West Plains Daily Digest Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Ty's Take
There's something worth watching in how this region keeps itself together when the formal economy goes tight. A sheriff's office over in Douglas County hands out nearly two hundred coats to families who need them, a fire department promotes a man who's earned it, and somebody figures out there's money and purpose in teaching folks how to grow shiitake mushrooms on their own land. These aren't grand gestures or ribbon cuttings. They're the small steadying moves that keep rural communities from coming unraveled. Meanwhile we've lost some good people this week—Bill Cook, Joseph Huske, Edwin Mast, Terry Price, Howard Harold. That's what the notices tell us, and around here that means five families have work to do and five sets of stories nobody else will quite remember the way they did. This is how towns hold on: somebody steps up to lead the fire department, somebody else teaches a neighbor a trade, and we mark the ones we've lost. It's steady work, the kind that doesn't make headlines anywhere else but matters every day here.
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Ozark Radio News
Learn to Raise Shiitake Mushrooms in this Workshop
The MU Extension in West Plains is offering a workshop on growing shiitake mushrooms on prepared logs. Registration is now open for the popular program, which will be held on Saturday, November.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Distributes Nearly 200 Coats
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office distributed nearly 200 coats to students at Ava R-1, Skyline, Plainview, and Ava Head Start. Sheriff Chris Degase credited sponsors, donors, golfers, and Walmart of Ava for supporting the annual coat drive.
Dan Dennis Named Assistant Fire Chief
Dan Dennis has been promoted to Assistant Fire Chief at the Howell County Rural Fire Department after several years of service as station man and captain. The department praised Dennis for his experience and dedication to the organization.
Featured Pet of The Day- Serena
Serena is a pet available for adoption who enjoys spending time outdoors but has learned to appreciate the comfort and care of a home with humans.
Featured Pet of The Day- Bluey
Bluey is a 3-year-old Pit Bull Terrier Mix available for adoption through The Humane Society of North Central Arkansas. The gentle dog is friendly with both people and other animals at the shelter.
Funeral services for William 'Bill' E. Cook, age 80 of Licking, Missouri, will be held Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 at The Fox Funeral Home Chapel in Licking. Visitation is scheduled for Tuesday, October 20th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, with burial at The Craddock Cemetery.
Joseph Allen Huske, 57, of Raymondville passed away on October 14, 2026, surrounded by family members. Huske was born in Ottawa, Kansas and is survived by his mother, father, and wife Wendy.
Edwin Arthur Mast Sr., age 68, of Mountain Grove, Missouri, passed away on October 11, 2026, at a nursing home near the family farm. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania and was preceded in death by his wife Gale (Fultz) Mast and his parents.
Terry Wayne Price, 59, of Houston, Missouri, passed away at his home on October 11, 2026. Price was a Conrow High School graduate who worked as an electrician and enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, and cooking.
Howard David Harold, known as 'Dave' to family and friends, passed away on October 11, 2026, at age 71. Harold was known for his hardworking nature and enjoyment of games like spades and dice, fishing, and hunting with loved ones.
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