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The elevator in the Ozark County Courthouse is starting to show its age. Installed in the 1990s, officials say parts for the elevator are impossible to find. Inspectors recently noted the elevator was in good and operable shape, but also stated that if electronic problems with the elevator were to arise, the elevator probably could not be fixed. Times photo/Bruce Roberts.
The Ozark County Commissioners met Monday morning and heard, among other things, a report that the courthouse elevator is becoming obsolete and that if something serious was to go wrong with it, there are no parts to repair it any longer. County Clerk Brian Wise told commissioners John Turner, Gary...

The International Lineman’s Rodeo was held in Overland Park, Kansas, Oct. 12-15. Events include a “hurtman rescue,” a pole climb and two mystery events. Apprentices have their own division in the rodeo, which includes the same events and a written test. Below: Gainesville WRVEC’s linemen who participated include Tyler Headrick, left in the above right photo, along with teammate Steve Martin, right. Their third teammate, Brandon Sullivan of Ozark, is behind the pole in this photo. Photos courtesy of Renee Schmucker.
White River Valley Electric Cooperative linemen recently showcased their skills at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas. They competed with the best of the best, putting their training to the test. The competition consists of four events: “hurtman rescue,” speed climb and two mystery events...

The Dora Lady Falcons made school history when they took third place at the Class 1 District 1 cross country meet held at Arcadia Valley High school in Ironton on Saturday, Oct. 29. Their performance advances them to Saturday’s state meet - a first for a Dora girls’ cross country team. Members of the team are, from left, sophomore Chloe Barton, sophomore Kayden Jones, senior Autumn Nold, senior Cally DePriest, sophomore Emma Martin and junior Mia Gray.
Ozark County runners from Bakersfield, Dora and Gainesville High Schools made the trip to Ironton to compete in district meets held at Arcadia High School Saturday, Oct. 29. Some of those runners are advancing to the Class 1 State Cross Country Championship meet at Gans Creek Cross Country Course...

Kiya and Wyatt Grisham, along with son Wylee, attended last year’s trunk-or-treat event on the Gainesville square in their family shark-themed costumes. The event is set again this year for 6 to 8 p.m. Halloween night.
Monday is Halloween, and a lot of fun, spooky and festive events are being held to celebrate the holiday. We’ve listed the Ozark County trunk-or-treat and other Halloween events in this article. Thursday, Oct. 27 Lutie School Fall Carnival, Theodosia: The Lutie School Fall Carnival will be held...

Trenton Strain. BCSO mug shot.
Editor's note: The online version of this story was edited slightly from the article that ran in the Oct. 19, 2022, edition of the Ozark County Times, to include four fires that were reported on County Road 503 that are thought to be a part of the alleged arson spree.      A man accused of...
The 2022 edition of Ozark County Cookin’ will feature not only the recipes but also the stories of Ozark County cooks, present and past, whose kitchen talents created warm, enduring memories for generations of area families. As we do each year, the Times is asking readers to share their memories...

Photo by Norene Prososki Connie and Don Smiley, on the deck of their lake home in Theodosia, hold Don’s book of poetry, “Silent Our Walk and other Poems.” Although most of the books have been given away as gifts, there are a limited number of copies available for $9 at the Ozark County Times office. The cover of Don Smiley’s book of poetry features a photo of Don and their beloved golden retriever Barley returning home after hunting on their property in Theodosia. The photo was taken by his wife Connie
Don Smiley always had a little compulsion about rhyming. He’d jot down poems about whatever subject was on his mind – forest animals, walking in the woods, his love for his wife Connie and daughter Tava or his passion for the Ozarks. Through the decades of their married life, Don would leave the...

Times photo/Bruce Roberts Deputy Seth Miller shows the water softener system in the basement of the Ozark County Jail that has been bypassed for some time and has created some plumbing issues in the jail. Most of the jail was effectively shut down due to plumbing issues over the weekend.
The Ozark County Jail was without water over the weekend, and most of the jail remained without water on Monday due to plumbing issues within the building. The Sheriff’s Department posted a statement on their Facebook page over the weekend explaining that the jail was mostly without water and...

photo courtesy of Penny Britt Gainesville resident Penny Britt, right, and her mini goldendoodle Archie meet hospice patients in their own homes, as they are here with Shirley Rubis. The registered nurse working with Shirley recommended an Archie-visit to provide comfort and companionship. After an initial visit, Penny and Archie now visit Shirley monthly.
Gainesville resident Penny Britt says her new co-worker Archie fits in well with patients and employees alike at Hospice of the Ozarks. His teddy-bear-like appearance and sweet demeanor wins over most anyone he meets, and he provides a level of quiet and reassuring comfort that only a canine...

Three decades of service Monte Shipley, right, who has served as Dora fire chief for 35 years, and Deputy Chief John Epley, left, and his wife Donna, retired from the Dora Volunteer Fire Department Sept. 1. Both Monte and John helped build the fire station pictured behind them. “It was all built with volunteer labor. First, we had two bays and a community building. Then we ran out of room. We had three trucks, so we added three more bays...”
For more than three decades, Dora volunteer firefighters Monte Shipley and John Epley dropped what they were doing when they heard a fire tone ring out from their belt-clipped radios - and they responded.  During family gatherings, during holidays, during birthdays, in middle of the night and first...

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Ozark County Times

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