Local News


The North Fork Recreation Area/Hammond access, located off CC Highway southeast of Dora, is currently closed while construction crews complete a massive renovation to the river access. Crews are waiting to lay asphalt on the parking lot and road, a task that has been delayed several times due to continued rain. The new design features two boat ramps that will separate guests who are swimming from floaters backing down the ramp to launch canoes, kayaks and boats. Previously, the access just had one ramp that was used for swimming and launching boats, which caused a safety concern. Photo above: The ramp on the left in the above photo will be used as a boat launch, while the ramp further downstream, pictured on the right, is designated for water play. The campground located within the access is also closed. See page 12 for additional information.
Editor’s note: Floating Ozark County’s cold, clear streams is a favorite summertime activity for both local residents and tourists, but accessing Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the White River takes more effort now than it did before the historic 2017 flood heavily damaged or destroyed many put...
A resident recently walked into Ozark County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) at 10:30 a.m. May 17 and told OCSD staff that he had purchased a glass jar that had a block inside labeled “Mercury 1 LB.” The sheriff’s office contacted the Department of Natural Resources who instructed the OCSD to take the...
The Ozark County Volunteer Library will host a summer reading program, “A Universe of Stories,” for children age 4 and up beginning Monday, June 17, and continuing through Monday, July 29. Volunteer Aletta Moore, who’s coordinating the program, said, “We’re encouraging the children and youth of our...
Gainesville resident Carol Cooper got quite a surprise Friday, May 24, when a black bear visited her property. Cooper, who lives just west of the Gainesville Elementary school off Highway 160, heard something making noise in the garage Friday morning and decided to investigate. When she went inside...
Pontiac Cove Marina held the Sixth Annual Pontiac Cove 5K Run/Walk Saturday, May 25. Proceeds from the race go to help fund the Pontiac fireworks display set for Friday, July 5. Overall winners of the race were (front, from left) Aspyn Britt who finished in 26:05 and Lain McCanless who finished in...

This photo of DOW camp counselors is thought to have been taken in 1996. From left are David Pearson, Connie Thompson,  John Schaefer, Renee Hambelton (front), Deleana Ledbetter Bolinaga, Jason Strong and Susannah Taber Alms. 
Editor’s note: For decades, Douglas, Ozark and Wright (DOW) counties have provided a special week for area children at Hammond Camp, near the North Fork of the White River southeast of Dora. Every year, gifts from individuals, groups and agencies make the camp possible for children who may not...
The Gainesville R-V School District can proceed with its plans to build a new, modular preschool on land it owns just east of its main high school/junior high building, according to a letter the district received last week from the Federal Aviation Administration. The letter, shown in part in the...

The North Fork Recreation Area/Hammond access, located off CC Highway southeast of Dora, is currently closed while construction crews complete a massive renovation to the river access. Crews are waiting to lay asphalt on the parking lot and road, a task that has been delayed several times due to continued rain. The new design features two boat ramps that will separate guests who are swimming from floaters backing down the ramp to launch canoes, kayaks and boats. Previously, the access just had one ramp that was used for swimming and launching boats, which caused a safety concern. Photo above: The ramp on the left in the above photo will be used as a boat launch, while the ramp further downstream, pictured on the right, is designated for water play. The campground located within the access is also closed. See page 12 for additional information.
Editor’s note: Floating Ozark County’s cold, clear streams is a favorite summertime activity for both local residents and tourists, but accessing Bryant Creek and the North Fork of the White River takes more effort now than it did before the historic 2017 flood heavily damaged or destroyed many put...

Times photo / Jessi Dreckman. River outfitter Sunburst Ranch’s new owners are Bryan and Stephanie Bade, at right, who bought the business April 1 from Justin and Amy Spencer, left. The Spencers will continue working with the Bades this summer to insure a smooth transition.
North Fork River outfitter Sunburst Ranch has new owners. Bryan and Stephanie Bade bought the campground, cabin and canoe outfitter April 1 from Justin and Amy Spencer, who had owned the resort for the last 15 years. The new owners say Sunburst will have the same policies, prices and offerings as...

Construction of Gainesville School’s new preschool building has been put on hold pending the filing of paperwork required by the Federal Aviation Administration because of the school’s proximity to the Gainesville Memorial Airport on the other side of Bulldog Drive.
Gainesville City Council members, Gainesville Memorial Airport manager Ron Weldon, city attorney Lee Pipkin and Gainesville Schools superintendent Jeff Hyatt were to meet again Tuesday evening to discuss the issue of the airport’s proximity to the school. Because a real estate matter was to be...

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Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

Phone: (417) 679-4641
Fax: (417) 679-3423