Repeating events: more

In Missouri, any snake found near or swimming in the water is presumed to be a venomous cottonmouth. more

Ted Nichols, Christian County Collector, would like to remind all residential real estate owners who were at least age 62 by December 31, 2024, and living in Christian County to apply for the 2025 Senior Citizen Tax Credit. The last day to apply in the Collector's office is Friday, June 13, 2025, for the tax year 2025. Also, the 2025 Renewal Application deadline is Friday, June 13, 2025, in the office. All applications must be postmarked by June 15, 2025. The Collector's office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with notaries available. more

It is early on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The sun is rising over the forested hills surrounding the lake. Birds are singing. Deer are at the edge of the water for a drink. On a distant hill, a turkey gobbles. more

Michael Keith McGowan, age 72, of Springfield, Mo., passed away on May 10, 2025. He was born on Sept. 17, 1952, in Frankfurt, Germany, to Kenneth and Beatrice (Ashton) McGowan. more

Clay Dane Branum, age 63, of Bruner, passed away on May 10, 2025. He was born on January 10, 1962, in Ontario, Calif., to Robert Lewis and Grace Hazel (Corbett) Branum. more

“Thunderbolts*” certainly scared off the competition in its second weekend at the domestic box office. This sometimes happens the weekend after the opening of a huge blockbuster. Other studios will know that they can’t compete against the powerhouse, so they hold off on releasing anything that they think has the potential to be a big or even midsize hit. When that happens, I have to review either a holdover or a newcomer that can only hope to become, at most, a tiny hit. “Clown in a Cornfield” definitely falls into the latter category. This thing is cheap even by horror movie standards, yet in a minor victory, it managed to open in fifth place for the weekend. I’d admire its pluck, but there’s no sleeper hit here, just a movie that didn’t fail too badly when it was sent out to die. more

A year ago, a tornado hop-scotched through our town. It was past midnight, and I was watching a movie at home with our teenagers. When our phones screamed a long, loud beep, we switched to local news to see a meteorologist — sleeves rolled up to the elbows — urging viewers to get into a safe place. A tornado had been spotted in the heart of town. more

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Rep. Jamie Ray Gragg (HD-140) is issuing the following statement to express concerns with the City of Springfield regarding the upcoming 2025 Ozarks Pridefest. This event is taking place in downtown Springfield on June 14th featuring drag performances that will have detrimental effects it will have on children and families in the Ozarks community. more

Jeffrey P. Ray, acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced on Wednesday, May 14, that a Nixa woman pleaded guilty in federal court today to making false and fictitious claims against the United States and wire fraud. more

Two Nixa High School alumni were recently inducted into the Nixa Academic Hall of Fame. more

East Elementary was full of hoots and hollers on Wednesday, May 14, when Principal Karen Capen announced to staff and students that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) named Ozark East Elementary School one of eight Missouri Gold Star Schools for 2025. more