West Plains Daily Digest Saturday, September 12, 2026
Ty's Take
West Plains High School's recognition as a National Banner Unified Champion School for Special Olympics says something true about this town that doesn't always make the news cycle. We can point to the fundraisers and the sports briefs, sure, but when a school decides that inclusion isn't a sideline issue and builds a whole culture around it, that's the kind of thing that shapes who kids become as adults. The same week we're reading about assaults and crossbow incidents scattered across three counties, we've got our own young people learning that a classmate's victory on a court or field matters just as much as anybody else's. Not every school does that work. We do.
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach West Plains Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
West Plains Daily Quill
Win Ren Fest tickets in Quill photo contest
The West Plains Daily Quill is hosting the Copy Cats, Doggy Doubles photo contest where pet owners can submit side-by-side photos with their animals for a chance to win St. Louis Renaissance Festival tickets and other prizes. Submissions and voting open Monday at westplainsdailyquill.net/contest...
WPHS named National Banner Unified Champion School for Special Olympics
West Plains High School has been named a National Banner Unified Champion School for Special Olympics, a distinction held by only about 30 schools statewide, recognizing its partnership with student-athletes in adapted sporting events. Student council members highlighted how the two-year program...
Golf tournament raises $10K for cancer patients
Unable to process this article due to incomplete source material.
West Plains police have sought a municipal peace disturbance charge against Levi Hodgson, 20, of West Plains after social media video documented an Aug. 29 assault in the 1500 block of Preacher Roe Boulevard. The victim, who was homeless and repeatedly told the suspect he did not want to fight, was...
The West Plains Zizzers football team defeated the Panthers 26-14 in their home opener with quarterback Cale Combs completing all eight passes for 172 yards and Gavin Marshall rushing for 128 yards. In soccer action, the West Plains boys team fell to Camdenton 6-1 on Thursday as the Lakers scored...
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach West Plains Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
Ozark Radio News
Secretary Hoskins corrected his actions, avoided contempt
Unable to process this article due to incomplete source material.
Mountain Grove Man Facing Assault Charge After Man is Shot in the Face with a Crossbow Bolt
A Mountain Grove man faces multiple criminal charges after a victim was shot in the face with a crossbow bolt on September 9th. The victim was transported to Texas County for treatment following the incident, which investigators determined occurred despite varying accounts from those present at the...
Burn Bans Still In Effect Despite Rain
All burn bans remain in effect across the region despite recent rain Thursday night into Friday morning, as emergency management officials determined the precipitation was insufficient to significantly improve drought conditions. Residents are urged to continue observing current burn bans.
Two Locals to Receive Awards from Governor Keyhoe for Service in First-Response Units
Governor Mike Kehoe will present Missouri's highest public safety honors on Tuesday, Sept. 15 to 18 law enforcement officers, three fire service members, and a paramedic for heroic acts beyond the call of duty in 2025, with two locals among those receiving awards. Three awards will be presented...
Mountain Home Man Arrested on Felony Drug Charges
A 32-year-old Mountain Home man, Demetrius Duane Powdrill, was booked into the Baxter County Jail on Wednesday afternoon following an Arkansas State Police arrest on multiple drug-related felony charges. Powdrill was taken into custody at 12:22 p.m. on September 9 and has at least one prior booking...
Thayer Man Facing Charges After Dispute with Neighbors
A Thayer man is facing multiple charges after police say he brandished a pistol while yelling at neighbors during a late-night disturbance on September 6 around 9 p.m. Officers responded to the Thayer area after a resident reported a burglary in progress, leading to the arrest and charges filed in...
Ozark County Sheriff’s Office Reports 9-11-26
Unable to process this article due to incomplete source material.
Liberty Eagles Snatch Victory from the Jaws of Defeat
The Liberty Eagles defeated the Thayer Bobcats in their Friday night matchup, snatching victory after the teams traded scores back and forth throughout the game. Liberty scored within the first few minutes and maintained strong offensive play against their longtime rivals.
The Willow Springs Bears dominated their SCA opener against the Cabool Bulldogs, controlling the game from start to finish with a 13-0 halftime lead. The Bears secured their first win of the season and first conference game with a decisive second-half performance.
Missing-Person Report Ends with Body Found in Ozark County Pond
A missing persons investigation in Rockbridge, Missouri turned into a death investigation after a man was found dead in an Ozark County pond earlier this week. Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin reported that the discovery on September 10th was a collaborative effort between the Ozark County...
Rural News Wire is a daily local news digest for West Plains and rural America. We aggregate and curate, original reporting belongs to the sources linked above. Support local journalism by visiting their sites.
Subscribe free to get this digest in your inbox every morning.