West Plains Daily Digest Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Ty's Take
There's a pattern running through this week's docket that ought to worry anybody paying attention to what's happening around here. Between the sexual misconduct cases, the repeat offender drawing seven years, and a missing teenager flagged as endangered, Howell County's facing the kind of trouble that doesn't make headlines because it's exciting but because something's broken in how we're protecting our own. The good news, at least, is visible in the same papers: scholarship funds from the Folds of Honor golf tournament, the Blue Jean Ball raising money for healthcare, banks and businesses cutting checks for community programs. That's the real work of a small town, grinding it out while the hard cases move through the system. We've got to keep both eyes open.
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West Plains Daily Quill
West Plains Council approves site plans, addresses FEMA floodplain maps
The West Plains City Council approved two site development plans at its Monday meeting, including a commercial expansion for Scaggs Repair at 736 Missouri Ave. and a 32-unit townhome community called Garner Phase III at Bruce Smith Parkway and Garner Boulevard. The council also unanimously approved...
Southern Bank donates to Christos House
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A 20-year-old Willow Springs man faces felony charges after allegedly destroying electric fencing and intentionally running over six goats on Forest Service land off Private Road 5371 on June 6. Logan A. Davis is charged with first-degree property damage, with an initial appearance scheduled for...
Elevatus selected for county facility study
The Howell County Commission has chosen Elevatus Architects, based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to conduct a needs assessment and preliminary design for a proposed county law enforcement facility following a competitive bidding process. The assessment will evaluate current sheriff's office, detention...
Two Howell County men charged in separate sexual misconduct cases
Grant U. Porter, 56, of Mtn. View faces multiple felony charges including domestic assault and endangering the welfare of a child after officers responded to a disturbance call on July 28 and found him assaulting a woman and exposing himself to both her and a 6-year-old girl in her home. John C....
Alton R-IV School District earns national Beta Club honors
The Alton R-IV School District has received the 2025-2026 National Beta School of Distinction and School of Merit awards for maintaining active membership across all eligible grade levels and increasing club participation by at least 10 percent. The district was among 2,959 schools nationwide...
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Howell County News
West Plains passes annual property tax levy
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Ozarks Healthcare Foundation invites community to 13th Annual Blue Jean Ball
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Howell County PHA receives grant from Great Southern Bank, FHLB
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West Plains Bank donates to soccer club
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Repeat sex offender sentenced to 7 years
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Birth Announcements from Ozarks Healthcare
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Fifth Annual West Plains Folds of Honor Golf Tournament raises $28,000 for scholarships
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Locke named manager of the West Plains Public Library
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W.P. teen is missing, considered endangered
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Ozark Radio News
Birthday Blessings Update Following Announcement of Downsizing Earlier this Year
Birthday Blessings, a local West Plains nonprofit, announced earlier this year that it would downsize its operations by narrowing its service area from across the state to just the local counties. Director Shannon VonAllmen discussed the changes and impact of the transition during an interview...
HOWELL COUNTY ANNOUNCES PARKING RESTRICTIONS AT COUNTY OFFICE BUILDING
Howell County Presiding Commissioner Ralph Riggs announced that engineers identified a structural issue on the top deck of the parking garage at the Howell County Office Building, prompting authorities to place barricades restricting parking on the north side of the lot as a precautionary measure....
Annual Dog Swim this Sunday at the West Plains Aquatic Center
The West Plains Aquatic Center will host its annual Dog Swim on Sunday, August 23 from 1 to 4 p.m., allowing dogs to enjoy the pool before the facility closes for the season. City officials encourage attendees to review event details before participating in the popular end-of-season activity.
Dr. Roger Simons Promise Scholarship Unveiled
Arkansas State University at Mountain Home and the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce unveiled the Dr. Roger Simons Promise Scholarship at the Vada Sheid Community Development Center. Beginning with the Class of 2027, eligible graduates from Cotter, Flippin, Norfork, and Yellville-Summit High...
Mountain View Woman Arrested for Drugs and Endangerment
A Mountain View woman faces felony drug and endangerment charges after deputies discovered methamphetamine in her home while children were present during an August 15 investigation. Howell County Sheriff's Office Deputy Kory Taylor located a missing juvenile who had run away from the residence,...
Featured Pet of The Day- Smudge
Smudge, a 4-month-old neutered and fully vaccinated dog, is currently available for adoption through Ozarks Pet Rescue in West Plains. The intelligent and well-mannered puppy is being fostered locally and is ready to find a permanent home for interested adopters.
Ozark Radio News – 7AM News Broadcast – 08.18.26
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Four Injured in Crash Near Dora
Four people were injured Monday afternoon in a single-vehicle crash north of Dora when an 18-year-old West Plains driver operating a 2001 GMC Yukon crashed on County Road 14-279, about five miles north of town. Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the 4:10 p.m. accident and investigated the...
5th Annual Yellow House “August Bazaar” Taking Place this Weekend
The Yellow House in West Plains will host its 5th annual August Bazaar this weekend, featuring a variety of musical performances and cultural activities. The event is organized by the West Plains Arts Alliance and Explore West Plains as a celebration of local creative talent.
High school football jamborees are scheduled for Friday, August 21, with West Plains competing in the Rolla Jamboree, Mountain Grove hosting a jamboree with Willow Springs and Thayer, Salem attending the Sullivan Jamboree, Houston heading to Clever, and Liberty participating in the Sarcoxie event....
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