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The Christian County Lions Club made donations to elementary art instructors in four Christian County schools. The teachers at the Chadwick and Sparta elementary schools received their donations on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and the teachers at the Clever and Billings elementary schools on Friday, Sept. 11. Each teacher received a $50 check to use to purchase art supplies for their students. more

National Good Neighbor Day is September 28, 2026. Last year was Christian County's first year to participate, and Christian County had two nominees for the Top Twenty Missouri Residents honored as the state's Most Engaged Neighbors for 2025. Brent and Julia Davis from Fremont Hills and Ashley Marks from Ozark. more

Due to ongoing dry conditions, increased fire danger, and current weather forecasts, Christian County has issued a countywide burn ban effective immediately. The burn ban prohibits all outdoor burning, including the burning of brush, debris, and other combustible materials, until further notice. County officials are taking this precautionary measure to reduce the risk of wildfires that could threaten lives, property, and natural resources. County officials, emergency responders and local fire departments are urging residents to use extreme caution with any activities that could produce sparks or open flames. more

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The City of Billings had its 60th annual Community Fair on Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5. The event included a parade, craft exhibition, car show, a truck and tractor pull and more. The fair royalty was also crowned during the festival. They were: Julia Tutterow, fair queen and junior candidate; Audrew Reeves, fair princess; Maggie McGill, freshman candidate and runner up; Andi Bellamy, sophomore candidate, and Kyra Baker, senior candidate. Caylie Mooney was the flower girl, and Quinton Fox was the ring bearer. more

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The Billings Community Fair was held in the City of Billings on Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5. Here is a gallery of photos from the event. All pictures taken by Steve Chapman. more

Community Calendar more

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Charles Goodnight, 16, of Billings, Mo., won first place in the Intermediate Division of Extemporaneous Speaking contest at the American Angus Association 2026 National Junior Angus Show, held in Louisville, Ky. on July 17. Charles also won third place in the Intermediate A Career Development contest. more

In March, the Finley River Community Foundation announced that beginning May 4 it would open its 2026 community grant round applications that were due by June 1, 2026. A total of $11,000 was available for programs and organizations in Ozark and Eastern Christian County to apply for. The ad hoc Grant Committee had difficulty meeting to review the eleven submissions (nearly all were for the $2500 maximum), so the decision-making process was referred to the Board. Although the initial thinking was to make 4 grants of $2500, board members’ positions were so steadfast on different applicants that the Board instead voted to grant $1000 to each of the eleven applicants. more

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Christian County voters delivered a resounding “No” to the controversial Missouri Constitutional Amendments Four and Five during the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 4. In the county, 14,800 voters, or 73.28 percent, cast “No” votes against Amendment Four, while 5,396 voters, or 26.72 percent, voted for it. Meanwhile, 15,933 voters, or 78.86 percent, cast votes against Amendment Five, while 4,270 voters, or 21.14 percent, voted in favor of it. more

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A new chapter for tourism and countywide promotion began July 1, 2026, as Explore Christian County was officially recognized as Christian County’s Destination Marketing Organization by the Missouri Division of Tourism. more

The City of Billings held Sparks in the Park, the city’s annual Independence Day celebration, on Saturday, June 27. The event included live music, food trucks, vendor booths, a swimming pool for kids, foam for children to play in, and fireworks at dark. There was also a competition to see who came as the most patriotically dressed. more

The Christian County Headliner News will host a question-and-answer forum at the Ozark Square on Thursday, July 16. Editor Steve Chapman will moderate the forum, which will begin at 6 p.m. more

A Billings man was found guilty of First Degree murder, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and unlawful possession of a firearm after a four-day trial on Thursday, May 21. Austin Michael Stone, 25, will be sentenced on Thursday, July 9. more

Three Billings cattlemen were recognized at the 2026 Missouri Angus Association Annual Banquet on Feb. 21, 2026, in Columbia, Mo. Charles Goodnight was one of three junior members who received the Missouri State Fair Steer Award. Kyle Vehige and Justin Vehige received the Herdsman of the Year award. more

(Editor’s note: This article first appeared on the Christian County Headliner News website on Wednesday, April 8. It has been updated to include quotes from Christian County Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris and Ozark Mayor Don Currence.) more

County Senate Bill Three failed in the Christian County General Municipal Election, held on Tuesday, April 7. Out of the 10,152 votes cast over the measure, 5,286 votes, or 52.07 percent, were against Senate Bill Three, while 4,866 votes, or 47.93 percent, were in favor. Had Senate Bill Three passed, Christian County property taxes for all current Christian County residents would have been frozen at the 2024 rate, unless significant improvements were made to a property. In that case, the tax rate would have been recalculated at the then current level but would remain the same going forward. Future Christian County residents would also have had their property tax rates calculated at the rate they moved into the county, but their rates would also have been frozen at that level going forward. more

When someone says, “We’re here to lower your taxes,” hold onto your wallet and be careful what you wish for. more

On Tuesday, April 7, Christian County voters will go to the polls to make their voices heard. In addition to deciding whether to approve the Senate Bill Three measure, voters will also choose which candidates will hold positions on area school boards, city councils, and other offices. Here, several of the candidates make their arguments for why you should vote for them more