News
MDC photo Although Missouri does allow black bear hunting, those who participate must apply for a lottery permit drawing for their chance to be allowed to participate - and follow several other regulations.
When Missouri conservation agents followed up on a tip that a black bear had been killed near Udall, they discovered more than just a rumor - they found packages of bear meat labeled as “deer” in the freezer and a confession, they say. Now, 39-year-old Curtis Hastings is charged in Ozark County...
Photo by Karla Smith
This group of student fans at the GHS ‘Pink Out’ volleyball game last Friday night dressed in pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month and showed animated support for the Lady Bulldogs. See page 9 for more information on the game. The Bakersfield Lady Lions volleyball...
In May, during a family trip to Niagara Falls, the Abrahams and other members of their family made a detour near Erie, Pennsylvania, to gather with Katy Holland and her family 20 years after Katy became the recipient of Matt's donated heart. From left: Corey, Logan and Hope Hillhouse (Logan's girlfriend Abbie Johnson took the photo), Angie Calvert and son Grant; Katy and Melinda (Katy's dad, Jack Holland, is standing behind her next to Katy's husband Michael who’s holding their son Drew), Dylan and John Abraham, Melinda's mother Kay Rackley Young and Katy's mother Kathy Holland.
When Jack and Kathy Holland said good-bye to their 14-year-old daughter Katy as she was wheeled into surgery at Cleveland Clinic just before midnight on Sept. 29, they knew the chances were less than 50-50 that they would see her alive again.
Katy had been born with a heart condition. Thirty-six...
The Times is currently accepting recipes, stories and photos from local residents for this year’s cookbook. Jane Elder, who lives with husband Andy in Luna, a small town north of Gainesville, is featured in this photo and article that ran in a past edition of Ozark County Cookin’. The springerle cookies pictured here were made using a board that belonged to Jane’s great-great-grandfather, a German baker who immigrated to the United States in the 1860s.
It’s our favorite season at the Times office: cookbook season!
For more than two decades, we have asked Times readers to share their favorite recipes for our popular Ozark County Cookin’ cookbook, and it’s time to ask for those recipes again – as well as anecdotes, stories and photos of yourself or...
There were 60 to 70 dirt bike riders from across the U.S. who gathered at Rocky Top Campground and Cabins in Tecumseh last Wednesday in preparation for the start of “Adventure Palooza Missouri,” an adventure race in which competitors on dirt bikes use GPS coordinates to follow an off-the-beaten path trek across the state, looking for specific checkpoints. There are four different starting points, and the south track begins in Tecumseh.
If you noticed a few more dirt bike riders than usual zooming around Ozark County last week, you likely got a glimpse at some of the brave souls that took on this year’s “Adventure Palooza,” a one-of-a-kind dirt bike adventure across Missouri.
Described as an “epic back roads journey across the...
Cheyenne Clinton and baby Jonah were all decked out in costumes inspired by the Monsters Inc. movie while handing out candy at the 2024 Gainesville trunk or treat event.
It’s that time of year when pumpkins, apple cider and crisp fall air set a festive tone in the Ozarks. Listed here are Halloween and fall events that residents can visit or attend in the coming weeks. Those organizing a local fall or Halloween-themed event can contact Editor Jessi Dreckman at 417-...
A traditional teepee was on display behind the Hootin an Hollarin Main stage all three days. Those attending the festival Friday were also able to speak with MDC’s Kevin Smith, who dressed in traditional attire and had a variety of primitive weaponry, animal pelts and other interesting items on display.
From spinning wheels to glass art, fiddles to rope making, the Hootin an Hollarin demonstrations once again gave festival-goers a chance to slow down, learn about old-time crafts and take home a little slice of tradition.
Demonstration chairman Barb Luna said she was thrilled with the turnout of...
2025 Hootin an Hollarin queen Isabelle Workman
This year’s Hootin an Hollarin queen pageant was held last Thursday night, Sept. 18, on the Gainesville square with 22 Ozark County young lady contestants ages 14 to 18 entering the competition. That number is significantly more than the contest has seen in several years.
The girls entertain the...
Times’ staffers Jessi Dreckman, left with back to camera, and Regina Mozingo, are shown here live streaming and taking photos of contestants in the Lil Cedar Pete and Lil Miss Addie Lee contest last Friday afternoon. Contestant Brynlee Johnson is on stage answering questions by event emcee April Luna.
If you enjoyed following along with the Ozark County Times’ coverage of this year’s Hootin an Hollarin festival, we’d love to invite you to consider subscribing to your hometown newspaper.
The Times’ small staff was on the Gainesville square from the moment the National Anthem was sung Thursday...
ALL HOOT AN HOLLARED OUT - There ain’t no tired like Hootin an Hollarin tired. Sweet McKinley Thomas was all tuckered out at Hootin an Hollarin last Friday night. Her Nana, Wasola resident Ann Thomas, told the Times, “She ran and ran all day and had a blast. Then around 7, she came and sat down by me - and this is what happened.” We think there are many festival goers who can relate. McKinley is the daughter of Markus and Ashley Thomas, also of Wasola.
The 64th Hootin an Hollarin will be remembered as one of the best ones yet. Held last Thursday through Saturday, Sept. 18-20 on the Gainesville square, the festival drew large crowds each day, filling the town with music, laughter, food and the sound of fiddles and square-dance calls long into the...