Five Kitchen Hacks more

Ronald Wayne Lesh, of Nixa, passed away Aug. 15, 2026. He was born Feb. 2, 1942, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Andrew and Helen Lesh. more

Artificial Intelligence, better known as AI, is reshaping our world and not necessarily for the better. Many people welcome AI tools and have learned how to use them. Some ways are good and helpful, but some others are bad. more

One of life’s greatest blessings is discovering that peace comes from trusting God rather than trying to control everything yourself. 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

You are valuable! Remember that the next time someone questions your self-worth. Just think about the way Jesus honors you, and smile. I do. I smile because I know I don’t deserve love like that. None of us do. more

Repeating events: more

You have no doubt seen many animal rescues on television or social media. Rescues of livestock from barn fires to flash floods. A dog who fell in a hole and got stuck. A cat that climbed up something and could not get down without human help. Critters have been cut loose from all types of things. They have been airlifted from mountains and pulled from the ocean. But this story is a little different. more

NIXA, MO – Nixa Fire Protection District voters have approved a one-cent local sales tax to support district operations, according to unofficial results from the Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 primary election. The measure passed 3,616 votes to 3,352, or 51.89 percent to 48.11 percent, marking the district's first approved operational tax increase since 2003. Results are unofficial until certified by the Christian County Clerk's Office. more

For more than 10 years, Christian County Elks Lodge #2777 in Ozark has hosted its annual Back-to-School Shopping with Kids event during July and August. As the Lodge’s largest charitable event of the year, the program supports local children and families who need a helping hand as they prepare for the new school year. more

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

It's that time of year again – back-to-school season! As a parent, maybe this makes you sad, and you're soaking up these last two weeks of summer as much as possible. Or maybe you're ready to send the little tykes on their way and enjoy some peace and quiet! more

Mary Anne "Annie" Jennings more

SPRINGFIELD, MO (July 27, 2026) – Mercy was recently recognized again as a World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business based on its performance on the Disability Index®, the leading global benchmark for disability inclusion in business. more

Twelve FFA members recently attended the State FFA Leadership Camp at Camp Rising Sun in Kaiser, Mo. Bailey Miller, Hannah Cook, Kanyon Faust, Kaden Brewer, Brandt Stewart, Whitney Mueth, Lokken Walton, Brooklyn Blackard, and Matthias Choate all earned their State FFA Leadership Medal. more

CREID (Commercial Real Estate Investment Discussions) invites self-storage owners, operators, investors, developers, and industry service providers to the 2026 CREID Self-Storage Mixer on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 4 By 4 Brewing Company - Fremont Hills, 9003 Sawgrass Ave, right here in Nixa. The event is free to attend and includes complimentary drinks and food. Last year's mixer, also held at 4 By 4 Brewing, drew a record crowd of more than 75 storage professionals from across Southwest Missouri, and this year's gathering is expected to be even larger. more

Kent Ray Hoffpauir more

I was on my way to Stockton Lake to go fishing the other day. She was driving an old Chevrolet pickup. At first glance, I thought there was no one driving until I saw a few gray curls sprouting above the seat and wrinkled hands holding on to the steering wheel. more

Nixa Public Schools held their Back to School Bash at the APEX Center on Saturday, Aug. 1. The event, which was attended by an estimated 1,000 children and their families, provided the kids with items they will need for the upcoming school year, including backpacks, hygiene items, school supplies, shoes, clothing items, and more. About 120 volunteers helped distribute the items. more

In the 1980s, Charles and Katy St. George, founders of St. George’s Donuts, opened a St. George’s Donuts location in Nixa, which closed after Charles’s illness and death in 1985. Now, some 40 years later, one of their sons, Nick St. George has brought the donut shop back into the city. The new St. George’s opened for business in Nixa on Monday, Aug. 3. more

Missouri is one of only a few states that still offers free access to all state parks and historic sites. The average Missourian contributes roughly $20 per year through the Parks, Soils and Water sales tax. That is less than the cost of a single park entrance fee in many states. This ballot measure has passed every year it has been on the ballot since 1984. Most times it has passed with a two-thirds majority, or greater. more

The Nixa Fire Protection District is marking a major milestone this summer: 40 years of serving the Nixa community. To celebrate, the district's regular Front Porch Friday open house on Friday, July 31st will be expanded into a special 40th Anniversary Celebration, held from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Nixa Fire Training Center. more

Raymond Earle Hunsicker Jr., age 55, passed away on July 21, 2026. He was born on Nov. 20, 1970, in Springfield, Mo., to Raymond Earle Hunsicker Sr. and Phyllis Edwards. more

A Nixa man was arrested and taken to the Christian County Jail after a standoff with Nixa police officers on Thursday, July 23. Jeffrey Brian Walker, 48, was taken into custody regarding “outstanding warrants” regarding a probation violation, according to information posted by the Nixa Police Department (NPD) on their Facebook page. more

Mary Jane Patrick more