Agriculture in Douglas County is supported by both large and small farm enterprises. In an effort to recognize successful farm families in the county, the Douglas County Extension Council recently honored two farm families with the presentation of Century Farms signs by Douglas County Program Director Angie Fletcher. To qualify,…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported this week that an Ava woman was hurt Monday night in a wreck south of Mansfield. The wreck occurred at 10:40 p.m. on Old Highway 5, five miles south of Mansfield in Wright County. The Patrol said a 1998 Ford Contour, driven south by…
A drive along Old Highway 5 north of Ava Tuesday morning revealed the beauty of a winter landscape. This area received a snowfall accumulation of about one inch, and roads in this area were pretty well clear, with only spots of slush and ice. The heavy, wet snow clung to…
As part of severe weather awareness week in Missouri, tornado sirens will sound across the state next Tuesday afternoon, March 5. The drill, which is conducted in cooperation with the National Weather Service, is set to begin at 1:30 Tuesday afternoon. The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) will monitor the…
Robert P. VanCamp, 78, of Isabella, was seriously injured last Saturday afternoon in a motor vehicle crash north of Theodosia. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred at 3:30 p.m., five miles north of Theodosia on Highway 95. VanCamp was airlifted to Cox South Hospital in Springfield…
By Candice Davis, MDC Douglas County Conservation Agent Mark Henry has received the prestigious United Bowhunters of Missouri Agent of the Year Award for 2012. Henry was presented the award at the recent United Missouri Bowhunters banquet held in Jefferson City. Henry’s supervisor, Protection Regional Supervisor Gary Cravens, said Agent Henry…
The Douglas County Commission met in regular session Monday morning, Feb. 25, at the courthouse. After approving court orders for the tax books and requisitions for general supplies and maintenance, the commissioners opened bids for various supplies. Bids submitted for culvert pipes included: Metal Culverts, $17,597.64; Viebrock, $19,023.86; and West…
JEFFERSON CITY — Secretary of State Jason Kander today announced Douglas County Public Library received service and programming funds in the amount of $17,361.68. The funds may be used to meet a variety of local needs such as library collection, equipment, database licenses, technology, capital improvements and other service enhancements.…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol made two arrests during the past week in Douglas County. On Feb. 10, at 4:16 a.m., Jeffrey S. Holmes, 25, of Springfield, was arrested on an outstanding West Plains Police Department warrant for driving while suspended, and was also issued a summons for driving while…
A Mtn. Grove man sustained moderate injuries and was taken to Texas County Memorial Hospital in Houston Tuesday following a wreck south of his hometown. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said John R. Barron, 69, was traveling west on Douglas County Route AD, 10 miles south of Mtn. Grove when…
Two people were sentenced to prison terms in Douglas County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Sentenced by Circuit Judge Craig Carter were Shane W. Barbrow, 35, of Ava, and Kenneth W. Roberts, 58, also of Ava. Barbrow was sentenced to six years in prison for 2nd degree assault. The offense occurred…
A January thunderstorm passed through this region Tuesday afternoon, generating tornado warnings in Taney County and resulting in almost 2½ inches of needed rainfall in the Ava area. Ava/Douglas County EMA Director Billy Long reported 2.34 inches of rain but no storm damage other than a lightning strike east of…
It’s still the traditional blue, white and red colors associated with Cox Health Systems, but the newest ambulance purchased by the Ava Area Ambulance District is labeled a “green” vehicle because of its economy values. The Mercedes-Benz “Sprinter” vehicle is smaller than the ambulance boxes installed on a truck chassis,…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated three motor vehicle crashes in Douglas County within a 30-hour period this week. At least one serious injury was reported. On Monday afternoon, Jan. 14, Tpr. Daniel Johnson was called to a one-vehicle crash on Route U, seven miles northeast of Ava. The report…
The Douglas County Community Foundation recently presented a $1,000 donation to the Ava Area Animal Welfare League, Jr. (AAAWL,Jr.) for their local spay/neuter program. The AAAWL,Jr. is a non-profit organization made up of youth and adult community members who share an interest in the well-being of animals. These funds will…
By Janet Taber Reprinted with permission of the Ozark County Times Because of limited space constraints, the Ozark County Historium in Gainesville does not ordinarily accept gifts of items from donors. However, last fall an exception was made when the family of the late Jack Johnson, who lived for many…
The Douglas County Commission gave final approval to the 2013 budget on Monday of this week. This year’s budget reflects total anticipated expenditures of $3,421,865. Last year’s actual expenditures totaled $3,404,141 from all departments. The Budget Message that summarizes the budget says expenditures from the General Revenue Fund will total…
Elizabeth Bock was sworn in Monday morning as Douglas County Associate Circuit Judge. Judge Bock was installed by 44th Judicial Circuit Judge Craig Carter whose election created the vacancy. Bock, a former assistant attorney general, was appointed associate circuit judge by Gov. Jay Nixon.…
The Missouri Department of Conservation will host a prescribed fire workshop on Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the Ava High School Vo-Ag Building. Brad Mormann, private land conservationist, MDC, will conduct the presentation which begins at 6:15 p.m. and will run until about 9 o’clock. Mormann says this is a great…
The Douglas County Health Department was recently spotlighted by the Center for Emergency Response and Terrorism. Following is the article as it was published in the Planners Update. “When a public health emergency occurs, the very nature of the word ‘emergency’ declares that time is of the essence. In a…
A skunk sent to the State Public Health Laboratory on Dec. 28, by the Douglas County Health Department has tested positive for rabies. The Douglas County Health Department was notified on Dec. 31 of the findings. A follow-up investigation has been conducted by the health department to identify any persons…
Three offenders were sentenced to prison terms by 44th Circuit Judge Craig Carter on Tuesday. According to information released by Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall, Lloyd D. Perryman Jr., 31, of Ava, was sentenced to five years in prison for 2nd-degree robbery. The offense occurred on Nov. 9, 2012, and was…
In his last official duty as 44th Judicial Circuit Judge, John Moody (left) came to the Douglas County Courthouse Wednesday morning to administer the oath of office to Judge Craig Carter. After administering the oath, the retiring Judge Moody commented that his responsibility had just greatly diminished and Judge Carter’s…
The first traffic fatality of 2013 for Troop G and in Douglas County occurred south of Squires early Tuesday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Ray B. Hicks, 32, of Ava,died when the pickup he was driving ran off Douglas County Route N, three miles south of Squires and overturned,…
Gov. Jay Nixon appointed Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth A. Bock as the new associate circuit judge for Douglas County. The position became available upon the election of the Honorable R. Craig Carter as judge of the 44th Judicial Circuit. The governor’s announcement came as Carter was taking the oath of…
During 2012, five felony trials were tried and concluded with convictions. The convictions are as follows: conspiracy to distribute narcotics; child molestation, 7-year sentence to the Department of Corrections; unlawful use of weapon, 4-year sentence to the Department of Corrections; auto tampering, 5-year sentence to the Department of Corrections; and…
On Tuesday, Oct. 2, during Law Day, Judge John Moody sentenced the following people to the Department of Corrections: Roderick Hebert, 44, of Springfield, Ill., was sentenced to 5 years in prison for passing bad checks after Hebert violated his probation based on violation reports from Probation and Parole. The…
Civil War Reenactment Tells the Story of the Battle of Clark’s Mill History tells us that on Nov. 7, 1862, between 1,200 and 1,500 well-armed Confederate combat soldiers moved into our part of south central Missouri. They carried four cannons with them, cannons that shot six-pound cannon balls. Their mission…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase was reelected by a significant margin in the only county race at Tuesday’s general election. Degase, a Republican, received 4,293 votes to 2,107 for challenger, independent candidate W.G. “Bill” Rowe. Not surprisingly, Douglas County voters supported the Republican ticket down the line, although the overall…
The truck shown at left and a barn belonging to Ricky Jones were completely destroyed by fire last Friday night. The property is located on Girdner Road, just outside the Ava city limits. The Ava City Fire Department and Ava Rural Fire Department responded, but the barn was totally involved…
Radio coverage surveys have been done in other counties; now they are moving to Douglas County. Captain Dwayne F. Isringhausen, commanding officer of Troop G, Willow Springs, would like to make the citizens of Troop G aware of a radio coverage survey. Patrol members and retired Patrol personnel are conducting…
Daniel W. Young, 31, of Ava, suffered moderate injuries last Thursday when his pickup was struck in the rear by another car. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the wreck occurred on Highway 125, four miles south of Strafford in Greene County. Young’s 1992 Ford Ranger was waiting to make…
Douglas County Coroner Rick Miller has informed the Herald an inquest on the August 30 shooting death of David Phillips will convene at a later date. Miller said the first inquest was postponed due to scheduling issues. He noted that after appropriate agencies confer on Nov. 16, a new time…
A crowd of about 75 people attended the town hall meeting at the Squires Community Building at noon last Friday to support their post office. Most of them went away discouraged, however, with the feeling that the meeting was only a formality and had no real purpose. Rick Belcher, manager…
Situated in an area southwest of Ava on the Douglas-Ozark county line is the 23 miles of Glade Top Trail. This is the only National Scenic Byway in Missouri. The two lane gravel road that winds along the ridgetops and over the hills was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps…
Mark Twain National Forest’s Noblett Lake is once again open for public use. Mark Twain National Forest Acting Forest Supervisor Teresa Chase has rescinded the Aug. 31, 2011 closure order placed on Noblett Lake after suspected vandals opened the dam spillway and drained the lake. “The public is now welcome…
The annual Glade Top Trail Flaming Fall Revue will be held this weekend, with the highlight of the event being the program on Sunday at the Caney Picnic Area in the Mark Twain National Forest. For more than five decades the Glade Top Trail has been an annual event of…
Susan I. Willhite, 39, of Mtn. Grove suffered moderate injuries in a one-vehicle crash in eastern Douglas County last Saturday morning. Willhite was taken to Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains, by ambulance following the 7:15 wreck that occurred 15 miles west of West Plains on Highway 14 in Douglas County.…
A two-vehicle collision east of Gentryville last Thursday afternoon resulted in only minor injuries to those involved, including two children. Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G, Willow Springs, reported the crash occurred at 3:45 p.m. five miles east of Gentryville on Highway 14. The report said a 2002 Ford Taurus,…
Emergency Responders Perform Successful Rescue Donald Lamb, 25, of Ava, said he did not intentionally drive into the flooded Cowskin Creek last Thursday morning. When he approached the low-water slab on Highway Y west of Ava before daybreak, he had no idea the creek was flooded. Lamb told emergency responders…
An Ava man died in an early morning crash Sunday when the pickup he was driving overturned, partially ejecting the driver. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Coleman W. Miles, 24, was driving a 1990 GMC Sierra on County Road 404, five miles west of Ava when the 1:10 a.m.…
During the Thursday, Sept. 20, meeting of the Douglas County Commissioners, the commissioners opened bids submitted for District Two and the proposed purchase of replacement dump trucks for the area. The three bids received were as follows: 1995 Freightliner Class XL, $20,000, Roger Hinrich; 1984 Kenworth, $17,000, Bob Southards; and…
You have to look real close, but way up there in that maple tree, there are cucumbers! Margaret Herd said she planted cucumbers next to a maple tree in her yard. As the vine grew, it went up the tree and then she realized she had cucumbers hanging from the…
Douglas County Historical Society held its monthly meeting on Sept. 17. Sharon called the meeting to order. Pat gave the August minutes and the treasurer’s report. Both were approved as read. Members discussed Hunsaker Café after a picture was sent and donated in memory of Lyle Price. Also discussed was…
We hear in the news of wildfires impacting citizens in western states, even Texas and Oklahoma, but we probably never think it could happen to us. We hope it never does. But it could, and that is why we should be prepared. The Douglas County Commission, in conjunction with the…
Beginning Oct. 1, the Douglas County Health Department will be sponsoring a donation drive for Newborns in Need, Inc. Southwest Missouri Chapter. The SWMO chapter provides baby essentials such as sleepers, blankets, diapers and wipes to local babies whose families are experiencing a medical or financial crisis. The items provided…
The driver of this pickup was rescued from the floodwaters of Cowskin Creek around 5:30 Thursday morning after the truck was swept off the low-water crossing on Y Highway. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, Ava City Fire Department and Ava Rural Fire Department were involved in the rescue.…
This momma bear and two cubs created considerable excitement when they decided to take refuge in a tree outside of Ava Wednesday night. A large crowd gathered Wednesday evening to see the animals, and surprisingly enough, they stayed around Thursday morning for more onlookers. Before noon Thursday, Momma and one…
An Ava man was airlifted to a Springfield hospital last Wednesday, Sept. 12, with serious injuries following a one-vehicle crash on Route O, 11 miles west of Ava. The Highway Patrol said Thurman R. Black, 44, of Ava, ran his 2002 Ford Ranger pickup off the right side of the…
A dedication ceremony for the Missouri Fox Trotting Highway was held Saturday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. to celebrate the naming of the Missouri Fox Trotting Highway on Route 5. The ceremony was held at the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association headquarters and showgrounds just north of Ava on…
Missouri’s 8th District U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson, of Cape Girardeau, made a stop in Ava Wednesday afternoon and visited with folks at the Show and Celebration of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association. Staff Assistant Heather Peugh, director of Emerson’s West Plains office, said Mrs. Emerson came to…
A 2006 Ford ambulance that has been taken out of service by Cox Health Systems and the Ava Area Ambulance District was donated to the Goodhope Fire Department this week. The Ava Area Ambulance District Board of Directors agreed to give the vehicle to Goodhope which will convert the vehicle…
The Office of Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall has issued the following brief statement concern-ing the shooting death of a 42 year-old Hillsdale, Illinois man, David L. Phillips, by the Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase. “This office has been in touch with both the Douglas County Coroner and the office of…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase is on administrative leave this week as the Missouri State Highway Patrol wraps up its investigation of a fatal shooting last Thursday morning. Although the Herald has spoken with Degase, all information about the incident is being released by the Highway Patrol which is in…
SIKESTON-Southeast Missouri now has 116 improved bridges thanks to the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. “With the opening of the Route 142 bridge over Main Ditch in Butler County on Aug. 15, we concluded the Southeast District’s portion of the statewide Safe & Sound program,”…
Captain Dwayne F. Isringhausen, commanding officer of Troop G, Willow Springs, announces several personnel changes in the Douglas/Ozark counties area. The transfers were effective Aug. 1. Corporal Charley A. Hogue has been promoted to the rank of sergeant and has transferred from Zone 10, Northern Howell/Shannon counties, to the newly-created…
Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated a wreck that resulted in minor injuries early Tuesday morning. Sgt. Charley Hogue reported that the wreck occurred on Highway 14, seven miles east of Ava, at 2:30 a.m. A westbound 1990 Toyota pickup ran off the right side of the roadway and hit a…
The Bryant Creek Bridge on Highway 76 east of Ava was opened to traffic Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 14. This route has been closed to traffic all summer after the old bridge was removed for replacement in June. Although the bridge was opened to traffic late Tuesday, workers and equipment were…
Republican incumbent Douglas County Assessor Alicia Miller-Degase has been declared the winner in her race for reelection. With only a six vote difference in the unofficial tally reported on election night, Aug. 7, challenger Buddy Irby requested a recount of the ballots. The request was authorized by Associate Circuit Judge…
Six people from Ava were taken to a Springfield hospital Saturday, all with minor injuries, following a wreck east of Springfield. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at 4:59 p.m., three miles east of Springfield on Greene County Route D. According to the report, Mandy J. Wilber,…
Firefighters from Ava Rural and the City of Ava fought a grass fire on AF Highway south of Ava Saturday, July 28, that burned from three to five acres. Due to the extremely dry conditions, firefighters said it would appear the fire was completely out, then blazes would erupt once…
Submitted by George Hetherington, president of the Ava Rural Fire Department Board. Only Douglas County residents who live inside the city limits of Ava and in the extreme northwest corner of the county (Southern Webster County Fire Protection District)have tax supported fire protection service. All other county residents depend on…
A dedication ceremony for the Missouri Fox Trotting Highway is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. at the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association in Ava. This dedication ceremony will take place prior to the start of Saturday night’s championship show of the MFTHBA at the 54th annual…
An Ava driver was transported by helicopter to a Springfield hospital Sunday Aug. 5th following a crash north of Gentryville. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported Jarred W. Lambert, 19, was seriously injured when the 2000 Chevrolet pickup he was driving ran off the road and struck two trees and…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a report at 7 o’clock Tuesday morning of a break-in at Mom and Pop’s Liquor Store south of Ava. Upon arrival, officers found the glass had been broken on the front door and there was a significant amount of blood on the glass and…
In response to citizens complaining about a lack of information and “possible cover-up,” the office of Roger Wall, Douglas County Prosecutor and Legal Counsel for the county has issued the following statement: There are two pending lawsuits against the county, and one case against the county that has recently settled.…
Heart of the Hills Thrift Store and Food Pantry regularly give out food, personal care items, clothing and household items to the residents of Douglas County. Last Wednesday morning, July 18, Heart of the Hills was given something in return – a new roof for the sorting building. Because of…
Firefighters from some 28 different departments were dispatched to a major brush fire last Thursday that involved more than 1,200 acres at the Douglas, Christian, Taney county line. After more than a week of triple-digit temperatures, low humidity, and no significant rainfall for an extended period of time, vegetation had…
From the Douglas County Health Dept. A bat sent to the State Public Health Laboratory this spring by the Douglas County Health Department tested positive for rabies. A follow-up investigation was conducted by the health department to identify any persons or animals that may have come in contact with the…
A July 2 wreck on Highway K, at Smackout, sent two Seymour residents to the hospital. The Highway Patrol said the wreck occurred at 4 p.m., just across the county line in Webster County, four miles south of Seymour. The investigating officer, Tpr. Justin Piccinino, said a 1997 GMC Savana,…
We appreciate the donations to the Historical Society in memory of Stephen Norman. Other local artists from Douglas County who have shared their books with us are: Bevy Bice, Inspirational Poems; Hershel A. Pahl, Stroke Survivors Living a Joyful Life After a Stroke; Jack C. Vineyard, The Battle of Clark’s…
A break in the weather came just in time for the opening of the Douglas County Fair this week. After a period of unusual heat and dry weather, the Ava area finally received some rainfall on Sunday and Monday, and with it came slightly cooler temperatures that will make fair…
The 2012 Douglas County Fair will be held next week, July 12-14, with livestock shows every day and grandstand events each evening. The fair will open on Thursday with Family Fun Night from 6 to 10 p.m. Carnival ride wrist bands will be available each night and are offered at…
By Sue Curry Jones Ava R-I School board members adopted final budget figures for the upcoming 2012-13 school term last Thursday. As predicted by Dr. Brian Wilson, superintendent, the 2012-13 financial plan offers little flexibility for upgrades, or wiggle room for changes during the school year. Nonetheless, decisions were quickly…
A one-vehicle crash at Squires Sunday night took the life of an Ava man. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Roger B. Will, 61, of Ava, was pronounced dead at 10:07 p.m. by Douglas County Coroner Rick Miller. Will was driving a 2002 GMC Safari van north on Highway 5…
Following a six-month investigation by Sgt. Keith Jones and Trooper Rob Crewse of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 21-year old Ava man, Leslie W. Heriford, Jr., has been charged with vehicular assault for an incident occurring on June 30, 2011. According to the probable cause statement filed with the…
Route 95 in Douglas and Ozark counties will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews partially overlay the roadway. The section of roadway is located from Route 76 in Douglas County to Route 5 in Ozark County. The work was scheduled to begin yesterday (Wednesday) and will continue…
Motorists traveling east from Ava on Highway 76 toward Skyline should most certainly heed the warning signs because there is no bridge across Bryant Creek. The bridge has been removed and is being replaced through the Safe & Sound Bridge Improvement Program. The work was originally scheduled to take place last…
Anna Moreland Is Wanted Felon On Wednesday, June 6, Casey Stephens, formerly employed by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department as a dispatcher and jailer, pleaded guilty to one count of a 2011 grand jury indictment admitting to conspiracy to steal controlled substances from the Sheriff’s Department for events occurring in…
A nine-day jury trial held in Ava during two weeks in May resulted in a finding in favor of Purina Feeds after dairy farmers alleged that they had received mold and toxins in a dairy ration. The Douglas County jury also returned verdicts in favor of Purina against claims that…
The 33rd annual 3-Year-Old Futurity, Spring Show and Youth Seminar of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association got under way this week and will continue through Saturday night. Saturday will be championship night with the Futurity champions being named, along with other champions in various categories of judging. The…
Highway 76 between Ava and Goodhope is being closed two days this week as contractor crews do maintenance on the bridge over Beaver Creek. This route was closed for several weeks last fall for during construction of this new bridge. The work was scheduled to be done on Wednesday and…
One does not normally expect the danger of wildfire to even be a factor at this time of year. But with the lack of rainfall and unseasonably warm temperatures seen in the month of May, the fire danger is high and the lack of moisture is becoming a serious problem…
Law enforcement officers investigated several traffic mishaps during the past week, but serious injuries were few. One exception was a 28-year-old Ava woman who was hospitalized following a crash in Ozark County last Friday afternoon. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Sarah M. Rose, of Ava, was traveling south on…
The Southern District Court of Appeals has affirmed the first-degree murder convictions of Elvis Volner and Benny Volner. Elvis, of Cabool, and Benny, of Mtn. Grove, were convicted of murdering Dustin Skaggs, of Ava, in 2008. Dustin Skaggs went missing in the early morning hours of February 10, 2008 after…
Work to replace the Route 76 bridge over Bryant Creek in Douglas County is expected to begin Monday, June 11, weather permitting. The bridge is located nine miles east of Ava. As construction is under way, the roadway will remain closed from County Road 76-216 to County Road 76-126. Completion…
Route AH in Douglas County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews partially overlay the roadway. The section of roadway is located from Route W to the end of state maintenance. Weather permitting, work will be performed Tuesday, May 29 through Wednesday, May 30 from 8 a.m. to 4…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department responded to a domestic disturbance Tuesday that resulted in the arrest of an Ava man on numerous charges. Deputy Brad Loveless responded to the call on County Road 246. Upon arrival, he arrested Anthony Dean Maggard, 41, of Ava, and placed him on a 24-hour…
The honeymoon is over. The bloom is off the rose. The gold has lost its shine. As heartbreaking as it feels, I suppose, it was inevitable. No matter how many changes are made, sooner or later just about everything returns to its natural state. Take hot water away from heat…
A 65-year-old Ava woman, Joy L. Stainbrook, died last Thursday morning when the pickup she was driving ran off the road, hit a tree and overturned. The wreck occurred at 10:15 a.m., 12 miles east of Ava on Highway 76 in the Coldsprings area of Douglas County. The Missouri State…
You might say this Douglas County couple has come full circle. Hollis Dain Smith and Dorothy Ann (Duffer) Smith moved back to Ava and began enjoying their retirement in 1992. Dr. Smith retired from his mixed animal veterinary practice and Dorothy Ann from her teaching career that according to him,…
An Ava doctor was arrested last Friday night and charged with domestic assault following an incident at the couple’s home east of Ava. Court records show Martin R. Sevrey, 70, is charged with domestic assault in the first degree and a second count of felonious restraint. Sevrey was arraigned in…
Ned Reynolds to Emcee; Lennon Brothers and Gail to Sing National Anthem Just like the world-famous Kentucky Derby, the Bradleyville Scholarship Walk/Run takes place the first Saturday in May (May 5 this year), as it has for the past sixteen years. Thanks to the generous support of the community, hundreds…
A Squires man has died from injuries suffered in a wreck south of Squires on April 12. Jesse L. (Leroy) Dry, 84, died Sunday in a Springfield hospital. Funeral services were held Wednesday, at Clinkingbeard Funeral Home in Ava. Dry was driving one of three cars involved in the wreck…
Spring City Clean Up Is Also Next Week In an effort to reduce illegal trash dumping, the South Central Solid Waste Management District will hold a special trash clean up for rural Douglas County households on May 4 and 5 at the Douglas County Maintenance Shed off Highway FF just…
Flowers, prime rib dinners, and show tickets are among the many excellent prizes and coupons for participants of the Lions Walk/Run event coming up on May 12. At this point, registration is down from previous years but prizes and coupons are plentiful and there are many very attractive items. This…
Douglas County Republicans will gather this Friday for the county’s first modern-day Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner. The event will be held at the multipurpose room of Ava Victory Academy, located just east of the Highway 5 and 14 intersection in Ava. The social time will begin at 5:30 with the dinner…
Members of the community gathered on the Ava City square Friday afternoon, April 13, to recognize Child Abuse Awareness Day in Missouri. Students from the Ava Elementary School attended the event and planted a Pinwheel Garden north of the gazebo to remember victims of child abuse. Students from Ava Middle…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated a number of accidents during the past week, some of which resulted in serious injuries. A 17-year-old Ava youth and the 21-year-old driver were seriously injured Saturday, April 14, when the pickup in which they were riding ran off Highway JJ, 1½ miles west…
Spring is running riot! Wild weather whipping up winds, hurling rains, threatening to tear everything apart, then relenting, lightening, brightening, heaving sunshine with fierce alacrity. Blossoms chasing blossoms, from shoot to plant to bush to tree, many gaping and snapping with the hide-and-seek sun. Grasses rising, stretching, throwing themselves this…
On April 16, 2012 Cpl. Brad Loveless and Deputy Nathan Long responded to a residence on K Highway for a man allegedly hold his wife hostage. While Deputies and Sheriff Degase were en route, dispatch advised 2 neighbors and 2 more family members, who had went to the residence to…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was called to a dispute between neighbors that resulted in the arrest of one individual. On March 30, Deputy Nathan Long was dispatched to a location on Douglas County Road 525 for a dispute between neighbors. Upon arrival, Deputy Long met Kim A. Vaverka, 53 of…
The congregation of Highway Church of the Nazarene moved outside Easter Sunday morning for a brief groundbreaking ceremony just north of the church where a two-story youth facility will be added. The addition will connect to the existing church gymnasium which can be seen in the photo above. At right…
On April 6, Cpl. Brad Loveless and Deputy Nathan Long of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, arrested Cody B. Bowers and Emily A. Kasinger, both 18 and both of Mtn. Home, Ark., for several drug violations. The arrests came after Cpl. Loveless made a traffic stop on the vehicle for…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrested Lisa D. Cornett, 45, of Ava on March 27, and charged her with one count of felony stealing over $500. The arrest came after the owners of Double Eagle Aggregates became suspicious money was missing from their business and contacted Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said Wednesday that a reward has now been offered for information into the stealing of a pickup and damage done at Crystal Lake Fisheries on March 28. Degase said the reward is offered for the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for the theft of…
Highway 14 in Douglas County will be reduced to one lane as the Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform routine bridge maintenance. The bridge over Brush Creek is located between Route AC and Route 95. MoDOT planned to begin the work Monday, April 2, with the work to continue through April 19.…
Route 14 in Douglas and Howell County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews continue to partially overlay the roadway. The section of roadway is located from Route AP in Howell County to Route 95 in Douglas County. Weather permitting, work will be performed Monday,…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated a wreck Monday morning on Highway 181 in eastern Douglas County. Tpr. Rob Crewse, who investigated the wreck, said Gerald W. Kyle, 65, of Ava, ran his 2000 Chevrolet off the road and struck a ditch. Kyle was airlifted to Cox South Hospital in…
Have you ever wanted to learn Ham Radio and talk locally or all over the world? Well, here is your opportunity! There are three licenses of Ham Radio: Technician, General and Extra; and you no longer have to qualify in Morse Code. Each 3-day class will now be taught in…
A former associate pastor at Life Church, in Ava, was arraigned last Friday for stealing from the church. Christopher M. Gasek, 34, formerly of Ava, now living in the Waynesville area, is charged with forgery, a Class C felony; and Class C felony stealing. According to the complaint filed with…
Riders from all over the country will be descending on the Flying-R-Ranch near Twin Bridges for the filming of their television show “Best of America By Horseback” on April 20–22 and October 18-20. Terry and Pam Carroll owners of the Flying – R-Ranch were approached in early 2012 to allow…
A few more candidates filed for county offices during the past week, beating the filing deadline on Tuesday. The latest to file included Craig Cunningham, candidate for county commissioner in District 1 to oppose incumbent Richard Mitchell. Filing this week for District 2 county commissioner is Archie D. Daily. He…
By Sue Curry Jones The Ava R-1 School Board met on Thursday, March 15, with the main thrust of attention focused on the decision to desist from rehiring certain teachers and staff members due to budget constraints next year. During closed session, a motion to re-hire four teachers and one…
Nathan Jensen, 26, of Seymour, was back in court here last Friday for a preliminary hearing in the murder of Kenny Stout, 17. Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall called nine witnesses during the 3½-hour hearing. At the conclusion, Judge Lynette Veenstra of Wright County, assigned to hear the case, found that…
Sen. Jay Wasson reports that a portion of Missouri Highway 5 between Ava and Mansfield has moved one step closer to being designated “Fox Trotting Highway.” The Senate Transportation Committee approved legislation this week which would, among other things, designate a portion of Highway 5 between Ava and Mansfield as…
How quickly our hills and hollers forget winter. Recently bare limbs are popping with tender new leaves. A carpet of eager grass is filling in the brown spaces between the blooming daffodils and just-coming-on forsythia. Redbuds are swelling. Dogwoods are putting on buds. Sassafras are preparing to explode with yellow…
Charles (C.M.) Letsinger and his wife, Nadine, have put a lifetime of work into their farm northwest of Ava. In fact, they represent the third generation of farmers on this piece of Douglas County land. “My grandfather, Charlie Miller, emigrated from Germany and homesteaded 160 acres around 1880. My dad…
The Missouri Department of Transportation has scheduled several maintenance projects in this area next week. Route FF in Douglas County will be reduced to one lane while MoDOT crews perform edge rut repairs and also replace a pipe under the roadway. This section of road is located from Route 14 at the east edge…
No Storm Damage In Ava Area Ten months ago it was Joplin; this week it’s Branson. In the early morning hours of Wednesday, Feb. 29, a powerful storm system that produced multiple reports of tornadoes came through the Midwest. A tornado produced by this storm system touched down in Branson.…
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A storm recovery resource called “Branson Tornado Info” on Facebook is up and running today. Actually, the page was put in place during January by David Burton, civic communication specialist with University of Missouri Extension. “In January, I created three new pages on Facebook that are modeled…
Seventy-five years ago a group of businessmen assembled and formed the Ava Lions Club. At that time the men were members and the ladies formed the auxiliary. Over the years many things have changed about the organization and the local projects the lions have sponsored. Initially, the lions focused on…
Filing opens next Tuesday for the Aug. 7 primary election. In county elections, voters will be electing two county district commissioners, sheriff, assessor, public administrator, coroner, surveyor, and township committeemen and committeewomen. Voters in Douglas, Ozark and Wright counties will also elect a circuit judge for the 44th Circuit. In…
Votes were unanimous to re-hire the administrative staff at Ava R-1 last Thursday evening during the closed session segment of the board meeting. School principals and administrators gaining approval for the ensuing year are high school principal Teresa Nash, assistant principal David Williams, special education director Connie Lee, elementary principal…
By River Stillwood Shortly after buying the house, I bought a herd of goats. A couple of years after moving to the homestead, I’d sworn off goat ownership. By then, I’d spent two years chasing ten dairy goats out of my garden, feed shed, chicken coop, horse pasture, cabin, outhouse…
The Missouri Deptartment of Transportation announced this week that more maintenance work is scheduled, which will reduce traffic to one lane on selected routes. Route U in Douglas and Wright counties will be reduced to one lane while Missouri Department of Transportation crews continue to perform edge rut repairs. This section of road is located…
The Douglas County Commission met in regular session last Thursday morning at the courthouse. Business items included signing court orders for the tax book and requisitions for the assessor and the janitor, as well as answering several calls pertaining to roads. District 1 Commissioner Richard Mitchell made a list of…
The Snow Day An early February morning and the first heavy snow of the winter is falling, setting a fine mantle upon the land. We got a skiff when Mom was visiting over the Christmas holiday, but was a miserly snow, icy and thin. Nothing like this. This is a…
Samantha Keyes, age 7, daughter of James and Amy Keyes of Ava, and granddaughter of Glenda Jones, owner of P.G.’s Grocery, recently participated in a Toddlers & Tiaras Pageant held in Poplar Bluff, Mo., on Saturday, Feb. 4. Competing in the 7-8 year-old age group, Samantha won the following divisions:…
Although only about 11 percent of the registered voters of Douglas County went to the polls on Tuesday, those who did vote overwhelmingly supported Rick Santorum for the Republican nomination for President. Across the state of Missouri the vote was about the same. In Douglas County Santorum received almost 54…
Following a four-day trial in Houston, Mo., and after three hours of deliberation on both the guilt phase and the punishment phase of the case, a Texas County jury found former Douglas County Deputy James Verow guilty on four of five charges. The charges against Verow, 35, involve the stealing…
A large, but very orderly crowd of folks gathered in the hallway of the Douglas County Courthouse Monday morning in support of the Douglas County University of Missouri Extension. When the door to the Commissioners’ Office was opened, those who could moved inside and stood shoulder to shoulder to hear…
These are good days. Engaging. Challenging. A bit chaotic. I have too much going on, too many interesting projects. Everywhere I turn there is something begging for my attention, something I’m more than willing to give my attention to. As a result, I’m constantly interrupting myself and just about everything…
Where has winter gone? The February photograph on the bank calendar hanging in the kitchen shows a bare pecan grove laden with snow. The caption says the photograph was taken “near Brunswick” Missouri, which is about an hour and a half’s drive northeast of Columbia. It must have been taken…
A couple living in the Drury area in eastern Douglas County recently reported an incident that they feel the public should be aware of. The information was given to the Herald as a letter to the editor, but we are giving it stronger emphasis for the benefit of others who…
Breaking news: On a change of venue from Douglas to Texas County, James Verow, former Douglas County Deputy Sheriff was found guilty on four of five counts this evening. Sentencing will take place tomorrow (Friday Feb. 3rd, 2012) at 9 a.m. in the Texas County Court in Houston, Mo. More…
Fire of an undetermined origin destroyed the old Squires Store building south of Ava last Sunday night, adding to the concern of folks in that area. The Squires community has seen an outbreak of fires in recent weeks, and no one is believing it is coincidence. For that reason, a…
The Douglas County Commission approved a budget on Jan. 12 that calls for total expenditures of $3,546,000 and revenues this year of $3,095.424. A fund balance at the end of 2011 of $622,858, however, gives the county total funds available of $3,718.282, and an anticipated ending balance of $171,500. One…
By Sue Curry Jones A decision to broaden the scope of student drug testing was approved by the Ava R-1 School Board in a 7-0 vote last Thursday evening during the board’s regular monthly session. According to motions presented by board members Pat Henry and Marsha Aborn, the upgraded screening…
The Ava City Fire Department was dispatched early Wednesday morning to a structure fire east of the downtown that resulted in major damage to the frame home. The fire, in the 700 block of NE 2nd Ave., was noticed by a passer-by and the fire department was called just before…
The Douglas/Ozark Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) conducted a full scale exercise last Saturday at the Ava/Douglas County Training Center in Ava, under the direction of Steven Little, CERT trainer. Little was assisted by associate instructors Joe Bricker and Billie Sue Yost. The search and rescue teams conducted searches of an unoccupied, but debris-filled…
By River Stillwood This week, with a pair of bifocals, a plum colored broken toe, a thick set of cumbersome compression garments, enough scars to prove I’ve earned my gains, and a host of developing wrinkles, I turned 51. Fifty-one-years old. Something inside of me must be in revolt because…
An area teenager is recovering at home this week after a harrowing ordeal last Wednesday night. Shady D. Flippo, 19, of Seymour, crashed the 1995 Jeep Cherokee she was driving on Highway 14, west of Ava, and was pinned underneath the vehicle for over an hour. Rescue workers from Ava…
One man was arrested last Saturday and returned to custody on stealing charges, and a second individual is still being sought by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office following an incident last Thursday in the Squires area. On Thursday, Jan. 5, Sheriff Chris Degase and Deputy Nathan Long responded to a…
University of Missouri Douglas County Extension received news Tuesday that they will not be receiving any funding for the 2012 budget year from the Douglas County Commission. According to the Missouri Revised Statutes, the minimum amount of funding the Extension service should receive is $10,000 based on assessed valuation, according…
By River Stillwood At a few days shy of 51, I am amazed to be learning new things about my body. Or, perhaps, relearning them. The other day, for example, I saddled and bridled Sundance and rode him around the farm. It was the first time I’d ridden him since…
Also, Route 5 In Douglas and Ozark counties will be reduced for repairs. WILLOW SPRINGS – Route 14 in Douglas County will be reduced to one lane while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. This section of road is located from Route 5 to County Road 14-535S. Weather permitting, work will…
The death of a 63-year-old woman at Caulfield last week has been ruled a homicide, according to information released this week as the investigation continues. Joy Dishneau’s body was found inside her home on Monday, Jan. 2, and at that time the death was ruled “suspicious.” Dishneau’s Jeep Liberty was…
Schedule Adjusted to Coordinate with Schools, Minimize Impacts SIKESTON – Work to replace the Route 76 bridge over Bryant Creek in Douglas County has been postponed once again, and is now expected to begin in June 2012. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) first had the project scheduled to begin…
April Dawn Quick, 33, of Mtn. Home, Ark., entered a plea of guilty to 2nd degree murder and armed criminal action in Douglas County Circuit Court here Tuesday. Quick’s plea is for the part she played in the murder of Phillip Taylor, of Mansfield, on Sept. 10, 2010, at the…
The driver of the truck shown above escaped serious injury around noon Wednesday when he ran off Highway 76 and hit a utility pole at the Don Cunningham residence north of Ava. The pole snapped, causing both telephone and electric lines to come down across the highway. The driver, whose…
Two Charged in Texas County More charges have been filed in connection with the murder of Kenny Stout, 17. Authorities said James K. Watson, 26, of Mansfield, was charged last Tuesday in Texas County with tampering with a motor vehicle, 1st degree, and tampering with physical evidence in felony prosecution.…
Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall has filed a four-count charge against a rural West Plains man for shooting a hunter in the Mark Twain National Forest last Thursday morning. The shooting took place in southeastern Douglas County in the Twin Bridges area. Sheriff Chris Degase reported that his office…
A 17-year-old youth who grew up in Ava was found brutally murdered last week just west of Ava. Kenny Stout, 17, of Republic, was reported missing on Tuesday, Dec. 13, and family members immediately became concerned because he didn’t answer repeated calls to his cell phone. Late Wednesday, the Douglas…
A Mtn. Grove man died in a Springfield hospital last week after being run over by a trailer on a county road in Douglas County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Virgil J. Woods, 39, died at Cox South Hospital on Dec. 12. The incident occurred at 8:35 a.m. the…
WILLOW SPRINGS – Route 14 in Douglas and Howell counties will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform edge rut repairs. This section of roadway is located from Route 5 in Douglas County to US 63 in Howell County. Weather permitting, the work will take place Tuesday, Dec. 27 through Friday,…
Ava Rural Fire Department and Squires Volunteer Fire Department have each answered fire calls recently that resulted in total losses to structures. On Dec. 7, Ava Rural Fire responded to the Milton Freeman residence on Girdner Road south of Ava. The City of Ava Fire Department also responded in mutual…
By Sue Curry Jones Continuing to keep school board members updated on proposed funding for fiscal year 2013, Superintendent Brian Wilson reported no decisions have been forthcoming on the issue and even though two bills have been filed for legislative consideration, the process still remains in limbo. Wilson explained two…
Ava’s Welfare Animal League was included in the 2011 group of recipients. JEFFERSON CITY –– The Missouri Department of Agriculture now has grants for 2012 available to animal shelters, rescue groups and other non-profit organizations for spay and neuter services. This is the fourth year for the program and applications…
There was little political activity here Tuesday as filing for the April elections got under way. In the City of Ava, East Ward Alderman Ric Engelhardt filed for re-election and David Norman filed for alderman of the West Ward. County Clerk Karry Davis reported that James Stafford has filed for…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase announced to media Thursday afternoon that the body of Kenny Stout, 17, of Ava was found early that morning in a wooded area near the Ava Country Club. The Ava teen had been missing since Tuesday, and was reported missing by the Sheriff’s Department late…
Nominations are being accepted for the January 2012 election to the Douglas County University of Missouri Extension Council, says Council Chairman John Unger. The University of Missouri Extension Council of Douglas County is the local link between county residents and the University of Missouri. Council members assist in planning and…
An Ava man and his father died Monday morning in a tragic collision in Seymour, involving their dump truck and a Burlington Northern train. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Chad A. Lee, 34, of Ava, was driving the 1990 International dump truck that drove into the path of the…
Douglas County Conservation Agent Mark Henry said there is no true pattern in analyzing the 2011 Missouri firearms deer harvest. There was not a pattern shown this year in deer harvest numbers locally, he said. However, two local counties were in the top three statewide. Douglas County ended the season…
On Friday, Nov. 4, a Douglas County Grand Jury indicted former Douglas County Sheriff’s Deputy James Verow for the second time, but on new charges. The two-count indictment includes one charge of harboring a fugitive, named as co-defendant Anna Moreland, and one charge of tampering with a witness in a…
WILLOW SPRINGS – Route B in Douglas County will be reduced to one lane as Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform driveway approach repairs. This section of roadway is located from Route 5 to the Douglas County line. Weather permitting; work will take place Monday, Nov. 28 through Friday, Dec. 2 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.…
An Ava man, Lee A. Tyra, 20, took quite a ride but suffered only minor injuries in a one-vehicle crash Sunday morning north of Ava. The wreck occurred on Douglas County Route B, seven miles northwest of Ava. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Tyra was southbound on Route B…
This month’s profile is of E-76-EE Volunteer Fire Department. Located in the northeast section of Douglas County, E-76-EE VFD covers approximately 85 square miles of territory. Skyline VFD, Twin Bridges VFD, Eastern Douglas County Fire-Rescue, and Cabool VFD share boundaries with E-76-EE VFD. Formed in the late eighties, the department…
The newly-constructed and much wider Beaver Creek Bridge on Highway 76 west of Ava opened to traffic last Friday afternoon. The route between Ava and Goodhope had been closed since mid-August as contractors replaced the antiquated bridge. MoDOT officials at the Southeast District Office in Sikeston said there is still…
Bountiful Blessings By River Stillwood It’s quiet in the house. Fog blankets the hillsides and soft gray light fills the room. Misty rain patters against the windows. The dogs sleep, one’s paws scratching dreamily on the hardwood floor. From the kitchen swirls the warm smell of fresh coffee trickling into…
By Sue Curry Jones Last Thursday Ava R-1 School Board members met to conduct the monthly business session of the board. During the evening, board members approved several school program reviews and evaluations, and adopted budget modifications for fiscal year 2013. School financial obligations and student programs that were reviewed…
WILLOW SPRINGS–Route YY in north central Douglas County will be reduced to one lane while Missouri Department of Transportation crews perform approach work this week. This section of road is located from Route C to the end of state maintenance. Weather permitting, work will take place Wednesday, Nov. 30 through Friday, Dec. 2 from 7 a.m. to 3:30…
Traffic was moving across the Beaver Creek Bridge on Highway 76 west of Ava Friday afternoon for the first time since mid-August. The old bridge was removed and replaced with a new structure.…
A 13-year-old Skyline R-2 School student died in a one-vehicle crash on Highway 14 east of Ava early Sunday morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Dane M. Solomon was a passenger in a pickup driven by his grandfather, Billy J. Solomon, 67, of Mtn. Grove. The 1996 Ford was…
By River Stillwood It’s been a great week. The weather has continued its gentle waltz toward winter, taking two steps toward warmth, one step toward cold, twirling and swirling in wind as it slowly edges down the thermometer. This may be my first true fall-feeling autumn in the Ozarks. All…
A Vanzant man who wrecked the car he was driving on the night of Nov. 1 left the scene with a 5-year-old child in the car. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Matthew A. Allman, 30, was southbound on Highway 95, four miles north of Vanzant, when he lost control…
If Douglas County residents didn’t receive their monthly payments from the Social Security Administration, 11.8 percent of total personal income in the county would be lost, a total of $38,811,234 in 2009. Douglas County is more dependent on Social Security payments than is the rest of the country. Nationally, 5.5…
Missouri’s Youth Deer Season was held over the weekend of Nov. 5 and 6. This season gave kids ages 6 through 15 a two-day season to hunt before the regular firearms deer season. Statewide there were 16,390 deer harvested by youth this year. This is up 3,135 deer from the…
On Nov. 2, Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase distributed 85 coats to the local schools in Douglas County. Some of the money for the coats was raised during a softball tournament the sheriff hosts every year and the remainder was from donations. Sheriff Degase said the number of coats distributed…
On Saturday night, Oct. 22, just before midnight, Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase was assisting Taney and Christian counties with a pursuit that was expected to enter Douglas County. While maintaining surveillance at around 11:30 p.m., Degase observed a pickup turn off from Lemming Road on the county line between…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated two motor vehicle crashes on Highway K northwest of Ava last week, including a fatal wreck in Webster County. An Ava man, Samuel J. Hill, 28, suffered moderate injuries in a wreck early Friday morning, Oct. 28. The Highway Patrol’s Troop D reported Hill…
The Douglas County Historical Society met Monday, Oct. 17, at the Douglas County Museum. President Pat Carmichael called the meeting to order. Sharon read the treasurer’s report and the minutes of the September meeting and they were approved. Marilyn gave a report on the 1937 DVD of Ava and Pat…
A 4-year-old child who fell from a moving vehicle was airlifted to Cox South Hospital in Springfield Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 18. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Heath E. Kirklin, 4, was a passenger in a 1990 Chevrolet pickup driven by Heath E. Kirklin, 28, of Ava. It was…
(Continued from last week) (As the audit report continues this week we begin with the State Auditor’s statements concerning the operation of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.) 8. Prosecuting Attorney Controls and Procedures Weaknesses exist in accounting controls and procedures in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office. The Prosecuting Attorney’s office collected approximately…
This week’s menu includes Monday, October 31—Witch’s boiling cauldron of beef, goblin ears of biscuit, sliced heart of beets, mysterious ghostly dessert rounds. Tuesday, November 1—Chicken, baked potato, peas, cake. Wednesday, November 2—Chicken fried steak, potatoes, gravy, green beans, jell-o with fruit. Thursday, November 3—Chili, peanut butter sandwich, salad, ice…
4th Sunday Singing was held at Happy Home Church, October 23 from 2-4 p.m. The welcome was given by Emcee, Sybil Gheer; Marshall Yates opened with prayer; song books were distributed/collected by Freeman Porter. There were 27 present and 30 songs were shared. The next 4th Sunday Singing will be…
Missouri Association of General Baptists will hold their 5th Sunday meeting at Mt. Tabor, beginning Friday night at 7 p.m. The theme will be “What Does Jesus Do For Us”. Brother Van Menzies will speak Friday night, 7 p.m., his topic, “Jesus Forgives Our Sins”, Brother David Dodson Saturday at…
Wednesday, the 19th of October was the date of the long anticipated Fall Trail Ride organized by Bud Hutchison that begins and ends in Champion. This annual event has been going on for many years. Bud was joined by sixteen other riders on the trail this year: Bill Collins, Gary…
Informational meeting on funding will be held Oct. 27 at the Ava Performing Arts Center By Sue Curry Jones Budget reductions and modifications for fiscal year 2013 were the central focus of the Ava R-1 School board session last Thursday evening. A basic overview of the school’s economic conundrum was…
Contractors are now saying the new bridge across Beaver Creek west of Ava on Highway 76 will not be completed before mid-November. Marissa Robey, community relations specialist for MoDOT’s Southeast District, Sikeston, told the Herald Wednesday that 10 of the 15 bridge beams were set last Friday, Oct. 14, and…
On Monday, Oct. 17, a Texas County Circuit Judge found Dan Andrews “not guilty by reason of insanity” in a double homicide. The case originated in Douglas County but had been transferred to Texas County on a change of venue requested by the legal team of the defendant. The case…
The Annual Public Membership/Business Meeting of Squires Volunteer Fire Department was called to order by the president of the board, Jerry A. Moyer, on Sept. 22. Sybil Gheer opened with prayer and Jerry Moyer led the members in the Pledge of Allegiance. Jerry expressed his appreciation to everyone who participated…
Thirty-three years ago Larry Peak began working for a brand new sheltered workshop that had been started by concerned citizens in Douglas County. The new workshop was named DoCo, Inc. Very few people know that the intention of that name was to tell everyone that this was a place where…
The annual Glade Top Trail Flaming Fall Revue will be held this Sunday, Oct. 16, beginning with an outdoor church service on the mountain at 10:30 a.m. Live musical entertainment, craft activities for the kids, and exhibits, demonstrations and contests will be held throughout the afternoon. A noon meal of…
By John Stanton While this month’s article was going to be another fire department profile, with the extremely dry conditions, the major fires that have been burning in Texas, and the fall burn season approaching, I thought that an article on wildland fires might be a bit more appropriate. Wildland…
On Saturday Oct. 1, Ava FFA hosted a benefit horse show with all the profits going to the Joplin FFA Chapter. In July, the chapter decided they wanted to do something to help, and since horse shows are big in this area, we elected to host a horse show. We…
Douglas County Associate Commissioner Danny Dry (left) and Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke signed a proclamation at the courthouse last Thursday morning in recognition of October being designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Associate Commissioner Richard Mitchell was not available on Thursday. Standing in back in support of the proclamation are representatives…
Douglas County Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke has announced that Billy Long, of Ava, is the new Emergency Management director for Douglas County. Long succeeds Bill Philpott who recently resigned the position. Philpott had served as EMA director since the first of the year.…
A two-vehicle crash west of Ava last Friday afternoon sent an Oldfield man to the hospital with moderate injuries. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported the wreck occurred at 4:45 p.m., 10 miles west of Ava on Highway 76. The Patrol said a 1995 Chevrolet driven by Peggy M. Newman,…
By River Stillwood What a gift, these glorious autumn days. Each one mild and opalescent, strung together like pearls stretching from late September deep into October. I would package them up if I could. Wrap them in velvet and store them in an old tin behind the scarves in my…
On Tuesday, Oct. 4, during the October Law Day, Judge John Moody sentenced individuals to the Department of Corrections. Daniel N. Isaac, 24, of Ava, was sentenced to two years in prison for 2nd degree domestic assault for offenses that occurred July 4, 2011. Doyle W. Shelton Jr., 37, of…
Douglas County Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke confirmed Wednesday that EMA Director Bill Philpott has submitted his resignation. Philpott was appointed EMA director for Ava and Douglas County at the first of the year when Pueppke assumed the office of presiding commissioner. Pueppke said Wednesday that Philpott gave his two-weeks notice…
(This story was published in the Douglas County Herald in April, 1949) A new and beautiful brick church at Mt. Tabor, just west of Ava, stands as a monument to the mother of Earnest Neiman and is the fulfillment of a lifelong desire to “do something big for the church.”…
The 10th annual Pioneer Descendants Gathering will be held this weekend at the Dale and Betty Thomas farm east of Ava. Beginning Saturday morning and running through Sunday afternoon, the Gathering can be found on County Road 341 off Highway 14, about 18 miles east of Ava. Church service will…
Beginning Oct. 1, the Douglas County Health Department will be sponsoring a donation drive for Newborns In Need Inc. Southwest Missouri Chapter. The SWMO chapter provides baby essentials such as sleepers, blankets, diapers and wipes to local babies whose families are experiencing a medical or financial crisis. The items provided…
An 85-year-old woman well known to many in the Ava area, died in a one-vehicle crash north of Mtn. Grove last Saturday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Laura J. Findley was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by Wright County Coroner Ben Hurtt following the 2:22 p.m.…
The annual free Flu Shot Clinic will be held at the Douglas County Health Department on Wednesday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon by appointment. Eligible clients include all Douglas County residents who are over 18 years of age and who are not pregnant. You are asked to…
The Douglas County Council met and planned future events. The meeting began by reading the Club Collect followed by reading the 23rd Psalm for a devotion. The morning was spent discussing the D.O.W. Achievement Day Event. Douglas County will bring a salad or vegetable for lunch. The ladies will meet…
Mark Twain once said, “The report of my death was an exaggeration”, and apparently the same can be said for the Twin Bridges Fire Department of eastern Douglas County. Charles Roland, fire chief, said the department is still in operation and is answering calls. It was first rumored a month…
Police were looking Tuesday for the driver of a pickup that struck an elderly man south of Mansfield earlier that morning. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Mack Richards, 89, of Mansfield, was seriously injured and was taken to St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, by Ambulance. Richards was walking on Old…
By Sue Curry Jones Ava R-1 School Board members received a detailed follow-up report on lightning damage that occurred at the school campus during a recent storm. Repair and replacement costs cited at the meeting last Thursday evening were presented as $55,798; however, this amount was not a final figure…
Two certified Hunter Education classes are scheduled in Douglas County this month. The first class will be held this Friday and Saturday, Sept. 16 and 17, at the Ava Middle School cafeteria. Class time will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 and 8 a.m. to 3…
The bridge over Bryant Creek on Route 76 east of Ava is scheduled to be closed Sept. 19, so the bridge can be replaced, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. The new bridge on Route 76 is scheduled to open to traffic by Nov. 12. The bridge project in Douglas…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, with assistance and cooperation from several other adjoining counties, has broken a major theft ring and recovered items stolen up to six years ago. Sheriff Chris Degase reports that five people have been arrested at this time, and the investigation is ongoing with more charges…
An Ava woman was seriously injured in a one-vehicle crash in western Douglas County last Friday afternoon. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Heather F. Tidwell, 24, ran her 2001 Dodge off the roadway and overturned. The crash occurred at 3 p.m. on County Road 447 west of Plainview School.…
State Auditor Tom Schweich recently completed an audit of Douglas County, and on Tuesday released the report online. The report earned an overall rating of “poor” from the state. The cover letter that fronts the report states: “The scope of our audit included, but was not necessarily limited to, the…
Douglas County Recorder of Deeds Tina Boyd urges county residents to be wary of mail offers to provide copies of legal documents. The Recorders’ Association of Missouri (RAM) notified Recorders about a private company’s offer to obtain copies of property deeds that charge homeowners an excessive fee. The Fulton Missouri…
Highway 14 at Fox Creek was reopened to traffic Monday morning after being closed all summer for bridge replacement. The bridge was closed on June 6 and was scheduled for completion on July 29. However, unforeseen delays prolonged the work and the highway was not reopened until Monday, Aug. 15.…
In 1984 new fire departments were established in both eastern Douglas and eastern Ozark counties. Formed at virtually the same time were Dora Volunteer Fire Department in Ozark County and Eastern Douglas County Volunteer Fire Department in Douglas County. Both departments are alive and well today and share a common…
There will be two Hunter Education classes offered in Douglas County this fall. The first class will be held on Sept. 16 and 17 at the Ava Middle School cafeteria. Class time will be from 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on…
The First of Its Kind In Missouri SIKESTON-Work to replace the Route 76 bridge over Beaver Creek in Douglas County will begin Monday, Aug. 15, weather permitting. This will be the first bridge in Missouri replaced using hybrid composite beams. The beams are made of fiberglass and foam-materials that are…
Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) foresters are delivering matching funds grant checks through August to rural fire departments. One hundred eighty fire departments across Missouri will receive checks of up to $3,000 to help with the purchase of personal protective gear and firefighting equipment that will aid in the fight…
Amy Herring, 30, of Mtn. Home, Ark., was sentenced last week to 15 years in the Department of Corrections as a Class X offender for murder in the 2nd degree, and 10 years for robbery in the 1st degree. Class X offenders must serve 85 percent of their actual prison…
Residents of the Ava community received an e-mail letter recently that was made to appear to be from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The recipient, who wishes to remain anonymous, immediately contacted the FBI with information about the letter. Fraudulent attempts such as this are not uncommon. However, individuals who…
A home in northeastern Douglas County was destroyed by fire last Saturday afternoon, despite efforts of fire department personnel who battled the blaze in scorching heat. It was reported that no one was home at the Staci Fleetwood residence on County Road 246, and the fire was discovered by a…
A Douglas County teen died in a one-vehicle crash Sunday night on Route C, 13 miles south of Norwood in Douglas County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Levi J. Keller, 17, of Drury, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck by Douglas County Coroner Rick Miller. The…
Several smaller post offices in this area are among the nearly 3,700 nationwide that could be closed by the U.S. Postal Service in a cost-reduction effort. The Postal Service announced Tuesday that it will look at closing some of the smaller offices, branches and stations. Some 167 Missouri post offices…
The Douglas County Historical Society held its monthly meeting on July 18 in the museum. President Pat Carmichael called the meeting to order. Sharon read the treasurer’s report and the minutes of the June meeting which were approved. Pat reported on the new calendar she is working on for 2012…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) said today that the financial situation facing the U.S. Postal Service should force many changes in the way the semi-public entity does business, but should not include service reductions that hurt rural communities. “Clearly the Postal Service needs to fix its business…
The Cowskin Creek Bridge on Highway 14 west of Ava will open Friday afternoon or Saturday morning this week, the Herald was told Wednesday afternoon. Workers were paving the approaches to the new bridge Wednesday. There are still some guardrails to be installed and shoulder work to be completed, and…
Seven fire departments responded to a structure fire at the David Stout residence on Highway 76 in eastern Douglas County around noon Monday. The home, located just west of Highway 181 in Douglas County, was gutted by the fire but the main structure was saved due to efforts of firemen from E-76-EE, Mtn. Grove,…
As work progresses on two Highway 14 bridges in Douglas County, MoDOT officials believe they are on target to complete the bridges within the next couple of weeks. The Route 14 bridge over Cowskin Creek west of Ava is scheduled for completion by Aug. 3. Angela Eden, MoDOT customer relations…
The Douglas County Commission signed a contract with Hartman & Company, of Springfield, to begin construction on the Vera Cruz Bridge on Aug. 1. The contract was signed last Thursday during the commissioners’ regular session at the courthouse. Under terms of the contract, the project will cost $408,655 and the…
The bridge over Beaver Creek on Route 76 in Bradleyville is scheduled to be closed for replacement on Aug. 1 and will be closed for two months. With that in mind, the Missouri Department of Transportation has scheduled a public meeting with information about the project and how traffic will…
By John Stanton The first in our series profiling Douglas County Volunteer Fire Departments, Twin Bridges VFD is the eastern-most department in the County. Established in 1984, Twin Bridges VFD’s Protection Area encompasses a bit over 60 square miles. Area boundaries are: to the south the Douglas-Ozark County line, to…
Douglas County has been chosen to receive $5,989 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county for phase 29. The selection was made by a national board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross;…
Firemen from Squires Volunteer Fire Department, assisted by personnel from Ava Rural Fire Department, had to contend with 100-degree heat as they battled a fire at the Dave Young home Tuesday afternoon near Squires. The house was a total loss, as seen in the photo above, and is under investigation…
It has been over two months since the tornado ripped through Joplin, wreaking havoc and leaving a horrific path of destruction. While what happened in Joplin was a living nightmare, it stands as an example of what people do for others in emergency situations. The number of volunteers that turned…
Captain Dwayne F. Isringhausen, commanding officer of Troop G, said a DWI saturation was conducted in Douglas and Ozark counties on Friday, July 8. A total of 16 arrests and 31 warnings were issued in conjunction with the operation. The designated highways for this saturation were U.S. Highway 160, Missouri…
Ten people died in traffic crashes during the 2011 July Fourth holiday counting period. The counting period began at 6 p.m., Friday, July 1, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 4. One of the fatalities occurred Saturday in Ozark County, near Theodosia. Another of the fatal crashes occurred Sunday…
The following list of livestock show results from the Douglas County Fair was submitted to the Herald by Ava High School agriculture teacher and FFA sponsor Tiffany Kauffman. Beef Show Senior Showmanship-ages 14 and over: 1st Place: James Elijah of Ava. 2nd Place-Emma Wilkerson of Norwood. 3rd place-Justine Nelson of…
By Sue Curry Jones Last Thursday Douglas County Commissioners unsealed the bids submitted for the upcoming project at Vera Cruz and construction of a new overpass at the Bryant Creek low water slab. Bids were received from Pace Construction Co. for $421,232, and Hartman & Co., Inc., for $408,665. Both…
The Reggie Spurlock home east of Squires was destroyed by fire last Saturday afternoon. Fire departments from Squires, Goodhope, Ava Rural and City of Ava responded to the blaze, but the house was totally engulfed when the first units arrived around 6 p.m. Firemen concentrated on saving a nearby garage…
Martin J. Zimmer, 76, of Ava, was airlifted to a Springfield hospital last Saturday morning following a two-vehicle crash in western Douglas County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Zimmer was traveling east on Route NN, nine miles west of Ava, when he slowed in the roadway and was…
A 30-year-old Springfield man was hospitalized with serious injuries Sunday in a one-vehicle crash south of Ava. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Jeremy M. Heckenlively was traveling north on Highway 5 when he fell asleep and ran his 2005 Chevrolet off the left side of the roadway. The car…
The Douglas County maintenance buildings are no longer accepting waste tires at the Ava or Squires locations. County Commissioner Richard Mitchell said funding for old tire collection and recycling has been cut, so the county can no longer accept waste tires. …
Pavement sealing projects are scheduled for several state routes in the Ava area of Douglas County beginning Wednesday, June 22, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. Drivers can expect road closings on some roads and traffic stops of up to 30 minutes on other roads where crews are doing the…
Denim Gals Queen Contest Tonight; Demolition Derby Will Be Saturday Night The 2011 Douglas County Fair opens tonight (Thursday) and will run through Saturday night with entertainment and special events each night. Opening the fair at 6 o’clock today will be the Denim Gals Pageant and Stick Horse contest. Young…
Paul and Cathy Welton of Douglas County were awarded with a 2010 Missouri Century Farm award last Wednesday, June 15, at the University of Missouri Extension office in Ava. The Welton farm is located in the Hebron area, north of Twin Bridges, in eastern Douglas County. The Welton’s join more…
SPRINGFIELD – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Ava, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court Monday for transporting a minor across state lines for illicit sex. Shane Jay Fleetwood, 42, of Ava, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr…
Ozark Action, Inc. has completed their 11th successful Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program. A total of 430 customers were assisted with filing their 2010 income taxes free of charge. This is an increase from 2009, in which 372 were served; and almost a 400 percent increase from 1999 when…
Drivers on Route 76 between Douglas County Route T at Goodhope west of Ava and Route 160 at Kissee Mills can expect one-lane traffic for several weeks starting Thursday, June 23, for a resurfacing project, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. The 27-mile long stretch of Route 76 will get…
No sooner had last week’s issue of the Herald rolled off the press until MoDOT came out with a new announcement that the Cowskin Bridge project had been delayed. Highway 14 west of Ava did not close on Monday, June 13, as previously announced, but is now scheduled to close…
Local “hams” will join with thousands of Amateur Radio operators on Saturday and Sunday, June 25-26, to showcase their emergency capabilities. The two-day event is open to the public, and free. In the past year, the news has been full of reports of ham radio operators providing communications during unexpected…
Things are a-buzzin’ north of Ava this week as the Three-Year-Old Futurity, Spring Show and Youth Seminar are officially under way. The 32nd annual show began on Tuesday with the National Youth Seminar, and the exhibition of classes began Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock in the versatility arena. An added…
The bridge over Cowskin Creek on Route 14 west of Ava is scheduled to close Monday, June 20, so the bridge can be replaced, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced this week. Once closed, the road will remain closed through the remainder of June and through most of July. The…
Edward J. Hamill, state executive director, Farm Service Agency, announced effective June 1, 37 counties in Missouri including Crawford, Dent, Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Phelps, Reynolds, Shannon and Texas, will have FSA disaster loans available due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding which occurred April 19, and continuing. Applications for…
By Sue Curry Jones In the Friday, June 3 issue of USA Today, in the Life Section of the newspaper, an article entitled Great American Outdoors, 51 great scenic drives, highlighted the Glade Top Trail as the scenic drive in Missouri. The article pinpointed one special location from each state…
The fourth Saturday in May marks the opening of squirrel season in Missouri. Hunters may pursue gray and fox squirrels from May 28 through Feb. 15, 2012, with rifles, shotguns or archery equipment. The aggregate bag limit is 10 squirrels and the possession limit is 20. The fourth Saturday in…
Replacement of the bridge over Fox Creek on Route 14 west of Gentryville is now scheduled to begin next Monday, June 6, according to the latest information released by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Work on that bridge was originally scheduled to have begun on May 24. With the start…
Bob Josephson, FEMA Region VII External Affairs Officer, has asked that the following information be made available to victims of the Joplin tornado on May 22. Although we are miles from the disaster area, the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has asked that we disseminate important…
Douglas County Commissioners were recently notified that the reconstruction work for the Vera Cruz bridge east of Ava has finally been approved and notice to proceed will be issued July 14. This notice concludes a three-year wait on the project. Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke noted that the project finally came…
Former Douglas County Deputy James Verow was back in court last Friday as defense attorney Karen Bates-Crouch and Prosecutor Roger Wall debated motions filed before visiting judge Charles D. Curless, of Lamar, who replaced Circuit Judge John Moody who recused himself. Verow, 35, is charged with numerous counts related to…
Officials from the Missouri Department of Transportation were in Ava last Thursday afternoon to explain the department’s plan to close offices. About a dozen people attended the meeting at the Ava Community Center, including some former MoDOT employees of the community. Matt Seiler, assistant district engineer in District 8, Springfield,…
Paramedic Steve Little and EMT Robert Hamilton, both personnel with Cox Ambulance-Ava, were dispatched to Joplin Sunday evening immediately following the deadly tornado that destroyed a third of the town. Little said Wednesday morning that he has responded to lots of mass casualty incidents in his career, but never has…
What started out as a routine traffic stop has resulted in two arrests on drug charges, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. On May 15, Deputy Brad Loveless and Sheriff Chris Degase arrested Joseph Merriett, 35, and Jeffery Schmidt, 48, both of Ava. Deputy Loveless initiated a traffic stop…
Edward J. Hammill, state executive director, Farm Service Agency, announced effective May 9, 19 counties in Missouri (including Douglas and Oregon counties) and the independent City of St. Louis, in Missouri, will have FSA disaster loans available due to severe storms, tornadoes and flooding which occurred April 19, and continuing.…
The National Wild Turkey Federation, Booger County Gobblers Chapter, in conjunction with Missouri Department of Conservation and Quail Forever hosted a youth bird hunt on Saturday, March 26. The morning greeted the group with heavy rains and cold weather. However, after a morning of coffee, discussions on taxidermy, several short…
The Ava Area Animal Welfare League Junior members took a tour of the Animal Clinic of Ava veterinarian services and facility on Tuesday, May 10. The Animal Clinic of Ava is the veterinarian office for Dr. Peters, and the tour wrapped up our monthly meetings for this year. The group…
The Douglas County Public Library has several programs lined up for summer 2011. Thursday, May 12, at 7 p.m., Robert Liebert, program on the folklore and uses of Ozark herbs. Thursday, June 9, at 10 a.m., David Tower from Castlewood Shows and Entertainment with a magic show. Thursday, June 23,…
The Douglas County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) met Monday, May 2, for organizational purposes. EMA Director Bill Philpott conducted the meeting, which included the election of a panel of officers. Philpott was elected chairman of the LEPC with assistant EMA director Richard Sturgeon elected vice chair. Presiding Commissioner Larry…
Edwin Hailey, of Ava, is taking an active role in the rededication of a Civil War cemetery west of Seymour this Saturday. Hailey’s great-great-grandfather, Jonathan Bralley is buried at the appropriately-named Bralley Cemetery on Findley Falls Road, about four miles west of Seymour. Hailey said the cemetery that was once…
When Larry Dills bought his hunting permit, he had no idea that his personal information would be used by the Missouri Department of Conservation as part of a mailing list sold to the Appalachian Wildlife Foundation (AWF) for $50,000. Dills, a farmer, from Rogersville, spoke at the Ozarks Property Rights…
A landslide near Spring Creek, south of Mark Twain National Forest’s Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District’s Noblett Lake Day Use area, is currently blocking traffic. According to Missouri Department of Transportation, barricades have been placed on both sides of the more than 50-foot-wide landslide area on State Highway AP to stop…
The professionals of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association will be coming together for their annual education weekend this Friday and Saturday at Fox Trot University. MFTHBA will present clinics for judges and DQPs as well as riders of all levels and disciplines including performance beginner, intermediate/advanced, model, showmanship,…
Ava Kiwanis Club and Ava High School named Citizens of the Month for March and April at last Thursday’s Kiwanis Club meeting. Citizens of the month for March, when the theme was Moral Courage, were Brandon Guengerich and Lacey Tucker. Citizens of the Month for April, when the theme was…
From the Douglas County Public Library For those of you interested in genealogical research, you will be happy to note we now have a new reference book called “Family Maps of Douglas County, Missouri; With Homesteads, Roads, Waterways, Towns, Cemeteries, Railroads, and More,” by Gregory A. Boyd. With this book…
On April 20, Ava FFA, with partnership from the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, hosted its April blood drive. A total of 94 donors were registered and 75 units of blood were collected. Donating blood were Connie Allsup, Robert Allsup, Jerry Arnold, Garrett Baird, Cody Bellman-Hart, Mason Biaggi, Kelsey…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call Tuesday morning that two men had washed off a low-water slab on County Road 108 in the Prairie Hollow area north of Ava. Emergency personnel responded to the area and executed a successful rescue operation. The two men were identified as James…
County assessment forms are due in the office of the county assessor by March 1, and May 1 is the final deadline for returning assessment forms. Douglas County Assessor Alicia Miller-Degase said property owners who do not return their assessment form by May 1 are subject to penalty. This penalty…
The Ava Area Animal Welfare League Junior met on April 19. Members in attendance were: Karen Davis, Mary Chipps, Ali Hall, Paul McKee, Marilyn Alms, Pat Patton, and Barbara Andrus. Members adopted our official missions statement to read as: The mission of AAAWLJ is to promote pet health and the…
Ozark Action, Inc., a community action agency, serving Douglas, Howell, Oregon, Ozark, Texas and Wright Counties, is conducting an on line survey to determine programming needs for the counties they serve. Please log on to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/communitysurvey-family and complete the survey questions. Your answers are anonymous. The survey takes about 3…
An 18-year-old Sparta driver was taken to Cox South Hospital in Springfield with moderate injuries Saturday after she wrecked her car west of Ava on Highway 14. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Johnnie D. Teague was traveling west on Highway 14 when the 2000 Chevrolet she was driving…
The South Central Solid Waste Management District will hold a free collection for various types of “hazardous” materials here on Saturday, May 7. Items and materials that will be accepted at the collection site at the County Shed on Highway FF just east of Ava will include latex and oil…
The local Ava Area Animal Welfare League has been awarded a $2,500 grant by the Missouri Department of Agriculture to fund a spay and neutering program. Provided through the “I’m Pet Friendly” program, the project will be funded by a special Missouri license plate that can be purchased by Missouri…
Destructive fires have been reported in Douglas County during the past week, and some of them are suspicious in nature. Phil Rhoades said a cabin he was building himself east of Ava in the Brushyknob area burned recently. Because there was no electricity in the building, Rhoades believes the fire…
The Douglas County Commission had announced the appointment of a Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC), as directed by the state. Members of the LEPC, who will meet on Monday, May 2, include the following: Larry Pueppke, presiding commissioner; Billy Long, West Ward alderman, City of Ava; Bill Philpott, EMA director;…
The new bridge on Route B north of Mt. Zion has been completed and the road was scheduled to reopen between 4 and 5 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Just as that route was reopening, Highway 76 east of Vanzant was closed on Monday, April 11, for bridge replacement at Red Bank…
By Randy Dudley Since we moved to Ava five years ago, our family has always talked about putting out a garden. It seemed like every year something would come up and it just never seemed to get done. Then a couple of years ago we met up with Len Pense…
Last week the Herald had a brief story about Linda (Harnden) Meeker being selected as an everyday Ozark hero by the American Red Cross. The following account tells about Linda’s experience as it appeared in the December issue of CoxHealth Connection newsletter. On a Monday afternoon in early November, Linda…
Patrons of the Vanzant Community held a meeting at the community building on Friday, March 25 to reorganize the board and elect new officers. Officers appointed were Bobby Dean Emery, president; Robert Upshaw, vice president; Debbie Stone, secretary; Debbie Shannon, treasurer, and additional members include, Brenda Massey, Teresa Wrinkles and…
AVA, Missouri –– Friends of Sound Horses (FOSH) has named a Missouri Fox Trotter its Horse of the Year for the third time. The Kansas Kowboy D, owned by John Brandreth of Brandreth Farms, www.brandrethfarms.com, is the 2010 FOSH Horse of the Year, earning more than 1000 FOSH show points.…
By John Stanton Eastern Douglas County VFD In Missouri, there are three types of fire departments, Paid, Taxing Districts, and Association. Paid departments may be full-time career service or combination, meaning they have a cadre of paid career service fire fighters and the remainder of the department is volunteer. Taxing…
The Douglas County Commission met Monday morning with chiefs of the various fire departments of Douglas County. At that meeting, Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke introduced Bill Philpott as EMA director for Douglas County. The 9 a.m. meeting was held at the Emergency Management training center located in the former White…
The bridge over Red Bank Creek on Route 76 east of Vanzant is scheduled to close on Monday, April 4, and a new bridge built, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. The new Route 76 bridge over Red Bank Creek will be built and open to traffic by May 10,…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that the County Clerk’s Office in the courthouse will be open this Saturday morning, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, for voters who need to cast an absentee ballot. The annual municipal and school elections will be held next Tuesday, April 5.…
Ava Area Animal Welfare League, Juniors held a meeting Tuesday, March 15. Members in attendance were Ali Hall, Karen Davis, Joan Small, Rachel Ely, Linda Ely, Mary Chipps, Lynda Clouse, Lane Clouse, Nanda Bradshaw and Larry Bradshaw. The meeting focused on several items concerning fund raising activities. Several members worked…
The Ozarks Property Rights Congress applauds the decision by the West Plains Council on the Arts and Ozarks Preservation Inc. to stop their pursuit of the proposed National Heritage Area designation for the 13-county area in southern Missouri. We thank them for listening to the landowners and citizens in general.…
The Ava-Douglas County Emergency Management office is sponsoring a weather spotter class on March 29, at the Ava Lions Club in Ava. The class will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will be presented by the National Weather Service of Springfield. Everyone is welcome to attend, whether this will be a…
Conservation agent Mark Henry announced this week that a Hunter Education class will be offered here on Saturday April 2, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The class will be held at the Ava Middle School cafeteria. It is mandatory to attend the whole day. There is no pre-registration necessary. …
The 2011 election winners for terms on the MU Douglas County Extension Council will be sworn into office during Extension’s Annual Meeting on March 10, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the basement meeting room located in the Douglas County Courthouse. Persons elected to the Extension council…
PADUCAH, Ky. – An Ava area quilter has been selected as a semi-finalist for the 2011 AQS Quilt Show & Contest, April 27-30, at the Paducah Expo Center in Paducah, Ky. Marla Yeager has been chosen to display the quilt, Antares, along with 389 others in the annual contest, now…
More than 320 people, including several of the area’s county commissioners and a state representative, turned out for the public meeting hosted by the Ozarks Property Rights Congress in Mountain View on March 3. The meeting was to inform the public about the proposed establishment of a 13-county area to be known…
A vehicle stopped in traffic waiting to make a left turn was rear-ended on Highway 5 north of Ava last Friday night. Neither driver was seriously injured, but a passenger in one car was taken to the hospital by Cox Ambulance-Ava, with moderate injuries. Trooper Ronny Mast of the Missouri…
The bridge over Spring Branch on Route 76 west of Bradleyville is scheduled to be closed Monday, March 14, and a new bridge built, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. The new Route 76 bridge over Spring Branch will be built and open to traffic by April 27. The bridge…
A public information meeting concerning designation of a 13 county area in southern Missouri as a National Heritage Area will be held tonight (Thursday) in Mtn. View. Ozarks Property Rights Congress, host of the meeting, has invited West Plains Council on the Arts and Ozarks Preservation Inc. spokespersons Kathleen Morrissey,…
WEST PLAINS, Mo. – The National Wild Turkey Federation has announced that Douglas County Conservation Agent Mark Henry was selected as the 2010 National Wild Turkey Federation Wildlife Officer of the year for the state of Missouri. “It’s a pleasure to see Mark receive this award,” said Larry Neal, the…
Douglas County Commissioners met last Thursday for a regular meeting, transacting business as usual; however, no decisions were made. Commissioners did meet with Heather Peugh, director of the West Plains District Office for Rep. Jo Ann Emerson; and Gene Oakley who is the deputy director for the MOBroadbandNow program in…
Douglas County Beaglers and Tri-County Beaglers of Mountain Grove will host the Missouri State Championship for Kids in Mansfield Saturday, May 28. The youth beagle hunt event takes place on the grounds of Top of the Ozarks Shooters Facility in Mansfield, Mo. The event which is sanctioned by the United…
Three people were taken to the hospital Sunday afternoon following a two-vehicle crash south of Ava on Highway 5. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that a northbound 2003 Ford Escort driven by Joshua A. Somers, 33, of Springfield, crossed the centerline and struck a southbound vehicle in the side,…
The Community Foundation of the Ozarks, in partnership with Commerce Trust, awarded a $3,000 Coover Regional Grant to the Newborns in Need, Inc., Southwest Missouri Chapter, to provide parents with baby items not covered by food stamps or the WIC program. The grant was one of 12 awarded across southern…
A major sponsor has terminated relationships with a National Heritage Area designation effort for this area while counties begin refusing inclusion in the National Park Service project. Also, a public information meeting is planed for March 3 in Mountain View to further explore the issue. Joined by county commissioners from…
A representative of U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) will be in Ava today (Thursday) to meet with constituents. Emerson’s Congressional Connection tour will make several stops in the area this week. A representative from Cong. Emerson’s office will be in Ava, at the Douglas County Courthouse, from 10:30 to…
Douglas County Assessor Alicia Miller-Degase reminds property owners this week that 2011 assessment lists are due in her office prior to March 1. Assessment forms were mailed out several weeks ago and Missouri law requires that the forms be returned to the assessor’s office by March 1. Those who do…
By Sue Curry Jones Douglas County Commissioners met last Thursday and finalized their decision to “opt out” of the Ozarks Highlands National Heritage Area. The vote of the commission was unanimous –– opting out was the best choice for Douglas County land owners. The National Heritage Area (NHA) program is…
JEFFERSON CITY – State Auditor Tom Schweich announced on Friday, Feb. 18, that his office has begun an audit of Douglas County. Pursuant to state law, the State Auditor is responsible for auditing counties that do not elect a county auditor. Persons who would like to provide information during the…
The board of directors of the Ava Area Ambulance District will meet at 6:30 this evening. The meeting, which was originally scheduled two weeks ago and was postponed due to weather, will be held at the district’s ambulance station on NW 9th Street.…
The Douglas County Commission last week put the final pen to the 2011 operating budget of the county. The approved budget calls for expenditures of $3,593,000, just slightly more than the actual expenditures of $3,443,000 in 2010. County officials were aware that cuts would need to be made in several…
Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke announced last week that he will appoint Bill Philpott as director of the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). The appointment comes after retiring Presiding Commissioner Butch Linder, on his last day in office (Dec. 31), removed appointments he had made, including that of Ron Tost…
Voters will have plenty of choices to make in April, when they go to the polls for the City of Ava and school board elections. Filing closed Tuesday afternoon with five candidates seeking the office of Ava mayor, and races for alderman in both the East and West wards of…
Sarah A. Cable, 30, of Ava, was taken to Cox South Hospital, Springfield, by Cox Ambulance Monday morning following a one-vehicle crash on Douglas County Route K northwest of Ava. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said the crash occurred at 7:30 a.m. near County Road 516. According to the Patrol…
Eight legends to the sport of auto racing will be inducted into the Ozarks Area Racers Reunion “Hall of Fame”, Saturday, Jan. 22, at the west E*Plex of the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds in Springfield. Bill Frye, Douglas County native and Midwest dirt track racer, is one of the eight notables…
The Ava Area Animal Welfare League Junior met Tuesday, Jan. 18. The meeting date was changed due to school being closed for bad weather Jan. 11. The group meets monthly in Mrs. Karen Davis’ classroom at the Ava R-1 School campus. Members in attendance were Barbara Andrus, Karen Davis, Paul…
Presiding Commissioner Larry Pueppke Thursday announced the tentative appointment of Bill Philpott of Ava as the new director of the Douglas County Emergency Management Agency (EMA). Philpott who lives in Ava has a background in law enforcement, and recently served the community as a member of the Ava R-1 School…
A Mansfield man is recovering at a Springfield hospital after suffering serious injuries in a collision with a tree last Friday. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that William A. Farris, 53, was traveling west on Highway 76 northeast of Ava when he ran his 1997 Dodge Ram off the…
Missouri Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Robert Wayne Pharris, 48, of Seymour, Mo., died Jan. 5, of wounds suffered at Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. Pharris served as an agriculture specialist with Agri-Business Development Team IV. “Sgt. 1st Class Pharris was…
(Editor’s note: The following article about Sgt. Robert Pharris, of Seymour, was written in November by the U.S. Army. While we regret the story is being told as we also announce his death, we feel it is appropriate to honor him with this account of the work he did in…
Sheriff Chris Degase personally conducted tours of the county jail for three Ava High School health classes during the school day on Monday, Dec. 13. Sheriff Degase informed the students about the bond issue, prisoner facilities, career options in law enforcement and the duties and dangers of our county law…
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 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…
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.…
Local promoters of the Ava Community Playground Project say the project is continuing to climb in the voting, and local residents are being asked to vote daily in the promotional opportunity. The local project is said to be a finalist in the bid for a Pepsi Refresh Grant which offers…
Two Texas women have been winning bidders in the Skyline Mascot Monkey of the Month silent auctions. July’s monkey winner is Becky Heston. She has bid several times through the Champion@getgoin.net mailbox but this is her first win. Ms. Heston is a native Texan whose ancestors founded the town of…
Two town hall meetings have been held in Ava. Now folks in the Squires area will have an opportunity to visit with the architects, the county commissioners and Sheriff Chris Degase regarding the new jail and justice center proposed for Douglas County. The town hall meeting will be held next…
Bradleyville School will be hosting a Veterans’ celebration at 1 p.m. on Nov. 11. Each and every person who has served or is presently serving in the military is encouraged to attend this program. You are also invited to bring any family members or friends who would like to come.…
The Ava VFW and Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a ham and bean, cornbread and dessert dinner on Saturday, Oct. 23, to help the Will McFarlin family purchase a wheel chair accessible van. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Ava VFW Post on…
Gone are the days when cars lined up bumper to bumper to make their way down the dusty, U.S. Forest Service road for guided tours to the Glade Top Trail. One rarely sees a tour bus on the trail nowadays, like there were in the 1960s, and the Ava Saddle…
By Keith Moore The Missouri Department of Conservation doesn’t really know how many black bears there are in Missouri – but if the current study that is under way is successful, they’re about to find out. “We’ve said we had a population of 300 to 500 for 10 to 15…
Offices in the Douglas County Courthouse will be closed next Monday, Oct. 11, in observance of Columbus Day. While most businesses will be open as usual, because Columbus Day is a federal holiday, there will be no rural mail delivery on Monday. Those correspondents who send their items to the…
Douglas, Ozark and Wright counties are among the 13 area counties being considered for inclusion in a proposed National Heritage Area designation by a West Plains group, according to Russell Wood, of the Ozarks Property Rights Congress. Members of the Ozarks Property Rights Congress were made aware of a government funded feasibility…
There will be a Hunter Education class offered on Saturday, Oct. 9, from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Williams Shootin’ Iron Service near Vanzant on Douglas County road 142. Students will only need to bring a sack lunch for the class. Books and pencils will be provided. Students need…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said this week that he will be holding an open house at the jail this Saturday afternoon for those who wish to step inside the lock-up. This is in response to requests that have been made at the town hall meetings where the sales tax…
Two law enforcement officers were involved in unrelated traffic accidents last weekend in Douglas County. On Saturday morning, Nathan Long, 26, of Vanzant, a deputy with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, was involved in a minor incident involving a pedestrian on the Ava square. The mishap was originally investigated by…
Crystal Lake Fisheries celebrated their 60th anniversary this month, and was honored to host the United States Trout Farmers Association in Branson on Sept. 10. The local trout fishery had hosted the association 10 years ago in honor of their 50th anniversary. The association had a conference that included a…
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. Citizens can vote by texting “103398” to the number 73774. Or they may …
A very informative and well-organized town hall meeting was held at the Douglas County Courthouse last Thursday night to discuss the proposed new Douglas County Justice Center and Jail. This was the second such meeting to be held in Ava; now a similar meeting has been scheduled at Squires for…
Luke Sorensen recently received the Southern California Blades/ Knife Collectors Club Scholarship to attend the Bill Moran School of Bladesmithing in Historic Washington, Ark., through Texarkana College. Luke received over 80 hours of intense training in the art of knife making from master bladesmiths Jim Crowell and Tim Potier, his…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that Wednesday, Oct. 6, is the last day an individual may register to vote and still be eligible to cast a ballot on Nov. 2. Whether you are registering for the first time, changing your current residential address, or changing the name…
A 45-year-old Dora man, Chester E. Smith, was seriously injured Tuesday night when he crashed the Honda ATV he was riding on a county road some 25 miles east of Ava in the Blanche community. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Smith was eastbound on CR 350 at CR 349…
This week we had twenty people weigh in with a total weight-loss of sixteen and 3/4 lbs. Five people stayed the same weight. Evelyn E. was high-loser. Vince received a charm for being a K.O.P.S. for two years, and Audrey received a charm for being a K.O.P.S. for nine years.…
Healthcare Center Hello from our home to your home. A new month has and is already here. Churches that are on the schedule for October are: First Southern Baptist on the 10th, Ava United Methodist church on the 17th, Ava Assembly of God on the 24th and Ava General Baptist…
In association with the 60th anniversary of the Ava Drug Co., the Ava Art Club sponsored a drawing to raise funds for sending students from Ava Middle School and Skyline School to the Springfield Art Museum. The two prizes consisted of an art piece, “The Seven Days of Creation,” by…
Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase said this week that the two murder suspects in a Douglas County homicide have waived extradition and will be returned here for arraignment, possibly as early as Wednesday of this week. Degase said April Dawn Quick, 32, and Aimee Lynne Herring, 29, both of Mtn.…
A town hall meeting to discuss Douglas County’s proposed new justice center and jail will be held tonight at the courthouse, and Sheriff Chris Degase said he would especially like to see a number of local contractors in attendance. The meeting will be held in the circuit court room on…
Several Ava Saddle Club members were winners at the world show – the Show and Celebration – of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association here the first full week of September. Some of the winners were as follows: Open Amateur Versatility Reserve World Champion and National Versatility Circuit Amateur…
The Douglas County Historical society held its monthly meeting on Sept. 20. President Pat Carmichael called the meeting to order. Sharon read the treasurer’s report and the minutes of the August meeting which were approved. Pat gave a report on how many visitors the museum is having on Tuesday and…
The Cowboy Reenactors have been added to the slate of attractions at the Pioneer Descendants Gathering at the Dale and Betty Thomas farm east of Ava on Oct. 2 and 3. The reenactors belong to a group called Single Action Shooting Society, or SASS. SASS is an international organization created…
Local country musician Jason Plummer performs live, onstage, this Thursday evening at the concert for PBR’s PFI Western Invitational Presented by Bass Pro Shops. At the concert, Jason will debut brand new songs from his soon-to-be-released second cd, “Cowboy Way.” The concert is free and open to the public. Folks…
The 95th birthday of Martha Ellen Eyman was celebrated Saturday, Aug. 28, with family and friends at the First Freewill Baptist Church in Springfield, Mo. Those helping Ellen celebrate this special occasion were: Marvin and Paula Eyman, Stephen Eyman and Susan Tingstrom, Russ, Kay and Micah Eyman, Ron Eyman and…
The reunion was held Saturday, September 4, 2010 at the First Southern Baptist Church, 732 N.W. 3rd Ave., Ava, MO. There were about ninety in attendance. Many were local, but quite a number traveled many miles to be in attendance. There was lots of visiting, remembering the “old times”, sharing…
The Douglas County Commissioners and Sheriff Chris Degase have scheduled a second town hall meeting for Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. in the large courtroom at the county courthouse, to review and discuss plans for a new county justice center and jail. The courtroom is located on the second…
Officers from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol Division of Drug and Crime Control are currently investigating a homicide which occurred Friday, Sept. 10, 2010, in Douglas County. The identity of the victim is not being released at this time pending notification of next of…
ST. LOUIS –– U.S. Cellular recently completed construction of a new cell site in Drury to improve call quality for its customers. The new 350-foot site will increase U.S. Cellular’s coverage in Drury and south of Mountain Grove along Highway 95. The new site complements U.S. Cellular’s statewide network of…
Janie Dunning, Missouri State Director for USDA Rural Development, was among those in Ava Wednesday to official acknowledge a major renovation project at Redbud Village, a low-income senior citizens housing complex operated by the Douglas County Senior Citizens Housing Association. A certificate of appreciation was presented to Donna Alcorn, Ava…
The Dean Downs family of Ava was among the 106 families honored during the Missouri State Fair’s Farm Family Day, Aug. 16. The Downs operate a 200-acre beef operation in Douglas County. The Downs were selected as the Douglas County Missouri State Fair Farm Family by the Douglas County Extension…
The September issue of Southern Living magazine highlights Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch in Ava. In the article, the 700-acre ranch is noted for being located in the home of the Missouri Fox Trotter, “the Cadillac of trail horses.” Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch, owned by Sonny and Cecil Huff,…
The 52nd annual Show and Celebration of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association began last Saturday morning and will wrap up this coming Saturday, with a total of 178 classes to exhibit this year. Rain is in the forecast this week, but that’s nothing new for the Fox Trotters.…
The Douglas County Community Foundation recently donated $5,000 to the Heart of the Hills Food Pantry. The funds will be used to buy food for the pantry. Pictured are (left) Janice Lorrain, Douglas County Community Foundation, and Jana Hesterlee of Heart of the Hills.…
The September issue of Southern Living magazine highlights Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch in Ava. In the article, the 700-acre ranch is noted for being located in the home of the Missouri Fox Trotter, “the Cadillac of trail horses.” Bucks and Spurs Guest Ranch, owned by Sonny and Cecil Huff,…
A 16-year-old Ava teen was hurt last Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 25, in a one-car crash east of Ava on Highway 14. And a 15-year-old Ava girl was injured in an ATV crash near Rockbridge, in Ozark County, on Sunday, Aug. 29. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Shalyen N.…
On August 15, 2010, on the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the monks of Assumption Abbey held a celebration for friends and benefactors heralding the Abbey’s 60th anniversary. These friends included Bishop John Liebrecht from Springfield. Bishop Liebrecht offered the Mass of Thanksgiving for a “standing…
Race car fans have Indianapolis and Daytona. Harley riders go to Sturgis. Golf fanatics descend on Augusta. For fanciers of the Missouri fox trotter, there is no place like Ava, Missouri. The anticipation builds as the sun begins its descent toward the horizon and campers abandon lawn chairs to prepare…
The Douglas County Democratic Central Committee reorganizational meeting was held on Aug. 17 at the Little/Tost training center to elect new officers and to fill township committee member positions. Teresa Tost opened the meeting and welcomed those in attendance. Following introductions, election positions for chair, vice chair, secretary and treasurer…
The Douglas County Commissioners and Sheriff Chris Degase have scheduled a Town Hall Meeting for tonight (Thursday) at 6:30 p.m. in the Ava Community Center, to review and discuss plans for a new County Justice Center and Jail. Notice of the meeting was only made public on Tuesday of this…
On Aug. 18, the Ava FFA Chapter hosted a blood drive sponsored by the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks at the Community Center. All the blood collected by the CBCO stays locals and supports 38 hospitals in Southern Missouri, northwest Arkansas and southeast Kansas. All blood and blood products…
The regular 4th Sunday Singing was held at Breedon Church August 22 from 2-4:00 pm. The welcome was given by Emcee, Sybil Gheer; songbooks provided by Freeman Porter. There were 61 present and 40 songs were shared. Sybil Gheer conducted the business meeting and the next 4th Sunday Singing will…
Missouri Assn. of General Baptists will hold their 5th Sunday meeting, Friday and Saturday evenings, Aug. 27-28, beginning each evening at 7 p.m. at Mt. Tabor General Baptist Church, approx. 6 miles west on Highway 76. Friday night speaker will be Brother Charles McFarland, pastor of Oak Grove GB Church,…
Boyd Wins by 17 Votes Tina Boyd was declared the winner of the Republican nomination for Douglas County Recorder following a recount of ballots Monday. County Clerk Karry Davis said challenger Kathy Bray actually dropped one vote in the recount process, with the final tally having incumbent Boyd with 1,777…
The Skyline R-II Board of Education met in regular session on Thursday, Aug. 12 with all members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. In old business, the board approved a modified Career Ladder plan for the 2010-2011 school year since the state will not be supporting that…
Marilee Richards was the lucky winner of the quilt at the Skyline VFD Picnic this year. Esther Wrinkles made the queen size quilt; a pattern called Stripes and Scraps, and sold the winning ticket as well. Ms. Wrinkles said that she had stepped into the First Savings and Loan to…
Ava Drug and the Ava Art Guild are collaborating on a contest called “The Way We Were.” This is part of the month-long celebration of Ava Drug’s 60 years of business. David Norman owner of the Ava Drug Store has gathered pictures of citizens from Ava’s history and they are…
The Douglas County Historical Society held its monthly meeting on Aug. 16. President Pat Carmichael called the meeting to order. Sharon read the treasurer’s report and the minutes of the July meeting and they were approved. The new brochure for the museum was discussed and what changes need to be…
An Ava woman died Tuesday night following a motor vehicle accident on Route K, four miles south of Seymour in Webster County. Voyledean Bradshaw, 76, was apparently trapped inside her car for several hours before she was found, and later died at the scene of the wreck from medical conditions…
The 3rd annual TriCounty Youth Horse Show will take place this weekend on Saturday, Aug. 14, beginning at 4 p.m. at the MFTHBA arena, one mile north of Ava on Highway 5. Spectators are encouraged to attend, admission is free. According to organizers, interest in this annual event continues to…
Democratic Party Committees in Missouri must re-organize every two years. County committees are made up of a man and women from each township or ward in the county. The reorganization meeting date for the county committees is Aug. 17, 2010 in the county seat of the various counties in a…
The Ozarks Genealogical Society will hold its 30th annual conference, “Researching with a Southern Accent” on Sept. 10-11 at the Clarion Hotel in Springfield. J. Mark Lowe, CG, FUGA, nationally known genealogical researcher and educator will be the featured speaker. His lectures will focus on southern research in the areas…
By Whitney Keith Local public defenders and circuit judges met with Peter Sterling, general counsel for the public defender system, on July 30 to discuss the caseload of public defenders. Circuit Court Judge John Moody, Associate Circuit Judges Craig Carter and John Jacobs, and local public defenders Linda McKinney and…
Kathy Bray who lost the race for Douglas County Recorder by 16 votes last week has requested a recount. County Clerk Karry Davis was out of her office on Wednesday and will be returning today (Thursday), according to Deputy Clerk Valerie Willis. Davis will contact the Secretary of State’s office…
“Interesting” might be the proper term to use in describing Tuesday’s primary election in Douglas County. In most county races, Tuesday’s ballot was an elective ballot. The presiding commissioner is the only county office to be decided in November. That in itself has an interesting twist, because challenger Larry Pueppke…
Ava Drug Co. will celebrate 60 years of serving Douglas County with four Saturdays of free activities for the community. Among the August events: a community health fair, a Lennon Brothers concert, and a car show. “We lasted 60 years in Ava because of the patronage of the people in…
Elvis Volner, 23, was sentenced here Monday to life without parole for his part in the 2008 murder of Dustin Skaggs. Following a three-day trial here in June, Volner, formerly of Cabool, was convicted of murder in the first degree, robbery in the first degree, and armed criminal action. He…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated two traffic crashes in the county during the past week, both of which resulted in only minor injuries. Both wrecks were investigated by Tpr. Ryan Vaughan. At 2:35 p.m. Friday, July 30, Jody M. Estabrook, 37, of Vanzant, was traveling east on Highway 76,…
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has passed a law that requires all contractors, artisans, landlords or construction workers to attend a one-day educational program to certify anyone who does maintenance or repairs on any structure built prior to 1978. The list includes but is not limited to general contractors, sub-contractors,…
Sherry Lynch was puzzled when she heard her name being called from the stage at the Vanzant Picnic. She was over by the concession stand enjoying some pizza and could not imagine why she might be called to the stage. She had not purchased tickets for the quilt drawing or…
The annual business meeting of the Ava Rural Fire Department will be held this Friday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. at the Mt. Zion Station. Results of the election of two board members will be announced during the business meeting, which will be followed by a pork roast. If you…
A large class of over 18 dogs and owners of all types, ages and sizes are just concluding courses in dog kindergarten and dog obedience. The class is sponsored by Douglas County 4-H club and held in cooperation with the Ava Parks Department. The class has endured record heat, thunderstorms,…
The next meeting of the Ozarks Writers Group is Saturday, Aug. 7 at 1:00 o’clock at the Annex to the Star Theater on Main Street in Willow Springs. The meetings are casual with no joining fees. Anyone, any age, interested in writing of any kind may join us. If you…
At the Aug. 3 Law Day in Douglas County, a number of individuals were sentenced to prison terms, according to information provided by Prosecuting Attorney Chris Wade. Phillip Bea, 18, Ava, pleaded guilty to rape and forcible sodomy. He received 12 years on each count, with the sentences to run…
By Mark Henry, Conservation Agent The “Dog Days” of summer are upon us and most outdoors people find themselves enjoying the beautiful streams the Ozarks has to offer. The streams are cool and clear and provide a good time and a cool place for the entire family to enjoy outside.…
Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis said this week that her office will be open this Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for absentee voting. Anyone who will be unable to go to their regular polling place on Tuesday, Aug. 3, to cast a ballot in the primary election…
The Douglas County Democratic Central Committee met Tuesday, July 20, to select an individual to be recommended for the office of coroner. The committee was charged with the task of making a recommendation to the Governor’s Office of a candidate to fulfill the vacancy, created by the resignation of Coroner…
AUGUST 02 WIC (by appointment): 8:15 -11 a.m. and 1-3:45 p.m. 03 Office Closed: 8-10 a.m. 04 WIC (by appointment): 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-5 p.m. 05 Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Screening: Redbud 8-9 a.m.; Blood Pressure & Blood Sugar Screening: Community Center 9:30-10:30 a.m. 06 WIC (by appointment): 8:15-11:30…
On Monday July 28, inmates from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office were taken to the fairgrounds to clean up after the fair. Sheriff Chris Degase brought in additional personnel to guard the inmates as they were picking up trash. Degase said it took the inmates approximately 2 hours to pick…
By Sue Curry Jones The American military is made up of ordinary men and women who choose to serve the United States in extraordinary ways. Our military personnel perform jobs that require dedication and a brave heart, and many engage in extraordinary feats of courage crucial to the safety of…
Ava Drug Store and Ava Art Guild had a very successful youth poster contest. There were a total of 18 entries with ages ranging from 13 years old to 5 years old. The grand prize winner was Zoey Crandall with her graphic art design. Two other youngsters whose entries were…
JEFFERSON CITY – Shoppers looking for a bargain on clothes, computers and school supplies can look forward to savings on these items in less than three weeks as part of Missouri’s annual “Back-to-School” Sales Tax Holiday. By state law, the sales tax holi¬day begins on the first Friday in August…
Have you every thought about becoming an EMT? If so, the Ava/Douglas County EMA Office will be holding the next EMT class starting Sept. 9. The cost of the class is $750, which includes: book, shirt, insurance, ID badge, one practical test, and one NREMT test. The office has just…
The 2010 Douglas County Fair opens today (Thursday), and entertainment will kick off tonight with the traditional Fair Queen contest. Once again this year the Denim Gals contest will consist of three divisions, Petite Princess, Princess and Fair Queen. Preceding the queen contest will be the toddlers Stick Horse class…
Douglas County has been chosen to receive $8,189 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county for phase 28. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency and consists of representatives from American Red Cross;…
Three people have been arrested and are now in custody for burglary-related incidents in at least three area counties. Curtis Lee Barton, 25, Squires, his brother, Christopher T. Barton, 34, Squires, and Michael W. Woodell, 20, of Caulfield, have been charged in connection with five burglaries in Douglas County and…
A Douglas County inmate died last Thursday afternoon in a multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 63 between Cabool and Houston. Stephen L. Thompson, 61, of Dora, was pronounced dead at the scene of the wreck at 2:22 p.m. by Texas County Coroner Tom Whittaker. Thompson was in the back seat of…
Back in 1998, when former Herald editor Bob Bowles passed away, we announced that “The Snoop” was being laid to rest. For those under the age of 50 or have moved to the area within the past four decades, The Snoop was an editorial column for which Bowles was known.…
The Jacob Yeates Foundation has two main fundraisers. The first one was a Co-ed Softball Tournament that was held on June 5th at the Ava Softball field. It was a great time and the Jacob Yeates Foundation wants to thank all that participated and helped with the softball tournament. Their…
Harlie Gunter (at right above) just turned 13. She designed and chose the material that she wanted in the quilt that she wanted for her birthday, and her grandmother Mae Donna Alcorn (left) pieced it for her.…
These young men were photographed “on the walk at our home in Ava, Mo.” according to what was written on the back of the picture in 1925 by Mrs. Mac Brooks. Pictured from left are Bill Brooks, Leland Davis, Russell Ferguson and Turner Silvey. The photo was sent to David…
Today’s edition of the Douglas County Herald offers a special political section which provides an overview of the local Douglas County candidates competing for a winning position in the Primary Election Tuesday, Aug. 3. The section highlights county candidates vying for the following offices: presiding commissioner, clerk of the circuit…
The Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated several wrecks in the area during the past week. A crash last Thursday afternoon west of Ava resulted in serious injuries for one. Cpl. Brian Thompson, of the Highway Patrol, reported that Matthew C. Calhoun, 38, of Branson, was taken to Cox South Hospital…
The 2010 edition of the Douglas County Fair will be held July 22, 23 and 24, but tomorrow (Friday) is the deadline to sign up for the Denim Gals Fair Queen Contest, for girls ages 5 to 18. Once again this year the Denim Gals contest will consist of three…
The board of directors of the Ava Area Ambulance District will meet at 7 p.m. Friday evening, July 16, at the ambulance station on NW 9th Street.…
Local school officials, higher education leaders, law enforcement officials, and others concerned with keeping our schools as safe as possible will meet next week at the Lake of the Ozarks for the Missouri Safe Schools and Colleges Conference. A major focus of this year’s event will be on the issue…
Living in the Ozarks allows one to enjoy some of God’s greatest creations: spectacular sunrises, beautiful rolling hills, flowing springs, and all the animals and insects that inhabit the earth in these parts. As amazing as it may seem, it’s sometimes hard to see the real beauty in all things,…
Twin Bridges Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting Meet and Greet Your Candidate and a Cake and Pie Auction this Saturday, July 17 beginning at 5 p.m. Political candidates for the Twin Bridges area will be speaking during meal time. Each candidate will be allowed approximately 10 minutes to speak…
The search for a 17-year-old woman wanted in connection with a fatal Memorial Day crash led to the arrest of two people in Douglas County. Karena Smith was wanted on charges of manslaughter and assault after driving drunk and being in a crash that killed one of her passengers. Smith…
The Ava Police Department is investigating a series of burglaries that occurred over a period of several days. Police Chief Reggie Johnson said the burglars seemed to have targeted government-owned buildings and in some instances there was more pilfering than stealing. All the burglaries occurred during the night, and in…
The Douglas County Herald and KKOZ radio will team up to sponsor a local political forum next Tuesday evening. The forum will be held in the Ava Community Center (Senior Center) from 6 to 8 p.m., and will feature local candidates for Douglas County offices. County voters are asked to…
Douglas County may not have the biggest single Fourth of July celebration going. But for three separate events, each sponsored by different organizations in different locations, this community really knows how to celebrate. The 28th annual Squires Picnic and 4th of July Celebration Saturday night brought conclusion to the celebrations…
This is the first in a series of articles about Douglas and Ozark County artists and artisans. Dawt-area artist Catherine Stotesbery is always happy to finish a job. “It’s good to take a deep breath, feel satisfied with a job completed, and then begin to look forward to the next…
Last Monday, June 28, a two day trial was scheduled at the Douglas County Courthouse regarding the 2005 shooting of David Reed, 62, by longtime friend and neighbor, Robert Thieman, 60,on the Thieman property located in the Skyline area. At approximately 10 a.m. Monday the courthouse was filled with over…
Douglas County residents now have another location to enjoy shooting sports. The Top of the Ozarks Shooting Facility, 2030 Old Springfield Rd., Mansfield, welcomes all shooters. At present the TOSF is open to the public every Sunday afternoon from 1 p.m. until dusk for trap and skeet shooting, weather permitting…
Drivers can expect one-lane traffic and delays on Route 95 north of Mountain Grove for one day on Wednesday, July 14, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. MoDOT crews will replace a deteriorating drain pipe underneath Route 95 between Mountain Valley Road and Nettleton Drive. Flaggers will alternate Route 95…
The Greater Ozarks Chapter of the American Red Cross responded to a call for help on July 4, in Douglas County, in the Mtn. Grove area. A member of the Disaster Action Team (DAT) met with a family of nine, including seven children ranging in ages from 16 months to…
Tanji Dye, the former bad check clerk for the Douglas County Prosecutor, was sentenced on July 6 to four years in the Department of Corrections for stealing. The sentence was suspended and she was ordered to complete 120-days of shock treatment, was placed on probation for five years, and ordered…
With the resignation of Douglas County Coroner Mark Pearson effective July 1, persons interested in filling that position may file as a candidate for appointment by the governor. County Clerk Karry Davis says anyone wishing to apply for the office of Douglas County Coroner may find an application form online…
Ava High School varsity football coach Dan Swofford reminds sports fans that the Night of Champions will be held Friday, July 9, beginning at 6 p.m. at the high school weight room. The public is invited to come by and watch the athletes work out and see what is involved…
The Ava/Douglas County EMA Office is hosting a 1st responder (EMR) Class starting July 12-16. This class will meet each night at the Little/Tost Training Center starting at 6 p.m. each evening. The cost of the class is $10. Interested persons can fill out the application before class at the…
Saturday, July 10 An LP gas class will be held in Ava on Saturday, July 10. The class is free to all area firefighters. Classroom work will be done in the EMA Little/Tost Training Center on SE 2nd Ave., east of the Sheriff’s Office. In the evening a live burn…
Twelve people died in traffic crashes during the 2010 July Fourth holiday counting period. The counting period began at 6 p.m., Friday, July 2, and ended at 11:59 p.m., Monday, July 5. The Missouri State Highway Patrol worked 281crashes in which six people died and 139 were injured. The St.…
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) voted last week against a dramatically simplified version of a federal budget which was deemed to be passed in a motion allowing the House to consider emergency spending legislation. “These are tax increases and spending increases, plain and simple. It is a…
The Class of 2011 is busy planning and fund-raising for Project Graduation. The next meeting for any seniors and their parents is next Tuesday, July 13, at 5:30 p.m. in Connie Dean’s 4th grade classroom in the elementary school. All students and parents are urged to attend meetings and bring…
The Skyline R-II School Board met in regular session on Tuesday, June 29, with five members present. The consent agenda items were discussed and approved. In old business, the ending 2009-10 and beginning 2010-11 budgets were presented and approved. The board continued to discuss some type of Career Ladder program…
Ava Drug Store owner David Norman and the Ava Art Guild are seeking a young artist to design a poster that will be used as a promotion for the upcoming celebration of Ava Drug Store being in business for 60 years. In 1950 the Ava Drug store was opened just…
July Looks Cooler, Wetter Than Usual COLUMBIA – June temperatures were the warmest on average since 1953, according to a University of Missouri climatologist. “You have to go back 57 years to find a warmer June,” said Pat Guinan with the MU Extension Commercial Agriculture program. Temperatures ran 4 to…
The 10th annual Ozarks Property Rights Congress Conference will be held in Cabool Saturday, July 17, at the Cinema II Theatre. The all day event will again feature speakers on issues pertaining to preserving private property rights including eminent domain legislation, water shed control, new proposed laws affecting home gardeners,…
The Douglas County Historical Society held its monthly meeting on June 21. Sharon called the meeting to order. She read the treasurer’s report for the last two months and it was approved. Pat read the minutes for the May meeting and they were approved. Subjects discussed were election of new officers,…
COLUMBIA — Missouri farmers should keep checking cornfields for damage from black cutworms. Late moth flights into several parts of the state have helped the insect remain a threat to still-emerging cornfields and fields that farmers need to replant, said Wayne Bailey, a University of Missouri Extension entomologist. “Some years…
We had some great programs last month at the Douglas County Public Library. We were thoroughly entertained by Professor Farquar and the Great American Medicine Show, David Tower and his magic, and Daisy Shull with her chalk talk stories. There are two more special programs coming up in August that…
On Thursday, July 8 (today), Susan Mellentine will be a guest for the noon Kiwanis Meeting at Highway House Cafe. Ms. Mellentine will be presenting a program on stroke prevention, giving information on tests that are coming to the Ava area very soon. The public is invited to attend.…
At last week’s meeting, we accepted an application from Rick Baker who has attended several meetings prior to that meeting. We also welcomed Loretta Burgin who spoke to us concerning the Community Garden Program which our club has considered getting involved with. We did miss several “regulars” that were out…
A light rain shower that passed through the area Friday night had little impact on the big Independence Day Celebration at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava. But the more intense thunderstorm that came through on Sunday evening created a little more concern for folks at the Celebrate…
The Squires Volunteer Fire Department started in 1982. In that year, Ava Rural Fire Department was the closest fire department to Squires. Seeing the need for a closer fire department, several citizens, with the cooperation from Ava Rural and the local Missouri conservation department, organized the volunteer department. The very…
With the Fourth of July holiday falling on Sunday this year, government offices and many businesses will observe the holiday on Monday, July 5. City, county, state and federal offices will observe the holiday on Monday, which means there will be no rural mail service on Monday. For that reason,…
The Douglas County Commission recently announced it would place two ½-cent sales tax proposals on the ballot in November. Since that time, the Herald has received conflicting information from Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase and the County Commission as to exactly what the money would be earmarked for and how…
Robert L. Thieman, 60, of Ava was found guilty of several charges in a jury trial this week. Thieman was convicted of first degree assault, armed criminal action and shooting a firearm at or from a vehicle or shooting at a person, motor vehicle or building. The charges stem from…
A 16-year-old Ava driver suffered serious injuries in a wreck west of Ava last Saturday, and his teenage passenger received minor injuries. The Highway Patrol said Nathaniel Harris was driving a 1997 Chevrolet west on Highway Y, two miles west of Ava, when the wreck occurred. Sgt. Keith Jones, of…
Two rural Douglas County homes were destroyed by fire during the past week despite gallant efforts by rural fire departments that fought the fires in sweltering summer heat. Ava Rural Fire Department was dispatched to a structure fire at the Casey McCoy residence west of Ava on County Road 546…
Douglas County Coroner Mark Pearson has submitted his resignation, effective today, July 1. County Clerk Karry Davis has been contacted by the office of Gov. Jay Nixon in regard to the procedure to be followed to fill the vacancy. Anyone wishing to apply for the office of Douglas County Coroner…
It’s been many months in the making, and has taken a great deal of time, but we now have the Douglas County Herald website back online today (Thursday) at 5 p.m. Our new look is still a work in progress; however, the site is now a platform from which we…
Voter Registration Deadline Is Next Wednesday County Clerk Karry Davis said absentee ballots are now available for the August primary election. Anyone needing to vote an absentee ballot may contact the County Clerk’s Office. Davis also said next Wednesday, July 7, is the last day a person may register to…
Greetings once again from your state capitol. The state legislature is back in session this last week of June 2010 at the request of Governor Jay Nixon. This special session was called to consider two proposals. One proposition is to give tax breaks to large manufacturers who bring a new…
JULY 01 Blood pressure and blood sugar screening: Redbud 8-9 a.m. Blood pressure and blood sugar screening: Community Center 9:30-10:30 a.m. 02 WIC (by appointment): 8:15-11:30 a.m. and 1-3:45 p.m. 05 Office Closed – 4th of July holiday Observed 06 Office Closed: 8-10 a.m. Immunizations (by appoint-ment): 1-3:45 p.m. 07 …
“Tar Spot? Not a Problem! This year we have been seeing what looks like drops of tar on maple and some other trees. What we are finding is “tar spot” – a common fungal leaf spot disease that is not pretty to look at but is only a cosmetic problem.…
We are missing some “regulars” that are on vacation this week. On Friday night, several came out to help in the booth as we made funnel cakes at Heart of the Ozarks Nursing Home Fireworks. We had enough help that we rotated which helped. Thanks to John and Chad for…
Loretta Burgin of the Community Garden Program will be meeting with Kiwanis members on July 1 at noon. Our club has been considering getting involved with that program and we have asked her to come so that we can get some more information. The public is invited to attend this…
The Ava High School Class of 1965 met for a 45-year reunion on Saturday, June 19, at the Ava Lions Club. The class members present were from left front row: Phyllis (Gray) Swofford, Ava; Rodney Alms, Ava; Barton Monger, Decatur, Texas; Larry Adams, Battlefield, Mo.; Delano Stewart, Ozark, Mo.; Row…
Dr. Nancy Lawler, assistant administrator at Ava R-I Schools, said Wednesday that the school has received approval for a grant that will allow for nine additional days of summer school. The additional days of summer school have been tentatively set for July 6-16, funded through a grant from Community Partnership…
Richelle Pettit, a candidate from Ava High School, attended Missouri Girls State at Central Missouri University in Warrensburg, the week of June 20 to June 25. Richelle is the daughter of Bruce and Pam Pettit, of Ava. Girls State is a program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary providing young…
Air Force Airman Brandon L. Mills 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…
In Loving Memory of Gene Chandler Over the past three years, events and news items from the Prior and Vanzant communities have been provided by correspondent Gene Chandler. Last month, following a sudden illness, Gene, age 72, passed away. Born July 21, 1937, Gene was raised in the Hartville and…
JEFFERSON CITY – Splat! The sight and sound of a paintball hitting a highway sign may make teens’ adrenaline flow, but it makes highway officials’ blood boil. Vandals “tagging” signs with spray paint is costly for taxpayers and unsafe for motorists, so the Missouri Department of Transportation is fighting back.…
On Tuesday night members of the Douglas County Farm Bureau met with Estil Fretwell, director of public affairs with Missouri Farm Bureau. The meeting was SWAT (Spokespersons Working for Agriculture Together) training. Estil taught the members how to explain to the public what farmers really do and how well they…
The media is always trying to capture the thought of readers by asking if the economy is rebounding or if it is still flat lining. In the midst of all the hype of economy failure and unemployment rate and foreclosures, has it brought the American people back to what matters,…
Late Wednesday afternoon, June 16, a Douglas County jury found Elvis Volner guilty of first-degree murder in the 2008 murder of Dustin Skaggs. Volner, 23, of Cabool, was also found guilty of first degree robbery and armed criminal action. A sentencing date has not been set. The case was prosecuted…
The Celebrate America Fourth of July event at Highway Church of the Nazarene will be held on Sunday, June 27. Gates will open and singing will begin at 5:30 p.m. The event started around 1996-1997, according to church member Rod Vandyne. “It started out being just a deal we did…
The Douglas County Public Library was presented a book last week that is sure to be of interest to a lot of folks in the Ava and Douglas County region. L.D. Keller and the Promenaders was compiled and written by Willie Washam, and edited and designed by Bob Chancellor. Washam…
High school students will no longer have a late start on Monday mornings, due to a vote by the Ava R-I Board of Education at their regular meeting on June 17. The board voted to replace the late start with a district-wide early release on Wednesdays to allow teachers time…
The voters in Douglas County will be facing another hot ballot issue this November if everything goes as planned. The county commissioners met on Friday, June 18 with architects to talk about two different preliminary drawings for a new jail. The commissioners plan on asking the voters to approve a…
Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center will host its 25th annual Independence Day celebration this Friday night and Highway Church of the Nazarene will present Celebrate America on Sunday, June 27. The annual Squires Picnic will be held next week, on Saturday, July 3. The activities at the nursing home…
Ham radio operators in this area will be taking part in a public demonstration the weekend of June 26 and 27. The demonstration will begin at noon, Saturday, June 26, and run through the night until 2 p.m. on June 27. Local “hams” will join with thousands of amateur radio…
Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announced this week that Lieutenant Dwayne F. Isringhausen will be promoted to the rank of captain and designated commanding officer of Troop G, Willow Springs. Capt. Isringhausen succeeds Capt. Billy Chadwick who will retire as Troop G commander on July…
