A police officer was recently recognized for his work to protect children from those who would harm or otherwise exploit them. Sgt. Matt Sloan, a 21-year veteran with the Nixa Police Department, was presented with the Voice of Children Award by the Child Advocacy Center, Inc. on Wednesday, Sept. 17. more

Audience members packed the Aetos Center on Wednesday, Oct. 8, as they came to attend "Napoleon Dynamite: Live." The evening included a showing of the iconic 2004 indie movie, as well as appearances by cast members Jon Heder (Napoleon Dynamite), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), and Efren Ramirez (Pedro). more

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, David Douglas, who was scheduled for a bench trial, came to court dressed as an 18th-century Scotsman, complete with a kilt. When he was called to the podium by Judge Douglas Bacon, he made the following statement to the court reporter, ignoring the court reporter’s instructions to address his statement to the judge: more

Ozark, MO -- The Christian County Health Department is actively responding to a confirmed case of tuberculosis (TB) identified within the Ozark School District. Public health officials are working closely with school administrators, healthcare providers and community partners to ensure the safety and well-being of students, staff, and families. more

Both the Christian County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and the Ozark Police Department (OPD) are showing their support for Breast Cancer Awareness and breast cancer survivors during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. more

U.S. and Missouri flags at all Missouri government buildings flew at half-staff on Saturday, Oct. 11, in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Three Andrew Cully, who was buried at Fairview Memorial Gardens in Fayetteville, Ark. that same day. more

My grandfather, Joseph Aloysius Bodey, immigrated to Southwest Missouri in the early 1880’s. There he later met Margaret, a daughter of immigrants, married her, and together raised four children. One was my father. Over the last few hundred years this is the story of America. With hard-work and determination, immigrants have made our country better. more

Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 18, for the Annual Booster Club Squirrel Hunt at the Chadwick School. It is always an exciting time, and there are a lot of squirrels this year. more

What does it mean to be an Ozark Tiger? Two central themes we often hear when answering this question are “passion” and “lifelong learner.” And that is evident with theadventures that two Ozark teachers, Sandi Criswell and Amanda Clark, participated in over the summer. more

By Jim Hamilton more

The Community Foundation of the Ozarks has received a 2025 Civic Hub grant from the Trust for Civic Life, a national grant maker supporting rural communities. The grant, totaling $250,000, will support work by the CFO and its regional affiliate foundations to bring together people across the region in new and meaningful ways. The CFO is among a cohort of 26 organizations to receive funds from the Trust for Civic Life in this cycle. more

Cody Lee McFarland more

William (Bill) F. Shank more

Carolyn Alesia Alling (known as “Alesia”), age 65, of Ozark, Mo., passed away on Sept. 25, 2025, at her home. Alesia was born to William and Johnnie (Guiltner) Stone on Dec. 22, 1959, in Neosho, Mo., where she remained until graduating from high school. more

Tommy Keith Foster, age 69, of Ozark, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. Tommy, otherwise known as Tom, was born October 29, 1954, in Arkansas City, Kans., to Billy Foster and Esta (Potts) Foster. Tom’s family moved to Springfield, Mo., where Tom worked at his father’s Otasco store. Growing up, Tom enjoyed fishing with his dad, water skiing with his family, and summer vacations in Oklahoma. After graduating from Kickapoo High School, Tom attended Drury University and earned an associate degree before moving to Dallas, Texas, to begin a career with Texas Instruments. more

William L. “Bill” Shortt more

Marlene Bernice Sullivan more

Nixa, Mo. – Ryett (pronounced "Riot") Johnson, age 10, of Nixa, has officially shattered the Kid’s World Record for the fastest 100-meter run by a 9-year-old boy, clocking in at an astonishing 14.53 seconds. The previous record of 16.62 seconds was held by a boy in Canada. more

JEFFERSON CITY – October and November are peak months for deer to be on the move, and the Missouri Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to be prepared and not drive distracted. more

Jasper John Mayhew, Branson West, MO, son of Michael and Angela (Hatch) Mayhew, was born on Oct. 6, 2013, in Springfield, MO, and went to be with Jesus on Oct. 2, 2025, at the age of 11. more

Nona Mae Jones more

The City of Nixa took a big step towards the construction of its new police station on Tuesday, Sept. 30 with a groundbreaking ceremony at the facility’s future location near the intersection of Highway 14 and LeAnn Drive. more

The Nixa and Ozark High Schools crowned their homecoming royalty on Friday, Sept. 26. Tara Venable was crowned Ozark High School’s 2025 Homecoming Queen during the game against Waynesville (the Tigers defeated them, 71-0), while Brody O'Connell and Kinley Sundy were crowned as 2025 Homecoming King and Queen at Nixa during their game against Lebanon. Congrats to this year’s homecoming royalty! more

The GWFC Utopia Club hosted its 51st annual Ozark Craft Fair at Finley River Park from Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 5. About 350 craft and food vendors set up booths at the event, where they offered a variety of items, including home decor, clothing, gifts, holiday decorations, handmade jewelry, food items, and more. Some vendor booths were in structures found at Finley River Park, such as the barn and the 4-H Building, while others were found in big-top or individual tents. The event drew thousands of interested onlookers in search of bargains or original gift ideas. more

Ozark Market Days was held one last time for 2025 in the Ozark Square on Saturday, Oct. 4. The event featured a variety of craft and food vendors who set up their booths on the square, offering interested passersby an opportunity to check out their wares. more