The first congregation at Bridges Creek Baptist Church on Baptist Hill northwest of Bakersfield met in the Bridges Creek log schoolhouse beginning in 1874. The first frame structure was built in 1892 and burned in 1914. The current building, shown here, was built in 1916 using lumber that was planed from locally grown trees. It has had several improvements and additions since then.
4 days 11 hours ago
Devoted Christians have been gathering to worship at Bridges Creek Church since a handful of early Ozark Countians organized a Missionary Baptist congregation there 152 years ago. All these years later, the little church on V Highway at Elijah, northwest of Bakersfield, continues each week to...
This photo above was taken of Summer (Loftis) Luna recently after she graduated from the 44th Judicial Circuit Treatment Court Program. Luna says she’s come a long way since the photo below was taken, when she was in the depths of drug and alcohol addiction, unhappy and unhealthy weighing only 95 pounds.
When Gainesville resident Summer Luna walked into the Ozark County Courthouse and climbed the familiar gray stairs to the courtroom on Feb. 11, it...
March 10, 2026, 2:49 PM
By Kerrie Zubrod,
Vice President,
Century Bank of the Ozarks
Every week, sometimes every day, I sit across the desk from someone who says the...
March 5, 2026, 10:18 AM
The power box at the pavilion located at the Hoerman Memorial Park, the city-owned park located on Highway 160 near the elementary school, will soon...
February 27, 2026, 11:17 AM
The first congregation at Bridges Creek Baptist Church on Baptist Hill northwest of Bakersfield met in the Bridges Creek log schoolhouse beginning in 1874. The first frame structure was built in 1892 and burned in 1914. The current building, shown here, was built in 1916 using lumber that was planed from locally grown trees. It has had several improvements and additions since then.
Devoted Christians have been gathering to worship at Bridges Creek Church since a handful of early Ozark Countians organized a Missionary Baptist congregation there 152 years ago. All these years later, the little church on V Highway at Elijah, northwest of Bakersfield, continues each week to...
March 10, 2026
News
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The first congregation at Bridges Creek Baptist Church on Baptist Hill northwest of Bakersfield met in the Bridges Creek log schoolhouse beginning in 1874. The first frame structure was built in 1892 and burned in 1914. The current building, shown here, was built in 1916 using lumber that was planed from locally grown trees. It has had several improvements and additions since then.March 10, 2026Devoted Christians have been gathering to worship at Bridges Creek Church since a handful of early Ozark Countians organized a Missionary Baptist congregation there 152 years ago. All these years... -
This photo above was taken of Summer (Loftis) Luna recently after she graduated from the 44th Judicial Circuit Treatment Court Program. Luna says she’s come a long way since the photo below was taken, when she was in the depths of drug and alcohol addiction, unhappy and unhealthy weighing only 95 pounds.March 10, 2026When Gainesville resident Summer Luna walked into the Ozark County Courthouse and climbed the familiar gray stairs to the courtroom on Feb. 11, it wasn’t her first trip up those steps. In fact... -
March 5, 2026By Kerrie Zubrod, Vice President, Century Bank of the Ozarks Every week, sometimes every day, I sit across the desk from someone who says the same heartbreaking words: “I think I...
Obits
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February 27, 2026Visitation for Paul Douglas "Doug" Frazier, 86, of Mount Vernon, was held Feb. 6, 2026, at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Girard, Illinois, followed by a graveside service at Union... -
February 27, 2026Funeral services for Earlene Freeman, 90, of Dora, were held Feb. 23, 2026, at Needmore Church of God in Dora, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial was at Smith Chapel... -
February 19, 2026Funeral services for Theresa “Tess” Friend, 69, of Walnut Grove, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at Wilson-Griffin Funeral Home in Walnut Grove. A visitation will...
Education
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Photo by Karla Smith Lions vs Bulldogs Bakersfield’s Seth Montague and Gainesville’s Owen Donley rise for the opening tip during a much-anticipated game Thursday at Bakersfield High School.December 11, 2025In front of a packed and roaring crowd of high school basketball fans in blue and red, the Bakersfield Lions held off the Gainesville Bulldogs 75-66 on Thursday, Dec. 4, securing a statement win in a... -
Bakersfield National Junior Honor Society sponsor Destiny Johnson (center) and students, from left, (front row) Lesley Luna, Jaylene Swensen, Allie Hollingshad, Ryder Black (back row) Massey Hayes, Trigger Schab. Also participating, but not pictured, were Mr. Jordan Grigg and the FFA. Photo courtesy of Bakersfield School.November 26, 2025Drivers on Highway 101 near Bakersfield High School may have recently spotted an unusual sight: clusters of cheerful teenagers in neon vests combing the roadsides with trash bags in hand and plenty... -
Gainesville’s Care to Learn coordinator Brenda Frye, left, and school social worker Misty Cullipher help with many of the efforts inside Gainesville’s new Community Resource Center including providing students in need with the free clothing and shoes shown here. Gainesville School staff members Nicole Wallace and Allisa West are also Gainesville Care to Learn liaisons.November 26, 2025Tucked away on the Gainesville School campus, a humble building hums with the energy of open hearts and open arms, a blessing both to the students who rely on its services and to the devoted staff...
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