Robert Patrick “Pat” O’Neil, age 86, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2025. He was born on April 10, 1939, to Guy and Thelma (Wilcox) O’Neil. more

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

Ozark High School is proud to announce that five students — Carson Sandgren, Caleb Lippert, Alexandra Fletcher, Evan Growcock, and Alan Shih — have been recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program for their academic excellence and outstanding performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and AP Exams. more

The Cosmopolitan Club of Ozark will hold their 18th annual Ozark Community Crafts Festival at the Ozark Community Center on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15. Over 100 vendors are expected to set up booths to sell their wares. more

On Nov. 4, Ozark kindergarten teachers became the students as literacy consultant, author and curriculum designer Jennifer Burns led a live classroom lesson. Burns taught a group of kindergarten students while teachers observed, took notes and gathered ideas. more

On the heels of the recent Halloween Trunk or Treat, the Ozark downtown square is giving off a holiday vibe. City workers recently set up the square's traditional Christmas decorations, and 28 students from Ozark High School painted the windows of the buildings along the square with cheerful, holiday scenes. And for those who are in the mood to help the less fortunate enjoy the holidays, drop-off boxes for toys, coats, and canned food items can be found on the east side of the square. Also, be sure to be at the square to catch the 60th annual Ozark Chamber Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 22, and Friday Night Lights on Friday, Dec. 12. more

Robert “Bob” H. Mulder, age 80, of Ozark, Mo., passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo.. Bob was born to Mildred Platt on May 12,1945, in St. Louis, Mo., and was raised in Chicago, Ill. by his loving adoptive parents, William and Harriet Mulder. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1963. Bob was united in marriage to Beth Van Lier on January 7, 1967, in Chicago, spending 58 years together. He proudly served as a medic in the United States Army for three years during the Vietnam War, before his medical, honorable discharge. The couple were blessed with two children, Lisa and Paul. more

Alice Jane Blanchard more

Every child deserves a place to play, and now, thanks to a new accessible playground and an update to the existing playground at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, that vision is becoming a reality. Students have been playing on the new spaces for weeks, but the school officially celebrated this milestone in inclusion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 29. more

The Christian County Extension Office is excited to host a Kids Sewing Class for children ages 10-16 on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to create their own Christmas stockings, with all materials provided. Sewing machines will be available for use, making this a hands-on experience for young aspiring sewists. more

Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 election of the Christian County University of Missouri Extension Council members, which will take place Jan. 24-29. 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

Jennifer Marie Schurke more

Robert "Bob" H. Mulder 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

Set in late 1941, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” is the story of the faith of a family and a nation on the brink of World War II, preparing to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace. The music highlights the sounds of the ‘40s, including swing, lush ballads, and big band songs, interspersed with reenactments of radio broadcasts during that time. Original music mixed with familiar Christmas favorites forms the backdrop for this memorable, dramatic musical. Written by Deborah Craig-Claar; music by Mark Hayes. more

Ozark’s Anthony Cordell raised the bar for Christian County’s highest single-game rushing total this season by exploding for a career-high 243 yards in the Tigers’ loss to Kickapoo last week. more

Nixa knocked off Ozark and earned the No. 2 Seed in Class 4 District 5 without injured Spencer Rinne. It remains to be seen if the Eagles will get the chance to see what they could do in the postseason with their standout sophomore forward. 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

F.E. Campbell, of Ozark, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. He was born on Jan. 21, 1931, in Norwood, Mo., to Otis and Chloe Campbell. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Clifford; his sister, Maydell; his wife, Ann; his daughter, Pam; and one grandchild, Angela Campbell. more

Andrew “Drew” Gunnison Cully, 35, of Ozark, Mo., tragically lost his life on Sept. 17, 2025, in an accident involving his MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. while completing a training mission for the Army Special Operations Aviation Regiment known as the “Night Stalkers,” the 160th SOAR is the Army’s premier special operations flying unit. more

I was absolutely sure when I gave away my last hens that I was done with chickens. more

Ozark, MO -- The Christian County Health Department is actively responding to a confirmed case of tuberculosis (TB) identified within the Ozark School District. Public health officials are working closely with school administrators, healthcare providers and community partners to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and families. more

Both the Christian County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Ozark Police Department (OPD) are showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness and breast cancer survivors during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. more