Times photo/Jessi Dreckman
The commissioners meet at 9 a.m. every Monday in the commission office on the second floor of the Ozark County Courthouse in Gainesville. The meetings are open to the public.
Michael Loftis, pictured with sons Chason, left, and Gabriel, paddles a raft down the North Fork of the White River during a recent float trip. Michael’s wife, Laine, and their two other children, Layla and Grady, were also on the trip. The Loftises rented the raft from local outfitter Sunburst Ranch. The family of six sold their house near Squires in 2017, bought an RV and have been traveling the country full-time since then. They return to the Ozarks to visit family and friends here several times throughout the year, including this trip last month. To follow their adventures, search “Loftis Party of Six” on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube or visit www.loftispartyofsix.com.
Gainesville resident Mike Ellison, pictured here with his son, Tyler, was chosen as one of five Missouri residents who are able to participate in this year’s Missouri elk hunting season. This photo was taken last year in Colorado when Tyler harvested this bull elk while hunting with his dad. Mike, an avid hunter and outdoorsman, says he hasn’t killed an elk before and is excited for the chance this fall during Missouri’s second ever organized elk-hunting season.