The Ozark Fire Protection District (OFPD) will hold its 2025 Citizens Fire Academy starting in April. The course will be 11 weeks long and is open to anyone living or working in Christian County. more

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) are trained to take care of themselves and then help others in their communities for the first three days following a disaster. This is when debris-clogged or damaged roads, disrupted communications, or a high volume of calls may prevent access by emergency response personnel. The purpose of CERT training is to provide citizens with the basic skills required to handle virtually all their own needs and then to be able to respond to their communities’ needs in the aftermath of a disaster. more

An Ozark couple were booked into the Greene County Jail on Monday, March 10, on behalf of the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office. Michael Todd Williams, 56, and his wife Cherita Dawn Williams, 53, are each charged with one count of felony stealing. more

There has been a super amount of excitement in and around our community for a few weeks. Our two basketball teams qualified to play in the State playoffs in Columbia over the weekend. The last game the girls played they beat by just one point (one couldn't get closer than that). The last game the boys played, they beat 52 to 73. The kids and their many fans are going to have great memories for many years. Congratulations to everyone. Now is the time to celebrate! Lots of parties in the near future. I was really glad that folks who were at games kept putting what was happening on Facebook. I, for one, enjoyed every game I went to. more

Johnnie Calvin Nichols, Jr., age 73, of Nixa, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. He was born on March 1, 1952, in Yuba City, Calif., to Johnnie Calvin Nichols, Sr. and Daisy Nichols. more

Mercy proudly opened its second primary care clinic in Ozark (on Wednesday, March 5) with a ribbon cutting and blessing of the new facility (at 1758 South 20th Street). The new clinic furthers Mercy’s mission to bring accessible, high-quality health care to patients across the Ozarks. This new facility provides a full range of services including primary care and same-day appointments in a convenient location to ensure patients receive the care they need close to home. more

Twila Fern (Reese) Delling more

Benny Baker more

Karen Kay Curtis Wegand more

Twila Delling more

An Ozark resident was sentenced to eight years in prison on Wednesday, March 5 at the Greene County Justice Center. Matthew Steven Richardson, 55, received the sentence as part of a plea agreement where he pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree child molestation. In return, two other counts of second-degree child molestation were dismissed. more

Ozark High School government students had a rare and exciting opportunity to witness the judicial system in action as the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District, held a special oral argument session in OHS’s auditorium on Feb. 27. This event provided students with a firsthand look at the appellate process, allowing them to observe real-world legal proceedings and gain insight into the complexities of the justice system. more

High school seniors Layton Ryan Huff and William Holden Beadle, of Nixa High School have been distinguished as two of the top academic students in the state through the 2025 Missouri Scholars 100 program. This statewide initiative, organized by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of 100 outstanding students from the graduating class of 2025. more

The Ozark Varsity Cheer (OVC) took first place in the Missouri State Gameday Championship at Missouri State University on Saturday, Feb. 23. It was the team’s fourth consecutive year to win the championship, and their first year as a coed team. more

We love seeing our parents get involved in our elementary schools, especially when that parent is also a teacher at the high school! Dr. Albert Bryant, Ozark High School math teacher, recently administered a Missouri Council of Teachers of Mathematics Mathleague contest for four East Elementary students. Congratulations to fourth graders Samson Bryant, Duke Kirkman, Henry Witt, and Emy Yerby for stepping out of their comfort zone and taking the test — literally! more

It is going to take some time to get adjusted to the hour change. Could we just leave it one way or the other, so we don't have to deal with it twice each year? more

An alleged attempt to flee from a Nixa Police officer during a traffic stop on Sunday, March 9, led to the arrest of two people. Allana Stanley, 27, of Cassville, Mo., and James Larson, 38, of Seligman, Mo., were located and arrested after the alleged incident. more

Linda Sue Watts (Rickel) more

Elisa “Lesa” Diann Duran, a vibrant soul of 52 years, gracefully departed this world on March 3, 2025, in Springfield, Missouri, where she began her journey on Nov. 24, 1972. more

Charlotte “Elaine” Mann more

Carlene Mayberry more

David Winston Dawson, age 84, of Ozark, passed away in his home early Sunday, March 9, 2025. He was born Aug. 23, 1940, in Springfield, the son of David Winston and Freda Mae (Payne) Dawson. He graduated from Central High School in 1958 and joined the U.S. Navy the same year. After serving his country for three years, David returned home and received a bachelors from SMS (MSU). On June 7, 1963, he and Linda Lea Earls were married. He returned to his education and in 1971 was granted a master's degree from Drury College. more

Alyce Maxine Hughes, a remarkable lady of 102 years and nine months, peacefully passed away to be with her Lord and Savior on Feb. 17, 2025. more

Betty Louise Swadley more

Pierrette Julia (Julie) Thomas more