Douglas County
Infant Removed From Home After Welfare Check, Drug Seizure
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Saturday evening in western Douglas County, leading to the recovery of an infant and the arrest of the child’s mother. According to the sheriff’s office, deputies served the warrant around 5 p.m. on April 11 following a joint investigation with the Missouri Children’s Division. The investigation…
Read MoreDora man arrested on methamphetamine, paraphernalia charges after Douglas County traffic stop
DORA, Mo. — A Dora man was arrested March 28 following a traffic stop in the Goodhope area and is facing multiple charges related to controlled substances and driving without a valid license. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Aaron Box conducted a traffic stop at approximately 10:09 p.m. after observing a vehicle…
Read MoreMU Extension Douglas County Recognizes Community Leaders at Annual Meeting
Members of the University of Missouri Extension Douglas County council are sworn into office during the organization’s annual meeting March 19 at the Ava General Baptist Church Activity Center. Administering the oath is Karry Davis. Pictured, from left, are Larry Patterson, Tommy Scrivner, Randy O’Dell, Nina Carter, and Jeff Bristol. The University of Missouri Extension…
Read MoreAva Declares “Heroes Day”
Area law enforcement officers and first responders gathered during the March 24 Ava Board of Aldermen meeting, where Mayor Kirk Pueppke proclaimed Feb. 23 as “Heroes Day” in recognition of their service and actions during a recent multi-agency response. The designation honors the ongoing commitment of officers, dispatchers, firefighters and emergency personnel who serve and…
Read MoreDeputies respond to Squires incident; Drug, Firearm Charges Filed
A Squires man faces multiple felony charges following a March 27 incident involving a reported domestic disturbance, controlled substances, and firearms, according to a probable cause statement and court records. According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched at approximately 7 p.m. to a residence along South State Highway 5 in Squires after…
Read MoreBusy Weekend for ARFD Includes Grass, Vehicle and Wildland Fires Across County
The Ava Rural Fire Department responded to multiple incidents over the weekend, including grass fires, a vehicle fire and a large wildland fire, as crews worked extended hours across Douglas County and surrounding areas. According to a department update posted March 30, firefighters handled several calls between March 28 and March 29, with assistance from…
Read MoreDouglas County Sheriff’s Office named as a Missouri Blue Shield County
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded the Missouri Blue Shield designation for 2026, according to a Friday, March 27 announcement. The designation, issued through the Missouri Department of Public Safety, recognizes communities and agencies that demonstrate a strong commitment to public safety, law enforcement support, and partnerships with residents. The Missouri Blue Shield…
Read MoreFundraiser launched to equip Douglas County deputies with night vision; thermal imaging
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is launching a series of raffles and fundraising efforts to raise money for night vision and thermal imaging equipment for deputies, technology Sheriff Chris Degase says has become increasingly critical during recent armed incidents in the region. Degase said the need for upgraded equipment became especially clear during a recent…
Read MoreAva Man Re-Arrested After Alleged Bond Violation
Kevin Hansen, 55, of Ava, was originally arrested in January after Douglas County deputies and Ava police served a narcotics search warrant at an apartment on East Grand Avenue, where methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia were reportedly seized. Court records show Hansen was released on February 5, 2026, under court-ordered supervision. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office…
Read MoreSixty-Three Attend Local Weather Training
A total of 63 people attended a storm spotter training class hosted by the Ava Rural Fire Department on Saturday, Feb. 28, at the Copeland Cafeteria in Ava. The session, presented by the U.S. National Weather Service Springfield Missouri, provided instruction on how to safely identify and report severe weather conditions. Organizers said the training…
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