Log in
ISABELLE BRYANT AND LYLA WOOD rejoice after scoring as Kendall McCoy steps to the plate.
After suffering broken leg in April, Hawkins hits three-run double in Ozark home opener
Harlow Hawkins followed an eerily similar path toward delivering the biggest hit of the game in an Ozark home-opening win for the second year in a row. The senior first baseman’s three-run …
OZARK'S JAMES NEMETI tries to get a shot past Jefferson City Helias' goalie Thursday.
Burton and Thrasher exhibit the kind of toughness Tigers expect from themselves
However unofficial it might be, Ozark coach Zack Owens’ stats sheet will show the Tigers with three assists in their 2-0 victory versus Jefferson City Helias on Thursday. “For the …
OZARK'S QUENTIN COMBS dives to make a catch during a tip drill at practice.
Defensive end Combs grateful Cordell's arrival led to his return to the gridiron
Ozark senior defensive end Quentin Combs felt he was done with football at the same time  he started high school.   Even now, while looking back on his decision to not play as a …
Local News
The new HVAC system at Ozark High School went online for the start of the 2024-25 school year.

Ozark Schools are safer, cooler, more energy efficient for the 2024-25 school year

Ozark School District Assistant Superintendent of Operations Dr. Curtis Chesick is looking forward to an amazing 2024-25 school year at a bit of a slower pace, thanks to the completion of three storm shelters, one indoor activities center, a new HVAC system and the installation of solar panels — all within the last year.
Nixa FFA students at the 2024 Missouri State FFA Food Insecurity Day of Service/Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids.

Nixa, Spokane FFA Chapters help pack meals for families in need at State Fair

Members of the Nixa and Spokane FFA Chapters joined more than 725 FFA members and agricultural leaders at the Missouri State Fair last month on Aug. 13, for the Missouri State FFA Food Insecurity Day of Service. The event is held in conjunction with the Missouri Farmers Care Foundation Drive to Feed Kids, a year-long effort to stand in the gap for the one in seven Missouri children facing food insecurity.

Help save a life at Showcase Ozark Community Expo Sept. 7

Dickerson Park Zoo and Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets and plasma to patients at 45 area healthcare facilities, are partnering together to help boost the region’s blood supply for local patients.
A bull charges out of the chute, while his rider fights to hold on for eight seconds.

Thunder Days event brings PBR back to Springfield

As the dirt settled on the final day of PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Teams: Thunder Days at Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield, the hometown Missouri Thunder (7-10) overwhelmed the league-leading Carolina Cowboys (12-2-1), 260.25-89.25, to claim their first win at home.

Carpenter Media Group acquires 16 titles and print facility from Phillips Media Group

Harrison, AR — Carpenter Media Group (CMG) and Phillips Media Group (PMG) announced on Aug. 30 they have reached an agreement for CMG to acquire PMG’s 16 community newspapers spread across Arkansas, Missouri and Illinois, as well as Nowata Printing Company in Springfield, Missouri.
News
The Billings FFA Chapter rides a float in the parade at the 2024 Billings Fair.

Meet me at the Fair

The 2024 Billings Fair was held this past weekend, Aug. 30-31, at the Billings Community Park. The event featured vendor booths, food trucks, live music, a parade, tractor pulls and more. If you missed out on this year’s festivities, be sure to mark Aug. 29-30, 2025, on your calendars for the 59th Annual Billings Fair.

Showcase Ozark Expo 2024 set to spotlight local businesses, community Sept. 7

The highly anticipated Showcase Ozark Expo is returning this year, bringing together local businesses, community leaders and residents for a day of celebration, networking and entertainment. Set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 7 at the Ozark Schools Innovation Center at 1600 W. Jackson, Ozark, this year’s expo promises to be an incredible brand-new experience.
A ribbon cutting for the Garrison Springs Community Forest was held on Aug. 20, 2024.

Garrison Springs Community Forest opens to the public

The City of Ozark recently announced the opening of the Garrison Springs Community Forest. A ribbon cutting ceremony took place at the main gate of Garrison Springs on Aug. 20, marking the official launch of this exciting new addition to the city's green spaces.
Volunteers from James River Church delivered gift baskets to the Ozark Police Department on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024.

James River Church delivers over 4,000 gifts to local community heroes

On Saturday, Aug. 24, over 600 people volunteered from James River Church to pack and deliver over 4,000 gifts to police officers, firefighters and medical professionals in the Springfield and Joplin areas. These gifts were brought to over 100 locations in 6 different counties throughout southwest Missouri to let our local heroes know how loved and appreciated they are.
Exterior photo of the new storm shelter at Ozark High School.

Ozark High School opens new storm shelter, indoor activities center

A new chapter for Ozark High School (OHS) student activities began on Aug. 22, 2024, as the Ozark community, along with state and local representatives, school and District staff, OHS band students, cheerleaders and JROTC cadets gathered to cut the ribbon for the OHS storm shelter/gym and the new indoor activities center.
OZARK SENIORS include (l-r) Kelsie Batey, Kayden Miller, Harlow Hawkins, Lyla Wood, Audrey Carlton, Addie Lewis, Kendall McCoy and Natalie Morgan.
Lady Tigers' tight-knit eight senior starters feature quantity and quality
Whatever sort of banners, placards, big-head cutouts or posters Ozark displays to honor its seniors this season, space will be at a premium. With the Lady Tigers featuring eight, count …
Deters
Deters' two TD passes in season-opening win help Jays halt losing streak at 21 games
Rex Deters fired two touchdown passes in his Clever debut Friday, as the Jays won for the first time since 2021 by beating Miller 23-12. Clever, which had lost 21 games in a row, is 1-0 for the …
OZARK'S ANTHONY CORDELL celebrates a touchdown with Sam Clark Friday.
Sophomores Easley and Cordell record first career varsity TDs in Ozark victory
Cast aside the storyline surrounding Jett Easley’s still-missing and still-yet-to-be-replaced No. 1 home red jersey, it’s all about his genes. Showing the same speed and field-vision …
NIXA'S ADAM MCKNIGHT holds onto the pigskin as he hits the turf.
After being a hospitable host, McKnight reaps rewards in Eagles' winning debut
Adam McKnight seemingly has it all.  A former freshman phenom and now a super soph, the wunderkind has size, speed, strength, smarts, hand-eye coordination, instincts, poise, determination and resilience, all at an elite level.
NIXA'S RYLEE HARPER celebrates the Lady Eagles' District semifinal victory last season with teammate Jordan Phillips.
On and off the field, southern California native Harper has found a home at Nixa
Rylee Harper was set up for success at Nixa by being born and raised in the softball hotbed that is southern California. Harper hailed from San Clemente in famed Orange County, halfway between …
CLEVER'S KALIB BUTTS gains yards after a catch during summer camp.
Clever and its season-opening foe, Miller, both feature veterans at key positions
Scouting Clever’s season-opener versus Miller tonight: The Jays are out to halt their losing streak at 21 games. … Clever hasn’t beaten anyone but Agape going back to …
Business

Ozark’s GW Coffee House receives grant

Main Street America, in a partnership with American Express’s Backing Small Businesses grant program supporting economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach, granted GW Coffee House in Ozark a $10,000 grant.

Ozark’s Venue on Brick awarded $34,000 grant

The Venue on Brick on the historic square in Ozark is one of 13 properties in Missouri to receive a Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Subgrant from Missouri Main Street Connection (MMSC) and the National Park Service.
Torgerson Design Partners’ new proposed building design.

Ozark Board of Aldermen decide on new downtown building design

The Ozark Board of Aldermen voted on a new building proposal for a vacant lot on the downtown Ozark square this past Monday, May 6. With three aye votes (Bruce Galloway, James Metcalf, David Snider) and three nay votes (Eddie Campbell, Jean Ann Hutchinson, RJ Flores), Mayor Don Currence broke the tie with an aye vote, carrying the motion to move forward with Torgerson Design Partners’ (TDP) new building proposal.

Impact 100 Ozark accepting grant applications through June 16

Impact 100 Ozark is seeking to offer transformational grants to organizations that can use the money to accomplish something big. Impact 100 Ozark will be issuing two grants in September, one for $14,000 and one for $35,000. These grants will be awarded to local non-profits or public entities by a vote of Impact 100 Ozark’s membership. Grant applications should not include funds for day-to-day operations, scholarships or to start a new non-profit organization. The organization encourages applicants to reach big, think big, think impactful.
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.
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,
Special Sections
X
X