The City of Ozark recently announced it was awarded a Community Forestry Cost-Share Grant through the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to remove green ash trees under threat from emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). more

The application period for Ozark School District’s next superintendent is now closed, and the Ozark Board of Education is progressing into the third phase of the superintendent search, with hopes to name the new superintendent for the 2024-25 school year at the Dec. 14 board meeting. more

The theme at Ozark East Elementary this school year is “Difference Maker,” and that’s exactly what Tiger Team, comprised of fourth graders, are hoping to accomplish — make a difference in the lives of teachers, fellow students and even the community. more

Lucid TLC Studio & Art Gallery will host the art of area photographer Dee Albers as its featured artist for December. The exhibit will showcase many of Albers’ landscapes in prints and on canvas. The studio/gallery is located at 214 North Massey Boulevard. An opening night reception was held on Saturday, Dec. 2 for Albers’ exhibit. more

Missouri State Treasurer Vivek Malek visited with local leaders on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at the Christian County Courthouse. He discussed the local impact of the MOBUCK$ low-interest loan program, and shared his plan to work on legislation that would expand the successful program’s capacity. more

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Missourians aged 18-34, and 66 percent of those involve a firearm. Safe firearm storage is a very important part of suicide prevention. To help encourage and support safe firearm storage, Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) has developed a series of videos showing how to safely store a wide range of firearms, including semiautomatic pistols, revolvers, lever action rifles, shotguns and more. Storing firearms unloaded and locked with ammo stored separately is the best practice for safe firearm storage, but there are a variety of options for safe firearm storage. more

Nixa Community Foundation (NCF) joined in a nationwide celebration for the week of Nov. 12, 2023, to recognize the increasingly important role that community foundations play in strengthening their regions by addressing high-priority challenges and betterment projects for local residents. This year’s community foundation week fell alongside the NCF’s 30th birthday. more

The Christian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, the Nixa Police Department, Missouri Children’s Division and the Springfield Child Advocacy Center conducted the second annual Crime Scene to Trial training in Ozark from Nov. 14-16. more

Sugar Stop Candy Shop is now open inside Signal Food Store. Not only can customers stop by Signal for high quality gas and diesel, but they can now get their sugar fix at the brand new Sugar Stop Candy Shop. more

Finley River Community Foundation (FRCF) is seeking nominations for the 2023 Ozark Citizen of the Year. The recipient of the 2023 Ozark Citizen of the Year award will be announced at the Ozark Community Awards Banquet on Feb. 17, 2024. This annual event is hosted by the Ozark Chamber of Commerce to honor outstanding achievement and service in Ozark. more

Priscilla Presley is coming to Nixa’s Aetos Center for the Performing Arts on Jan. 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. more

Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Americans generally believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. This past week, Christian County Elks #2777 gave thanks to our Veterans in the community with its own Veterans Appreciation Thanksgiving dinner, all prepared and donated by Elks and local businesses. According to Mike Klinger, Past Exalted Ruler and Public Relations Chairman for the Elks, over 80 veterans, family members and friends attended, most coming from veterans’ facilities in Mount Vernon, Century Pines, Castle Wood and North Park. more

The Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors and chamber president/CEO Whitney Guison have announced that the official open house and ribbon cutting of the new Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce office and Welcome Center will be held on Nov. 16. more

A project to widen Route 65 to six lanes — three lanes in each direction — between Christian County Route CC/J and Christian County Route F in Ozark is scheduled to start the week of Nov. 13, the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) said. more

The Christian County 100 Club held its 2nd annual Honoring Christian County Heroes Banquet at the Ozarks Event Center in Nixa on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023. more

Ozark Junior High (OJH) students took time during their Nov. 1 spirit assembly to honor all those who serve our country, with a special tribute to one staff member — Master Sergeant Nicola Mozingo, who is retiring from teaching and the military at the end of the school year. more

Finley River Community Foundation (FRCF) will join in a nationwide celebration for the week of Nov. 12, 2023, to recognize the important role community foundations play in strengthening our region by addressing high-priority challenges and betterment projects in Ozark and eastern Christian County. more

Captain D. Scott Sater, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, announced the following promotions effective Nov. 1, 2023. more

The Christian County Prosecutor has filed charges, and warrants were issued against three suspects involved in a home invasion last week, which occurred on Bridgewood Ct. in Nixa. more

An Ozark woman has been convicted following a bench trial of illegally providing prescriptions to patients at Ozark Community Hospital Christian County Clinic. more

In an effort to protect the integrity and fidelity of the Republican Party within our county and our state, the CCRCC — Christian County Republican Central Committee — has voted to join with other Missouri counties in requiring all candidates seeking to run as Republicans be vetted as "bona fide" Republicans. Republican voters expect "Republican" candidates to have values similar to theirs, and this new requirement will help assure voters that candidates running as "Republicans" are indeed aligned with the values of the Republican Party. more

Lucid TLC Studio & Art Gallery will host the art of area artist Crystal Cook as its featured artist for November in an exhibit called “Unbusy Your Mind.” more

On Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, the Stanley & Elaine Ball Foundation, managed by Central Trust Company, awarded the 2023 local, non-profit grant recipients. A total of 48 applications were received this year, and grants were awarded to 25 recipients, totaling a community investment of $222,135. Requirements for grant applicants included the organization’s ability to enhance educational opportunities and/or provide support for disadvantaged children. more

The Christian County University of Missouri Extension in Christian County is partnering with a Missouri Department of Conservation educator to offer a deer processing workshop. more

The Missouri Public Service Commission’s Cold Weather Rule, designed to help customers with heat-related utility bills, begins on Nov. 1, 2023. The rule will remain in effect through March 31, 2024. It has been a part of the Commission’s rules and regulations since 1977. more