News


The Ozark County Volunteer Library is located at 200 Elm Street in Gainesville. It is completely volunteer run and operated on donations. The library receives no funds from taxes. It is currently open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Mondays and from 9 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Ozark County Volunteer Library is gearing up for its annual summer reading program - and it’s going to be a great one this year, organizers say. The program kicks off next week with story hour at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, in the basement of the library.  Story times will be held each week at 10...
Kathalee Cole has been appointed as superintendent and high school principal for the Lutie school district for the upcoming 2023-24 school year.  Cole began her career at Lutie in 2017 as the agriculture education teacher and moved into the role of high school principal in the 2021-22 school year....

Gainesville resident Carlton Bennett is pictured here pulling in the hometown class with his 1978 Chevy truck. He pulled a distance of 218.87 with a speed of 9.2. photos courtesy of Kelsey Long
The roar of the annual truck pull could be heard in Gainesville Saturday night as competitors from near and far lined their trucks and tractors up against the “intimidator sled.”  Gainesville Saddle Club President Monty Hambelton said that this year’s event drew a crowd of about 350 paid admission...

Missouri State Highway Patrol
Mason O. Morpeth, 25, of Thornfield, was killed in a crash on Highway 14 in Douglas County, about 11 miles east of Ava, Thursday, June 8, when a trailer came loose from an oncoming vehicle and hit Morpeth’s truck. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s online crash report, Morpeth was...

Times photo/Bruce Roberts Kone Elevators of Springfield will soon be completing a major rehaul to the Ozark County courthouse elevator.
A major overhaul of the courthouse elevator will take it to another level. Ozark County Commissioners voted May 30 to accept a $83,983.12 bid from Kone Elevators of Springfield for a major upgrade of the aging elevator. “It’s going to bring it into the 21st century,” said County Clerk Brian Wise....

Times photo/Jessi Dreckman County officials roped off the long handicap ramp to the Ozark County Courthouse Monday after discussing a report the commissioners received from an engineering firm that recommended closing the ramp due to several issues. The courthouse will now utilize its basement access, which includes a flat concrete entryway and an automatic door. Other improvements, including a covered awning and side rails are being discussed.
Ozark County Commissioners finally received a report from engineering inspectors about the condition of the handicap ramp on the west side entrance of the Ozark County Courthouse. Inspectors with Great Rivers Engineering of Springfield came and inspected the crumbling handicap ramp several weeks...

Second Lt. Scott Pettit is pictured here with his certificate of commission in the U.S. Army. Photo by Kitty Ledbetter
When Isabella native Col. Clay Pettit was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army over 30 years ago, he was following a military career path paved by his father Thomas Pettit (U.S. Navy) and two uncles, Donald Uchtman (U.S. Marine Corps) and Jim “Corky” Pettit (U.S. Army).  On May 20, Pettit’s...

This photo was taken at Heritage Tractor, the starting point of the West Plains leg of the Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Missouri. Heritage Tractor has been a supporter of the Torch Run and Special Olympics for several years, officers say. Five Ozark County law enforcement officers participated. Missouri Department of Conservation Agent Tom Leeker (second from left), Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Adam Johnson (ninth from right), Tpr. Austin Waddlington (eighth from right), Tpr. Noah Britt (seventh from right) and Kyle Hogan (fifth from left). In addition to participating in the Torch Run, local officers also organize Angling for Athletes Benefit Bass Tournament for Special Olympics which will be held Oct. 7 at Theodosia Marina.
The Statewide Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Missouri (SOMO), founded by the Missouri Police Chiefs Association (MPCA) 37 years ago, was held May 22 to June 2.  Five local law enforcement officers participated May 24, taking part in the local leg of the run which started in Willow...

Tonya Burgett, left, and daughter Lillian Hejdak will be offering 3-day horse camps throughout the summer at the Gainesville Saddle Club for residents who would like to learn more about horses and horseback riding. Those attending do not need any previous experience with horses to participate. Times photo/Jessi Dreckman
Ozark County residents Tonya Burgett and her 15-year-old daughter Lillian Hejdak are the dynamic duo behind “Dream a Horse in the Ozarks,” a guided horse trail riding business located in the beautiful remote hills of Thornfield.  In addition to their normal offering of guided trail rides on their...

Granny’s Creamery sells raw milk and fresh-from-the-farm eggs and dairy products.
If you stop by David and Robin Mahan’s dairy farm in Theodosia, you’ll find happy farmers and happy cows, both doing their part to bring fresh milk to tables across the area. It’s the same goal today that has been at the forefront of the dairy farm since its origins in the 1950s when David’s...

Pages

Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

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