On Friday, June 19, the Children’s Smile Center will hold the 20th annual Hot Air Balloon Glow in Finley River Park. The event will take place in the soccer fields in the north side of the park, where eight balloon pilots will inflate and light up their balloons, giving members of the public the opportunity to see the craft up close and speak with the pilots and their crew members. more

Michael Duane Stephenson more

Marvin, a 99-year-old World War II veteran, stepped out onto his porch. It was Flag Day, a day that held special significance to him. It always brought back memories. Some were good, some were bad. To him, the flag was an important part of his life. more

The Board of Education, at the May 21 meeting, approved the hire of Tony Hatfield as the Director of Transportation. Hatfield comes to Ozark with 34 years of experience in school transportation. more

The Ozark High School STUNT team made history by winning the 2026 USA Cheer Missouri High School STUNT State Championship. more

Elaine Wilson more

Michael Alexander Galindo more

Lionel Daugherty more

I really enjoyed the program that Channel Three did on our Bank of Sparta. My family has been a member of that bank since we got married in 1953. It has been so good to all the things this community has been involved in. Those three special girls could answer any question we might have and keep us updated on things good and and not so good. more

NIXA — The westward expansion of Nixa is officially underway. The Retreat is open. more

The City of Clever will retain its police force, according to a posting on the city’s social media. more

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gathered at the site of the new Springfield, Missouri Temple of Saturday, June 6, for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the temple’s upcoming construction. more

Chadwick residents came together at the Chadwick Community Center on Saturday, June 6, for Railroad Day, an annual celebration of the town’s history, centering around the old Chadwick Flyer Trail that once ran between Chadwick and Springfield. The event included a parade, a car show, children’s games, live music, baking and costume contests, and more. A photo gallery of the event can be seen on the Christian County Headliner News website. more

Virginia (Ernestine) Applegate more

Just ahead of Memorial Day, Ozark and Nixa opened their municipal pools on Saturday, May 23. In Ozark, the Neal Grubaugh Municipal Pool, located at the Neal Grubaugh Park, while the Nixa Aquatics Center opened at the X Center (the Nixa Splash Pad opened on Friday, May 15). For information on the pools’ hours, cost of admission, or length of the summer season, go online to https://www.nixa.com or call (417) 725-5486 for the X Center. Go online to https://ozarkmissouri.com/640/Parks-Recreation or call (417) 581-7002 for information about the Neal Grubaugh Municipal Pool. more

The American Legion Post 434 led the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at the X Center in Nixa on Saturday, May 23 to honor veterans who died in service to their country. An estimated 60 people attended the event. more

The Ozark High School Class of 2026 finished a 12-year journey on Sunday, May 17, at their high school graduation ceremony, held at the Great Southern Bank Arena in Springfield. At the ceremony, 395 students received their diplomas. A photo gallery of the event can be seen on the Christian County Headliner News website. more

Jimmy Dewayne Ballew more

Representative Eric Burlison (MO-07) announced a districtwide Constituent Services Week taking place June 1 through June 5, 2026, with stops across Missouri’s 7th Congressional District. During this week, Congressman Burlison’s staff will be available in person to assist constituents with casework at federal agencies, including issues related to the Internal Revenue Service, Social Security, Medicare, veterans’ benefits, immigration, the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, passports, and other federal services. more

Leonard “Douglas” Huff, age 79, of Nixa, passed away on May 24, 2026. Douglas was born on April 27, 1947, to Alvin and Emma Lou (Gimlin) Huff. more

Jace Tyler Shikany more

Ozark High School will have some new faces in the front office next year as the administration team takes shape for 2026-27. As part of a district reorganization, Dr. Kent Sappington will serve as interim high school principal, and Fernando Sustaita will join as an assistant principal, a hire approved at the May 21 school board meeting. more

For some of you, today’s technological world is both a blessing and a curse. Some of it is helpful and good, but much of it only adds stress to our lives. We have let it consume too much of our time. It is affecting the health of our minds and bodies. It is changing the lives of adults and kids, and not necessarily for the better. more

Princess Sarah Daven’s life is thrown into chaos when her father, the king of Davenberg, decides to marry her off against her will. Her friends and family scramble to console her and seek a solution. As they investigate, more appears to be at stake than the Princess’s hand. Through trials and tribulations, Sarah and her consorts learn the true nature of faith and trusting in God’s plan. more

Sharon McGahhey Luxon more