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Cedar Gap: Once Home to Memphis Colony: Now a 430 Acre Conservation Area
by Doug Berger Cedar Gap is known to many people just by the highway sign along Hwy. 60 several miles west of Mansfield. A limited number of the travelers on Hwy. 60 have ventured off the highway to see what remains of the community which was once a thriving railroad depot, summer resort area and…
Read MoreAva City Council: Police Chief Johnson to Retire, Sgt. Overcast to Fill Role
On Tuesday, January 12th, the Ava Board of Aldermen convened for a business session at 5 p.m. Closed Session During closed session the council the aldermen voted 3-0 to promote Ava Police Sergeant David Overcast to Police Chief following current Police Chief Reggie Johnson’s retirement on May 31, 2021. City Finances City Treasurer Peggy Porter…
Read MoreMartin Luther King Day Closures
The Martin Luther King holiday is being observed Monday, Jan. 18, with most financial institutions and government agencies closing their doors for the holiday. Locally, offices in the Douglas County Courthouse and City of Ava will close for day, along with the Douglas County Library. Martin Luther King Day is a federal holiday, consequently post…
Read MoreWrestling with History: Douglas County Fair and American Legion Were Venues for Pro Wrestling Events
By Michael Boyink [email protected] It started in 1912. Or, at least, that’s the first time it’s mentioned in the Herald. “Perhaps the most interesting wrestling match ever held in our little city will be pulled off at the Wilson Opera house. Saturday night January 13th. The match will be between two of our home boys,…
Read MoreSign Up to Receive COVID-19 Vaccination Once Available
Ozarks Healthcare is now accepting sign-ups for those who would like to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it becomes available for them. Based on availability and guidance from the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services (MO DHSS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention, Ozarks Healthcare will be providing the COVID-19 vaccine based…
Read More2020 in Review: Top 10 Local News Stories
Editor’s note: 2020 was certainly a year for the books. What follows is our totally non-scientific, subjective choice of the top ten news stories that the Herald covered in 2020. 1. COVID-19 There’s just no way around it. 2020 will primarily be remembered across the USA as the year of COVID-19. Locally, we wrote about…
Read MoreDouglas County Disperses $1.5M in CARES Dollars
Douglas County has received $1,549,826.36 in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act income including interest. All of the funds have been disbursed, Douglas County Clerk Karry Davis indicated. Included in the transactions for the program from May through December are: City of Ava ($323,546.46). Transfer to EMA Fund ($469.80). Ava School ($167,428.95). Transfer…
Read MoreDouglas County Health Department: COVID-19 Vaccine Supply ‘Very Limited’
According to Valerie Reese, Douglas County Health Department Administrator, “We have received numerous calls in regards to the COVID 19 vaccine. Vaccine supply is very limited. At this time the state of Missouri remains in phase 1A.” The Department of Health and Environmental Control defines Phase 1A as “vaccinating frontline workers in a healthcare setting…
Read MoreSwearing in the Courthouse
School Board Now a Race
According to the Ava R1 Public Schools, there are now three candidates for the two seats opening up. Chance Dry joins incumbent Deana Parsick and Rory Boeddeker on the April ballot. Other candidates can register in the school district administration office located at 303 Martin Avenue, in Ava, during regular business hours between 8:00…
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