Local News
Jim Clayton, a heavy equipment operator for Ozark County, moves gravel with a backhoe on County Road 861 in the “Steel Tracks” area along the Little North Fork of the White River. As evidenced in the photo, recent flooding caused intense damage in that area. According to Western District County Commissioner Layne Nance, the massive hole of water along that road was so large it could have swallowed two trucks. Times photo/Bruce Roberts
The 7-inch torrent of rain Ozark County received on Dec. 17, 2021, has put a spotlight on a problem that has long existed here and in other counties in the region.
It’s where the rain meets the road, if you will.
Low-water crossings, slabs, culverts and old bridges are scattered across the...
Emergency crews closed Highway 160 near Spring Creek Hill due to a seven-vehicle pile up, which included a Missouri Department of Transportation snow plow. The crash was first reported at 8:11 a.m. that morning when the MoDOT truck plow and two other vehicles collided. As other vehicles came upon the crash, they were unable to stop and slid into the ditches around the vehicles. There were no serious injuries reported from the crash. Another MoDOT plow truck crash was reported on Highway 181 at 12:17 p.m. that afternoon.
The first week of the new year blew in with some tricky winter weather.
On Wednesday, Jan. 5, local weather forecasts predicted a dusting of snow for Ozark County, but when residents awoke the next morning there was an inch or two on the ground.
The winter precipitation created quite an issue for...
Ruby Winslow retired recently as chief of the Timber Knob Volunteer Fire Department.
Again.
After serving as chief for nearly 25 years — since TKVFD was organized in 2000 – Ruby had retired once before, a couple of years ago, turning over the chief’s job to her daughter, longtime TKVFD...
Above, left: The Burnett Family, from left to right, Cade, Jenna, Cheryl, Justin, Elaine and David Burnett; Theodosia Hometown Hardware has been in the Burnett family since 1995. The family recently sold the business. Above, right: New Theodosia Hometown Hardware Do It Best store owner Richard VanDeWalle stands in the store that he bought from the Burnett family in early December.
There’s a new owner at Theodosia’s Hometown Hardware Do It Best Store.
Richard VanDeWalle purchased the store from longtime owners Justin and Cheryl Burnett on Dec, 3, and opened under the new ownership on Dec. 7.
VanDeWalle said he is already enjoying working with the local customers to help fill...
This photo of an armed robber was taken from the surveillance camera at J-Mart just before the man reportedly entered the store, held a gun to the cashier's head and demanded all the money in the drawer.
According to Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin, at 9:59 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 4, the 911 dispatch office recieved a report of an armed robbery at Bullseye 36 in Gainesville, a convenience store known locally as J-Mart.
An armed man in a ski mask and dark glasses reportedly entered the store, pointed a...
Joshua Hannaford was found safe in Springfield Jan. 1. He'd been reported missing for nearly four months.
Gainesville resident Joshua Hannaford, who was reported missing Sept. 14, 2021, was found safe in Springfield Jan. 1, according to Ozark County Sheriff Cass Martin. His family was notified the same day.
Two other local men, who haven’t been seen since 2019, are still listed as missing.
Travis...
MoDOT crews work to remove barricades from Highway 181 near Hodgson Mill Wednesday. The road was closed for several days following massive flooding on Dec. 17.
Cleanup and road repair is continuing following a Dec. 17 deluge that brought nearly 7 inches of rain in less than 24 hours to portions of Ozark County.
Highway 181 was closed for several days near Hodgson Mill as Bryant Creek elevated to near Niagara Falls status, tearing chunks out of the highway...
The Dora Volunteer Fire Department recently warned residents who live within their fire territory in Douglas County that their new 911 service has caused some confusion during recent emergency situations.
“…Douglas County initiated a partial 911 emergency line. While the move to a full 911 call...
photo courtesy Bakersfield VFD A fire that damaged a home on Hall Street south of Bakersfield Tuesday originated near the outdoor front porch. The fire then spread through the front wall and reached the home’s eaves.
Four Bakersfield area residents escaped a house fire in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, according to Bakersfield Fire Chief Greg Watts.
The house, on Hall Street south of Bakersfield, sustained substantial damage.
Watts said his department was called out around 3:30 a.m. Tuesday and...
Times photo/Bruce Roberts This bridge that crosses Possum Walk Creek on T Highway near Mammoth will be closed for just over a month while the Missouri Department of Transportation works to install larger culverts, while rebuilding and raising the bridge.
T Highway near Mammoth will be closed at the low-water bridge over Possum Creek, known locally as Possum Walk bridge, for just over a month as Missouri Department of Transportation works to raise and improve the low-water crossing.
The bridge, located between County Roads 527 and 528 on T Highway,...