Ruth Elizabeth Wilham, age 97, passed away on Jan. 2, 2026. She was born on Jan. 23, 1928, in Northfield, Vermont, to Walter D. and Mabel (Hilliker) Hicken. more

Laura Lou Eaton more

Students … across the region can apply for more than $1.7 million in scholarships administered by the Community Foundation of the Ozarks. By starting at cfozarks.org/applyforscholarships, students can use the CFO’s universal application to efficiently apply for multiple scholarship opportunities. more

Here is a look at Christian County Headliner News’s top 10 stories of 2025: more

An Ozark man who was originally sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to two counts of third-degree child molestation has been re-sentenced to six years in prison. Dylan Keller, 22, received the sentence on Tuesday, Dec. 23. more

Karl Alexander Koehrer more

Dr. Phillip Shuford more

Finley River Communication Foundation invites you to nominate a person(s) who has earned the title “Citizen of the Year” for 2025. more

Harold Clay Schroeder, 66, of Ozark, passed away from this life to Heaven on Dec. 20, 2025. more

The wait is over. Two years after the Missouri Department of Transportation permanently closed the original Green Bridge, Christian County opened its concrete-and-steel replacement on Thursday, Dec. 18, and dedicated it with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, hosted by the Ozark Chamber of Commerce and held at the bridge’s location on Monday, Dec. 22. more

Six Christian County residents, five from Ozark and one from Spokane, were injured in a traffic collision involving four vehicles. According to a report filed by the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 2017 Toyota Highlander and a 2017 Chevrolet Malibu were traveling southward on US 65 on Friday, Dec. 26, when they slowed down at Mile Marker 17.4. As they slowed down, a 2000 Kenworth T800 struck the Malibu from behind and pushed it into the path of a 2000 Freightliner, which struck the Highlander and pushed it into a barrier. The Kenworth continued forward and struck the Highlander, causing it to overturn. more

Here is a gallery of photos from the Ozark State of the Community Dinner, held Tuesday, Dec. 9. All photos by Steve Chapman. more

Ozark’s Partnership in Progress hosted its annual State of the Community Dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the Ozark Innovation Center. more

OZARK, MO — The Ozark Police Department has named Detective Dillon Johnson as its 2025 Officer of the Year in recognition of his outstanding service, dedication, and commitment to the community. more

Robert Kimball Hill more

ALDI opened its long-anticipated location in Ozark on Thursday, Dec. 11. The store celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting, after which customers who had lined up for the event were able to begin shopping. more

After months of dedication, practice, and performance, Ozark High School is proud to announce that seven of its talented band students have been selected for the 2025 Missouri All-State Band. more

Nixa Mayor Jared Giddens and Ozark Mayor Don Currence took part in the Salvation Army's Mayoral Bellringing Challenge on Thursday, Dec. 18, during which they each took a turn ringing a bell in front of Bass Pro Shops to collect donations for the Salvation Army. Besides Giddens and Currence, other mayors who took part in the challege were Caleb Smith, of Ash Grove; Eric Franklin, of Republic; and Ken McClure, former mayor of Springfield. All donations will go to benefit families in Greene and Christian County. more

Applications are now open for the vacant position on the Christian County Library Board of Trustees representing the Ozark Area. more

Diane Jean Rublee more

Heather Lucianna Coffman more

Craig Lee Tanner more

Iola "Marzelle" Perkins more

An Ozark man was sentenced to 40 years in prison four months after he was found guilty of first-degree statutory sodomy. Brian Russell Biggers, 49, received the sentence on Wednesday, Dec. 10. more

Charisa and Daniel Lynch announce the birth of their son, Jack Woodrow Lynch. Jack was born at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo., on Nov. 16 and weighed 8 pounds, 3 ounces. Daniel, Charisa, and Jack reside in Ozark, Mo. more