Local News


January 2018: John Evans suffered second-degree burns to his face and “worse-than-third-degree” burns to his hands in an explosion that happened a year ago this week at a building he owns on Highway 160 near Miller’s Store east of Gainesville. He was flown by Air Evac to Mercy Hospital in Springfield where he underwent surgery and skin grafts.
A year ago this week, John Evans began a remarkable recovery from severe burns he suffered in an explosion that probably should have killed him. Evans said Sunday he’s grateful to God, and he also credits his recovery to the emergency personnel and medical professionals who helped him. But most of...

Missouri Department of Conservation says prescribed fire is an ancient technique used to manage grasslands, woodlands and old fields for forage production and improvement of wildlife habitat. MDC will hold a prescribed-fire workshop Jan. 15 in Tecumseh. (MDC photo)
Landowners can learn to use prescribed fire as a land-management tool at two upcoming Prescribed Fire Workshops presented by the Missouri Department of Conservation in Tecumseh and Mountain Grove. The first will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 15, at the Tecumseh Volunteer Fire Department. The...

Larry Warrick recently shared with the Times two memory books that had belonged to his aunt, the late Glenda Warrick Hays, during her days at Thornfield High School in 1937 and 1938.
As our old year ends, the familiar notes of “Auld Lang Syne” are heard, calling us to remember old friends and old times – and maybe prompting us to click on a keyboard or a smartphone to bring up photos and stories aplenty. But 80 years ago, before technology intervened, one of the ways citizens...
Raymond Gross was sworn in as associate circuit judge for Ozark County Dec. 28 by Judge Craig Carter (not pictured) while his children, Kendall, Lincoln and Aubrey, held a Bible. A courtroom full of friends, family members and colleagues witnessed the ceremony. Judge Gross’ first day in court was...

Ceder Collins
Ceder Collins, 20, graduated Dec. 7 from boot camp at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. He now is headed to Twentynine Palms, California. Collins, a 2016 Dora High School graduate, is the son of Jaci Robinson of Dora and Kip Collins of West Plains. 

Tecumseh resident Paul Guiley was presented with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award on Nov. 8 in Little Rock, Arkansas. He’s pictured with Heather Metzler, FAA Safety Program director in Little Rock. The award is the FAA’s highest honor given to civilian pilots.
Paul Guiley was recently presented with the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award on Nov. 8 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  The honor is the highest award given to civilian pilots by the Federal Aviation Administration. To qualify, pilots must have made their first solo flight 50 years ago, have their...

Dustin Lee. Ozark County Jail photo.
Dustin Lee, 35, of Vanzant, will spend five years in prison in connection with the burglary and theft of multiple guns and other items in Ozark County earlier this year. Lee pleaded guilty Dec. 5 before Circuit Judge Craig Carter  to first-degree burglary and stealing a firearm and was sentenced to...

Barney and Doris Douglas - The family of the late Barney and Doris Douglas donated 69 books to Gainesville third grade and preschool students last week. Each book included the stamp, pictured below, on the inside cover. Both Doris and Barney Douglas spent their lives giving back to Ozark County. Doris, who died June 6, 2014, dedicated many years as a volunteer at the Ozark County Volunteer Library. Barney, who died Dec. 22, 2012, was active with the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge #496, volunteered with the American Red Cross bloodmobile, Lions Club, Hootin an Hollarin, and the ball game concession stand. He also served on the Ozark County Health Department board and Gainesville school board.
Nearly 70 Gainesville Elementary students received a little extra Christmas cheer Dec. 19 when they were given a new book to take home with them in memory of the late Barney and Doris Douglas. The gifts, provided by the Douglases’ children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were distributed to...

From left: Shelby Smith, Paige Riley, Karen Brantingham, Karla Smith and Katelyn Brantingham picked up gift-wrapped presents from the businesses where Angel Trees had offered “ornaments” bearing children’s Christmas wishes. Residents and customers took the ornaments, bought the requested gifts, wrapped them and returned them to the businesses to be picked up by Wednesday’s volunteers, who delivered them to the Family Services building.
On Dec. 19, volunteers gathered up the dozens of gifts provided by more than 150 “angels” who fulfilled Angel Tree wishes to give Ozark County kids a merry Christmas this year. Karla Smith, one of the organizers, expressed thanks to all the anonymous residents who bought gifts for Ozark County’s...
Gainesville schools superintendent Jeffrey Hyatt said Monday the Gainesville school board is “actively considering” the possibility of moving to a four-day school week for the upcoming year. The board is  also considering options for ballot language that might be put before voters in the April 2,...

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Ozark County Times

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Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423