West Plains schools, including rural K-8 schools in addition to the R-7 district, and His Place Christian Academy will be closed today due to inclement weather forecast this morning, officials announced. more

The Howell County Sheriff's Office has released the name of the man who was struck by a train Monday afternoon, Charles Allen Lightfoot Jr., 49, of West Plains. "Our deepest sympathy goes out to his family and friends," officials with the sheriff's department said. more

Mtn. View-Birch Tree Liberty and West Plains schools have announced no classes will be held Tuesday due to forecast icy weather. Head Start programs in both cities, plus in Licking, will also be closed. more

Craft brewers, distributors and area restaurants will be highlighted at the 11th annual West Plains BrewFest, set for 5:30 to 8 p.m. March 8 in the exhibit hall at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St., as a fundraiser for West Plains Council on the Arts. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample craft beers, kombucha, specialty drinks, coffees and special food offerings. more

Driver license exam stations close for holidays more

Emily Godat, an attorney with Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM), signed the historic register of attorneys practicing law in Howell County on Monday. She was accompanied by Corri Mader-Twillman, also an attorney with LSSM and a former public defender. more

The 2025 Explore West Plains guidebook is hot off the presses and now available at the Ozark Heritage Welcome Center, 2999 Porter Wagoner Blvd. It can also be found any West Plains hotel, and guidebook advertisers including medical offices, restaurants, retailers, real estate offices, the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce and the West Plains Daily Quill. more

The 64 pink ribbons seen throughout today's issue of the West Plains Daily Quill are a joint effort between the Quill and West Plains High School as part of the annual Pink Out campaign to raise funds for local cancer treatment. more

Attendees to Project Homeless Connect, held Thursday at the West Plains Civic Center, were given haircuts, food and help with resources. The annual event is organized by Ozark Action each January. more

On Feb. 15, two students at Missouri State University-West Plains will be crowned the 2025 Homecoming King and Queen. more

West Plains City Council members, with the exception of John Niesen, who was absent, recently voted to approve a building permit request, a resolution regarding an emergency operations plan and the passage of an ordinance needed to complete a plan for battery backup of traffic signal lights. more

City of WP announces design contest more

Suicide has become a growing problem nationwide, and particularly in the Ozarks, where suicide rates are statistically higher than many other parts of the United States. more

Officials at Missouri State University and Missouri State University-West Plains announce that Dr. Robert Greim has joined the West Plains campus as its new director of development. In this role with the MSU Advancement Office, Greim will focus primarily on serving the West Plains campus. more

For the 12th year, Lady Zizzer Basketball, with the help of West Plains Bank and Trust Company, will raise funds to benefit local cancer patients through the team’s annual Pink Out game, scheduled for Thursday at West Plains High School. The Lady Zizzers will take on the Donettes of Doniphan, with junior varsity action beginning at 5:30 p.m. and a varsity contest beginning at about 7 p.m. more

The Office of U.S. Attorney Teresa A. Moore, Western District of Missouri, has released information about guilty pleas entered in a racketeering case that involved the illegal employment of undocumented workers in several midwestern states, including Missouri. more

In true Ozarks fashion the Koshkonong and surrounding communities are rallying to help an elderly Koshkonong couple recover from injuries and rebuild their lives after a fire destroyed their home on Friday, taking all their belongings with it. more

Organizers of this year's cystic fibrosis benefit concert have announced the headlining artist is Academy of Country Music award-winning artist Rodney Atkins, returning after performing for Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains’ fundraiser event in 2019, helping to raise more than $80,000, setting a new record at the time. more

During its most recent monthly meeting, held Jan. 21, West Plains City Council members heard from a developer who is requesting a zone change from single family residential (R-1) to multifamily residential (R-3) in the northern part of the city. more