Residents of Howell, Shannon and Texas counties who were affected by severe weather and flooding between May 19 and 27 have until Sept. 23 to apply with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for assistance with disaster recovery, officials announce. more

The National Park service (NPS) has released figures showing the economic impact of tourism in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways area during 2023. more

Today is the last day for residents affected by severe storms between May 24 and 27 to file for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance in Baxter and Fulton counties in Arkansas, and residents of Howell, Shannon and Texas counties impacted by storms between May 19 and 27 have until Sept. 23. more

Shannon County will have a new sheriff in January, with the retirement of Darrin Brawley. more

On July 23, Gov. Mike Parson’s request for a major disaster declaration was granted by President Joe Biden, allowing Missourians in Howell, Shannon and Texas counties whose employment was lost or interrupted due to severe storms, straight-line winds, tornados and flooding between May 19 and 27 to apply for up to 35 weeks of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA). more

This week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Missouri Gov. Mike Parson announced that the federal government has approved Parsons’s request for a major disaster declaration in response to multiple severe weather systems that generated tornadoes, high winds and flooding across southern Missouri from May 19 through 27. more

With the help of the FBI, a forensics expert at the University of Florida School of Medicine and family members of the victim, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has identified a woman who was found dead in Shannon County more than two years ago, and charged her brother with first-degree murder.  more

Christopher A. Squire, 37, Birch Tree, has had a felony charge of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child added to charges related to an alleged incident of child sexual abuse in September 2023. more

Daniel A. Mantai, 40, Eminence, has been charged with five felony counts each of first degree promotion of child pornography and possession of child pornography, repeat offense or possession of more than 20 pictures, films or videotapes. more

Two area women have been charged with child endangerment after separate vehicle crashes that put child passengers at risk of injury. In one case the suspect reportedly crashed her vehicle as she was being pursued by law enforcement. more

Samantha G. Jacobs, 39, Winona, has been charged with six felonies in two Shannon County cases after allegedly trying to use her vehicle to hit people at two homes, and ramming a parked pickup truck in the process. more

A third suspect has been charged in the late-December murder of William Stucker, 70, Eminence, and court records show additional felony charges have been filed against two of the suspects in counties across the northwest corner of the state for other crimes allegedly committed both before and after the murder. more

State Sen. Bill Eigel, a Republican from St. Charles County representing the 23rd District and running for governor, will host a public meet-and-greet at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Walnut Room of the West Plains Civic Center, 110 St. Louis St. more

The National Weather Service offices in Springfield and Little Rock, Ark., have confirmed seven tornadoes touched down Sunday in Howell and surrounding counties, including Baxter County, Ark. Of those, two registered damage associated with EF3-strength wind speeds of between 136-165 mph, NWS survey team reports show. more

A 13-year-old boy who was flown to Mercy Hospital in Springfield on Sunday after an ATV rolled on top of him has succumbed to his injuries, reports the Missouri State Highway Patrol. more

In the spirit of those who established Missouri State University-West Plains over 60 years ago, campus officials presented William W. “Bill” Shaw, Birch Tree, with the prestigious Granvil Vaughan Founder’s Award during Saturday’s commencement ceremony at the West Plains Civic Center. more