Howell County News

12/22/2025

Volunteer firefighter arrested for child molestation charges

According to court reports, investigators received a report on February 13, alleging child abuse at the Ozark Trails Youth Home.

Click the link for more information about the case.
https://howellcountynews.com/local/volunteer-firefighter-arrested-child-molestation-charges
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This and many other stories on howellcountynews.com are behind a paywall. Everyone gets two free stories at week on the website before the paywall hits. If you like our work, we invite you to support independent, locally owned journalism in your community. A year of unlimited online access is only $40.

12/21/2025

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Christians do well to honor St. Nicholas

Edwin Woolsey writes, "Truly, 'Jesus is the reason for the season,' but there are other honorable examples of Christian virtue that we would do well to acquaint ourselves with, simply to broaden our narrow spiritual horizons."

Click the link in the comments to read more of a reader's submission about Christmas.
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This and many other stories on howellcountynews.com are behind a paywall. Everyone gets two free stories at week on the website before the paywall hits. If you like our work, we invite you to support independent, locally owned journalism in your community. A year of unlimited online access is only $40.

12/20/2025

Tensions rise as board discusses transparency

The regular monthly meeting, which is scheduled via ordinance, to be held the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. began at 6:22 p.m. as the board was running late with their work session with a full audience for the regular meeting in attendance.

Click the link in the comment for more of the council meeting.
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This and many other stories on howellcountynews.com are behind a paywall. Everyone gets two free stories at week on the website before the paywall hits. If you like our work, we invite you to support independent, locally owned journalism in your community. A year of unlimited online access is only $40.

12/20/2025

Board weighs hybrid school calendar as R-IV reduces staff, ends block schedule

Last Monday night, the Willow Springs R-IV board of education heard about a modified school day and other coming changes to cope with a smaller workforce at school.

Click the link to read about the school board meeting.
https://howellcountynews.com/local/board-weighs-hybrid-school-calendar-r-iv-reduces-staff-ends-block-schedule
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This and many other stories on howellcountynews.com are behind a paywall. Everyone gets two free stories at week on the website before the paywall hits. If you like our work, we invite you to support independent, locally owned journalism in your community. A year of unlimited online access is only $40.

12/18/2025

12/17/2025

How it happened: Sheriff talks courthouse security challenges, changes after prisoner escape

Howell County News sat down with Sheriff Matt Roberts on December 11 to discuss these questions and the changes that have been made to prevent a repeat incident.

Click the link for the full conversation with Sheriff Roberts.
https://howellcountynews.com/local/how-it-happened
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This and many other stories on howellcountynews.com are behind a paywall. Everyone gets two free stories at week on the website before the paywall hits. If you like our work, we invite you to support independent, locally owned journalism in your community. A year of unlimited online access is only $40.

12/17/2025

It's paper day! Here's what you'll find in this week's edition:

📅 Next school year will look different at Willow Springs Schools. Check out our coverage of what will change, plus

💲Find the school's financial audit on our website

🏦Howell County Sheriff Matt Roberts sat down with us to discuss a recent inmate escape, and the changes that may prevent a repeat escapade

🗣️Community Voices- hear updates from Superintendent Dr. Marty Spence, WS Library Director Lacy Schwien, and the Mountain View Garden Club

🎉🥁🎺🎅 Christmas parade pictures from West Plains and Mountain View

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST THREE (3) winning 🥳ticket 🎟️🎟️🎟️ numbers in this week's paper. Where are our weekly winners?? If you have tickets for the Great Christmas Giveaway, match your number to the winning numbers in this week's paper and claim your prize! 🎁💲

12/15/2025

WSHS junior wins county Oratorical contest

In a head-to-head speech contest, a student from Willow Springs High School walked away with the top prize.

Click through to the website with the link in the comments for photos and a description of the contest.