June is Dairy Month. It has been since 1937. more

Alvin H. Griffith more

Mike Duane Stephenson more

In February, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) announced that Dalton Jones was a finalist in the competition for the National Merit scholarships to be awarded in 2026. Earlier this month, the NMSC made a new announcement; the recent Nixa High School graduate was awarded a National Merit scholarship to the University of Missouri-Columbia. more

The fourth annual One Read, One Nixa (ONOR), a community initiative designed to encourage everybody in Nixa to read a single book together, was kickstarted on Wednesday, May 27, with a block party at the Nixa branch of the Christian County Library. While three weeks have passed since this year’s ONOR has started, it’s not too late to take part in the event. Free copies of this year’s book, “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown, are available at the Nixa Library and Nixa City Hall, while supplies last. Limit one copy per family. more

A Sparta man was convicted of multiple felony sex crimes by a jury on Wednesday, June 3, following his trial at the Christian County Justice Center in Ozark. Bothomas Michael VanKirk, 37, was convicted of one count of First Degree statutory sodomy, two counts of First Degree child molestation, and one count of Second Degree child molestation. 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

Social media has become an addiction for many people. Too much time is spent every day scrolling through smartphones. It can affect your nervous system and sleep habits. Negative news on television can also be a problem. more

It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Jerry Lynn Lipe Michael, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, who died on June 12, 2026 in Springfield, Mo.. more

He had no servants, yet they called Him Master. He had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher. He had no army, yet kings feared Him. He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him. He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives. The greatest man in history is Jesus. 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

Michael Duane Stephenson more

Marvin, a 99-year-old World War II veteran, stepped out onto his porch. It was Flag Day, a day that held special significance to him. It always brought back memories. Some were good, some were bad. To him, the flag was an important part of his life. more

Sometimes life feels heavy, confusing, or unfair. What we thought was loss, setback, or pain may be unbearable in the moment. But God sees beyond the surface. He is at work, turning struggles into growth, delays into preparation, and difficulties into opportunities we couldn’t have imagined. more

Dakota Shane Walsworth more

John Paul Goodson more

Carol June Overfield Mott Morse 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

Summer brings back longer days and shorter nights. It also marks the return of one of the few constellations that looks like the object it represents. Summer also brings back the glory of the Milky Way that threads its way across the night sky. It is also the time that many deep sky objects can be seen without binoculars or telescopes. more

Summer brings back longer days and shorter nights. It also marks the return of one of the few constellations that looks like the object it represents. Summer also brings back the glory of the Milky Way that threads its way across the night sky. It is also the time that many deep sky objects can be seen without binoculars or telescopes. more

Last weekend, Lindsey and Charlie headed out of town for a dance competition. Max and I had other plans. While they were packing dance shoes and hair spray, we were loading turkey decoys, camouflage and enough shotgun shells to make every gobbler in Audrain County nervous. We headed up to our buddy George's cabin for a guy's weekend chasing spring turkeys. more

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

Elaine Wilson more

Michael Alexander Galindo more