Who wouldn’t want free gas or groceries, especially with fuel prices on the rise? Scammers know families are looking for ways to save money, and unfortunately, they’re taking advantage of that. more

Approximately 125 area school resources officers and school administrators were at the Ozark Innovation Center July 28-30 for a School Safety Specialist Academy. Presented by the Missouri School Boards’ Association’s Center for Education Safety, the Academy grants designated school safety coordinators required training outlined in Senate Bill 68 and the Missouri School Improvement Program. Ozark School District’s school resource officers are already compliant in this training. more

Repeating events: more

(On Saturday, Aug. 8), my heart was completely overwhelmed. more

Audrey Germaine Letts more

Mary Ellen Fulton more

Diana Brazeale more

David Earl Bishop more

Ozark, MO – The Ozark Board of Education is pleased to announce the appointment of Ashleigh Jones to fill a vacant seat on the board following the recent departure of former member RaeAnn Wade. more

Ozark Bank presented three area organizations with grants worth a total of $30,000 on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Least of These, Inc., Children’s Smile Center, and Christian County Enterprises each received $10,000 in funding from the bank. According to press releases announcing the presentations, the bank partnered with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) to create the grants. more

Wanda Ruth Hubbard more

Five Kitchen Hacks more

On Aug. 10, the Ozark High School fight song filled the Ozark Innovation Center as members of the Ozark Tiger cheerleaders, color guard and marching band, along with members of the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, lined the hallway to welcome more than 60 new teachers to the Ozark School District. more

Charles Goodnight, 16, of Billings, Mo., won first place in the Intermediate Division of Extemporaneous Speaking contest at the American Angus Association 2026 National Junior Angus Show, held in Louisville, Ky. on July 17. Charles also won third place in the Intermediate A Career Development contest. more

A former chief of police of the Clever Police Department is suing the city, claiming he was wrongfully dismissed from his position. Randall E. Blackburn is demanding $15 million in compensatory damages, as well as other compensation, for what he contends was his wrongful termination from his job. His suit, filed in federal court on Thursday, July 16, names the City of Clever, Mayor Eric Beaudoin, and Aldermen Kristi Jack, Wade Pearce, and Michel Hackworth as defendants. more

Ozark Public Schools held their annual Back to School Bash at the Ozark Innovation Center on Saturday, Aug. 15. About 600 children were registered to attend the event, during which they were given backpacks, school supplies, hygiene kits, and more. A free lunch was also provided to all attendees. more

Ronald Wayne Lesh, of Nixa, passed away Aug. 15, 2026. He was born Feb. 2, 1942, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Andrew and Helen Lesh. more

Lella “Pat” Agnes Letterman, age 93 of Sparta, passed away August 14, 2026. She was born September 20, 1932, in Rogersville, the daughter of James Allen and Ida May (Reed) Patterson. more

Another day and several more dollars spent by a lot of people. It is awful for how much money it takes to get by. more

Artificial Intelligence, better known as AI, is reshaping our world and not necessarily for the better. Many people welcome AI tools and have learned how to use them. Some ways are good and helpful, but some others are bad. more

Janis Loucille "Mamie" Preston more

Shelly Dean Lonnette Meadows more

One of life’s greatest blessings is discovering that peace comes from trusting God rather than trying to control everything yourself. more

Finley River Art Gallery, located on the south side of the downtown Ozark Square, has two major art competitions coming up in which the public is invited to participate. The first is their first-ever contest just for kids! Children 12 and under are invited to “Paint What You Love” following these rules: use any medium you want no prints, photography or digital art). If paper is used, it must be matted or framed but a frame is not required. If canvas is used, paint the outside edges as well as the canvas front, any size, no entry fee. All entries must have an official entry form attached (available at the Art Gallery at 100 E. Elm Street.). Entries are due between Sept. 9-12; open hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Awards will be presented at a reception on Saturday, Sept. 19 at noon at the Gallery; there will be three winners who will receive a blue ribbon and gift certificate for art supplies. more

Ozark Public Schools held their annual Back to School Bash on Saturday, Aug. 15. Here are some pictures from the event. All photos by Steve Chapman. more