Howell's It Going, July 25, 204
Hello and welcome to Howell’s It Going. This is your weekly update on what’s happening in your community. I’m Amanda Mendez, and this is your news.
The City of West Plains has selected Christopher Sterner as Fire Chief. Sterner has been serving as the Interim Fire Chief since former Fire Chief Kurt Wilbanks announced his retirement in May.
Sterner has worked in public safety in Howell County since 1995.
The City Administrator Sam Anselm spoke highly of Sterner in a press release, saying “In addition to being an outstanding leader who has already earned the respect of his crew members, Chris brings an unwavering commitment to the safety and wellbeing of the West Plains community.”
Sterner has been awarded 14 awards and honors in his time as a firefighter, including Howell County Firefighter of the Year, Life Saving Awards from the Fire Fighters Association and Missouri Division of Fire Safety, and Meritorious Act Awards from the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri.
No excuse absentee voting officially began in Missouri for the August 6 primary election. There's no excuse – registered voters can cast a ballot in person at the Howell County Clerk’s office any time during office hours from July 23 until election day. Established in 2022, “no excuse absentee voting,” is something of a double entendre. In the first place, it’s simply not necessary to have an excuse to vote this way. If you’re a registered voter with an acceptable photo ID, you can vote in the County Clerk’s office, and you do not have to make it to the polls on election day.
Secondly, by providing chances over a two-week period to get to the polls, Missourians have no excuse not to vote.
Voter registration is at an all-time high in Howell County, according to Howell County Clerk Kelly Waggoner. As of July 19, there were 27,762 registered voters but, turnout numbers have been low. The 2022 August Primary had slightly more than 22% voter turnout.
Another locally owned store is shutting down due to a loss of business. Broadway Formal Wear, located at 240 W. Main Street in West Plains, announced in June they would be closing at the end of this month.
Owner Brittany Pilgrim told Howell County News how a decline in sales has led to the store closing. She said that prom and wedding orders have been down since 2022, saying quote “two years ago, I had about 150 prom orders. This year, I had 88.” Pilgrim took over the store in 2020 from her aunt and the store's original owner, Angie Huddleston.
Broadway Formal Wear is holding a closing sale on the remaining stock. There are many formal dresses, short dresses, and wedding dresses at reduced prices. Wedding and prom dresses are $150 or less, bridesmaid dresses are $50, and girl’s dresses are $20. Shoes and petticoats are $10 each and jewelry is fifty percent off. Suits and tuxedos are not included in the sale. Broadway Formal Wear is open 1 pm to 5 pm, Monday – Friday. The final day is Wednesday, July 31.
This episode of Howell’s It Going is brought to you by Travis Smith for Senate. Vote Travis Smith on August 6. For more information, go to travissmithformissouri.com Paid for by the committee to elect Travis Smith for Senate, Brett Mitchell Treasurer.
Missouri State University – West Plains has hired Ryan Hargrove as head coach of Grizzly Softball.
Hargrove comes from Salem, Arkansas and will be replacing the team's first head coach, Don Long, who resigned in May. Hargrove began his new duties on July 18.
Hargrove has 13 years of coaching experience at youth, high school and collegiate ranks, most recently as the head softball & assistant football coach at Marked Tree High School in northeastern Arkansas.
The Mountain View Soccer Association is currently holding sign-ups for their Fall 2024 season. Youth ages 3 and a half to 18 can sign up at MviewSoccer.org until Friday, August 16. The cost is $47 per player or $42 when signing up multiple children (exclusions apply). Each sign up includes jersey, shorts, and socks. The fall season will run from August through October. Fall sign-ups automatically include the Spring 2025 season, a 2-for-1 deal.
The Mountain View Soccer Association will have a booth at the Liberty Back-to-School Fair on Tuesday, August 13 at the Liberty High School Football Field from 5 to 7 pm.
The City of Willow Springs has recognized long-time Wastewater Department Supervisor Rob Rackley with a certificate. City Administrator Beverly Hicks made a speech of recognition and appreciation on July 19 at the regular meeting of the board of aldermen. He worked for the city for over 39 years.
“You just don't hear about that longevity anymore,” Hicks said. She continued, “We're really glad that he stayed and that he's around.”
Rackley began working with the City of Willow Springs on September 3, 1984, and his last day of full-time work was on May 31, 2023. Since last year, he has continued to work as needed on a part-time basis for the wastewater treatment plant, making forty years of service to the people of Willow Springs.
The Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Bear City Ball will take place on August 16 from 7 to 10 pm at Pine Meadows Venue. This evening will be a night of fun, dancing, conversation and making memories. Dress is as formal or casual as you prefer.
This event will include a cash bar and a light appetizer grazing table catered by Pizza Americana.
Tickets are $30 each before July 30 and $35 after that. Tickets can be purchased at the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce, located at 120 W. Main Street, online at WSChamber.net, or by calling 417-469-5519.
There's good news for patients in Mountain View, Birch Tree and Summersville who need same-day medical care: Mercy Clinic Family Medicine has officially expanded its walk-in hours and increased the number of providers on staff.
Mercy began work on the expansion last year when it remodeled the clinic and added new exam rooms. Once the remodel was complete, the clinic launched a test run of its expanded walk-in hours this June. The new hours mean the clinic can accept walk-in patients from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Patty Goforth, Mercy's practice manager said “We're seeing more and more patients every year, especially in rural communities like Mountain View, Birch Tree, and Summersville, we are seeing an increase in patient demand.” Goforth said the walk-in hours are a great resource for patients who need wellness visits, physicals, workers’ compensation assistance and other minor health concerns.
Mercy Clinic Family Medicine – Mountain View is located at 104 E. US Highway 60, Mountain View and is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, call 417-934-2251.
The Howell County Health Department has announced a successful third year of the WIC-Farmer's Market Nutrition Program collaboration. This program involves the Howell County Health Department, WIC, and local participating Farmer's Markets. The intent of the program is to provide families with support to purchase nutritional fresh fruits and vegetables from local gardeners through the local Farmer's Markets. Eligibility for the program is based upon current enrollment in the WIC program.
In the program's pilot year, 2022, Howell County was identified as having posted the highest redemption rate in Missouri. The following year, Howell County missed the top spot by 3 percent.
Health Department Administrator Chris Gilliam spoke on the success of the program, saying "The true test of the success of this program is not so much about the dollar amount of the benefits we issue as it is about how much participants benefit from their participation in the program. After all, benefits have little value if they are not redeemed. That's why redemption rates are considered a key indicator of the program's success."
I'm Amanda, and this is Howell's It Going.