Douglas County government is seeing more than the typical changes that come with Jan. 1 after an election year. Before Presiding Commissioner Butch Linder’s last day in office (Dec. 31), he removed the three appointments he had made in his position. Those appointments were Ron Tost as emergency management director…
The Ava City Council agreed to split the cost of new tile for the Ava Senior Center at their regular meeting on Jan. 12. Bonnie Evans, director of the senior center, presented a proposal to the council outlining five bids for the project, which would re-tile the floors in the…
By Whitney Keith Brooke Elwood started her business in August 2010, with her first event being a wedding. “My business is a cooking service designed with you in mind,” she said. Elwood said she started the business because she enjoyed cooking. “I didn’t think Ava offered anything like this,” she…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s questions we asked: Population figures from the latest Census just came out. What do you think the population of Douglas County…
The Ava Middle School Bears completed play in the annual Willow Springs Tournament last week. The seventh grade squad defeated Willow Springs 27-14 in the consolation game on Tuesday, January 4. The Bears held a 5-4 advantage after one quarter of play and led 11-10 at halftime. Ava made their…
H&R Block will host the January Ava Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon next Tuesday. The lunch, which will feature Italian cuisine, is open and free to all Chamber members. The meal will begin at noon on Jan. 11 at the Ava Lion’s Club. The speaker will be Kris McGinnis. For…
A candidate has joined the trio of challengers facing off against current Ava Mayor Leon Harris in the upcoming April 5 local election. Ava Fire Chief Eddie Maggard filed for mayor Monday morning. After he filed for the position, he was terminated as fire chief and from his position in…
The Ava High School junior-varsity Bears will be competing in the Fair Grove J.V. Basketball Tournament next week. The tournament, which will be played in a “round robin” format, begins on Wednesday, Jan. 12 with the Bears facing Pleasant Hope at 6 p.m. The Bears will then play Thursday, Jan.…
The Ava High School junior-varsity Lady Bears traveled to Lebanon last week for the Lebanon Holiday Tournament and walked away with a consolation trophy. The Lady Bears found themselves in a pool with Rogersville, Lebanon, and Conway. The Lady Bears met the Lady Wildcats of Rogersville in the first round…
The Ava Middle School Bears opened play in the Willow Springs tournament on Monday, January 3. The seventh grade Bears lost to Mountain Grove by a score of 30-23. Ava trailed the Panthers 7-5 after the first quarter and trailed 18-9 at halftime. The Bears closed the gap to 5…
The city of Ava gained 165 residents in the past 9 years, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau released last week. Ava’s population was at 3,021 in 2000, and jumped to 3,186 in 2009. Douglas County saw a gain of 524 residents in the same time period,…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s questions we asked: What’s your New Year’s Resolution? Lose weight with Weight Watchers, learn Spanish and learn stock trading. – Jennifer…
Air Force Airman Matthew S. Overcast graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic…
Candles are the hot item of choice at a recently-opened business in Ava. A Shop Around The Corner is located at 224 S. Jefferson, just south of the Ava Square. According to Lisa Ritter and her sister, who own the business, their quickest selling item is the Candleberry Hot Maple…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office recently concluded a nearly 6 month investigation that has solved burglaries and stealing cases in Douglas, Greene, Ozark, Taney and Webster Counties, along with the cities of Springfield and Cabool. Sheriff Chris Degase said he and Deputy Vernon Johnson were the primary investigators on the…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s questions we asked: Which qualities are most important to you in a mayoral candidate? Someone who will have the people’s best…
By Whitney Keith Reflections has dug into the lives of Douglas County residents, showcasing their passions, talents and gifts. We have also traveled beyond this area, showing readers places that they may want to visit someday. Here’s the year in review for Reflections, with our wishes that the next year…
Some people may not be aware that we have a winning Olympic team in our midst. Heart of the Ozarks of Ava sent a group of residents in Mountain Grove, Missouri, on Oct. 26 to participate in the Golden Age Games. The local care facility came away with the first-place…
By Laura Powers, Ava Papa built a house for his family of seven children. It was located in the town of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, which during the 1920s was quite small. The house had a cistern in the back with a heavy lid so we little ones could not lift…
The Ava Area Animal Welfare League Junior met December 7 in Karen Davis’ room at the Ava R-1 schools. Members in attendance were: Pat Patton, Marilyn Alms, Ali Hall, Karen Davis, Brandy Johnson, Paul McKee, Mary Chipps, Lynda Clouse, Lane Clouse, Erin Clouse, and Barbara Andrus. New members were introduced…
The Smokin’ Hot Mama Club will be delivering gifts to children at Cox Health at 3 p.m. on Dec. 23. Do not be fooled by the name of the group. “We are actually spurring a global movement changing the way women treat themselves and each other.” said founder Pamela Crim…
The Skyline R-II Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, Dec. 16 with six members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. In new business, the board voted to accept the following program evaluations: school climate dealing with student and staff recognition; health, which has been…
The Ava R-I Board of Education approved several program reviews and discussed capital improvement projects for the coming year at their regular meeting on Thursday, Dec. 16. In communications, the board announced that they attended the Missouri School Board Association conference at Tan-Tar-A on Oct. 22-24. Superintendent Brian Wilson said…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s questions we asked: If the Ava R-I School District has to tighten its belt due to the economy, where should they…
Missouri State University conferred 1,460 degrees during the fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 17 at JQH Arena. Local students who earned degrees include, from Ava: Emily R. Bilyeu (Bachelor of Science), Suzanne E. Cooney (Bachelor of Science in Nursing), Brian L. Ross (Bachelor of Science), Jam Walker-Davidson (Master of Science in…
The Ava Middle School Bears played at Willow Springs on Monday, December 13. The seventh grade Bears came away with a 27-25 victory. Ava led 10-7 at halftime and led 20-18 after three quarters of play. Morgan Smith led Ava’s scoring with 8 points, followed by Dakota Pierce and Zach…
A candidate has joined the duo of incumbents filing for the Ava R-I Board of Education, and another has joined the three running for mayor of Ava. Filings for local elections to be held April 5 opened Dec. 14, with some races already having a handful of candidates. Dr. Dan…
The Ava R-I Board of Education discussed budget concerns and a recently-developed athletic facility study at a special work session on Dec. 8. The first order of business was a new superintendent evaluation tool. The board chose a new tool from four options, said Superintendent Brian Wilson. “The one they…
The Ava Middle School Bears hosted the Reeds Spring Wolves on Tuesday, December 7. The seventh grade Bears lost to the visiting Wolves by a score of 27-26. The game was close throughout the night. Ava led 7-4 after one quarter of play and the game was tied 13-13 at…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s questions we asked: What was your favorite float at the Ava Christmas Parade? Peppermint candy. – Jody Linder The big lollipop…
The eighth grade Lady Bears played Mountain Grove on Dec. 2 and lost 25-37. McKenna Hunsaker led the Lady Bears with 12 points, followed by Callie Eubanks with 5, Ashley Helm 3, and Destiny Sparnicht 2. “Mountain Grove is a very tough team to beat,” said Coach Justin Gilmore. “We…
Filings for local elections to be held April 5 opened Tuesday, with some races already having a handful of candidates. In the City of Ava, voters will be electing a mayor and two aldermen, one from the East Ward and one from the West Ward of the city. Incumbents Billy…
The Ava City Council heard their annual auditor’s report at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 14. A representative from Davis, Lynn & Moots, P.C. of Springfield gave a report on the city’s financial statements. The report, which is of June 30, 2010, gave the city an unqualified, or clean…
By Whitney Keith During the early part of 1940, monetary gifts came to 12 current and former residents of Douglas County from an anonymous giver, later dubbed the “Angel of Ava.” According to “A Reminiscent History of Douglas County, Missouri, 1857-1957” by J.E. Curry, recipients were: R.L. Story ($150), Jack…
On Tuesday, Dec. 7, the Ava Victory Academy Crusaders traveled to Bradleyville to battle the Eagles. The Lady Crusaders played a tough game but were defeated 56-31. The boys found themselves down by 3 in the last seconds when freshman Seth Dobbs shot a three pointer at the buzzer, sending…
A local resident is looking for pictures of a historic, one-room schoolhouse near Squires. Dave Smithback is looking for pictures of the Kolb School – District 86, located on his property near Squires. Anyone with pictures or information is invited to contact him at 417-683-9993.…
On Tuesday, December 14 at 6:30 p.m. the Ava Pride Band Department will be presenting their winter concert “Jingle ALL The Way” at the Ava Performing Arts Center. Featured during the concert will be the Jazz Band, Beginning Band, Sixth Grade Band, Middle School Band, the Ava Pride Color Guard,…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s questions we asked: Do you buy your Christmas presents early, or do you wait until the last minute? Do you have…
The Ava Middle School Bears hosted the Hollister Tigers on Monday, November 29. The seventh grade Bears were defeated by the visiting Hollister squad by a one-point margin, 32-31. Hollister made a three point basket with 9 seconds remaining in the game to take the one point lead and Ava’s…
United States Army Specialist Matt Buchanon stopped by Ava Victory Academy on November 21. Spc Buchanon is the son of A.V.A. second grade teacher Ms. Williams He, his wife and four of their children, along with a grandchild, were here for Thanksgiving. He talked with students from first through fourth…
The Ava Victory Academy Crusaders and Lady Crusaders have gained something they’ve never had before – a home-court advantage. The teams have been practicing in the new MOCH Wellness Center and last Friday evening, played their first game of the season there. They met the Trinity Christian Eagles for fierce…
By Whitney Keith In this time of holiday traditions and ceremonies, many local residents have turned their minds and hearts to what they can do for others in the community. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has participated in two charity events this holiday season. The sheriff’s office distributed over 60…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s question we asked: Do you plan on going out for Black Friday? If so, what are some major items you’ll be…
By Whitney Keith Local couple Morris “Morrie” and Carol Wash had a special Thanksgiving tradition with their children and grandchildren. Starting in the 1970s and lasting several years, The Wash family would gather together on that special day for the first football “Bowl” game of the season. “We always said…
The Ava High School science department takes a hands-on approach to connecting students to classroom concepts. Biology students of Mr. Jeff Tabor and Mrs. Jackie Carl took the opportunity of one of our finer fall days to travel to local creeks to take water samples testing for phosphates, nitrates, dissolved…
The Ava R-I Board of Education reviewed several programs and received one resignation at their regular meeting on Nov. 18. In communications, the board received a note from Peggy Taylor, past president of the Missouri School Board Association, thanking Ava for hosting the Region 15 conference. Board Spotlight The Ava…
The Ava Middle School Bears opened their 2010-2011 basketball season at home against the West Plains Zizzers on Tuesday, November 16. The seventh grade Bears were defeated 44-20 by the visiting Zizzers. Ava trailed 10-5 after one quarter of play and trailed 17-13 at halftime. The visiting West Plains squad…
By Brian R. Hook, Missouri Watchdog Although individual income tax collections are increasing in Missouri, the unemployment rate across the state is also on the rise, edging up to 9.4 percent, placing further strain on the state’s budget. The seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 9.4 percent in October, up from 9.3…
Students at Ava Victory Academy recently competed at the ACSI College Preparatory Championships at Southwest Baptist University on Nov. 18-19. Many A.V.A. students placed in their categories and are pictured below.…
A crowd of over 250 veterans, staff, students and their families gathered at Ava Victory Academy on Sunday, November 7, to show their appreciation to veterans for their sacrifices and the sacrifices of their families. The Ava VFW Post 5993 presented a White Table POW/MIA Ceremony and presented awards to…
Ava R-I School Board Members Jeff Davis, Bill Philpott, Randy Spurlock, Pat Henry, Johnny Burkdoll, Regina Porter and Larry Silvey, as well as the Ava Superintendent Dr. Brian Wilson, attended the 2010 Annual Conference sponsored by the Missouri School Boards’ Association in cooperation with the Missouri Association of School Administrators.…
The Ava City Council was presented with two petitions from area residents at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 9. The first petition was from residents of the Rainbow Ridge neighborhood, and asked that the council consider placing some deterrents to fast-moving traffic in that area. The petition was presented…
By Whitney Keith Coyote hunting is a sport that’s misunderstood by many people who weren’t raised in an area or family in which it was popular. Brad Stanifer is an avid coyote hunter, and hunts, at times, several days a week. Stanifer said he doesn’t own any dogs himself, but…
The staff of the Ava High School Echo would like to invite you to check out their November issue that is coming together online. Due to the new format, students are now able to post stories as they write them, so from week to week you will notice new stories…
By Jessie Eubanks The Ava Pride Band had an eventful season, competing in marching competitions in Paragould, Arkansas on October 9, Ozark Mountain Marching Festival in Reeds Spring on October 16, and the Festival of Champions in Warrensburg on October 30. The show this year featured selections from the musical…
The Ava Middle School girls basketball squad has started their season off well. The eighth grade squad has a record of 2-2 after four games, while the seventh grade squad has a record of 3-1 after four games. Eighth Grade The eighth grade squad started their season off with the…
Rebecca Shields and Sarah Copeland of Ava High School will be marching in the Macy’s Great American Marching Band on Thanksgiving Day in New York City. Shields, an AHS junior, and Copeland, an AHS sophomore, will both be a part of the flag core selected to represent Missouri as they…
A local child will make a special trip with her family this weekend courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Anna Hailey, 14, will travel to Florida on Saturday with her mother and two sisters. The family will spend a week visiting all of the amusement parks around Orlando, Fl., including Disney…
Sarah Key, leader of the Missouri PreSchool Project at Ava Schools, received Honorable Mention in the Missouri School Boards’ Association FutureBuilders Early Childhood Education Program of the Year Award. This award is designed to reward public school districts that have implemented programs to advance quality early educational opportunities for children.…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s question we asked: Who in your family has served in the United States Armed Forces? What branch were they in and…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s question we asked: How do you feel about the knowledge that has recently come out about bears in our area? Are…
By Whitney Keith In honor of Veterans Day, we are honoring a Douglas County family who has served our country faithfully for many years. J.W. And Sharon Jenkins have a family that has served in our nation’s military for over 80 years total. The tradition started with Sharon’s father, Sammy…
LAMAR, Mo. – The doorbell rings. Ghosties and ghoulies shout “Trick or treat!” as you open the door. They reach toward you with bags and containers, waiting for the bounty you are about to bestow. Though candy is the typical Halloween fare, you can hand out a healthier ransom. “Some…
By Earl Glynn, Missouri Watchdog Voter registration data shows 471,542 out of 4.1 million Missouri voters, or 11.5 percent, are “inactive” because they have not voted recently and may have invalid mailing addresses. In Douglas County, there are 620 inactive voters. That’s roughly 6 percent of the 10,341 registered voters…
The Skyline R-II Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, Oct. 19 with six members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. In new business, auditor Matthew James came to the meeting and discussed the 2009-2010 audit. A few items that he pointed out in the…
Recycling gives old clothes, shoes, linens and other textiles a second life and reduces the amount of waste going into landfills. “Textiles are 100 percent recyclable,” says Jana Hawley, a University of Missouri faculty member who studies the industry. How to recycle old clothes Textile recycling is as close as…
By Denny Banister Let me see if I understand this. President Franklin Roosevelt signed the Flood Control Act of 1944 into law to renovate the Missouri River. The river renovation project built dams to create huge reservoirs between Montana and South Dakota. The Missouri River is vital to municipal water…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s question we asked: Members of the Ava R-I School District faculty and staff why patrons should attend “The Event.” The Event…
The Ava Community Playground Project was selected as a finalist of the Pepsi Refresh Grant, with the opportunity to win a $250,000 grant. The grant winner is chosen based on the number of votes each project receives. Through a “grassroots” effort, the citizens of Ava are joining hands to provide…
Dr. Hollis Smith opened Sho-Me Feeder Pigs, Inc. in 1970 one mile south of Ava where Lakey’s Hay Barn is currently located.The first sale was held Oct. 20, 1970. The date was important to Smith because his father’s 60th birthday was that same day. “We sold 60 pigs in that…
A Design Celebration is planned for this Friday, November 5 for the Community Playground Project: Ava. A playground designer is coming from Ithaca, New York to spend the day drawing and designing with the Ava Elementary students. Students from surrounding schools have also been invited to participate. The theme of…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s question we asked: Which issue on the Nov. 2 ballot are you most passionate about? Proposition B, because it’s an issue…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. With an idea, a connection and a heartfelt desire to preserve history and honor our veterans, state Rep. Jill Schupp, D-Creve Coeur, is the driving force behind the new Missouri Veterans Video project, set to unveil this Veterans Day at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Cutting…
As thousands of American soldiers face the risk of personal injury and even death, a group of Ava High School students is spearheading a service project to offer something back to those soldiers recovering from tragic injury. In the Brooke Army Medical Center of Fort Sam Houston near San Antonio,…
By Whitney Keith Anyone who has taken a drive through the Mark Twain National Forest land in our area has probably noticed the fire towers sprinkled throughout the land. The Mark Twain National Forest was originally established in 1939. The government began buying land for it in 1933. The Civilian…
The Ava Area Chamber of Commerce will be offering a punch card program to area business this holiday season. People will receive a punch card with designated spaces showcasing a merchant’s place of business. They will then bring that card in to each business to look around, potentially make a…
The Ava City Council heard updates on many grant applications and the water project when they met in regular session on Tuesday, Oct. 26. For the first order of business, Administrative Director Peggy Porter introduced Kelly Beets from MIRMA (Missouri Intergovernmental Risk Management Association). Beets presented a certification to the…
In celebration of the community they serve, the Ava R-1 School District will be hosting an event to promote community and school collaboration this Friday. On Friday, October 29, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Ava Schools will be providing a carnival-like atmosphere of games, food, and activities at the…
By Denny Banister Tuesday, November 2, is Election Day. The 2008 election was held on the first Tuesday in November, and this year’s election is also on the first Tuesday in November, but Election Day is not always on the first Tuesday of November. Elections are actually held on the…
By Whitney Keith Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. No, it’s not a witch’s brew, but something infinitely more delicious. This year marks the 21st for Apple Butter Day at the Ozark Mennonite School between Mansfield and Seymour, just south of U.S. 60. Cauldrons of apple…
The Ava Middle School Bears hosted the Mountain Grove Panthers to wrap up the 2010 football season. The Bears and Panthers battled to a scoreless tie in the seventh grade contest. The Bears took the opening kickoff and moved the ball inside the Mountain Grove 30 yard line but were…
Every fall, high school students from area Christian schools come to the Southwest Baptist University campus to compete in the ACSI College Preparatory Championships. The Association of Christian Schools International strives to enable and equip Christian educators and schools worldwide to effectively educate children and young people with the mind…
The Ava Victory Academy Lady Crusaders hosted a volleyball tournament at the Mansfield Community Center on Friday, Oct. 8. The ladies started the tournament off with a win of 27-25 against Grace Christian Academy of Harrison, Ark. Their next game resulted in a loss of 25-13 against Camdenton Christian and…
On Saturday, Oct. 9, the Ava Victory Academy soccer Crusaders once again faced the Mountain Grove YMCA Soccer team. Once again, the small number of players hurt the Crusaders. Tyler LeClear managed to score two goals but Mountain Grove pulled ahead in the last half to end the game 4…
The fall Ava Victory Academy soccer season come to a close with a game on Oct. 16. The Ava Victory Academy Crusaders suffered from low participation numbers this fall but ended the season on a good note. In previous games the Crusaders played with the number of players that they…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s question we asked: Which sports did you play in high school? Did you enjoy it? I ran track. I enjoyed it…
The Ava R-I Board of Education met in regular session on Oct. 19 with all members present. Ava FFA 75th Anniversary During the communications portion of the meeting, board members Randy Spurlock and Johnny Burkdoll presented some information on the FFA group’s 75th anniversary celebration. Seventy-five years ago, 33 young…
As part of the Missouri School Improvement Program review taking place this year in the Ava R-1 School District, students, school employees, and parents are being asked to participate in an Advanced Questionnaire survey. This survey, in the hands of district parents, will provide feedback, allowing the Ava R-1 School…
Every week, we ask area residents a question. The question may be serious, or it may be light-hearted. We will print the answers we receive here. For this week’s question we asked: What’s your favorite cold-weather comfort food? Anything cheesy or creamy, like creamy soups. – Vanessa Thomas Macaroni and…
First quarter is ending and the Ava R-1 School District is inviting parents and guardians to attend this year’s first district-wide Parent-Teacher conferences. Classes will be dismissed at 12:40 p.m. next Thursday, October 21 to allow teachers time to meet with parents from 12:45 to 8 p.m. Ava Elementary teachers…
The Ava Middle School football squads visited West Plains last Thursday to take on the Zizzers. The West Plains seventh grade team made it a tough night for the Bears as they posted a 40-0 win. The Zizzer squad led 24-0 at halftime. Leading tacklers for Ava were Colton Overcast…
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Volunteer shoppers from county Farm Bureaus statewide took part in the Third Quarter Marketbasket Survey, an informal survey of the price of 16 food items consumers purchase on a regular basis. The result was Missouri shoppers spent $4.08 more for the same 16 food items this…
By Whitney Keith Family Pharmacy opened in the new Roberts Centre in Ava just last month, bringing another option to those looking to fill prescriptions, buy gifts or learn more about their health. The Family Pharmacy chain started in 1977 with the flagship store in Ozark, Mo. The group has…
In celebration of the community they serve, the Ava R-1 School District will be hosting an event to promote community and school collaboration. On Friday, October 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Ava Schools will be providing a carnival-like atmosphere of games, food, and activities at the Ava R-1…
By Charles E. Kruse The Missouri Conservation Commission will soon vote on a plan to release wild elk in the state. Reintroducing wild species is a laudable goal but Missouri has changed since elk roamed here over a century ago. Releasing wild elk in Missouri is a bad idea, wrought…
On Saturday, Oct. 9, Ava Victory Academy held a Chili Supper and Bluegrass/Gospel singing to raise funds for new heating/air conditioning units. The event raised over $1,000. Lost Hills, Harlan Davis and Home Town Express, and Rick Dietz and Heath Roberts performed for the attendees. The event was very well…
This fall, Ava R-1 students received 576 new books from First Book, a national non-profit organization, in partnership with national retailer Target. The books were donated in celebration of the launch of the new Target Read With MeSM initiative, which aims to help more U.S children read proficiently by the…
By Whitney Keith The Ava High School volleyball program has had lows and highs in its 34 years, but dedicated coaching has made the difference for this sport. Organized volleyball started at Ava High School in 1976. Former athletic director Larry Silvey said that past annuals show volleyball teams in…
