Local News
After church services on Sunday, June 8, members of Freedom Church's leadership team dig shovels into the ground to signify the official start of construction of the 7,200 square foot building. Pictured, from left, is David Murphy, Pastor Cody Freeman and executive pastor Sid Smith.
Construction of Freedom Church’s new building has officially begun following a ground-breaking ceremony held Sunday, June 8 on their property on Highway 181 north of Gainesville.
“We’re really believing this is going to be a place where a lot of people come to know Jesus,” Pastor Cody Freeman said...
Hunter is pictured here with, from left (front row): sister Stella, mother April and father Todd; (back row) aunt Jessica Blackburn, cousins Regan and Hudson and uncle Gabe Blackburn; grandfather Robert Klineline, grandmother Jackie Klineline, brother Chase and grandmother Juanita Luna.
Gainesville High School 2025 graduate Hunter Luna recently signed to play baseball at Missouri State University-West Plains. “I’m extremely proud of Hunter,” GHS Head Coach Blake Hobbs said. “He accomplished a lot while he was here. He was a three-time district champion, hit eighth for us when we...
Edwina Welch, a high school dropout, eventually earned her GED and started college in 1999 after raising eight children with husband Harold Welch. She started teaching at Gainesville Elementary School in 2003 at age 42 and earned a master's degree two years later. She retired in May after teaching 22 years and now enjoys helping run her family farm in Douglas County, just over the Ozark County line.
Edwina Welch is an inspiration for anyone who thinks it's too late to start over or too hard to overcome challenges that stand in the way of a dream. Edwina retired last month after teaching for 22 years – quite an accomplishment for a woman who dropped out of high school at age 16 and had two...
Now retired after working 32 years at Gainesville Schools, Jody Argabright is shown here at her family’s stockyards near Atwood, Kansas, where she has moved to make it more convenient to visit her children and grandchildren.
Jody Argabright, who retired after working as a school nurse for 32 years, said she "really enjoyed" working with the students. "We had fun," she said. And also, she adds, "They taught me a lot."
A Kansas native, Jody has Licensed Practical Nurse credentials. "Actually, I say I have an LPN and a...
For the first time in recent memory, a professional fireworks show will light up the Gainesville sky this Fourth of July — and this year, they share the stage with bucking bulls and cowboy boots. Fireworks spectators should mark their calendars for dark (approximately 9:30 p.m.) Friday, July 4, for...
Restaurant owner Joe Fortuna Sr., left, Destiny Bearden and Joe Fortuna Jr. were all smiles last Thursday just before the reopening of Smokin’ Joe’s restaurant. The cafe sits just off the southwest corner of the Gainesville square. Times photo/Jessi Dreckman.
After nearly two years with shuttered doors, Joe Fortuna reopened Smokin’ Joe's BBQ in Gainesville last Thursday - and judging by the steady flow of diners, the community is happy about it.
“[We’re] overwhelmed with gratitude and the support we received opening back up! We got our butts kicked,”...
Averille Pierce
Editor’s note: This excerpt is from the book, “Sheriff Takes the Stand,” by former Ozark County Sheriff Herman Pierce and Thel Spencer, reprinted with permission from Spencer, the copyright owner. Pierce served as Ozark County Sheriff from 1965 to 1985. He died in 1994.
One person who was...
Karen Van Pelt. Times photo/Sue Ann Jones.
Gainesville post office patrons have expressed appreciation for the beautiful array of flowers that bloom in two long beds in front of the building. Karen Van Pelt, shown here, with help from her husband, Melvin, carefully tend the flowers with the goal of having different flowers blooming...
Carey and David Jordan are the proud owners of the business, which features a studio where Carey offers fun group painting classes and where the couple sell their art - paintings, handcrafted fishing lures, handmade wood items and more. Times photo/Jessi Dreckman.
By Jessi Dreckman,
jessi@ozarkcountytimes.com
Hardenville resident David Jordan creates his handmade fishing lures the same way he puts graphite to paper for his incredible realistic wildlife drawings —slowly, meticulously and with respect for the living creature his art imitates. Trout patterns...
This photo was taken Saturday, May 31, from across the river, showing the backed-up Norfork Lake water stretching up the North Fork of the White River to Dawt Mill. A resort spokesperson said that guests are welcome to bring their boats up the lake and park on the shore opposite the resort in order...