C.J. "Joe" Barnhart, of Nixa, passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born on April 24, 1933, to Elmer and Nanalee (Barnes) Barnhart. more

Roscoe "Cotton" Linebaugh of Nixa, Mo., passed away on July 7, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born on July 19, 1932, to Samuel and Ella (Mason) Linebaugh. more

On Tuesday, July 8, Imogene Pruitt marked a milestone that few people ever see. The Nixa woman celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at Castlewood Senior Living, where she makes her home. more

A Nixa man was recently arrested on charges that he allegedly engaged in sexual activity with a child under the age of 17. Nicholas Hill, 36, is charged with second-degree statutory rape, first-degree harassment, and violation of an order of protection. more

Jason Madura 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

Nixa, MO., The McCauley Foundation, in partnership with Nixa Junior High's student-led horticulture program, delivered 400 heads of freshly harvested romaine lettuce to Least Of These, Inc., Christian County's only full-service food pantry. This generous donation from the collaborative Tower Farm effort represents more than just produce—it represents a sustainable future and hope for families facing food insecurity. more

Recently, I was thinking about the front porch at the old farmhouse where I grew up. One of the things I remembered was the big front porch. We spent lots of time there when I was a kid. There was no air conditioning back then. During the summer, we spent time out there at the end of the day after chores were done. more

A Nixa man who was found guilty in May of murdering his wife has been sentenced to life in prison plus 15 years. Todd Blankenship, 52, received the sentence at a hearing in the Platte County Circuit Court on Wednesday, July 2. more

A Nixa woman died on Wednesday, July 2, when the motorcycle on which she was riding failed to negotiate a roundabout and crashed. more

Though it wasn’t as devastating as the thunderstorms that came through the area between May 23 and May 25, a cluster of thunderstorms that swept through Christian County on Sunday, June 29, caused considerable damage. According to the National Weather Service, the storms produced wind gusts of up to 65 miles per hour, which knocked over trees and downed power lines. more

The Nixa Public Schools Board of Education was among 23 Missouri school boards that earned the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s 2025 Governance Team Award. This prestigious award is based on the outstanding commitment of the school board and superintendent to ongoing professional development in effective governance practices. The award also recognizes their commitment to regional and statewide leadership and to active participation in legislative advocacy for public schools and the students they serve. more

Sara Lee Thornton more

One of the most popular pastimes during Independence Day is to shoot off fireworks. For those living inside the city limits of Ozark, Nixa, Sparta, and other Christian County municipalities, city ordinances regulate when fireworks can be used. more

On June 21st, the Nixa High School Class of 1975 celebrated their 50-year reunion at the Fremont Hills Country Club. Thirty-three of the original ninety-one classmates attended with their guests. There were three of the class teachers present: Joe Melton, Muriel Wood, and Hosea Bilyeu. Time was spent honoring the 13 classmates who have passed and honoring the service of the 14 men and women who had served in all four branches of the US Armed Forces. All of the class officers were present: Joe Pruitt, Jane Alldredge Kreider, and Carol Plank Asberry. There were several games, lots of visiting and catching up, cash prizes, and fantastic food. more

A vehicle crashed into Piccolo, an Italian restaurant in Nixa, on Sunday, June 29, at around 8:30 a.m. more

A young black bear was discovered in Nixa on Monday, June 16. more

Repeating events: more

Summer Adair more

Perhaps the most important thing to remember about a stream is that, here in outhwest Missouri, we all live near one. more

It is early on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The sun is rising over the forested hills surrounding the lake. Birds are singing. Deer are at the edge of the water for a drink. On a distant hill, a turkey gobbles. more

Jeffrey P. Ray, acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced on Wednesday, May 14, that a Nixa woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to making false and fictitious claims against the United States and wire fraud. more

Two Nixa High School alumni were recently inducted into the Nixa Academic Hall of Fame. more

Century Elementary has been recognized as a Model Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Work School. The school received this honor from Solution Tree for its sustained success in raising student achievement. Century is one of about 600 schools and districts in the United States and Canada to receive this honor, and the fourth school in Nixa to earn this achievement. more

My name is Kelsey Brabo, and I am writing to express my gratitude for the invaluable support that Care to Learn provides to our community and to share our need for increased funding. more