Ozarks Food Harvest is partnering with more than 60 local grocers for the 27th annual Check Out Hunger campaign to help families provide plentiful meals for their loved ones this holiday season. The campaign began on Nov. 1 and will continue through Dec. 31. more

Clever wins District semifinal against St. James, page 9 more

Nixa, Clever football teams both will play for District championship, see Sports more

At the time this article was being written, the shutdown of the U.S. Government caused by Congress’s failure to pass a funding bill for the Fiscal Year 2026 remained in effect, and the Nov. 1 deadline for SNAP benefits to lapse due to a lack of funding had passed. While it was reported that two federal judges had ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to continue to fund SNAP, it was not immediately clear if and when that would happen. more

Halloween is a popular occasion in Christian County, and this year, there was a bounty of events centered around the spooky holiday, including trunk-or-treats, harvest parties, fall festivals, and more. In the week leading up to Halloween, the Nixa X-Center held its Halloween Spooktacular on Friday, Oct. 24, while the Ozark Community Center held its Frightfest the next evening. Both events, which included Halloween games, activities, and of course, lots of candy, easily saw attendances of over 2,000 people. more

There was no shortage of people in Christian County who attended the various Halloween and fall party celebrations in costume. Check this collection of photos to see if your picture appears. All pictures taken by Steve Chapman. more

Oct. 20-24 is National School Bus Safety Week, so it only makes sense that Ozark School District and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office are partnering in an effort to bring more awareness of stop arms on school buses. more

Louise (Cotter) Atkinson more

Clever Elemiddle School was recently recognized as a Dr. Norman C. Gysbers Nationally Recognized Missouri Program by the Missouri School Counselor Association (MSCA) due to the work by Counselors Lindsey Casey, DaLynn Twigg, and Brittany Randall. more

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has received a 2025 Civic Hub grant from the Trust for Civic Life, a national grant maker supporting rural communities. The grant, totaling $250,000, will support work by the CFO and its regional affiliate foundations to bring together people across the region in new and meaningful ways. The CFO is among a cohort of 26 organizations to receive funds from the Trust for Civic Life in this cycle. more

Marlene Bernice Sullivan more

(OZARK, MO) – Least Of These, Inc. added Angela Hudson to lead its team of nonprofit professionals. She will serve in the role of executive director. more

In 2024, there were 194 Missouri traffic crashes involving farm equipment/implements. In those crashes, two people were killed and 65 were injured. Missouri has entered the fall harvest season and it’s important that drivers and farmers pay attention and share the road. Farmers and motorists are likely to encounter each other on any roadway, at any time of the day or night. Whether you are driving a vehicle or operating farm machinery, these crashes can be prevented by paying attention to the full-time job of driving and obeying all traffic laws. more

While there are currently no reported cases of it in Christian County, property fraud has the potential to cause severe financial hardship to its victims should it ever occur here. more

An arrest warrant has been issued for a Springfield man a little over a year after he allegedly killed a Clever woman in a traffic crash. Daniel Drewry, 77, is charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death of Bobbie Ogle, 33, of Clever. more

A Clever woman has been charged in the death of an infant whose body was found in an Iowa City landfill in December of 1992. Cindy Sue Elder, 58, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the baby’s death. more

The Clever Band Boosters held their 19th annual car show at Clever High School on Saturday, Aug. 23. The event, which was free and open to the public, drew an estimated 800 spectators. About 260 vehicles, including trucks, modern and classic cars, and more, were on display at the event. There was also a model car display, during which spectators could vote on their favorite with cash donations, as well as a silent auction, in which people were able to bid on $4,000 worth of donated items. All proceeds from the car show will go to support the Clever High School Marching Band. more

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Clever, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing seven firearms. more

Arthur Franklin Burkett, Sr. more

You already know that the library is a place for books, but this fall, it's also turning into a concert venue! Everyone is invited, so grab your lawn chairs and head to your nearest branch location for an evening filled with toe-tapping music and fun. more

Patty Kay King, age 61, of Boaz, Mo., passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 15, 1964, in Springfield, Mo., to Denny and Shelby Hicks. more

Christian County Prosecuting Attorney Kristen Tuohy was reappointed in July by Gov. Mike Kehoe to the Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board (CANRB), Springfield Board F, where she has served since 2017. more

The Missouri Public Service Commission held a hearing in the Nixa City Council Chambers on Tuesday, July 22, over a proposed increase of nearly 34 percent in the rates that Liberty Utilities (LU) charges their customers. An estimated 120 people attended the hearing. more

Thousands of people descended onto the field outside of Clever High School for the city's Freedom Celebration on Saturday, June 28. Sound the Alarm, a 2000's rock-n-roll cover band from Springfield, provided live music during the evening, while attendees milled about to see what area vendors had for them or spend time in the Free Kids Zone. The evening concluded with a major fireworks display. more

Ozark and Nixa combined have eight 2025 grads, four apiece, who are going to extend their athletic careers at the NCAA D-I level. more