Sheriff Matt Roberts

08/18/2026

Below is an update from the Howell County Commission regarding the selection of an architectural firm. This firm will conduct a needs assessment and present a report to the Commission that outlines the status of our current facility and our options for moving forward.

08/16/2026

Keep an eye on the weather tonight! Storms are starting to build to our West.

Strong to severe thunderstorms are expected across the area this afternoon and evening. Severe storms are expected to develop as early as 5 PM, lasting into the overnight. Damaging wind gusts will be the primary threat with these storms.

08/09/2026

Mark your calendars for this year's Paws for Laws truck pull!

08/07/2026

UPDATE:

The male has been taken into custody thanks to our drone and a surprisingly effective K9 impersonation by Lieutenant Smith! Watch the Howell County Sheriff's Office page for more info.

Deputies are on scene on County Road 3490
searching for a male subject with an active arrest warrant who fled. Please avoid the area if possible.

08/07/2026

Please see the below update regarding a needs assessment for a Sheriff's Office and Jail or possibly a full justice center.

As this process progresses we will update you with further information.

08/05/2026

Unofficial results are up now.

08/04/2026

Join us tonight to help raise some funds for this organization!

07/04/2026

If you're in downtown Willow Springs today, be sure to stop by the Willow Springs FFA booth and grab an ice cream cone! Every cone purchased helps support the incredible students of the Willow Springs FFA chapter and the opportunities they provide for young people in our community.

FFA is so much more than agriculture. It teaches leadership, responsibility, hard work, public speaking, teamwork, and service to others. It helps develop the character and confidence that young men and women carry with them for the rest of their lives.

As a former FFA member myself, I can honestly say the organization had a tremendous impact on my life. The lessons I learned, the friendships I made, and the leadership skills I developed helped shape the person I am today. Those experiences continue to serve me every day as Sheriff and as a member of this community.

Let's show these outstanding students our support. Stop by, enjoy an ice cream cone, and invest in the next generation of leaders. Every purchase makes a difference, and I know they'll appreciate your support!

Thank you to the Willow Springs FFA members and advisors for everything you do to make our community stronger. 🇺🇸🍦💙💛

07/04/2026

Today, as our nation celebrates Independence Day, we are reminded that the freedoms we enjoy were not freely given. They were earned through extraordinary courage, unwavering sacrifice, and a steadfast belief that liberty is worth defending.

Nearly 250 years ago, ordinary men and women chose an extraordinary path. They stood against tyranny, placing their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor on the line to establish a nation founded on freedom, individual rights, and the rule of law. Their legacy lives on in every American flag that waves proudly today.

As Sheriff of Howell County, I am humbled by the opportunity to serve a community that values faith, family, freedom, and service. I am especially grateful for the men and women of the Howell County Sheriff's Office, our fellow first responders, members of the armed forces, veterans, and the families who stand beside them. Your commitment to protecting others is a daily reminder that the spirit of our nation's founders is still alive.

Today is also a time to gather with those we love, enjoy the traditions that make this country so special, and reflect on the blessings we often take for granted. May we never lose sight of the responsibility that comes with freedom, nor the sacrifices that have preserved it for generations.

From my family to yours, I wish you a safe, joyful, and meaningful Independence Day. May God continue to bless Howell County, the great State of Missouri, and the United States of America.

Happy Fourth of July! 🇺🇸
Sheriff Matt Roberts

07/03/2026

JOINT PUBLIC SAFETY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Howell County Sheriff's Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol, West Plains Police Department and West Plains Fire Department, in partnership with Give Local First, are excited to welcome everyone to SkyFire at the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds on Friday, July 3. We ask for your help in making the event safe, enjoyable and memorable for all.

If you're planning to attend, please review the following information before you arrive:

Parking & Traffic
• Parking opens at 5 p.m.
• Parking is $5 per vehicle. Please have your payment ready upon arrival to help keep traffic moving.
• SkyFire is a "watch from your parking spot" event. Guests are encouraged to enjoy the fireworks from their vehicles or immediately around their parking space.
• The only entrance to the Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds will be from Hubert Redburn Drive via McFarland Street.
• There will be NO entrance from or exit onto U.S. Highway 63. Please plan your route accordingly and follow the directions of traffic control personnel.
• No parking is permitted on U.S. Highway 63, along the shoulders of roadways or in a manner that blocks city streets or intersections. Vehicles parked illegally may be ticketed and/or towed.

Event Safety
• Alcohol is not permitted anywhere on the event grounds.
• Expect heavy traffic before and after the fireworks display. Please be patient as everyone arrives and departs.
• Watch for pedestrians, especially children, in parking areas and along nearby roadways.
• Park only in designated parking areas and keep emergency access routes clear at all times.
• If your holiday celebration includes alcohol before or after the event, please designate a sober driver or arrange a safe ride home.
Public Safety Presence

Throughout the evening, deputies with the Howell County Sheriff's Office, troopers with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, officers with the West Plains Police Department and firefighters with the West Plains Fire Department will be on-site and patrolling the event and surrounding area to help ensure a safe celebration.

If you need assistance, don't hesitate to approach a public safety official. If you witness suspicious activity or have an emergency, notify the nearest officer or call 911 immediately.

Thank you for helping make SkyFire a safe and enjoyable celebration for everyone. We look forward to seeing you on July 3 and wish you and your family a happy and safe Independence Day weekend.