The Ava Pride Band is preparing for the 2026–27 school year with a new student leadership team, a slate of award recipients, an upcoming band camp and continued fundraising for a planned trip to Orlando, Florida. Band members were recognized during an Ava Pride awards ceremony held in July. Several students received individual honors for…
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A Mountain Grove man is facing felony witness tampering charges in Douglas County after authorities allege he contacted a witness from the Douglas County Jail and advised him to provide a statement related to a prior incident. Wesley Eugene Sartor III has been charged with two counts of tampering with a witness in a felony…
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The Ava Police Department recently announced the promotion of two officers and welcomed a new officer to the department. Jason Hoekema was promoted from corporal to sergeant, while Joe Dering was promoted from officer to corporal. The department credited both officers for their hard work, dedication and service to the Ava community. The department…
Read More >> Vanzant, MO. – What started as a response to a call of a dangerous domestic situation led to an arrest with 18 felony charges in Douglas County this past Monday. On July 6, at around 2:37 p.m., three law enforcement officials from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrived at a residence in Vanzant to a…
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Irvin Reynolds Ava, Missouri Irvin Sheldon Reynolds, 87 years, 7 months, 13 days old, passed away on July 14, 2026, at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava, Missouri. On December 1, 1938, Irvin was born in Paola, Kansas, to Earnest Sheldon and Zada May (Wilson) Reynolds. He grew up in the Paola area…
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Board passes revised Ordinance 1173 after public input and further review of language The Ava Board of Aldermen approved an updated version of Ordinance No. 1173 during a meeting held Wednesday, July 1, putting a temporary one year moratorium in place on certain data centers, high density computing facilities, cryptocurrency mining facilities, artificial intelligence computing…
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Former Norwood High School baseball standout Chase Blakey has been named among the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame’s Diamond 9 honorees as part of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 Spring Sports Luncheon. Blakey also has strong Douglas County ties. He is the son of Ellis Blakey, of Ava, and the late Marsha Smith…
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Opening day at the Ava Community Center brought residents together for food, fellowship and a first look at the new community space. The center opened Wednesday, July 1, at 109 North Spring Street in Ava. The Ava Community Center opened its doors Wednesday, July 1, with a focus on providing a welcoming space for…
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Local authors will be featured during a book sale and signing Saturday, July 11, on the Ava Court Square. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon in the gazebo on the square, giving visitors a chance to meet local writers, purchase books and have copies signed by the authors. Several authors are…
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A Kansas woman is facing charges after an Ava police officer reported she led authorities on a pursuit through the city on June 28. According to the probable cause affidavit, Officer Johnson attempted to stop a black Chevrolet Malibu on Highway 5 after observing the vehicle following too closely and drifting between lanes. Despite emergency…
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