Chadwick Motorcycle and ATV Use Area is one of two motorized trail systems in Mark Twain National Forest (Forest). Located about 35 miles to the southeast of Springfield, this network of trails provides Forest visitors a place to ride their ATVs, UTVs and off-road motorcycles. A Chadwick Recreation Area project is being proposed to make multiple improvements to this trail system. Public feedback is encouraged and an open house to learn more will be held May 13 in Sparta. Specifically, the project proposes the following actions: more

Leaders across Christian County visited Jefferson City April 20 to meet with district and regional legislators for a “Christian County Day” of legislative advocacy. The group, consisting of officials from Show Me Christian County (SMCC), as well as leaders from Nixa, Clever and the Christian County Library District, met with representatives Bob Titus, Stephanie Hein and Melanie Stinnett to express support and concern for a number of bills proposed this session. more

Safety and growth took center stage Friday, April 21 as Ozark School District officially broke ground on projects at Ozark High School (OHS) and Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. These projects include storm shelters at both locations, as well as an indoor practice facility at OHS, all part of the $19 million no-tax-increase bond issue voters approved on the April 5, 2022, ballot. more

On Saturday, April 29, the City of Sparta held its second Drag City Cruise-In in the Sparta Middle School parking lot. The event, which went from 3-5 p.m., allowed people to enjoy the nice weather, admire classic cars and treat themselves to something from the food trucks and craft vendors available on site. To close out the car show, the cars cruised down Main Street, allowing passers-by one last look. more

According to Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole, on April 28, 2023, at approximately 4:10 p.m., Christian County deputies assigned to campus security at the Christian County Justice Center (110 West Elm Street) observed a physical altercation across the street on the Ozark Square. more

What if an entire community read the same book during the same month? What if the book everyone read together has a unifying message about kindness, neighborliness and friendship? What if everyone celebrated these lessons with family-friendly events where readers can come together to discuss? more

During the Rural Philanthropy Summit on April 25, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks (CFO) presented Cynthia Glenn with a Board Member of Excellence Award. She serves as a board member for the Finley River Community Foundation (FRCF). more

Over spring break, members of Ozark High School’s (OHS) Educators Rising traveled to Westminster College in Fulton for the state competition. All 14 students who competed placed in the top five of their respective events, with six placing first overall in their events. They will all move on to compete at the national competition in Florida over the summer. more

The Nixa Reader’s Theatre competed in the Missouri State High School Activities Association State Theatre Competition at the end of April. They competed in semi-finals on Thursday, April 20, and advanced to finals on Friday, April 21. Only four schools in the state of Missouri advanced to finals. Nixa’s Reader’s Theatre received third place overall. They performed “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by T.J. Klune. more

Nixa High School’s Meghana Nakkanti was recently named a semifinalist for the 2023 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. more

On April 23, 150 Nixa High School choir students traveled to Worlds of Fun in Kansas City to compete in the Festival of Choirs. more

Nixa choir and band students participated at the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) State Solo and Small Ensemble Music Festival on the campus of the University of Missouri on April 27. more