West Plains Daily Digest Monday, July 27, 2026
Ty's Take
Saturday turned into one of those days that reminds you why the river demands respect, and why heat this thick can scramble your judgment in ways you don't see coming until it's too late. We had a man from St. Charles drown in the North Fork, a Rolla fellow hurt near Eminence, and others banged up in ways that didn't have to happen. The heat warning wasn't just words on a screen either, it was the kind of condition that makes people move too fast, take shortcuts, second-guess themselves on the water. Out here where we've got streams and bluffs and folks who grew up thinking they knew every inch of these woods, that's when accidents happen. Worth remembering as we head into August: the Ozarks don't forgive carelessness any season, but especially not when the thermometer's climbing and the water's running hard.
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Weather Alerts
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 27 at 12:32AM CDT until July 28 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to around 115 degrees expected, with locally higher values possible. * WHERE...All of southeast Missouri, and neighboring portions of southern Illinois and far western Kentucky. * WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Heat related...
Ozark Radio News
Hartville Teen Injured Saturday
An 18-year-old Hartville man sustained minor injuries Saturday afternoon when his 1998 Dodge Ram left the roadway and struck a tree on Missouri BB, approximately three miles north of Hartville. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports the driver was wearing a safety device at the time of the...
27-Year-Old Rolla Man Injured Saturday Near Eminence
A 27-year-old Rolla man suffered moderate injuries Saturday evening when his 2015 Chevrolet Cruze veered off Highway V near Eminence and struck a ditch. The crash occurred about five miles northeast of Eminence, and the driver was transported for medical care.
St. Charles Man Drowns in North Fork River Saturday
A 75-year-old St. Charles man drowned Saturday on the North Fork of the White River south of Dora after experiencing a medical emergency while kayaking. His 12-foot fiberglass kayak capsized during the incident on the river.
A heat warning has been issued for the region.
Gatewood Woman Injured After Hitting Tree
A Gatewood woman was injured Friday afternoon when her 2015 Dodge Durango skidded off Missouri Route 142 east of Thayer and struck a fence and tree. The crash occurred at 2:50 p.m., approximately 25 miles east of Thayer.
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