West Plains Daily Digest Sunday, October 25, 2026
Ty's Take
Troop G got two new faces this week, which matters more than it sounds if you've lived around here long enough to know what a thin line it is between order and chaos in country this wide. Meanwhile, the courtroom wrapped up its business on that home intrusion case, and the schools are gearing up for playoffs and basketball season like they do every fall, and that's the rhythm that holds us. The real story though might be simpler: we're still building. Five Below opened its doors, the career fair over in Willow Springs drew twenty-nine businesses willing to talk to kids about what comes next, and Howell County Next Step threw its carnival. That's not nothing. That's the place working.
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West Plains Daily Quill
Two new troopers assigned to Troop G
Two graduates from the Missouri State Highway Patrol's 126th Recruit Class have been assigned to Troop G following their October 16 academy graduation. Trooper James C. Allen of Mtn. Grove will cover Douglas and Ozark counties in Zone 5, while Trooper Seth J. Davidson of Grovespring will serve...
JAKES Day held at Twin Pines Conservation Education Center
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Softball playoff games next week; youth basketball season dates announced
West Plains Parks and Recreation will hold fall adult softball playoff games next week at Watkins Field in Evans Sports Complex, with men's games on Monday and coed games on Thursday. Youth basketball through the School League program begins November 2 and runs through December 23 for kindergarten...
Burglary accomplice sentenced to 8 years; murder charge dismissed in fatal home intrusion
Keith W. Geringer of West Plains accepted a plea deal and received an eight-year prison sentence for first-degree burglary in connection with a November 2025 home intrusion on Paula Drive that resulted in the fatal shooting of his accomplice, 23-year-old Hayden Hilleman. The second-degree felony...
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Lady Zizzers golf finishes sixth at state
The West Plains girls golf team finished sixth at the Missouri State High School Activities Association Class 3 State Championships in New Bloomfield, trailing four private schools and Kearney while finishing ahead of Carl Junction. Head Coach James Sharp highlighted the team's strong chemistry and...
The West Plains Daily Quill is accepting deer hunting photos through December 5 for its annual contest, with early youth season running October 24-25 and late youth season November 27-29, alongside archery and rifle seasons throughout the fall and winter. The Heart of the United Way is also...
Howell County Next Step holds annual BBQ & Carnival
Howell County Next Step held its annual BBQ and Carnival event October 9 at JMB Park on BB Highway, continuing a tradition that started in 2020 as a pandemic-era drive-thru barbecue and has evolved into a full carnival with games, prizes, and food for individuals with developmental disabilities....
Five Below opens in West Plains
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Ozark Radio News
Willow Springs School Includes 29 Businesses in Career Fair for Students
The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce partnered with Willow Springs High School and 29 area businesses on October 23 to host a career fair that introduced students to employment opportunities available after graduation.
Missouri State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has called on United States Department of Agriculture officials to help address millions of dollars in wasteful and fraudulent spending identified in a federal food program administered by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Missouri's State Board of Education is divided over a new plan to assign A-through-F grades to every public school and district, with board members expressing differing views on whether the system will inspire improvement or create unnecessary pressure.
Ava Elementary to host Trunk or Treat
Ava Elementary School will host a Trunk or Treat celebration Friday, October 30, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Ava Middle School parking lot, featuring decorated vehicle trunks distributing candy and toys, pumpkin judging, and Halloween-themed activities.
Former Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Two Felonies
Michael L. Barton, 60, of Doniphan pleaded guilty on October 23 to two class D felonies involving stolen property belonging to Ripley County, according to the Ripley County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.
Class 2 District 8 Volleyball Championship Results
Liberty Eagles defeated Cabool Bulldogs in a five-set match during the Class 2 District 8 Volleyball Championship, advancing to face Licking Lady Wildcats on Thursday night.
Christian County Motorcycle Crash Seriously Injures 16-Year-Old from Ava
A 16-year-old from Ava suffered serious injuries when his Kawasaki 650 motorcycle crashed on Highway T in Christian County about 5 miles east of Oldfield at approximately 3:25 p.m. on Friday, according to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report.
Rep. Keith Elliott Honors Thayer High School FCCLA Students for Award-Winning Traffic Safety Project
State Representative Keith Elliott praised Thayer High School students Cannon Pitts and Holden Underwood for earning top statewide honors in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) program, specifically for their peer-education initiative in the Families Acting for Community...
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