West Plains Daily Digest Wednesday, September 30, 2026
Ty's Take
You've got a fair amount happening in and around Howell County this week, which is about right for early fall when people are still moving. The heritage fest over in Mountain View drawing folks to see how things used to be done, the Blue Jean Ball out at Silver Springs Ranch, the marching band festival up in Mountain Grove, reading programs coming back under the lights, Pioneer Days in the rearview now, and somewhere in all that the regular work of keeping a rural county running. There's also some harder news mixed in, the kind that reminds you this region deals with the same troubles as anywhere else. The universities are settling their business too, getting back into rhythm. Point is, West Plains and the towns around here are still the gathering place, still the place where news breaks and history gets made and people figure out what comes next.
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West Plains Daily Quill
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Van Alst indicted on rape, incest charges
A West Plains man faces first-degree rape and class E felony incest charges following a grand jury indictment in Howell County Circuit Court related to an alleged June 2022 incident. Shan Van Alst, 55, was arrested and released on a $100,000 corporate surety bond, with arraignment scheduled before...
Silver Springs Ranch set to host Blue Jean Ball
The Ozarks Healthcare Foundation will hold its 13th annual Blue Jean Ball at Silver Springs Ranch this Saturday evening, featuring dinner, live music from the Liz Moriondo Band, dancing, and a silent auction with proceeds benefiting patient assistance programs and healthcare services. General...
Living history encampment, traditional artisans on display at 32nd annual heritage fest
The 32nd annual Ozark Heritage Festival takes place downtown West Plains on October 16 and 17, showcasing traditional craftspeople, historical reenactors, and living history encampments representing Ozark pioneer settlement and Indigenous heritage. The free, public event runs 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. both...
Two Festus residents killed in aircraft crash
Two Festus residents died when their gyrocopter struck a power line and crashed in Reynolds County off County Road 334, approximately 5.5 miles west of Annapolis on September 23. The pilot, 54, and his passenger, 50, were pronounced dead early Thursday morning.
MSU-WP chancellor addresses Grizzly Lofts incident
Missouri State University-West Plains Chancellor Zora Mulligan issued a statement addressing a September 11 disturbance at Grizzly Lofts involving three non-students, one of whom brandished a firearm while another damaged property with a vehicle. Two individuals, Levi Hodgson and Ashur B....
MSU-WP Mtn. Grove campus returning to historic Faurot Hall
The Missouri State University-West Plains Mtn. Grove campus will relocate from Shannon Hall back to its original home at Faurot Hall at the Missouri State University Fruit Experiment Station, with the move expected to be complete by spring 2027 semester. The relocation aims to expand course...
No summary available from source material.
Missing Fulton County Girl Found
Thirteen-year-old Joselyn Hancock, reported missing from the Camp area of Fulton County, Arkansas, has been found safe. An alert was circulated by law enforcement and family members beginning Sunday evening after she left on foot.
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Howell County News
Willow grad to clerk for federal judge
No summary available from source material.
Accused murder gets public defender
No summary available from source material.
SWAT standoff outside W.S. ends in arrest
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McClure Recreates Mural 27 Years Later
No summary available from source material.
36th Annual Pioneer Days held in Mtn. View
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Ozark Radio News
Winona Schedules Fall Cleanup in October
The City of Winona will hold a fall cleanup day from October 19 to 25, with a city dumpster available at the City Shop located at 8287 Elm Street from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for residents to dispose of household junk.
Marching Band Festival in Mountain Grove October 17th
The Mountain Grove School District is hosting the 4th annual Mountain Grove Marching Festival on October 17 at Panther Stadium, where eight bands from across Missouri will perform their halftime shows in a competitive and educational setting.
Thayer Man Charged with Delivery of a Controlled Substance
A Thayer man has been charged with felony delivery of a controlled substance after police found cocaine on him at a convenience store on Preacher Roe Boulevard early Monday morning.
Ellsinore Woman Airlifted After Monday Accident
A 21-year-old Ellsinore woman sustained moderate injuries Monday evening when her westbound 2014 Ford Edge crossed the center line on Missouri Route A one mile east of Ellsinore and struck an eastbound 2023 Dodge Ram. She was airlifted from the scene.
Reading Under the Lights is Back October 8th
West Plains Schools invites preschool through eighth-grade students and their families to Reading Under the Lights on Thursday, October 8, from 6 to 7 p.m. at Zizzer Stadium for an evening of reading, family activities, and school spirit.
Fall Cleanup Announced in Thayer
The City of Thayer is offering its annual Fall Cleanup from October 17 to 25, with a roll-off dumpster at the city's Street Department available for residential trash customers to dispose of unwanted household items at no cost.
Sharon Hammond Butler, born in West Plains in 1946 and a 1964 graduate of West Plains High School, passed away peacefully on September 27 in Mountain Home, Arkansas, surrounded by family.
Howell County Sheriff’s Department Reports Scam
The Howell County Sheriff's Department warns residents that scammers are calling claiming they will be arrested for missing jury duty and falsely using the name of Captain Rick Fox to sound legitimate. The sheriff's office urges residents to be cautious of such calls.
Reminder on the Rags to Art Fiber Arts Show Featured at Dolly & Porter Days
The West Plains Arts Alliance is accepting entries for the Rags to Art Fiber Arts Show to be displayed during the upcoming Dolly and Porter Days event in West Plains.
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