Howell's It Going, July 12, 2024
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.
A fire at Roberts Wood Products in Mountain View was reported by a passerby on Sunday, June 30. Initial reports came in at about 8:15 pm according to the Mountain View Fire Department.
The incident report lists a control time of 9:59 pm. The report said “The warehouse was full of lumber, and bundles were blackened. Thermal imaging was used to pick up hot spots on lumber. Several bundles were removed outside.”
The cause of the fire was determined to be an exterior wood grinder that spread sparks inside the mill via a duct system.
Three additional fire departments, Eleven Point, Summersville, and Willow Springs, responded and rotated in fire personnel.
The business was not in operation on the day of the fire, but the call report notes that many employees showed up to help.
Personnel cleared the scene by 12:14 am.
Roberts Hardwood Flooring, LLC commented that they would like to thank all the local fire departments and volunteers who responded to the fire at the flooring mill that Sunday evening.
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.
Howell County News will host and moderate a debate for candidates for Howell County Sheriff next week. Two Republican candidates are running – incumbent Sheriff Brent Campbell and challenger Matt Roberts. The debate will be livestreamed on Tuesday, July 16 on the HowellCountyNews.com. The debate will also be livestreamed on the following Facebook pages: Howell County News, Matt Roberts for Howell County Sheriff, Brent Campbell for Howell County Sheriff, and the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce. Ozark Radio News and the West Plains Daily Quill have been invited to cover the event as well.
An article covering the debate will appear in the July 24 edition of the newspaper. Primary election day is August 6th.
If you have any questions for the candidates, you can email those to, Editor At Howell County News dot com. Questions will also be taken during the livestream of the debate.
A West Plains woman was killed in a two-vehicle crash on July 2nd around noon, according to a press release from the West Plains Police Department.
Police responded to a two-vehicle crash on US 63 near Quarry Road in West Plains. The two vehicles in the crash were a passenger vehicle driven by Stephanie Mellot, age 46, of West Plains and a commercial vehicle with an unnamed driver. Mellot was pronounced deceased at the scene of the crash.
The roadway near the incident was closed for roughly two hours before being reopened.
All the Republicans who hope to represent Howell County in Jefferson City will participate in a debate. Join Howell County News at the West Plains Civic Center in the Expo Hall at 6 pm on July 25th.
Both candidates for the Missouri State Senate Republican Primary will appear for a mini-debate. Travis Smith and Brad Hudson will debate three to five questions moderated by publisher Amanda Mendez.
The bulk of the evening's time will be a question/rebuttal format for Republican candidates for the 154th District of Missouri House of Representatives. The three debating Republicans facing off in the August Primary Election will be Larry Lindeman, of West Plains, Lisa Durnell, of Willow Springs, and Mark Collins, of West Plains.
This event is open to the public, and every registered voter is encouraged to attend. Voters may submit questions the night of the event or email them in advance to Editor@HowellCountyNews.com
The Howell County Commission held a ceremony designating the county as a Purple Heart County on June 24th. This designation affirms that the county government recognizes those in the community who gave their lives or were wounded in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
According to Northern Commissioner Calvin Wood, the county will be placing three (3) road signs displaying the Purple Heart to drivers who enter the county on US 60 west of Willow Springs, US 60 east of Mountain View, and US 63 west of Brandsville. Additional road signs could be possible in the future.
Walt Schley with the Military Order of the Purple Heart presented a plaque to the commission for their dedication to Purple Heart recipients. Also attending the ceremony was local Vietnam veteran Ray Weeks, Frieda Evans with the VFW Auxiliary, and Megan Nickey with congressman Jason Smith's Office.
The Missouri Fired Arts Expo will take place July 18 to 20th at the West Plains Civic Center. This expo will feature ceramic teachers like Mike Harbridge, Paula McCoy, Brenda Poole, and more. There will be a ceramics competition, classes, fired arts vendors, local food vendors and door prizes. The West Plains Civic Center is located at 110 St. Louis Street in West Plains.
I'm Amanda, and this has been Howell's It Going.