Betty Jean Crume Wells more

Ozark area women met February 24 at the new Children's Smile Center facility to plan for Year 11 of the Impact 100 Ozark organization. Impact 100 Ozark is a philanthropic initiative designed to pool funds from members to collectively make large grants in the area of Ozark that improve the quality of life. Since 2016 they have given away nearly $462,200 and will pass the half million dollar mark with their large grants later in 2026. For more information, go to their website at www.impact100ozark.org or their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Impact100Ozark. more

When voters living in the City of Ozark go to the polls on Tuesday, April 7, they will decide whether to elect a charter commission. more

Robert John Bidgood, born Dec. 31, 1948, in Joliet, Ill., to John and Rose Bidgood, passed away on March 5, 2026, in Springfield, Mo. more

On Feb. 23, 2026, Deputy Gabriel Ramirez was killed in Highlandville after stopping a person who barreled past a stopped school bus. On Feb. 24, 2026, while attempting to help apprehend this person, Deputy Michael Hislope was killed when the person opened fire on approaching law enforcement. The photos in this gallery are of the memorial set up for the deputies and their funeral procession, held on Feb. 28, 2026. The photos of the deputies are courtesy of the Christian County Sheriff's Office. The photos of the funeral procession on US 60 were taken by Alexa McNew. All other photos are by Steve Chapman. more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway is warning Missourians of a new phone scam targeting the family members of individuals incarcerated in the Christian County Jail. more

Hello Senator Mike Moon and Representative Jamie Ray Gragg, more

OATS Transit is currently offering regular transportation services to rural residents of any age. To schedule a ride or to inquire about services available in your area, please call the OATS Transit office at 417-887-9272 or 800-770-6287. You can also visit our website at www.oatstransit.org, where you can find your local schedule by clicking on your county under the “Bus Schedules” tab. OATS Transit is available to the rural general public of any age. Additionally, we contract with various agencies to serve their clients. more

An Ozark man faces numerous felony charges after he allegedly fired rounds from a handgun while inside a mental health facility in Springfield. Joseph Raymond Skibel, 53, is charged with making a terrorist threat in the second-degree, two counts of armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. more

James Ray Forsythe, formerly of Ozark and Bismarck, Mo., passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Feb. 20, 2026, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Tullahoma, Tenn., at the age of 87. more

Michael James Hislope, age 40, passed away on Feb. 24, 2026. He was born on Feb. 17, 1986, to Pamela Hislope and Darrell Hislope. Michael graduated from Ozark High School in 2004 and went on to live a life defined by service, strength, and unwavering dedication to those he loved. more

Gabriel Ernest Lee Ramirez, 30, of Ozark, Mo., passed away on Feb. 23, 2026. He was born on April 28, 1995, in Visalia, Calif. more

Melissa (Missy) Anne Bisno more

Editor’s note: This article was first published on the Christian County Headliner website on Thursday, Feb. 26. It has since been updated to include events that have transpired since that time. more

The Ozark High School Cheerleading teams attained a new level of success at the Universal Cheerleaders Association’s (UCA) High School Nationals competition in Orlando, Fla., held from Feb. 6 through Feb. 8. Megan Adams, varsity cheer assistant coach at Ozark High School, described the competition as a “major milestone” for the program. more

David L. VanHoose more

A man who was apprehended with a four-year-old boy in Ozark on Saturday, Jan. 31, is facing multiple felony charges in relation to his alleged abduction of the child in Texas. Raymond Issac Carmona, 20, of Mansfield, Tex., is charged with murder, aggravated kidnapping, and theft of property (motor vehicle). more

Gabriel Lea Scurlock more

David Roy Todd more

Have you ever wondered what your student will do when they finish high school? What job, what career, what are the employment options? Is college or technical school an option? Will they live with others? Will they need support or will they live independently? more

A Christian County deputy sheriff was fatally shot in Highlandville on Monday, Feb. 23, according to a Blue Alert posted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. more

Jennifer "Brandy" Hamm more

February always takes me back to the farm, more specifically those cold, blistering mornings. more

Charles “Bud” Norris, age 93, of Ozark, Mo., passed away on Feb. 3, 2026. He was born on July 24, 1932, in Neptune, N. J., to Charles and Bessie (Waters) Norris. more

Lawrence Dale Raines, passed away Feb. 10, 2026. Dale Raines was born on Jan. 25, 1924, in Greenfield, Mo., and was the youngest of eight children, born to Reverend F.B. Raines and Nora Frances McDonald Raines. more