, Conjure House Coffee, at 1 p.m. Tuesday in its new location in West Main Plaza. … more

6/14/25

Community First names new board members, announces promotions

Community First Banking Company in West Plains announces two new board members and the promotions of six employees. Kirt Ramseur was named as an advisory director to the bank’s board of … more

6/14/25

Cameron Hutchison, a contractor for codefi, works on a project at his computer.

MSU-WP bridges gap for rural tech careers with codefi partnership

Missouri State University-West Plains has recently become the fourth higher education institution in Missouri to recognize the curriculum of codefi, a tech venture and workforce development firm … more

BY SAM MACPHERSON, QUILL FEATURE CONTRIBUTOR | 6/13/25

Community invited to Sparklight rebranding celebration

Internet provider company Sparklight invites the West Plains community to a free ribbon-cutting and launch party celebrating the company’s rebrand from Fidelity Communications to Sparklight. … more

6/13/25

FNBC elevates Rebekah Guiltner to executive VP

FNBC bank CEO Marty Sellars recently announced Rebekah Guiltner has been promoted to executive vice [resident, director of Risk Management and Audit. Guiltner joined FNBC in 2000 as a … more

6/7/25

Napheesa Collier leads her team in 151-131 win over Team Clark in the WNBA All-Star Game

Lowe homers as Nationals defeat Padres 4-2 to snap 5-game skid

AP News Summary at 1:42 a.m. EDT

A vehicle drives into a crowd in East Hollywood, injuring more than 20 people

Suarez hits 32nd and 33rd homers as Diamondbacks rout Cardinals 10-1

WNBA commissioner optimistic about getting new CBA deal done