Ronald E. Gafford, at 89 years of age went to meet the Lord on Feb. 8, 2025. He was born on Jan. 18, 1936, in Corning, Kans., and was a loving husband, father, and faithful steward of his faith. Ronald E. Gafford and Melva A. Carmichael were married on Sept. 26, 1955. more

JEFFERSON CITY, MO – (On Tuesday, Feb. 18), Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18, directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law. The order bars the use of state funds for DEI and prevents agencies from considering DEI in their hiring decisions. more

Lois Marie Arbour, 92, passed away on Feb. 12, 2025, in Wichita, Kans. She was born on Feb. 19th, 1932, in Rock Island County Ill., the daughter of Joseph and Ida (Ziegler) Knapp. more

Dwight (Ike) Eugene Glossip more

On April 5, 2022, Ozark voters approved a $19 million no-tax-increase bond issue to construct three storm shelters and an indoor activities building at the high school. In the Fall of 2024, those projects were completed as promised, making our schools safer with a storm shelter at every building. The district not only was able to accommodate growth but also remained under budget. more

Howard Dale LaFevers more

Fifth graders at Ozark Middle School sat attentively as Craig Kondracki, OMS counselor, stood before them. more

Ozark High School FFA advisor and teacher Heath Wright has recently been named a 2025 Golden Owl Semi-Finalist. more

ServMO is seeking nominations for the 23rd Annual Show Me Service Awards. The Show Me Service Awards highlight the service and volunteerism that Missourians provide to strengthen communities and improve quality of life. To provide a diverse group of awardees each year, the awards are presented by region and include age-specific awards, national service awards, business awards, and community awards. more

A Springfield man suspected of helping to attempt to cover up the death of an adolescent Springfield girl was taken into custody on Friday, Feb. 14. Evrinn Worlds, 18, was apprehended in Madison County, Ill.; he was extradited to Springfield and booked into the Greene County Jail on Friday, Feb. 21. more

A Nixa man was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison on Thursday, Dec. 13 after a judge in Greene County determined he had violated the terms of his probation. Jared Nave, 27, was given a five-year prison sentence for one count of first-degree statutory rape, two years in prison for one count of fourth-degree child molestation, and another five-year sentence for a second count of first-degree statutory rape. He will serve the sentences concurrently. more

A show that is renowned for creating a kind of magic through the “remarkable fusion of art, science, and entertainment” is coming to Nixa. Gazillion Bubbles will be shown at the Aetos Center on Saturday, March 1, and Sunday, March 2. more

The snow and cold days are behind us (for a while). There have been reports of frozen pipes and other farm problems with folks needing to check cows often since it is calving season. That part of winter is always a dread. more

The winter storm that hit Christian County on Tuesday, Feb. 18, was brutal, to say the least. The area got about five-and-a-half inches of snow, according to the National Weather Service, and temperature lows were sub-zero until Friday. more

Mona Elloene Davis more

Lois McCall Bushman more

Wanda Owens more

Ozark High School senior Nathanael Martin recently made history by becoming one of the first students in Ozark history to be nominated for the prestigious U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. more

Nellie Frangella more

John Duncan, 87, of Nixa, passed away Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. more

Betty Foraker more

All January long, I’ve been mentioning (okay, “whining”) that the month is a dead zone for new movie releases. So it makes sense that the biggest release of the month would be one that opened on the very last day (Friday the 31st) before making most of its money in February. With an estimated $36 million in its first three days, “Dog Man” is already the biggest new movie of 2025. And its success isn’t just commercial, the joyful film also gets my first recommendation of the year. It’s a chilly recommendation, appropriate for January I suppose, but a recommendation nonetheless. more

National Geographic Traveller UK has released a sponsored feature article highlighting Christian County as a must-visit destination in the heart of the Ozarks. The article explores the county’s local events, scenic outdoor activities, and local eats, showcasing the authentic experiences that make Christian County special. more

Before the 1900s, house finches couldn’t be found in this area. Now, the problem isn’t seeing them here – it’s identifying them. more

Florence “Betty” Elizabeth Edgar was born Jan. 31, 1938, in Lockney, Tex. to Bessie Blanch (Lovins) and Ray E. Bowman. She departed this life on Feb. 8, 2025, in Republic, Mo. at the age of 87. more