As drought conditions worsen in Missouri, the Division of Fire Safety (DFS) urges Missourians to put fireworks safety first as they prepare for Independence Day celebrations. Over the last three months, the percentage of Missouri considered abnormally dry or in some state of drought has grown from 7.5 percent to 93.3 percent, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor (https://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/CurrentMap/StateDroughtMonitor.aspx?MO) released June 22. more

Local Elks Lodges throughout the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Panama Canal celebrated Flag Day on June 14, 2023, but according to Mike Klinger, Past Exalted Ruler and Public Relations Chairman for Christian County Elks, the Christian County Elks celebrated Flag Day on Sunday, June 11 with a gala event. Over 70 members and guests attended the Elks event at the Christian County Elks Lodge in Ozark. more

The Nixa Police Department will soon be hiring the first two new police officers following voter approval of a tax increase which is dedicated to funding new police staff and construction of a new Police Headquarters. more

Least Of These, Inc. and Christian Action Ministries are expanding their mobile food pantry service areas to fill the hunger gap in Stone and Christian counties. Least Of These will begin serving once monthly at Spokane in Christian County and Christian Action Ministries will begin serving at Blue Eye, Cape Fair and Hurley in Stone County. more

The Historic River District (HRD) has announced that gifts in memory of Debby Spencer (Nov. 5, 1959-May 9, 2023) are being accepted through Aug. 1, 2023. Checks may be sent to HRD and mailed to HRD c/o City of Ozark (PO Box 295, Ozark, MO 65721) or Finley River Community Foundation (PO Box 1176, Ozark, MO 65721) or through Community Foundation of the Ozarks (cfozarks.org, log into Donate Now, scroll to Historic River District, click “donate” and put Debby’s name in note line). All gifts will be acknowledged and are tax deductible, as provided by law. more

The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced that the Missouri Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) and WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (WICFMNP) have launched for the 2023 season. Both programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service and assist low-income recipients in obtaining fresh Missouri Grown produce. more

On June 15, Nixa Parks & Recreation learned the exact cause of the leak in the Nixa community pool. Leak Investigators LLC, determined the leak is coming from a 90 degree pipe fitting which has cracked approximately 8 feet underground. Fortunately, the leak is not directly under the pool, however, as it is under the pool deck (the concrete pad surrounding the pool) repairs will require digging through the pool deck. more

Since 2007, tens of thousands of southwest Missourians have enjoyed the annual Balloon Glow in Ozark. more

According to the City of Nixa, Leak Investigators, LLC arrived on site June 7 and are helping Nixa Parks & Recreation determine where exactly the leak is located so that it can be determined what is required to fix the leak. Working together with Parks & Recreation staff and the Nixa Utilities Water Department, the leak detection company has identified a potential area of concern, but further testing is required. more

First Baptist Church of Billings celebrated its 150 year anniversary this past Sunday, June 11. The congregation held a special service and luncheon event, the theme of which was Beacons of Faith, to celebrate the occasion. Past and present deacons, pastors and members were in attendance, as well as two special members who have attended the church for over 50 years. more

Misty Holt became the new mayor of Sparta when she won the April 4 general municipal election in Christian County. She took over the role from Mayor Jenni Davis. more

The City of Nixa is investing in upgrades to its billing systems and payment processes. While these upgrades are taking place, the City of Nixa, including Nixa Utilities, will not be able to accept any payments beginning 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21 and continuing through Sunday, June 25. more

Starting Friday, June 9, Nixa Fire District is inviting the community to sit on their “front porch” and visit with the firefighters on Friday evenings during the summer from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Nixa firefighters will have open houses every Friday night through July. more

Baseball fans are being asked to step up to the plate to help local patients and score Springfield Cardinals game tickets. The Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets and plasma to patients at 44 area healthcare facilities, is asking everyone to team up to help the blood needs in their community by donating during the Bleed Red promotion at the upcoming blood drive in Nixa on Thursday, June 15. more

Now that hay season is in full swing, it is a good time to pull hay samples for entry in the Ozark Empire Fair Hay Show in Springfield, says University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist Tim Schnakenberg. more

The Nixa branch of the Christian County Library celebrated its fifth birthday on May 19, and with this celebration came the announcement that the Nixa branch is expanding. more

There are always exciting things happening in the science lab at South Elementary. However, fourth graders got a little extra excitement this school year, thanks to a grant from Project Lead the Way (PLTW). more

The Inman Intermediate Student Council ran a change challenge fundraiser to raise money for C.A.R.E. Animal Rescue. Students were able to raise over $900 for the animal rescue. This past week, Student Council presented C.A.R.E. representatives with their donation and got a few cuddles with the rescue pup, Honey. more

Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announced the results of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Division’s 2023 annual school bus inspection program. more

Arvest Bank announces Chandler Johnston has been promoted to Community Marketing Manager for the Springfield region. more

According to preliminary reports from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 10 people died in traffic crashes over the 2023 Memorial Day weekend counting period of 6:00 p.m., Friday, May 26 through 11:59 p.m., Monday, May 29, 2023. more

Ozark Police Chief Justin Arnold graduated from the FBI National Command Course (NCC) Session #4 on May 19, 2023, in Woodbridge, Virginia. more

Nixa Parks & Recreation staff have discovered a significant leak in the community pool located at The X Center in McCauley Park. Normally, the pool opens Memorial Day weekend, however, the need for repair will cause a delay in the opening of the pool. The Aquatics Center will remain closed until the pool is in condition to be opened to the public. At this time, the City of Nixa does not have an estimate for when repairs will be completed. more

Next time you see the city street sweeper cleaning the streets in Ozark, pay attention to the decals on the sides and back. They were all made by Ozark Middle School (OMS) fifth graders. more

The Christian County Commission is looking for qualified citizens to serve on the Library Board of Trustees. July Open Seats are for the Ozark and Southern districts — applicants for all other areas will be held until the appropriate seat is available for appointment. more