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