Local News
Rebecca Ruud and Savannah Leckie
Rebecca Ruud is now set to stand trial March 7, 2022 for the 2017 alleged murder of her 16-year-old daughter Savannah Leckie and the disposal of the girl’s body in a burn pile on Ruud’s off-the-grid farm near Theodosia.
Ruud has requested a bench trial, which will be held before 31st Judicial...
Alfred Newton, 75, killed this bighorn ram last year in Wyoming, drawing a hunting license for it after applying for a tag for 20 years. He had the ram mounted on a pedestal so it could be moved around, and the completed mount finally arrived last month.
For 20 years, Gainesville resident Alfred Newton applied for a permit to hunt bighorn sheep in Wyoming and never drew a tag. Finally, last year, his 21st year of applying, “I had enough preference points built up that I was a sure draw,” Newton, now 75 and retired from his family’s water-well...
Photo courtesy of JB Duke A mobile home on Hensley Road off County Road 546 in Caulfield was destroyed in a Nov. 19 fire. Area responding volunteer fire departments say that poor radio communication has complicated their fire response in recent years, resulting in fewer volunteer firefighters hearing calls and therefore fewer responding to help.
A mobile home owned by Laura June Mapes-Hensley at 40 Hensley Road, off County Road 546 in Caulfield, was lost in an early morning fire Friday, Nov. 19. The cause of the fire is thought to have been an electrical issue within the home.
According to the Ozark County Sheriff’s Department call log,...
Rebecca Ruud
The Missouri Supreme Court has ruled that a taped audio recording made by Theodosia resident Rebecca Ruud, who is charged with murdering her 16-year-old daughter Savannah Leckie in 2017 and disposing of the girl’s body, is admissible as evidence.
The decision was announced in a Nov. 9 press release...
Brandon Adams
Bakersfield resident alleged to have held woman against her will, assaulted her physically, sexually
A warrant has been issued for Bakersfield resident Brandon J. Adams, 39, in connection with an incident in which he’s alleged to have violated an ex-parte order of protection, hit a woman, unwillfully restrained her to a bed, threatened to kill her and touched her in a sexual manner without her...
Tina Lisinski
Four cases were filed recently charging suspects with possession of methamphetamine in various Ozark County incidents over the past year.
While some residents may wonder about the delay in filing charges linked to the original incident, Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney John Garrabrant explained...
The Ozark County Collector’s website, www.ozarkcountycollector.com, allows tax payers to complete online payments with an e-check option, which uses checking account and bank routing number, or with debit or credit cards.
Ozark County Collector Darla Sullivan says the county’s annual tax statements have been mailed to most area residents, with the exception of a few statements that are being held back pending the transfer of ownership of property. The delay is due to an unusually high volume of real estate sales...
Nine-year-old Brody Shelby was honored Saturday by friends, family and a large group of area firefighters and other emergency personnel in a memorial service at Grace Baptist Church west of Gainesville.
Brody, the son of Bobbie Jo Shelby and the stepson of James E. Walley Jr, a firefighter with...
Ozark County Chamber of Commerce member Linda Harlin shows some of the banners to be installed this week on the Gainesville square. Harlin applied on behalf of the Chamber for White River Valley Electric Cooperative Plugged In grants to purchase the banners plus four benches, four planters and a new sound system to be used for community events.
The Gainesville square is getting some decorative updates and additional benches this week, thanks to Ozark County Chamber of Commerce projects using funds from the White River Valley Electric Cooperative Plugged In grant initiative.
Chamber member Linda Harlin applied for the grant funds to...
Tecumseh resident Matthew Weatherman, center, was recently appointed Ozark County Prosecutor to replace retiring Ozark County Prosecutor John Garrabrant, right. They’re shown with 44th Judicial Circuit Judge Craig Carter.
Tecumseh resident Matthew Weatherman has been appointed as the next Ozark County Prosecuting Attorney and is set to begin his duties here Dec. 1. He will fulfill the remaining year left in the term of retiring prosecutor John Garrabrant.
“I’m looking forward to being here and meeting everyone soon...