FInley River Fine Artists holding art competitions

NIXA'S JOSH FORD tries to elude defenders.

With Ford showing similar elusiveness as Adams, Eagles leaning toward rotating 'backs

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.

Arrest made in 1988 cold case murder

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.

Urban Agriculture Cost-Share Grant Funds Available

(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.

Wednesday, August 19, 2026

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Local News

im Price, Ozark VFW Post Commander recently received Finley River Community Foundation 2026 Grant from FRCF members (l-r) Barry Ulrich, President Josh Kitchin, Elise Crain and Karen Miller. Photo courtesy of Barry Ulrich.

Finley River Community Foundation awards grants

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.

Arrest made in 1997 cold case murder

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.

Chadwick News

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.

Arnott confirmed as U.S. Marshal

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.

Least of These sees increase in Christian County families needing assistance

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.

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Members of the Christian County Elks Lodge #2777 gather for a picture. From the left: Elks Janie Jackson, Jerry Fritchman, Jason Factor, Pat Peterson, ER Susan Fox, Least of These Angela Hudson, Rite Ege, Denny Peterson and Walmart's Nathan. Photos courtesy of the Christian County Elks.

Back-to-School Shopping Brings Smiles to 180 Local Children

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.

First responders take part in the training exercise at Ozark Junior High School. Photo courtesy of Ozark Public Schools.

Ozark School Staff Practice Run, Hide, Fight Training with Local First Responders

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.

Nixa Voters Approve District's First Operational Tax Increase Since 2003

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.

Donny Ray Stephens

Racoon Rescue

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.

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Local Sports

Easley could go for 1,000 yards rushing one season and 1,000 yards receiving the next

OZARK'S JETT EASLEY carries the ball against Kickapoo at the Branson Team Camp.

Jett Easley is kicking off his senior season starting for Ozark at slot receiver, the same spot where he started for the Tigers at the beginning of last season. Of course, in between then and …

NIXA'S ADAM MCKNIGHT gets set to heave the ball downfield.

McKnight hears what college coaches had to say and focused on improvement

In lieu of Adam McKnight being shunned by All-State voters a year ago and not drawing near the recruiting interest from colleges that Jackson Cantwell did, more than a few Nixa fans and SWMO fans in …

OZARK'S CADEN O'DONNELL drops back in the pocket.

Taking over behind center, O’Donnell has feet planted in pocket as calming QB

New starting quarterback Caden O’Donnell gave new Tigers offensive coordinator Jake Gideon a ringing endorsement at the conclusion of summer workouts. O’Donnell felt Gideon set him up for …

CLEVER'S BRAYDEN FLOOD rushes past an opposing offensive lineman at the Evangel Team Camp.

Feeling 100 percent after strained quad, Flood looks to stand out on both sides of ball

Brayden Flood knew better than to let his success in track this past spring while running injured sway his mindset about trying to do too much too soon on the gridiron. Rehabbing a quadriceps …

CLEVER'S BLAINE ABBOTT picks off a pass at the Evangel Team Camp.

Jays cornerback Abbott feels playing alongside Allen creates more opportunities for him

Blaine Abbott isn’t complaining about often being overshadowed by his celebrated Clever classmate, Trenton Allen. In fact, Abbott realizes his own star shines a little brighter by having a teammate …

CLEVER'S KENDALL PIPER eludes a pair of defenders.

'You know you have to make the play,' Piper says of finishing runs near goal line

Kendall Piper gave Mountain Grove more of the same last week that the Panthers previously saw out of the Clever running back a year ago. Piper found his way to the end zone for a pair of …

Myah Brewington, 14 (left), and Reagan Miller, 15, pose for a picture at Volleyball Beach in Ozark before a training session. Photo by Steve Chapman.

Ozark duo champions at national-level Beach Volleyball tournament

Four-and-a-half years ago, Reagan Miller, 15, and her cousin, Myah Brewington, 14, both of Ozark, began playing beach volleyball, and their dedication to the sport has paid off in dividends. The two girls, who will both be freshmen at Ozark High School this fall, recently won first place in the Girls 14U division of the AVP Juniors Nationals Championships, held at Hermosa Beach, Calif. on July 22-26. They received medals and other prizes, and were also named Beach Volleyball All-Americans.

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Community Calendar

Repeating events:

The Perseids and an Eclipse

August will provide observers with two events to view in the night sky. The first will be the Perseid meteor shower, which is an annual event. The second event will be a partial eclipse of the Moon. Both events can be seen without any equipment. It will also be a great time to take friends and family out to view these celestial events.

Nick St. George (center), owner of the recently opened St. George’s in Nixa, poses for a picture with Gracie Carlberg, shop manager, and Trevor Chan, shift lead, at the new donut shop. St. George recently opened the new location this week. Photo by Steve Chapman.

St. George’s returns to Nixa

In the 1980s, Charles and Katy St. George, founders of St. George’s Donuts, opened a St. George’s Donuts location in Nixa, which closed after Charles’s illness and death in 1985. Now, some 40 years later, one of their sons, Nick St. George has brought the donut shop back into the city. The new St. George’s opened for business in Nixa on Monday, Aug. 3.

Self-Storage mixer to be held at 4 By 4 Brewing on Sept. 24

CREID (Commercial Real Estate Investment Discussions) invites self-storage owners, operators, investors, developers, and industry service providers to the 2026 CREID Self-Storage Mixer on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6 to 9 p.m. at 4 By 4 Brewing Company - Fremont Hills, 9003 Sawgrass Ave, right here in Nixa. The event is free to attend and includes complimentary drinks and food. Last year's mixer, also held at 4 By 4 Brewing, drew a record crowd of more than 75 storage professionals from across Southwest Missouri, and this year's gathering is expected to be even larger.

Front row (from the left) Avery Moore, Whitney Mueth, Kaden Brewer, Hannah Cook, and Brooklyn Blackard. Back row: Matthias Choate, Lokken Walton, Kanyon Faust, Wyatt Mueth, Bailey Miller, Brandt Stewart, and Lianne Guin. Photos courtesy of Nixa Public Schools.

Nixa FFA members attend leadership camp

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.

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Education

Back to School Bash provides about 1,000 kids with school necessities

Nixa Public Schools held their Back to School Bash at the APEX Center on Saturday, Aug. 1. The event, which was attended by an estimated 1,000 children and their families, provided the kids with items they will need for the upcoming school year, including backpacks, hygiene items, school supplies, shoes, clothing items, and more. About 120 volunteers helped distribute the items.

Tiger Paw Grant to Pay Tuition for Preschool Families, Again

For the third consecutive year, Ozark’s Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center received a grant allowing families to save money. Valued up to $780,000, the grant will pay tuition for students who will enter kindergarten in the 2027-28 school year.

CFO awards three local schools $5,909 in Coover/RSP Celebrate Rural grants

Three Christian County school districts have received grants from the Coover/RSP Celebrate Rural Grant Program, a partnership of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Louis L. and Julia Dorothy Coover Charitable Foundation and Commerce Trust.

Nixa Education Foundation presents awards

The Kathy Whitworth Service to Education Award was presented to Mike and Katie Henneger with United Plumbing and Marilyn Hanna, High Pointe Elementary principal.

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Opinion

Flavors of 417

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!

Chadwick Area News

Each week gets so busy and many families are taking vacations before school starts again. It seems it was just out.

Skeeter’s Rock

I was on my way to Stockton Lake to go fishing the other day. She was driving an old Chevrolet pickup. At first glance, I thought there was no one driving until I saw a few gray curls sprouting above the seat and wrinkled hands holding on to the steering wheel.

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