Local News
In remote areas where it's nearly impossible to use water to fight fires, standing hollow trees may have fire smoldering inside them, like this one photographed by TAVFD firefighter Dr. Aaron Newton at last week’s fire near County Road 829 east of Isabella. Firefighters call these smoldering trees "chimneys." The sparks they emit can cause wildfires to rekindle.
While Ozark County mourns the terrible aftermath of Friday night’s deadly tornado, the county’s weary volunteer firefighters continue to respond to almost daily calls for help during what many call “fire season.”
“The area continues to be in a red flag status – all outdoor fires have a very...
On March 14, three people lost their lives on Zastrow Hill in Bakersfield (pictured here) after an EF-3 tornado directly hit the property where two houses and several camper trailer residences were parked. Two others sustained injuries and have been hospitalized. Photo by Ed Doiron.
When storm chaser and TV star Reed Timmer rolled into Ozark County last Friday, March 14, the air was thick with anticipation.
Timmer and his crew stopped at the White Oak gas station and convenience store in Gainesville around 5:30 p.m. in the unmistakable “Dominator 3” storm-chasing vehicle,...
Times photo/Jessi Dreckman Newly hired Ozark County Jail Commander Todd Beaver, left, sits with Sheriff Cass Martin, center, and OCSD Administrator Curtis Ledbetter as they discuss a new program at the Ozark County Jail to house federal detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
After three years of planning, the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department is set to undergo significant changes this week as it begins a contract with the federal government to house Department of Homeland Security detainees at the Ozark County Jail.
Sheriff Cass Martin said the sheriff’s department...
Ozark County Commissioners are, from left, Eastern District Commissioner Layne Nance, Western District Commissioner Jim Britt and Presiding Commissioner Terry Newton.
The Ozark County Commissioners opened two bids for culvert materials during the meeting held Monday, March 2. Dickey’s Culvert and Viebrock Sales were the only two companies to submit a bid.
Dickey’s Culvert submitted a bid of $53,519.76 for metal pipes and $60,555.40 for polypropylene.
Viebrock...
Ed Doiron shot these two photos of a dump truck fire last Tuesday afternoon at the intersection of Highway 5 and First Street in Gainesville, in front of the O’Reilly’s Store.
An Ozark County dump truck caught fire last Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 25, at the intersection of First Street and Highway 5 in Gainesville.
According to Eastern District Commissioner Jim Britt, the driver of the 2000 Peterbilt dump truck was traveling south on Highway 5 when he began smelling smoke...
Karla Eslinger
USA Today announced last week that it has named Wasola resident Karla Eslinger as one of its top 2025 Women of the Year.
The honors were extended to 61 women across the United States. “They are breaking barriers and pushing for change. They are making our communities better.
“They encourage us,...
New Antler owners Mike and Heather Gardner have brought in stepdaughter Vicky Klumpp, right, to help manage the business. Vicky, from Oregon, is experienced in restaurant work.
Ozark County native Mike Gardner and his wife, Heather, are the new owners of the Antler Package Store and Restaurant after completing the purchase last week from former owners Matt and Jamie Bowser.
Mike Gardner said recently that the sale came about after he got acquainted with Matt Bowser as a...
photo courtesy of Ed Doiron A brush fire that began near Highway 101 and County Road 584 in the Bakersfield area spread rapidly last Friday, burning 428 acres and taking several structures, vehicles and other items in the process. Thanks to a valiant effort by nine different fire departments, the Missouri Department of Conservation and a dozen or more local residents, the fire was stopped just short of burning the main downtown area of Bakersfield.
Last Friday afternoon (Feb, 28, 2025), Bakersfield Fire Chief Greg Watts raced alongside more than 50 other volunteer firefighters to extinguish a massive blaze that tested even the most seasoned responders. Despite widespread effort from nine different fire departments, the Missouri Department of...
The Gainesville City Council’s table felt a little emptier than usual during the regular Feb. 11, meeting due to two vacant seats that remain open. But, thanks to a recent surge of interest, it’s likely the table will be back to full capacity next month.
The council, usually comprised of six...
Veterinarians Bryan Luark and Katlin Hornig, shown here with their dog Sis, are marking their fifth year at the Gainesville Veterinary Hospital. They acquired the facility after longtime Gainesville vets Robin Deck and Bob Main retired.
It's been five busy years since veterinarians Dr. Bryan Luark and Dr. Katlin Hornig came here from Clovis, New Mexico, in February 2020 to shadow retiring vets Dr. Robin Deck and Dr. Bob Main and consider taking over the practice. Luckily for animal owners here, Hornig and Luark liked what they saw...