August has arrived, and with it, the 2024-2025 school year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is encouraging parents to include conversations about safety when preparing their student for school. It is also important that drivers be prepared for the change in traffic patterns, as students begin another year of instruction. In 2023, four people were killed and 403 injured in traffic crashes involving a school bus. In Missouri last year, a total of 877 traffic crashes involved school buses. more

Several 2024 graduates of Ozark High School have received scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO). more

The Historic River District (HRD) celebrated Ozark’s 136th birthday on Saturday, Aug. 3. more

Congratulations to 10 Ozark School District employees for receiving Ozark School District Foundation Fund grants totaling $5,232. more

Scotty McCreery will bring his Fall of Summer Tour to the Aetos Center for the Performing Arts in the Meridian Title Company Performance Hall Friday, Oct. 4, at 7:00 p.m. more

The City of Ozark announced on July 31 the completion of a significant upgrade to the FEMA storm shelter located at the Ozark Community Center (The OC). Remote access and other security features have been installed and are fully operational, providing improved security and accessibility. more

Ozark School District’s Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center is adding two preschool classrooms this school year, thanks to two $50,000 Preschool Start-Up Grants through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. more

The popular MOBUCK$ linked-deposit loan package application portal has been reopened. more

The Clever Police Department has a new chief of police. Mike Evans started his new position on July 15, taking over the role from previous Chief of Police Jeffrey Lofton. more

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. more

Tractor Supply Company is hosting a pet treat tasting event in Ozark. Planned for Aug. 10, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., this event will give pets the chance to sample a variety of pet treats available at Tractor Supply Company. more

Ozark’s Historic River District is leading the celebration of the 136th birthday of the City of Ozark. more

In early July, Ozark High School (OHS) FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) students traveled to Seattle to compete in a national competition. Students had to first qualify at a state competition and then fundraise for nationals. more

Grant Chair Janis Creek recently announced the distribution of Finley River Community Foundation’s (FRCF) 2023-2024 grant round. A total of $9,000 will be distributed to recipients at the August board meeting of FRCF. more

In late June, 2024, Ozark High School (OHS) 2024 senior Rebecca Gallo traveled to Washington, D.C., with Educators Rising to compete in a national competition. Gallo participated in the Lesson Planning and Delivery CTE Varsity event and brought home the top prize. more

The Christian County Republican Central Committee (CCRCC) has brought a lawsuit against Paula Brumfield, the Christian County Clerk. more

Spectators enjoyed cooler weather as they filled the stands — including a brand new third set of bleachers in front of the concessions — at the Ozark Booster Club Arena this past weekend to watch cowboys and cowgirls compete in the 69th Annual Ozark Booster Club Rodeo. Contestants tried their luck atop bucking bulls and horses, matched their brawn against steers, raced around barrels at top speeds and let their lariats fly in an attempt to rope calves. more

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets and plasma to patients at 45 area healthcare facilities, is in emergency need of all blood types. Blood inventory levels are at an historic low, with less than a one-day supply available at the beginning of the week. Eligible donors are asked to give immediately at a Community Blood Center of the Ozarks blood drive or donor center. more

The City of Nixa recently announced the hiring of Summer Rascoll-Jones as the new Director of Communications. Rascoll-Jones will begin her role with Nixa on Aug. 5. more

The City of Ozark is nearing completion of the planning effort Onward Ozark: Planning Our Corridors. This planning process documents the community’s vision for the future growth, development, transportation and aesthetics of three pivotal corridors within the city: North State Highway NN, South 3rd Street/Highway 14, and South Street. more

A primary election will be held in Christian County on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024. Christian County Headliner staff have reached out to the local government candidates in contested races in this upcoming election, offering an opportunity to explain their platform to their constituents. more

Mark Twain National Forest offers a wide spectrum of recreation opportunities to Forest visitors, including motorized trail riding. The Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs (ACW) Ranger District provides the public with access to off-highway vehicle (OHV) riding opportunities along the Chadwick Motorized Trail System. Projects to improve this popular OHV trail system and the nearby Cobb Ridge Campground are in the works. New shower buildings will be installed to replace the old ones within the next two years. Trail maintenance will occur more frequently, thanks to a new service contract being put in place. A new, automated fee machine is planned to be placed in the Cobb Ridge Campground, as early as next year. The fee machine will have the ability to issue the daily and annual OHV permits, as well as campground site fees. more

The City of Ozark (Ozark) and Missouri-American Water Company (MAWC) have filed a joint application with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking Commission authority to transfer ownership of Spring Valley Water System (Spring Valley) from MAWC to Ozark. According to the application, MAWC seeks to sell, and Ozark desires to acquire, Spring Valley, located in the City of Ozark in Christian County. more

Catholic Charities of Southern Missouri (CCSOMO) is teaming up with Breast Cancer Foundation (BCFO) in a mutually beneficial partnership that enhances support services for individuals and families in need in southwest Missouri. more

Bright, sparkling outfits flash in the arena lighting, as the riders perform daring feats on their swiftly moving steeds, standing, spinning and dragging from their horses’ backs, the crowd cheering them on. The Ozark Renegades trick riding team will once again perform during halftime at the Ozark Booster Club Pro Rodeo this Friday and Saturday at the Finley River Park. more