West Plains Daily Digest Saturday, September 05, 2026
Ty's Take
The Zizzers are running on fumes and momentum at the same time, which is about the only way a program stays competitive in the state tournament hunt. Cross country's eyeing more hardware while football squares up with Mountain Grove tonight, and meanwhile the athletic department's caught in the same bind every growing program faces around here: keep what's working or chase something bigger. The debate over state versus continued growth isn't really about sports, though. It's about whether West Plains stays the regional hub it's always been or tries to punch above its weight. Both things cost money. Both things matter.
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Weather Alerts
Extreme Heat Warning
Extreme Heat Warning issued September 5 at 12:39AM CDT until September 5 at 8:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values 105 to 110. * WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 8 PM CDT /9 PM EDT/ this evening. * IMPACTS...Heat related illnesses increase significantly during extreme heat an...
West Plains Daily Quill
Zizzer debate targets state, continued growth
The West Plains High School speech and debate program is expanding after a strong year that included advancing competitor Lilly Brown to the state tournament and earning coach Lane Schilmoeller district coach of the year honors. The Zizzers plan to grow their roster to 30 students this fall and...
Mtn. View gun threat leads to charge
A Mtn. View woman faces multiple felony charges after allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old and pointing a firearm at the child during a domestic altercation on Aug. 27. Leah A.L. Billingsley, 44, is charged with child abuse or neglect, first-degree child endangerment, unlawful use of a weapon by...
Glenwood student’s peppers pack heat
An eighth-grader at Glenwood School caused quite a stir when he brought homegrown Carolina Reapers and ghost peppers to campus on Aug. 26, sharing pieces with classmates that ultimately affected roughly 20 students. The extreme heat of the peppers, which rank between 1.5 million and 2.5 million...
Vendor registration open for Bear City Fall Festival
Vendor registration is now open for the 52nd annual Bear City Fall Festival set for Oct. 3 in downtown Willow Springs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Interested vendors can register online through the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce website at wschamber.net, with space available on a first-come,...
Zizzer cross country eyes more state hardware
The West Plains cross country teams are targeting more state hardware after the boys captured a Class 4 state championship and the girls finished as state runner-up last year. Coach Alicia Gunter says the boys' experience could be either an asset or a hindrance to pursuing a third consecutive state...
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Ozark Radio News
WALL-E Movie Under The Stars- Tonight; Saturday 9-5, Hosted by West Plains Parks & Recreation
West Plains Parks and Recreation will host a movie night at Carmichael Field in West Plains tonight, with the film Wall-E beginning between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. depending on sunset conditions. Concessions will be provided by Mandy's Hot Dogs and Ice Queens-Tropical-Sno.
Community Health Fair Set in Ava
Area residents can receive free basic health screenings during a Community Health Fair in Ava on Tuesday, Sept. 8, from noon to 2 p.m. at Jean's Healthway. The Douglas County Health Department will provide the screenings.
Ava VFW Scholarship Contests Open to Area Students
The G.L. Adrain Owen VFW Post 5993 and Auxiliary in Ava have announced their annual scholarship and contest programs for area students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Students can compete in writing and art competitions with opportunities to advance to state and national levels.
MSHP Provides Synopsis of New Laws Effective August 28, 2026
Several new laws related to public safety took effect on Aug. 28, 2026, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol providing information about the legislation enacted by the Missouri General Assembly.
Mansfield CTA seeks support for Imagination Library
The Mansfield Community Teachers Association is seeking community support to continue Dolly Parton's Imagination Library for young children in the Mansfield area after state funding for the program ended. The library provides free books mailed monthly to participating children from birth until age...
Movie in the Park Tonight in West Plains
West Plains Parks and Recreation will show Wall-E at Carmichael Field on Saturday, Sept. 5, with the film starting between 7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. depending on sunset. Families are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs for this third Movie in the Park of the season.
Funeral services for William Edmond Owens, age 92 of Mountain View, Missouri, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 5 at The Yarber Mortuary Chapel in Mountain View, with visitation beginning at 1:30 p.m. and services at 3 p.m. Interment will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Mountain View.
Memorial services for Ruth Wallace, age 85 of Mansfield, Missouri, will be held on Monday, Sept. 7 at Wolf Creek Baptist Church in Mansfield. Arrangements are under the direction of Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home in Mansfield.
Willow Springs Fall To Skyline
The Willow Springs Bears lost to the Skyline Tigers in their home opener, dropping a game that saw Willow Springs lead 7-6 after the first quarter before Skyline took control. The Tigers dominated the remainder of the game to secure the victory.
Friday Night Football: West Plains Zizzers vs Mountain Grove
The West Plains Zizzers host Mountain Grove in Friday night football action.
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