Local
Several laws related to public safety went into effect on August 28, including Missouri’s new “Siddens Bening Hands Free Law.” A synopsis of sections related to public safety follows:
SENATE BILL 398
“SIDDENS BENING HANDS FREE LAW” OPERATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES WHILE USING ELECTRONIC...
During the first week of school, the Willow Springs School District announced two safety concerns. Both were handled swiftly and resulted in no harm to students or staff, according to statements released by communications director Jenny Hayward.
On Thursday, there was a situation with a...
A Springfield man faces kidnapping charges after allegedly forcing a woman at knifepoint to drive him from Thayer to West Plains. Officers with the West Plains Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance at Casey’s General Store on Thursday afternoon.
Investigation discovered a...
Two Willow Springs residents were found in possession of over three hundred grams of methamphetamine during an August 23 traffic stop. Officers Ryan McGinnis and David Hocking initiated the stop when they observed the vehicle exiting Love’s Travel Stop without plates, said Police Chief Wes...
Willow Springs schools announced this afternoon a "situation involving a written threat" at the middle school today, August 24.
"The written threat named two individuals connected to the school. We have contacted those individuals and their families to discuss the nature of the threat....
Ozarks Healthcare is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its latest Nurse Residency Program by a group of 15 dedicated and skilled nurses. This intensive program is designed to provide newly graduated nurses with comprehensive training, mentorship, and hands-on experience as they...
Willow Springs will soon have a way to send mass notifications directly to citizens after a vote of the Board of Aldermen on August 17. City Administrator Beverly Hicks presented her research into a mass notification service called ReGroup that would allow the city to send text, email, or phone...
A solid marble statue of St. Joseph sits in its rightful place for the first time in more than a year. The statue was damaged in August 2021 when a vandal toppled it from its pedestal outside St. Joseph Catholic Church in White Church.
Since June of 2022, restoration efforts have been...
"No kid sleeps on the floor in our town," is the mission and motto of a new, non-profit called Sleep In Heavenly Peace that has just started in West Plains. The group builds beds and delivers them to children who have no bed to sleep on.
The group began in Idaho in 2012 when the realization...
Newborns In Need will hold its annual “Sleepers in September" collection next month. Too many babies do not have enough clothing or blankets to keep them warm during these cold winter months.
Community members can help by providing a warm sleeper or blanket to ensure no matter what the...