West Plains Daily Digest Monday, September 14, 2026
Ty's Take
Motorcycle season in the Ozarks always brings a stretch where the news gets harder to read. A teenager from Licking didn't make it home Saturday, and up near Ellington another one-vehicle accident claimed a life while leaving someone else to carry that forward. Those stretches of blacktop look so open and promising this time of year, especially when the weather breaks clear. The Boys and Girls Club is still here doing what it does, the Senior Resource Fair drew good crowds, and there's Fish Fest coming to Mammoth Spring next weekend. The work keeps going. It always does. But somebody's empty chair at the dinner table doesn't get filled by a 5K fun run, and that's the weight these next few weeks carry in a community like ours.
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Weather Alerts
Heat Advisory
Heat Advisory issued September 13 at 11:06PM CDT until September 16 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Daily peak heat index values up to 105 degrees. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 11 AM CDT /noon EDT/ Tuesday to 7 PM CDT /8 PM EDT/ Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat...
Ozark Radio News
Boys & Girls Club of The Greater West Plains Area Offering 70% off Tax Credits For Farmers
The Boys & Girls Club of The Greater West Plains Area is offering farmers a tax incentive to boost donations, providing a 70 percent tax credit on contributions made by December 2027. Donors will see the full discount applied when they file their taxes for the following year.
Licking Teen Fatally Injured in Saturday Motorcycle Crash
A 19-year-old motorcyclist was killed in a crash Saturday morning on Slaughter Road near Licking. The accident occurred at 10:55 a.m. when the rider's Yamaha motorcycle left the roadway five miles west of town, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
“I Ran from the Cops” 5K Sees Record Turnout
Willow Springs saw record participation in its annual I Ran From the Cops 5K on Saturday morning, with more than 45 runners and walkers competing in the September 12 event. The community gathering has become a popular fixture on the town's calendar.
Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce to Host Movie Night; Saturday, September 19th
The Mammoth Spring Chamber of Commerce will host a free outdoor movie night on Saturday, September 19, at Mammoth Spring State Park. Disney's Hoppers will be shown under the stars as part of the community event.
“Fish Fest” Scheduled for September 26th in Mammoth Spring
The Mammoth Spring National Fish Hatchery is hosting Fish Fest on September 26 at its Aquatic Conservation Center. Young anglers aged 15 and under can fish for free and keep up to three catfish each, with restrictions on live bait.
Two from Centerville Recovering After Two-Vehicle Winona Crash
Two people from Centerville were injured Saturday when a car struck their side-by-side vehicle on Highway H north of Winona. The collision occurred at 11:10 a.m. when a Thayer woman crossed the center line seven miles north of town, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Senior Resource Fair in West Plains Sees Strong Attendance
West Plains held its fourth annual Senior Resource Fair on Friday, September 11, drawing strong attendance from residents seeking information on aging and senior care services. The Heart of the Ozarks United Way partnered with multiple organizations to bring experts to answer questions about...
Governor Kehoe Announces Appointments to Missouri Child Welfare Task Force
Governor Mike Kehoe announced 18 appointments to the newly created Missouri Child Welfare Task Force last Thursday. The task force, established by Executive Order 26-17, will develop a framework for assessing child safety and protective capacity.
One-Vehicle Accident Near Ellington Ends with One Fatality, One Injured
A 58-year-old Redford man died and another person was injured in a single-vehicle crash Friday on Highway 21 north of Ellington. The driver's Ford Explorer left the roadway, overcorrected, and overturned after traveling off the pavement, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
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