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 weather of the past two weeks has hardly seemed like spring, but we know it can’t be too many weeks away. With spring comes the threat of thunderstorms, dangerous lightning, flash floods and damaging winds. Although that type of weather can occur at any time, the potential for storms…
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…
Town & Country Bank’s Route 60 Showdown games delivered moments of great basketball action and free giveaways for fans on both sides of the contest. In one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, the Mtn. Grove Lady Panthers defeated the Ava Lady Bears on Jan. 31 with a…
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…
An accumulation of snow that fell on the Ava area early Saturday morning caught everyone off guard, including MoDOT workers. It was not until people began sliding off the road and numerous traffic accidents were reported that workers began treating roads for the thin layer of ice that developed under…
An Ava woman was taken to the hospital with serious injuries just after noon Tuesday following a crash on Highway 14, three miles east of Ava. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said both vehicles involved were across the center line and hit head-on. Seriously injured and taken to Mercy Hospital,…
The Ava Lady Bears defeated Norwood in non-conference play here Monday night, 47-24. Last Thursday night the Ava girls suffered a disappointing one-point loss to Mtn. Grove in league play. The Lady Bears rallied back from a 17-point deficit on Thursday and had a chance to win the game, but…
The Ava Bears suffered a serious setback in conference play this week, dropping SCA games to Cabool and Mtn. View-Liberty. With the losses the Bears slipped from a 2-0 conference record to 2-2, and dropped to 12-9 overall. The Bears have three games remaining in the regular season – all…
The Ava Junior Varsity Bears won three games in the JV side of the Conway Tournament last week, claiming the tournament championship on Saturday. En route to the championship, the Bears beat Fordland and Buffalo, then downed the host Conway Bears on Saturday. Ava 46, Fordland 36 Ava played their…
The Ava Bears lost a thrilling, triple overtime game to Warsaw in the Conway Tournament last Saturday night, but in doing so saw senior Austin Gastineau set a new benchmark for Ava basketball. Gastineau not only scored his 1,000th point in the tournament, but set a new single game scoring…
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,…
When a pickup ran off NW 10th Street in Ava last Saturday morning and hit a utility pole, it caused a chain reaction of problems for emergency responders and utilities workers. The incident occurred around 11:20 a.m. when a 1985 Chevrolet pickup driven by Kurdt W. Foy, 16, of Ava,…
This photo from 1952 was taken inside the Norman Rexall Drug Store on the northeast corner of the square where True Brew coffee shop is now located. The photo was taken by store lights with a Kodak Signet 35mm camera using Super-XX film at 1/25 sec. at f3.5. The picture…
The Ava Lady Bears defeated Cabool in SCA action at home last Thursday night, 66-49, but lost to Lebanon on the road in non-conference play Monday, 60-38. Last Thursday night the Ava girls held an 18-14 lead after one quarter and led by the same 4-point margin at the half,…
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…
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 Ava Bears defeated Houston in SCA play at home last Friday night to improve their record to 9-4 on the season. On Tuesday night, the Bears hosted the Marion C. Early Panthers of Morrisville in non-league play, and suffered a disappointing 52-46 loss. Ava hosted Houston for Hoopcoming last…
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…
State of Missouri Approves $28 Million Project SPRINGFIELD – After a hearing Monday morning, the Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee has given Mercy the green light to build a new rehabilitation hospital at Highway 65 and Evans Road in Springfield. It will be located just north of Mercy Orthopedic Hospital…
The Ava Lady Bears hit enough free throws to offset the handy outside shooting of the Salem Lady Tigers here Monday night to give the Ava girls their first SCA win. It was the first conference game for the Lady Bears, which won the contest 59-54. Salem knocked down seven…
Ava High School will celebrate Hoopcoming at the basketball game Friday night when the Bears take on Houston in SCA action. The junior varsity game begins at 6 p.m. followed by the varsity contest. Hoopcoming coronation will take place between games. Hoopcoming queen candidates are Makenzie Watterson, Lauren Patton and…
One word of advice: if you have drugs in the car, don’t do anything suspicious. Local law enforcement officers were recently alerted to a drive-off without paying at a local convenience store as well as possible stealing from a local business. On Jan. 3, Sheriff Chris Degase and Deputy Nathan…
Bethany Baptist Church hosted the monthly luncheon meeting of the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce. Those attending enjoyed a potato bar with baked potatoes and a variety of toppings. Guest speaker was Rachel Koch (pronounced Cook), owner/operator of True Brew, the new coffee shop on the northeast corner of the…
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,…
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…
Dustin Hodges, KY3 Multimedia Journalist, visited Ava Elementary today (Monday) and interviewed teachers and two of the students involved in the production of the Bears Den News newspaper. The fourth-grade students interviewed were Katlyn McFarlin and Sydney Gunter, along with sponsors Annette Copeland, Debbie Boeddeker and Missy Lee. The student…
The Ava Boys’ cross country team made their mark in Ava, Missouri history with a 4th place finish at the State Cross Country Championships in Jefferson City on Saturday, Nov. 3. Only one other sports team in the history of Ava High School has earned all state honors. In 1997,…
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…
The Ava Bears scored on their first possession here last Friday night and held a 17-6 lead at halftime. It looked as if they were on their way to a big SCA victory in the final home game of the season. Willow Springs had other thoughts, however. The Willow Springs…
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…
The Ava Lady Bears ended their volleyball season in the first round of the district tournament at Bolivar Monday night. The Ava girls were pitted against Rogersville, and lost in straight sets, 7-25, 11-25. Senior Cori Dry was 5-for-6 serving and 6-of-6 hitting with one kill. She also completed 17-of-20…
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…
Country Sunshine Preschool welcomed Smokey Bear on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Ten elementary students of the Mt. Zion Bible School joined the preschoolers for the program. Pictured above are, from left, front row: Chloe Scofield, Parker George, Colin Fleming, Connor Forrest, Kylie Adams, Logan Berg, Ashlyne Moore, Charity Bagley. Middle row: Jesse…
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 Ava Lady Bears softball team went from an enviable 12-2 record to 12-6 over the weekend with four losses in the Branson Tournament on Saturday. The Ava ladies continued their slide on Monday, dropping a decisioin at home to West Plains, 8-5. The Lady Bears got back on track…
Senior Kyle Clinkingbeard ran for touchdowns of 61, 54, and 37 yards at Cabool last Friday night, and scored a fourth on a 41-yard pass reception as the Ava Bears defeated the Bulldogs 47-7. This week the Bears will be at home for the final Friday night contest of the…
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…
Ava Lady Bears advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3 District 11 softball tournament last week, but that’s where the season would end. After defeating Hollister 14-3 in first round action on Wednesday, the Ava girls, seeded second in the tournament, dropped a 4-3 decision to No. 3 Buffalo.…
The Ava Bears scored 35 points in the first half here last Friday night to lead Houston 35-0 at halftime, and that was pretty much the story of the game. The second half of the game would be played under a running clock and the Bears would use a lot…
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.…
By Janet Taber Reprinted from the Ozark County Times The third in this year’s series of quilt exhibits at the Ozark County Historium in Gainesville is drawing quilt lovers from throughout the region to see the prize-winning works of Douglas County resident Marla Yeager. Through Sept. 28, visitors will be…
A violent lightning storm that lingered over the Ava area for several hours last Friday morning caused considerable damage, resulted in power outages, and in east Ava, shattered a tree and drove a 2-foot shard of splintered wood into the side of a house. No one lived in the house…
Homecoming Week is under way Sept. 24-28, with the Homecoming football game on Friday night. The theme for Homecoming is “Game On!” Theme days include: Monday – Gear Up! Students wear the jerseys of their favorite players or represent their favorite team. Tuesday – Fake Injury Day. Wednesday – Family…
Dale Davis’ 1946 Dodge pickup is now a part of the Hollywood scene. The 1946 Dodge which has been featured in local parades, including the Douglas County Sesquicentennial Parade in 2007, was recently purchased by Steven Weiss, son of the owner of Mel’s Drive-In, in Hollywood, that was made famous…
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…
Austin Gastineau intercepted a Salem pass with just under 2 minutes left on the game clock at Salem last Friday night to give the Ava Bears a chance, but the game would end with the Bears driving to the goal line, sealing a 23-20 SCA win for the Tigers. With…
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…
The Ava Lady Bears traveled to Thayer last Thursday, Sept. 13, to face the Lady Bobcats in South Central Association action. Ava won the slugfest 16-15, with each team pounding out 13 hits. A solid Ava defense gave the Lady Bears a 3-1 nonconference win over Lebanon on the home…
In the opinion of most, the Ava Bears went into last Friday night’s SCA football game with the Liberty Eagles as huge underdogs. But rather than lick their wounds before the game started, the Bears entered the contest with the determination that they would excel – and that they did.…
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…
The Ava Bears took a 14-0 lead to the dressing room at halftime at Rogersville last Friday night and held on to beat the Wildcats 14-12. Rogersville is now 0-2 while the Bears improved their record to 1-1. Ava will host Mtn. Grove at Harlan Stadium this Friday night 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 Ava High School Band has its own bleachers at the south end of the football field. The bleachers for the Ava Pride Band were purchased through a fundraising effort of the band members. Sarah Sacco is Ava High School band director, assisted by her husband, Chris.…
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…
The Ava Lions Club celebrated its 75th anniversary Monday evening with a banquet and musical entertainment. Some 70 people attended the event which began at 5 p.m. when Lion President John Weisbrod rang the bell to call the meeting to order. Following a brief welcome by the president, all stood…
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,…
In anticipation and preparation for the 2012 high school football season, teams will participate in the Jamboree on Friday night, Aug. 17. For the Ava High School Bears, the Jamboree this year will be at Mtn. Grove High School where Strafford and Houston will join the Bears and Panthers to…
Ava Electric Dept. employee Toby Sheppard works on a power line in south Ava last Saturday night to restore power following the thunderstorm that passed through the area. Ava’s official rainfall was less than 1.5 inches, although amounts varied throughout the area. A strong wind gust that preceded the storm…
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…
ROLLA – As of 3 p.m. Monday, July 30, Mark Twain National Forest firefighters were working to suppress a wildfire, named the Potato Cave fire, in Ozark County, about nine miles southeast of Dora. The wildfire cause is under investigation, but it appears likely that it was started by a…
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…
A large crowd of potential voters attended the political forum at the Ava Community Center last Thursday night, sponsored by C.H.A.R.T. Some 16 Republican candidates for county, district and state races attended and took a turn speaking to the crowd and answering questions posed to them by program emcee Joe…
Breastfeeding Month Proclamation Whereas, the people of Ava and Douglas County are deserving of good health; and Whereas, all available knowledge indicates that human milk optimally enhances the growth, development and well-being of the infant by providing the best possible nutrition, protection against specific infection and allergies, and the promotion…
After months of planning, research, and time well spent, the new billboard in south Ava on Highway 5 has been installed and extends a warm greeting of “Welcome to Ava” to passersby. The new sign not only welcomes people to our wonderful town, it also showcases some of its businesses,…
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…
ADDISON, Texas, –– The Commemorative Air Force (CAF) iconic Boeing B‐29 Superfortress bomber, FIFI – the only remaining flying example of the aircraft in the world – will visit Springfield, Mo. this August. The airplane will fly into Springfield International Airport on Monday, Aug. 13, and will be on display…
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…
The Ava area is host each year to three major Fourth of July events, and the way the calendar falls this year, the annual events will be held on consecutive nights, June 29, 30 and July 1. Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare will kick off the activities on Friday night,…
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…
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…
Veteran trainer and exhibitor of Missouri Fox Trotters, Geno Middleton, made the victory pass on Prince Jester’s Belle Ringer SS to close out the 2012 3-Year-Old Futurity of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association here last Saturday night. Belle Ringer SS, owned by David L. Smith and Jeff Smith,…
Week No. 2 of the summer swim team competition was in Willow Springs last week. The Ava team recorded strong finishes in several areas, but only managed fourth place overall. For the second week in a row, Jacob Gillies, of Ava, was high point winner in the 9-10 Boys category.…
The Ava Swim Team opened the 2012 season with a meet at Mtn. View last Saturday. Ava was paced by Jacob Gillies who was high point winner in the 9-10 boys’ category. Ava placed third overall. Individual results for Ava are listed below. Individual Medley: 9-10 boys, Jacob Gillies, 1st;…
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…
The SCA conference champion Ava Bears had a number of athletes honored with all-SCA recognition in post-season voting by coaches of the South Central Association. Following is the complete list of all-SCA selections. 1st Team Pitchers: Ben Loge, Ava, sophomore; George Lada, Mtn. Grove, senior. Infielders: Zach Leonard, Ava, senior;…
The Ava men’s 4×800-meter relay team of sophomore Jordan Dirmerskey, junior Dakota Renner, senior Chase Dixon and junior Kyle Clinkingbeard, ran a blazing time of 8:03.97 at Lincoln University in Jefferson City on Friday, May 26. While this time was only good enough to place the foursome sixth in 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…
Springfield Police have reported that an Ava man is charged with leading officers on a chase and with carjacking in Springfield over the weekend. Jimmy Hayes, whose age is listed as 32, is said to have run from Ozark Police after they tried to stop him on a suspected DWI…
James Bradshaw of Norwood started driving a school bus for Norwood School in August of 1962. Over the last 50 years he has carried several generations on his school bus. From one family he transported 14 of the 15 children on his bus over a period of 19 years. James…
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 Ava Fire Department was called to a structure fire at 501 South Jefferson St. just before 9 p.m. Sunday. Upon arrival firemen found a small fire in the utility room at the rear of the house. The fire was quickly extinguished. Due to the nature of the fire, and…
Commencement exercises for the Ava High School class of 2012 will be held Saturday evening, May 19, beginning at 7 p.m. Weather permitting, the graduation program will be held at the football stadium. Classes were dismissed for summer vacation at 12:30 Wednesday. Other senior activities, including the Honor Awards Program…
A night at a five star hotel in Branson is one of the prizes being given to a lucky runner at the Lions 5/10K Walk-Run event this Saturday. Although we can’t list them all, a single $10 registration fee will get the participant $25-$30 in free food coupons plus discounts…
By Ashton Davis, Chapter Secretary On April 18-20, Ava FFA attended State FFA Convention in Columbia. Members were busy at convention competing, watching sessions, and exploring the career show. Members assisted with Courtesy Corps, which is a program designed to help visitors and members with locations and answer questions throughout…
Over ten pounds of prescription and over the counter drugs were collected through a cooperative effort by partners in CHART (Douglas County Community Health Assistance Resources Team) as a part of the April 28 National Drug Take Back Day. These drugs will now be turned over to the Drug Enforcement…
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…
The Ava Bears dropped three decisions in baseball action this week. Next action for the Bears will be in the Ash Grove Tournament this weekend. All three losses this week were to non-conference teams. On Thursday, the Bears were in Rogersville where they dropped a 6-3 decision. Coach Rex Sawyer…
Ava hosted their own track meet on April 16. After a frantic all day preparation of the red dog track, the Ava Bears and Lady Bears hosted 10 other schools including West Plains, Mtn. Grove, Willow Springs, Mansfield, Bakersfield, Cabool, Houston, Licking, Gainesville and Hartville. Winning the meet on the…
The Ava Bears held off a rally by Thayer at home last Thursday, then beat the Tigers at Houston on Monday to win the SCA title outright with an undefeated conference record. Tuesday was a different story, however, as Mansfield’s Curtis Carnal threw a no-hitter against the Bears and shut…
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 Ava High School Baseball Bears won three varsity games during the past week, stretching their season record to 9-3 and going to 5-0 in conference play. The Bears will host Thayer today (Thursday) in SCA action in hopes of protecting their unblemished SCA record. The conference season will wrap…
The Lady Bears started the track season off right with a nice showing at the Lebanon track meet on March 30. Bringing home gold medals in 3 events, the Lady Bears were led by senior Payton Lakey who not only won the high jump but also the long jump. Payton…
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…
BRANSON–Three area Ozarks youth will represent White River Valley Electric Cooperative and travel to Washington, D.C., with the national Youth Tour from June 16 to 21. Kylie Tannehill, Reeds Spring High School; Cody Watson, Forsyth High School; and Sarah Copeland, Ava High School were chosen from 11 finalists at a…
By Keith Moore – Managing Editor “When I came to Options I didn’t know what to do,” said one lady who recently found the help she was looking for at Options Pregnancy Clinic of Ava. “I was pregnant with our second child. That would mean two babies under a year.”…
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…
Flashing Yellow Arrows to Ease Traffic Flow The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission awarded a contract during its regular meeting on April 3 to retrofit a signal in Ava with flashing yellow arrows. The signals are located on Route 5 at the Route 14 intersection. The $227,241 contract was awarded…
It was a horrifying scene that left one student dead, another critically injured, and others hurt or in shock. The good thing is, it was make believe. The bad thing is, in reality it happens far too often. The presentation, led by Mercy Injury Prevention Center and Ava High School…
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…
The Ava High School Baseball Bears have won four games in a row after dropping the first two outings of the season. The Bears will go to Cabool this afternoon (Thursday) for a big conference game with the Bulldogs. On Monday, the Bears will be back home against Mtn. View-Liberty…
An Ava man was taken to the hospital last Wednesday morning following a crash at the intersection of Highways 5 and Y in Ava. Ava Police said Herman B. Prock, 76, of Ava, was southbound on Highway 5 in a 1996 Chevrolet Lumina and was hit in the side by…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department reported Wednesday morning that a pickup belonging to Kirk Clinkingbeard, of Ava, was stolen and burned during the night. Deputy Vernon Johnson said authorities were advised of the incident around 2 a.m. Wednesday. The pickup was stolen from the Clinkingbeard residence east of Ava and…
Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center held their sixth annual Buddy Bass Tournament on March 17 at Theodosia Marina. The tournament started at 7 a.m. a.m. with a total of 23 boats, and ended at 4 p.m. with the big weigh-in. A total of 12 teams weighed in with a…
Bud Daugherty, a highly successful professional pointing bird dog trainer, was born in Dewey, Okla., on Aug. 18, 1932. He retired in 1982 after recording an amazing 23 open all-age field trial championships! That record includes the National Field Trial Championship on hallowed grounds at the Ames Plantation (Tennessee) in…
The annual Membership and Awards Banquet of the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce was held last Saturday night at Ava Victory Academy. In addition to the meal and presentation of special awards, the evening included judging of the best dessert, casserole and vegetable; and the selection of the best costume…
By Mindy Crandall Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center is a nursing home facility that peacefully sits on a hillside at the four-way stop of South Highway 5 and West 76 in the Fox Meadows Addition. Heart of the Ozarks is just as glorious and secure as a bird’s nest…
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…
Ava Police, with assistance from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Missouri State Highway Patrol, obtained and served a search warrant on March 9 which led to the arrest of an Ava woman. Ava Police Chief Reggie Johnson said Cheryl A. Holloway, 49, was arrested for distribution near a…
Should there be a price to pay for voicing an opinion and speaking out? By Sue Curry Jones Last week our newspaper ran an anonymous ad submitted by a group of parents who are concerned about actions of the Ava School Board. The ad posed questions about recent budget decisions…
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 Master Gardeners of the Ozarks are, gardening and education volunteers. They have been helping anywhere they can through the Ozarks. They are celebrating their 10th anniversary. The original eight members were from Stone County and within a short time Taney Master Gardeners merged, to establish “The Master Gardeners of…
Effective Thursday, March 1, Ava Place is now affiliated with Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center. Heart of the Ozarks Administrator Tonya Cutbirth said Ava Place will continue to operate as an assisted residential care center, but will enjoy many of the benefits that have become very popular with Heart…
Proudly standing on the southeast side of NW 12th Avenue is the recently remodeled Town & Country Supermarket. The beautiful new wood-peaked entryway is like a crown on this gem of a store in the heart of Ava. A well-deserved crown considering local folks have been shopping at Town &…
Filing for the Aug. 7 primary election began Tuesday morning, and already several races are shaping up in Douglas County. There was some question whether candidates would actually be allowed to file because state officials have been unable to agree on boundaries for Missouri senatorial districts. However, since county races…
A stone’s throw west of Ava, nestled among quickly greening hills, sits the Buff’s dairy farm. It’s a lovely three hundred acre spread dotted with barns and outbuildings, a spacious home, and over one hundred registered milk cows. Throughout the farm, the steady tinkling of cowbells gently mixes with the…
The Ava Bears picked up two more big wins during the past week, including an SCA win over Houston that clinched the title for the Bears. Ava finished 7-0 in conference play. The Bears also took an exciting 48-45 overtime win from Seymour on the road Monday night. Austin Gastineau…
It had to happen sooner or later. After going the entire winter with virtually no snow, a winter storm moved across the Ozarks Monday, dumping up to 5 inches on the Ava area. The official measure recorded in Ava was 3.5 inches, as reported by Billy Long, Community Weather Involvement…
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 Ava Lady Bears picked up two more big wins this week, including another overtime win over Blue Eye on Thursday night and an SCA victory over Thayer Tuesday night. The Thayer game was originally scheduled for Monday, but due to a snow cancellation the varsity game was moved to…
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…
The Ava Lady Bears traveled to Norwood Monday night and claimed a big 52-36 non-conference win. That came after the Ava girls suffered a heartbreaking loss at home on Thursday night to Willow Springs, in a game that may prove to decide the SCA title. Ava and Willow Springs both…
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…
The Ava Bears won two SCA games on the home floor this week to remain undefeated in conference play. Last Friday night the Bears defeated Mtn. View-Liberty in the Hoopcoming affair, 61-49, and on Tuesday night the Bears beat Mtn. Grove, 44-32, to win the Route 60 Showdown, sponsored by…
This coming Sunday, Pastor Oren Alcorn and his congregants will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of his leadership of Ava General Baptist Church, one of the oldest and largest churches in the county. It takes a special person to lead a church for that long. Someone who surrendered to The Call…
Ava High School’s 2012 Hoopcoming will be held this Friday night, Feb. 3. In preparation for the big night, king and queen candidates have been named and the theme for the week has been set. This year’s Hoopcoming theme will be “Monopoly”, and each day has a different emphasis keeping…
Beat Cabool in SCA Action Tuesday The Ava Bears defeated Stoutland in the semifinals of the Conway Tournament last Thursday night but lost to Conway in the championship game on Saturday night. Tuesday night the Bears traveled to Cabool for a South Central Association contest and came away with a…
After advancing to the finals of the Reeds Spring tournament last week, the Ava Lady Bears made a dismal showing on Friday night, losing to West Plains in the championship game, 46-24. Ava struggled offensively all night, with credit going to a strong West Plains defense. The Ava girls trailed…
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…
BRANSON–Southwest Airlines has committed to serve Branson, Missouri according to a Southwest Airlines press release issued this week. Southwest Airlines has made the decision to serve Branson, Missouri and to convert AirTran Airways at Branson to Southwest Airlines operations over time. “We are committed to continuing to serve these communities—at…
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…
Payton Lakey had 22 points and 10 rebounds and Jorie Garrett had 18 points and 13 rebounds here last Thursday night, and the Ava Lady Bears defeated the girls of Mtn. View-Liberty, 53-36. With the SCA win the Ava girls improved their record to 3-0 in league play and 10-4…
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…
Dillon Adams has achieved some of the highest honors of high school football during this past season. He received First Team All-State, First Team All-Conference, and Second Team All-District. Yet, Adams recently received another honor that is bigger than all of these awards. The 6-foot-4, 255 lbs. Adams has been…
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…
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…
By Mindy Crandall It’s hard to imagine how much transformation can take place in a small town with a population of 3,186 in a year’s time. Much more than you would think. Not only did Ava elect a new mayor, Eddie Maggard and install several new stop signs at four-way…
Six people escaped serious injury in a wreck at the intersection of Highways 5 and 14 in Ava last Friday night, but the crash created considerable traffic congestion for about an hour. The wreck happened at 5:27 p.m., just as many people were getting off work and heading home for…
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…
Bobby Comstock and Mark Sanders topped 31 boats fishing the 3rd Get5Bass Winter Series Tournament in the Twin Lakes Division by catching five bass that weighed 18.97 pounds. The winter bite on Bull Shoals has begun with 21 5-bass limits being brought to the scales. Here’s how the top three…
By Kathleen Deatherage Vern Deatherage had always wanted to hunt mule deer with his dad, Bernard, ever since his dad had hunted them in Washington state when Vern was a little boy, but he never got to realize that dream. His father passed away in 2000 before they got a…
A huge crowd took advantage of the bright sunshine and warmer temperatures on Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a big Ava Christmas Parade that made its way through town. Folks began lining up early to claim their vantage point along Jefferson Street. Some brought lawn chairs and relaxed with the family…
Utilizing a tough defense and never-give-up attitude the Ava Bears held off Gainesville last Saturday night to win the Mansfield Tournament. It was the second straight year that the Bears have defeated Gainesville for the tournament title. Ava won the low-scoring battle, 36-33, to advance to 3-1 on the year.…
The 2011-2012 school year started off with a bang for the Ava Pride Band. Everywhere they went the band was met with challenges and left a success! Both as a band and individually the students of the Ava Pride Band had a fall to remember. The successes started with their…
A tribute to those who courageously served in the Battle of the Bulge and to veteran Adrain Owen who tells the story. By Sue Curry Jones In late 1944, subsequent to the allied forces’ successful D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, it appeared as if World War II was all but…
The Ava Lady Bears lost to Seymour for the second time this season last Friday night in the championship game of the Cabool Lady Bulldogs Tournament. On Monday the Ava girls turned it around and picked up a win at Hartville. The Ava ladies took a 20-point flogging at Cabool…
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…
Talk about the end of an era! Things just won’t be quite the same in Ava without the Highway House Café. After months of indecision and questioning the thought, Doris Liniger turned off the stove and locked the door for the last time on Wednesday. As a teenager in the…
The Ava High School Leadership Class went to two local churches on Sunday, Nov. 20 and presented the Friday Feast backpack program. Lucas Tabor and Mikali Elliott spoke at the Southern Baptist Church and Zach Leonard, Kody Kutz, Kattie Balassone and Kayla Dougherty presented at St. Leo’s Catholic Church. The…
On December 9 and 10 As the page on the calendar turns to December, Christmas activities move to the top of the list, especially for the Chamber of Commerce. Working hand in hand with the City of Ava, the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce will sponsor several events and…
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…
By Mindy Crandall Veteran’s Day is Friday! A day that all should commemorate on the eleventh hour. Every American citizen has earned the freedom that has and will continue to be gained through the acts of brave soldiers who choose to protect our dearly beloved country. Great sacrifices should be…
An early morning house fire last Thursday morning claimed the life of an Ava man. Elwood Williams, 68, was found in the living room of his Ava home, located in the 100 block of SW 4th Ave., by personnel with the City of Ava Volunteer Fire Department. The fire department…
Will Compete at State on Saturday Five of the six Ava runners turned in their best times of the season to earn the Class 2 District 6 cross country title. Junior Christina Shortt took the lead at the mile-and-a-half mark and never looked back, winning 1st place in the 5-kilometer…
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…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call Sunday that a burglary was in progress and the intruder was still in the house. Deputy James Gilbert was dispatched and while responding was advised the subject, identified as Sean Roberson, 23, of Springfield, had exited the residence by jumping through a…
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…
A time to honor our military heroes and take pride in their service, sacrifice and commitment. But, most of all, it’s our duty to say thanks. By Sue Curry Jones Public holidays are occasions we all anticipate and look forward to each year. We celebrate these special days for a…
By Mindy Crandall Life in the late 1800′s was much different from today. It was a time of “big change” and the start of the industrial revolution. Most families farmed for a living here in Missouri. People were beginning to understand the sting of pain from war, the hardships in…
Child Pedestrian Deaths Double on Halloween Night On a potentially dangerous night of the year for child pedestrians, Safe Kids USA and FedEx urge parents to prepare children to act safely and drivers to take extra precautions. On average, twice as many kids are killed while walking on Halloween compared…
By River Stillwood I’m back in the airport. This time, Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta. Folks are streaming past. A quickstepping human torrent. Literally thousands of strangers headed to or from Whoknowswhere. Business travelers. Casual travelers. Vacationers. There are few children, perhaps because it’s not a holiday weekend and most have school…
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…
The Ava Art Guild’s annual fall art show runs this week, Oct. 18-22, presenting a broad range of art work by artists of all ages, aptitudes and skill levels. The Judges Choice award for Best of Show went to Reeta Benkert for Rocky Mountain High, a landscape rendered in oils.…
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 Ava Bears suffered their second consecutive loss here last Friday night to a very good Liberty Eagles team, and slipped to 5-2 on the season. The Bears will be home again this Friday night as they wrap up a four-game homestand. It will be the final home game of…
A community playground that has been envisioned for seven years and actually in the planning stages for some 17 months, became a reality last week. Dozens of volunteers from throughout the community met at the playground location behind the MOCH Wellness Center in Ava and cut, drilled painted and assembled the…
The Ava Lady Bears made it to the championship game of the district tournament here last Saturday but fell to the Reeds Spring Wolves, 8-6. Ava defeated Mtn. Grove in first round action last Wednesday, 15-0, then defeated Liberty 7-1 in the semifinals on Thursday. That was an especially sweet…
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…
By Keith Moore River Pilot passed through the Ava area Tuesday, and he was neither swimming nor flying. He was on horseback. With a name like River Pilot one could not hold just any run-of-the-mill, mundane job title. River is a tour guide and a software developer for Garmin GPS systems,…
Around 20 firefighters from four different departments of Douglas County met in Ava last Saturday for training that will conclude this Saturday. The house on NW 10th Street is owned by the city and will be burned for demolition. Before burning the structure, firemen will be able to experience real…
After playing to a record of 5-0 this season, the Ava Bears met defeat at the hands of the Salem Tigers last Friday night, 12-0. When the Tigers scored halfway through the second quarter to take a 6-0 lead, it was the first time the Bears had trailed this season.…
By Sue Curry Jones In the mid-to-late 1800′s, daily life in the Ozarks was a challenge. For early settlers, carving out a livelihood and decent existence took perseverance. Life was a constant battle for survival and it wasn’t easy. Everyday tasks, big and small, were implemented through endurance and fortitude.…
Coach Dan Swofford and the Ava Bears knew that when Thayer came to town last Friday it was going to take four quarters of solid football to come away with a win. So, the Bears put together four solid quarters of football and came away with a 10-6 win over…
On Sept. 24, the 15th annual St. Jude’s Benefit Fun Show and Silent Auction was held at the Ava Saddle Club Arena. There were 202 entries showing with entries in almost every event. New speed classes were offered and were a hit with all. The silent auction was also very…
Ava High School senior Payton Lakey is crowned Homecoming Queen by 2010 queen Abby Dean during halftime ceremonies of last Friday night’s football game. At right is senior Jeff Smalley who was crowned 2011 Homecoming King.…
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…
Homeowners in the Ava View Heights subdivision in west Ava were surprised to find a considerable amount of ash on things outside their houses Saturday morning, with no evidence of anything burning within the near vicinity. The Ava Fire Department, Ava Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff’s Department and Ava/Douglas County…
Last Friday afternoon, just before the Homecoming Parade was getting ready to step off at Ava High School, there was a two-vehicle collision on East Washington Ave. (Highway 14) in front of Casey’s General Store, resulting in one truck ending up on its side. Ava Police said a 1990 Ford…
Kyle Clinkingbeard ran for four touchdowns and 233 yards last Friday night at Houston to lead the Ava Bears in 47-7 SCA win over the Tigers. Cody Wallace scored Ava’s first and final touchdowns of the game, and quarterback Ben Loge scrambled for a 38-yard touchdown run while also kicking…
By Sue Curry Jones The homecoming queen tradition at Ava Schools has been an exciting event for this community since it’s inception 62 years ago. And, even though event details have changed a little bit, and each generation has put their brand on coronation night, it would seem that the…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey The 1986 Ava Bears Varsity Football Team was under the instruction of Head Coach, Larry Silvey, who led them to a 9-2 record and a SCA and District Championship. They were the first Ava team to go…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey In 1976 Larry Silvey remained Head Coach and led the Ava Bears to a very impressive 8-2 record. This team was a very talented offensive team averaging 27.1 points a game. They rushed for 2,603 yards (8th…
The Ava Lady Bears were in West Plains last Saturday for a full day of tournament action. Ava won games over Doniphan 16-0 and East Carter 6-4, but lost to Springfield Kickapoo 9-2 and West Plains 11-2. Last Thursday, Sept. 8, the Lady Bears hosted Logan-Rogersville and scratched and clawed…
A Lakeview, Ark. man died last Thursday afternoon of injuries suffered in a one-car crash on Highway 5 north of Ava. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Marvin W. Clausen, 76, was pronounced dead by Dr. Kenneth Larson at 2:24 p.m. Thursday at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield. Larson was driving…
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…
Ashlyn Mitchell pitched a no-hit shutout against Sparta in non-conference action here last Thursday afternoon as the Lady Bears defeated the Trojans 5-0. Kelsey Regennitter was 3-for-4 at the plate with a single, a double and a triple, driving in three runs and scoring one. Abbie Lansdown was 2-for-3 with…
Kyle Clinkingbeard ran for four touchdowns and Ben Loge kicked four extra points as the Ava Bears defeated Willow Springs in conference action here last Friday night. This week the Bears will travel to Cabool to continue the SCA schedule. The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season and in the…
Horse fans from all across the United States will gather in Ava during the week of Sept. 4-10 for the 53rd annual Show and Celebration of the Missouri Fox Trotting Horse Breed Association (MFTHBA). Actually, travel trailers began showing up last weekend at the showgrounds north of town, and there…
Will Host Willow Springs This Friday Kyle Clinkingbeard and Caleb Miles each scored three touchdowns for the Ava Bears last Friday night and Miles ran for two additional 2-point conversions as the Bears defeated Strafford 41-19. Strafford received the kickoff to open the 2011 season and after four plays…
The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make a special appearance at the Missouri Foxtrotting Horse Breed Association 2011 Show and Celebration on Friday, Sept. 9. The MFTHBA show grounds are located one mile north of Ava on Highway 5.…
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…
By Mindy Crandall – as told by lifetime coach and mentor, Larry Silvey In 1956, Jimmy Williams became head coach. The Bears struggled during the 1956 season winning only three games under Coach Jimmy Williams, who resigned after only one season. Their SCA record that year was 3-5 and a…
Each week, it seems, we receive phone calls from subscribers who did not receive their newspaper. Some are local, some are in other states. When we receive such a call we always verify the address and sometimes we find there is a mistake. Most of the time, however, we find…
It was revealed this week that the Ava Community Playground project will receive a $25,000 grant from Pepsi. Throughout the month of July, people nationwide voted online for the project they felt deserved the grant money. Out of the hundreds of projects submitted from across the country, the Ava Playground…
Mark Twain National Forest law enforcement investigators are looking into the Aug. 17 discovery of loss of water at Noblett Lake, located in northeastern Douglas County south of Willow Springs. On Aug. 17 it was discovered that the spillway gate on the dam had been opened and most of the…
Ava VolleyBears Will Play at Home Monday This Friday night marks the beginning of the 2011 football season for high school teams across Missouri. For the Ava Bears, opening night will be a non-conference game at Strafford. The two teams met for the first time last year on the Ava…
This picture was left on the porch of a house on SE 18th Avenue in Ava. The homeowner does not know the people nor for whom the picture was intended. If you recognize the young people in the picture or know who was supposed to receive it, contact the Herald…
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…
A family of five woke up to smoke in their home Saturday morning, and all were able to escape unhurt, although the home was a total loss. Yalanda Flanagan and her four children, ages 14, 13, 2 and 8 months got out of the house with little more than the…
In case you haven’t noticed, summer vacation is just about over. Most area schools are preparing to return to classes next week, and with that comes a shift in activity schedules for just about everybody. Skyline R-2 School will start classes on Monday, Aug. 15. The day will begin with…
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…
Lettering is now in place on the press box at the Ava High School football field, recognizing the renaming of the stadium for the late Dr. C.E. Harlan. This is in response to action taken by the School Board a couple of years ago. At the same time, the football…
With schools getting ready to open later this month and the fall sports seasons about to begin, the Bear Boosters invite students, parents and community members to come out Friday, Aug. 12 and help kick off the 2011 season. This will be the end of the first week of practice…
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…
By Sue Curry Jones, as told by Cinita Brown In August of 1937 a new school term was to begin at Robertson School, District 87, located about seven miles south of Ava. At that time there were 105 rural schools in Douglas County. Robertson had between fifty and sixty students. …
By Mindy Crandall Just a few months ago, the words “School is out!” rang through the halls of the Ava schools. Students and teachers were relieved and breathed a quiet, but an enthusiastic sigh of relief as another hectic school year was over – history! Those same children could now…
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 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,…
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…
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…
With Afternoon temperatures reaching well into the upper 90s and on occasion even going over 100 degrees, the Douglas County Health Department has issued a heat warning. Elderly individuals, and those who care for the elderly, should be very aware of the danger of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. With…
One of two drivers seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash south of Ava last Thursday morning has been transferred to a Columbia hospital for treatment. Family members of Crystal L. Lee, 34, of Ava, said she was transferred to Columbia on Friday for additional surgery to her legs that were…
Under a blazing hot Texas sun, Liz Kyger, 51, of Ava, was overall female finisher in the 5K road race in Houston, Texas on Saturday, June 25, earning her a gold medal and a national title. Her time on the 3.1-mile USATF certified course was 21:44 minutes. To qualify for…
By Sue Curry Jones Independence Day is a summer season holiday we all look forward to celebrating. It’s an occasion that generates family get-togethers, town gatherings, community parades, and national unity. The holiday brings everyone together for spectacular organized celebrations. And, for children, the holiday is exciting and fun, as…
The Ava Swim Team hosted last Saturday’s area swim meet, and the Ava team claimed the second place trophy. The district meet will be held at Seymour on Saturday, July 9. Caleb Johnson was high point winner in 9-10 boys; Shane Olmstead was high in 13-14 boys; Courtney Nall earned…
Next Monday, offices will close and most businesses will take a day off as the United States observes Independence Day. But prior to – or in conjunction with – that day of celebration, numerous events are being held to commemorate the most important day in America’s history. Fourth of July…
By Mindy Crandall Have you ever wondered how and what defines a person? Every single living being has at least one thing that sets them apart and makes them unique. Experts agree that just as unique as a person’s fingerprint is the way that they think and behave. Some characteristics…
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…
Aimee Herring, 30, of Mtn. Home, Ark., pleaded guilty to 2nd-degree murder in Douglas County Circuit Court on Tuesday, June 7. Herring, who was charged in the Sept. 10, 2010 murder of Phillip Taylor, of Macomb, also pleaded guilty to 1st degree robbery charges in connection with the same case.…
Ava’s premier 4th of July event will take place this Friday night at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center at the south edge of town. With live music and some 45 vendor booths offering crafts, food and games, the big inflatables, a car show by the Road Runners Car Club…
By Sue Curry Jones Artists are a passionate lot, and as most of us know from history, some are more temperamental than others. As students in school, nearly all of us had the opportunity to study art and read about outstanding artists and how they impacted the world. We learned…
A 3-year-old Missouri Fox Trotter from Dora won the open Futurity last Saturday night in the concluding class of the 2011 Spring Show and 3-Year-Old Futurity. My Hard Time, shown by Garrett King for Brian and Tara Land, of Dora, claimed the garland of the Futurity champion in the open…
Randall E. Watkins, 37, of Dora, was seriously injured last Saturday morning when the truck he was driving ran off the road and hit a tree. The wreck occurred on Highway 181, two miles north of Dora in Douglas County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The Dora Fire…
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…
Jeffery Tanner, 19, of Ava, has been charged with a residential burglary in Douglas County. Cole Wagner, also 19, of Ava, is charged with a probation and parole violation in connection with the same incident that occurred on May 27. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department reports that the office received…
The Ava Swim Team traveled to Lebanon last Saturday and came home with the third place trophy. It was the first meet of the season for the Ava team. This week’s meet will be held at Marshfield. Following are the individual results for the Ava swimmers. Intermediate Medley—13-14 girls: Morgan…
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…
Twins have been born at the Clyde Connelly farm just north of Ava. Mother and offspring are doing well. The twins were born to a 7-year-old Missouri Fox Trotting mare and although very small, both are doing well this week. The birth of equine twins is rare in itself –…
By Sue Curry Jones Like any great baseball player, Jonathan Batcheller knows that winning a game isn’t just about hitting a home run. Sometimes, it’s about endurance, strength and tenacity. It’s also about facing disappointments, taking near misses and strikeouts –– but most of the time –– it’s about getting…
Drivers can expect one-lane traffic on two state roadways in the Ava area of Douglas County beginning the week of June 6, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. Most of the work will take place during daytime hours. Contractor crews will work 10-hour days Monday through Friday. Rain delays may…
The 2010-11 school year for Ava R-1 Schools ended Wednesday. Students were dismissed at around 12:30 to begin their summer vacation. With the end of the school year comes more daytime activity involving young people. Motorists are urged to be on watch for children walking or on bicycles, especially in…
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,…
Ava’s pitching was not particularly sharp and the Cuba bats were lively last Thursday afternoon resulting in a 14-8 loss for the Bears in the district championship game. Because of rain at Salem where the tournament was being played, the championship game was moved to Houston and pushed back from…
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…
By Mindy Crandall Over the years many speeches have been given where the phrase, cut from the same cloth, have been used. Several people have used this analogy to describe that all humans are created equal. In fact, the Bible also contains similar word phrases to describe equality. I, myself,…
One man was airlifted to a Springfield hospital early Sunday morning after apparently being involved in a traffic accident west of Ava. The Missouri State Highway Patrol said Raymond K. Baird, 42, of Norwood, was taken to Cox South Hospital by helicopter following the 12:15 a.m. crash just west of…
A violent spring storm made its way through the Ava area last Thursday night, ripping roofs off buildings, bringing down numerous tree limbs and uprooting trees. The storm was also accompanied by brief but heavy rainfall that caused flash flooding in the area. An area sustaining the most damage from…
Highway 14 Will Be Closed May 31-July 23 The bridge over Fox Creek on Route 14 west of Gentryville is scheduled to close Tuesday, May 31, so the bridge can be replaced, the Missouri Department of Transportation has announced. The new bridge on Route 14 over Fox Creek is scheduled…
By Mindy Crandall Viewing a cave is not everyone’s idea of fun, but usually only due to three things: the fear of the unknown, fear of bats or because one is claustrophobic. I on the other hand, jumped at the chance to go inside Onondaga Cave. I must say, when…
Route 125 at Brush Creek south of Bradleyville is scheduled to be closed late this week to allow contractor crews to replace the bridge, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. This is part of a MoDOT program that will replace 802 bridges in Missouri over the next two years. The…
The hills around Peck Ranch Conservation Area once again will echo with the bugles of bull elk. WINONA—Sometimes words simply fail. Missouri Conservation Commission Chairman Becky Plattner was struck speechless on the morning of May 5 as she stood in the blue dawn light atop a remote ridge in Carter…
Commencement exercises for the Ava High School class of 2011 will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Ava High School football field. A roster of 100 seniors will march across the stage to receive their diplomas, marking the end of an era for both the students and their…
The Ava Bears defeated Mansfield in their final home game of the season last Friday, then played in the Ash Grove Tournament starting Saturday. Ava managed to win only two of four games at Ash Grove. District play begins this Saturday at Salem. On Friday, the Bears defeated Mansfield 10-3.…
By Randy Dudley The History At the age of 25, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft set off on an expedition to explore the sparsely populated areas of the Midwest including southwest Missouri. Schoolcraft was a self-described neophyte at this sort of adventure and often depended on the hospitality of the local settlers…
After two full days of preparation by the track coaching staff and with the help of former coach Larry Silvey, the Ava red dog track was ready to host 11 schools on April 18. Attending the meet were West Plains junior varsity, Gainesville, Cabool, Mtn. Grove, Hartville, Houston, Licking, Mansfield,…
So often an individual is applauded for his accomplishments after he is gone from this life. But on Monday, attorneys of the Ava community, as well as local community government, recog-nized James E. Curry for a lifetime of service. An attorney in Ava for over 60 years, Curry has also…
The Ava High School Baseball Bears scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning here Tuesday night to defeat Houston 9-8 in SCA action. The Bears are 3-3 in league play with a game at Mtn. View-Liberty today (Thursday) to wrap up the conference. The Bears will host…
By Mindy Crandall Every week a new article is written for the Reflections column. In doing so, appointments have to be scheduled and research has to be done in order for the article to have an impact. Not always and this was the case, does an interview become possible. In…
Britni Tyra, 22, is being held on child abuse charges, it was announced Wednesday by Sheriff Chris Degase. On Monday, April 25, Tyra was arrested by Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and placed on a 24 hours hold for an incident of suspected child abuse that…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was busy this past week as Sheriff Degase placed a primary focus on the growing methamphetamine problem. All deputies were working methamphetamine-related information in between taking the usual calls, Degase said. K-9 Officer Brad Loveless and Deputy Nathan Long arrested Timothy Rehard, age 27, and…
A young family is homeless this week after fire destroyed their home in Ava early Monday morning. Jamie Potter said he was home alone when he awoke around 12:30 a.m. Monday to what sounded like water pipes banging. Smelling smoke, Potter soon realized the house was on fire and made…
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…
It was standing room only last week when concerned citizens and students filled every available space in the administration building during the monthly meeting of the Ava R-1 School Board. The meeting was held on Wednesday, April 20, instead of the usual third Thursday of the month, and for the…
By Mindy Crandall When my children were little, there was nothing more gratifying than sitting down with them each evening to read a book. Each night we would snuggle up together on the couch or someone’s bed and almost in rhythm they would all four softly yell out at their…
An estimated 1,000 kids showed up at the Ava City Park Saturday afternoon to “hunt” Easter eggs. Actually, there was little hunting for the eggs that were scattered by the Easter bunny just prior to the start of the activities. The children were divided into three age categories, with some…
A new Casey’s General Store opened in Ava Wednesday morning. Actually, the convenience store at the south junction of Highways 5 and 76 in Ava, closed Monday afternoon as Underwood Shell, and on Wednesday morning the store reopened as Casey’s. Workers were busy Wednesday morning putting up temporary signs and…
Our nation’s economy is in an upheaval, and I would be lying if I said I have the answers to fix it. But one thing I know is that we cannot spend ourselves out of it, and there needs to be some common sense applied. I thought it was interesting…
The Ava Lady Bears traveled to Mtn. View on Tuesday, April 5, for an all-relays track contest with eight area school competing. On the girls’ side, Mtn. Grove won the meet with 97 points. Ava came in second with 70 points and Salem was one point back in third with…
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 On top of a hill a few miles south of Strafford, Missouri, lies something unexpected. There is a clearing at the end of a winding gravel drive. It was never really intended to be shared with or seen by anyone other than it’s original designer, builder and…
By Mindy Crandall The expedition was long, right at an hour, to be exact. I was headed to Fair Grove, a small town just outside Springfield to learn more about gardening. To be honest, my first thought was, why do I need to travel so far to learn about such…
A grand jury indictment against Anna May Moreland, 34, of Ava, was unsealed Tuesday, and an active warrant has been issued for her arrest. So far, authorities have been unable to find Moreland and her whereabouts are unknown. In a document dated March 4 by the Douglas County Circuit Court,…
Joshua Freeman, sophomore at Ava R-1 Public School, has been selected to attend the 2011 Missouri Scholars Academy. Josh is the son of Sherry Motes and James Freeman of Ava. Josh is a member of the Ava R-1 gifted program and has earned his way into this extremely prestigious academy…
Retired Douglas County educator and very busy community volunteer Norma Stillings was presented the John N. Dickison Award last Saturday night by the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce. The Dickison Award recognizes an individual who has given a lifetime of service to the Ava and Douglas County community. Norma graduated…
Davis Loses School Board Seat by One Vote Residents of the City of Ava elected a new mayor Tuesday, but retained the two incumbent aldermen who were seeking re-election. In the Ava R-1 School District, only one incumbent, Randy Spurlock, retained his seat with two new members elected to the…
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,…
The Ava High School speech and drama department, under the direction of Jason Macy, will present “The Diary of Anne Frank” this weekend in the Performing Arts Center. Starting tonight, presentations will be given on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, and wrapping up with a 2 o’clock matinee performance on…
Many acres were blackened Wednesday afternoon as numerous wildfires burned out of control across Douglas County. A MoDOT road grader sparked a fire at the north edge of the Ava city limits Wednesday afternoon that endangered the Trinity Lutheran Church. While Ava City and Ava Rural Fire Departments were handling…
All-SCA selections for the 2010-11 basketball season were announced Monday night at the Winter Athletic Banquet. Also announced were Ava players who were selected to the Class 2 District all-tournament team. All-conference first team selections included Pete Leonard, for the Bears, and Jorie Garrett and Payton Lakey for the Lady…
By Mindy Crandall It has been noted that Ava Bear basketball existed in the Ava schools in the 1920’s and was played prior to that, outside the school with organized teams from the town, military and churches. Women were not allowed to play at this time. Thinking back, women were…
By Mindy Crandall A timeline is a project artifact and a way to highlight certain dates in history over a long period of time. Ava Bear basketball has been making history since the 1920’s when the first organized basketball team for Ava High came into existence and is still making…
The clock was not a friend to the Ava Bears last Wednesday night. Facing Charleston, from southeast Missouri in state sectional play last week, the Bears overcame a 20-point halftime deficit to pull within one point of the Bluejays with 17 seconds left on the clock. But Charleston held on…
By River Stillwood Eighteen years ago, I moved to Japan to teach English. I was in my early thirties, divorced, and a new college graduate. In my childhood, I’d lived in the Middle East, Europe and the States, but I’d never been to Asia. This was my chance to go.…
Students of the Month Recognized for January, February, March The Ava Area Chamber of Commerce and Great Southern Bank made up for lost time Tuesday, presenting Student of the Month awards for January, February and March. January and February presentations were postponed due to bad weather and students’ being out…
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Wednesday afternoon that a Mtn. Grove man died Saturday in Douglas County of an accidental gunshot. On Saturday, March 5, the Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Shooting Iron, a business located in the Vanzant area of eastern Douglas County, for a shooting. The…
The Douglas County Herald received the following press release from Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney Roger Wall on Wednesday of this week stating the following: “Recently, the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has been asked by news media about indictments returned by a Douglas County Grand Jury against present and/or former…
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…
By Mindy Crandall Reminiscing is the act of enjoying fond memories whether it be among friends over a cup of coffee or in the silence of one’s own home. It is a look back in time, the mere existence of what was once today or the near future, now only…
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…
Three More Arrested in Case at Brushy Knob Officers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department were busy last week, arresting a total of six people in two separate drug cases. Last Thursday morning, officers from the Sheriff’s Office responded to the 300 block of NE 13th Street in Ava for…
Willoughby Hot Rods, of Ava, was pleased to showcase Devin Houston’s 1970 GTO SC/Tiger for the viewing pleasure of auto enthusiasts in Las Vegas recently. Gear Heads and Pontiac fans alike took in this Orbit Orange, Pro Charged SC/Tiger at the Legendary Auto Interiors booth during the 2010 SEMA (Specialty…
Payton Lakey scored 22 points, pulled down 11 rebounds and had six blocked shots as the Ava Lady Bears defeated Licking 56-38 in first-round play of the Missouri Class 3, District 2 Tournament at Cabool last Saturday. Jorie Garrett had 10 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists, and Emily Sterling…
James D. Cain, 47, of Mtn. Grove was arrested in Texas County on Friday, Feb. 25, on a Douglas County warrant for 1st degree felony burglary, 1st degree felony domestic assault and misdemeanor theft/stealing. The charges stemmed from an altercation that occurred in the Vanzant area of Douglas County on…
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,…
Cowskin Creek Project on Highway 14 Postponed to Late May The bridge over Bryant Creek on Douglas County Route B between Ava and Mansfield is scheduled to be closed Monday, March 7, and a new bridge built, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. The new Route B bridge will be…
Some may feel that today’s teens are uncaring and selfish. But you will never convince the family of Carter Campbell of that. Brock Mitchell, a senior at Ava High School, coaches Carter’s 3rd & 4th grade intramural basketball team. Last Wednesday, Carter underwent emergency surgery for a ruptured appendix, and…
Ava seniors Pete Leonard and Brock Mitchell combined for 49 points here last Friday night – the equivalent of Houston’s total – as the Bears defeated the Tigers 97-49 in SCA action. Mitchell sank four baskets from 3-point land and finished with 23 points on the night, scoring 20 points…
Saying Good-bye By River Stillwood 17 February It’s Thursday evening, 8:33, and I’m sitting in a cramped seat on a nonstop flight from St. Louis to Washington, DC. It’s an unexpected trip. I arrived back from San Diego and Phoenix only two days ago after a terrific visit with my…
A nostalgic tribute to the memory of the Ava Speedway By Sue Curry Jones The idea may have started from a group of young high school students who passed Doc Sallee’s Machine Shop every day at noon. They were intrigued by the midget racer he was building in his shop.…
Racing is a sport that has taken a lot of criticism for not being an actual competition. Comedians have used the line, “another left turn” in their comedy routines to poke fun at the mere lack of respect that racing sometimes gets. Many movies have also ridiculed some of the…
Firemen from three departments battled a house fire throughout the day Tuesday in Ava that, despite their efforts, would ultimately destroy the home. The Ava City Fire Department received the fire call just after 10 a.m. Tuesday. When they arrived on scene, at 600 NW 4th St., smoke was showing…
Ava R-1 Superintendent Brian Wilson met with MoDOT personnel here last Thursday afternoon and made an appeal to delay the closing of the Cowskin Bridge on Highway 14. The Cowskin Creek bridge is one of six scheduled for replacement in 2011, but the only one that will adversely affect Ava…
By Mindy Crandall America’s best-seller, the Bible, makes reference to the fact that all things, as we know them, will eventually come to an end. For many sportsmen who have spent at least one night a week for the last several months together on the creek will also be using…
January 7, 2010 Winter struck with a vengeance as 2010 began, as a powerful Arctic storm moved southward into the Midwest. The Ava area received snowfall of about 3 inches on Saturday night, Jan. 2 and through the day on Sunday, then temperatures plummeted to near zero early in the…
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…
On New Year’s Eve Sgt. Vernon Johnson of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding the spree of car vandalism and burglaries that occurred in the city limits of Ava. Deputy Johnson recovered two stereos, one that was stolen out of Salina, Kan. and the other taken from a…
Primitive Thymes may not be thought of as a new business since it is still owned by the same couple, Brad and Amanda Evans, who purchased it in November 2009. And, actually, the business has been in Ava for quite some time. However, factor in the fact that this couple…
We’ve had some cold weather and we’ve seen some snow already, but winter hit with a vengeance this week. Light snowfall came on Monday and Tuesday, leaving an accumulation of around an inch Tuesday morning. But, in typical January fashion, dropping temperatures were accompanied by strong winds that drove 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…
A large part of Ava woke up Monday morning in the dark, after a power pole snapped at the intersection of S. Jefferson St. and SE 6th Ave. Evidence at the scene along with an eye-witness account indicated a tractor-trailer rig hooked the pole while attempting to turn around in the intersection. A…
Some people may not be aware that we have a winning Olympic team in our midst. Heart of the Ozarks of Ava sent a group of residents in Mountain Grove, Missouri, on Oct. 26 to participate in the Golden Age Games. The local care facility came away with the first-place…
Davis Auto in Ava celebrated their 50th anniversary in March. The Davis family business started not with cars, but with general merchandise. However, Dale’s father, Cecil, sold cars even before that time. Cecil operated an auto parts store starting in 1939, along with selling some used cars on the side,…
A local child will make a special trip with her family this weekend courtesy of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Anna Hailey, 14, will travel to Florida on Saturday with her mother and two sisters. The family will spend a week visiting all of the amusement parks around Orlando, Fl., including Disney…
This is a test run for the upcoming e-Edition of the paper. We will be continuing to improve the quality of the e-Edition as time goes on. For now though this will let you read the paper in the format it was originally created in. Please feel free to email…
Follow the election results for the Douglas County races live online tonight with up the the minute results. Just click the link! November 2nd Douglas County Election Results…
By Whitney Keith Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. No, it’s not a witch’s brew, but something infinitely more delicious. This year marks the 21st for Apple Butter Day at the Ozark Mennonite School between Mansfield and Seymour, just south of U.S. 60. Cauldrons of apple…
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…
By Whitney Keith Family Pharmacy opened in the new Roberts Centre in Ava just last month, bringing another option to those looking to fill prescriptions, buy gifts or learn more about their health. The Family Pharmacy chain started in 1977 with the flagship store in Ozark, Mo. The group has…
By Whitney Keith The Ava High School volleyball program has had lows and highs in its 34 years, but dedicated coaching has made the difference for this sport. Organized volleyball started at Ava High School in 1976. Former athletic director Larry Silvey said that past annuals show volleyball teams in…
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…
By Whitney Keith For existing for only nine years, the Ava High School softball squad has racked up an impressive array of wins and titles. This week, we will be discussing three years in which the Lady Bears seemed to dominate the field. 2004 The 2004 squad ended the season…
A recovering stroke victim from Ava started this “club” when she realized many women needed a positive outlook on life. One year later, there are more than 5,000 members in 23 countries. “Times are changing.” That phrase has been used by most of us who have reached adulthood, and few…
By Whitney Keith The Ava High School football squad of 1954 might seem to belong to a long-gone era, but these players are still holding their own in the local record books against today’s gridiron giants. The 1954 season ended with a 9-1 record, and the team was state-ranked through…
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.…
The Ava High School FFA Chapter was chartered in 1935 and this year is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Chapter advisors Brent Lakey and Tiffany Kauffman, along with members of the 2010 VoAg classes, are planning a special diamond anniversary celebration on Friday, Nov. 5. All former Ava High School FFA…
By Whitney Keith This article will continue the highlight of several Ava High School football teams that we have been featuring over the past few weeks. The 1993 and 1994 squads had very similar records, but the make-up of players was different, as many starters for the 1993 team graduated…
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…
Two Mtn. Home, Ark., women have been arrested and charged with a murder that occurred last Friday night at the Gentry Roadside Park north of Ava. Sheriff Chris Degase announced Wednesday that April Dawn Quick, 32, and Aimee Lynne Herring, 29, both of Mtn. Home, were arrested Tuesday and were…
At about 11:15 last Thursday evening an automatic alarm was activated indicating a fire at the White River Valley Electric Co-op building on NW 9th Street in Ava. Policeman Tim Stuart was the first to arrive on scene and reported to the responding fire department that there was heavy smoke…
A loud and enthusiastic crowd agreed with the judges last Saturday night as Grand Central claimed the garland of the 2010 World Grand Champion Missouri Fox Trotter. Ridden by Thomas J. Williams for Vic and Alice Rowden, of Buffalo, Grand Central had already made a name for himself, winning first…
By Whitney Keith The 1985 and 1986 Ava High School football seasons seem to be twins of each other. Both years Ava won district and conference championships, and both years they lost to Republic after the regular season. 1985 In 1985, the Ava Bears went 10-2, scoring 309 points while…
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.…
Fire that was detected by the building’s alarm system just before midnight Thursday did major damage to one White River Valley Electric Coop truck that was parked inside the truck bay. However, the sprinkler system on the building located on NW 9th Street in Ava did its job in containing…
Products Sold In Ava, Sparta and Tecumseh If you recently bought cheese at Jean’s Heathway in Ava, or Seasons Harvest in Sparta, or East Wind in Tecumseh, you may have purchased a recalled cheese product. Local consumers need to know Morningland Diary of Mountain View, Mo. is recalling all products,…
JEFFERSON CITY – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) recently held open-house-style public meetings in southern Missouri to share information about proposed plans for elk restoration in the region and to gather comments from the public. About 300 people attended the meetings, which were held in Van Buren on Aug.…
Tax Forum Documents (These documents were handed out at the forum.) The Douglas County commissioners and Sheriff Chris Degase held a community forum on Thursday, Aug. 26 to discuss the proposed sales tax bond issue to build and maintain a new justice center. The forum had around 50 attendees, about…
A-Pickin’ and A-Grinnin’ Glen Dale Robertson couldn’t help but be a musician. Music was his inheritance, handed down to him from his parents, as surely as if it had been written into a will. Embedded in his genetic makeup, Glen’s musical ability is an intrinsic part of his nature, a…
By Whitney Keith Over the next month, we will be highlighting teams in Ava High School football history that have stood out for their performances. This week’s article will focus on the 1977 and 1980 teams. 1977 “This was a very good defensive team,” said Coach Larry Silvey, who led…
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…
By Whitney Keith The Ava R-I football program started in 1948, with a squad that ended the season with a record of 1-5. The Ava boys scored only 46 points to their opponents’ 123 that season, not an auspicious start to what may be Ava’s most beloved sport. The football…
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…
Ava Teams Show Their Stuff at Booster Club Scrimmages The Ava Football Bears will travel to Pierce City this Friday night for the preseason Jamboree. The Jamboree will begin at 6:30 and will involve teams from Ava, Mt. Vernon and Pierce City. The Jamboree gives coaching staffs an opportunity to…
Most small towns in southwest Missouri have town squares, but few have one as full of businesses and restaurants as the Ozark Court Square. The Ozark square consists of a central courthouse and lawn, surrounded by four sides of buildings, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.…
The Ava City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, July 10. The council received the information on refunding their 2003 Combined Sewer Revenue Bonds that they approved at the last meeting. The average interest rates now on the bonds will be 3.85 percent, for a total savings of $89,900…
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…
By Whitney Keith A local resident has made a name for himself in the world of fiddle contests, and has cemented his reputation with a big win at a national competition, Junior Marriott, owner of Marriott Music in Ava, placed first in the open division of the Grand Lake National…
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…
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.…
