Ruby Elaine Sims more

Linda Marie McLaughlin more

OZARK, Mo. (June 30, 2026) – Arvest Bank is pleased to announce that its 16th annual Million Meals campaign has raised a record $633,513, providing more than 3.16 million meals to fight hunger across the bank’s four-state footprint. Of this amount, $2,290 will directly support Least of These Food Pantry in Ozark. more

Lemon Shake-Up Icebox Cake more

On Saturday, June 20, the Christian County Elks Club held a car show at Finley River Park during the CCCC Sertoma Club's Duck Race Festival. Almost 70 cars and motorcycles were registered in the event. Here, a collection of photos shows the cars and some of the people who came to view them. All photos by Steve Chapman. more

The CCCC Sertoma Club held their 25th Annual Duck Festival in Finley River Park on June 18-20. Here are pictures from the event. All pictures by Steve Chapman. more

Robert Ray Clements, 55, passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family. more

Manuel R. Ramirez more

The Christian County Headliner News will host a question-and-answer forum at the Ozark Square on Thursday, July 16. Editor Steve Chapman will moderate the forum, which will begin at 6 p.m. more

Marjory Ruth Christoffers more

Rhonda was 66 years of age when she passed away peacefully in her Centerview, Mo. home on Sunday, June 7, 2026. She was born on Sunday, May 29, 1960, the daughter of Ray and Evelyn (Smith) Daugherty, in Kansas City, Mo. Rhonda was baptized at the age of 9 at Ruskin Heights Baptist Church in Kansas City. Rhonda graduated from Ozark High School in 1978. On November 4, 1989, in Ozark, Mo. at Smyrna Baptist Church, Rhonda was united in marriage to Duanne Pearson, whom she shared 35 loving years with before his passing in May of 2025. Rhonda was full of joy and laughter when she walked in the room. If you ever needed a laugh, just call Rhonda and she would give you one of her wild stories or silly jokes. more

Dr. Herschel J. Chudomelka, age 99 of Ozark, died June 24, 2026. He was born May 9, 1927, in Dodge, Neb., the son of Stanley and Blazena (Dlouhy) Chudomelka. more

The CCCC Sertoma Club held their 25th Annual Duck Race Festival at Finley River Park from June 19-20. The milestone event included not only their signature Rubber Duck Race, but also a car show held by the Christian County Elks Club, a craft fair, live music, a carnival, a pie eating contest, a corn hole tournament, and more. Funds which were raised through the festival will benefit several children’s charities in Christian County. more

The Children's Smile Center held the 20th Annual Hot Air Balloon Glow at Finley River Park on Friday, June 19. Here are pictures from the event. All photos by Steve Chapman. more

Sharon entered the loving embrace of Jesus on June 15, 2026. more

OZARK, MO — Summer is here, and so is one of the community’s favorite programs designed to keep kids reading all season long! Participating McDonald’s restaurants across the region are excited to bring back the Happy McReaders Summer Program, once again partnering with local libraries to encourage literacy and reward young readers. more

An Ozark teen won two awards when she took part in the Missouri Cadet Patrol Academy, held by the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Jefferson City. Phoebe Cates, 16, won first place in the Women’s Physical Fitness test, and she also won the Ben Goodin Award, which she was given for displaying “overall character, excellence, and ethics” while at the academy. more

Barbara J. Jones more

Patrick Davis more

Alvin H. Griffith more

The Christian County Historical Society held Night at the Museum, their annual fundraiser, at the Christian County Museum on Friday, June 12. The event included a scavenger hunt, refreshments, a silent auction, and a presentation by Wayne Glenn, also known as “The Old Record Collector,” on musicians from Christian County. Attendees also had the opportunity to view the museum’s exhibits. more

A Sparta woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday, June 9, to one count of animal abuse and on count of animal neglect. Heather L. Lynn, about 41, was sentenced to two years of unsupervised probation. As part of a plea agreement, seven counts of animal abuse and seven counts of animal neglect were dismissed. more

On Friday, June 19, the Children’s Smile Center will hold the 20th annual Hot Air Balloon Glow in Finley River Park. The event will take place in the soccer fields in the north side of the park, where eight balloon pilots will inflate and light up their balloons, giving members of the public the opportunity to see the craft up close and speak with the pilots and their crew members. more

The Board of Education, at the May 21 meeting, approved the hire of Tony Hatfield as the Director of Transportation. Hatfield comes to Ozark with 34 years of experience in school transportation. more

The Ozark High School STUNT team made history by winning the 2026 USA Cheer Missouri High School STUNT State Championship. more