Repeating events: more

It is early on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The sun is rising over the forested hills surrounding the lake. Birds are singing. Deer are at the edge of the water for a drink. On a distant hill, a turkey gobbles. more

Jeffrey P. Ray, acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced on Wednesday, May 14, that a Nixa woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to making false and fictitious claims against the United States and wire fraud. more

Two Nixa High School alumni were recently inducted into the Nixa Academic Hall of Fame. more

East Elementary was full of hoots and hollers on Wednesday, May 14, when Principal Karen Capen announced to staff and students that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) named Ozark East Elementary School one of eight Missouri Gold Star Schools for 2025. more

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Century Elementary has been recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work School. The school received this honor from Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. Century is one of about 600 schools and districts in the United States and Canada to receive this honor, and the fourth school in Nixa to earn this achievement. more

My name is Kelsey Brabo, and I am writing to express my gratitude for the invaluable support that Care to Learn provides to our community and to share our need for increased funding. more

Since launching the Academy Model in 2021, Ozark High School has been working to provide students meaningful career exploration and real-world experiences through Client Connected Projects (CCPs). And now, thanks to a $5,000 Coover/Rural Schools Partnership Career Exploration Grant, the high school can bring real-world learning to more students through teacher training. more

OZARK, MO – The City of Ozark is proud to announce that Garrison Springs Community Forest has been awarded the 2025 Innovation Award in the Large City category by the Missouri Municipal League (MML). This prestigious award honors outstanding municipal projects in cities with populations between 15,000 and 30,000 that showcase forward-thinking solutions and deliver lasting community impact. more

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Cosmopolitan Club of Ozark, a Christian County service organization, held their final meeting of the year on May 6 at Estes Farms, Cassidy Station. Cat Edie, event coordinator, gave club members a tour and a history lesson of this amazing property. more

Cindy Robbins, assistant city administrator for the city of Nixa, has been selected as the 2025 Richard R. Noll Outstanding Assistant Award recipient by the Missouri City/County Management Association (MCMA). The award is given to individuals who hold an administrative position responsible for assisting the chief administrative officer with various administrative duties and responsibilities. more

Bobby Joe “Pops” Baldridge, age 79, of Ozark, Mo, went home to be with our Lord Friday, May 2, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born June 21, 1945, in Pharoah, Okla., to Wilburn and Leora Baldridge. Bob married his high school sweetheart, Juanita (Morgan) on April 9, 1965. Together, they raised three amazing sons, Paul, Steven, and Shawn Baldridge. more

On Friday, May 9, Clever High School  hosted its annual Decision Day, an event for the Class of 2025 to announce their post-graduation plans – which range from college, trade school, the military, or entering the workforce – as they set out on their paths to career success. more

Three area school districts were awarded grants from the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) recently. According to a press release from the CFO dated Tuesday, May 6, Billings R-IV, Nixa R-II, and Ozark R-VI each received a $5,000 grant from the organization. more

A Highlandville woman was killed on Thursday, May 8, in a collision involving six vehicles, according to a traffic crash report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. According to the report, the crash occurred shortly before 9 p.m., when a 2015 Harley-Davidson Road Glide motorcycle being ridden northward by a 49-year-old man from Strafford on US 160 crossed the centerline of the highway and struck the 2000 Pontiac Firebird the woman was driving southward, causing the Firebird to skid across the highway and strike a northbound 2019 GMC Sierra head on. more

A Nixa man was convicted in a 2019 murder case on Wednesday, May 7, by a jury in Platte County. The jury found Todd Blankenship, 52, guilty of First-Degree murder in the death of his wife, Stacie Whiteley. Blankenship was also found guilty of armed criminal action, Third-Degree domestic assault, and Fourth-Degree domestic assault. more

The Nixa Parks and Recreation Department hosted their Health and Wellness Expo at the X Center on Saturday, May 3. Attendees at the event got a chance to experience massage therapy, learn about judo classes, try out exercise demons, and experience Yoga in the Park. They also had the opportunity to sign up to win prizes. more

When Bella Hill was six, she knew that she wanted to go to college, even though she wasn’t sure what that meant at the time. more

As student loan payments and debt collection return, Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) warns borrowers to be on the lookout for loan forgiveness and debt collection scams. more

The Christian County Elks Lodge #2777 in Ozark hosted a warm and touching celebration in honor of Mother's Day, paying tribute to the love, strength, and devotion of mothers throughout the community. The special event brought together families and members for an evening filled with appreciation, fellowship, and heartfelt moments. more

Nixa’s 11 shutouts have put the spotlight on the Lady Eagles’ defenders, as has center-back Bailey Snyder’s success on set pieces. more

Top performances in Christian County this spring: more

Kannon Williams is doing all he can to allow himself to run free and relaxed at this weekend’s Class 5 District 5 Meet at JFK Stadium in Springfield. more