Local News
By Kerrie Zubrod,
Vice President,
Century Bank of the Ozarks
Every week, sometimes every day, I sit across the desk from someone who says the same heartbreaking words: “I think I’ve been scammed.”
The faces are different. The stories are different. But the pattern is almost always the same....
The power box at the pavilion located at the Hoerman Memorial Park, the city-owned park located on Highway 160 near the elementary school, will soon be replaced with a locking unit intended to prevent overuse of taxpayer-funded electricity.
The work will be completed by Kenny Ericksen, the sole...
July 4, 2025, Fireworks Over the Square event, performed by Foggy Bottom Fireworks of Pontiac
Doug Hawkins attended the Feb. 10 Gainesville City Council meeting to request that the city allow a variance on its ban of fireworks for the second year in a row for the annual Fireworks Over the Square event, performed by Foggy Bottom Fireworks of Pontiac.
Hawkins said that this year’s event will...
Lutie business teacher Rob Matyska is now leading dual credit, in-person business courses for the district’s students, which allow them to attend class during the normal school day in his classroom on campus while earning college credit hours from Ozarks Technical College in Springfield. Best of all, the courses are free to all students who take them, thanks to an OTC grant and Lutie School district funds.
The Lutie School District recently announced the expansion of its seated dual credit offerings, providing students with the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school, at little to no cost to families.
Superintendent Kathalee Cole said the new program, unlike others at...
Times photo/Regina Mozingo Two Ozark County men, both charged with the rape of a child younger than 14, appeared in court last Friday before Ozark County Associate Judge Raymond Gross. Edward Britt, right, and Darron Bolton, middle, were escorted to the courtroom by Ozark County Sheriff’s Department Jail Administrative Assistant Garrett Schmidt.
A dozen victims, family and friends were in the courtroom last Friday afternoon, Feb. 20, to comfort and support each other as alleged child rapist Eddie Britt appeared for a bond reduction hearing. After initially taking the request under advisement in court, Associate Court Judge Raymond Gross...
Bristol Robinson, a 16-year-old sophomore at Bakersfield High School, created this artwork titled, “Great Drops of Blood,” which was the highest selling item at the Feb. 7 fundraising auction to benefit Natasha Crites (see related story, above).
As 16-year-old Bristol Robinson sat on the familiar blue bleachers inside the Bakersfield high school gym Feb. 7 for a benefit auction, she watched in disbelief as bidding cards shot into the air again and again - raising the bid higher and higher for a piece of artwork she created.
“With every new...
Natasha Crites
The Bakersfield community is known for its grassroots, neighbors-helping-neighbors generosity that has been shown time and time again. Most recently, that kindness was on full display during the Feb. 7 benefit auction and chili supper held to support local resident Natasha Crites, who has been...
Times photos/Jessi Dreckman Candidates who were lined up at 8 a.m. Tuesday to file for local offices coming open in the Aug. 4 Primary Election were, from left: Raymond Gross (incumbent Associate Judge), John Turner (filing for Presiding Commissioner), Lee Pipkins (incumbent Prosecuting Attorney), Christy Thompson (incumbent Treasurer), Jackie Smith (incumbent Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Deeds), Brian Wise (incumbent County Clerk), and Darla Sullivan (incumbent Collector). All candidates have filed as Republicans.
There are six local county office positions that will be up for election during this year’s Aug. 4 Primary Election. They are prosecuting attorney, circuit clerk/recorder, presiding commissioner, county clerk, collector and treasurer.
The filling period for those who wish to file as candidates for...
At last week’s Gainesville City Council meeting, held Feb. 10 at City Hall, the council heard from three local residents who are in the process of planning new upcoming events. Each presenter had five minutes to speak about their proposal and make requests, which was later discussed and approved by...
Happy 101st birthday, Verd! On Feb. 7, Winsor "Verd" Morrison gathered with his family for an early celebration of his 101st birthday, which was Feb. 16. The guests included those pictured with him here - his daughter Katherine and her husband Jack Cohen, left; his son Michael and his wife Missy, standing behind him; and his daughter-in-law Linda Morrison, widow of his son Tom. They were also joined with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members, who happily celebrated the Verd’s long and interesting life.
Ozark County native Winsor Verdon "Verd" Morrison has achieved many accomplishments in his long, colorful life, but few can match the one he celebrated this week. On Monday, Feb. 16, Verd marked his 101st birthday.
Asked how it feels to have lived more than a century, he quipped, "Nobody wants to...