In March, the Finley River Community Foundation announced that beginning May 4 it would open its 2026 community grant round applications that were due by June 1, 2026. A total of $11,000 was available for programs and organizations in Ozark and Eastern Christian County to apply for. The ad hoc Grant Committee had difficulty meeting to review the eleven submissions (nearly all were for the $2500 maximum), so the decision-making process was referred to the Board. Although the initial thinking was to make 4 grants of $2500, board members’ positions were so steadfast on different applicants that the Board instead voted to grant $1000 to each of the eleven applicants. more

An arrest has been made in a previously unsolved 1997 homicide. James Allen Deckard, 47, of Sparta, is charged with First Degree murder in the death of John W. “Jack” Housh, 62. He was taken into custody by Christian County deputy sheriffs and U.S. marshals on Friday, Aug. 7, and booked into the Christian County Jail. more

You are valuable! Remember that the next time someone questions your self-worth. Just think about the way Jesus honors you, and smile. I do. I smile because I know I don’t deserve love like that. None of us do. more

Sandy Lea Wilkinson more

Linda Lee Sidhu more

Sparta, Mo. — Ozarks Community Hospital's rural health clinics offer back-to-school immunizations each year, including at its Sparta clinic located at 155 Village Drive, Sparta, Mo. 65753. Now is the best time to schedule an appointment for your child to get prepared for the first day of school for Sparta R-III on Monday, Aug. 24th. more

Evan Elliott Isbell more

Repeating events: more

You have no doubt seen many animal rescues on television or social media. Rescues of livestock from barn fires to flash floods. A dog who fell in a hole and got stuck. A cat that climbed up something and could not get down without human help. Critters have been cut loose from all types of things. They have been airlifted from mountains and pulled from the ocean. But this story is a little different. more

Donny Ray Stephens more

NIXA, MO – Nixa Fire Protection District voters have approved a one-cent local sales tax to support district operations, according to unofficial results from the Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026 primary election. The measure passed 3,616 votes to 3,352, or 51.89 percent to 48.11 percent, marking the district's first approved operational tax increase since 2003. Results are unofficial until certified by the Christian County Clerk's Office. more

Ozark Junior High School Teacher Carole Joy Webb said her first priority is always the safety and well-being of her students. But having participated in the Aug. 5 joint active shooter simulation at OJH, she feels more confident in her ability to respond calmly if the unthinkable ever happens. more

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant funds. A competitive grant program, the Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant will fund projects that demonstrate economic benefit and potential for sustainable revenue generation and job creation. more

For more than 10 years, Christian County Elks Lodge #2777 in Ozark has hosted its annual Back-to-School Shopping with Kids event during July and August. As the Lodge’s largest charitable event of the year, the program supports local children and families who need a helping hand as they prepare for the new school year. more

Least of These, Inc., a full-service food pantry serving families in Christian County, has been seeing an increase in the number of people seeking assistance with food and other needs, Angela Hudson, executive director of the organization, said. more

On Aug. 7, 2026, Sheriff Jim Arnott was confirmed by the United States Senate to be U.S. Marshal for the Western District of Missouri. This appointment must now be signed by President Donald J. Trump and approved by the Department of Justice before Sheriff Arnott assumes his new role. Following this final confirmation, Sheriff Arnott will submit his letter of resignation to the Greene County Commission, with an effective date determined by the federal confirmation process. The Commission has already established a procedure to appoint an interim Sheriff to ensure continuity of leadership and operations. more

We had two nice showers over the weekend. There was an inch-and-a-half each time. The yard grass stays wet each day. It looks like that is about to end for a while. more

A former Ozark man is facing charges in a 1988 cold case murder. Joel Bremer, 60, now of Kansas City, was indicted by a grand jury on Friday, July 24, in the deaths of Ronna Bremer, 22, and their unborn child (At the time she disappeared, Ronna was seven months pregnant). He is charged with two counts of Second-Degree murder. more

Jackson William Longley, 19, of Ozark, Mo., was born on June 20, 2007, in Springfield, Mo., to Mackenzy Brockwell and Derek Longley. Jackson passed away on August 4, 2026, in Jackson, Miss., leaving behind a life that was far too short, but one that was full of laughter, adventure, determination, faith, and a fierce love for the people he called his own. more

Dorothy Maxine (Schnake) Doennig was born in Lawrence County, Mo., on Aug. 21, 1934, and was welcomed into Heaven by her Savior on Aug. 7, 2026, at her home in Ozark, Mo. As a child, Dorothy attended schools and churches throughout Lawrence County. She was saved at the age of 11 at Downey Church and served the Lord her whole life. She attended Verona High School but then moved her senior year and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School. She had wonderful memories of visiting with her many Schnake cousins during these years. more

Christian County voters delivered a resounding “No” to the controversial Missouri Constitutional Amendments Four and Five during the primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 4. In the county, 14,800 voters, or 73.28 percent, cast “No” votes against Amendment Four, while 5,396 voters, or 26.72 percent, voted for it. Meanwhile, 15,933 voters, or 78.86 percent, cast votes against Amendment Five, while 4,270 voters, or 21.14 percent, voted in favor of it. more

It's that time of year again – back-to-school season! As a parent, maybe this makes you sad, and you're soaking up these last two weeks of summer as much as possible. Or maybe you're ready to send the little tykes on their way and enjoy some peace and quiet! more

Mary Anne "Annie" Jennings more

SPRINGFIELD, MO (July 27, 2026) – Mercy was recently recognized again as a World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business based on its performance on the Disability Index®, the leading global benchmark for disability inclusion in business. more

Twelve FFA members recently attended the State FFA Leadership Camp at Camp Rising Sun in Kaiser, Mo. Bailey Miller, Hannah Cook, Kanyon Faust, Kaden Brewer, Brandt Stewart, Whitney Mueth, Lokken Walton, Brooklyn Blackard, and Matthias Choate all earned their State FFA Leadership Medal. more