Robert Patrick “Pat” O’Neil, age 86, of Nixa, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Nov. 1, 2025. He was born on April 10, 1939, to Guy and Thelma (Wilcox) O’Neil. more

I sat in on a Sunday evening service a few weeks back in which the preacher offered suggestions on how to better read the Bible. more

I know many veterans. Several attend our church. We always take time to honor them for their service on Veterans’ Day and any other opportunity we might have throughout the year. We have a wall in our church dedicated to our veterans. more

Ozarks Food Harvest is partnering with more than 60 local grocers for the 27th annual Check Out Hunger campaign to help families provide plentiful meals for their loved ones this holiday season. The campaign began on Nov. 1 and will continue through Dec. 31. more

Linda Kay Hercules more

Christian County Government announced today that the Historic Courthouse has been illuminated green as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort by counties, the National Association of Counties (NACo), and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers. more

Ozark High School is proud to announce that five students — Carson Sandgren, Caleb Lippert, Alexandra Fletcher, Evan Growcock, and Alan Shih — have been recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program for their academic excellence and outstanding performance on the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test and AP Exams. more

Aaron Joseph Manning more

Every year, the Missouri Grown Program offers a limited number of holiday gift boxes containing items made by local Missouri farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses. In this year’s gift box, one of the items is the MRE (Meals Ready to Explode) Mango Jalapeno Hot Sauce from JB’s Gourmet Spice Blends, out of Sparta. The sauce, which was released in May, is one of their latest offerings. more

The Cosmopolitan Club of Ozark will hold their 18th annual Ozark Community Crafts Festival at the Ozark Community Center on Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15. Over 100 vendors are expected to set up booths to sell their wares. more

On Nov. 4, Ozark kindergarten teachers became the students as literacy consultant, author and curriculum designer Jennifer Burns led a live classroom lesson. Burns taught a group of kindergarten students while teachers observed, took notes and gathered ideas. more

On the heels of the recent Halloween Trunk or Treat, the Ozark downtown square is giving off a holiday vibe. City workers recently set up the square's traditional Christmas decorations, and 28 students from Ozark High School painted the windows of the buildings along the square with cheerful, holiday scenes. And for those who are in the mood to help the less fortunate enjoy the holidays, drop-off boxes for toys, coats, and canned food items can be found on the east side of the square. Also, be sure to be at the square to catch the 60th annual Ozark Chamber Christmas Parade on Saturday, Nov. 22, and Friday Night Lights on Friday, Dec. 12. more

The American Legion Post 34 honored area veterans on Saturday, Nov. 8, with a ceremony outside the X Center in Nixa. The event included patriotic music, a demonstration of the folding of the American Flag, and comments by the keynote speaker, Lt. Col. Richard Floer, Jr. (ret.). During his speech, Floer spoke about the unique qualities veterans possess and how they can bring those into any endeavor. more

Among other things that made me happy this week were that Randy and Brandy got my garage door repaired, and Steven and Emmily Greene got my hay delivered that I bought back in August. That has lessened my stress level a lot. The hot dry spell made pastures go away, and made livestock very restless more

Robert “Bob” H. Mulder, age 80, of Ozark, Mo., passed away on Friday, October 31, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo.. Bob was born to Mildred Platt on May 12,1945, in St. Louis, Mo., and was raised in Chicago, Ill. by his loving adoptive parents, William and Harriet Mulder. He graduated from Morgan Park High School in 1963. Bob was united in marriage to Beth Van Lier on January 7, 1967, in Chicago, spending 58 years together. He proudly served as a medic in the United States Army for three years during the Vietnam War, before his medical, honorable discharge. The couple were blessed with two children, Lisa and Paul. more

John Anderson Rippee, age 86, of Ava, Mo., passed away on Nov. 4, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. John was born to Maney Rippee and Sally Tate on Sept. 3, 1939, in Ava. He was raised in Ava and graduated from Ava High School in 1958. John was united in marriage to Norma (Gaylene) Vinson on Dec. 30, 1985, in Eureka Springs, Ark. John and Gaylene shared 39 years of marriage before John’s untimely passing. John proudly served in the United States Army for two years, and the Missouri National Guard for 18 years. more

A man died following a pursuit by law enforcement on Saturday, Nov. 8. According to a press release from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), deputies from Greene County were called to assist the Christian County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) when a vehicle the CCSO was pursuing entered Greene County’s jurisdiction on Highway 65 at Evans Road. The CCSO said the vehicle, which was being driven by a wanted suspect, crashed, overturned, and began to catch fire. more

There is a beauty in the uniformity…and a beauty in each unique placing. Looking across the cemetery with perfectly matched wreaths is a breath-taking sight, but knowing that when each wreath was placed, that the name of the service member was read aloud, honoring and remembering their service to this great nation, is what creates the uniqueness that is Wreaths Across America. It is this act that serves as the inspiration for the organization’s moto, “Remember*Honor*Teach”. more

Arvest Bank is sharing tips to help one particular group most vulnerable to financial fraud: America’s elders. more

The Nixa McDonald’s team proudly announces that General Manager Destiney Klinkhamer has been named a recipient of the Global Ray Kroc Award, an elite recognition reserved for the top one percent of McDonald’s restaurant leaders nationwide. more

“Ghost tapping” sounds like it might be related to Halloween fun, but unfortunately, it’s scary for a different reason: It’s a new type of scam to beware of. Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to avoid this spooky scam. more

As part of the post-World War II generation, I am proudly a “baby boomer.” more

Recently, my wife and I were having our blood work done before an upcoming six-month checkup with our doctor. As we sat there waiting to hear our names called, I looked around the big waiting room packed with people. more

Alice Jane Blanchard more

Deborah Lou Mills more