In the 1930s, Nate Youderian and his son Robby run a small traveling circus. However, Robby has a passion for Jesus and wishes to leave the circus and enter the mission field. Robby’s commitment to Jesus and his desire to be a missionary throws the family’s circus tradition into chaos. Will he stay with the circus to fulfill his father’s wishes? Or will he follow the call in his heart? more

For the second consecutive year, Ozark School District has earned the prestigious Meritorious Budget Award through the Association of School Business Officials International. Announced on Aug. 18, 2026, this award, for the fiscal year 2026-27, shows the district’s commitment to clear, transparent, and high-quality budget presentation, reinforcing its dedication to responsible financial stewardship. Last year, only seven school districts in the state of Missouri received this national recognition; and less than 140 school districts received it nationwide. more

Congratulations to 13 Ozark School District employees who are kicking off the school year with some extra cash to help students, receiving grants from the Ozark Schools Employee Fund, the Missouri Retired Teachers Association - Foundation, and the Finley River Community Foundation, totaling nearly $10,000. more

The historic Frisco caboose that had sat at the Finley River Park’s southern entrance for over 40 years made one final journey when the City of Ozark moved it to its new location at the Chadwick Flyer Trailhead, on the grounds of the Ozark Community Center, on Monday, Aug. 24. more

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Philip Mark MacMurray more

Linda Kay Milliman more

Approximately 125 area school resources officers and school administrators were at the Ozark Innovation Center July 28-30 for a School Safety Specialist Academy. Presented by the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s Center for Education Safety, the Academy grants designated school safety coordinators required training outlined in Senate Bill 68 and the Missouri School Improvement Program. Ozark School District’s school resource officers are already compliant in this training. more

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Audrey Germaine Letts more

Diana Brazeale more

Ozark, MO – The Ozark Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashleigh Jones to fill a vacant seat on the board following the recent departure of former member RaeAnn Wade. more

Ozark Bank presented three area organizations with grants worth a total of $30,000 on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Least of These, Inc., Children’s Smile Center, and Christian County Enterprises each received $10,000 in funding from the bank. According to press releases announcing the presentations, the bank partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) to create the grants. more

Wanda Ruth Hubbard more

On Aug. 10, the Ozark High School fight song filled the Ozark Innovation Center as members of the Ozark Tiger cheerleaders, color guard and marching band, along with members of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, lined the hallway to welcome more than 60 new teachers to the Ozark School District. more

Charles Goodnight, 16, of Billings, Mo., won first place in the Intermediate Division of Extemporaneous Speaking contest at the American Angus Association 2026 National Junior Angus Show, held in Louisville, Ky. on July 17. Charles also won third place in the Intermediate A Career Development contest. more

Ozark Public Schools held their annual Back to School Bash at the Ozark Innovation Center on Saturday, Aug. 15. About 600 children were registered to attend the event, during which they were given backpacks, school supplies, hygiene kits, and more. A free lunch was also provided to all attendees. more

Shelly Dean Lonnette Meadows more

Finley River Art Gallery, located on the south side of the downtown Ozark Square, has two major art competitions coming up in which the public is invited to participate. The first is their first-ever contest just for kids! Children 12 and under are invited to “Paint What You Love” following these rules: use any medium you want no prints, photography or digital art). If paper is used, it must be matted or framed but a frame is not required. If canvas is used, paint the outside edges as well as the canvas front, any size, no entry fee. All entries must have an official entry form attached (available at the Art Gallery at 100 E. Elm Street.). Entries are due between Sept. 9-12; open hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Awards will be presented at a reception on Saturday, Sept. 19 at noon at the Gallery; there will be three winners who will receive a blue ribbon and gift certificate for art supplies. more

Ozark Public Schools held their annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 15. Here are some pictures from the event. All photos by Steve Chapman. 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

Linda Lee Sidhu more

Evan Elliott Isbell more

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Ozark Junior High School Teacher Carole Joy Webb said her first priority is always the safety and well-being of her students. But having participated in the Aug. 5 joint active shooter simulation at OJH, she feels more confident in her ability to respond calmly if the unthinkable ever happens. more