West Plains Daily Digest Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Ty's Take
The power cooperative's peak alert came right as the heat settled in hard, which means West Plains and the county are looking at some tight margins on the grid over the next stretch. It's the kind of thing that doesn't make headlines until the air conditioning quits on a Tuesday afternoon, but the folks at Howell-Oregon Electric know what they're doing. They're asking people to cut back where they can, shift heavy loads to off-peak hours, keep thermostats a degree or two higher than comfortable. It's the old Ozarks bargain: we live out here partly because the power's reliable, and that reliability only holds if everybody does their part when things get tight.
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Weather Alerts
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued July 27 at 11:32PM CDT until July 28 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 111. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT Tuesday. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat and high humidity events....
West Plains Daily Quill
Peak Alert issued by Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative has issued a peak alert through Monday at 7 p.m. due to extreme heat, urging members to reduce use of major appliances like dishwashers, washers, and dryers to avoid hundreds of thousands in future costs. The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat...
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Ozark Radio News
Richards R-V School Seeking Applicants for Classroom and One on One Aides
Richards R-V School District is hiring classroom aides and one-on-one aides for positions running 7:40 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays. Applicants must have at least 60 hours of college credit and will receive salary and benefits.
Summersville Man Arrested on Drug and Weapon Charges
A Summersville man was arrested on July 24, 2026, after a Texas County deputy stopped a Honda Civic without license plates on Stoops Road. Lenny Hebert Junior is facing drug and weapon charges.
Yellville Couple Facing Multiple Charges Including Rape and Sexual Assault
Marion County authorities have arrested Jeremiah Wayne Selfridge, 28, and Christina Dianne Selfridge, 43, both of Yellville, on charges including rape, kidnapping, sexual assault, and domestic battery. The pair faces multiple felony charges.
Assault Charges Filed After Arrest in Texas County
A domestic disturbance on Hog Creek Road in the Houston area on July 25, 2026, led to assault charges being filed after a suspect picked up a female at a business in Cabool and traveled to Raymondville. Texas County deputies responded to the incident.
Mansfield Woman Injured Monday Morning After Striking a Tree
A 21-year-old Mansfield woman was injured Monday morning when her 2009 Chevrolet Impala ran off the left side of Missouri Route N north of Norwood and struck a tree. The driver was wearing a safety device at the time of the crash.
Mountain View Man Air Lifted After Monday Morning Crash
A 59-year-old Mountain View man was airlifted Monday morning after his 2003 Sterling cement truck ran off the right side of Highway 19 twelve miles north of Eminence and overturned. The driver was wearing a safety device and sustained serious injuries.
Donna Jean Heath, 77, of West Plains, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Ozarks Healthcare. She was born September 30, 1948, in Michigan and moved to Florida as a young child, where she met her future husband Jerry Heath Sr.
Ronald Edward Roberson, 81, of West Plains, Missouri, passed away at 12:47 a.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Graveside services will be held at a later date at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Memorial services for Mable M. Werher, 77, of Norwood, will be held Saturday, August 9th, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at The Union Grove FWB Church in Norwood. Arrangements are under the direction of The Elliot-Gentry Carder Funeral Home in Cabool.
Edward Thomas Taylor, 74, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away July 26, 2026, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He was born June 12, 1952, to Jeanette (Eva) Liotta Taylor and the late William Taylor.
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