A highlight of the first West Plains R-7 School Board meeting of the year included an announcement that no new candidates filed for the upcoming school board election, so member Sam Riggs and President Cindy Tyree will retain their seats for another three years, their set to expire in April. more

A group including parents of South Fork Elementary students is protesting the transfer of Howell County deputy and Student Resource Officer Shannon Sisney from his post at South Fork which he has held for about three years, and an online petition posted on change.org signed by about 475 individuals as of Friday morning. more

West Plains Elementary teacher Haley Falterman was recently celebrated for being selected as a 2024 McDonald’s Outstanding Educator. Porter Waggoner McDonald’s General Manager Kayla Butler and Hilburn-Vaini McDonald’s Supervisor Michael McBride visited the school to present Falterman with the award and a $100 gift card. more

Members of the West Plains R-7 School Board recently met for their regular monthly session last week and had a full agenda, including discussions of the spring election, school bus bids and the salaries offered to some staff members. more

During his yearly State of the University address, Missouri State University-West Plains Chancellor Dennis Lancaster provided an overview of enrollment and degree success, recent program and facilities expansions, and some thoughts about future recruitment and retention. more

A total of 1,942 students are enrolled this fall at Missouri State University-West Plains, according to official enrollment statistics for the 2024 fall semester released today. more

Howell Valley School has received a generous grant of $2,621 from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in collaboration with the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust. The funding was used to enhance the school’s science lab with the purchase of a high-powered microscope and a stereoscope. more

West Plains R-7 School Board members, decked out in shirts supporting the Zizzer softball and baseball teams, had their regular monthly meeting after attending the Sept. 17 Zizzer Ballpark ribbon cutting ceremony and a softball game against Rogersville. more

Dr. Wes Davis, superintendent of the West Plains R-7 school district, was the featured speaker of the September Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon, and gave a PowerPoint presentation showcasing improvements to facilities and safety measures, various academic and training programs, and the financial health of the district. more

The Willow Springs School Board will hold a special, closed session at 7 p.m. today in the school board room. more

The West Plains School District will begin the 2024-2025 school year Aug. 19 with a full day of classes. more

The Chaos Closet on East Main Street in West Plains, opposite of West Plains Bank and Trust Company, will hold a special Foster Friday event from 5 to 7 p.m. today. more

Shoppers looking for school supplies in Missouri can take advantage of the annual statewide sales tax holiday that began today and will run through midnight Sunday. All sales taxes on eligible items — local and state — will be exempt. more