Rolla Daily Digest Friday, August 21, 2026
Ty's Take
St. James got itself a new chamber director, which might not seem like much until you remember that wine country doesn't run on good intentions. The viticulture operation down there in Osage County draws tourists, supports tasting rooms, and keeps that whole stretch south of us humming through the slower months. A chamber that's firing on all cylinders matters when you're trying to compete with bigger wine regions and keep the draw steady through winter. New leadership usually means new energy, and that's what you want to see in a place built on convincing people to make the drive down those Ozark roads in the first place.
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Phelps County Focus
New director named for St. James chamber, center
Rebecca West has taken over as director of the St. James Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Information Center. West brings a strong background in community engagement, marketing, and communications to the position.
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