The State Board of Education announced Tuesday that 33rd District Sen. Karla Eslinger, of Wasola in Ozark County, will assume the role as the state’s next commissioner for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) effective June 1, 2024, after concluding her work in the Missouri Senate during the 2024 legislative session. more

The alleged thefts of vehicles have led to felony charges for four area residents, filed in Douglas and Howell counties. more

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Adam R. Johnson and Cpl. Johnathan R. Roberts have been named Missouri State Team Members of the Month for their life-saving water rescue of two campers, announce officials with the State Department of Public Safety. Johnson and Roberts serve in Highway Patrol Troop G, headquartered in Willow Springs. more

A Christian County woman suffered fatal injuries in a head-on crash at 10:54 a.m. Nov. 13 at the intersection of Highway 14 and O Highway in Douglas County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. more

An Ava resident has been charged for allegedly catching and keeping a "gross over-limit" of walleye on two separate occasions in March, the latest crime he is suspected of committing. more

A Wright County woman has been charged with six felonies after allegedly driving drunk and causing a rollover accident that resulted in paralyzing injuries for another driver. more

The recently-formed South Central Missouri Prescribed Burn Association (PBA) held its first training session Oct. 20 at a member’s farm east of Gainesville in Ozark County.  more

Editor’s note: The following article describes a case of alleged domestic violence. While care has been taken to report on the allegations with sensitivity, it may still be disturbing to read. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you are experiencing domestic or sexual violence, or if you’re a survivor of the same and in need of support, call Christos House’s hotline, 800-611-5853. more

Eleven school districts will be awarded grant funds for student field trips to karst locations in the Ozarks. School districts receiving grant funds are Ava, Mtn. Grove, Manes, Plato, Licking, Houston, Mtn. View-Birch Tree, Willow Springs, Howell Valley, Glenwood and Gainesville. more

A Taney County resident is charged in Douglas County with drug trafficking and other felonies after a large quantity of controlled substances were allegedly found in the vehicle of another suspect, and a search of his home allegedly uncovered marijuana, drug paraphernalia and items typically used for the weighing and packaging of narcotics. more

A West Plains man charged in Douglas County after allegedly setting up a meeting with two teenage girls, the intention to have sex with one of them, is now also charged with three misdemeanor counts of violation of an order of protection for an adult and a misdemeanor count of violation of a child protection order. more

Gov. Mike Parson recently announced 10 area schools are among 566 Missouri school districts, charter schools and nonpublic schools to receive grant funds from the second round of funding for the School Safety Grant Program. more

Two men, one a West Plains resident and the other living in Ava, each face charges in Douglas County, including second-degree attempted statutory rape, after reportedly arranging to meet people they believed to be underage girls for sex. more

An Ava resident who claimed a soda was tainted with meth by his wife in order to cause him to fail a drug test has been arrested and charged with second-degree drug trafficking, a Class C felony. more

A Summersville semitruck driver who was involved in a fatal 2020 crash in West Plains has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. The crash had resulted in the death of a woman from Dora, Anna Hambelton. more

Residents of Howell and surrounding Missouri counties, including Wright County, are encouraged to bring old and worn-out electronics to one of three upcoming fall electronic waste (E-waste) collection events hosted by the South Central Solid Waste District. more

POMONA — The South Central Ozarks Council of Governments (SCOCOG), headquartered in Pomona and serving seven counties has announced it has received two awards totaling more than $225,000 from the Delta Regional Authority (DRA). more

A thunderstorm with wind gusts measuring up to 68 mph Wednesday night downed trees and power lines across roads in Ozark County. While most of the damage seemed to occur in the western part of the county., the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office reported a driver in Bakersfield was unhurt when a tree fell on a moving car. more

After a severe storm blew through south central Missouri Saturday evening, West Plains and surrounding communities are getting a small break from the heat. more

A heat advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service office in Springfield for central and southern Missouri, in effect through 9 p.m. July 28 due to expected heat index values of up to 109 degrees and limited overnight relief. more