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Area News

St. Leo’s Church Hosts St. Patrick’s Day Dinner in Ava

The annual gathering celebrates a holiday steeped in history, legend and Irish tradition dating back more than 1,500 years.   Each March 17, people across the United States celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with green clothing, Irish-themed meals and festive gatherings. But the history behind the holiday is far older and more surprising than many realize.…

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Man Arrested Hours After Release for Alleged Order Violation

Douglas County authorities arrested a Mansfield man last Tuesday after he allegedly violated a court‑ordered no‑contact order just hours after being released from jail. According to a probable cause statement filed by Sgt. Aaron Box, 45‑year‑old Jessie Dee Doherty went to a real estate office in Ava around 4 p.m. on March 3, where he…

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Ava Police Warn of IRS Mail Scam

The Ava Police Department is warning residents about a new mail scam involving letters that appear to come from the Internal Revenue Service. The letter, which looks official and even includes a QR code, is not from the IRS. Police say scammers are using these codes to direct people to fraudulent websites designed to steal…

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Two Arrested After Warrant Service Turns Into Standoff

Edward Bowman                     Matthias Penn   Two Ava residents were arrested following a March 4 law enforcement incident on DD Highway that began when deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant and later involved a second individual entering the active scene. According to information released by…

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Spring Forward Safely: Change Your Batteries

As clocks move forward one hour for Daylight Saving Time on Sunday, March 8, residents are reminded to take a few extra minutes to check the batteries in their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms. Fire safety officials recommend replacing detector batteries at least once a year, and the time change serves as an easy…

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Human Skeletal Remains Found Near Macomb

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after human skeletal remains were discovered Sunday near Macomb. According to a March 2 news release from Sheriff BJ Adler, deputies received a report from a resident regarding skeletal remains located on private property. Investigators responded to the scene and confirmed the remains are human. Based on an…

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Pursuit from Norwood Ends in Crash, Arrest in Douglas County

A motorcycle pursuit that began near Norwood last Wednesday afternoon ended with an arrest after the rider crashed into a law enforcement vehicle in Douglas County. According to a statement from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, the pursuit began at approximately 4:09 p.m. on Feb. 26 after a Wright County deputy attempted a traffic stop…

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Health Department Alerts Residents to Dairy Recall

FDA recall includes select Great Value Cottage Cheese distributed in Missouri.   The Douglas County Health Department is notifying residents of a voluntary recall involving select Great Value cottage cheese products sold at Walmart stores in Missouri between Feb. 17 and Feb. 20, 2026. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Saputo Cheese USA…

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Give blood in March to receive Ozarks Adventure Pass

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, platelets, and plasma to patients at more than 40 hospitals, is teaming up once again with four premier attractions to offer free admissions for lifesaving donors to help boost the region’s blood supply this spring. Throughout March and April, successful donors will receive…

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Dora Ag Building to Host Youth-Focused Small Animal Show Clinic

A Small Animal Show Clinic will be held Saturday, March 14, at 10 a.m. at the Dora Ag Building and Showbarn behind Dora School, 613 County Road 379. The clinic will focus on show preparation and daily care for pigs, lambs, and goats, with additional guidance on calves, chickens, and other livestock. The session is…

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