When the Children’s Smile Center first began providing dental services to Medicaid-eligible children in December of 2006, it was based in a 3,100 square-foot facility in Ozark. Now, almost 20 years later, the clinic has a new home; a 7,300 square-foot building located in Nixa, about three-and-a-half miles west of its original location. The clinic began seeing patients in the new location on Jan. 22. more

Myrna Jean Dennis more

Thomas F. Pomiber III more

Missouri was home for the first stretch of Route 66 to ever be paved, but Route 66 changed lives for many people all across the country.   more

Nixa Journalism students took part in the Missouri Interscholastic Journalism Association's annual J-Day event at the University of Missouri on March 25. They participated in learning sessions on a wide variety of journalism-related topics and competed at the state level. Students were presented 26 different awards.  more

His name is Boone. He lives in the house alone that he and his wife built many years ago. Their kids and grandkids live in other states. They are busy with their own lives. 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

Patrick J. Stewart, 67, passed away April 10, 2026, at home in Nixa, MO, surrounded by his loving family and dear friend John Otterson. Patrick was born July 3, 1958, to Terrance W. Stewart and Therese A. (Cunningham) Stewart in Janesville, Wis. He grew up in Madison, WI and graduated from Queen of Apostles High School in 1976. Patrick was united in marriage to Phyllis (Gibbs) Stewart on October 30, 1982, in Madison, Wis. more

Thomas Newton Schriver, 89, of Springfield, Mo., passed away peacefully on April 8, 2026. more

Linda Sue Whitlock 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

I remember the day vividly in my mind. I was eight years old and walking around Grandpa and Grandma’s farm. I had been shooting my BB gun at a piece of old, rusted tin hanging on a fence post.  more

Gary Edward Lynch, 83, of Nixa, was promoted to glory when he went home to be with his Savior he loved so dearly on March 17, 2026. Gary was born to Edward and Dorothy Lynch on July 19, 1943, in Iron Mountain, Mich. He married Beverly Ann Lynch on May 19, 1982. After her passing, Gary married Beverly Kay Lynch on January 8, 2000. He had to find another Beverly since he had ‘Bev’ tattooed on his forearm when he was in the Navy! more

Rebecca "Becky" Marie Juarez, 46, passed away on March 7, 2026. She was born on May 19, 1979, in Riverside, Calif., to Andrew Jardin and Suzanne Dyer. more

Donald L. Klug, 79, died March 16, 2026, at the University of Kansas Health System, Great Bend Campus. He was born Aug. 31, 1946, in Great Bend, Kans. the oldest son of Joseph W. and Eleanor Z. (Boor) Klug. Don graduated with his master’s in accounting from Kansas State University. He served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. more

Nixa High School senior Paige Morris of Nixa High School has been distinguished as one of the top academic students in the state through the 2026 Missouri Scholars 100 program. This statewide initiative, organized by the Missouri Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of 100 outstanding students from the graduating class of 2026. more

Learn about local candidates on the April ballot through candidate interviews hosted by the Informed Voter Coalition, a collaboration of nonpartisan organizations. more

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

Students at Century Elementary in Nixa got to experience what life was like in America before the American Revolution during Colonial Day on Friday, March 13. Students got to try their hand at weaving, silversmithing, and writing with a quill pen. They also had the opportunity to see how the colonial government worked in a simulated courtroom. Many of the students also wore clothing from the time period. more

A few weeks ago, when we experienced winter-like temperatures for a couple of days, I was adding wood to the stove in our room, which has lots of windows. I call it our nature room because we enjoy looking out to see birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, deer, and turkeys in our backyard. 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

The Nixa Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual NIXPO Business Expo at Nixa High School on Saturday, March 21. About 100 local businesses and organizations set up the booths at the high school, where they were able to meet community members throughout the day. The family-friendly event was free to the public and included various giveaways, activities, and raffle drawings. Here, a collection of pictures taken during NIXPO is available for viewing. Photos by Steve Chapman. more

Phillip Guison is poised to advance to the semifinal round of Colossal’s Mr. Health and Fitness competition. But before he does, he must take first place in the competition’s quarterfinal round by gaining more votes than his competitors. more

Three Nixa High School students have been selected to attend the Missouri Scholars Academy. Sophomores Wyatt Brammer, Levi Ellis, and Colby Kopp will attend the academy this summer. more

Walter Johnson, 79, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, in Springfield, Mo. more