News | West Plains Daily Quill

FILE - The Supreme Court of the United States is seen in Washington, March 26, 2024. The Supreme Court has refused to block a Texas law requiring pornographic websites to verify the age of their users. The justices on Tuesday rejected an emergency appeal filed by the Free Speech Coalition, a trade association for the adult entertainment industry. The provision of House Bill 1181, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott, remains in effect even as the association’s full appeal is weighed by the Supreme Court. (AP Photo/Amanda Andrade-Rhoades, File)

Supreme Court leaves in place a Texas law requiring pornographic websites to verify users' ages

The Supreme Court has refused to block a Texas law requiring pornographic websites to verify the age of their users. The justices on Tuesday rejected an emergency appeal filed by the Free Speech … more

4/30/24

FILE - A shopper loads her car after shopping at a Walmart in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018. Walmart announced Tuesday, April 30, 2024, is closing its health centers and virtual care service, as the retail giant has struggled to find success with the offerings. AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Walmart to close its 51 health centers and virtual care service

Walmart is closing its health centers and virtual care service after struggling to find success with the offerings. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer said Tuesday that after managing the … more

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN | 4/30/24

Editorial Roundup: Missouri

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. April 28, 2024. Editorial: Missourians have one week left to help get abortion rights on the ballot Missourians who believe that women have an inalienable right to … more

By The Associated Press | 4/30/24

FILE - Missouri Speaker of the House Dean Plocher listens as Gov. Mike Parson delivers the State of the State address, Jan. 24, 2024, in Jefferson City, Mo. On Monday, April 29, 2024, a panel of lawmakers dismissed an ethics complaint against Plocher, breaking from a Republican who argued that Plocher used his power as the House leader to block an investigation. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)

Ethics committee dismisses complaint against Missouri speaker

A panel of lawmakers has dismissed an ethics complaint against Missouri's powerful House speaker. The House Ethics Committee voted 7-2 on Monday to dismiss the complaint against Republican Speaker … more

By SUMMER BALLENTINE | 4/29/24

Howell County Commissioners met with Christos House Domestic Violence Services representatives during a recent regular meeting and declared April Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Howell County. The action is meant to bring attention to the prevalence of sexual assault in the area and nationwide, and remind victims of available legal, medical and mental health recovery resources, including Christos House. The nonprofit organization provides guidance to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The proclamation says, in part, that statistics show 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men will experience some form of sexual violence with physical contact during their lives. The commission reaffirmed their commitment to "reducing sexual violence in Howell County through prevention education, increased awareness and holding perpetrators who commit acts of violence responsible for their actions." The Christos House Hotline number is 800-611-5853, or dial 911 in an emergency. Seated, from left: County Clerk Kelly Waggoner, Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood, Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs and Southern Commissioner Billy Sexton. Standing are Christos House Outreach advocate Kenya Cook, left, and shelter advocate Tommie Hagen.

Howell Co. Commission commits to reducing sexual violence statistics

4/29/24

Troop G's Johnson, Roberts receive Meritorious Service Awards for heroic acts

Two local troopers were among 29 Missouri State Highway Patrols to be recognized with awards at an annual banquet held Saturday in Cape Girardeau. more

4/29/24

Iowa motorcyclist dies in crash near Hardy

An Iowa man suffered fatal injuries in a motorcycle crash at 5:07 p.m. Saturday on Arkansas Highway 175 near Hardy in Sharp County, according to the Arkansas State Police. more

4/29/24

Suspicious fire call leads to recovery of stolen ATVs, camper, say deputies

A Willow Springs resident has been charged with three counts of stealing a motor vehicle and one count of stealing $750 or more after investigation into a suspicious fire and the discovery of utility vehicles and a camper that had been reported stolen. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 4/29/24

FILE - Andrew Lester appears in court to answer charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, April 19, 2023, in Liberty, Mo. The family of Ralph Yarl, a Black teenager who was shot when he mistakenly went to the wrong home in Kansas City, Mo., filed a lawsuit Monday, April 29, 2024, against Lester, the white 84-year-old homeowner, an attempt to pursue justice from the “driver’s seat” and put pressure on the criminal trial scheduled for later this year, the family's attorney said. (KMBC via AP, Pool, File)

Family of a Black teen who was shot after ringing the wrong doorbell files lawsuit against homeowner

The family of a Black teenager by a white homeowner when he mistakenly went to the wrong Kansas City, Missouri, address has filed a lawsuit. The family's attorney says Monday the lawsuit was an … more

By HANNAH FINGERHUT | 4/29/24

KS--Kansas Digest

Here's a look at how AP's general news coverage is shaping up for select Kansas stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP's complete coverage of Kansas and the rest of the world, visit Coverage … more

4/29/24

Today in History: May 6, the Hindenburg crashes in flames in New Jersey, killing 97

Today in History Today is Monday, May 6, the 127th day of 2024. There are 239 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On May 6, 1937, the hydrogen-filled German airship … more

By The Associated Press | 4/29/24

Ethel Humble, an elder at the Springfield United Methodist Church in Okemah, Okla., stirs a steaming tray of wild onions at the church's annual wild onion dinner, April 6, 2024. The church is on the Muscogee Nation's reservation, where the meals using wild onions picked by the community are an annual tradition. (AP Photo/Brittany Bendabout)

Wild onion dinners mark the turn of the season in Indian Country

Wild onions are among the first foods to grow at the tail end of winter in the South, and generations of Indigenous people place the alliums at the center of an annual communal event. From February … more

By GRAHAM LEE BREWER | 4/28/24

Barbara Pryor, the widow of former Arkansas governor and U.S. Sen. David Pryor, stands before Pryor's casket with their great-grandson Raven at the Arkansas state Capitol in Little Rock, Arkansas on Friday, April 26, 2024. David Pryor died in Little Rock on April 20, 2024. Pryor, a Democrat, remained active in public service long after he left public office. (AP Photo/Andrew DeMillo)

David Pryor, former governor and senator of Arkansas, is remembered

Former Arkansas Gov. and U.S. Sen. David Pryor is being remembered. Funeral services were held Saturday for family, friends and colleagues, including former Arkansas governor and President Bill … more

4/27/24

Provost at Missouri university appointed new Indiana State University president, school says

Indiana State University officials say a provost at a Missouri university has been appointed the new president of the western Indiana school. School officials announced Friday that Dr. Michael … more

4/26/24

Chasing ‘Twisters’ and collaborating with ‘tornado fanatic’ Steven Spielberg

Growing up in the Midwest, filmmaker Lee Isaac Chung developed both a healthy fear of tornadoes and a reverence for Jan de Bont’s 1996 disaster film “Twister.” When he was hired to direct the … more

By LINDSEY BAHR | 4/26/24

From left with a painting, "Let There be Light" by Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo, recently unveiled at the West Plains Public Library: Friends of the Library President Debra Pettit, Ogunwo, and Friends of the Library Vice President Keara Johnson and Secretary Jenifer Strange. Jenifer Collins is treasurer for the Friends of the Library.

New mural unveiled at WP Library, artist recognized

Prolific creator of West Plains murals Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo recently unveiled his latest painting, "Let There Be Light," at the West Plains Public Library and was presented with a proclamation from West Plains Mayor Mike Topliff for his contributions to the community and library. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 4/26/24

West Plains attorney Melissa Stewart, left, is now the Honorable Melissa Stewart, having been appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to the judgeship recently vacated with the retirement of Associate 37th Judicial Circuit Judge Donna Anthony. Stewart was sworn in April 15 at the Howell County Courthouse by Presiding Circuit Judge Steven Privette, foreground right, in a ceremony attended by family, friends, fellow attorneys and judges, including Associate Circuit Judges R. David Ray, standing between Stewart and Privette, and Sandra Brewer, partially obscured by Privette.

Melissa Stewart sworn in as 37th Circuit judge

West Plains attorney Melissa Stewart has been sworn in as an associate 37th Judicial Circuit judge to replace Donna Anthony, who recently retired from the seat after being elected in 2018 and 2022. The appointment was made by Gov. Mike Parson and announced April 15, the same day Stewart was sworn in by Presiding Circuit Judge Steven Privette at the Howell County Courthouse. more

BY KIMBERLY LANGSTON, KIMBERLYL@WPDAILYQUILL.NET | 4/26/24

Members of the Honor Guard, which performs the duties of military funerals, met Monday at the American Legion Hall off of Bill Virdon Boulevard to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its formation. The anniversary goes further back than the official formation of the Missouri Military Honors Program in 1999. Founding members Charles Raggo, now living in Brighton, Tenn., and Dale Bjorgaard stopped by the Quill to talk about what the Honor Guard does and touch upon its history. The group first met on April 9, 1994, to practice its duties, and approached local funeral directors and those in the area about administering the unique recognition of military veterans at funeral services at a time when it wasn't very common. That includes the playing of taps by a bugler, a 21-gun salute if requested by the family and the removal of the American flag from the veteran's casket, folding it and presenting it to the veteran's family. Honor Guard members, from left: Joe Bean, Ed Beaver, Stanley Taylor, Raggo, Phil Vance, Charles Boyd, Bjorgaard, Larry Ball, Norman Carte, Owen Lunn, founding member Kelly Deadmond, Speedy Curtis and Larry Van Hove. Perry Johnson and Lynn Campo are also members. Another founding member, Howard Correll, died in 2022 at age 90.

West Plains Honor Guard celebrates 30th anniversary

4/26/24

Officials seek public input on Eleven Point State Park

Missouri State Parks officials are asking for public input regarding the future development and considerations to be made for the Eleven Point State Park in Oregon County. more

4/26/24

17 states challenge federal rules entitling workers to accommodations for abortion

Seventeen states are challenging new federal rules entitling workers to time off and other accommodations for abortions. Arkansas and Tennessee filed the lawsuit in federal court on Thursday and … more

By ANDREW DeMILLO | 4/25/24