West Plains Daily Digest Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Ty's Take
Dolly Parton's death hits different when you've got family roots running this deep into Ozark country. She wasn't just a country music legend who happened to have ties here, she was woven into the fabric of what this region means, the kind of person who remembered where she came from and made sure the people back there knew it mattered. This week, as school bells ring and kids head back, as the Booster Club counts up seventeen thousand dollars from their auction and CASA volunteers get sworn in to look after the young ones who need it most, we're reminded that the people who shape us are the ones who give back to their communities the way Dolly gave back to hers. West Plains had that connection. That's worth remembering.
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Weather Alerts
Special Weather Statement
Special Weather Statement issued August 26 at 6:31AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
At 631 AM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over Sam A. Baker State Park, moving southeast at 25 mph. HAZARD...Wind gusts up to 40 mph and nickel size hail. SOURCE...Radar indicated. IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor dama...
West Plains Daily Quill
OTIS brings touring blues-rock pedigree to Shenanigans stage
Kentucky blues-rock band OTIS brings touring credentials rarely seen in small towns to Shenanigans at 5 Luster Arcade off West Plains' Court Square on Friday. The group, signed to Cleopatra Records and produced by collaborators of blues legend Johnny Winter, earned recognition from ZZ Top's Billy...
Fine Arts Academy transitions to independent nonprofit, expands programming
The Fine Arts Academy has become an independent nonprofit organization and expanded its curriculum beyond youth theater to include stage makeup, radio theater, Foley sound effects and theater history, all aligned with Missouri state learning standards. Instructors Erin Kimbrough and Toyah Murray...
Howell County students head back to class
WPHS Student Council prepares to host regional conference
West Plains High School Student Council will host the southwest district conference of the Missouri Association of Student Councils in October, bringing hundreds of student leaders from across the region after winning district presidency last year. The council balances experienced officers with new...
Country music legend Dolly Parton dies at 80; shared deep ties to West Plains
Country music icon Dolly Parton has died at age 80, leaving a legacy deeply connected to West Plains through her partnership with native son and Country Music Hall of Famer Porter Wagoner, who launched her national career on his syndicated television show in 1967. The community will honor their...
OZH Therapies to host free adaptive baseball program
Ozarks Healthcare Therapies is offering Abili-T-Ball, a free adaptive baseball program for children with disabilities, running Saturdays from September 26 through October 17 at Kimes and Watkins fields in West Plains. The program accommodates individual abilities in a supportive environment and is...
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Howell County News
August Yard of the Month Winner
Structural issues close downtown parking lot
West Plains council reviews elections results
Booster Club auction raises $17k!
Mtn. View Garden Club welcomes new teachers
This weekend: beautify Willow Springs
Local car dealership name used in scams
Ozark Radio News
Domestic Assault Leads to Arrest of Mountain Grove Woman
A Mountain Grove woman has been arrested and charged with domestic assault after deputies responded to an incident on August 21st involving a male victim with injuries from a nightstick and knife. The Wright County Sheriff's Office continues investigating the case.
Scheduled Power Outage Near Couch, MO. August 28th
Howell-Oregon Electric Cooperative will conduct scheduled subsystem maintenance on August 28th from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. at the Couch substation, affecting approximately 678 cooperative members in the area. The outage is necessary for work by Sho-Me Power, the cooperative's wholesale energy provider.
City of West Plains Announces Implementation of QR “Report” Signs Around Town
West Plains city officials have announced the placement of QR code signs around town to provide residents with a new way to communicate with the city. Residents can scan the codes using their mobile devices to access a reporting system for city issues and concerns.
Two Arrested After Douglas County SRT Serves Search Warrant Near Squires
The Douglas County Sheriff's Special Response Team executed a search warrant near Squires on August 25th and seized methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. Two Ava residents, Cory Eugene Goodman and Marlin W. Andrews, were arrested during the operation.
Accident on Highway 101 Tuesday Morning Injures One
A 35-year-old woman from Mountain Home sustained minor injuries on Tuesday morning when her 2010 Ford Explorer ran off Highway 101 south of Bakersfield, hit a ditch and overturned. She was transported to Baxter Health for treatment.
Traffic Stop in Ava Leads to Felony Assault Charge
Daniel Young was charged with felony assault after resisting arrest during a traffic stop near the North Junction in Ava on August 20th when Lt. Nelson discovered he was operating a vehicle without a valid driver's license. Captain Butterworth of the Ava Police Department assisted in the arrest.
Desi, a 1-year-old Border Collie mix, is available for adoption through The Humane Society of North Central Arkansas and enjoys playing fetch and meeting new friends. The sweet and curious dog is looking for a forever home with an active family.
The 6th annual Jim 'the Hammer' Memorial Golf Tournament is scheduled at the Willow Springs Thomas F Benyo Municipal Golf Course as an individual tournament with an 11 a.m. tee off and a 60-dollar entry fee. Prizes include 100 dollars for closest to the pin on par threes and a new putter for the...
High School Volleyball, Soccer and Softball
High school volleyball season is kicking off with Liberty Eagles competing at the St Joseph State Preview on August 28th and 29th, while the West Plains Lady Zizzers will host Mountain Home on August 31st. Soccer and softball schedules are also underway across the region.
Local Golf Tournaments coming up
The Willow Springs Thomas F Benyo Greens Keeper Revenge Tournament returns on September 19th as a two-person scramble for 18 holes at 10 a.m., with golfers competing against course conditions set up by Richard and Keith at a cost of 100 dollars per team. Additional local golf tournaments are...
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