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NIXA'S JAISE COMBS looks for room around an Oak Park defender Wednesday at the Class 6 Final Four.
Eagles endure 'a grind' offensively while dealt 61-50 state semifinal setback
COLUMBIA — It would be understating things to summarize that Nixa’s Jaise Combs was on Oak Park’s radar going into Wednesday’s Nixa-Oak Park Class 6 state semifinal. More …
NIXA'S ADAM MCKNIGHT posts up in the paint.
State semifinal showdown Wednesday will be a rematch for Eagles and Oak Park
Thanks to a trip to the KAMO Hoops Shootout in Shawnee Mission, Kansas, last summer, Randy Flint, Adam McKnight and their Nixa teammates aren’t prone to being intimidated by all the hype …
Sparta features trio of hard-throwing pitchers capable of making Trojans a winner
Going into his second season at his alma-mater, Sparta coach Jacob Finney is optimistic the Trojans can post their program’s first winning season in three years. Sparta was 12-13 last …
Local News

Johnnie Calvin Nichols, Jr.

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.

Chadwick Area News

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.
Michael Williams

Ozark couple charged with theft of motorcycle

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.

CERT course to prepare citizens to handle disasters

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.
The members of the 2024 Ozark Fire Academy try on firefighting gear during one of their classes. Participants in the 2025 Ozark Fire Academy will have the opportunity to use firefighting equipment in various situations. Photo courtesy of the Ozark Fire Protection District.

Ozark Fire Protection District gearing up for Citizens Fire Academy

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.
News

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: THE GIANT OLD OAK TREE

For over 50 years, a huge oak tree stood near the corner of our house. Two oak trees had grown together at the trunk many years ago. It was massive in circumference and stood over 80 feet tall. The shade over our house and the oxygen it produced were invaluable to us. The fall colors added beauty to our yard.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe® Launches Sunshine for Teachers Recognition Program

On Friday, Feb. 28, Tropical Smoothie Cafe® kicked off the Sunshine for Teachers recognition program to reward and honor up to 20 inspiring educators who are spreading sunshine in their classrooms and communities. In May, one grand prize winner will receive a summer getaway worth up to $10,000 and free smoothies for a year. Parents, teachers, families, and the school community are encouraged to nominate their favorite teacher at www.sunshineforteachers.com.

THE ROCKWOOD FILES: MIDLIFE MATH

My husband and I were born five years and two days apart in March. Since it’s birthday season again, here are 52 things I’ve noticed about turning 52.

OZARKS RFD: Potato tradition trumps wisdom

We always planted potatoes on March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, when I was a boy on the farm.

Doug Harwell

Doug Harwell
Local Sports

Double-double for Garrison and back-to-back state championships for Cards

CHADWICK'S CLAYTON GARRISON AND TRISTAN SMITH share a hug.
COLUMBIA — Clayton Garrison has wondered aloud if he would have the NCAA D-I offer he’s seeking if he wouldn’t be playing at the Class 1 level. But after leading Chadwick to …
CHADWICK PLAYERS are all smiles during their state championship celebration Saturday.
Burkhart improbable hero in Lady Cardinals' state championship victory
COLUMBIA — It’s almost always been all about the guards at Chadwick in recent seasons, from Stevi Jones to Paris Gilbert to Abi Smith to Kerrigan Guerin to Rae Little. But the Lady …
Landry
Landry nets five 3-pointers in 25-point effort as Lady Cards prevail in semi
COLUMBIA — Emily Landry’s first-half explosion triggered a 48-40 Chadwick victory versus Walnut Grove in a Class 1 state semifinal Friday. Landry poured in four 3-pointers in the …
Garrison
Garrison makes run at triple-double as Cardinals get back to state title tilt
COLUMBIA — Clayton Garrison’s 18 points, 17 rebounds and nine blocked shots powered Chadwick to a 60-30 rout of Wheatland in a Class 1 state semifinal Friday. Garrison was 8-of-10 …
NIXA'S KEIVON FLINT passes in front of a pair of Rockhurst defenders Friday.
Strength, body control and smarts enable 5-11 Flint to finish around the basket
Just as Keivon Flint jumped into Nixa’s student section with no inhibitions Friday, he boldly went right at Rockhurst’s defenders on his way to the basket.   Flint scored on the …
NIXA'S KEIVON FLINT jumps into the Eagles' student section in celebration of Friday's Quarterfinal triumph.
Eagles flip-flop strengths and weaknesses while rolling to Quarterfinal triumph
Things got so rocky for Rockhurst at Nixa in the teams’ Class 6 Quarterfinal clash Friday that the Hawklets wanted to talk football. Rockhurst forward Kevin Sullivan and Nixa center Adam …
OZARK'S COOPER PUMPHREY was an All-COC Second-Team selection last year.
With a nod to their experience, Tigers expect to win more one- and two-run games
Ozark coach Justin Sundlie is counting on his veterans to help the Tigers play better under pressure than a year ago. Ozark was involved in 14 games decided by two runs or less last season and …
Business

BBB Tips: Finding trusted wedding vendors

Feb. 26, 2025 - As wedding planning season ramps up, Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) advises newly engaged couples to research vendors carefully.

Avoid scams during tax season

St. Louis, Mo. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns consumers to take precautions against tax scams and identity theft this filing season.
Besides being Christian County’s top cop, Sheriff Brad Cole is also an auctioneer. Here, he auctions off a gold necklace from Mitchum Jewelers to help raise funds for the Ozark Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Steve Chapman

Community members honored, memories shared at Ozark Community Awards Banquet

Attendees at the Ozark Community Awards Banquet, held at the Ozark Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 8, enjoyed an evening of fun and festivity as they gathered to honor teachers, first responders, and others who made outstanding contributions to the community in 2024. In addition to the awards, the highlights of the evening included a catered dinner, the traditional game of Heads & Tails, and a live auction.

Developing Christian County Professionals

The Nixa Chamber of Commerce is holding a Resumé workshop on Wednesday, Jan. 22, at 3:30 p.m. at the Nixa Community Branch Library, 208 N McCroskey St.

Community Calendar

Repeating Events:
Education
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.
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!
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.
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.
Opinion
Spring is a time to be on the lookout for colorful birds, blooming plants… and wildfires.
If you are like me, you do not watch or listen to our negative news much anymore. So, you might have missed this.
“Mickey 17” is the kind of movie where you just have to trust the filmmaker to take you on a
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