Community News | West Plains Daily Quill

Boil advisory begins Monday for PWSD No. 2 Junction Hill patrons

All patrons of Public Water Supply District No. 2 from the Junction Hill will have to boil their water until further notice as a precautionary measure beginning Monday, announced Operator Tyler Stephens. more

3/7/24

West Plains High School junior and Zizzer Pride Band trombonist Ell Bennington takes a moment to reflect during a February trip to New York City, taking in the view from Top of the Rock, an observation platform at Rockefeller Center. Bennington’s trip was the result of a successful audition process, culminating in taking the stage as part of the Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall, sponsored by the WorldStrides Organization.

Zizzer trombonist reflects on Carnegie Hall experience

Take note and start spreading the news: Ell Bennington, a junior at West Plains High School and a trombone player with the Zizzer Pride Band, has joined the ranks of accomplished musicians who have performed at Carnegie Hall. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/6/24

25th annual Check Out Hunger campaign collects nearly $48K for hunger relief

More than 60 local grocers partnered with Ozarks Food Harvest for the 25th annual Check Out Hunger campaign, raising nearly $48,000 from customer donations to provide more than 142,000 meals across the Ozarks. more

3/6/24

Ozark Cafe to donate portion of Thursday sales toward cystic fibrosis research

Ozark Cafe will hold a cystic fibrosis fundraising day from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at 662 Missouri Ave. in West Plains. more

3/5/24

South Fork School has continued with its St. Jude Children's Research Hospital fundraiser this year, donating about $22,000 to the worthy cause through its "Kids Helping Kids" campaign and a partnership with the K-Kountry 95 St. Jude Radiothon. Since 2010, the elementary school has raised about $125,000 total for the nonprofit hospital in Memphis, Tenn., that treats children and conducts research into childhood diseases and cancers without charge to families. South Fork Principal Dr. Seth Huddleston, along with some staff members and students, shared their experience with the West Plains R-7 School Board during a recent meeting. Seated from left: students Caleb Russell, Hazel Riggs, Evelyn Rodriguez and Kenley Russell. Standing: second grade teacher Nichole Riggs, student Aubry Holmes in front of Huddleston, speech-language teacher Caty Holmes holding the sign with first grade teacher Amber Russell on the opposite side, students Granger Johnson and Reese Johnson in front of faculty member Katelyn Johnson, and third grade teacher Patricia Rodriguez holding daughter Meritt.

South Fork raises $22K for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

Administration, faculty, staff, patrons and students of South Fork School have long been supporters of the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, raising funds for the facility each year. They outdid themselves this year by surpassing their $21,000 fundraising goal by about $1,000. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/5/24

WP woman faces arson charge for Olden Street house fire

A West Plains woman awaiting the conclusion of a case involving a charge of third-degree domestic assault against her has been charged with felony first-degree arson after allegedly setting fire to a house on West Olden Street early the morning of Feb. 23 while five people, including three children, were inside. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/4/24

Newton’s Agency, a longtime supporter of the annual Cystic Fibrosis Concert fundraiser, recently donated $2,500 to support research into the genetic respiratory disease, for which there is no cure. It is the 36th year for the event featuring country artist Sara Evans, a Boonville native and a Grand Old Opry inductee. The concert will be March 16 at the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. Doors open at 5 p.m. with silent and live auctions to follow, and local volunteer singing group Jessica's Friends will open for Evans, who will take the stage at about 8 p.m. Tickets for adults are $30 in advance or $40 at the door, and $5 for children age 12 and younger, in advance or at the door. They may be charged by phone by calling the civic center at 417-256-8123, or online at Ticketmaster.com/Sara Evans. Tickets are also available in person at West Plains area banks, West Plains Music, West Plains Walmart, K-Kountry 95 radio station in Thayer, and from Regina Voyles in Winona and Sarah Honeycutt in Cabool. From left: Newton’s employees Adrienne Peeler and Jeanette Carrell, Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains volunteers Lily Smith and Lois Frazier, Newton’s Administrator Jimmy Miller and nurse/Manager Amanda Mitchell, Cystic Fibrosis volunteers Rick Frazier and Jessica Joice-Frazier, and Newton’s employees Sondra Meany and LaToya Vandenbulcke.

Newton's donates $2,500 toward cystic fibrosis research

3/4/24

Andrea Lawson, a fourth-grade student at West Plains Elementary, voluntarily helped clean up trash after the Feb. 19 Lady Zizzer Basketball game, showing exemplary kindness and initiative, shared West Plains R-7 District Communications Director Lana Snodgras. “She went above and beyond without being asked, embodying the true spirit of a Zizzer,” Snodgras added. As a token of appreciation from district officials, Lawson received a few concession items.

4th grader goes 'above and beyond'

3/4/24

Assault charge filed against woman after incident with walking stick, pan

A West Plains woman is charged with first-degree domestic assault resulting in serious physical injury after allegedly hitting a man in the head with an aluminum pan and walking stick, resulting in the man’s loss of consciousness. more

3/4/24

Colton's to donate Tuesday sales toward cystic fibrosis cause

Colton's Steak House and Grill, local franchise owner Haley Mitchell and staff will host the restaurant’s fundraising Cystic Fibrosis Day from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday. more

3/2/24

West Plains Bank and Trust Company, a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), along with West Plains Housing Authority were chosen to receive a Competitive Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant for $657,000 to help local families find a safe and affordable place to call home. The money will be invested in Walnut Grove Apartments, a 74-unit complex at 302 Walnut St. in West Plains.From left: West Plains Housing Authority Representatives Ryan Warren, Brenda Warren and Mandy Pitts, and West Plains Bank and Trust Company President and CEO David M. Gohn and Vice President and Compliance Officer David King.

WP Housing Authority chosen for grant awarded through West Plains Bank and Trust, Des Moines bank partnership

West Plains Bank and Trust Company, a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), and the West Plains Housing Authority were chosen to receive a Competitive Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grant for $657,000 to help local families find a safe and affordable place to call home, bank officials announced this week. more

3/2/24

Southern Bank of West Plains has donated $1,000 to help with cystic fibrosis research through Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains, and the group’s upcoming annual concert fundraiser event will give music fans a chance to contribute while enjoying an evening of entertainment provided by nationally-acclaimed country recording artist Sara Evans. It will begin at 7 p.m. March 16 at the West Plains Civic Center with live and silent auctions and a performance by local volunteer singing group Jessica's Friends. Tickets for adults are $30 in advance or $40 at the door, and $5 for children age 12 and younger, whether purchased in advance or at the door. They may be purchased with a credit card by phone by calling the civic center at 417-256-8123, at Ticketmaster.com/Sara Evans or by scanning a QR code on promotional posters that will take users to the Ticketmaster website. From left: Jessica's Friends member Katlyn Johnson; Cystic Fibrosis of West Plains volunteer Lois Frazier; Southern Bank employees Jeromy Beasley, Skyler Tompkins, Lindsey Peterman, Andrea Atchison and Weston Gant; Cystic Fibrosis volunteer Kaigan Barker; Southern Bank employee Amanda Wallace; Cystic Fibrosis volunteer Jessica Joice-Frazier; Southern Bank employee Tyler Martin holding sons Mason and Blake; and Jessica's Friends members Nevaeh Johnson and Bella Johnson.

Southern Bank donates $1,000 toward Cystic Fibrosis Concert

3/1/24

Police: Officer hurt while apprehending man on outstanding warrants

A West Plains man wanted on active county warrants for charges of second-degree domestic assault, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree child endangerment reportedly injured an officer during his arrest and now faces additional charges. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/1/24

West Plains Council on the Arts President Kathleen Morrissey gave a presentation and was praised by West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff and city council members for her work promoting Ozarks arts and culture for several decades, including work on the longtime and local Old Time Music Ozarks Heritage Festival. She is holding her award, a blown glass sculpture created by a Missouri artist.

WP Council approves new housing construction, awards Garner Villas bid to local company

At its regular monthly meeting held Feb. 20, the West Plains City Council recognized Kathleen Morrissey for her award from the Missouri Arts Council for her work as an individual for her leadership in promoting the arts, the culmination of several decades of service in the area and statewide. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 3/1/24

The Budweiser Clydesdales will be a part of the Neon Parade on April 6, a part of the Eclipse West Plains Party in the Path festivities.

Call for entries issued for April 6 Neon Parade

West Plains area businesses, schools, churches, clubs and other organizations are invited to take part in the Neon Parade, set for 7:30 p.m. April 6. Sponsored by Midway Towing, it is one of the “Party in the Path” events to celebrate the upcoming total solar eclipse in West Plains on April 8. more

2/28/24

Captain D's Cystic Fibrosis Day is Saturday

Cystic fibrosis fundraising supporters Zach and Jessica Stokes, owners of Captain D's in West Plains, have announced their fifth annual Cystic Fibrosis Day, to be held Saturday at the restaurant, 1402 Preacher Roe Blvd. more

2/28/24

Tuesday was the first day of filing for candidates to be placed on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary election, and several lined up at the Howell County Clerk Kelly Waggoner's to get the job done early. From left: Waggoner is signing up Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood and Public Administrator John Pruett, both running for reelection, and Dr. Gary DeShazo, West Plains, who is running for the office of Howell County Coroner held by Tim Cherry. Filing for the August election runs through March 26, with a final certification date of May 28. For unregistered voters, the last day to register to vote in that election is July 10. The Howell County Clerk's Office is at 35 Court Square in West Plains. To register to vote in person, bring a current government-issued photo ID. A receipt from a political party showing proof of a paid filing fee is also required in order to file as a candidate, along with a government-issued photo ID. Provisional ballots may be cast if the voter is registered, but doesn't possess any of the official forms of identification, however, the ballot will only be counted if the voter returns to their polling place on election day with a valid photo ID or the signature on the provisional ballot envelope is determined by the local election authority to match the signature on the voter registration record. Municipal and school board elections will be held April 2; the last day to register to vote for that election is March 6.

Filing begins for August primary elections

2/28/24

Voting for Best of West Plains ends Friday

Voters have until the end of the week to weigh in on their local favorites by choosing the Best of West Plains. more

2/28/24

Former WPHS coach sentenced on child-endangerment charge

Christopher R. Taylor, 43, Pottersville, has pleaded guilty to child endangerment without sexual conduct, and handed a seven-year sentence with five years of supervised probation. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 2/27/24

West Plains R-7 board meets on Tuesday

The West Plains R-7 Board of Education will meet in regular session at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the West Plains High School library, following a brief closed session set to begin at 5 to discuss legal, real estate, personnel and student matters. more

2/26/24