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

Least of These, Inc., a full-service food pantry serving families in Christian County, has been seeing an increase in the number of people seeking assistance with food and other needs, Angela Hudson, executive director of the organization, said. more

A former Ozark man is facing charges in a 1988 cold case murder. Joel Bremer, 60, now of Kansas City, was indicted by a grand jury on Friday, July 24, in the deaths of Ronna Bremer, 22, and their unborn child (At the time she disappeared, Ronna was seven months pregnant). He is charged with two counts of Second-Degree murder. more

Jackson William Longley, 19, of Ozark, Mo., was born on June 20, 2007, in Springfield, Mo., to Mackenzy Brockwell and Derek Longley. Jackson passed away on August 4, 2026, in Jackson, Miss., leaving behind a life that was far too short, but one that was full of laughter, adventure, determination, faith, and a fierce love for the people he called his own. more

Dorothy Maxine (Schnake) Doennig was born in Lawrence County, Mo., on Aug. 21, 1934, and was welcomed into Heaven by her Savior on Aug. 7, 2026, at her home in Ozark, Mo. As a child, Dorothy attended schools and churches throughout Lawrence County. She was saved at the age of 11 at Downey Church and served the Lord her whole life. She attended Verona High School but then moved her senior year and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. She had wonderful memories of visiting with her many Schnake cousins during these years. 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

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

Cecilia "Punk" Garland more

Four-and-a-half years ago, Reagan Miller, 15, and her cousin, Myah Brewington, 14, both of Ozark, began playing beach volleyball, and their dedication to the sport has paid off in dividends. The two girls, who will both be freshmen at Ozark High School this fall, recently won first place in the Girls 14U division of the AVP Juniors Nationals Championships, held at Hermosa Beach, Calif. on July 22-26. They received medals and other prizes, and were also named Beach Volleyball All-Americans. more

Dennis Leroy Wood, age 77, of Ozark, Mo., passed away on July 23, 2026. He was born on Feb. 3, 1949, in Tuscola, Ill., to Wilfred and Gladys Wood. Dennis graduated from Sedalia High School in 1969 and was a veteran of the United States Navy. He married Karen Wood on March 21, 1981. more

A former Ozark man is facing two counts of Second-Degree murder in the 1988 deaths of his wife and unborn child. Joel Bremer, 60, now of Kansas City, was indicted by a grand jury on Friday, July 24, in the murder of Ronna Bremer, and his unborn child (At the time she disappeared, Ronna was seven months pregnant). Bremer was arrested on July 31 by the U.S. Marshal Service. He was booked into the Christian County Jail on Sunday, Aug. 2, and arraigned at the Christian County Courthouse on Monday, Aug. 3. more

For the third consecutive year, Ozark’s Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center received a grant allowing families to save money. Valued up to $780,000, the grant will pay tuition for students who will enter kindergarten in the 2027-28 school year. more

Beth Ann Chase more

People looking for a place to enjoy a quiet drink after work or a place to gather and socialize with friends have a new option with 9 Lives Tavern in Ozark. The business is located on the square in the building previously occupied by Iguana Roja Restaurante, which closed on Nov. 25, 2025. more

Kross Cooper Williams, of Ozark, Mo., was born on June 27, 2026, to Justin and Kristin Williams and passed away on July 14, 2026. more

OZARK, Mo. (July 15, 2026) – The Ozark Chamber of Commerce proudly celebrated the grand opening of J'Adore Nail Lounge with an official Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at its new location, 1459 W. South Street, Ozark, Mo. more

As the moderator of the Christian County Candidate Forum, held at the Ozark Square on the evening of Thursday, July 16, I would like to thank the following people who made the event possible: more

To the Editor: more

Firefighters from the Ozark Fire Protection District (OFPD) helped respond to flooding in Iron and Reynolds County on Friday, July 11. Four firefighters with the OFPD were part of a 12-member Region D Strike Team which engaged in search, rescue and recovery operations in the effected counties. more

Three Christian County school districts have received grants from the Coover/RSP Celebrate Rural Grant Program, a partnership of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust. more

Repeating events: more

Mike Adams more

The board of directors for Children’s Smile Center (CSC) announces the retirement of its long-time executive director, Jackie Barger, effective December 31, 2026. more

Sandra Eileen (Williamson) Habekost more

A new chapter for tourism and countywide promotion began July 1, 2026, as Explore Christian County was officially recognized as Christian County’s Destination Marketing Organization by the Missouri Division of Tourism. more