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OZARK LEFT-HANDED HITTERS (l-r) include Hudson Roberts, Rylan Sutton, Truman Griessel and Peyton Bullinger.
For Tigers' southpaw-swinging foursome, 'left felt right' first time they picked up bat
The way things have played out for Ozark in its first 25 games, the Tigers have had four left-handed hitters not only earn starting jobs but solidify themselves among the Tigers’ top batsmen.
NIXA'S PARKER MANN is all smiles following his three-run home run Friday.
Watching football highlights leads to Mann creating more Friday Night Lights fireworks
A fulfilling finish for Nixa Friday produced favorable feelings in regard to the Eagles playing under Friday Night Lights.
OZARK'S ETHAN BLANCHARD steals second base at Catholic on Friday.
Blanchard twins team to shine at plate and on mound in Ozark 10-6 victory at Catholic
SPRINGFIELD — As hitter’s background go, Ozark’s Ethan Blanchard prefers the view from the batter’s box at Catholic compared to the Tigers’ home confines.
Local News
Danna Gopa files invoices during the Branson Job Olympics on March 27.

Ozark students learn valuable life skills at Job Olympics

It may not be a traditional Olympic event, but when Team Ozark swept the T-Shirt Folding Competition with first, second and third place at the Branson Job Olympics, Ozark students exploded with excitement and cheers.
Nixa Journalism students at the National High School Journalism Convention April 4-6, 2024.

Nixa Journalism wins at national convention

Nixa Journalism students recently attended the National High School Journalism Convention April 4-6 in Kansas City. “Wingspan,” the student-produced news magazine, won second place in the convention’s news magazine Best of Show competition. EagleAir ranked 10th place in the Broadcast category.
A helicopter arrives on the scene during the Nixa High School “Docu-Drama” assembly on April 15, 2024.

Crash Course

First responders descended upon Nixa High School on Monday afternoon to participate in a “Docu-Drama” assembly for all junior year students. The scene was played out by student actors and depicted a car accident and student death, which showcased the consequences of impaired driving.
The Ozark Board of Education, from left, Guy Callaway, James Griffin, Amber Bryant, Sarah Adams Orr, Christina Tonsing, Mark Jenkins and Dustin Kirkman.

Ozark Board of Education welcomes new members

Ozark School District welcomed two newly-elected members to the Board of Education following the April 2 election. Newcomers James Griffin and Dustin Kirkman were sworn onto the Board at the April 11 meeting. The Board voted to elect Mark Jenkins to serve as president and Amber Bryant as vice president for the 2024-25 school year.
Nixa Fire Protection District’s new fire station is located at 710 N. McCroskey St.

Nixa Fire Protection District opens new fire station

The Nixa Fire Protection District held a grand opening hose uncoupling ceremony for its new fire station on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
News
Douglas

Joplin hires Nixa’s Drew Douglas as city’s first Director of Communications & Marketing

The City of Joplin is announcing the hiring of Drew Douglas as its first-ever Director of Communications and Marketing. Douglas will begin his new role with Joplin on April 22.
The American Pickers are planning to film throughout Missouri in June 2024.

‘American Pickers’ to film in Missouri

The American Pickers are returning to Missouri. They plan to film episodes of The History Channel hit television series throughout our area in June 2024.

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland introduces Cookie Share match extension, season extension

Girl Scouts of the Missouri Heartland announced the extension of the Girl Scout Cookie season through April 21. Traditionally held from January to March, this extension provides the troops with a valuable opportunity to amplify their earnings and surpass their 2024 cookie sales goals.
The Nixa pool is located at The X Center in McCauley Park. It was estimated to be losing between 50,000 and 75,000 gallons of water per day.

Construction on Nixa Aquatics Center pool began March 29

Nixa Parks and Recreation continues to work to get the pool repaired and ready for the upcoming pool season. Contractors began the onsite work on March 29, and have ordered the necessary materials needed for the project.

Billings Elementary quarter 3 honor roll

Billings Elementary has announced its quarter 3 honor roll. Congratulations to the following students:
NIXA'S JACKSON CANTWELL, left, chats with his father, Christian, during the Nixa Invitational last week.
'Big throw' by Cantwell in shot put breaks his own state mark and No. 1 nationally this year
Jackson Cantwell’s showing at the Pitt State Jock's Nitch Relays two weeks ago triggered momentum that led to his monstrous effort at the Jefferson City Licklider Relays over the weekend.
OZARK'S BRIA WRIGHT nears the finish line in the 4 x 200 relay.
Wright leads Ozark 4 x 200 relay to first in another dramatic finish with Republic
Ozark’s Bria Wright has briefly chatted with Republic’s Jenna Belcher prior to the start of the 4 x 200 relay at the three meets thus far they have both competed.
OZARK'S CJ JACKSON hits out a bunker during the Ozark Invitational on Thursday.
Lively responds to quadruple bogey with fiery finish to place fifth at Ozark Invite
Meyer Lively exchanges about as firm a handshake as one will receive on the links and moreover the Nixa senior showed exceptionally strong determination Thursday at the Ozark Invitational.
Donnelly
Ozark hires former Kickapoo assistant as Tigers' new head basketball coach
For the second time in 12 years, Ozark has named a head boys basketball coach whose experience consists solely as an assistant.
Pendergrass
Chadwick welcomes aboard former Kickapoo state champion coach Pendergrass
Chadwick will be the next stop in Jim Pendergrass’ highly successful and highly unconventional coaching trail, as he will assume the Lady Cardinals' head coaching job.
SPOKANE'S SYDNEY BRYAN races to a first in the 300 hurdles.
Spokane's Bryan collects four first-place finishes at Chadwick Invitational
With Sydney Bryan leading the way, Spokane’s girls took three of the top five spots in the 300 hurdles and three of the top six spots in the 100 hurdles at the Chadwick Invitational on Friday.
Business
Clear Creek Golf Car and Utility Vehicles is located at 5801 N. 21st St. in Ozark.

Clear Creek Golf Car acquires Ozark Golf Cars

In January, Clear Creek Golf Car and Utility Vehicles, a 45-year distributor for Club Car based out of Ozark, acquired Ozark Golf Cars and Utility Vehicles, marking its fourth acquisition in three years. With the addition of Ozark Golf Car’s Ozark and Clinton locations, Clear Creek Golf Car has expanded from two stores to 11 within the last five years, acquiring the Club Car distributor in Little Rock in early 2021, then the Club Car distributor of Oklahoma and an E-Z-GO dealer in Russellville, Arkansas, in 2023.

Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes new officers and board members

The Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Chamber President/CEO Whitney Guison, are pleased to welcome new officers and board members to the board of directors, effective January 2024.
Nixa Hardware & Seed Company, located at 510 W. Mt. Vernon St., is celebrating 125 years of business in 2024.

Nixa Hardware & Seed Company celebrates 125 years

In 2024, Nixa Hardware & Seed Company (NH&SC) will be celebrating the remarkable milestone of 125 years in business. The store is currently located at 510 W. Mt. Vernon St. in Nixa.

County Collector’s office closed for holidays

The Christian County Collector’s office will be closed on the following dates:
Albers

Lucid TLC to feature the art of Dee Albers

Lucid TLC Studio & Art Gallery will host the art of area photographer Dee Albers as its featured artist for December. The exhibit will showcase many of Albers’ landscapes in prints and on canvas. The studio/gallery is located at 214 North Massey Boulevard. An opening night reception was held on Saturday, Dec. 2 for Albers’ exhibit.
Education
The Ozark Board of Education voted to hire Robert Hedgecorth as the Executive Director of Finance & Business Operations at a special meeting March 4. The finance position became available following the hiring of Dr. Lori Wilson as the District’s superintendent in December. Wilson had been serving in dual roles as interim superintendent and chief financial officer.
Spokane R-VII announced Mr. Glen Johnson as the Spokane Middle School principal and Spokane R-VII Athletic Director for the 2024-2025 school year. Current principal, Dr. Joel Carey, is retiring at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
Ozark Middle School (OMS) was filled with laughter, joy and singing on March 8, 2024, as the Ozark community, state and local representatives, school and District staff and OMS choir students gathered to cut the official ribbon for the OMS storm shelter, classrooms, offices and new entrance.
The Ozarks Technical Community College (OTC) Board of Trustees approved an additional $312,948 to expand the planned Agriculture and Electrical Distribution Systems Building at the Richwood Valley campus in Nixa. The building project will grow by nearly 3,000 square feet, bringing the facility’s total footprint to 19,600 square feet.
The State Board of Education (State Board) announced last week that Senator Karla Eslinger will assume the role as the state’s next commissioner for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) effective June 1, 2024, after concluding her work in the Missouri Senate during the 2024 legislative session.
Opinion
Dear Friends and Neighbors of Nixa,
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