West Plains Daily Digest Tuesday, June 30, 2026
Ty's Take
Holiday weekends always shake loose the things a town needs to handle—sanitation route changes, water-level watches down in Mountain View, the city reminders that keep things running—but what catches you this week is that Dairy Queen putting in a 60-foot Ferris wheel right here on the main drag. That's not a small thing for West Plains. It says somebody still believes families are going to gather, kids are going to want to ride something that spins, and there's enough foot traffic and summer ahead to make it worth the bet. Meanwhile we're saying goodbye to Stanley Joe Harris, Jo Ann Ragon, and Jimmy Allen Macklin Sr.—three more names that held this county together in their own ways—which is how it goes. The wheel turns up, the wheel turns down. You mark the losses and you watch for what grows.
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Weather Alerts
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued June 30 at 4:17AM CDT until July 3 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions can be expected with heat index values of 105 to 115 degrees. * WHERE...all of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ Friday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly d...
Ozark Radio News
Trespassing and Resisting Arrest Charges for Rolla Man in Roby
A Rolla man faces trespassing and resisting arrest charges after returning to two Roby businesses in violation of active trespass orders on Thursday evening. Deputies responded to reports at Waltz General Store and Dollar General around 5:38 p.m. on June 25, where the suspect resisted being taken...
City of West Plains Announcements & Reminders For Holiday Weekend
West Plains city offices will close Friday, July 3rd for Independence Day, and sanitation services will be adjusted accordingly. Residents should place trash out Thursday, July 2nd instead, while the city reminds residents that fireworks are prohibited under local ordinance.
Update on Low Water Slab in Mountain View
The low-water slab on Buddy Lane in Mountain View reopened Monday after a lengthy approval process that required multiple attempts to secure FEMA funding. The facility passed its initial test last Saturday and is now available for public use.
Apply online for MDC managed deer hunts in July
The Missouri Department of Conservation is accepting online applications through July 31st for over 140 deer hunts scheduled across the state from September through January. Hunters can select from archery, muzzleloader, shotgun, and modern firearm options at various conservation areas and wildlife...
Mountain View Sanitation Route Changes for Holiday Weekend
Mountain View's sanitation department will close Friday and Saturday for the July 4th holiday, pushing Friday's residential trash collection to Monday, July 6th. The department's gates will remain closed Saturday with no services available.
Dairy Queen in West Plains Installs 60ft Ferris Wheel this Week
A 60-foot Ferris wheel is now operating in the parking lot next to Dairy Queen in West Plains as part of the America 250th Anniversary celebration. Visitors can purchase tickets to ride the new attraction.
Mary, a 3-year-old miniature pit bull mix, is available for adoption through Ozarks Pet Rescue after being found abandoned and pregnant on a county road near West Plains. Despite her difficult past, Mary has proven to be loving and gentle with people.
Stanley Joe Harris, 75, of West Plains passed away and will be laid to rest Wednesday, July 1st at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery in Pomona. Robertson-Drago Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Jo Ann Ragon, 91, of West Plains will be remembered at graveside services Tuesday, June 30th at South-Fork Cemetery, with visitation Monday evening at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. A longtime area resident, she will be buried in South Fork.
Jimmy Allen Macklin Sr., 73, of Viola, Arkansas passed away June 25th in Memphis and will be remembered at a memorial visitation Friday, July 3rd at Barker Funeral Home in Salem. He was a lifelong resident of the region.
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