City of Ava Invites Young Artists to Draw Their Way Into Summer Safety
While winter weather still keeps many outdoor activities on pause, the City of Ava, Missouri is giving local students a chance to think ahead to warmer days with its upcoming Summer Safety Contest. The contest is open to students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade, including public, private, and homeschooled children. Participants are encouraged to draw…
Read MoreRural Ava Property Investigation Results in Mansfield Man’s Arrest
A Mansfield man was arrested last week following a trespassing and theft-related investigation at a rural Douglas County property. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Jessie Doherty, 45, was taken into custody on Feb. 19 after a warrant was served in connection with an incident reported earlier this month at a property located off…
Read MoreCabool Woman Arrested Following Unreturned U-Haul Investigation
A Cabool woman was taken into custody last week following an investigation into an unreturned rental truck located at a rural Douglas County residence. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were contacted on Feb. 18 regarding a U-Haul box truck that had not been returned after the rental period had expired. The vehicle,…
Read MoreAva Students and rootEd Advisor Meet with State Legislators to Discuss Career Advising and Workforce Development
Ava High School career advisor Rachelle Brown (from left) stands with State Sen. Brad Hudson, recent Ava High School graduate Mallory Melton, and current Ava High School senior Kaleah Moore during meetings at the Capitol. The Ava students shared how individualized career advising through rootEd has helped them plan for college, workforce training, and future…
Read MoreFalcons Wrap Up Home Slate with Varsity Loss to Redwings
A Dora Falcon defender works to cut off the lane as Eminence drives to the basket during Friday night’s varsity matchup at Dora High School. The Falcons closed their home schedule with a hard-fought contest against the Redwings, showing growth and intensity ahead of district play. The Dora Falcons wrapped up their home schedule…
Read MoreStorm Spotter Training Planned
The Ava Rural Fire Department will host a Storm Spotter Training class on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Copeland Cafeteria, located at 1400 Lyle St. in Ava. The training is open to the public and is designed to help community members learn how to safely identify and report severe…
Read MoreWanda L. Bautts
Wanda L. Bautts, a cherished resident of Rogers, Arkansas, passed away on February 16, 2026, at the age of 94. Born on August 20, 1931, in Ava, Missouri, Wanda was one of nine siblings. She demonstrated her musical talent early on, singing in school choirs and performing in trios, which earned her a scholarship for…
Read MoreCapitol Report | Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2026
Greetings Friends of the 155th District! This week in Jefferson City was busy but very productive. I had four bill hearings, an executive session, and one of my bills was perfected and third read, sending it to the Senate. Below is a review of my bills from this week. HB1645 received a public hearing this…
Read MorePhyllis Lavon Sanders
Phyllis Lavon Sanders, 69 years, 4 months, 1 day old, lost her battle with cancer on February 21, 2026, at Northwood Hills Care Center, Humansville, Missouri, with her family by her side. Phyllis was born October 20, 1956, in Kansas City, Missouri, to Vaughn Amiel and Norene (Lantz) Martin. Phyllis grew up in the Sweden…
Read MoreBecky Lee Klineline
Becky Lee Klineline, 69 years, 3 months, 8 days old, passed peacefully to Heaven on February 23, 2026, at her home with her husband, Joe, and family by her side. Becky was born November 15, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Louis and Doris (Lee) Prince. She graduated from Ava High School in 1975. Becky…
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