OZARK'S BRAXTON BELL secures the pigskins against Webb City.

Scouting Lebanon-Ozark — Tigers and Yellowjackets running the ball effectively

University of Missouri Extension to host Beginning Farmer/Rancher Educational Event

CLEVER'S TYSYN CLARK finds room in between two Hollister defenders.

Christian County Leaders — Clark posting elite rushing, receiving and TFL numbers

PASSING (Comp.-Att.-Yds. TDs Int. QB Rating) Adam McKnight, Nixa 67-87-1,090 10 2 147.07 Caden O'Donnell, Ozark 79-131-922 9 7 82.29; Brecken Vestal, Clever 57-118-701 6 7 59.32 …

OZARK'S BRAXTON BERRYESSA eyes a loose ball against Republic on Tuesday.

Wake stays hot while netting lone goal in Ozark victory versus Republic

Caleb Wake is obviously playing on the pitch, not the ball diamond and playoff time for Ozark is still a few weeks away, but the junior midfielder’s recent upsurge naturally is beginning to …

CLEVER'S BRECKEN VESTAL breaks free from a Hollister defender.

Vestal's versatility as a scrambling quarterback extending plays for Jays

Brecken Vestal is probably being a bit conservative when the Clever quarterback estimates he throws on the run the same number of times he throws in the pocket. “We have straight-pocket passes …

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

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Local News

The Weaver House appeared on an episode of HGTV’s “Scariest Houses in America”. Photo by Steve Chapman.

Historic Weaver House appears on national television

A local Ozark landmark recently appeared on a national television show. The Historic Weaver House, known as a site of paranormal activity, was one of three houses featured on the second episode of Season Three of HGTV’s “Scariest Houses in America”, which aired on Friday, Sept. 25.

Chadwick News

It was good to see Tonya Gardner at the Oldfield Opry on Saturday night. All the High Strung Band was together again. Good show as always. Come out next Saturday evening for the early show at 5:30 p.m. Doors will open at 5 p.m.

Surrounded by Nixa officials, Hunter Hine, president and CFO of O’Reilly Development Company, cuts the ribbon at a ceremony held by the Nixa Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the grand opening of the Meadow at Wicklow. Photos by Steve Chapman.

Ribbon cuttings, speeches celebrate grand opening of Meadows at Wicklow

The grand opening of the Meadows at Wicklow, a 240-unit housing development built by the O’Reilly Development Company (ODC), was celebrated with ribbon cutting ceremonies held by the Ozark, Nixa, and Springfield Chambers of Commerce on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The grand opening ceremony was held a little over a year after the project’s groundbreaking in August of 2025.

Ozark, Nixa Fire Protection Districts create joint swiftwater rescue team

The Ozark and Nixa Fire Protection Districts (OFPD/NFPD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to create a joint swiftwater rescue team, according to a press release submitted by Whitney Weaver, assistant chief of the NFPD.

The Ozark Choir students who are eligible to audition for the All-State Choir are seen here. Photo collage courtesy of Ozark Public Schools.

Ozark Choir Students Shine in South Central All-District Honor Choir Auditions

Ozark High School's choir students hit a high note at the 2026 South Central All-District Honor Choir auditions on Saturday, Sept. 19. A remarkable 34 students were selected, with 11 earning spots in the top 25 of their voice parts—qualifying them for a shot at the prestigious All-State Choir.

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News

Two Christian County leaders chosen for Rock Picking Awards

Marie Day and Curtis Copeland are two recipients of Ozarks Alive's 2026 Rock Picking Awards. Copeland was selected by a panel of judges for the program's Historical Preservation award. Day was selected as the 2026 Community Champion by Ozarks Alive's founder Kaitlyn McConnell. You can read about their work and the other honorees at www.ozarksalive.com/rock-picking-awards.

Mexican national pleads guilty to illegal reentry into U.S.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Mexican national pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States after being previously deported.

Springfield man sentenced for being felon in possession of a firearm

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for his illegal possession of a firearm.

Correction

In the article “New McDonald’s opens in Ozark,” which appeared in the Sept. 30, 2026, edition of the Headliner, it was stated that the new McDonald’s at 1920 W. Waverly is Ozark’s second McDonald’s. This is incorrect; it is actually the third McDonald’s in the city. The editor sincerely regrets the error.

George W. “Wes” Benter III

Sergeant Major George W. "Wes" Benter III, USMC (Ret.), of Sparta, Mo., reported for duty on the streets of Heaven on Sept. 29, 2026. He passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his loving family, at the age of 86.

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Local Sports

Catch a rising star, Eagles' Torres has two TDs three games into varsity career

NIXA'S JAKE TORRES hits the turf after hauling in a touchdown pass in Thursday's victory versus Kickapoo.

Jake Torres and Connor Farris completed as many reps on pass routes as any Nixa receiver-quarterback combo at Eagles Stadium or the Apex over the past winter, spring and summer, leading to Torres’ …

CLEVER'S KENRICK MCCLANAHAN reaches for a fumble recovery Friday.

Jays defense keeps Hollister in the red while posting its first shutout of season

Brayden and Brenton Flood don’t expect the position changes they made Friday to be permanent. But the Flood brothers adjusted to their new surroundings well enough to help Clever’s defense …

Bell's yards after contact help add up to 42-21 Ozark triumph at Waynesville

WAYNESVILLE — Braxtpn Bell didn’t account for any scoring in Ozark’s 42-21 COC East win against Waynesville on Friday, but repeatedly set up touchdowns for the winners. Bell unofficially …

NIXA'S JAX ADAMS breezes through Kickapoo's defense Thursday.

With six TDs, Adams joins Rebura as Eagles' single-game record-holders

Well aware at the time Nixa’s single-game touchdowns record is six, Jax Adams responded to his only touch of the second half Thursday with what momentarily appeared to be a 90-yard kickoff return and his seventh TD on the night.

NIXA'S JORDAN PHILLIPS chats with her Lady Eagles teammates.

Phillips a handful of hits from catching Gardner on top of Nixa's career hits chart

As an eighth-grader four years ago Nixa senior shortstop Jordan Phillips first became acquainted with 2023 Nixa grad Phoebe Gardner while attending practices with Gardner’s club-ball team, the …

OZARK'S BRODY HUNT AND SAM STARK take the field.

Scouting Ozark-Waynesville — Ozark offense looks to carry on momentum to Week Six

Ozark makes the 92-mile trip to Waynesville on Friday for what will likely be the final time, what with Waynesville mercifully leaving the COC after this school year. … Waynesville likely will …

CLEVER'S BRECKEN VESTAL scrambles out of the pocket.

Scouting Hollister-Clever — Jays at home for fourth time this season already

Clever welcomes Hollister to town Friday for the Jays’ fourth home game in five weeks. … Dating back to the start of 2024, Clever is 8-4 at home and 10-3 on road dating. … After Fair …

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Business

Bass Pro Shops in the Ozarks to hire 80 team members during National Hiring Event

Bass Pro Shops is preparing for the holiday shopping season and the return of its popular Santa’s Wonderland experience by hosting a National Hiring Event on Wednesday, Oct. 7 and Thursday, Oct. 8. Bass Pro Shops in the Ozarks is in search of 80 candidates for positions across multiple retail departments.

Surrounded by area officials and supporters of the community, Daphne Simpson, owner of the newest Ozark McDonald’s, prepares to cut the ribbon at a ceremony celebrating the restaurant’s grand opening. Photo by Steve Chapman.

New McDonald’s opens in Ozark

Ozark’s second McDonald’s celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon cutting ceremony hosted by the Ozark Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The event included remarks by the owners, tours of the building, and a proclamation read by Mayor Don Currence, who declared the day as “McDonald’s Day in the City of Ozark,” and encouraged all citizens “to join in recognizing the dedication, the generosity, and community spirit of (owner) Daphne Simpson, her leadership team, and the employees of McDonald's for their outstanding contribution to our community.”

Surrounded by members of the Ozark Mill staff and supporters from the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, Kevin Longley, food and beverage general manager at the Ozark Mill, cuts the ribbon at the ceremony celebrating the fifth anniversary of the location’s opening. The Ozark Mill celebrated the milestone event with a festival that included free tours of the mill and Finley Farms, live music, food and drink specials, and local crafters. Photo by Steve Chapman.

Ozark Mill and Finley Farms celebrate fifth anniversary

PRESS RELEASE – Five years after welcoming guests to experience a reimagined piece of Ozarks history, Finley Farms and The Ozark Mill celebrated a milestone made possible through a shared commitment to preservation and the future of southwest Missouri. On Friday, Sept. 25, and Saturday, Sept. 26, members of the public were invited to the Ozark Mill to celebrate the venue’s fifth anniversary. The event included live music, local makers, food and drink specials, free farm and mill tours and family-friendly fun.

Community Calendar

Repeating events:

Erick Smith stands outside of his country store, Fast Smitty’s. Photo by Steve Chapman.

County store breathes new life into old building

Erick Smith has fond memories of the building where he opened Fast Smitty’s, his country store, in Oldfield.

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Education

DAR presentation teaches Nixa students about U.S. Constitution

The Isaac Garrison Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) observed Constitution Week by delivering a presentation about the United States Constitution to the third and fourth-grade students at the Century, Espy, High Pointe, and Matthews Elementary Schools.

Ozark Senior Named National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist

Ozark is proud to announce that Ozark High School senior Caleb Anderson has been named a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist. Caleb was selected as a semi-finalist based on his performance on the PSAT last school year.

Nixa Journalism among top 10 in the nation

Nixa Journalism earned a top George H. Gallup award from the Quill & Scroll International Honor Society for High School Journalists. This places Nixa High School among the top ten schools in the nation for high school journalism, according to Quill & Scroll's rankings. Nixa's student-produced news magazine, Wingspan, the broadcast news program EagleAir TV, along with NixaJournalism.net and the NHS Journalism Instagram account were judged on the five categories of General Practices, Coverage, Writing and Editing, Visuals, and Digital. The attached judge's critique includes constructive feedback on each category.

Nixa High School students chosen for All-District Honor Choir

Forty-nine Nixa High School students were selected for the South Central All-District Honor choir during auditions held on Sept. 19. Twenty-five were chosen for the 9–10 Honor Choir, and 24 were picked for the 11–12 Honor Choir. Sixteen also earned a top-25 distinction in their voice part, making them eligible to audition for the Missouri All-State Choir.

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Opinion

Magical One Pan Pasta

Yesterday morning, before I left for work, I placed a pot roast in our slow cooker. I turned the heat to low, put the lid on, and out the door I went. That night, as I unbuckled the kids from their car seats in the garage, I noticed I didn't smell the delicious aroma of pot roast wafting from the kitchen. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach as I went to check the slow cooker. Sure enough, the pot roast was ice-cold and uncooked.

The Soul of Treasured Memories

The bright, brisk days of autumn stir those of us who love the outdoors. The other three seasons are good, but autumn lingers in your heart and mind. Cooler temperatures refresh body and soul. The landscape is awash with colors of changing leaves. Sunsets are coppery. Something deep within us yearns to be out there soaking in its many wonders.

Chadwick News

I enjoyed a few local games last week. These kids are growing up much too quickly.

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