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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 Clever Band Boosters held their 20th annual Car and Truck Show on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Clever High School. The show drew about 1,000 attendees and had 276 cars, motorcycles and trucks on display. There was also a silent auction with $5,300 in donated items, including gift baskets, as well as a model car show. All proceeds went to support the Clever High School Band program. more

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Community Calendar 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

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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

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A former chief of police of the Clever Police Department is suing the city, claiming he was wrongfully dismissed from his position. Randall E. Blackburn is demanding $15 million in compensatory damages, as well as other compensation, for what he contends was his wrongful termination from his job. His suit, filed in federal court on Thursday, July 16, names the City of Clever, Mayor Eric Beaudoin, and Aldermen Kristi Jack, Wade Pearce, and Michel Hackworth as defendants. 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

To the Editor: 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 Sparta Historic District (SHD) celebrated dual milestones on Saturday, July 4, with their first ever Founder’s Day celebration. The event commemorated both the 250th anniversary of the nation’s Declaration of Independence and the 150th anniversary of the city’s founding. more

Johnny Dexter Davidson more

Verna Mae Dunagan 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

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Clever, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for one count each of conspiracy to traffic firearms, trafficking firearms, and unlawful possession of firearms. more

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