Local News
Members of the Bakersfield VFD stands with others in front of the department’s recently donated brush truck, which was painted by students at Southern Missouri Technical Institute in West Plains. Pictured above, from left, are: SMTI Director Josh Cotter, Bakersfield Fire Chief Greg Watts, Tecumseh Assistant Fire Chief JB Duke, BHS student Tate Bonham, BVFD Secretary Zaylor Watts, SMTI instructor Brian Hoyle and SMTI instructor Jason Pekarek.
After months of battling flames, braving floodwaters and helping in the aftermath of a massive tornado, the Bakersfield Volunteer Fire Department has good news to share - and it comes with a fresh coat of paint and a side of barbecue.
In a year that has tested the fire department in what seems like...
This photo taken at the Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord compound in 1985 shows local residents Ozark County Sheriff James Shaw, far left in the tan hat, and Missouri State Highway Patrol Tpr. Steve Bartlett, far right, discussing a plan of action with other members of law enforcement agencies. The officers were attempting to serve a warrant for CSA leader James Ellison on a federal indictment for the possession of illegal firearms and silencers.
Editor’s note: This is the third installment of a series detailing the Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord, a religious commune located south of Pontiac in the 1970s and 1980s. The anti-government, paramilitary and white supremacist group of more than 100 people lived together on a 224-acre...
Areas along Highway 160 in Gainesville saw flash flood conditions Sunday morning after several inches of rain fell quickly and saturated low spots in town. This photo was taken by Holly Hannaford at the White Oak Station on First Street (formerly J-Mart).
Downtown Gainesville saw a bout of flash flooding Sunday morning, April 27, when a torrent of rain fell, leading to Lick Creek quickly rising and flooding its banks in a fashion that many residents remember only in the “1,000-year” flood of 2017.
Thankfully, the creek wasn’t up long and receded...
The new Mexican restaurant in Theodosia is now open. Owners, from left, William Bairez, Elena Cruz, Natti Cruz and Alberto Salinas are pictured in front of the El Tule Oaxaca Mexican restaurant in preparation of their opening last Friday. The family also owns the same restaurant in Ava.
Residents of Theodosia who have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the new Mexican restaurant, El Tule Oaxaca, no longer have to wait. The restaurant officially opened its doors to the public last Friday, April 25, and was warmly welcomed by the local community.
The business owners, William...
The Gainesville Lions Club Auction was held at GHS Friday, April 18.
This year’s Gainesville Lions Club Auction, held Friday, April 18, brought in nearly $24,000. The total amount includes money raised in the silent and live auctions, the sportsman’s raffle and includes almost $2,000 in cash donations that were given at the event. Eric King donated his time again...
Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord leader James Ellison
Editor’s note: This is the second installment of a series detailing the Covenant, Sword and Arm of the Lord, a religious commune located south of Pontiac in the 1970s and 1980s. The anti-government, paramilitary and white supremacist group of more than 100 people lived together on a 224-acre...
Times photo/Jessi Dreckman This drainage ditch alongside the Ozark County Volunteer Library’s side wall on Second Street in Gainesville is causing water issues with the library. Representatives of the library were at this month’s city council meeting asking the city to help find a remedy.
Joanne and Ken Krupp attended the April 8 Gainesville City Council meeting, asking the council members to help find a remedy for a water issue that is continually causing the Ozark County Volunteer Library building to flood.
“There’s a situation that has been going on for many, many years and that...
Times photo/Jessi Dreckman City council members sworn in From left, Gainesville city councilman and councilwomen Dana Crisp, Treva Warrick and Amanda “Mandy” Rodgers were sworn in to new two-year terms during the April 8 Gainesville City Council meeting. Crisp (east ward) and Warrick (center ward) were already serving on the board when their seats came up for re-election this year. They both chose to refile for the positions, and no one filed against them. Rodgers filed as a new candidate in the west ward, filling an empty seat vacated by former city councilman Seth Collins, who resigned last year. They will each serve a two-year term.
The council continued a discussion that has been ongoing since early this year when the city received correspondence from a company that is seeking a partial sales tax refund on behalf of the Gainesville Health Care Center.
The company (who is hired by businesses to help them save money) believes...
City Maintenance Supervisor Mike Davis said that contractors have begun the process to build the city’s new wastewater treatment facility.
“They’ve started laying blocks on the new building and making pretty good headway. They have a new generator pad poured and pad for other electrical stuff...
The Gainesville City Council approved Gainesville Fire Chief Kevin Piland’s request to spend up to $1,000 for a required ladder truck certification.
Piland was at the meeting and said that the National Fire Protection Association requires that all ladder trucks be tested and certified each year...