Howell County News

09/17/2026

Mtn. View City Clerk resigns

The city clerk in Mountain View, Terry Thornton, officially resigned as of September 3. Not much has been discussed on Thornton leaving her position other than no one has been officially appointed to take her position as of the publication date.

Click the link in the comments for the full article.
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09/16/2026

Municipal charges for daycare owner, employee

Two Willow Springs women accused of endangering the welfare of children will plead their case before the municipal judge. Willow Springs City Attorney Zane Privette filed charges against Alisa Altermatt, 39, and Alyssa Breidt-McClellan, 29, on September 4. The charges are municipal infractions, not felonies, and will be adjudicated in the city court in Willow Springs.

Click on the link in the comments for more comments.
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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.

09/16/2026

It's paper day!!

Here's what you can find in this week's edition:

🏛 Mtn View City Clerk resigns

⚖️ Municipal charges for daycare owner, employee

🏅 Willow woman to be honored by governor: read our full profile on Jennifer Martin's heroic actions in the Sept 23 paper

✍️ Publisher opinion: Justice failed: Publisher Amanda Mendez shares some thoughts on the death of William Warfel

👋 New intern! Meet Howell County News' new intern, WPHS senior Addison Smith!

If you know of a young person looking to learn more about the important work of the American press, contact the office!

Plus! 🐻 🦅 ⚡️ High school sports! ⚽️ 🏈 🏐

09/15/2026

Missouri Vietnam Wall Run rides again

Frequent chants of “USA! USA! USA!” broke out among the Willow Springs students who lined Main Street Friday morning in anticipation of the annual Missouri Vietnam Wall Run. As they waited for the motorcycle run, the kids encouraged passing cars to honk. Drivers willing to oblige were rewarded with shouts of admiration.

The Missouri Vietnam Wall run is an annual event honoring veterans, POWs, and those missing in action from the Vietnam War. The official run from Springfield to Perryville, the location of a replica Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, has passed through Willow Springs for the last several years.

Click the link in the comments for more information.
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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.

09/15/2026

Beloved columnist Lonnie Whitaker has been recognized again by the Missouri Writers Guild!

Congratulations!!

This past Saturday, the Missouri Writers Guild announced that an article from my column in the Howell County News, “Jacks Fork Memories and a Treasure Trove,” won first place in the Best Newspaper Article category sponsored by the Missouri Press Association in its annual contest.
And The Way We Were, Part 2: Personal Reflections on Life in the Ozarks, a curated collection of my newspaper articles, won first place in the Best Nonfiction category sponsored by author Billie Holladay Skelley.

09/12/2026

Troop G – 80 Years Old This Month
Through the generosity of the Charles Ferguson family of Willow Springs, land was leased to the Missouri Highway Patrol in perpetuity at no cost. A member of the prestigious Highway Commission, Ferguson had years earlier been instrumental in securing a State Highway Department Headquarters in Willow Springs.
In August 1946, Troop G was established. A small concrete block building was erected to serve as a headquarters radio station with a small administrative office. Original secretary Doris Alsup recalled, “There was enough room for three desks and the radio equipment, and not much else.” The first troop meeting with Colonel Waggoner was held outdoors.
Click the link in the comments for the full article from Historian Lou Wehmer.
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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. See less

09/12/2026

Willow Springs Board of Education Regular Session
09/14/2026 - 06:00 PM
Board Conference Room
201 West Main St, Willow Springs, MO 65793

Agenda
I. Call to Order
II. Consent Agenda
A. Approval of Agenda
B. Approval of Minutes
C. Budget Summary
D. Approval of Bills
III. Items for Information
A. Administrative Reports
1. Student Representative
2. Elementary School
3. Middle School
4. High School
5. Special Education
6. Superintendent's Report
7. MSBA Delegate's Report
IV. Items for Action
A. FFA Chapter Fee
B. Policy Updates
C. Graduation Requirements
D. Local Compliance Plan
E. Data Privacy Agreements
F. Guest Comments
G. Adjourn to Executive Session
V. Return to Open Session
A. Personnel
B. Student Situation
VI. Adjournment

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

West Plains R-VII School District Board of Education
Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM
WPHS Library

1. OPENING ITEMS
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call and Establishment of Quorum
C. Approval of Agenda
D. Motion to enter into Closed Session
2. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Adjournment to Closed Executive Session Adjournment to Closed Executive Session - Pursuant to Section 610.021.1 Legal Matters, Section 610.021.2 Leasing, purchase, or sale of real estate, Section 610.021.3 Personnel Matters, Section 610.021.6 Student Matters, & Section 610.021.17 Operational Guidelines, Policies, and specific response plans concerning Security.
B. Motion to return to Open Session
3. OPEN SESSION
A. Call to Order
B. Pledge of Allegiance
4. ZIZZER SPOTLIGHT
A. Student Spotlight (CSIP 8)
5. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting(s)
B. Approval of Monthly Finance Reports (CSIP S7)
C. Approval of request for employments, resignations, retirements, terminations, transfers, and volunteers of individuals as recommended by the Superintendent of Schools (CSIP S5)
D. Approval of Program Evaluation(s)
E. Approval of CSIP Update
6. PREVIOUS BUSINESS
7. REGULAR AGENDA
A. Payment of Bills (CSIP S7)
B. Payment of BURO Bill (CSIP S7)
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of 2026-2027 Bus Routes (CSIP S1 & S7)
9. UPDATES/REPORTS TO THE BOARD
A. Student School Board Member Report (CSIP S5)
B. Administration Reports (CSIP S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, & S9)
C. Superintendent's Reports (CSIP S1, S3, & S5)
10. TOUR OF SMTI CAMPUS (CSIP S1)
11. ADJOURNMENT
A. Next Meeting - (Monday), October 12, 2026

09/11/2026

K9 Spice retires
A four-legged member of Howell County Sheriff’s Office will be retiring, HCSO announced September 4. K9 Spice, age 8, has had an “incredible career serving our community,” reads the release.
Click the link in the comments for the full article.
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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. See less