Local News Brought to You by News Team 7

• Untitled January 18, 2026
  Game Audio Below: The Missouri State West Plains Grizzly Basketball Team traveled to State Fair Roadrunners on Saturday Afternoon, January 17th, 2026 after a painful twenty point defeat on Wednesday, January 14th to Mineral Area. Height advantage was once again a major disadvantage for the Grizzlies as State Fair Comes up with the win, 103-86. […]
  Dylan Groves
• Willow Bears upset Houston Tigers, Friday Night January 17, 2026
  Game Audio Below: Houston won the tip to get the game under way. There was a couple of scoreless possessions to start the game, but then both teams got onto the scoreboard fast. Willow had some great steals to open up their game and caught a lead fast, causing Houston to call a timeout after […]
  ORN Sports
• Gatewood Woman Injured in Oregon County January 17, 2026
  A 76-year-old Gatewood woman received moderate injuries in an accident on Highway 142 in Oregon County on Friday. The accident occurred when she ran off the right side of the roadway, overcorrected, ran off the left side and overturned. She was airlifted to Mercy in Springfield for treatment.   The post Gatewood Woman Injured in […]
  James Hurtt
• Representative Cook Honors Reese Bucher for Service to TCMH January 17, 2026
  JEFFERSON CITY, MO – State Representative Bennie Cook presented a Missouri House of Representatives Resolution to Reese Bucher in recognition of his decades of outstanding service to Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH), the TCMH Auxiliary, and the greater Texas County community.   The resolution honors Bucher’s 20 years of volunteer service and more than 3,000 […]
  James Hurtt
• MDC Reminds Hunters of Changes to the 2026 Coyote Hunting Season January 17, 2026
  JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reminds hunters they can now use artificial light and other methods for an extended period during the coyote hunting season. Regulations changes approved by the Conservation Commission in fall 2025 allow the use of artificial light, night vision, and thermal imagery equipment from Jan. 1 […]
  James Hurtt
• Land Named Principal for 2026-27 School Year January 17, 2026
  The West Plains R-VII School District is excited to announce that Mrs. Sarah Land will assume the role of Principal for the 2026–2027 school year. Mrs. Land currently serves as Assistant Principal and has dedicated more than 20 years to education at West Plains Elementary School. Throughout her career, she has taught at various elementary […]
  James Hurtt
• Arkansas Inmates Restricted from Receiving Physical Books & Other Media Under New Policy January 17, 2026
  WHITE HALL, ARKANSAS- Taking effect on February 1st, Arkansas inmates will no longer be able to receive books, newspapers, or magazines. This comes as the Arkansas Board of Corrections approved a new policy on December 19th. Prison officials cite the smuggling of contraband has inspired the change. The Board of Corrections approved the policy with […]
  Dylan Groves
• Featured Pet of The Day- Ginger January 16, 2026
  FEATURED PET OF THE DAY- Meet Ginger! An approx. 2-year old, Orange Tabby & Domestic Shorthair Mix who is available for adoption through the Humane Society of North Central Arkansas. Ginger is quite the social kitty-cat. She is looking for a serene, human companion. One that can give her all the time and attention she […]
  Dylan Groves
• Ruth Thompson January 16, 2026
  Ruth Barnett Thompson, 95, West Plains, Missouri was born May 9, 1930 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to the late Cecil Brashear and Lela Day Brashear. She entered into eternal rest on January 14, 2026 at Cedarhurst Senior Living in West Plains, Missouri. On June 19, 1947 she was married to Reverend James Barnett in Brandsville, Missouri, […]
  Administrator
• MDC Releases Deer Harvest Numbers for 2025-2026 Season January 16, 2026
  The Missouri Department of Conservation has released their numbers for the 2025-2026 deer hunting season, which ended recently on January 15th. Read below for more. Missouri’s 2025-2026 deer-hunting season ended Jan. 15 with the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) reporting a preliminary total deer harvest for the season of 301,954. Of the deer harvested, 145,222 […]
  Daniel Williams