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Laverne Karen Farris | Ava, Missouri

June 12, 2026

Laverne Karen Farris, 79 years, 11 months, 11 days old, passed away on June 4, 2026, at Springfield Villa with her family by her side. Karen was born June 24, 1946 in Douglas County, Missouri to Clifton Dale and Lela Lynn (Shinpaugh) Davis. Karen attended Ava schools. After her education she met and married Jim…

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Christie Jean Lee Vauter | Ava, Missouri

June 12, 2026

Christie Vauter, 45 years, 5 months, and 23 days old, passed away on, June 6, 2026, at Hospice of the Ozarks in Mtn. Home, Arkansas. Christie was born December 14, 1980, in Wibaux, Montana to Michael Lee and Anna Lucille (Satterfield) Jones. Christie was a Christian. Christie and Jack Vauter were united in marriage on…

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Seymour woman remanded to custody in Douglas County case

June 12, 2026

Janice L. Blackledge, 65, of Seymour, was remanded to custody May 26 when she appeared in Douglas County court. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Blackledge tested positive for methamphetamine and ecstasy when she arrived at court. Blackledge was originally arrested Jan. 14 on a Douglas County grand jury indictment for possession of methamphetamine.…

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Woman arrested after multiple fires reported at ex-boyfriend’s residence

June 12, 2026

A Mountain Grove woman is being held without bond after police say she returned to an ex‑boyfriend’s residence early Sunday morning and set fires in both a vehicle and the home. According to a probable cause statement, officers first responded to the residence around 10:47 p.m. Saturday after the reporting party said Melissa Prestage was…

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Ava woman indicted for failing to register as sex offender

June 12, 2026

Patricia Hurt, 28, of Ava, was arrested May 28 after a Douglas County grand jury indictment for failure to register as a sex offender. Hurt was arrested by Douglas County Deputy Shane Hardin. Bond was set at $1,500. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the indictment followed a joint investigation between the sheriff’s office…

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Domestic assault indictment leads to Republic man’s arrest

June 12, 2026

Adam Besson, 41, of Republic, was remanded to custody May 20 when he appeared in Douglas County court. Besson was indicted by a Douglas County grand jury Jan. 9 for third degree domestic assault. The original offense occurred in the Vanzant area of Douglas County. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Besson was gone…

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Springfield man arrested on Douglas County child molestation indictment

June 12, 2026

Jared Allen Young, 34, of Springfield, was arrested May 27 on a Douglas County grand jury indictment for first degree child molestation. Bond was set at $150,000 cash only. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the case was investigated by Detective Nathan Long with assistance from the Child Advocacy Center of West Plains. Young…

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Wright County Deputies Assisted in a Situation Caused by Alleged Influence of Psychedelic Mushrooms

June 12, 2026

From the Wright County Sheriff’s Department: Deputies responded to a report involving two floaters who became separated north of Burney Ford “Grease Rack” on the Gasconade River. The investigation revealed the two individuals had reportedly consumed psychedelic mushrooms while camping near the river.   During the evening hours of Saturday, June 6, one male reportedly…

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Grand jury indicts Dora woman in car theft, drug case

June 12, 2026

On June 4, Yellonda Adams, age 49 of Dora, was arrested on a Douglas County Grand Jury Indictment for possession of a controlled substance and stealing. The bond was set at $1500 cash only. Adams has since posted bond. Douglas County Deputy Shane Harden investigated the original case. Adams was found in possession of a…

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Ava Board of Aldermen Agenda | June 9, 2026

June 8, 2026

CITY OF AVA, MISSOURI THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN AGENDA 404 S JEFFERSON ST AVA, MO 65608 June 9, 2026 5:00 PM I.       Call to Order: Mayor II.      Roll Call of aldermen: III.    Approve or Amend Agenda: IV.    Approval of Minutes: May 26, 2026 V.     Public address…

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