Karl Edward Langwell more

Agnes Merle Sullivan more

I watch the CBS Evening News almost every Friday. Not for the news. I watch it to see their short segment, On the Road with Steve Hartman, that ends the news on Fridays. They show good people and good things happening in our world. more

Grace is receiving what we could never earn. Mercy is being spared from what we rightly deserve. Blessings are the many ways God continues to pour His love into our lives. more

For the second consecutive year, Ozark School District has earned the prestigious Meritorious Budget Award through the Association of School Business Officials International. Announced on Aug. 18, 2026, this award, for the fiscal year 2026-27, shows the district’s commitment to clear, transparent, and high-quality budget presentation, reinforcing its dedication to responsible financial stewardship. Last year, only seven school districts in the state of Missouri received this national recognition; and less than 140 school districts received it nationwide. more

SPRINGFIELD, MO, AUGUST 28, 2026 - Ozarks Coca-Cola/Dr Pepper Bottling Company is helping students pursue their educational goals through two scholarship opportunities available this fall: the prestigious Coca-Cola Scholars Program and the Dr Pepper Tuition Giveaway. more

Savannah Cheney, a 2025 graduate of Clever High School, has received the Alfred Penny Memorial Scholarship, administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. more

The Day family has a new baby girl to go with the beautiful little one we already had. I haven't got to see her yet, and I can't remember the name, but it is an unusual name. Hope to get to see that part of the family soon. It has been very busy there. more

Paul Albert Peterman, lovingly known as Papa, was born on July 25, 1944, in Ames, Okla. to Ira Ery and Geraldine Chanda Peterman. Paul was the youngest of his three siblings, Betty Jo Fleer, Karen Bea Mack, and Clarence “Buzz” Peterman. He passed away on Aug. 28, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of love, faith, service, and memories that will be cherished by his family and all who knew him. more

Congratulations to 13 Ozark School District employees who are kicking off the school year with some extra cash to help students, receiving grants from the Ozark Schools Employee Fund, the Missouri Retired Teachers Association - Foundation, and the Finley River Community Foundation, totaling nearly $10,000. more

The historic Frisco caboose that had sat at the Finley River Park’s southern entrance for over 40 years made one final journey when the City of Ozark moved it to its new location at the Chadwick Flyer Trailhead, on the grounds of the Ozark Community Center, on Monday, Aug. 24. more

Reverend Huey Paul Long, age 88, of Nixa, passed away Aug. 29, 2026.He survived by the love of his life, his wife Sarah Long of Nixa, his son, Gregory Long (Tammy); his son, Marty Long (Michelle); four grandchildren, Mekaela Forgey (Shawn) Madison Long (Alyssa) Arayah Frierson (Caleb) and Chaelynn Long; and his six great-grandchildren, Gabe Forgey, Greyson Forgey, Raelynn Forgey, Selah Forgey, Maddox Long, and Kasey Frierson.He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Roy Long; his mother, Josephine Long; two brothers, Sonny Long and John Long; and his three sisters, Linda Long, Bobbie Hasty, and Georgia Halley.Reverend Huey Long pastored and assisted in pastoring several churches. He pastored in Salem Mo., was an assistant pastor in Malden, Mo., pastored in Aurora and Pacific, Mo., and retired from pastoring in North Pekin Ill. Reverend Huey Long had a genuine love for singing. He recorded 13 albums. He had a singing group called the Huey Long Singers; his greatest joy was his love for the Lord and preaching.A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, at The Experience Church, Springfield, under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa, with Pastor Brian McCoy officiating.Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. immediately before the funeral at the church.Burial with full military honors committal service will be held at 9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. more

With the rise of Google Pay, Apple Pay, and companies like CashApp, Venmo and Zelle, digital wallets are becoming ubiquitous. While paying for items with the tap of a smartphone or watch might once have felt like science fiction, it is now a very real and highly convenient payment solution for many people. more

For the sixth year in a row, Nixa High School was named the top high school in the Springfield metro area and the ninth best high school in Missouri (up from 20th in 2025) by US News in their annual rankings. more

Nixa and Christian County first responders mixed and mingled with members of the Nixa community at the Nixa Aquatics Center on Tuesday, Aug. 18, during National Night Out. The event included a free swim in the pool, free pizza from Papa John’s, give aways, and more. During the event, first responders spent time speaking with attendees. Tyler Duvall, an officer with the Nixa Police Department, demonstrated the use of a drone, while Nixa firefighters handed out plastic firefighter hats to children. Mayor Jarad Giddens also read proclamation declaring Aug. 18, 2026, as “National Night Out.” more

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the Nixa Police Department, in cooperation with the Nixa Parks and Recreation Department and area first responders, held Nixa's 31st annual National Night Out at the Nixa Aquatic Center. Here are photos from the event. All pictures by Steve Chapman. more

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Philip Mark MacMurray more

From my combination man cave/workshop behind our house, I can still look out and see the old tree in my mind’s eye. I had known it for a long time until one afternoon this past March when high winds brought it to the ground from which it came so many years ago. more

A Sparta man was sentenced on Tuesday, Aug. 18, to more than a century in prison for sexual crimes he committed against an underage girl. Bothomas Michael VanKirk, 37, received the sentence over two months after a jury found him guilty of one count of statutory sodomy, two counts of First Degree child molestation, and one count of Second Degree child molestation. VanKirk received consecutive 30-year prison sentences on the count of statutory sodomy and one count of First Degree child molestation. He was also sentenced to 30 years in prison for the other count of First Degree child molestation and 15 years for the count of Second Degree child molestation, to be served concurrently with each other and the other two counts. His combined sentences total 105 years, though the concurrent sentences mean his actual sentence will be 60 years. more

During their meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the members of the Nixa City Council voted five-to-one to approve a resolution authorizing the Nixa Police Department (NPD) to enter a “Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to participate in the 287(g) Task Force Model Program.” more

Linda Kay Milliman more

Approximately 125 area school resources officers and school administrators were at the Ozark Innovation Center July 28-30 for a School Safety Specialist Academy. Presented by the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s Center for Education Safety, the Academy grants designated school safety coordinators required training outlined in Senate Bill 68 and the Missouri School Improvement Program. Ozark School District’s school resource officers are already compliant in this training. more

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(On Saturday, Aug. 8), my heart was completely overwhelmed. more