West Plains Daily Digest Sunday, October 18, 2026
Ty's Take
You get a week like this and you see the machinery of the region working the way it's supposed to. New highway patrol troopers graduating means younger officers cycling into stations across these counties, which matters more than most folks realize when you're forty miles from the nearest city. The Zizzers swimming program keeps building, MSU-West Plains keeps turning out skilled workers through that apprenticeship pipeline, and Courtney Owens carrying that state board appointment speaks to what happens when people from around here prove themselves and get asked back. Meanwhile Operation Christmas Wish gets rolling again, which is how we've always handled December out here. The crime reports and missing persons notices sit alongside that good news, because that's the real picture of any small region: people building things and taking care of their own mixed in with the constant low-level struggle against the rest. That's not pessimism. That's just the Ozarks.
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Weather Alerts
Frost Advisory
Frost Advisory issued October 17 at 1:13PM CDT until October 18 at 8:00AM CDT by NWS Paducah KY
* WHAT...Temperatures as low as 34 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...All of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...From 1 AM CDT /2 AM EDT/ to 8 AM CDT /9 AM EDT/ Sunday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive...
West Plains Daily Quill
Zizzer swimmers top Mules at dual meet
The West Plains Zizzers boys swim team defeated Poplar Bluff 68-43 in a dual meet, winning eight of nine events with multiple swimmers recording personal-best times. Standouts included Alec Morrison, Dane Kirby, and Matthew Stewart, who each posted career marks in their respective events. West...
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Ozark Radio News
Thirty-three New Troopers Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy
The Missouri State Highway Patrol graduated 33 new troopers from its 126th Recruit Class on Friday, October 16, following a six-month training period at the Academy. The graduation ceremony was held at the Patrol Academy's gymnasium.
MSU-WP student completes pilot registered apprenticeship program
Missouri State University-West Plains celebrated the completion of its first registered apprenticeship program when student Shawna Hammon finished her training as a Child Care Development Specialist. The milestone was marked by the Office of Workforce Development and Community Education at MSU-WP.
Ozark County Operation Christmas Wish Accepting Sign-ups
Ozark County Operation Christmas Wish, the renamed version of the former Toys Drive, is now taking applications for holiday assistance with a November 21 deadline. Families can obtain forms at the Ozark County Times or Ozark County Social Services.
St. Louis Man Arrested in Oregon County
A 52-year-old St. Louis man was arrested in Oregon County on October 14 on multiple felony charges including a Wayne County probation violation and a Jefferson County obstruction warrant. John P. Pudich was also charged with felony driving while revoked.
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Courtney Owens of Cabool Reappointed to State Board of Nursing as Part of Kehoe’s Appointments
Governor Mike Kehoe reappointed Courtney Owens of Cabool to the State Board of Nursing as part of a slate of gubernatorial appointments to state boards and commissions. Owens was among several appointees announced by the governor's office.
Week 8- High School Football Recap
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Missing Juvenile in Douglas County
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is seeking the public's help locating a missing juvenile. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Douglas County Sheriff's Office or the Ava Police Department.
Ava Man Arrested After Allegedly Firing a Gun Inside a Residence
A 78-year-old Ava man was arrested after firing a handgun inside a residence south of town on October 15, prompting a woman in the home to barricade herself in a back room. Larry Sullivan was taken into custody following the incident.
Current Art Display at OzSBI Includes “Meet the Artist” Event November 5th
Artist Rhonda Richter's paintings are currently on display at OzSBI in West Plains, and the University of Missouri graduate will meet visitors on November 5th. Richter has studied fine art at Johannes Gutenberg University and will be available to discuss her work.
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