Opinions

  Bakersfield’s track relay team competed at sectionals last week, and while they didn’t advance to state, the team did achieve a personal record. Shown are Nathan Watlington, Gaige Samuels, Coach Tammy Lamb, Jacob Watlington, Brooks Amburgy, Amani Kowiti and assistant Kurt Watlington.
Almost everyone who lives in this county is here by choice. That includes those who were born here and stayed as well as those born elsewhere who came here and stayed.  We welcome and respect those passing through, but they do not change our core values and beliefs which, on the whole, are...
It’s hard to be humble when I’m away from home and someone asks me where I’m from. I love saying I’m from Ozark County, Missouri, and I like describing how pleasantly rural life is here by bragging that there’s not a single three-color traffic light in the whole county.   “Wow!” city-dwellers...

Caulfield Membership Fire Department recently received these self-contained breathing apparatuses (SCBAs) and oxygen tanks, which were paid for with grant funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Fire chief Shannon Sisney said the department would not have been able to purchase the needed gear with money its received from dues. He said only about half of the residents within the Caulfield fire protection area were dues-paying members in 2021.
As most know Caulfield Membership Fire Department received a FEMA grant for equipment in the amount of $57,619 in 2021. This grant paid for new bunker gear for all fire personnel as well as new SCBAs (self-contained breathing apparatuses) with extra oxygen bottles. Due to covid, the gear is coming...
Graveside services with full military honors will be held for Master Sgt. Orville “Bill” Richard Plumlee, 72, of Neosho, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at Oakland (Arkansas) Cemetery. A visitation service will be held from noon to 12:30 p.m. prior to the graveside service at the Clinkingbeard Funeral...

In this photo, probably taken in 1909, Florence Hunt (1869-1951), left, and her sister-in-law, Alpha Bet Morrison (1886-1953), take Alpha’s kids for a pretend drive in the early Model T touring car owned by Alpha’s husband, A.P. Morrison. Alpha and A.P.’s son, Verd Morrison of Hollister, said Sunday he thinks the little girls in the backseat are twins Lola and Nola Morrison, born in 1906, and the boy at the steering wheel is probably Afton, the Morrisons’ oldest (born in 1905), while baby Lloyd, born in 1909, is held by his mother. Verd thinks the photo was probably taken near Zanoni, where the Morrisons lived, and he speculates that Florence or one of the men standing on the porch may have ridden the horse, at left, to visit his family. The photo is from the collection of the late Reva Luna Miller and was shared by Jan and Mark Miller.
Ozark County Times July 13, 1917 The Lieutenant Governor granted six paroles on July 4. Among the number is Ben Richardson, serving a sentence of 99 years for the killing of Alf Henry in 1920.  Richardson was convicted of cattle theft in Ozark County and was in the Howell County jail for self...

Pictured, from left, in this ad for Johnson's Clothing Store in the 1968 Gainesville High School yearbook are Rex Johnson and his family: wife Frances, daughters Lisa (front) and Teresa, son Eric, and parents Jessie and Frank Johnson.
Rex Johnson’s obituary in last week’s Times listed his accomplishments and the many ways he had served his family, community and church in his 89 years in Ozark County. It talked about Frances, his beloved wife of 63 years, and the three adoring children, Teresa, Eric and Lisa, they raised.  But...
Ozark Countians will have the opportunity to vote in three elections this year, including  the General Municipal Election, which was originally set for April 7 but due to COVID-19 concerns has been rescheduled to June 2.  The other elections are the Aug. 7 primary and the Nov. 3 general election,...

While incarcerated in the old Ozark County Jail, Howards Ridge native Roscoe “Red” Jackson and a fellow inmate inadvertently caused the town’s hotel to burn down. Jackson later was convicted of murder and was executed by hanging in 1937.
In parts one and two of this Ozark Journey, we touched briefly on the structure of Ozark County’s old stone jail that still stands near the foot of Harlin Drive in Gainesville and a few memorable incidents that occurred there. During the 30 years this facility was in service, the crimes of several...

After three weeks of not being able to see her family, Gainesville Health Care Center resident Dorcas Rackley was happy to have a through-the-window visit Monday with her daughters, from left, Kay Young, Barbara Rackley, Peggy Johnson and Patty Donley. Her son Steve Rackley lives in Republic and hopes to visit later.
Imagine that you are a resident of a nursing home. Your mind is still clear, but physically you just can’t live on your own. Until the COVID-19 virus crisis, each day began by being awakened by an aide to get ready for the day. By 7:20 you are in the dining room sitting at a table with your friend...

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Ozark County Times

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