Community News | West Plains Daily Quill

Ozarks Healthcare President and CEO Tom Keller

Ozarks Healthcare announces departure of CEO Tom Keller

After a decade of service to Ozarks Healthcare and the surrounding community, Tom Keller, president and CEO of Ozarks Healthcare, has announced his resignation, officials announced this week. Keller will be stepping into a new leadership role at Freeman Health System based in Joplin, effective Dec. 1. more

9/18/24

After months of anticipation, about 100 people waited in line outside McAlister's Deli at 10 a.m. on opening day, Monday, despite a steady rain that soaked some of the sandwich-and-sweet-tea enthusiasts. In addition to those two items, there are a variety of salads, nachos, soups, baked potatoes and desserts. The first 100 customers age 16 and older received a "Free Tea for a Year" pass. The McAlister's West Plains location is the 34th in Missouri, and one of about 530 restaurants nationwide. Also as part of the deli's grand opening, a complimentary Community Heroes Meal was served on Saturday to first responders, medical professionals, active military personnel, veterans, teachers, PTO members and truck drivers. McAlister's Deli is open from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, located at 703 N. Kentucky Ave., and has a pickup window for online and app orders. Besides dine-in and pickup, other options include delivery and catering. To place an order, call 417-596-9151, go to mcalistersdeli.com to place or download the app.

After much anticipation, McAlister's Deli opens in West Plains

9/17/24

A suicide remembrance walk was held Sept. 6 at the West Plains Civic Center, part of an event to bring awareness of suicide prevention, offer solutions and tools for better mental health and recognition of signs of mental crisis and suicide. It was coordinated by the Howell County Suicide Prevention Network and Community Partnership of the Ozarks and included a panel discussion introduced by Howell County Sheriff Brent Campbell, who later led the remembrance walk, followed by activities and fellowship with participants who have lost loved ones to suicide and others that have an interest in suicide prevention.

Organizations team up to raise awareness around suicide prevention

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and in an effort to bring awareness to mental health and offer tools to prevent suicide, the Howell County Suicide Prevention Network and Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) recently came together to sponsor an event to that end. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WESTPLAINSDAILIYQUILL.NET | 9/16/24

Chief: Threat of suicide prevented with police crisis response

A Friday night call for authorities to assist with a suicidal man could have ended tragically, but thanks to crisis intervention methods, the man was taken, unharmed and without force, to Ozarks Healthcare for treatment, said West Plains Police Chief Stephen Monticelli. more

9/16/24

Ozark Spring Daughters of the American Revolution chapter members joining West Plains Mayor Mike Toplif, center, for his proclamation establishing Sept. 17 through 23 as Constitution Week, from left: Cindy McKee-Pirch, Mary Hackett, Bethany Cowen, Linda Collins, Constitution Week Committee Chair Connie Weber, Susan Richardson, Lois Frazier, Karen Ryburn, Cathy Roberts and Mary Ann Mutrux.

Mayor Topliff declares this week Constitution Week

Members of the Ozark Spring chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Josiah Howell chapter of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) recently met with West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff to witness his signing of two proclamations declaring the week of Sept. 17 through 23 to be Constitution Week. more

9/16/24

West Plains City officials have issued a map showing recommended detours for drivers to use while construction is in progress on the railroad overpass on U.S. 160/Independence Drive. Work is set to begin Oct. 1 and is expected to conclude around Dec. 1, 2025.

U.S. 160/Independence overpass construction soon to begin, city announces

The City of West Plains announced this week it is set to begin construction on a long-anticipated overpass project over the Burlington Northern Railroad line on Independence Drive. The $8.9 million U.S. 160/Independence overpass will stretch between Concord Road and Freedom Drive, addressing both traffic congestion and safety concerns caused by the current at-grade rail crossing. more

9/13/24

Dr. Dennis Lancaster, chancellor of Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP), shows former campus dean Marvin Green, seated, a plaque recognizing his many accomplishments for the university at the university’s special recognition for Green in September 2022. The plaque, which specifically notes Green’s efforts to establish a nursing program at the campus, was placed at Looney Hall, which houses the program. With Green and Lancaster is Green’s son, Matt.

MSU-WP officials remember Dean Marvin Green

Officials at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) today are mourning the death of former campus dean Marvin Green. more

9/13/24

West Plains R-7 School District Superintendent Dr. Wes Davis gave an overview of the many recent district improvements, plus provided some figures showing the financial health of the district, during a Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon Sept. 5.

Chamber members hear R-7 district updates at monthly meeting

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

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WESTPLAINSDAILYQUILL.NET | 9/12/24

September is Library Card Sign-up Month

9/12/24

Quill honors Patriot Day, National Day of Remembrance and Service

Within the pages of today’s Quill, readers will find special advertisements taken out by local businesses and organizations in recognition of Patriot Day, a national day of mourning and remembrance of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. more

9/11/24

Richards School Board to meet Sept. 19

The Richards School District Board of Education will meet in regular monthly session at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 in the school’s boardroom. more

9/10/24

Blue Jean Ball returns, will be held in new venue

After a hiatus of several years, the Ozarks Healthcare Foundation has announced the return of the annual Blue Jean Ball in a new venue. The 10th annual event was celebrated in 2018 and raised over $79,000 for the foundation’s various community-oriented health care projects. more

BY QUILL STAFF | 9/10/24

The Howell County Democratic Party headquarters is now open at 41 Court Square in West Plains. A grand opening was held Friday evening, featuring visits from Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan and Vice Chair Yvonne Reeves-Chong, lieutenant governor candidate Richard Brown and 154th District state representative candidate JoJo Stewart. Additional Democratic candidates who talked about their qualifications and goals were Jeffrey Collins, running for Howell County coroner, and Bill Echols, running for Howell County Northern District Commissioner. Supporters of Democratic candidates may go to the headquarters for yard signs and candidate merchandise, and voters can get information on national and state candidates, voter's rights and the Missouri Amendment 3 ballot initiative regarding reproductive rights. The headquarters are open from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays through Nov. 5, when the general election is held. Call Howell County Democratic Co-Chair Mark Jolliff at 417-293-3317 or email him at 911mrj@gmail.com for more information. From left: Echols, Howell County Democratic Co-Chair Terry Moore, Reeves-Chong, Carnahan, Brown, Stewart, Collins, former 152nd District State Rep. J.C. Kuessner and Jolliff.

Howell Co. Democrats open HQ on Court Square

9/10/24

McAlister's Deli will open its doors with a grand opening at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 it 703 N. Kentucky Ave. in West Plains. A complimentary meal will be offered to "community heroes" including first responders, veterans and active military personnel, teachers and truck drivers from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the store. Regular business hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

McAlister’s Deli to hold West Plains grand opening Sept. 16

McAlister's Deli, a fast-casual chain restaurant, will open the doors of Missouri’s 34th location at 10 a.m. Sept. 16 at 703 N. Kentucky Ave., next to 10Box Cost Plus grocery store in West Plains. more

9/9/24

3rd annual Downtown Fall Block Party next Saturday

Get ready, West Plains, because the 3rd annual Downtown Fall Block Party is just around the corner, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest and best events of the year! From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 14, the heart of downtown will be transformed into a bustling celebration, where community spirit, local talent, and the vibrant energy of fall come together for an unforgettable day. more

9/6/24

The West Plains R-7 School District has launched a contest, asking the public to help name the district’s new mascot. The mascot, a lightning bolt with a bold grin, is a gift from the West Plains Zizzer Quarterback Club. Students are already auditioning for chance to wear the costume, said officials, but there’s just one thing missing — a name. “We need your creativity to give our mascot its new identity,” said district officials, encouraging people to submit their ideas online at forms.gle/6Rc2yem9DhDpVM448. “Once we gather your suggestions, we’ll narrow it down to the top 5 and bring it back to the community to vote!” Submissions are due by Sept. 20.

Zizzers' new mascot needs a name

9/6/24

A 1/3 total carat weight diamond pendant in a 10 karat white gold setting valued at $900 has been donated by Rickie David Jewelers to the 37th Judicial CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). The jewelry piece will be auctioned off Saturday during the organization's dinner theater fundraiser. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a mixer at Rubydoo's Vintage Events Center, 940 County Road 9190 east of West Plains, followed by dinner at 6:30. Tickets to the event have sold out, CASA officials shared Wednesday evening on social media. Attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite literary character in keeping with the play, "How To Enchant a Bookshop" by Todd Wallinger, the evening's performance.

Rickie David Jewelers donates to CASA cause

9/5/24

Pedal the Cause bike ride set for Oct. 5

The annual lWest Plains Rides for Pedal the Cause Community Bike Ride will be held Oct. 5, starting and finishing at West Plains High School. more

9/5/24

Melva Johnson of Howell County is the winner of the Quill's recent Back-to-School Scavenger Hunt contest. Johnson was chosen at random from entrants that searched the Aug. 17 issue of the Quill’s West Plains Gazette for eight ads that had an apple in them and provided a list of the businesses advertised. Johnson won a $50 gift certificate provided by Ruby Tuesday. Participating businesses with apples added to their ads were Cawvey’s Electric Motor Service, SRS Electric, Horn Plumbing, El Charro, Richards Brothers Farm Store, Partners in Shine, Mo-Ark Glass and Lynch Equipment.

Scavenger hunt winner named

9/3/24

Howell Co. Democratic HQ to hold grand opening

The Howell County Democratic Committee will hold the grand opening of its 2024 Democratic Headquarters at 5 p.m. Friday at its location, 41 Court Square in downtown West Plains. more

9/3/24