The final three candidates for the next president of Missouri State University will take part in a series of open forums across the university system in February, officials announce.  more

In a poignant celebration of history, heritage and hope, the West Plains community gathered Saturday at the historic Lincoln School on for a dedication ceremony that encapsulated the spirit of unity and educational equality. The event, which drew about 80 attendees into the small, one-room schoolhouse, served as both a culmination of the restoration efforts and a tribute to the African American educational journey during the segregation era. more

West Plains R-7 school board members voted on Jan. 16 to continue with early-release Fridays for the foreseeable future after weighing the pros and cons, including bringing the district's calendar more in line with surrounding rural K-8 schools and the likelihood of teachers would losing lesson planning and collaboration time if early-release Fridays were eliminated. more

Fairview School is offering two dates for preschool and kindergarten screenings for the 2024-2025 school year. more

A lifetime of moments, framed in the blink of a shutter, graces the walls of the Ozarks Small Business Incubator, 408 Washington Ave. in West Plains. more

Jason Smith, U.S. Representative for Missouri's 8th District, recently made a visit to the Ozarks Regional Stockyard in West Plains, available to lend an ear to cattle producers and hear concerns about an industry that brings a lot of dollars to the area. more

The December meeting of the West Plains R-7 School Board began with a wrap-up of fall high school student activities, including a visit by many sports and extracurricular activity participants. The students were introduced by Activities Director Dr. Ashley Cooley, and the activities spotlighted included cheerleading; girls tennis, softball, golf, and volleyball; boys soccer; girls and boys cross country; football; speech and debate; and theater. more

Texas County Memorial Hospital gave out top employee awards and honored 38 employees with service awards at the 41st annual Celebration of TCMH Employees on Dec. 8 at the Jayson Gentry Community Safe Room at TCMH.   more

New Willow Springs High School facilities and the programs housed within them were showcased at an open house held Tuesday evening, hosted by the district with tours guided by instructors and students. The facility, off of Springfield Road, was formerly the site of Missouri Department of Transportation offices and recently purchased by the school district from the City of Willow Springs for $1. more

The Richards School Board is set to hold its monthly session at 6 p.m. today in the school boardroom. more

A new 12-week program for business and community program employees and members, aimed at honing leadership skills and community engagement, is set to begin soon in West Plains. more

Officials with the West Plains R-7 School District have announced Virginia Uphaus will assume the role of West Plains Elementary School principal for the 2024-2025 school year. Effective July 1, 2024, she will fill the vacancy left by the retirement of current Principal Becky Hutchinson.  more

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

James and Jessica Brimsberry have a bit of a mystery on their hands, but one that adds a touch of interest to their work in restoring outbuildings on their property near the western edge of town, an area that has seen quite a bit of expansion over the last 40 years or so. more

Downtown Willow Springs is looking like it will be abuzz with activity today, starting with breakfast and children’s activities this morning and wrapping up with this evening’s Christmas parade. more

Nestled within the rolling hills of Missouri, West Plains is a town that holds within its streets and structures the untold stories of a bygone era. This guide embarks you on a self-guided tour, a journey that will lead you through the heart of downtown West Plains, unveiling its rich history and cultural heritage. As you wander through its lanes, you'll find each corner whispering tales of triumph, tragedy, and time-honored tradition. more

The Missouri Lottery announced this month it has awarded funds to schools statewide, raised from the sales of Scratchers and draw games lottery tickets in the 2023 fiscal year. more

Alex McHenry, 18, and Mike Owen, 19, arrived at Martha Vance Samaritan Outreach Center on Aug. 7; their son Finnegan Owen arrived Nov. 3, joining his young parents at the only home he's known so far. more

Two women from West Plains who have climbed the ladders to success in their respective fields are recognized among the 2023 Top 50 Missourians You Should Know by Ingram’s Magazine, a long-standing business publication serving Kansas and Missouri. more