Army of volunteers gives away 2,000 gifts to area children


Volunteers helped organize gift stations, categorized by gender and age, at the 2019 Ozark County Toy Drive on Dec. 14. This photo, taken before the annual event began, shows some of the gift items parents could choose. Photo courtesy of Crystal Walker House.

Before the sun peeked above the Ozark County hills Saturday, an army of Santa’s helpers were awake and scurrying about, doing their part for the annual Ozark County Toy Drive. 

Marmaduke raid passed through Ozark County


Marmaduke As Confederate Gen. John Sappington Marmaduke led his troops from Arkansas into southern Missouri in 1863, some of the units in his and Col. “Long-haired Emmett” MacDonald’s columns passed close to Isabella on the Old Salt Road on their way to Springfield. A third Confederate column, led by Col. Joseph Porter, passed by Gainesville.

The Battle of Pea Ridge, described in the previous Ozark Journey column, secured Missouri’s future as a Union state; however, it was far from the end of hos

New MTNF regulations aimed at eliminating invasive feral hogs


The U.S. Forest Service has announced a ban on feral hog hunting within the Mark Twain National Forest except in “opportunistic circumstances,” when a hunter sees a hog while hunting for deer or turkey. In this MDC photo, the destructive invasive species was photographed polluting a normally pristine Ozark County spring.

Missourians will no longer be able to hunt feral hogs freely on public land within the Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF). The announcement was made earlier this month by the U.S.

Merry medley of activities scheduled around the area as Christmas nears


Brayden Roberts, seated on Santa’s knee, and sister Finley, had a jolly good time eating breakfast and chatting with Santa at Rockbridge Rainbow Trout Ranch Saturday, Dec. 14, during the resort’s Breakfast with Santa event. Brayden and Finley are the children of Gainesville residents John and Ralena Roberts.

To have your Christmas or holiday-themed event added to next week’s listing, call the Ozark County Times at 417-679-4641 or email jessi

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Ozark County Times

504 Third Steet
PO Box 188
Gainesville, MO 65655

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