Local News
JOHN DAVIDSON
Isabella resident John Davidson, 39, is facing several felony charges related to a July 10 incident in which Davidson is alleged to have stolen a truck from Taney County, rammed two Douglas County Deputies’ vehicles and then fled in a high-speed vehicle pursuit and later a foot pursuit.
Davidson...
Ozark County Clerk Brian Wise, Chief Deputy Clerk Sarah Knight, center, and Deputy Clerk Carol Hunter right, are getting ready for Tuesday’s primary election. The office, on the first floor of the courthouse, will be open from 8 a.m. until noon Saturday, and until 5 p.m. Monday to accommodate absentee voters. Times photo/Regina Mozingo
Missouri’s primary election is Tuesday, and for Ozark County, the primary election is the election that will determine who holds office here in the next few years because all candidates for local races are Republican.
One Ozark County candidate, Mike Lind, is running unopposed on the Democratic...
A 19-year-old Mountain Home, Arkansas, Noah Lee Lawhead, led officers from several different departments on a high-speed chase Monday night, beginning in Gassville, Arkansas, and tearing through Mountain Home at speeds ranging from 80 to 115 mph, according to police radio transmissions. The chase...
The First Baptist Church fresh produce boxes include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. This July 19 box included apples, celery, blueberries, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, tomatoes, peaches, lettuce and cantaloupe.
Schools, churches and organizations around the county are working to organize a variety of upcoming food giveaways to ensure that no family in Ozark County goes hungry. Information on three upcoming events is listed below.
Those organizing future food-giveaway or community-support events are...
Whether we proudly count our family’s generations here or recently adopted these rugged old hills as our home, we Ozark Countians love our county’s history. That’s why the Times Past column is one of the most popular regular features in each week’s Ozark County Times.
In this year’s Times Past...
Skyler, pictured with his parents, Ashlee and Roger Clark, and family friend Arthur Fortin, right, has made and distributed 2,000 fishing hook keychains and necklaces to veterans over the last eight months. Times photo/Jessi Dreckman
Editor’s note: To follow along with Skyler’s project, “like” his Facebook page, “Skylers Fishing Adventures.” Those wishing to contact Skyler can email his parents, Roger and Ashlee Clark, at rogerashleyc@aol.com.
Eight-year-old Skyler Clark has developed two great passions over the course of his...
Ozark County’s fifth case of COVID-19 was reported shortly after noon Tuesday, July 28. In a post on her personal Facebook page, Ozark County Health Department administrator Rhonda Suter, said the person does not work in Ozark County and has not been out in the community.
The fourth case of the...
LAYNE NANCE Personal: I’m a lifetime resident of Ozark County, the son of the late Brandt and Nola Sue Nance. My fiancee is Tammie Loftis. I’m an avid fisherman, and I especially love to get youth involved in fishing. Employment: I’ve been employed for 7 1/2 years as a grader operator with the Ozark County Road and Bridge Department. Previously, I worked at Bryant Plastics for 20 years in trucking, freight and truck maintenance. Education: I’m a graduate of Gainesville High school. Biggest challenges, new ideas: The biggest challenge as commissioner will be keeping the roads in the best shape while staying within the budget and working around the weather. As commissioner, I will work with the Road and Bridge crew and help out during weather-related incidents. How will you keep roads in good repair and citizens happy? I will be checking trouble spots, determining which roads need focus and attention. I want to be available to the people so I can help come up with solutions for any problems they may encounter. If elected, that is the job I will do. I will work for the people. What distinguishes you from your opponents? My years of experience working with the Road and Bridge Department sets me apart from my opponents, along with my many years’ experience with trucking and trucking equipment. I am experienced in maintaining and purchasing parts for all types of equipment, and I also have experience in managing a small business and budgeting. Goal you hope to accomplish? My goal will be to keep the roads in the best shape possible with the budget we have. I will also work closely with the other departments to help with anything I can do to help the county. I will do my best to always help bring in business for the county and new opportunities for our youth. I will always have the county’s best interests at heart.
GARY LEE COLLINS Personal information: My wife, Nancy, and I (celebrating 48 years in August) operate a farm in Dora where I’ve lived most of my life. Our daughters, Renee and Lindsay, live nearby. We attend Needmore Church of God. Employment: I am the current Eastern District Commissioner. I have served our county for 26 years, including four years as presiding commissioner. With the presiding and western commissioners, I am responsible for building and maintaining the county budget. I also supervise 10-11 Road and Bridge Department employees, monitor upkeep on graders, trucks and equipment, maintain funds to keep our recycling center open, and serve on several advisory boards that support the county. Education: I am a Dora High School graduate and have 520 hours of required training through the Missouri Association of Counties with additional training provided at annual conferences. Biggest challenges, new ideas: Our biggest challenges are budget funds, FEMA paperwork and keeping our recycling center open. We have been fortunate to receive FEMA funds after numerous weather-related disaster declarations in recent years, but applying for those funds and working with FEMA is challenging and time-consuming. I have worked diligently to keep our recycling center open. The good Lord has helped us through difficult times; I couldn’t do anything without Him. How will you keep roads in good shape and citizens happy? I am very thankful to have a dedicated Road and Bridge crew that takes great pride in their work. Whether it’s a holiday, the middle of the night, or in pouring rain, they are always there to help keep our county roads passable. They do their best to keep up with grading routes, hauling gravel, repairing roads and managing maintenance. We continue to improve and build up county roads by hauling in extra base rock. It’s impossible to please everyone, but I have an open-door policy and always listen to citizens’ comments and concerns. Even when we differ, we can work together to accomplish good things for the county. What distinguishes you from your opponent? I have 26 years of experience working in county government in addition to a lifetime of operating a family farm. I know how to build roads, write and maintain a budget, purchase equipment and parts, and employ a dedicated crew. I know how to protect the tax dollars that fund our county’s general revenue and Road and Bridge budgets. Serving God first, I do this job as I live my life: with respect, morals and integrity. I try to treat people as I want to be treated, honestly and fairly. Goal you hope to accomplish? Without changing the natural beauty and values of our way of life, if re-elected, I will continue to seek any available opportunities that help businesses grow and move into Ozark County so we will be even more appealing to our younger generations to keep our workforce here.