Featured Story
Anchor Club Hosts Miss Merry Christmas Pageant
Camryn Lee, center, was crowned Miss Merry Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 2, at Ava High School. Eden Little, right, was selected as first runner-up, and Kenzie Cain, left, second runner-up. The pageant, sponsored each year by the Anchor Club, includes a talent performance from each candidate vying for the title. All three winners…
Read MoreMansfield Homecoming Preparations Underway
Mansfield Homecoming is Friday, Dec. 14, in the high school gymnasium. The Mansfield Lions will begin play at 6:00 p.m. versus the Mountain Grove Panthers, with homecoming court ceremonies taking place between the varsity and junior varsity game. Princesses shown above, back row, left to right, are Jada Henry, Meladi Roberts, and Hailey Indendi; queen…
Read MoreLocal Youth Collecting Wish List Items for Ronald McDonald House
Jentry Harley, age 9, is shown above holding Jennings, her brother. This photo was taken in the hospital not too long after his birth. Sometimes events don’t go as planned, and several months ago, that was the case for the Harley family with the birth of their son, Jennings. For the family, the…
Read MoreAva, Douglas County Under Winter Weather Watch
By Jason Hoekema The National Weather Service in Springfield has issued a “Winter Storm Watch” on Thursday, Dec. 6, ahead of the arrival of a weather system which will affect residents this weekend. The watch includes Douglas County and the City of Ava and is effective starting Friday night through late Saturday night. The NWS…
Read MoreSee Ya’ Seymour!
By Jason Hoekema The Ava High School Lady Bears took to the asphalt against the Seymour Tigers Thursday, Nov. 29. The varsity and junior varsity squads merged for a single game against Seymour’s 9-girl roster, bringing matching 2-0 records since their season debut with wins over Hollister and Conway High. Shy by a few games…
Read MoreLoss, Not Lost
Mansfield Hands Ava Varsity Squad First Loss of Season, Junior Varsity Moves Up, 2-0. By Jason Hoekema The Mansfield High School Lions handed the Ava varsity squad its first loss of the season Friday, Nov. 30. Yet the loss didn’t distract from the special group of players coach Mike Mallow has enjoyed coaching this year. …
Read MorePreliminary Hearing Set for Case Against Ava Teacher
By Jason Hoekema An Ava Elementary School teacher’s attorney, Joseph Passanise made an appearance on behalf of his client, Doris Chunn, on Tuesday, December 4, at the Douglas County Courthouse in Ava, Missouri. The special-education teacher allegedly “brandished a firearm and threatened a neighbor,” on Oct. 11 according to an Ava Police Department press release.…
Read MoreSignificant Winter-Weather Event Possible Over Weekend
By Jason Hoekema The National Weather Service office in Springfield wants residents to keep a keen-eye on the forecast for this weekend. A significant weather system was expected landfall in California earlier this week, bringing ample rain to a state already dealing with the aftermath of deadly wildfires. This same system has the potential to…
Read More2018 Ozark Ink Tattoo Toy Run
Gerry Beckerman, owner of Ozark Ink Tattoo in Ava, recently organized another successful toy run to benefit the Wright County Children’s Home (WCCH), in Norwood. Proceeds from the event were used to purchase a large commercial refrigerator for the facility, as well as toys, socks, and underwear for youths residing in the home. Contributions were…
Read MoreEpidemic Response
By Jason Hoekema Area Organizations Talk Opioid and Substance Abuse, Seek Local Data to Combat National Crisis The opioid crisis is gripping the heartland of America as arrests and overdoses skyrocket across the nation. That same crisis is occurring in Missouri. It is also occurring here, in Douglas County. According to a report from the…
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