Sometimes, I get angry emails. It doesn't happen often, which is good because I don't try to inspire irritation. But when you write for the public every week for more than 20 years, you're bound to tick off a few people now and then. Want to know what topic has most often sparked unhappy responses? It's not politics. Not religion. It's snakes. more

Gov. Kehoe's decision to reduce State Transit Assistance funding by 42 percent is a significant setback for public transit. Per capita transit spending has dropped from $1.89 to $1.08, putting Missouri back in its long-standing position near the bottom in a national ranking of state support. more

SPRINGFIELD – Leaders and stakeholders from across the region will gather in Springfield for the annual Southwest Missouri Regional Water Conference, Reliable Water – In an Unreliable World, to address critical long-term water supply challenges and plan for a sustainable future. The conference, a collaborative effort by Southwest Missouri Water (Tri-State Water Coalition and the SWMO Joint Municipal Water Utility Commission) and Missouri State University, is scheduled for Sept. 23 at the Darr Center, 2401 S. Kansas Expressway. more

Little things remind me I am not of this century. more

Mary Elizabeth Hean Cockell (Scott) passed away on July 15, 2025, not long after celebrating her 100th birthday, in Ozark. She was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada on May 12, 1925, daughter of Susan (Stark) and Alexander Scott. more

Brett Joseph Eno more

Carl Wayne Stewart, 70, of Springfield, Mo. passed away on July 12, 2025. He was born June 24, 1955, in Del Rio, TX, the son of Loyal Luther Stewart and Donna Jean (Melton) Stewart. more

In the summer of 1835, a showboat called THE GOSPEL QUEEN appeared in the little river town of Danner’s Cove, bringing a message of repentance and salvation. People waited expectantly for many years afterward, but the boat never returned. Now, seventy years later, Grandpa Holt sits on the wharf all day, every day, waiting to once again experience the power of the living God...the power of another RIVERBOAT REVIVAL! more

NIXA, Mo. – The Nixa Fire Protection District Board of Directors has placed a question on the November 4, 2025, ballot, requesting the first operational tax increase in more than 20 years to address staffing shortages and aging equipment needs driven by explosive growth in emergency calls. more

A friend of mine and his 12-year-old son went crappie fishing the other day. They were up before daylight and headed out to Dad’s favorite place to go crappie fishing. It was the first time he had taken his son fishing. Dad was always too busy or took his friends instead of his son. more

Roberta Sue Potter more

About 20 Missouri sheriffs united on Friday, July 11, to create the Missouri Sheriff’s Constitutional Firearms Alliance (MSCFA), an organization devoted to protecting the Second Amendment. The sheriffs came together at a press conference in Jefferson City on Monday, July 14 to introduce the MSCFA to the public. more

The City of Ozark broke ground on the new Chadwick Flyer Trail Pedestrian Bridge on Friday, July 18. Dozens of people, including local government and civic leaders, were on hand to witness the event, which marked the start of the construction of the overpass. The overpass will not only allow people to cross over US Highway 65 safely on foot but will also be part of a route that allows walkers, bikers, and runners to travel safely between Springfield and Ozark. more

Angelina Todd more

Janet Diane “Stafford” Appleby, born August 3, 1948, in Springfield, Mo., passed away peacefully after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Her strength and grace never wavered, even during the hardest of days. more

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an extreme heat warning for Springfield and the surrounding areas on Sunday, July 20. The warning stated that extreme heat is expected to last through at least 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 24. A map of Southwest Missouri that accompanied the warning indicated that the heat index in Christian County is expected to be between 100 and 110 degrees Fahrenheit. more

The Ozark Boosters Club held their 70th annual rodeo at the Ozark Boosters Club Arena on the evenings of Friday, July 18, and Saturday, July 19. The event, which drew crowds of at least 4,000 people each night, featured competitions including steer wrestling, heeler team roping, barrel racing, and saddle bronc riding. There was also a special performance by the Ozarks’ Renegades, and the humor provided by veteran rodeo clown Colton Ulmer kept the audience entertained. more

Allan Lynn Batchelor more

C.J. "Joe" Barnhart, of Nixa, passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 92. He was born on April 24, 1933, to Elmer and Nanalee (Barnes) Barnhart. more

David Hedgpeth more

We were just hot more

Jennifer Ann Lawson Newby more

Judith Louise Ryan more

Larry Ray Tennis more

Summer is usually hot, humid, uncomfortable weather. For an outdoors guy like me, staying inside in the air conditioning is hard to do. more