Christian County Headliner News January 17, 2018

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Vol. 57, Issue 11 | Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Commission adopts 2018 budget

Overdose, opioid

EPIDEMIC

Decrease in sales tax revenue forces fiscal tightening.

to do our best to do what needs to be done to accommodate those expenses, otherwise next year we’ll be cutting,” Presiding Commissioner Ray Weter told Auditor Amy Dent and Deputy Auditor Keith Robinette following the approval.

Expected total revenues for the general fund are $6.75 million with expenditures at $6.26 million — a decrease of nearly $2 million from the approved

The 2018 budgeting process was give and take for a lot of offices, but it is done.

The Christian County Commission, after about five hours of reviewing and approving individual budgets, adopted the final budget at 4 p.m. Jan. 11.

“I think we’ve got some strategic things to think about in the upcoming year.

(We need to) make sure

Christian County is certainly not immune.

H

e was a just a kid in his early 20s who died of a heroin overdose. It probably wasn’t the first time he had snorted, smoked or injected too much, though, because in his vehicle was Narcan. This overdose, however, was his last.

It didn’t happen on the streets of an inner city or even in a stereotypical large metropolis. It happened right here in Christian County. And, this young man’s story is just one of many.

“The epidemic itself is a whole lot more than just the people who die,” Christian County Coroner Mandi Armitage said. “Do you realize how many possible overdoses there are that get Narcan and survive? They get to the hospital and never pass away from it.”

Narcan is a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. It can be purchased over the counter.

As coroner, Armitage only responds when there is a death, but she gets a text every time an overdose is called into E-911 dispatch, just in case.

“There are several days I get three to four notices, and that’s crazy,” Armitage said.

It seems that every time you open a newspaper or turn the news on, there is something about the nationwide opioid epidemic.

On Jan. 11, the Headliner News received a release from U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt saying “this is an issue that’s hit every town in America, small and large.” Christian County is certainly not immune.

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 40,000 people died from opioid overdose. Now this is just a fraction of the people that had an opioid overdose. These are the people that died from an opioid overdose in 2016 — 40,000 people,” Blunt said on the Senate floor Jan. 11, outlining the steps he thinks are needed to help address the opioid epidemic, particularly in rural areas. “... It was a 28 percent increase over 2015 and a dramatic increase over where we were just 10 years before. Opioid overdoses now surpass car accidents as the No. 1 accidental cause of death in the country.”

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, the opioid epidemic continues to grow.

“In 2016, there were 908 Missourians who lost their lives due to an opioid overdose,” the website, health. mo.gov, says, adding that the term “opioid” includes heroin unless otherwise specified. “This means one out of every 66 deaths statewide was attributed to opioid-involved overdose. Of these overdose deaths, 92.7 percent were 8 95401 00108 0accidental; the other 7.3 percent were classified as suicide, homicide or unHDT-D determined intent.”

see BUDGET page 3A

file photo Nixa Police Officer Darren Whisnant, left, gets a standing ovation from Nixa City Council members and others in attendance at the January 2017 meeting. Whisnant was awarded the 2016 Officer of the Year Award and Lifesaving Award.

He is pictured with Nixa Chief Jimmy Liles. Whisnant is now the Clever Police chief.

Clever welcomes new chief

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Darren Whisnant has more than 30 years in law enforcement — something Clever Mayor Jaredd King said is a boon to the small town in western Christian County.

00101 1 it “He has a passion for using8that 95401 experience and passing on to our department, not only now but for years going forward,” King said. “He knewBHFP-W that we’ve kind of got a couple of officers who are newer to law enforcement with less than five years experience. During the interview process, we got the impression that he’s really excited on passing on the knowledge and work experience to our department to help us grow and make us better.”

Clever Board of Aldermen 8 chose Whisnant, who most 95401 00102 8 recently worked for the Nixa Police Department, as chief of

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AMELIA WIGTON ameliaw@ccheadliner.com @ameliawCCHN

Article by Amelia Wigton Headliner News

Page 2A

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

news

County Commission considers filing lawsuit against opiate manufactures, distributors AMELIA WIGTON ameliaw@ccheadliner.com @ameliawCCHN

T

he Christian County Commission is considering filing a lawsuit against opiate manufacturers and distributors.

Commissioners could vote on whether to proceed as early as Jan. 18.

In an hour-long meeting with Attorney Jack Garvey, with Carey Danis & Lowe based out of St. Louis, commissioners asked questions and inquired how joining a lawsuit — one that a few other Missouri counties have already decided to move forward with — would benefit the county.

“These drug companies know exactly how many pills, literally pills, they have sent to this county. They know it down to the CVS, Walgreens or any mom and pop pharmacy in the county,” Garvy said. “In addition, the federal government has been keeping track of how many opioids have come into this county for years.”

Those numbers would be used to determine a “proof of damages” for the county concerning opioids.

“Proof of the money the county has spent in an attempt to stem

or fix this problem or defend themselves from this problem,” Garvy said.

In Christian County, Garvy said his firm has pinpointed the county, Sheriff’s Office, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, coroner, 38th Circuit, Health Department and Juvenile courts as having spent enough money working to curb the opioid epidemic to warrant a lawsuit.

“We pinpointed those departments because those are the ones that have paid money in their budget and we anticipate they will pay money in the future,” Garvy said.

For example, Garvy said, care of inmates in the jail has increased about $100,000 from 2015-2017.

“That’s a red flag in this litigation that you’re dealing with inmates in the throws of withdrawal or post ingestion of heroin or opioids … that’s just one example of money you have spent in order to attack this problem,” he said.

Sheriff Brad Cole and Prosecuting Attorney Amy Fite attended the meeting, along with Nixa Police Chief Jimmy Liles and Ozark Police Chief Tim Clothier.

Cole said arrests from heroin possession are “very minute,” along with heroin overdoses.

Opioids, however, are a different story.

“At the Sheriff’s Office we probably saw between 150-200 overdose cases last year — that’s just an estimate. I would say that an estimate of those was probably 75 percent due to opioids,” Cole said, again stressing that he didn’t have hard numbers in front of him.

“Do these overdoses typically require some sort of intervention,” Presiding Commissioner Ray Weter asked, to which Cole replied “oh yes.”

Garvy said the overdoses are “ground zero,” listing many other ways the growing opioid epidemic is costing the taxpayers money.

“Then there’s the child taken out of custody from their parents, taken to juvenile. There’s the cost of the county for that manpower — manpower it took to answer those calls,” Garvy said, adding that it becomes “a multiplier.”

“Our experts will be able to take the amount of pills that are coming into the county; they have a formula to be able to extrapolate for the amount of issues you have for heroin and opioids … Already, our experts can tell you that three out of every four heroin addicts started on opioids.”

Overdose, opioid Epidemic from page 1A What about in Christian County?

Everyone agrees opioids and overdoses are a problem, but hard-fast numbers are difficult to come by locally.

Christian County Ambulance District Director Christie Drew said in 2017, the ambulance district responded to 128 drug overdoses. However, those numbers also include poisonings and do not differentiate the cause of the overdose. So, the numbers directly linked to opioids are unknown. The ambulance district also administered Narcan 84 times in 2017.

“I can’t tell you all of those were overdoses,” Drew said.

“If you show up on scene and they’re unconscious and you try other things and there’s a suspicion of overdoses, we’ll give (Narcan) because it won’t hurt them.”

But no matter what the numbers show, Drew said she believes overdoses and opioids are on the rise.

“I think it’s always been a problem, but I think what we’ve found is, the potency and type of drugs that are being used and abused are different than what they

used to be,” she said. “They are combining with more stuff. They’re much stronger.”

Ozark Police Chief Tim Clothier, in a recent meeting with county commissioners, said over a two-year period of 2016 and 2017, Ozark had 138 overdoses; 17 can be linked directly to opioids with three resulting in death. Thirty-six were prescription medication resulting in one death. The numbers are climbing, he said.

How does opioid addiction happen?

You had your wisdom teeth removed and were prescribed medication for the pain. However, after taking that medicine, you craved even more.

“A lot of times those are prescribed to someone who is not addicted to drugs.

But if they’re predisposed to easily being addicted to something, sometimes it’s as simple as a prescription for wisdom teeth removal,” Cindy Bilyeu, Christian County Health Department director, said. “Everybody’s brain make-up is different.

Everybody’s body is different. We can’t say who is going to be addicted and who is not.”

What we do know is that the more medications prescribed, the more chance of them being misused or abused.

“

When you get the addiction to the opioids, then that is a gateway to needing something stronger, and that leads to heroin, and that leads to, in some cases, fentanyl and in some cases carfentanil.”

Cindy Bilyeu Christian County Health Department “When you get the addiction to the opioids, then that is a gateway to needing something stronger, and that leads to heroin, and that leads to, in some cases, fentanyl and in some cases carfentanil,” Bilyeu said.

“So what started out as an innocent prescription that was warranted for the condition of the patient, ends up in the wrong hands and becomes something of a detrimental nature.”

Carfentanil is 100 times more potent than the same amount of fentanyl, making it 10,000 times more potent than morphine. It’s typically used to sedate large animals, such as elephants.

“Even for people who have struggled with addiction to powerful narcotics, a dose the size of a grain of salt can rapidly lead to an overdose and death,” according to www.recovery-

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there may not be a financial commitment, he wants to be sure there won’t be a large time commitment for county employees gathering data.

“The bottom line is, we would not want to take great deals of time, then here’s a check to the county and it be an amount that we would be like, ‘seriously? We did this and went through that and the benefit (is not worth it),’” he said.

Garvy said he doesn’t anticipate it taking a great deal of time from employees.

The officials at the meeting agreed to reach out to other officials who did not attend the meeting, and discuss it again Jan. 18.

“It’s obvious, everybody knows it especially in law enforcement, we definitely have a problem. It’s amazing it’s taken this long to hold the pharmaceutical companies accountable,” Phillips said.

Cole said he thinks a lawsuit is worth considering.

“I don’t have an opinion for or against the litigation at this point, I’m not educated enough on it,” he said. “But if it saves one person’s life and it’s not costing the county any money to do it, it’s certainly worth considering.”

EPIDEMIC

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Eastern Associate Commissioner Ralph Phillips asked why the lawsuit goes after the pharmaceutical companies. Garvy said because that’s where it starts.

“This type of lawsuit has never been tried before where counties sue corporations. But, I think, and others thinks, that the conduct by the companies is so bad — and can be proven in court,” Garvy said. “What this case gets down to is, does the county want to put themselves out there in a lawsuit? … I can guarantee you a couple of things: If we do retain this county, this will not be the last time you see me … This lawsuit will be done in good faith and it will be done the right way. The firm I’m with has the wherewithal and the funding to take on a case like this.”

Garvy said participating in the lawsuit would not cost the county any money.

“We will advance the county of all the experts, all of the costs,” he said. “We will advance all those costs and if there is no settlement or ruled against it, then the county is out nothing … If there is a settlement, we will ask for payment of expenses.”

Western Associate Commissioner Hosea Bilyeu said while

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Who are opioid addicts?

When you think of an addict, what picture comes to mind? Someone in an alley with a needle in his or her arm? Sure, that happens, but it’s not always the case.

“People need to know that, yes, there are hardcore users. But there are also people who need to seek help who got into this situation innocently,” Bilyeu said. “They didn’t realize that taking those (pills) are going to affect them like they are and they don’t seek treatment because they feel very dependent on these drugs. They don’t know where to go and there is a stigma attached to it.”

That’s why, Bilyeu said, education for legal drug use is so important.

“Our doctors and pharmacists give them the side effects and warning signs,

get education out there.”

The Health Department will be taking action soon, too.

“You will see something come out of the Christian County Health Department as a measure to help with this crisis,” Bilyeu said.

“Right now we’re exploring all of our options to decide where our efforts and our money would be best used in order to address the problem in a way that comes out with a successful ending.”

And that’s what this is all about — successfully reducing the number of people misusing opioids and, ultimately, reducing the number of overdoses.

“It’s very misunderstood, from the people using the drugs to the people hoarding the drugs. It’s just a very misunderstood topic right now and I think education is going to be key in taking what used to be a legal prescription and disposing it properly,” Bilyeu said.

newsbriefs

Nixa receives CDC water fluoridation award

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services recently announced that 19 Missouri public water systems — including Nixa Water District — have been awarded a Water Fluoridation Quality Award from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to a level that is effective for preventing tooth decay. The award recognizes communities that achieved excellence in community water fluoridation by maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in drinking water throughout 2016.

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but I think everybody thinks, ‘it’s not going to happen to me, ’” she said.

How can I help?

You may think, I’m not an addict, it’s not my problem.

However, are you an enabler? It can happen quickly, quietly and you may not even realize it.

“Many times it goes into another person’s hands without the person prescribed the drug even realizing it is gone,” Bilyeu said.

“It may be a family friend. It may be a grandchild. It may be someone who stopped with car trouble. I have actually heard of all of those particular instances.”

That’s why Bilyeu said it’s important to properly dispose of unused medications and not leave them in the family medicine cabinet.

“Quit hoarding drugs in case something that might happen sometime in the future,” Bilyeu said. “Dispose of those drugs. Make sure that people just getting into addiction do not have those readily available. Don’t be an enabler without knowing it.”

Bilyeu said she would like to see a permanent drug take-back location in the county.

“I just think we need one somewhere, someway, where everybody knows that’s where you take them and get the education out there,” she said. “We have to

For 2016, a total of 1,360 public water systems in 29 states received these awards, including those in Missouri.

“Water fluoridation is one of the best investments that a community can make to maintain the oral health of its citizens.

It is equally as effective in preventing cavities in children and adults,” states Casey Hannan, MPH, acting director, CDC Division of Oral Health.

Fluoridation is highly cost effective. Studies continue to show that for every $1 a community invests in water fluoridation, $38 are saved in dental treatment costs.

Community water fluoridation has been recognized by CDC as one of 10 great public health achievements of the 20th Century. CDC recommends water fluoridation as one of

the most practical, costeffective, equitable and safe measures a community can take to prevent tooth decay and improve oral health.

Highway Commission awards contracts at January meeting The Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission, at its meeting on Jan. 4 in Jefferson City, awarded projects to construction companies to make surface improvements to state highways and rehabilitate several bridges during 2018, the Missouri Department of Transportation said. One of those projects is in Christian County: Bridge replacement over Swan Creek near Garrison. The project was awarded to Hartman and Company, Inc. of Springfield, for a low bid amount of $1,541,795.

Construction on the projects will start in the spring and will be completed by the end of 2018. More information on the projects will be announced prior to the projects’ start dates.

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Page 3A

news

Sheriff increases base salary, gains two new positions Cole requested 10 new positions, says lack of manpower not doing citizens ‘any justice.’

AMELIA WIGTON ameliaw@ccheadliner.com @ameliawCCHN It was clear the Christian County Commission agreed the sheriff’s request to add 10 employees in the 2018 budget was warranted, but it was also clear it wasn’t in the budget.

“I know the sheriff feels very strongly that he needs additional personnel and to maintain employment, he needs raises,” Deputy Auditor Keith Robinette said, kicking off the discussion.

An hour later, the commission approved Sheriff Brad Cole’s request to increase base salaries.

Base pay for deputies of campus security will increase from $13.04 to $15. Base pay for patrol deputies will increase from $14.60 to $16.30. And, the base pay for jailers will increase from $11.84 to $13.

In order to make those increases possible, the commission agreed to transfer $300,000 to the sheriff from general revenue.

They also added an additional $100,000 to allow the sheriff to hire two employees. The $400,000 total transfer from general revenue and two new employees, however, were a far cry from the $800,000 transfer and 10 additional employees Cole requested.

And, he certainly stated his case.

“One thing I want to point out ... the Sheriff’s Office is providing security to all these county buildings that comes out of the sheriff’s budget. That’s not actually a duty of the Sheriff’s Office,” Cole said. “It’s not a state statute requirement of the Sheriff’s Office. We do that because that’s what the county wants done ... if we were to take those deputies assigned to campus security and put them on the road or jail or whatever, we probably would not be sitting here.”

Cole said he “saved” the county $500,000 in 2017 by not using the money budgeted to be transferred to the Sheriff’s Office from the general revenue fund. He wanted to carry that money over

to the 2018 budget.

“We saved the county a half-million in the budget,” Cole said.

“We have a halfmillion in carry over from last year COLE we would ask you fund this with.”

Western Associate Commissioner Hosea Bilyeu asked about sustainability.

“I think we could do exactly what you’re asking for today, but what about next year,” Bilyeu asked. “If we’re operating in a deficit, that golden goose is soon cooked.”

Everyone agreed that “some kind of revenue source” needs discovered specifically for law enforcement, as well as for the county as a whole.

“What concerns me is if we don’t start being proactive and progressive in what we’re doing here, it could cost us more than what I’m asking here,” Cole said.

Eastern Associate Commissioner Ralph Phillips said Cole made a “good point.”

“If you take the comp time, the money that’s being spent on training, it’s hard to put a number on that, but I would assure

you that it’s costing the county money, there’s no doubt about it,” Phillips said.

Bilyeu asked Cole if he anticipated needing increases “year after year after year.” Cole said if the county population continues to grow, yes.

“Everything just multiplies year after year and the cost of operations are higher every year,” Cole said. “Last year our calls for service were nearing and probably exceeded 30,000. Put that in comparison of the ratio of deputies and it’s astronomical. I think at this point we’re just trying to sustain what we have and provide quality service to the citizens of the county and they expect quality service.”

Cole also admitted that, because of the lack of manpower, the Sheriff’s Office isn’t currently giving quality service, especially when it comes to investigations.

“We’re not doing the citizens of this county any justice with what our investigators are able to do.

We’ve set certain parameters and criteria for our investigators. If it’s not a violent felony, a burglary or a child crime, we don’t work it.

We don’t have the manpower,” he said.

Later in the meeting, Bilyeu asked Cole if he only got two ad-

ditional positions, what he would add — patrol deputies, jailers or investigators.

“I don’t think we have any choice but to add investigators,” Cole said. “We’ve taken on the burden of juvenile — taking on their investigations. I don’t think we have any choice.”

Cole continued to fight for the additional $500,000 and the 10 new positions, but to no avail.

“I acknowledge the great challenge you face and I’m highly supportive of you personally and your work,” Bilyeu said. “It’s a matter of being wise with finances —as wise as we can be — and at the same time, meeting as many needs as we can.”

Ultimately, the commission voted unanimously to allow the increase in base pay and two additional positions, which totals a $400,000 transfer from general revenue.

“I’m a little bit lost for words right now,” Phillips said when Weter asked if he had anything to say before the vote. “It’s a problem that’s going to get worse.”

The 2018 budget for the Sheriff’s Office includes $6 million in expenditures. The approved 2017 budget included $6.1 million in expenditures; however, actual expenditures totaled $5.45 million.

Springfield man charged for events which caused Amber Alert AMELIA WIGTON ameliaw@ccheadliner.com @ameliawCCHN

Amelia Wigton/Headliner News Many Christian County officials and employees attended portions of the budget hearing Jan. 11, where county commissioners adopted the 2018 budget.

Budget from page 1A 2017 expenditures of $8.1 million.

Actual expenditures for 2017, however, rested at $5.9 million.

Tightening the 2018 budget is largely attributed to the dismal January sales tax receipts, which is a 24 percent decrease from January 2017.

That drastic decline caused Robinette — who spearheaded the budget this year after becoming the interim auditor in August replacing Lacey Hart who is facing 15 misdemeanor charges and three counts in a civil case, all alleging that she did not fulfill her duties as county auditor — to reach out to office holders and department heads, asking them to consider various cuts to their budgets.

Robinette, with Dent by his side, went through the individual funds with commissioners, explaining any proposed changes and making his recommendation, before commissioners approved them one by one.

Many of the 54 budgets were approved with little to no discussion, as questions were fielded in the weeks leading up to the Jan. 11 budget adoption.

A central theme, despite the cuts compared to last year, seemed to be how to sustain some requests that were being granted.

“I think once you get past this budget, with the COLA and other increases, you probably (need to) look at a five-year freeze to try to let sales tax accumulate to get rid of the deficit in the general fund,” Robinette said.

2018 budget highlights: • All county employees will receive a 2.9 percent cost-of-living adjust-

ment, which the commission approved in December.

• Two additional positions were added to the road department — one in Common 1 and the other in Common 2.

• The coroner has the ability to pay an assistant an hourly wage when needed, up to $3,000 for the year.

• The Sheriff’s Office will increase base salaries for deputies, jailers and campus security as well as add two positions. See separate article for details.

• Building inspections added a part-time position.

• Modernization of the elevator in the historic courthouse was nixed from the 2018 budget. Weter said between elections and court proceedings, there wouldn’t be an opportunity to fix the elevator in the next year.

“If this thing does fail, then we are down for an undetermined amount of time,” Richard Teague, county building maintenance supervisor, told commissioners.

During the facilities management portion of the budget, Teague asked the commission replace the $5,000 that had been removed for possible repairs to the elevator.

The commission obliged.

• In the Circuit Court Division 1 budget, Judge Laura Johnson agreed to remove the additional salary of a pretrial specialist. However, she made it clear, in an email, that she is not waiving any rights.

“She wants it reflected in the minutes that she does reserve her rights ... that at some point in the year she would have the authority to add that position if she determines it to be necessary,” Robinette said. “She agreed to that removal, but she did not want to waive her rights under (state statute section) 50.640.”

A Springfield man was charged Jan. 9 in Greene County with child kidnapping, stealing a motor vehicle and child abuse for events which occurred on Jan. 3 that caused an Amber Alert to be issued.

According to a release from Greene County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Patterson, Waite A. Showalter, 37, of Springfield, was charged after allegedly stealing a vehicle that had a 5-monthold infant inside.

“On Jan. 3, 2018, Greene County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the Kum & Go located at 4996 S. State Highway 125, on Highway 60 in Greene County,” the release says. “The aunt of a 5-month-old left her niece in the car for a quick stop at the convenience store. While she was inside, the car was stolen with the baby inside.

The baby was found safe approximately two hours after being taken to Christian County.”

At 8:48 p.m. Jan. 3, Ozark Police Department responded to the 5600 block of North 13th Avenue — the parking lot of Touchstone Counseling — regarding information pertaining to a stolen vehicle investigation which resulted in an Amber Alert, according to a release from the Ozark Police Department.

“Within minutes of being dispatched, OPD officers arrived on scene and located the aban-

Clever

doned stolen Chevrolet passenger car with a 5-month-old child, who was the victim of the Amber Alert, inside,” the Ozark PD release says.

“The child was examined by medical personnel and returned to family. OPD Criminal Investigations Unit Detectives arrived shortly after and began conducting a joint investigation with personnel from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.”

On Jan. 8, Ozark Police Department officers, Greene County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Christian County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the 1200 block of East Lily Drive, following up on information pertaining to a stolen vehicle investigation.

Patterson wants to remind the public that car thefts are too common in Greene County and in many cases the stolen car was unlocked.

“Please remember to lock your car, take the keys with you and do not leave valuables in the car. This case also emphasizes the dangers of leaving a child in a vehicle which is unattended and running,” according to the release from the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

“Mr. Patterson wants to thank the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Ozark Police Department and all law enforcement agencies who assisted in searching for this child. Mr. Patterson also wants to thank the members of the public who responded to the Amber Alert.”

Showalter is currently being held in the Greene County Jail with a $60,000 bond.

car or sitting in a business or at the station, but getting out and working hand in hand with the community, listening to the community and what their concerns are and issues are and helping to address their issues,” Whisnant said when asked how he plans to partner with the community.

Aside from the chief, Clever currently has three full-time officers and four reserve officers. Whisnant said he has an open-door policy and is looking forward to digging into the data and meeting the community.

“I have a very open-door policy,” Whisnant said. “I can’t fix any issues, problems or concerns that I’m not aware of.”

Whisnant said he is looking forward to meeting the community and encourages residents to call the police department, stop by the office or, if they see him in the community, say “hi.”

Whisnant retired from the Springfield Police Department as sergeant before working in Nixa. He has many awards, commendations and recommendations under his belt. He will officially be

from page 1A the Clever Police Department out of the 18 applicants. Whisnant’s first day at the helm was Jan. 15.

“I am looking forward to working with the community to provide some very professional, top-notch law enforcement to the community and assisting those officers that are already in place and improving their skills,” Whisnant said. “It’s a bittersweet position for me. I will definitely miss serving the citizens and working for the citizens of Nixa. The community is great and the police department is top notch and Chief (Jimmy) Liles is doing wonderful things with that police department and the community.”

Whisnant said he hopes his history with Nixa will help him in partnering with area agencies, one of his goals leading his own department. His first goal, however, is partnering with the community.

“By leading by example and being out in the public, not just driving around in a patrol

sworn into office at the Jan. 23 Clever Board of Aldermen meeting.

“We’re really looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be a good, fresh start for the department,” King said.

Clever has been without a police chief since the board placed former Police Chief Randall Bruce on paid administrative leave in response to felony charges filed Aug. 21 against him in Lawrence County for receiving stolen property in connection to his brother Joshua Bruce’s alleged crimes.

Joshua Bruce, the former chief of the Miller Police Department, was charged with multiple counts of stealing.

King has been acting police supervisor since Aug. 28.

“From a council standpoint and mayor, we were elated to have that many applicants, even in light of the situation that we needed a police chief — that still speaks volumes for Clever as a whole,” King said about the 18 people who applied for the chief position.

“The Clever community is still a good place to come and work, and I feel that’s why we had so many applicants.”

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news

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

Thank a police officer

Nixa family visits county departments for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. AMELIA WIGTON ameliaw@ccheadliner.com @ameliawCCHN

Concerns of Police Survivors

I

t was a busy morning for Nixa’s Chris Kahmke and his children Morgan and Braden Jan. 9. By 9 a.m., the family was hanging out with Ozark School resource officers, giving them goodie baskets, fruit and handmade thank you cards. The trio had already stopped at the Nixa Police Department, Christian County Sheriff’s Office and Ozark Police Department.

“Since I live here in Nixa and the kids go to school in Nixa, we decided to do it here,” Kahmke said, referring to honoring local law enforcement for National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. Kahmke, a former police officer and school resource officer, is a member of Concerns of Police Survivors — known as C.O.P.S. “Obviously the fact that the organization takes care of officers killed in the line of duty was something near and dear to my heart, having been in law enforcement,” Kahmke said when asked why he joined the nonprofit organization.

C.O.P.S. mission is “rebuilding shattered lives of survivors and co-workers affected by line-ofduty deaths, through partnerships with law enforcement and the community.”

It has 52 chapters throughout the United States, however, the national office is based out of Camdenton, right here in Missouri.

“We’re here to help rebuild the lives of officers, co-workers and family members who have to deal with in-the-line-of-duty deaths.

It’s unique that the national office is based out of Camdenton.

We have this resource right here,” Kahmke said. “That was the point of today — getting exposure for Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. I don’t think a lot of people know about it.”

Morgan, a sixth-grader at Inman Intermediate, and Braden, a fourth-grader at Mathews Elementary, helped put the baskets together to deliver to the local law enforcement agencies.

“They help people and we need to give them what they deserve

photos by Amelia Wigton/Headliner News

THANK YOU: Nixa resident Chris Kahmke is a member of Concerns of Police Survivors and, along with his

children, honored officers in Nixa, Ozark and Christian County during National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day Jan. 9. Pictured, from left, Chris Kahmke, Braden Kahmke, Ozark School Resource Officer Steve Hoerning, Morgan Kahmke, Ozark School Resource officers Mark Deeds, Amanda Ryan and Darren Combs.

back,” Morgan said when asked why she wanted to help make and deliver the baskets.

Her brother, Braden, agreed.

“Whenever they do stuff good, you need to give them thanks because they help keep our earth safe,” he said.

While the goodies were fun — ranging from duffle bags to pens to military dog tag-style necklaces — it was the handmade cards from Braden’s fourth-grade class that appeared to be most appreciated.

“His class did an amazing job and we just had to divide them up and share,” Kahmke said.

“Braden’s class was excited to put the cards together. I think everyone made multiple cards.”

“I think it’s absolutely wonderful,” SRO Steve Hoerning said about the recognition.

SRO Capt. Mark Deeds said it’s a difficult time for law enforcement right now and he’s appreciative of organizations like C.O.P.S. “I think it’s amazing C.O.P.S. took time to give back to officers … This is my favorite. We use a lot of this this time of year,” says while pulling hand sanitizer from the gift basket. “This is awesome.”

Braden Kahmke, fourth-grader at Mathews Elementary, fist bumps Ozark School Resource Officer Mark Deeds.

Each year, between 140-160 officers are killed in the line of duty and their families and co-workers are left to cope with the tragic loss. C.O.P.S. provides resources to help them rebuild their shattered lives. There is no membership fee to join C.O.P.S., for the price paid is already too high.

C.O.P.S. was organized in 1984 with 110 individual members. Today C.O.P.S. membership is over 47,000 survivors.

Survivors include spouses, children, parents, siblings, significant others and affected coworkers of officers killed in the line of duty according to federal government criteria. C.O.P.S. is governed by a national board of law enforcement survivors.

All programs and services are administered by the National Office in Camdenton. C.O.P.S. has over 50 chapters nationwide that work with survivors at the grass-roots level.

C.O.P.S. knows that a survivor’s level of distress is directly affected by the agency’s response to the tragedy. C.O.P.S., therefore, offers training and assistance to law enforcement agencies nationwide on how to respond to the tragic loss of a member of the law enforcement profession. C.O.P.S. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

C.O.P.S. programs and services are funded by grants and donations.

Source: www.nationalcops.org

Ozark School Resource Officer Amanda Ryan shows off a card a fourth-grader at Nixa’s Mathews made for law enforcement in Ozark, Nixa and the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.

Prosecutor seeks to revoke bond for teen charged with assault at Spokane school Tanner Brown facing additional charges.

AMELIA WIGTON ameliaw@ccheadliner.com @ameliawCCHN The bond for 19-year-old Tanner Brown, of Ozark, could be revoked, according to Missouri Case.net, after Taney County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Chris Lebeck filed a motion to revoke bond Jan. 11.

The hearing on the matter is slated for 10 a.m. Jan. 17 in front of Circuit Judge Jennifer Growcock, after the Headliner News press time.

The motion was filed after new criminal charges were filed Jan. 11 against Tanner Brown for felony burglary and misdemeanor stealing for a crime that allegedly occurred in November.

The Christian County grand jury, Sept.

8, handed down a true bill on Tanner Brown, along with 18-year-old Chandler Brown, of Highlandville, for alleged assault at the Spokane School District. They are each charged with one felony count of first-degree sodomy or attempted sodomy; one felony count of assault while on school property; one misdemeanor count of third-degree kidnapping; one misdemeanor count of second-degree harassment; and one misdemeanor count of assault in the fourth degree.

Bond was originally placed at $10,000 for each, which Chandler Brown posted Sept. 14 and Tanner Brown posted Sept.

19.

The teenagers also appeared in court in front of Growcock Jan. 9, along with former Spokane Superintendent Daryl Bernskoetter and Spokane High School Principal Chris Kohl, who has been on paid administrative leave.

The grand jury indicted Bernskoetter and Kohl in August. Both are facing the same two misdemeanor counts of “failure of mandated reporter to report child abuse/neglect.”

According to that indictment, the defendants “failed to immediately make or cause a report to be made to the Missouri Department of Social Services Children’s Division.”

The indictments of the school officials and the teenagers all appear to be related to a civil lawsuit that the father of one of the victims filed Aug. 25 in Christian County Circuit Court against the district, Bernskoetter, Kohl and former baseball coach Zach Leonard. There are no criminal charges filed against Leonard.

The suit alleges bullying, intimidation, harassment and sexual assault that occurred in the Spokane School District between students. The petition alleges many of the same incidents that the grand jury indictments allege, which all occurred during the same time frame. The suit, filed

by Attorney Rebecca Randles of Randles Mata Law in Kansas City, says the school district and certain administrators did not properly report or investigate the incidents.

According to Missouri Case.net, all four defendants are slated for a “plea/trial setting” at 10 a.m. March 22 in front of Growcock.

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Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, January 17, 2018

families

Page 5A

obituaries & death notices

Koula Pitchford

Scottie Gene Porter

Aug. 7, 1939-Jan. 9, 2018 Funeral: 2 p.m. Jan. 14 in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. Burial will follow in McCauley Cemetery. Visitation: 3-5 p.m. Jan. 13 in the funeral home.

Koula Pitchford, 78, of Nixa, died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. She was born Aug. 7, 1939, in St. Louis, the daughter of John and Mary Orphan. She was united in marriage to Billy Dean Pitchford, who preceded her in death in 1991.

Koula retired from Fasco after serving as office secretary for many years. Her passion was her kids and grandkids, always attending their activities and giving support to them.

She was a wonderful cook for family and friends, loved gardening and travel.

Survivors include: Four children, Burt Pitchford and wife Sherri of Colorado, Cynthia Pitchford of Arkansas, Mark Pitchford of Ozark, and Hope Smith and husband John of Nixa; four grandchildren, Chase, Nathan, Jacob and Sierra; two step-grandchildren, Clint and Jake; one greatgrandchild, Holly Louise; a godchild Fran Sotiriou; two sisters, Ann Peterson and Penny Chesnut and husband David; two brothers, George Orphan and wife Carol, and Chris Orphan and wife Lois; nieces and nephews.

Feb. 26, 1962-Jan. 7, 2018 Graveside service: Held by the family at a later date.

Cremation is in the care of Holden Cremation and Funeral Service, Sparta. Online condolences may be left at www.holdenfunerals.com.

Scottie Gene Porter, 55, of Rogersville, died away Jan. 7, 2018. He was born in Springfield Feb. 26, 1962, the son of Jammie and Virginia (Wade) Porter. Scottie was a loving father, brother and son. He enjoyed outdoor activity in his spare time. He worked as a plumber and farmer.

He was preceded in death by a daughter, Amber Porter; his mother, Virginia Porter; and a sister, Debbie Mourning.

Scottie is survived by a daughter, Claire Porter of Springfield; grandchildren, Lilly and Braden; sister, Leah Sellers and husband Anthony of Rogersville, a brother, Keith Porter of Rogersville; several nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Pet of the week

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March 15, 1955Jan. 8, 2018 Funeral: 11 a.m. Jan. 11 in Mt. Olive Methodist Church, Marionville, with Rev. Carol Ann Chilton officiating.

Burial will follow in Mt. Olive Cemetery, Marionville.

Visitation: 10:30 a.m. until service time at the church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.

John Sherman Dirkwood “Dirk” Morgan, 62, of Springfield, died Monday, Jan. 8, 2018. He was born March 15, 1955, in Springfield, the son of James Estel Morgan and Doris Leah (Montgomery) Morgan.

He was a 1973 graduate of Marionville High School.

Dirk enjoyed playing basketball for Marionville. He received a bachelor’s degree from Missouri State University. In 1988 he and Ann Oliver were united in marriage.

She preceded Dirk in death in 1994. He was also preceded in death by his parents and grandparents Otis and Ada Montgomery.

Dirk had an incredible sense of humor and was always ready with jokes and riddles. He never met a stranger and had many friends.

Survivors include: Three children, Christopher Carr Morgan and wife Debi and their son, Max of Independence, Brendon James Morgan of Dallas Texas and Madison Morgan of Springfield; a sister, Jolie Ikard of Ozark; a brother James T. Montgomery and wife Diana of Edmond, Oklahoma; four nieces, Jenny Owen, Rachel Clinton, Amanda Montgomery and Melissa James; and a nephew, Nicolas Montgomery.

Nov. 28, 1935Jan. 13, 2018 Funeral: 10:30 a.m.

Jan. 17 in the First Baptist Church of Ozark with Brother Phillip Burden officiating.

Burial will follow in Hopedale Cemetery, Ozark. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Jan. 16 in Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.

Marilyn Ann Eppler Strothkamp Boelts was born Nov. 28, 1935, to LeRoy Eppler and Leona (Schroder) Eppler in Geneva, Nebraska. They preceded her in death along with her first husband, Kenneth Strothkamp and son, Douglas Strothkamp. Marilyn died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018.

She married her high school sweetheart Kenneth Strothkamp on July 20, 1953. Four children were blessed to this union, Wanda, Victoria, Douglas and Mark. After farming for many years on the family farm near Geneva, Marilyn and Kenny moved to Ozark to start a construction business with Marilyn’s brother, Harold.

Kenny died in 1980 and in 1984 Marilyn married Kenneth Boelts.

Marilyn was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Faith. One of her greatest joys was when she and Kenneth joined the First Baptist Church of Ozark and were baptized there by Pastor Troy Rhoden.

Another great joy was when her first great-grandchild, Emma, was born.

She loved her family very much and found great delight in attending the weddings of Brian, Kendra, and Kayla — three of her seven grandchildren — and their spouses.

Marilyn also loved her other immediate family members, friends and neighbors. She also loved her home, which she and Kenneth bought in 1984, her flowers — of which she had many — and her vegetable garden. She and Kenneth always had enough produce to can and give away. Until the last couple of years, Marilyn and Kenneth would return to Geneva to stay with her sister, Carol, and visit friends and other family members.

Marilyn leaves to mourn: Her husband Kenneth of the home; daughter Wanda Fringer and husband Jim of Sparta; daughter Victoria Anderson and husband David of Richardson, Texas; son Mark Strothkamp and wife Cheryl of Rogersville; her grandchildren, Kevin Fringer of Bentonville, Arkansas, Brian Anderson and wife Jennifer of Dallas, Texas, Kendra Alcala and husband Mitch of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Kathryn McFarland and husband Glenn of Pittsburg, Texas, Kayla Carte and husband Mike of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Grant Strothkamp, and Tyler Strothkamp, both of Rogersville; her great-grandchildren, Emma, Reagan, Kenneth and Porter Anderson of Dallas, Texas; brother Harold Eppler; and sisters Carol Strothkamp and Sheila Kropp.

Luetta Lovan Watson March 12, 1931Jan. 10, 2018 Memorial: 10 a.m. Jan. 22, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Burial will follow in Delaware Cemetery, west of Nixa. Visitation: 9 a.m. until service time Jan. 22.

Luetta Lovan Watson, 86, of Willow Springs, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018.

She was born March 12, 1931, in Hebron, Missouri, the daughter of Aaron and Bessie (Smith) Lovan. She grew up in Fiddle Springs.

Luetta was a loving mother and grandmother. Her family remembers her singing the Tennessee Waltz. She loved to paint and sew. Luetta enjoyed collecting dolls.

Survivors include: Six children, Louise Burchett, Brenda Euliss, Rick Watson, Wade Watson, Sandy Crabb, Rhonda Prestidge; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and great-great-grandchildren.

A son, Larry Watson, preceded her in death.

Brenda Lee Litz Jan. 14, 1962-Jan. 7, 2018 Private service: Held by her family. Cremation is in the care of Holden Cremation and Funeral Service, Sparta. Online condolences may be left at www.holdenfunerals.com.

Brenda Lee Litz, 55, of Willard, died Jan. 7, 2018, in her home with family.

She was born Jan. 14, 1962, in Rockdale, Illinois, the daughter of Claude John and Constance (Gutnik) Dahlman.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Litz; son, Joshua Dahlman and wife Abigail, and daughter, Jena Fleming; grandchildren Kaden, Michael and Annastasia Fleming; a stepdaughter, Grace Brown; three sisters, Sandra Eldert, Linda Cantrell and Donna Cadwell; other relatives and friends.

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Francis Wilber Peak July 20, 1922Jan. 12, 2018 Celebration of life: 4-8 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Peak’s home, 2820 State Hwy. W, Ozark. Please let the family know if you plan to attend at timpeak@gmail.com or (417) 582-0151.

Francis Wilber (Bud) Peak, 95, of Ozark, born July 20, 1922, in Kansas City, Missouri, died Jan. 12, 2018, at the Ozark Riverview Manor Nursing Home.

His wife Margaret E. (Peggy) Lindsay preceded him in death Dec. 30, 1993, and his daughter Pamela S. Hardesty also preceded him in death on March 9, 2016.

He is survived by his daughter Candace L. Lafferty of Overland Park, Kansas; and his son Timothy F. Peak of Ozark.

Bud was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and aircraft carrier pilot. He flew air support for the Iwo Jima invasion in 1945.

Myrdeth Jean Reynolds Oct. 4, 1944Jan. 13, 2018 Funeral: 1 p.m. Jan. 18, in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa.

Burial will follow in Highlandville Cemetery. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Jan. 17 in the funeral home.

Myrdeth Jean Reynolds, 73, long time resident of Nixa, died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2018. She was born Oct. 4, 1944, in the Riverdale Community, the daughter of Harris Monroe Smith and Velma Marie (Nelson) Smith.

Myrdeth was baptized into the First Baptist Church of Nixa at an early age, and remained active in her beloved church as long as she was able. She was a 1962 graduate of Nixa High School, where she played softball and was a baton twirler for the Nixa High School Band. Myrdeth loved her Chevy cars, especially her mint green and pearl 1957 Chevrolet.

She graduated from the Missouri School of Cosmetology and was a beautician for several years. She also worked for Hemingway’s at Bass Pro for 13 years.

Survivors include: Her daughter, Mischelle Dawn Reynolds of Springfield; nieces and nephews, Cindy Rosenauer (Mark), Darryl Smith (Tammy), Teresa Money (Paul), and Greg Melton (Teresa); several great-nieces and nephews, whom she kept pictures of and loved very much.

She was preceded in death by a brother Oliver Smith; a sister Carolyn June Brinkley; an infant sister Kathryn Janell Smith; and her parents.

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March 28, 1932Jan. 10, 2018 Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Jan. 14 in Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Funeral: 2 p.m. Jan. 15 in the funeral home. Burial will follow at Schupbach Cemetery, Spokane.

Jean Stewart, 85, of Galena, died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2018. She was born March 28, 1932, in Nixa to Hershel and Mildred (Stewart) Keltner. Jean was united in marriage to Joe Bill Stewart March 28, 1950.

Jean was a homemaker and loved raising flowers and working around the house. She loved taking care of her family and planning “get togethers” during the holidays and made them special by adding a theme to the events. Jean loved being a mom and grandma and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jean loved to joke and have fun and was known to play a few tricks on friends. Jean loved the Lord and attended Ponce Pentecostal Church.

Jean is survived by her children Larry Stewart, his wife Paula of Galena, Randy Stewart, his wife Della of Spokane, and Becky Essick, her husband Mike of Ozark; 11 grandchildren; 19 greatgrandchildren; a sister Geri Fischer of Galena; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Jean was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a greatgrandchild Jaxson Rozell.

Marilyn Ann Eppler Strothkamp Boelts

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

opinion

Are you smarter than a middle-schooler?

Our view

A community problem And it’s in need of a community solution.

Drugs are a problem — across the country, across the state and in Christian County. We may live in a rural community, but we are not immune to the drug epidemic. It is here, and it is hurting our community. It is killing people — literally.

Suicide is also a problem. And while it may not be front and center in media reports, it happens in Christian County — a lot.

Coroner Mandi Armitage said in 2017, she completed 37 autopsies for the county. In 2016 it was only 11. There are different reasons to conduct an autopsy, depending on the circumstances surrounding the death.

But, Armitage will tell you, that a 200 percent increase in autopsies shows there is an increase in drug overdoses and suicides.

As of last week, Armitage said she’s already completed two autopsies and one potential overdose in 2018.

Something needs to change, and we all need to do our part to help be that change.

No matter your thoughts on marijuana and the legalization of it, or the federal enforcement of the laws, I think we can agree on one thing: Children need to be taught about drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. They need to know how it affects them. They need to know that just because it’s legal, that doesn’t mean it’s good for your body.

We need to educate on drugs — over-thecounter, prescribed and illegal. We need to educate on suicide and the warning signs. We need to talk to our children about things that are often considered taboo.

We’d like to think that parents are helping teach these valuable lessons. Many are, but many are not. Some are abusing legal drugs and using illegal drugs in front of their children, making those children collateral damage of the drug epidemic. It’s a cycle that’s often hard to break.

That’s why the D.A.R.E. program in schools is vital. Just like how the drug of choice has changed through the years, so has D.A.R.E. It’s not just about illegal drugs, it’s about choices.

Let’s face it, everything in this world is about choices. And there is a consequence — negative or positive — for every choice you make.

You can learn more about D.A.R.E. on page 9B and more about opioids and overdoses on the front page.

This is a community problem, so we need to work as a community for a solution.

I’m a firm believer that kids need to be involved in extracurricular activities.

I don’t care what — sports, band, chess club, theater. Getting involved in things at school keeps you engaged, helps you gain confidence, gets you out of your shell and helps build relationships.

When my children were toddlers, I had this idea in my mind that the older they got, the easier it would become for me. I would no longer have to help them dress or clean their room. I would no longer have to cut their food into tiny bites or worry they are going to put something they shouldn’t into their mouths, an electrical outlet or the toilet.

However, now that my youngest will turn 8 on Saturday — happy birthday Tyler — and I have three middle-schoolers, I’ve discovered a big flaw in my thinking.

As children grow older, your life actually becomes busier. For example, their homework assignments take more time, such as the Egyptian project I’m helping with for the third consecutive year for sixth-grade history. Zane made an Egyptian scale of justice, where the heart of the soul is balanced against the feather of truth. Gage made an origami canoptic jar, which was used in the mummification process to hold the internal organs of the deceased.

Makayla is working on hers right now, making an Egyptian collar necklace out of hundreds of beads.

Aside from the homework, the older kids get, the more involved they become.

The other day I came home to band practice. Gage was on his alto saxophone.

Makayla was on her clarinet. A neighbor

chadwickarea news Get well wishes go to my niece, Rita, who had a serious fall from their trailer. They are staying in it until they finish remodeling their home on W Highway. She has spent several days in Cox South.

She is staying with her daughter for a few days. Those falls can be awful. That is the reason I have decided to stay off ladders whenever possible. And, thinking about falls, we can have them so easy. My tractor has two good steps — and good handrails on the door that I use all the time.

Those kept me from a fall last week when I stepped on a coverall leg and jerked my other leg out from under me. It twisted my knee but the door handles kept me from falling. I will be watching my step closer from now on.

The coverall legs are not as long now. It was an eye opener!

It was good visiting with the staff at the Farm Service Office last week. There is no January meeting. The February meeting is scheduled.

I try to keep things on a positive note all the time. It has been hard to do when for the past three months when the internet on my computer has messed up.

Chase fixed it before Thanksgiving, I had the CenturyLink people out, it had to be taken to the shop, and Chase had to reprogram it again. $50 + $80 + $100 + $50 is pretty costly.

Plus there is the monthly charge on my bill. The email is still not working. Friends need to call me if you need me to do anything on my committees. There

boy was on his trombone and Zane was in the back practicing his bass guitar.

Next year, Makalya will be old enough to participate in middle school athletics, which she is very excited about. Then there’s chess club and Harry Potter club.

When I told my kids to get involved, they listened — for once.

This year, my two oldest joined the Sparta Middle School Academic Team, and I couldn’t be more proud. The team, which consists of seventh- and eighthgraders, went undefeated on the season and brought home the first-place trophy for the SWCL tournament.

I’m telling you, these kids — not just Sparta’s team, but all the kids who participate in these competitions — are so smart. These questions are hard. I mean, really hard.

I admit — and my kids will attest to it — geography, history and math are not my strong suits. But even so, the questions asked at these competitions are mind blowing. I wrote a few down during their final match — and believe it or not, I think these were some of the easier ones.

“According to Luke, a man undergoing this action is told ‘today you will be with me in paradise’ upon asking for forgiveness. At his request, St. Peter was subject

Amelia Wigton Amelia is the editor, covering county politics, news and feature stories. She is married with four kids and loves to go on family adventures. ameliaw@ccheadliner.com

communitycommentary

has got to be a cheaper way.

There was a stop at the Christian County Library on Wednesday. John Nixon was there and he told me the Museum is just about to complete their move to their building on the square. He also has a story about the Jackson Port Road and how it relates to Ozark. He lives on Jackson Street. His story is included in the recent Christian County Historian that I don’t have yet.

Folks who like history should take the time to read “Killers of the Flower Moon.” The library has two copies which were out at this time. I bought one at Barnes and Noble. It will be shared with the girls who enjoyed our trip to Pawhuska in the fall. It is to come out in paperback in April.

We have never seen the temperatures change as fast as they did on Thursday. It was 60 degrees at 11 and 20 degrees by 4 o’clock. The wind was a killer on Friday.

Snow came Saturday night and Sunday. It looks like we are in for several days of snow coverage and cold weather. The last cold weather was bad but there wasn’t this snow coverage to deal with.

Kids and kids at heart have really enjoyed the snow. Many kids

in this area hadn’t seen enough snow in their short lives to get out in and have fun. My sleds and skis are still in the crawl space until the great-grandkids come to drag them out. Doing chores is enough snow for me.

Some ball games had to be cancelled last week. Now, the kids are in the Mark Twain Tournament this week. It isn’t a good time to try to get all those games in.

Great-granddaughter, Karli, made special recognition in her game in Seymour last week. We are very proud of her for this recognition as a freshman.

The Chadwick Homecoming is scheduled for Feb. 2 with a game against Exeter. There will be three games to start at 5:30.

Theme for this year’s homecoming is “A Super Chadwick.” A dance will follow the games.

We are going to appreciate the warm up that is promised by the weekend.

You all stay well and watch out for all those accidents that can happen without warning.

Marie Day Marie is a lifelong Chadwick resident and has written a weekly column for the Headliner News for more than a decade.

Christian County Fair Board The 82nd Annual Christian County Fair Board recently announced that the fair is scheduled July 6 and 7 at the Christian County A & M Society Fairgrounds in the City Park along the Finley River in Ozark. Each year, the Christian County Fair Board sponsors the Fair, allowing the area youth, 4-H and FFA members to exhibit their animals and other agriculture related exhibits. Again this year, the fair is free to the public.

The Christian County Fair Board met recently and elected officers for 2018. Those positions are as follows: President Tiffany Kauffman, VicePresident Bobby Graves, Secretary Hayley Miller and Treasurer J.J. Leek.

The fair will have activities throughout Friday and Saturday including rides and inflatables operated by Nixa Party Station. New this year will be a Ferris wheel. Other activities will be livestock shows and free live entertainment along with additional exhibits in the building including 4-H projects, home-economics, flowers, ag mechanics, and FFA projects. There will be a horse obstacle challenge on Saturday evening and many more activities to be announced. A schedule of events to be posted at a later date on the website — www.ccmofair.com — along with our Facebook page.

Last year over $6,000 in premiums were paid to the youth exhibitors in the beef cattle, dairy and meat, goat, sheep, dairy cattle, rabbit, and poultry show exhibitors along with 4-H members showcasing their projects in the 4-H building. This is one of the largest payouts for youth in the state.

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to this action upside down...”

Buzz.

“Pencil and paper ready.” That means it’s a math question, by the way.

“Tamara needs to know the product that results from the multiplication of three fractions: One-half times two-thirds time three-fourths. By canceling out common terms, she computes — for 10 points — what value of one-half times two-thirds times three-fourths?”

Buzz.

“The largest lake in this state is Candlewood Lake, which receives water from the Housatonic River. The Frisbee originated in what is now the state’s most populated city, Bridgeport. For 10 points...”

Buzz.

Many times, kids buzzed in before the question was fully read. I was sometimes so confused that I didn’t know if the answer was a name, a country or a number.

But it didn’t faze these kids. They buzzed in and, typically, got the answer right.

Congratulations to the Sparta Middle School Academic Team.

And, in case you were wondering, the answers are crucifixion, one-quarter and Connecticut.

Memberships: Missouri Press Association, Ozarks Press Association, National Newspaper Association

Subscription Rates: $39.32 per year for local subscriptions mailed in Christian, Greene, Stone, Webster, Taney and Douglas counties (includes $36.29 subscription, $3.03 sales tax). Elsewhere in Missouri: $56.52 (includes $52.16 subscription, $4.36 sales tax). Rate out-of-state: $61.24 per year. No refunds on subscriptions. Title to each individual issue of the newspaper after publication passes to a Missouri subscriber upon the fulfillment of the conditions of payment in full of the subscription price and the complete preparation of the issue for release and shipment at the office of the newspaper. Title passes to a non-Missouri subscriber upon fulfillment of the conditions of payment in full of the issue price and the delivery by the publisher of the issue to the United States Postal Service for mailing. E-editions available at www.ccheadliner.com.

Please Direct All Correspondence to: Christian County Headliner News and Nixa Enterprise, P.O. Box 490, Ozark, MO 65721. Call (417) 581-3541 or fax (417) 581-3577. Send email to news@ccheadliner.com Postmaster: Send address changes to Christian County Headliner News and Nixa Enterprise, P.O. Box 490 Ozark, MO 65721.

Advertising Policy: The Publisher reserves the right to edit and/or classify advertising at the Publisher’s discretion without notice. The Publisher also reserves the right to refuse advertising for any reason.

This payout was the largest in the fair’s history and made possible only by the sponsors which included the Christian County A & M Society, Millwood Animal Hospital, Ozark MFA, Ozark Utopia Club, Sun Solar, Christian County Farm Bureau, Scrivener Oil, Pet Ranch, Wildcat Tool Rental, Rollings & Associates Insurance, Sam’s Club, Orsheln Farm and Home, Senator Jay Watson, Legacy Bank, White River Electric, SO-MO, Inc., Ozark Bank, County Treasurer Karen Matthews, Great Southern Bank, Danny Young, Barb Stillings, Appleby-Healy Attorneys at Law, Chris and Holly’s Place Pet Grooming, Christian County Historical Society, Auto Zone, Economy Tire, Lillee’s Catering, Ozark McDonalds, Ozark O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, Sonic, Village Inn, and numerous theaters & attractions from Branson.

The Christian County Fair Board has been in existence for over 80 years and is run strictly by contributions and sponsorships from community businesses and the volunteering of time by area residents. The Fair has struggled in the past to maintain this Historic event and will succeed only with local involvement. The Board is requesting sponsors for events, exhibits of local businesses and organizations. For information regarding all of the events or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please visit the organizations website at www.ccmofair.com.

The next meeting of the Fair Board will be 7 p.m. Jan. 18 at the University of Missouri Extension Office on the square in Ozark.

The Christian County Headliner News received the Gold Cup and garnered 27 awards at the 2017 Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, including the following firstplace awards: • Best news or feature series • Best editorial pages • Best feature photo • Best columnist, humorous • Best feature story • Best military story • Best story about education • Best coverage of government • Best photo illustration

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, January 17, 2018

news

Page 7A

Sarah Thompson, a senior at Ozark High School, enjoys the snow, braving the cold.

SNOW much fun

photos by Amelia Wigton/Headliner News The first real snow of the winter is making for some great family fun. Ozark freshmen Garrett Coggin and Paulina Grounds, with husky Jaspur, have fun sledding at Neal Grubaugh Park in Ozark Jan. 14. Find dozens more photos at www.ccheadliner.com.

Trevor Thompson, Ozark seventh-grader, treks back up the hill.

Ozark first-grader Ellie Thompson has a blast playing in the snow.

Jaspur, a husky, feels right at home, running in the snow, along with eating it.

The Monett aeroplane company takes to the skies

submitted photos Clockwise from left: An ad for a De Chenne aeroplane engine after the Holbrook company and the De Chenne company, both of Joplin, were combined and moved to Monett. Edwin Wilson Clayton in the pilot’s seat of the De Chenne biplane at Joplin. Clayton and others pose with the crashed De Chenne aeroplane at Joplin in 1911. but not injured. He was a former circus trapeze artist and hot air balloonist who performed under the name Ed Wilson, so he had the necessary requirements of being a daredevil in spirit and not being afraid of heights, but no experience as an aviator.

DeChenne was able to quickly repair the damage to the aircraft and Clayton flew it again a couple of weeks later. Clayton rapidly got the aeroplane to gain altitude to between 75-100 feet when the machine suddenly balked and the tail went down so that it ap-

M

Ozarks

oments

By Paul Johns

peared the plane was going to fall backward toward the earth.

Clayton shut off the engine and scrambled out onto the nose of the aircraft to right the plane and make it fall right side up. Again, he survived with cuts and bruises, but as in the previous flight, the plane suffered some damage.

Again, repairs were made quickly and Clayton flew the De Chenne plane again, according to an article in the April 6, 1911, issue of the Joplin Daily Globe. Ed Wilson Clayton was back in the aviator’s seat and this

600 N. 3rd Street Ozark MO 65721

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time flew the plane without incident.

That same article mentions that two other men, by the last names of Griep and Hogue, were also constructing an aircraft in Joplin and were on hand to watch the flight.

The De Chenne plane flew again a few days later at Electric Park and Clayton made five short flights in the craft. The April 9, 1911, story in the Joplin Daily Globe credits De Chenne and Ulysses Barnsley as the inventors of the aeroplane.

An article in the Monett Times of April 21, 1911, reported that the company had a new aviator for their plane. Logan David McKee, a pharmacist and photographer from Monett, had replaced Edwin Wilson Clayton as the pilot. Previously, McKee had been contacted to take photos of the aeroplane and put them on postcards to sell and had became interested in trying to fly the new plane.

McKee, too, had the requisite daredevil spirit of adventure. He reportedly explored a cave in Monett

and traveled underground for nearly six miles before coming out near Pierce City.

According to him, he then made the return trip underground.

The article from April 21 stated that Durnil and McKee had traveled to Joplin where McKee “made a number of short test flights of their new aeroplane.” It went on to say that McKee “had but little trouble in handling the machine.”

However, an article in the Joplin Daily Globe the following day stated that, “The operator had been driving it for nearly a half hour at Electric park when the ‘thing’ fell from a height of 25 feet. The machine was again badly damaged.”

It was about this time when the company moved to Monett to rebuild the De Chenne aeroplane. Officers were L.B. Durnil, president; U.S. Barnsley, secretary and general manager; Ed DeChenne, chief engineer; and Logan McKee, aviator.

Next week: The pioneer aviation industry in southwest Missouri fails to take off.

516868JS

U

lysses S. Barnsley and Ludwell B. Durnil of Monett were both active in the companies that would build the Laurens Call airship, the Holbrook helicopter/aeroplane and finally the DeChenne aeroplane.

Durnil was born in Virginia, but by the time he was 10 years of age, the family was living in Mt. Vernon, Missouri. The 1870 census reveals that he was 20 years old and working in a blacksmith shop in Mount Vernon.

The 1880 census reveals his adventuresome side and his desire to chase a dream; he was prospecting in the mountains at Pima, Arizona. By 1900 he was living on a farm near Pierce City, Missouri, and by 1910 he was living in Monett and operating his dry goods business.

Barnsley was born in Indiana and by the time he was 12, in 1880, he was living with his parents and seven siblings in North Fork, Missouri, in Barton County.

At age 25, he was appointed the postmaster of Esron in Barton County.

With the failure of the Call airships and the limited success of the Holbrook aircrafts, Durnil and Barnsley hooked up with Edward Manuel DeChenne. DeChenne was born in Illinois in 1870. Both his parents had come to the U.S. from France. The 1900 census lists him still living in Illinois and his occupation as a woodworker.

By 1905 he had moved to Missouri and married Mable Melton in Carthage.

The 1909 Joplin City Directory finds him living in that city and lists his occupation as a blacksmith. The 1910 census notes his occupation as a machinist.

When DeChenne and the two businessmen from Monett got together, DeChenne began building his planes in Joplin. The Joplin Daily Globe of March 8, 1911, reported that his second aeroplane, which he built with the help of W.O. Sowers, flew during a test flight there, but then crashed from a height of 50 feet.

The aeroplane had a wingspan of 30 feet, weighed 600 pounds total and was powered by a 50-horsepower engine. It was kept in a hangar just southeast of Electric Park in Joplin.

The aviator, Edwin Wilson Clayton, was bruised

Page 8A

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

business

Assistant Library Director Katy Pattison gives Christian County residents tours in the new space at 218 N. McCroskey St. in Nixa.

Friends of the Library sets up a table to explain what they do for the Christian County Library system.

A visitor looks at an artist’s rendering of the proposed renovations. of the Ozark, Nixa, Sparta and Clever locations.

Christian County Library hosts open house of Nixa branch With tax levy renewed, administration plans for future.

SARAH TEAGUE news@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerNews

N

ixa residents are looking forward to a new library.

The Christian County Library system has rented 9,000 square feet of space for a modernized branch.

Dozens of Christian County residents flooded an open house at 218 N. McCroskey St. in Nixa Jan. 13 to see inside the preexisting space rented by library administration. The building is owned by Southern Bank.

Expected completion for Nixa branch renovations are summer 2018. Assistant Director Katy Pattison said the Nixa location will gain a drive-through window, study rooms, a story time room and a local history collection specific to Nixa.

The Ozark branch will receive new amenities, as well. Pattison said the Ozark renovation will mirror the Nixa location and will be completed around the same

photos by Sarah Teague/for the Headliner News

BOOK WORMS: On Jan. 13 the library witnessed a large turnout from Nixa at an open house of the new library

branch location, 218 N. McCroskey St. time. A drive-up window will also be added in Ozark alongside complimenting design schemes to tie the two branches together. “(The Nixa location) is about equal space to what we have in Ozark,” Pattison said. “And you’re going to see the same features in this building that you see in Ozark. We’ll really (be bringing) them both up to date.”

Library Director Geri Godber said while the spaces are renovated, she hopes to expand library services such as “our youth

programs, at daycares … our summer reading programs or (our) homebound patron delivery service.”

Godber and Pattison talked about plans for future branches in Clever and Sparta. While the library has owned the plots in both locations since 2009, library administration is holding off construction until funds can be saved.

“We are going to use our increased revenue to save money so we don’t have to borrow mon-

bizbriefs

Ozark farm joins American Angus Association Blue Valley Farms, Ozark, is a new member of the American Angus Association, reports Allen Moczygemba, CEO of the national breed organization headquartered in Saint Joseph.

The American Angus Association, with more than 25,000 active adult and junior members, is the largest beef breed association in the world. Its computerized records include detailed information on over 18 million registered Angus.

The association records ancestral information and keeps production records and genomic data on individual animals to develop industry-leading selection tools for its members. The programs and services of the association and its entities — Angus Genetics Inc., Angus Productions Inc., Certified Angus Beef LLC and the Angus Foundation — help members to advance the beef cattle business by selecting the best animals for their herds and marketing quality genetics for the beef cattle industry and quality beef for consumers.

ey to build Sparta and Clever — so that will take a little bit of time,” Godber said.

The Jan. 13 open house follows a tax levy vote from August 2017 where nearly 68 percent of voters were in favor of a 20-cent tax levy renewal. Godber said library administration was eager for the renewal and described her initial reaction to the passage as “elation.”

Additional funding for library expansion comes from the Christian County Library Foundation

and Friends of the Library.

Barb Stillings, director for the Christian County Library Foundation, said among other donations from foundation fundraising that fills gaps the tax cannot, a $100,000 grant came through from the Ball Family Trust. Stillings said this money will be used for a children’s area in Nixa.

“We’re always trying to think of bigger and better (fundraising) ideas so we can raise more money for the library,” Stillings said.

Tina Didreckson, library board member, said while future plans for a four-branch library system may be expensive, the foundation is doing what it can to garner support.

“I think Nixa is very happy,” Didreckson said. “You can see we are very happy to finally have a library branch here. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s very expensive. We have to renovate the building and then we have to operate it afterwards, so it’s a big investment, and we’re glad that we’re able to make it finally.”

Godber and Pattison continued to thank voters throughout the event, giving tours of the Nixa space to community members.

“Thank you so much for supporting the library (by) voting to get this passed and allowing us to make the library that we feel Christian County deserves,” Godber said.

ozarkchamber submitted photo Bank Executive Vice President Mike Tomlinson, left, and Brian Breeden, Clever assistant principal and athletic director.

Local bank donates to Clever school Peoples Community Bank donated $15,000 to the Clever School District for sponsorship of the gymnasium floor. The district has purchased new scoreboards at the middle school gym with the money.

“We are very proud to have a banking relationship with the district and grateful to give back to the community,” according to a release. “Peoples Community Bank currently serves the Billings and Clever districts in Christian County and is proud to be able to give back to our communities. We look forward to many more years of serving both districts and communities to the best of our ability.”

submitted photo

VINTAGE COFFEE: The Ozark Chamber of Commerce welcomes Vintage Coffee,

located at 1530 W. State Highway J in Ozark, with a ribbon cutting Dec. 28. Owner Lisa Denief cuts the ribbon surrounded by Ozark Chamber members. Vintage Coffee is a food truck that specializes in coffee drinks and fruit smoothies.

The 2018 Membership Directory, a guide to local merchants and services, will be available March 2018 More than 14,000 copies to be direct mailed to Nixa addresses, 2,000 copies in Chamber packets & at events, plus available on www.ccheadliner.com 24/7 for one year!

Add $50 for Full Color

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HEADLINER NEWS Christian County

Your local, hometown newspaper

and Nixa Enterprise

For More Information Contact: Adam Gamble • 417-581-3541 adamg@ccheadliner.com

Tricia Chapman: 417-581-3541 triciac@ccheadliner.com

Sales deadline Jan. 31

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SPORTS

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

1B EDUCATION: D.A.R.E. to be you. Page 9B

www.ccheadliner.com/sports

Wallace focused after signing with Lyon College JEFF KESSINGER jeffk@ccheadliner.com @JKessingerCCHN

submitted photo Spokane High School senior Casey Wallace is joined by her family Jan. 8 as she signs her letter of intent to play basketball for Lyon College.

Casey Wallace’s attention will no longer be divided, and that’s bad news for the record books.

Wallace, a senior at Spokane High School, signed her letter of intent Jan. 8 to play basketball for Lyon College, in Batesville, Arkansas.

“It helps a lot (to make my decision now),” Wallace said. “Now I can focus on reaching the goals I’ve had set since the beginning of the year. It’s kind of reassuring that I don’t have to worry about my signing.”

Those goals include re-writing Spokane and Missouri girls highschool basketball history. Wallace has already passed 1,500 points for her career — a feat she completed in the Pink & White Tournament. Now she’s on to the next milestone.

“I talked to somebody and the record (for points in a career) at Spokane is around 1,700 points or so, so I want to beat that,” Wallace said.

But she has her eye on an even bigger record: Maddie Hursh’s career 3-point mark. The former Chadwick standout made 367 long-distance shots in her four years of high school, which con-

cluded in 2014.

“I’m about 17 3-pointers away, so I’m still reaching for that one.

I know I can beat that,” Wallace said, adding the prospect of setting these new records doesn’t cause her any nerves. “I love competition. I know I can do it, so it’s been driving me.”

Lyon, which competes in the NAIA’s American Midwest Conference, caught Wallace’s eye for one big reason. She summed it up with the word “atmosphere.”

“I loved how beautiful the campus is and as soon as I met the coaches and players I knew it,” see WALLACE page 4B

‘We just had to

let it fly’

Q

ARTICLE AND PHOTO BY JEFF KESSINGER • HEADLINER NEWS

uinn Nelson cast off from 3-point range. Splash. Nothing but net. Then he did it again. And again, giving Ozark an early 9-8 lead over the vaunted Oak Hill Academy Warriors early in the first quarter Jan. 11.

In a Hollywood world, those shots would’ve been followed by a montage of Ozark Tigers baskets — set to the tune of “Sweet Georgia Brown,” probably — as the plucky underdog stunned nationally-ranked Oak Hill in the Tournament of Champions at JQH Arena.

This is no Hollywood world, though, and Oak Hill went on to win 84-65. But it was no 50-point drubbing, and there was no headhanging by the Tigers after the game. Not after hanging around against a team that features four NCAA Division I signees and at least four other players drawing interest

from top-level schools.

“I’m very proud of them. They did exactly what I asked them to do, and anytime a team does that, that’s when a coach is proud,” Ozark coach Mark Schweitzer said. “I thought we showed some heart, we showed some toughness, we showed some passion for the game and some mental toughness.”

That toughness was tested right from the jump, as the Tigers turned the ball over four times in four possessions and dug themselves a 6-0 deficit less than two minutes into the game.

But then Nelson got hot, drained a trio of 3-pointers and sent a little jolt though the crowd.

“I just tried to treat it like any other game

ings Ozark keeps th st in interesting aga Oak ked nationally-ran nt of me Hill in Tourna ner. e Champions op

see OZARK page 4B

Ozark’s Quinn Nelson avoids Oak Hill’s David McCormack — a Kansas University signee — as he scores two of his team-high 25 points Jan. 11 in an 84-65 loss in the Tournament of Champions. Nelson broke the 1,000-point mark in his career and also broke the school record for made 3-pointers in the game.

jeffkessinger SPORTS EDITOR Headliner News

Acting professional isn’t always easy.

Here’s one of the rules of sports media: Don’t be a fan while you’re working.

It’s not one of those “unwritten” rules, either. Clapping and cheering will get you thrown out of a press box pretty quickly — as will booing, for that matter. Ask a player for their autograph? That will get your credential pulled fast.

That’s not always a huge concern covering Christian County, but, still, I have a desire to be a professional. The fan in me started to come out a bit, though, when I figured out that this year’s Tournament of Champions included not only the Ozark Tigers, but also the Brentwood Academy Eagles.

Brentwood is led by one of the top point

guards in the nation, Darius Garland. Winston Garland is not only Darius’ dad, but also an assistant coach at Brentwood.

If you’ve lived in this area long enough, you probably don’t need an introduction to Winston Garland, whose No. 22 jersey is retired by Missouri State University, hanging above the bleachers in JQH Arena, home of the Tournament of Champions. You probably had the same reaction I did, in fact.

Winston Garland was one of my first sports heroes, a sweet-shooting guard for Charlie Spoonhour’s then-Southwest Missouri State University Bears from 1985-87.

I was a young boy, then, attending games at Hammons Student Center with my dad and falling deeply in love with Bears basketball as the team made an appearance in the National Invitation Tournament in 1986 and — for the first time at the Division I level — the NCAA Tournament in 1987.

Garland was the centerpiece of that Bears offense, averaging more than 20 points per game and earning Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Year honors. He was also one of the most likeable players on a team full of great personalities, making him the perfect star for the team’s Cinderella story.

The Bears were the 13th seed in their region, drawing Clemson — featuring future NBA players Eldon Campbell and Horace Grant — in the first round, in Atlanta. I wore my SMS sweatshirt and “I love the Bears” button to school that day, just counting down the hours until I could get home and watch the game on the VCR. And what a game it was. Garland played all 40 minutes, hitting both of his 3-point tries and scoring a game-high 24 points as the Bears upset Clemson 65-60. We had a substitute teacher that day and he sent me down to the office late in the afternoon to see if there was a final score yet. I bumped into Mr. Hagemann, the principal, on my way and he showed me the signs he was taping up around the school. I fist pumped my way back to the classroom and didn’t hear a single thing that teacher said the rest of the day.

Thankfully there was no school on the day of the Bears’ second-round game. My whole family gathered around the TV in our family room to watch SMS take on the vaunted Kansas Jayhawks, led by Danny Manning. That game, too, was a thriller, with the Bears coming up just short, 67-63.

Garland played all 40 minutes in that game, too, scoring 24 points to lead the Bears. Unfortunately, Manning scored 42 points for the Jayhawks.

Garland’s days in Springfield were done, but his basketball career was not. He was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and spent seven seasons in the NBA, playing for the Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets and — after a one-year stint with Benetton Treviso in Italy — returned to the United States to play one more season, with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

His best year season was 198889, when he averaged 14.5 points per game for the Warriors. As a rookie for that club, he became the first player to record a tripledouble in five years. All of that is ingrained in my brain, possibly in cells that see LINE page 4B

The Bottom Line

Page 2B

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

sports

‘A team victory’

Sparta gets contributions from everyone, rallies past Fordland in homecoming thriller.

JEFF KESSINGER jeffk@ccheadliner.com @JKessingerCCHN

S

parta coach Larry Brown just knew a three-point lead wasn’t going to be safe against Fordland Jan. 12, not the way the Eagles had been shooting the ball.

Wade Little got him in that fourpoint cushion just in the nick of time to help the Trojans hold on for a wild 73-69 homecoming win.

The Trojans had to erase an early 13-point deficit to earn the win. They also had to hold on as Fordland junior Jake Farnsworth nearly shot his team to victory single-handedly.

“It’s a great win for us,” Brown said. “Not many of our kids have varsity experience. (Collin) Teague and Wade have some experience and I thought they really stepped up. We had some other kids help, too. I hope this goes a long way for the rest of our season, because we needed a quality win like this.”

Sparta didn’t lead until the fourth quarter, when Little knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Trojans a 54-53 lead just 32 seconds into the period. The teams tossed the lead back-andforth, neither of them able to pull away.

Fordland, for instance, surged

photos by Jeff Kessinger/Headliner News Sparta’s Kolbie Dorman slashes through the Fordland defense during the third quarter Jan. 12. Dorman came up with a steal and hit three clutch free throws as the Trojans rallied from a 13-point deficit to beat Fordland 73-69 on homecoming night.

Sparta’s Collin Teague elevates for two points over the defense of Fordland’s Colby Gonzalez during the first half.

in front 61-57 with 5:28 to play, only to see Little score eight unanswered points — splashing two 3-pointers — to give Sparta a 6561 lead with 3:53 to play. But the Trojans then went scoreless on their next three possessions, allowing Fordland to take a 66-65 lead on a Farnsworth 3 from well beyond the top of the key.

It was the Eagles’ last lead of the night. Kolbie Dorman and Casey Purple went a combined 5-for-6 at the foul line and, after another Farnsworth 3-pointer, Sparta was clinging to a 70-69 lead with eight seconds to play. Fordland called timeout after the basket, allowing Brown to set up an inbounds play the Spartans executed to perfection.

Three Trojans stayed in frontcourt while Little sprinted toward the Fordland basket. He caught the pass in stride and scored an easy lay-up while drawing a foul.

The three-point play restored Sparta’s four-point lead and secured the win.

“We figured they were going to be biting, so I just had to run the floor. It was a good pass and I was just able to finish it,” Little said.

He admitted he wasn’t trying to draw the foul, though. “No, that was just a bonus.” see SPARTA page 4B

Sparta’s Austin Brown swishes a 3-pointer as coach Larry Brown watches during the third quarter.

Sparta’s Wade Little dribbles the ball up the court as Fordland’s Hunter Burks defends.

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Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, January 17, 2018

sports

Page 3B

Blue Jays grind out win over Fair Grove second half, and the teams were tied at 44 after three quarters of play. Every time Clever took a lead in the fourth quarter, Fair Grove found an answer.

But, in the game’s final seconds, Devan Hampton spent a lot of time on the bench in the first quarter, but he was Hampton was on the floor to help secure on the court when it mattered to help the win.

“Devan got fouled with 15 seconds left the Clever Blue Jays knock off Fair Grove and hit both free-throws out of a 1-and62-57 Jan. 12.

“It was a solid, grind-it-out win for our 1 situation,” Brosius said. “Then he got guys,” Clever coach Luke Brosius said. a huge steal with seven seconds left and found Caleb ahead “Devan picked up for a lay-up to clinch two early fouls and the game.” had to sit about sev- Clever 62, Fair Grove 57 Peck finished with en minutes during FGHS 18 8 18 13 — 57 25 points to lead the first quarter.” the Blue Jays, while Fair Grove took CHS 10 20 14 18 — 62 Hampton scored advantage of the 18. Seven different senior guard’s ab- Clever — Peck 10 5-7 25, King 1 0-0 players scored in the sence, building an 3, Whiles 2 1-1 5, Hampton 7 4-4 18, game for Clever.

18-10 lead head- Wilson 1 0-1 2, Deepe 1 2-2 5, Dover 1 “It was a great ing into the second 2-2 4. Totals 23 14-17 62 team performance quarter. and everyone played That wasn’t nearly 3-Point Goals: Deepe, King a part, but for Devan a big enough lead. and Caleb, it was, The Blue Jays exploded for 20 points in the second pe- combined, their best performance of riod to take a 30-26 lead at the halftime the year. It was a great win for us and we hope to build some momentum off of it.” break.

Clever visits Crane Jan. 16 in South“Caleb Peck was solid picking up the scoring for us, and when Devan came west Central League play. The Blue Jays back in, he gave us a big spark,” Brosius travel to Mount Vernon Jan. 19 before said. “We tightened up our D in the sec- playing in the Family Pharmacy Panther ond quarter and really did a pretty good Classic, in Mountain Grove, Jan. 22-27.

The host team is currently unbeaten and job of limiting them to one shot.”

The lead went back and forth in the ranked No. 1 in Class 3.

JEFF KESSINGER jeffk@ccheadliner.com @JKessingerCCHN

Jeff Kessinger/Headliner News Chadwick’s Stevi Jones looks for an open teammate during the second quarter of the Cardinals’ 69-31 win over Lutie Jan. 12. Jones, a sophomore guard, scored 33 points to lead the way.

Chadwick sweeps Lutie JEFF KESSINGER jeffk@ccheadliner.com @JKessingerCCHN Chadwick’s basketball teams picked up a pair of wins over Lutie Jan. 12. One of them was easy, one was not.

The Chadwick girls opened the night with a 69-31 win, scoring the first 17 points of the game and building up a 38-18 halftime

lead. The Cardinals went on to outscore Lutie in both the third and fourth quarters to secure the easy win.

Sophomore Stevi Jones scored 33 points to lead the way — and outscore Lutie by herself. She added four rebounds and four assists to her stat line. Fellow sophomore Lauren Gilbert scored 16 points and pulled down six rebounds. The Cardinals are now 8-6 on the season.

sportsbriefs

Lutie was led by Alexis Amos and Madison Kennedy, with 16 points each.

The Chadwick boys picked up a nail-biting win over Lutie in the nightcap, by a 57-55 score. Chadwick’s boys are now 6-7.

Both the Chadwick boys and girls will play in the Mark Twain Conference Tournament Jan. 15-20 before visiting Everton Jan. 22.

Tiger wrestlers take third at Rockwood

Billings boys come up short at Crane

Seven medalists helped Ozark wrestle its way to third place at the Rockwood Summit Tournament Jan. 13.

Nicky Gladkov (160 pounds) captured first place for coach Tod Sundlie, with Clayton Moison (106), Jake Nickols (113), Hunter Tennison (220) and Jace Gorn (285) all capturing second-place honors.

Tyson Albright (170) finished third and Ryan Taylor (182) fourth for Ozark.

The Tigers host arch rival Ozark Jan. 18 before traveling to the Winnetonka Tournament Jan. 19-20.

The Billings boys basketball team fell to 1-2 in conference play with a 59-48 loss at Crane Jan. 12. Crane is now 2-0 in Southwest Central League play, tied for first with Blue Eye and a half-game ahead of Clever.

Billings plays in the Sarcoxie Tournament Jan. 15-20.

Spokane boys split with Osceola, Forsyth The Spokane Owls split a pair of games, defeating Osceola Jan. 6 in the Scoreboard Guy Shootout, at Mount Vernon, and falling to Forsyth 59-47 Jan. 9 in Southwest Central League play.

Isaiah Bean scored 27 points to lead the Owls to a 61-45 win over Osceola. That victory improved Spokane to 8-4 on the season.

Spokane is home all week, hosting the Spokane Invitational Tournament. There are four games scheduled for Jan. 18, two in the consolation bracket — at 4 and 5:30 p.m. — and two in the championship bracket — at 7 and 8:30.

The tournament concludes with four trophy games Jan. 19. The consolation game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m., followed by the fifth-place game at 5:30, third-place game at 7 and the championship game at 8:30.

Spokane is seeded fifth in the tournament. The rest of the field, from first seed to eighth, is Conway, Blue Eye, Marionville, Reeds Spring, Cassville, Seymour and Galena.

Eagles hang for COC win over Willard Nixa’s boys basketball team got off to a winning start in Central Ozark Conference play, holding on to beat Willard 62-59 Jan. 9.

The Eagles led that game 27-2 early, but Willard closed the gap to 37-28 at the half and trailed just 50-44 at the end of three quarters. Willard was as close as one point — at 59-58, with 49 seconds to play — but a potentially game-tying 3-pointer was off the mark at the buzzer.

Nixa visits Kickapoo Jan. 16 and hosts St. Louis University High Jan. 19.

Ozark’s Nelson hits state qualifying times Ozark’s Chloe Nelson picked up a pair of state cuts at the Kirkwood Invitational Jan. 13.

Nelson swam a time of just over 2 minutes, 18 seconds in the 200-yard individual medley to qualify for state in that event.

Her time of 55.55 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle qualified her in that event.

The Tigers will face Lebanon in dual competition Jan. 19 at the Foster Natatorium. Ozark will travel to Webb City for the Central Ozark Conference Championships Jan. 23.

NHS cruises to big Nixa’s Stoneman win over Lee’s Summit medals at KC Classic Nixa’s wrestling team honored its class of Olivia Stoneman picked up a pair of medals for Nixa at the Kansas City Classic swim meet Jan. 13.

Stoneman, a junior, took first place in the 100-yard butterfly, with a time of 58.85 seconds. She took second in the 50-yard freestyle, at 24.62 seconds.

Nixa will swim in the Webb City Invitational Jan. 20.

Clever girls open SWCL play with win The Clever girls basketball team only got to play one game the week of Jan. 8-12, but the Blue Jays made it count.

Clever routed Southwest Central League foe Galena 65-31 to move to 1-0 in conference play. The Blue Jays’ game against Billings, scheduled for Jan. 11, was postponed and will be made up Feb. 6 at 6 p.m.

The Blue Jays will play in the Stockton Tournament Jan. 15-20.

2018 with a win, cruising past Lee’s Summit 66-18 Jan. 12, on Senior Night.

An avalanche of pins pushed Nixa to victory, with six different Eagles pinning their opponent. Trevor Rock (160 pounds) defeated Carter Pikulski in the first minute of the match, while Marek Davis (182) pinned Tyler Hoffman in the first period.

Deagan Fugitt (106) stopped Trevor Wishne in the second period, while Dylan Carter (120), Ethan Shepherd (126) and Chandler McAtee (145) all earned their falls in the third period.

Five Eagles picked up victories by forfeit, Kolyn Eli (138), Charles Hawkins (152), Donovan Benetti (195), Oswaldo Garcia (220) and Ryan Davis (285). Two of Lee’s Summit’s three wins — and 12 of their team points — came by forfeit, with Nixa open at 132 pounds and 170 pounds.

Nixa visits arch rival Ozark Jan. 18 before traveling to the Winnetonka Tournament Jan. 19-20.

file photo Clever’s Caleb Peck drives to the basket during a game earlier this season. Peck scored a game-high 25 points to help the Blue Jays hold off Fair Grove Jan. 12.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

sports

Ozark from page 1B and I just tried to get my shots up,” Nelson said. “We knew the crowd was going to be on our side, going against the No. 2 team in the nation, and we just had to let it fly. We had to take the best shot and, at times, it was mine and it went in. That worked for us and got the momentum rolling.”

It was momentum that didn’t look like it might ever be coming.

“The very start, when we didn’t even get a shot off in our first four possessions, you’re just wondering if that’s how the whole night’s going to go,” Schweitzer said.

“But I have faith in the kids. We subbed a little bit and, credit to Quinn, he stepped up.”

That was followed by a 21-0 run by Oak Hill, unfortunately, but it didn’t knock the Tigers out.

Ozark fought back in the second quarter, getting more 3-pointers and a one-handed dunk by senior Payton Nichols to make it a 48-32 score at the break.

“I’d regret if I didn’t go for it,” Nichols said of his one-handed flush. “I knew that might be my only chance, because they were packing the paint pretty well. I figured I might as well try it.”

The feisty Tigers didn’t wilt all night, not even when Oak Hill pushed its edge to 65-46 after

Jeff Kessinger/Headliner News Ozark’s Caleb Holzer draws contact from Oak Hill’s Evan Johnson as he dribbles up the court during the first half Jan. 11 at the Tournament of Champions. Holzer scored two points as the Tigers fell to nationally-ranked Oak Hill 84-65 in their tournament opener. three quarters. Another dunk by Nichols sparked an 11-5 run that had Ozark within 13 points with five minutes to play.

“We finally uncovered who we can be, because that was full-on, 100-percent effort,” Nichols said.

“If we play like that every night, we’ll be just fine. Even though it

Sparta from page 2B That bonus included a free throw that ensured Fordland had no chance to win the game.

“You know (Fordland is) capable of making 3s, so you want to get up by four,” Brown said. “It just felt like we needed that fourpoint cushion so a 3 wouldn’t beat you or get you to overtime.”

Little finished with 24 points to lead Sparta, scoring 14 in the fourth quarter alone. He was far from the only hero, though. Junior Austin Brown scored 15 points, all of them in the second and third quarters, and Casey Purple added 11, including three clutch free throws in the fourth quarter.

Teague, for his part, finished with nine points, getting six of them in the game’s opening moments, while Kolbie Dorman had a couple of big steals late. Essentially, everyone who played for Sparta chipped in something crucial to the win.

“I think we played seven guys and they all contributed,” Larry Brown said. “(Josh) Whitchurch, it’s his first year playing since fifth grade and I thought he gave us some really good minutes. He even rolled his ankle, but gave us some defense late. It’s what you call a team victory.”

It was also a victory that seemed unlikely early in the second quarter. Fordland raced ahead 23-10 thanks to six 3-pointers by Farnsworth and Hunter Burks. Brown called three of his five timeouts in the first quarter as the Trojans tried to keep the ship from sinking.

Wallace from page 1B Wallace said. “They were so welcoming and they wanted me to be a part of their family. It was a tough process. There were a lot of things that brought me toward Lyon. There were a lot of things I took into consideration, and some other schools I was looking at as well, but in the end, it was the right fit for me.”

Distance was also a factor for Wallace. Batesville is located in northern Arkansas, a little more than a threehour drive from Spokane.

from page 1B

FHS SHS

Ozark 9 23 14 19 — 65 OHA 27 21 17 19 — 84 Ozark (9-4) — Nelson 8 3-3 25, Cooper 1 0-0 3, Ramsdell 2 0-0 7, Hanks 3 2-2 8, Nichols 3 3-3 9, Holzer 0 2-3 2, Capps 1 0-0 3, Skipworth 2 0-0 5, Elliott 1 3-4 5. Totals 21 13-15 65 OHA (25-0) — Richardson 1 7-9 10, Key. Johnson 10 7-9 29, Kel. Johnson 4 8-8 19, Kayouloud 2 0-0 5, McCormack 3 0-0 6, Calloo 3 1-1 8, Ahemed 2 0-1 4, Jones 0 1-2 1, E. Johnson 0 2-2 2, Mack 0 0-2 0. Totals 25 26-34 84 3-Point Goals: Ozark 10 (Nelson 6, Caps, Cooper, Ramsdell, Skipworth), OHA 8 (Kel. Johnson 3, Key. Johnson 2, Calloo, Kayouloud, Richardson)

22 11 20 16 — 69 10 21 20 22 — 73

Fordland (6-8) — Farnsworth 14 0-0 36, Burks 7 1-2 17, Hyder 1 0-0 2, Uchtman 1 1-1 3, Holmes 5 1-2 11. Totals 28 3-5 69 Sparta (5-9) — Little 9 1-1 24, Purple 3 5-6 11, Brown 6 0-0 15, Teague 3 3-5 9, Whitchurch 4 0-0 8, Dorman 0 6-8 6.

Totals 25 15-20 73 3-Point Goals: Fordland 10 (Farnsworth 8, Burks 2), Sparta 8 (Little 5, Brown 3)

has assembled a roster that includes a pair of players with southwest Missouri connections. Junior center Samantha French is from Marshfield and junior guard Tressa Linson is from Blue Eye, one of Spokane’s Southwest Central League rivals.

Wallace is currently undecided on an academic major, but she has some direction.

“I had thought about studying physical therapy.

I’m still thinking about it, but I have some interest in being a pharmacist or an optometrist,” she said. “I don’t know quite yet, but it’ll be one of those.”

black-and-white team photo. But as I was walking through JQH Arena Jan. 11, on my way to the press tables, there he was, posing for a photo with former Bears teammate Kelby Stuckey — another childhood hero — and former Missouri State sports information director Mark Stillwell.

“Don’t be a fan,” I told myself. I just smiled at the scene and kept walking. Somewhere, deep inside, though, 9-year-old me was fistpumping away.

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Oak Hill Academy 84, Ozark 65

Sparta 73, Fordland 69

Jeff Kessinger/Headliner News Ozark’s A.J. Elliott leaps high to catch an inbounds pass as Oak Hill’s David McCormack, the 33rd-ranked senior in the nation and a Kansas signee, defends during the second half Jan. 11. Ozark battled hard, but fell to nationally-ranked Oak Hill 84-65.

Tigers finish sixth at T of C JEFF KESSINGER jeffk@ccheadliner.com @JKessingerCCHN

couldn’t complete the rally, with Quinn Nelson’s dunk with less than 30 seconds to play securing the win. Nelson scored 27 points to lead Ozark in the win.

Wasatch also featured a quality big man, No one likes to lose. The Ozark Tigers are clear about that point. But after one Bryan Penn-Johnson, who is 6-foot-10 and win and two competitive losses against na- ranked 86th in the nation. Teammate Matt Bradley, a guard, is No. 97 tionally-ranked foes, the and is committed to the Tigers can’t feel too bad All-tourney team University of California. about their performance MVP: Keyontae Johnson, Oak Ozark wasn’t intimiat the 2018 Tournament of Hill dated once again, though Champions.

Matt Bradley, Wasatch Academy it fell short 47-46 Jan. 13.

Ozark knocked off Tyger Campbell, La Lumiere The Tigers led most of Christ the King, from New Kofi Cockburn, Christ the King the night, including a 28York City, in the consolaDarius Garland, Brentwood 21 edge at the half. But tion semifinal and came Academy Wasatch — which had to within a bucket of upsetCarte’Are Gordon, Webster erase a big deficit to knock ting Wasatch Academy, Groves off Glendale on a buzzerranked No. 14 in the naMonty Johal, Glendale beating 3-pointer in the tion by USA Today to finKeldon Johnson, Oak Hill semifinals — chipped ish sixth in the prestigious David McCormack, Oak Hill away and took the lead for event, played at JQH Arena Quinn Nelson, Ozark good on a putback in the in Springfield.

Courtney Ramey, Webster final 10 seconds.

Seven different Tigers Groves Nelson scored 29 in scored in the 69-61 win Isaiah Stewart, La Lumiere that game, giving him over Christ the King Jan. 81 points for the tourna12. Ozark jumped out to a double-digit lead in the first half against ment, one of the top 25 performances in the Royals, who feature Kofi Cockburn, a tournament history and earning him a spot on the all-tournament team. nationally-ranked, 6-foot-11 junior center.

The Royals rallied in the second half, but

517080b

were supposed to be used for learning college algebra. Bears basketball always felt more important than math anyway.

I hadn’t seen Garland in person since that magical 1987 season, when I was lucky enough to get his autograph on a glossy

two games to play after the showdown with Oak Hill, games they were not taking lightly.

“We’re trying to get back on track,” Nelson said, referencing the Tigers’ disappointing fourthplace finish at the Blue & Gold.

“After the T of C we’ll get into our conference schedule and we need some wins and hopefully we’ll start playing again like we did at the start of the season.”

“I was afraid it was going to get away from us,” Brown said. “I don’t know if the timeouts helped, because they were hot. They made a lot of shots. I felt like we guarded (Fordland) after that, but they still hit hard shots.”

Sparta started hitting shots, too, though.

The Trojans went on an 11-2 run to get back into the game and closed the half with a 6-2 surge to make it 33-31 at the break.

“The gameplan was the same, it was just that we executed it better after the first quarter. We did a better job finding (their shooters).”

Farnsworth still managed to finish with 36 points. Burks added 17.

“The first quarter was a little sketchy, but we picked it up. We fixed our mistakes,“ Little said. And he truly meant that “we” part, downplaying his own shooting and deflecting credit to his teammates. “They just got me the ball and I just shot it. I was able to knock it down. We all chipped in tonight.”

“I wanted to get away from home, but still, at the same time, be able to come back home if I needed to.

It’s the perfect distance,” she said.

Even with that certainty, Wallace said she still battled butterflies when signing day arrived.

“At first it was very nervewracking, just thinking about signing my next four years to this place,” she said.

“But at the same time I was excited because I know I can contribute to the team.”

The Scots are currently 14-3 this season and ranked No. 13 in the nation. Coach Tracy Stewart-Lange, in her 13th season at the helm

Line

was a loss — and nobody likes to lose — we know that (Oak Hill) is very talented and I think we’re very proud of how we did tonight.”

It was a big night for Nelson, who led Ozark with 25 points. He broke the 1,000-point mark for his career in the second quarter,

swishing three free throws. He also knocked down a game-high six 3-pointers to give him the school’s record in that category.

“I knew I was single digits away (from the 3-point record) and kind of close to 1,000. I didn’t think I’d get it against the No. 2 team in the nation,” Nelson said.

“I think it’s something I’ll probably treasure and remember for a while, something I can tell my kids about.”

Oak Hill was led by Keyontae Johnson’s 29 points. The 6-foot-5 guard is committed to the University of Florida. Keldon Johnson, a 6-foot-6 small forward and University of Kentucky signee, scored 19 and Will Richardson (committed to the University of Oregon) added 10. David McCormack, the 33rd-ranked player in the nation and a Kansas University signee, was limited to just six points.

More impressively, Ozark outrebounded Oak Hill 31-24 — this despite the fact McCormack checks in at 6-foot-10 and five of his teammates are 6-foot-6 or taller, while Ozark doesn’t have a single player taller than 6-foot-5.

“That’s just effort,” Nichols said. “Although they’re really tall, we had the advantage on them by getting low in box-outs. We focused on that. I think effort wins out over talent.”

Ozark’s work at the Tournament of Champions was far from over, though. The Tigers still had

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Page 5B

Eagle Days give you a chance to see and learn about bald eagles

Crossword

CLUES ACROSS 1. Methaqualone pill (slang) 5. Religious service 9. Woodland gods (Greek myth.)

11. “Where Is My Mind?” rockers 13. Deliberately contrary states of affairs 15. Inflection of the voice 16. “Great Expectations” character 17. Becomes a butterfly 19. Spoke 21. Tennis player Sharapova 22. Midway between northeast and east 23. Afrikaans 25. No instruction set computing 26. Pacific Standard Time 27. Relaxing places 29. Confiscates 31. Gladys Knight’s fellow performers 33. Witnesses 34. Taking place in a series 36. Satisfy 38. Freshwater fish of N. America 39. Laments 41. “Girls” creator Dunham 43. Indian title of respect 44. Cocoa plum 46. Network of nerve cells 48. Link together in a chain 52. Cool 70s crew “The __ Squad” 53. Persons engaging in energetic pursuits 54. Accumulation of glacial debris 56. Fastened

outdoors

57. A cotton fabric with a satiny finish 58. Whiskey and bread are two 59. Scottish tax CLUES DOWN 1. Rope used to lasso 2. Idyllic places 3. Field force unit 4. Guitar great Clapton 5. Slang for type of skirt 6. Figure skating jump 7. Innocent 8. Mathematical ratio 9. Slowly drinks 10. Line where edges meet 11. Offices of the pope 12. Dry or withered 14. “__ the Man” Musical 15. Difficult situations 18 Greek goddess of discord 20. Marked by smartness in dress and manners 24. Habitat 26. Annoy constantly 28. Full of life 30. Great energy 32. BBQ and soy are two 34. Virtuous 35. Not fatty 37. Foes 38. Merchandiser 40. Dishonest scheme 42. Repents 43. Protective crust 45. Native American people 47. Any place of bliss or delight 49. Bring up 50. Birds 51. Geological times 55. Consumed

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE 6B

SUDOKU Fun by the numbers Like puzzles? Then you’ll love sudoku.

This mind-bending puzzle will have you hooked from the moment you square off.

Here’s how it works: Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken down into the nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes. The more numbers you name, the easier it gets to solve the puzzle!

If you’re a male bald eagle, your chances of making it big in Hollywood can be summed up in three words — slim and none.

It’s a bit of movie minutiae many screen-goers probably don’t know; most bald eagles seen on the silver screen are females.

The reason for this is that in eagles — as is the case with hawks and a number of other raptor species — the female is larger than the male. Thus, if Hollywood producers want to show an eagle that’s big, powerful, and majesticlooking, they’re going to choose the gender that’s the largest.

People can learn more about bald eagles of all sizes Jan. 20-21 at Springfield’s annual Eagle Days event. This free event will take place at the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Springfield Nature Center and at the Springfield/Greene County Park Board’s Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina.

On both days, in addition to hopefully catching views of wild eagles at Lake Springfield, visitors to the Nature Center will have opportunities to view a live captive eagle furnished by the Dickerson Park Zoo. Precise weight and wing span differences of genders vary from one mating pair to the next, but as a general rule of thumb, the size of a female bald eagle is about one-third larger than that of a male. There are several theories about the purpose of this size differential — most of which focus on securing the survival

Missouri Department of Conservation Bald eagles are welcomed visitors to the state of Missouri each winter. The Missouri Department of Conservation’s Eagle Days, held Jan. 20-21, will give you a chance to learn about these majestic birds and even see them at Lake Springfield. of the next generation.

For starters, since the female eagle is the one whose first role it is to keep the eggs and then the hatchlings warm, it stands to reason that the gender with the largest body mass could accomplish this job the best. It also makes sense that when the young eaglets are newly hatched and vulnerable, the gender with the largest body would be best able to intimidate and — if needed — fend off predators.

However, the male eagle’s smaller size doesn’t make him a lesser-important wimp. On the contrary, being smaller also has its advantages in the parenting set-up. The male eagle is the food-provider for his brood and a smaller, leaner body size is bet-

Francis Skalicky

Francis is the media specialist for the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Southwest Region.

(417) 895-6880

Springfield Nature Center events The Springfield Nature Conservation Center has a lot of interesting, family-friendly events to choose from each month. To register for events or for more information, call (417) 888-4237.

• Fishing Lecture Series: Trout Fishing, 6:30-8 p.m. Jan. 23 — Missouri has abundant trout fishing opportunities throughout the southern portion of the state. Learn about current trout research and management activities from Conservation Department Fisheries Management Biologist Craig Fuller. Jerry Jester, from the Missouri Trout Fishermen’s Association, will also give a presentation on advanced fly-fishing techniques for trout. This is one of several indoor programs aimed to put more fish on the end of your line! Ages 7-adult.

Registration required.

• Little Acorns: Calling All Owls, 10-10:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.-noon Jan. 24 — Who-oo-o hoots when it gets dark?

Who-o-o-o goes out for food at night? Is it a wise old owl?

Bring your children during daylight hours to learn about owls. Ages 3-6. Registration required.

• Reloading Basics, 8:3011:30 a.m. Jan. 27 at the Andy Dalton Shooting Range — Now is the time to start saving money while having fun reloading your own ammunition for hunting or target shooting. Join us for this basic course about reloading rifle, pistol, and shotgun shell ammunition because you will have great satisfaction breaking targets or shooting bull’s-eyes using your own manufactured rounds.

We will cover all aspects of reloading from brass care and preparation to bullet and primer selection and much more. Registration required.

• Conservation TEENS: Birding, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 27 — Join us for a birding hike at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center. Drinks and lunch are provided. At 1 p.m. we will observe the Bird Banding Demonstration. Ages 12-17. Registration required.

ter suited for attacking and out-maneuvering prey.

Regardless of gender, the bald eagles we see in Missouri each winter are impressive. The bird’s large size, the striking contrast of its white head against its dark body and its fierce expression are some of the reasons that seeing this bird has always been a head-turning event for humans.

Some bald eagles can be found in Missouri throughout the year, but in winter, this relatively small resident population is swelled by eagles migrating here from the north. Frequently, more than 2,000 eagles are tallied during the state’s midwinter eagle count, which is conducted by the Missouri Department of Conservation each January.

The cold fronts, snow storms and other meteorological events that highlight winter weather in the northern areas of the continent are conditions that put eagles in motion in

southerly flights towards warmer locations. Eagles often follow open water and, although it get cold here in Missouri, the birds will be able to find more open water in this region than in the still-colder north.

The times of this year’s Eagle Days event are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 20 and 12:30-4:30 p.m. Jan. 21.

Dickerson Park Zoo’s will be featured in program’s that will be conducted in the Nature Center’s auditorium. Eagle-oriented activities will also be held at the Nature Center. At the Springfield/Greene County Park Board’s Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina, spotting scopes will be set up for chances to view eagles that winter at Lake Springfield each year.

For information about Eagle Days, call (417) 8884237 or visit mdc.mo.gov/ eagledays.

Information about bald eagles in Missouri can also be found at mdc.mo.gov.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALE Default having been made in the payment of that certain note secured by Deed of Trust executed

by Nathan Fritz and Amber Fritz husband and wife, dated June 23, 2006 and recorded on July 7, 2006 in Book 2006, Page 13336, and amended by Scrivener's Error Affidavit recorded on December 14, 2017 in Book 2017 at Page 16136, Office of Recorder of Deeds, Christian County, Missouri. The Successor Trustee will on January 18, 2018, between the hours of 9:00 o'clock A.M. and 5:00 P.M. more particularly at 10:00AM, at the Christian County Courthouse, 110 W. Elm St., South Front door, Ozark, MO 65721-0278, sell at public venue to the highest bidder for cash, the following real estate: All of Lot Two Hundred Four (204) Final Plat of Turnberry Estates, Phase 3, a planned unit development in Ozark, Christian County,Missouri, according to the recorded plat thereof.

For the purpose of satisfying said indebtedness and the costs of executing this trust.

S&W Foreclosure Corporation Successor Trustee Pub Commences December 27, 2017 S&K File No.17-031562 By: Shapiro & Kreisman, LLC www.shapiroandkreisman-mo.com Auction.com Purported Thorngate 65721

address: 1106 W Drive, Ozark, MO

ports, and goods to be provided in connection with transportation services requested in the specifications, or for any part thereof.

The Board of Education reserves the right to reject any and all bids, whether rejected in whole or in part, and /or non-conforming bids. Any bid or partial bid that is approved, whether in whole or in part, will be accepted subject to negotiation of a final contract that is acceptable to a majority of the whole Board of Education, in its judgment and at its sole discretion.

All bids must be sealed and received for opening by 10:00am, Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at the Central Office located at 167 Kentling Ave., Highlandville, MO 65669.

PUBLIC NOTICE January 12, 2018 The City of Billings will be accepting yearly bids for: Janitorial Services for Billings City Hall: weekly cleaning, paid monthly.

Excavation Contractor: as needed hourly rate.

Electrical Contractor: as needed hourly rate plus parts.

Mail or deliver bids to City Hall, PO Box 207, 202 NE Highway 60, Billings, MO 65610 in a sealed envelope no later than 12:00p.m. February 12, 2018.

Bid opening will be at 1:00p.m.

February 12, 2018.

For more information call The Billings City Clerk at 417-744-2581, ext. 302 or e m a i l : c i t y c l e r k @billingsmo.com

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALE

OACAC will hold a Public Hearing on behalf of the Dallas County Public Housing Agency (PHA) Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the OACAC Central Office, 215 South Barnes, Springfield, Missouri to discuss the draft PHA 2018 Annual Plan to be submitted to the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program available in Barry, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene (excluding Springfield), Lawrence, Polk, Stone, Taney and Webster Counties. A draft copy of the 2018 PHA Annual Plan is available for review at each OACAC County Neighborhood Center office and the OACAC Central Office in Springfield.

The draft 2018 PHA Plan is posted at www.oac.ac. OACAC is an Equal Housing Opportunity Provider. For more information contact Nancy Masner at (417)864-3440.

Default having been made in the terms of that certain note secured

by Deed of Trust executed by Margaret J. Jesso, a widow, dated December 3, 2007 and recorded on January 4, 2008 in Book 2008, Page 170,, Office of Recorder of Deeds, Christian County, Missouri. The Successor Trustee will on March 19, 2018, between the hours of 9:00 o'clock A.M. and 5:00 P.M. more particularly at 10:00AM, at the Christian County Courthouse, 110 W. Elm St., South Front door, Ozark, MO 65721-0278, sell at public venue to the highest bidder for cash, the following real estate:

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE This is notice served that the Planning & Zoning Commission for the Village of Saddlebrooke will hold a Public Hearing on Wednesday, January 31, 2018 @ 6:30 p.m. at the Saddlebrooke Community Center, 776 Saddlebrooke Drive, Saddlebrooke, MO 65630 to receive testimony, both written and oral, on several proposed changes to the current Master Plan and the current Village Planning and Zoning Ordinance # 2012-14.

PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SHAREHOLDERS OF THE CHRISTIAN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY All Shareholders of the Christian County Agricultural and Mechanical Society are hereby notified the annual meeting of shareholders will be held on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 (Bad Weather Backup Tuesday - February 20, 2018) beginning at 7:00 p.m. and running to approximately 8:15 p.m. in the 4H building in Finley River Park in Ozark, MO for the purpose of electing a board of directors pursuant to Article II of said society articles of incorporation, and to consider other business that may properly come before the meeting.

By: Tom Chudomelka Secretary 1-17-2018 PUBLIC NOTICE REQUEST FOR BID The Christian County Ambulance District is seeking "sealed bids" for the sale of two surplus ambulances—both ambulances are Ford F-450 models with 6.0 liter V8 diesel engines. The 2008 ambulance has approximately 179,812 miles, and the 2009 has approximately 163,895 miles. The vehicles will be sold "as is" with no guarantees. Interested bidders may pick up a bid packet and/or view the vehicle(s) by contacting Christie Drew, Administrator, Christian County Ambulance District, 1750 S. 15th Ave., Ozark, MO, 417-988-5255.

Sealed bids will be due at the Christian County Ambulance District office, 1750 S. 15th Ave. Ozark, MO 65721, by 2:30 PM on Thursday, February 15, 2018 and opened publicly at 3:00 PM on the same day and at the same address. The Christian County Ambulance District reserves the right to reject any and all bids.

PUBLIC NOTICE The Spokane R-7 School District is accepting bids for district transportation services and Vo Tech route. Please contact Mr. Terry Jamieson, Superintendent, for bidding specifications at Spokane Central Offices, 417-443-2200. Bids may be submitted for all services, sup-

All of Lot Sixty-Four (64) of Finley Valley Subdivision, Christian County, Missouri, according to the recorded plat thereof.

1/4 NW 1/4) of Section 36, Township 27 North, Range 21 West, Christian County, Missouri, described as commencing at the Southwest corner of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter; thence along the South line thereof South 89 degrees 39 minutes 51 seconds East 670.06 feet to the East line of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter; thence along said East line North 00 degrees 19 minutes 20 seconds West 229.22 feet for a true point of beginning; thence continuing North 00 degrees 19 minutes 20 seconds West 116.06 feet to an iron pin at the Southwest corner of Lot 5 of Southern Oaks, a subdivision in Christian County, Missouri; thence along the West line of said subdivision North 00 degrees 21 minutes 04 seconds West 314.80 feet to an iron pin; thence continuing along the West line of said subdivision North 00 degrees 26 minutes 09 seconds West 3.15 feet to the North line of said Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter; thence along said North line North 89 degrees 34 minutes 00 seconds West 246.71 feet; thence South 00 degrees 47 minutes 33 seconds West 435.19 feet; thence South 89 degrees 50 minutes 14 seconds East 255.33 feet to the point of beginning. Tract contains 2.50 acres more or less.

Also: The right of ingress and egress over a 20 foot wide road easement, the East line of said easement described as beginning at the Southeast corner of the above described 2.50 acre tract; thence South 00 degrees 19 minutes 20 seconds East 229.22 feet for an end to said easement, to satisfy said debt and costs.

Martin Leigh PC Successor Trustee Gregory D. Todd, Assistant Secretary (816) 221-1430 www.martinleigh.com (Hogue, 6081.165, Publication Start: 01/17/2018) MARTIN LEIGH PC, AS SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE, IS ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

For the purpose of satisfying said indebtedness and the costs of executing this trust.

S&W Foreclosure Corporation Successor Trustee Pub Commences January 17, 2018 S&K File No.17-031459 By: Shapiro & Kreisman, LLC www.shapiroandkreisman-mo.com Purported address: 505 North 39Th Street, Nixa, MO 65714

All of Lot Thirty-Five (35), The Final Plat of KNOLL RIDGE PHASE II-AUTUMN MEADOWS ADDITION, Christian County, Missouri, according to the recorded plat thereof., commonly known as 1209 South 21st Avenue, Ozark, MO, 65721 subject to all prior easements, restrictions, reservations, covenants and encumbrances now of record, if any, to satisfy the debt and costs.

SouthLaw, Trustee

P.C.,

Successor

First Publication: January 17, 2018. For more information, visit www.southlaw.com NOTICE Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692c(b), no information concerning the collection of this debt may be given without the prior consent of the consumer given directly to the debt collector or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction. The debt collector is attempting to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose Casefile No. 180342-741707.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALE For default under the terms of the Deed of Trust executed by Mark Hogue, a single man, dated September 17, 2004, recorded on September 30, 2004 as Document No. 2004L18988, in Book 0383, Page 1197, Office of the Recorder of Deeds, Christian County, Missouri, the undersigned Successor Trustee will on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at 10:00 AM at the South Door of the Christian County Courthouse, 100 West Church Street, Ozark, Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash: Part of the Southwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (SW 1/4 SW

from our staff Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, urges everyone to be especially careful and aware around the state’s many bodies of water during the cold weather months.

Water Safety Cold shock occurs when the body is suddenly immersed in cold water. Once the trunk of the body goes under, the blood vessels will constrict in order to conserve core body heat. This will quickly limit the use of a person’s extremities.

Likewise, these conditions may cause a sudden increase in heart rate and blood pressure — in some cases resulting in cardiac arrest. Cold shock also can cause involuntary gasping reflex. When the body hits the water, cold shock can cause the overboard boater to gasp for air, but inhale water which causes the boater to drown.

Hypothermia is also a concern. The body loses heat 25 times faster in water than in the air. Lifejacket use becomes even more important in cold water, because hypothermia can quickly rob the body of the ability to perform the most basic tasks and drowning is always a concern.

If you wind up taking an unexpected plunge into cold water, it is vital to get out of the water and into dry clothes as soon as possible. If dry clothes are not an option, leave the wet ones on. Even wet clothes will offer some insulation and trap body heat.

A warm drink can be given to someone suffering from hypothermia as long as they are conscious. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided. Drinks with sugars for quick energy are preferable.

Hypothermia can be deadly even if you are wearing a personal flotation device, so it is important to never go boating alone in the winter. If no one knows you are in trouble, no one can help.

Ice Safety Many cold weather anglers use lakes or ponds for winter recreational activities. Youngsters are easily attracted to ice covered private ponds for skating and playing. Theoretically, the only “safe” ice is the ice at a skating rink.

Ice forming on lakes, rivers and ponds places a person at much greater risk due to natural variables. It’s impossible to judge the strength of ice by its appearance or daily temperature. This week’s temperatures are fluctuating from single digit temperatures to the upper 40s, which will greatly affect the construction of ice.

Always supervise children playing on or near ice. Make sure they understand the dangers of being on the ice and insist that they wear a lifejacket or thermal

protection buoyant suit. Never let them play on ponds or lakes unattended.

Adults should educate children about the dangers of playing on ice.

Many ice victims start out as wouldbe rescuers. To prevent this from happening, do not go onto the ice to rescue another person or retrieve a pet. To aid someone who has fallen through the ice the first step should be calling for emergency services.

A local fire department should have the quickest response time, the proper equipment, and have trained to handle ice emergencies. Rather than going onto the ice to attempt rescuing someone, you should extend a ladder, pole, or rope to a victim along with something that will float.

If you find yourself in the position of needing to be rescued, there are techniques that should be followed for self rescue. Try not to panic. Face the direction you came from and spread your arms out on the unbroken ice. Kick your feet and try to pull yourself onto the ice.

Once out of the water, do not attempt to stand. Lying on the ice keeps your weight distributed. Roll away from the hole then crawl across the ice back to solid land.

Adults should never mix alcohol and winter ice recreational activities. Alcohol impairs your judgment and speeds up the development of hypothermia.

Dock Safety Dock owners should keep safety in mind. Ice and heavy snow combinations have caused major damage to boat docks in the past. The extra weight of snow and ice can cause such structures to collapse.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol would like to caution dock owners about attempting to remove snow and ice from their docks during inclement weather. It is very easy to end up in the water accidentally. Due to the extreme cold water, hypothermia can set in quickly and render a person helpless in the water.

If dock owners insist on being on docks during icy conditions, life jackets should always be worn. Use the buddy system to make sure that someone is there to assist you if you end up in the water. Remember that damaged electric wires around docks should be treated as if they are live. Any boats operating in areas where major dock damage has occurred are encouraged to operate at no wake idle speed, to prevent further damage to docks already under the added stress off heavy snow and ice.

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives, so wear yours.

Missouri crime victimization survey shows favorable views of law enforcement

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE For default in the payment of debt secured by a deed of trust executed by Danny Struble and Sandra Pauline Struble, dated April 2, 2009, and recorded on April 15, 2009, in Book No. 2009, at Page 5325 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, Christian County, Missouri, the undersigned Successor Trustee will on February 14, 2018, at 12:00 PM, at the Front Door of the Christian County Courthouse, Ozark, Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash:

MSHP addresses cold weather water safety

from our staff

TAX LIENS JAN. 1-7 FEDERAL TAX LIEN RELEASE • Anthony M. Hamilton, Missouri Department of Revenue, $2,014 • Michelle R. Hamilton, Missouri Department of Revenue, $2,014

JAN. 8-14 FEDERAL TAX LIEN RELEASE • Bart M. Bodenhamer, Missouri Department of Revenue, $690 • Sonya Bodenhamer, Missouri Department of Revenue, $690 • Creative Stoneworks LLC, Missouri Department of Revenue, $39,922 • James D.Sole MBR Swan, Missouri Department of Revenue, $39,922 PUZZLE ANSWERS from page 4B

A survey conducted by the University of Missouri Sociology Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Statistical Analysis Center found that Missourians overwhelmingly hold favorable views of law enforcement. The survey was conducted in spring 2016 and surveyed 2,008 respondents across the state by phone.

The survey results show: • Approximately 90 percent of respondents rated the overall job performance of their local law enforcement as very good (28.8 percent), good (32.1 percent) or acceptable (28.7 percent). Just over 10% rated the performance as bad (5.8 percent) or very bad (4.5 percent).

• 88 percent of respondents viewed law enforcement as very effective (36.3 percent) or effective (51.7 percent) when called for help. Twelve percent rated law enforcement as ineffective (8.6 percent) or very ineffective (3.4 percent).

• Nearly 86 percent of respondents regarded law enforcement as very effective (33.7 percent) or effective (51.9 percent) in

controlling violent crime.

Less than 15 percent regarded law enforcement as ineffective (9.8 percent) or very ineffective (4.6 percent).

• While the majority of respondents still considered law enforcement effective in controlling drugs, the percentage dropped to about 60 percent, with 15.3 percent viewing law enforcement as very effective and 44.6 percent viewing them as effective. The percentage that considered law enforcement ineffective in controlling drugs was 27.7 percent; 12.4 percent rated them very ineffective in controlling drugs.

The survey was conducted at a time of rising news coverage and awareness of the national opioid epidemic, which has continued. In Missouri and across the nation, the opioid crisis cuts across all demographic groups, including income, race, and urban, suburban, and rural geographic boundaries.

In July 2017, Gov. Eric Greitens announced a series of steps in an effort to address the opioid crisis, including an executive order creating a statewide prescription drug monitoring program to monitor prescribers and

dispensers to find and eliminate bad actors in the system. The state has also received the Missouri Opioid-Heroin Overdose Prevention and Education federal grant to reduce opioid overdose-related deaths. The state is partnering with the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse and the Missouri Institute for Mental Health to provide training, tools, and naloxone to emergency responders for overdose prevention.

Funding to support the Missouri Crime Victimization Survey was provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice, Report No. SRC-1611.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol partnered with MU and the University of Wyoming to develop and conduct the survey, as well as analyze the data collected.

The findings and conclusions in the report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Missouri State Highway Patrol or the U.S. Department of Justice.

The survey results are available at http://www. mshp.dps.missouri.gov/ MSHPWeb/SAC/completed_project_960grid.html.

MU Extension offers free tax preparation University of Missouri Extension’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites in Christian Counties will be open 8:3011:30 a.m. Mondays at Christian County MU Extension Office, 105 N. Second St., Ozark. Call (417) 581-3558 or (888) 5040443 to make an appointment..

Taxpayers with an AGI of $57,000 or less can get Free Tax Preparation. Families meeting additional requirements are eligible for a credit of up to $6,318.

“Volunteers are not trained to do business taxes, itemized taxes or capital

gains and losses. If you have any of these you should see a paid preparer,” said Jim Spencer, Jr., University of Missouri Extension agriculture business specialist and coordinator of these VITA sites.

Individuals who want their taxes prepared should bring original Social Security cards for you, your spouse, and each of your dependent children; form W-2 for every job you or your spouse worked in 2017; a personal check for checking account and routing number, if you want your refund directly deposited.

Page 7B

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Recent charges filed in Christian County Jan. 8-14

• Austin Taylor Ward, two counts: possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, prior drug offense, driving while revoked/suspended, first offense, Dec. 20 • Logan Wayne Hall, three counts: possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, Dec. 20 • Callie B. Crocker, driver/front seat passenger failure to wear properly adjusted/fastened safety belt, owner operated motor vehicle without maintaining financial responsibility first offense, Dec. 21 • John Wesley Roberts, failure to drive on right half of roadway when roadway was of sufficient

width, Oct. 1 • Camille Lea Fletcher, operated motor vehicle with vision reducing material applied to windshield/ excess vision reducing material applied to side window, Sept. 13 • Casey Lynn Trapp, failure to register motor vehicle, July 15 • Jarred Paul Price, failure to register motor vehicle, July 17 • Doris M. Olena, failure to register motor vehicle, Sept. 22 • Kesha D. Rainey, failure to register motor vehicle, Aug. 24 • Michael Dwayne Dobbs, failure to register motor vehicle, Aug. 12 • Dennis James Dahler, littering with carcass, put into any well, spring, pond, etc. or any nuisance in or near public road, highway, etc. not one’s own, Oct. 12 • Antonial Keith Miller, activities violation in a non-designated conservation area, Aug. 5 • Barrett Rosser Beaird, failure to register motor vehicle, Aug. 19 • Christopher S. Hodges, owner operated motor vehicle without

local churches

ASSEMBLY OF GOD • First Assembly of God 706 Glossip Ave., Highlandville (417) 443-6217 Pastor: Joe Contreras • James River Assembly of God 6100 N. 19th St., Ozark (417) 581-5433 • Nixa Assembly of God 113 Mt. Vernon St., Nixa (417) 725-3075 • Ozark Assembly of God 1602 W. South St., Ozark (417) 581-6445 • Sparta Assembly of God 6778 W. state Route 14, Sparta (417) 881-6369 Pastor: Darrell Mead

BAPTIST • Calvary Baptist Church of Nixa 206 E. Smalley St., Nixa (417) 725-3023 • Crossroads Baptist Church 423 South St., Nixa (417) 725-9383 • Fairview Baptist Church 271 Mountainview Dr., Sparta Pastor: Rev. Ron Long (417) 576-5198 • First Baptist Church of Clever 105 S. Kennedy, Clever (417) 743-2541 Pastor: Brian Jump • First Baptist of Chadwick 123 S. Rose Ave., Chadwick (417) 538-2492 • First Baptist Church of Nixa 601 Wasson, Nixa (417) 725-3867 • First Baptist Church of Ozark 1400 W. Jackson St., Ozark (417) 581-2484 • First Baptist Church of Sparta 330 Millbrooke, Sparta www.spartafirstbaptist.org (417) 634-0141 • Fremont Hills Baptist Church 4375 N. Fremont, Ozark (417) 581-7424 • Garrison Baptist Church state Route 125 between Chadwick and Bradleyville Pastor: James Orick • First Central Baptist Church 794 Hopkins Road, Highlandville (417) 443-2615 • Hopedale Baptist Church 5370 N. state Route NN, Ozark (417) 581-3836 • Immanuel Baptist Church P.O. Box 14, Nixa (417) 848-2992 • Living Waters Community Church 825 N. Main St., Nixa (417) 724-8336 • Mentor Baptist Church 5735 Farm Road 193, Rogersville Pastor: Ray Lassley • New Hope Baptist Church 960 state Route JJ, Sparta (417) 581-3800, • Highlandville First Baptist Corner of 160 & EE, Highlandville (417) 443-3334; (417) 224-3523 Pastor: Leslie Day • Nixa General Baptist 1011 N. Main St., Nixa (417) 725-0656 • North Nixa Baptist Church 1730 N. state Route CC, Nixa (417) 725-5355 • One Accord Free Will Baptist Church 209 Village Center, Nixa

(417) 872-6532 Pastor: Bill Gilkerson • Ozark Baptist Temple 1530 N. 18th St., Ozark (417) 581-2730 Pastor: Ed Keithley • Ozark Freewill Baptist Church 2106 W. Evangel St., Ozark (417) 581-5246 • Ozark General Baptist Church 1201 W. South St., Ozark (417) 581-3383 Pastor: Allen Maples • Pleasant Grove Baptist Church 121 Tory Creek Road P.O. Box 67, Highlandville (417) 860-2868 • Smyrna Baptist Church 3401 Smyrna Road, Ozark (417) 294-4348 • Sonrise Baptist Church 1701 S. Sixth Ave., Ozark (417) 581-9673 Pastor: Kevin Carson • Spokane First Baptist Church South of Spokane Post Office (417) 587-3384 Pastor: Randy Harwood • The Bridge Church 308 W. Mt. Vernon, Nixa (417) 724-1443 www.thebridgenixa.org • Victory Baptist Church 252 N. Nicholas Road, Nixa (417) 725-7737 Pastor: Ray Brinson • Victory Baptist Church 5058 state Route W, Ozark (417) 581-2257 Senior pastor: Richard Eakins BIBLE • First Evangelical Free Church 5500 S. Southwood Road www.firstefc.com (417) 889-9445 Senior pastor: Jerry Carlin • Calvary Bible Church Junction of state Route 14 and Nicholas Road, Nixa (417) 725-4437 • Faith Bible Fellowship of Nixa Meets at Nixa Senior Center (417) 725-8814 CATHOLIC • St. Francis of Assisi Church 844 S. Gregg Road, Nixa • St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church 1796 state Route NN, Ozark (417) 581-6328 • St. Joseph Catholic Church 320 Northwest Washington, Billings; (417) 744-2490 CHRISTIAN • Church at Finley Crossings 380 E. state Route CC, Suite A101, Nixa; (417) 724-2232 • Clever Christian Church Carpenter and Mitchell, Clever (417) 743-2587 • Nixa Christian Church 400 Northview Road, Nixa (417) 725-2850 www.nixacc.org • Ozark Christian Church 1200 E. McCracken, Ozark Pastor: Rev. Tommy Goode (417) 581-6796 ozarkchristianchurch.net • Selmore Christian Church South of Ozark on Selmore Road; (417) 485-2608 • Sparta Christian Church Oak and Cherry streets, Sparta (417) 634-5487 CHURCH OF CHRIST

The Springs Church Jerry Carlin, Senior Pastor

Adult, Youth & Children’s Classes: 9:30 am Contemporary Worship: 10:45 am

889-9445

503185b

517092b

5500 S. Southwood Road

(exit Evans Road off Hwy 65) www.thesprings.church

maintaining financial responsibility, first offense. Dec. 19 • Mark Stratton Austin, failure to register motor vehicle, Aug. 6 • Nicholas Michael Sanna, kidnapping, facilitating a felony, inflicting injury, terrorizing, first degree, two counts: domestic assault, fourth degree, first or second offense, property damage, second degree, Jan. 7 • Danielle Melissa Tomasi, failure to register motor vehicle, Sept. 20 • Susan Quinn Miles, failure to register motor vehicle, Oct. 4 • Charles Edgar Woodruff, failure to register motor vehicle, Aug. 23 • Jason Charles Cole, resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony, June 14, 2016 • Jodie A. Bell, stealing leased or rented property, Oct. 22, 2016 • Russell Cavender, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, driving while revoked/suspended, second or subsequent offense, May 25

• Church of Christ 1300 S. Third St., Ozark; (417) 581-1059 • Church of Christ Riverside Road, Ozark (417) 581-0406; (417) 5815522 • Highlandville Church of Christ 388 Highlandville Road, Highlandville; (417) 443-0050; (417) 443-3990 • Nixa Church of Christ 313 N. Main, Nixa (417) 725-5784 • Southside Church of Christ 801 W. South St., Ozark (417) 581-1047 • Sparta Church of Christ 165 Scott, Sparta (417) 278-3977 • Union Hill Church of Christ 865 N. Nicholas, Nixa (417) 725-6036 EPISCOPAL • St. Matthew’s Episcopal 203A E. Brick St., Ozark (417) 581-1350 FOURSQUARE • Crossroads Christian Fellowship 1316 W. Snyder Blvd., Nixa (417) 724-8900 FULL GOSPEL • Hilltop Full Gospel Church North of Reeds Spring Junction; (417) 272-1314 Pastors: Harold and Georgia Tennison, (417) 634-4207 • Grace Community Worship Center 825 N. Kenneth St., Nixa (417) 581-8010 Pastor: Paul Winchester • Ozark Full Gospel Church 3081 Selmore Road, Ozark (417) 581-4039 Pastor: James Eakins • Clever Full Gospel Church state Route K and Kennedy (417) 619-4890 Pastor: Dan McCabe • First Oldfield Full Gospel 2656 state Route 125 South, Oldfield INTERDENOMINATIONAL • People of the Holy God Church 345 Highlandville Road (417) 576-7381 LUTHERAN • Open Arms Lutheran Fellowship Meeting in the lower level of Ozark Christian Church 1200 East McCracken Road, Ozark; (417) 582-0068; (417) 581-0675 www.openarmsozark.org Pastor: Rev. David M. Benson • Prince of Peace Lutheran Church 815 E. Plainview Road, Springfield; (417) 881-0833 • Redeemer Lutheran Church 911 W. Mt. Vernon, Nixa (417) 725-4288 METHODIST • Aldersgate United Methodist Church 460 Aldersgate Drive, Nixa (417) 725-4949 • Cassidy United Methodist Church 5151 N. Fremont, Nixa Pastor: Charlene Dart (417) 582-3632 www.cassidyumc.net • Ozark United Methodist Church 2850 state Route 14 E., Ozark (417) 581-6853

• Nicholas N. Huskey, resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony, June 20 • Sterling Dean King, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, Feb. 2 • Slade Elan Russell, unlawfully receiving public assistance benefits/ ebt card value $500 or more, July 11, 2016 • Jason Charles Cole, tampering with motor vehicle, first degree, property damage, first degree, Oct. 10 • Steven Michael Riley, tampering with motor vehicle, first degree, resisting/interfering with arrest for a felony, harassment, second degree, assault, fourth degree.

Nov. 30 • Daniel Joseph McClary, three counts: receiving stolen property, two counts: fraudulent use of credit/debit device, forgery, tampering with motor vehicle, first degree, July 12 • Christina Michelle Doty, stealing,

www.ozarkumc.org • Clever United Methodist Kennedy and Carpenter streets, Clever Pastor: Kirby Holbrook (417) 942-7098 www.cleverumc.org NAZARENE • Nixa Church of the Nazarene 306 W. Northview Road, Nixa (417) 725-4224 • Ozark First Church of the Nazarene 500 E. Highview, Ozark (417) 485-2738 NONDENOMINATIONAL • Countryside Christian Church 1.5 miles west of Ozark on state Route 14 (417) 581-6290 • Overcoming Faith Church 3 miles north of Ozark on state Route NN (417) 581-8159 • HOPE of Sparta Church 200 North Ave., Sparta (417) 988-0944 Pastors: Michael and Kayte Hamilton • United Church of God 404 S. Main St., Nixa, www.ucg.org/congregation/ springfield-mo Pastor: Don Pirwitz (417) 379-3431 • Spiritual Enrichment Center of the Ozarks Roark Health Center 405 N. Hwy. 65 (417) 334-0563 • Finley River Cowboy Church Circuit rider Jim “JR” Rantz Highway 160 and EE (417) 840-4773 • Always Hope Cowboy Church 960 state Route JJ, Sparta (417) 849-4170 Alwayshopecowboychurch@ centurylink.net

value less than $150 and no prior stealing offense, Oct. 5 • Roy Wayne Britt Jr., unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, prior drug offense, failure to register motor vehicle, Dec. 28 • Paul Andrew Martin Jr., violation of order of protection for adult, Jan. 1 • Billy Douglas Robertson, violation of order of protection for adult, Dec. 8 • Brianna Rae Garner, receiving stolen property, July 13 • Brandon Kenneth Craig, burglary, second degree, stealing, $750 or more, two counts: stealing, firearm/explosive weapon/ammonium nitrate, July. 7 • Tanner Brown, burglary, second degree, stealing, Nov. 1 • Jeffrey Scott Seaton, four counts: possession of child pornography, second/subsequent offense of possession greater than 20 pics/ one film/videotape, promoting child pornography first degree, Sept. 29, Jan. 9

Pastor: Bob Courtney • Life’s Journey Church 140 N. 20th St. (417) 880-3647 Pastor: Jonathan House • Chadwick Union Church Cardinal Lane, Chadwick Pastor: Stephen Eakins PENTECOSTAL • Apostolic Lighthouse of Nixa 309 S. Water, Nixa (417) 725-9053 • Maranatha Chapel 3049 N. 20th St., Ozark Pastor: Shane Pharris • Ozark Mountain United Pentecostal Church 4619 Selmore Road, Ozark (417) 581-4329 PRESBYTERIAN • First Korean Presbyterian Church 205 South St., Nixa (417) 725-2300 • Ozark Presbyterian Church 2 miles east of Hwy. 65, off exit F; (417) 581-6988 SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST • Nixa Seventh-Day Adventist 957 Canyon Lane, Nixa (417) 725-7774 SOUTHERN BAPTIST • Oakwood Southern Baptist Church

517089b

COURT

5415 state Route H, Forsyth Pastor: Jon Mitchell (417) 634-3329 • Generation Christian Center 1839 N. Commerce Drive, Nixa; (417) 724-0146 • Life Point Church 51 Riverdale Road, Ozark www.lifepointozark.com (417) 581-6572 Pastor: Lane Harrison • Fairview Baptist state Route PP, Sparta Pastor: David Landwehr • Mt. Zion Baptist Church state Route JJ, Ozark (417) 485-6129 www.mtzionozarkmo.com • Prospect Baptist Church 2932 Old Prospect Road, Ozark; (417) 581-7088 • Selmore Baptist Church Highway 65, 3 miles south of Ozark; (417) 582-6483 Pastor: Joshua Hall • Fremont Hills Baptist Church 4375 N. Fremont Road, Ozark (417) 581-7424 Pastor: Art Hicklin • Ozark Highlands Church 1606 S. 12th Ave., Ozark (417) 689-2524 • Mount Sinai Baptist Church state Route N and Sinai Road Pastor: Darrell Devenny • First Central Southern Baptist 794 Hopkins Road, Highlandville; (417) 443-4615

SCHOOLS

8B

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com

Nixa senior awarded Horatio Alger National Scholarship from our staff Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, recently announced the 106 recipients of its prestigious 2018 Horatio Alger National Scholarship, which included Nixa High School senior Devin Strayhorn.

These annual scholarships recognize outstanding students, who, in the face of great personal adversity, have exhibited an unwavering commitment to pursue their dreams through higher education.

Since the establishment of its scholarship programs in 1984, more than 25,000 students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada have received more than $125 million in

scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies.

Administering one of the nation’s largest privately-funded, need-based financial aid programs for colSTRAYHORN lege students, the Association will award more than $2.6 million to its National Scholars in 2018.

“The Association is pleased to award this year’s selection of outstanding students with the 2018 Horatio Alger National Scholarship,” said Matthew Rose, president, Horatio Alger Association and 2013 Horatio Alger Award recipient. “Despite the significant challenges these students have faced in their young lives, they are deeply committed to pursuing higher education and serving their communities. My fellow Members and I applaud their persever-

ance and look forward to supporting and mentoring each of these Scholars as they continue on their journey towards a bright future.”

The 2018 Horatio Alger Association National Scholars are students who come from households with an average income of $12,996 per year but maintain an average GPA of 3.8.

Each National Scholarship recipient is awarded $25,000 to apply toward the educational costs of the college or university of their choice and will have access to a variety of Association-provided resources including counseling and referral services, internship opportunities and Alumni connections.

In addition to the scholarship, each national scholar will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., April 5-7 to attend the Horatio Alger National Scholars Conference and participate in college-preparedness and other educational sessions.

studentsof the month

submitted photo

CHADWICK: Chadwick Elementary named its November

students of the month for having a positive attitude. Pictured front row, from left, Dalton Little, second grade; Graham Preston, first grade; Landon Maggard, preschool; Brody Lewis, kindergarten; back row from left, Creek Guerin, third grade; Kassity Rogers, fourth grade; Dallas Youngman, preschool.

Sparta MS Academic Team finishes season undefeated The Sparta Middle School won first place at the SWCL Middle School Academic Team tournament Jan. 6 at Crane Middle School. The tournament capped off an undefeated season for the Sparta team, comprised of seventh- and eighth-graders.

Pictured from left are, Ryan Bumgarner, Cade Johnson, Zane Wigton, Brock Smith, Gage Wigton, Hannah Roller, Auston Henson, Shayln Morris and Coach Scott Twente.

Not pictured are Madeline Hodges, Anthony Wilson, Asher Fuchs, Malina Blevins and Chloe Nettell.

submitted photo

CHADWICK: Chadwick Elementary named its December

students of the month for the word compassion. Pictured front row from left, Maxine Chadwick, kindergarten; Fisher Bilyeu, preschool; Mason Hampton, preschool; back row from left, Austin Weter, third grade; Bentlea Lewis, first grade; Bowen Tucker, second grade; Wyatt Applegate, fourth grade.

Amelia Wigton/Headliner News

County Optimist Club is holding 2 scholarship contests The Christian County Optimist Club is encouraging area students to contemplate the phrase “Can Society Function Without Respect?” as part of the Optimist International Essay Contest for 2018. The deadline to submit an essay is Feb. 3.

Winners will receive a $250 scholarship and the win-

ning essays will be sent to the district level where additional college scholarships of up to $2,500 are available for top winners.

Students wishing to participate in the contest can find out more about the contest by contacting the club at (417) 714-0020 or via email at steele417@gmail.com.

submitted photo

BILLINGS: Billings Elementary School recognizes students

of the month for December. Pictured back row from left, Andrew Paasch, Noah Coble, Tacey Blankenship, Kess Graham and Peyton Gordon. Front row from left, Taylor Rawlings, Nolan Coats, Olivia Wallace, Maverick Gold, Blake Rawlings and Silas McGinnis.

submitted photo

OZARK EAST: Ozark East Elementary is proud to present its

December students of the month for consistently showing respect in the classroom for their peers and teachers: Theodore Bonucchi, Jacki Jinks, Greyson Howard, Jessica Curtis, Mackenzie Strohm, Bonnie Bonucchi, Easton Woods, Drew Baer, Jaelyn Hutchison, Alexis Andela, Ryan Hamilton, Sawyer Estes, Gentry Gorman, Heath Hansen, Lillian Hurley, Layla Belcher, Sam Novik, Kyler Blankenship, Easton Strohm, Landon Shook, Cannon Brunelle, Reese Wakeman, Clara McPheeters, Gentry Horton, Makenna Prestien, Adyson Yerby, Leyton Kraatz, Tipper Geier, Miles English. Not pictured is Jordan Wake, Drake Goddard and Mylanea Koch.

submitted photo

Nixa JROTC CYBERPATRIOT advances to Round 4

Congratulations to the Nixa JROTC CYBERPATRIOT Team for advancing to Round 3 in the CYBERPATRIOT X Competition. Out of 1,529 all-service JROTC teams, Nixa placed 215th and qualified as a platinum team — in the top 30 percent. Round 3 takes place on Jan. 21. Pictured are Alec Johnson, Paige Sportsman, Hunter Christeson, Nathan Vaught, Colten Schmidt and Mason Jasper.

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, January 17, 2018

schools

Dancing through time

Sparta High School celebrates homecoming Jan. 12.

Above, the 2018 Sparta High School homecoming court are, front row from left, crown bearer Logan Krueger, Jillian Woolf, Olivia Lilly, 2018 queen Lauryn Beamish, Elizabeth Yeager, Michaela House, Lacey Inman, flower girl Karlee Walker, back row, 2017 king Benji Hurd, Kolbie Dorman, Logan Phillips, 2018 king Hanen Cummings, Jeremiah Ellison, Austin Dixon, Casey Purple and 2017 queen Jessianne Scherer.

Clockwise from above: Benji Hurd, left, and Jessianne Scherer, Sparta’s 2017 homecoming king and queen, get ready to crown their successors. Crown bearer Logan Krueger and flower girl Karlee Walker are introduced to the crowd during the homecoming queen ceremony. Lauryn Beamish, left, gets a hug from Elizabeth Yeager after being named 2018 Sparta High School homecoming queen. photos by Jeff Kessinger/ Headliner News

D.A.R.E. to be you

Nixa fifth-grader gains confidence, life lessons through program.

AMELIA WIGTON ameliaw@ccheadliner.com @ameliawCCHN

N

ixa fifth-grader Sophia Allen has a crisp $100 bill that she’s contemplating how to spend. She’ll probably buy some toys, she said, and she may put some of it away for “when I get older.” But one thing is certain: Half of it will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“It was very surprising. I did not know I was going to get first place. I just thought I was going to present (my PowerPoint) and be done. I was actually excited that I had won,” she said. “I got $100 and it was very surprising. For a fifth-grader, $100 is a lot of money.

We’re going to donate $50 to St. Jude … I’m really excited to give it to St. Jude because I’ve always wanted to donate something. I’m excited to do that.”

It is this caring heart and dedication that got her the money in the first place. Sophia won it for her PowerPoint and video summing up what she learned through the D.A.R.E. program.

“It was one of the best D.A.R.E. projects I’ve ever seen,” Nixa School Resource and D.A.R.E. Officer Brent Forgey said. “She recorded video of her 4-year-old sister. It was one of the neatest things I’ve ever seen.”

D.A.R.E. is a program in local schools that “envisions a world in which students everywhere are empowered to respect others and choose to lead lives free from violence, substance abuse and other dangerous behaviors,” according to the website www.dare.org.

“The purpose of doing a D.A.R.E. project is so kids can look at what they’ve done throughout the whole year,” said Forgey, who is in charge of the program in the Nixa School District. “A lot of them look at each lesson and try to

Page 9B

submitted photos

CONGRATULATIONS: Nixa D.A.R.E. Officer Brent Forgey with the D.A.R.E. project winners from Summit In-

termediate School. From left, Forgey, first-place winner Sophia Allen, Lillian Cho, Abby Haupt, Seth Oft, Maxx Pyle, Dylan Ridneour, Katelyn Kagak, Justin Dunkman and McCoy Sullivan. make it go together. How are they going to use it in the future? That’s what it’s designed for.”

Sophia said she thinks she will use the lessons she learned in D.A.R.E. a lot in the future.

“We had it Mondays and we learned a lot of things. I liked it because (Forgey) always made it fun.

We all got to work together and act things out and work out problems, which was really fun because I got to know my classmates. It was the beginning of the year so I made new friends,” Sophia said. “I just learned how to be more responsible and how to communicate better. I think it’s going to be good because when I grow up, I know what to do if I come into a situation that I learned in D.A.R.E.” Sophia said after one of her friends taught her how to make a video on her school-issued Chromebook, she decided it would be good to work into her presentation, seeking help from her mom, Jennifer, and little sister, Audree.

“I decided to ask if my sister could help me, and my mom helped me with the idea of doing a couple of videos. I think it made it more interesting and a lot more fun,” Sophia said. “Audree loved to

Amelia Wigton/Headliner News Nixa fifth-grader Sophia Allen shows off her first-place certificate and the crisp $100 bill she received for her D.A.R.E. project at Summit Intermediate. She is pictured with her mom, Jennifer, and 4-year-old sister, Audree, who helped Sophia make her videos for the project. do them, as well.”

Audree, 4, portrayed the bully in the video — her big innocent eyes and curly hair making it all the more adorable.

“I pushed sissy out of the way.

She pretended to do a sad face,” Audree said when asked about her role in the project. “I liked the part that she did.”

Sophia said she knows what it’s like to be bullied. It was a feeling

she never wants to experience again.

“There was a girl that was bullying me and I always told my mom.

It wasn’t very physical, although it was sometimes threatening, since I was in the first grade,” Sophia said. “It was just words that hurt me. It was harder than physical bullying, I feel like, because words can hurt a lot, especially in first grade.”

Sophia said she wants kids to know that, even though it’s sometimes hard, you need to always try to do the right thing, “Maybe you think you might become popular by doing something, but it makes you a better person if you do the right thing,” she said. “As long as you know it’s the right thing to do, it’s the best thing.”

Sophia also has advice for kids who are being bullied.

“Always report to someone because that helps. And if you’re afraid to report, just write it down.

Once you get the courage to do so, it’s always better in the end,” she said.

Jennifer said she is very proud of her daughter, giving a standing ovation after watching Sophia’s presentation at school during the recent D.A.R.E. graduation. That’s when Forgey put it together: Sophia is Jennifer’s daughter.

Jennifer works at the X Center in Nixa and has talked to Forgey many times.

“The funny part is, he was my D.A.R.E. officer. This is a weird full-circle moment,” Jennifer said.

“He didn’t realize that Sophia was my daughter. He came up to me later telling me how proud he was.”

And that makes Sophia feel good.

“I think he’s really nice and I felt super good because I thought he was super proud of me,” Sophia said about Forgey.

Page 10B

Wednesday, January 17, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

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Amelia Wigton/Headliner News

communitycalendar The Nixa Senior Center holds a dance at 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday for $4. There is a country dance every third Saturday of the month for $4. There is square dancing at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of every month for $4. For more information, call (417) 725-2322.

SENIOR’S PLACE EVENTS IN SPARTA

The Senior’s Place in Sparta is open weekdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Bingo is from 1-2:30 p.m. every Tuesday with a potluck at noon the first Tuesday of the month. Game day is 1 p.m. every Thursday with cards, dominoes, chess, checkers and more. Friday night is music jam from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Anyone with an instrument is welcome.

Second Monday

CC DEMOCRATIC CENTRAL COMMITTEE

The Christian County Democratic Central Committee holds open monthly meetings at 6 p.m. at the Christian County Resource Center, 1106 W. Jackson St., Ozark. Call Chairman Jim Billedo at (417) 343-7826 with questions.

Third Tuesday

CC REPUBLICAN CENTRAL COMMITTEE

The Christian County Republican Central Committee holds open monthly meetings at 7 p.m. at the Christian County Resource Center, 1106 W. Jackson St., Ozark. Call (417) 581-8588 with questions.

Second Saturday

OZARK SENIOR CENTER BREAKFAST

From 7-9 a.m. the second Saturday of each month, the Ozark Senior Center hosts an all-you-can-eat breakfast for $5. Kids 12 and under are $2.50.

Jan. 17

NEW BEGINNING BIBLE STUDY

New Beginning Bible study for ladies is starting up at noon Jan. 17 at Village inn. It is a six-week Stone Croft study diving into “Who is Jesus?” The study is open to the public and will meet every Wednesday. Contact Cherrie at CLhorning@centurylink.net for more information.

Jan. 18

WATCH DOGS CHILI COOK OFF

O.N.E. Watch DOGS is proud to present its third annual chili cook off. For $3, you can sample the various chilis and are given three tickets to vote for your favorites. Additional tickets are $1 each. The chili that earns the most tickets will be the winner. All proceeds benefit Ozark Care to Learn. North Elementary Watch DOGS can register chili by sending your name, your child/children’s names and grade level to onewatchdogs@gmail.com by Jan. 16. The event is 6-7 p.m. Jan. 18 at Ozark North Elementary, 3608 N State Highway NN, Ozark.

Jan. 18-20

‘THE SKIN OF OUR TEETH’

Nixa High School Theatre presents “The Skin of Our Teeth” at 7 p.m. nightly at Nixa High School, 514 S. Nicholas Road. To purchase tickets, call (800) 965-9324 or visit www.itickets.com/events/393098.html.

Jan. 20

CHEROKEE OF ARKANSAS AND MISSOURI TRIBE The Cherokee of Arkansas and Missouri Tribe will meet 1-4 p.m. at The Library Center, 4652 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield. If you are part Native American and not a member of another tribe, please join us. Email lcambc@ hotmail.com for more information or questions.

EAGLE DAYS

Jan. 21

PFLAG OF THE OZARKS HOSTS LOREN OLSON

PFLAG of the Ozarks Hosts an afternoon with Loren Olson, MD, gay author and board-certified psychiatrist.

This event is free and open to the public. Olson is a gay father, a popular public speaker and the author of “Finally Out: Letting Go of Living Straight.” PFLAG of the Ozarks is hosting Olson at its monthly meeting at 3 p.m. Jan. 21, at the National Avenue Christian Church, 1515 S. National Ave., Springfield. Educators, health care professionals, clergy and the general public are invited to attend. PFLAG are parents, friends and family of the LGBTQ+ community in southwest Missouri and meets at 3 p.m. the third Sunday of the month.

EQUAL MEANS EQUAL SCREENING

Springfield Missouri Feminists and the Springfield Greene-County Library District will offer an educational screening of Equal Means Equal 1 p.m. at the Library Center Auditorium, with subsequent showings at other locations in Missouri. The event is free and open to the public.

Jan. 22

CBCO BLOOD DRIVE

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is hosting a blood drive 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at Mercy Orthopedic Hospital, 3050 E. Riverbluff Boulevard, Ozark. To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID. For more information visit www.cbco.org.

Jan. 27

KAELA’S COUNTRY BEST BREAKFAST

Nixa Senior Center is hosting a fundraiser 7-9:30 a.m. at the center, 404 S. Main, Nixa.

The breakfast includes biscuits and gravy, hashbrowns, scrambled eggs, bacon, pancakes, juice and coffee. Cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children 10 and under.

Jan. 31

THE UPDATE AT THE NIXA SENIOR CENTER

The Update is a great way to learn more about what’s happening in Nixa and have your questions answered while enjoying lunch. Each month, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Nixa Senior Center, there will be a different guest speaker.

These events give those who may not have access to the city’s electronic communications an opportunity to meet and interact with the city’s leadership, voice their concerns and stay informed. Anyone can enjoy lunch at the Nixa Senior Center with a suggested donation of $6. Learn more at the Nixa Senior Center website.

Feb. 2

HOT SOUP COLD NIGHTS

The Christian County Homeless Alliance is holding its annual fundraiser!, Hot Soups, Cold Nights. Funds are used to provide families and teens who have lost their homes, a night or two out of the cold and in a motel room. The even is 6-8 p.m. at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 460 W. Aldersgate Dr., Nixa. Dinner is free but donations are welcome.

FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE

Join Nixa Parks and Recreation for the annual Father Daughter Dance, sponsored by Mac Dental, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the X Center. Dance the night away while enjoying light refreshments, activities and a picture to remember the evening. Pre-registration will end on Feb. 1: Members $25, Nixa residents $30, non-residents $35. The registration fee includes admission for dad and one daughter. Each additional child is $10.

Event of the week

Every Week

NIXA SENIOR CENTER EVENTS

JANUARY

20-21

The Springfield Conservation Center is celebrating the annual return of bald eagles to Lake Springfield. This special event includes the indoor presence of Phoenix, a live bald eagle from Dickerson Park Zoo. Programs will be held at the Springfield Conservation Nature Center 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Jan. 20 and 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Jan. 21. Stop by anytime and plan to spend about two hours. Opportunities to view bald eagles in the wild, with the assistance of volunteers and spotting scopes, will be available at the Lake Springfield Boathouse and Marina during event hours.

Feb. 10

FOURTH ANNUAL LIBRARY TRIVIA NIGHT

Join the Christian County Library Foundation from 5:30-9 p.m. at Fremont Hills Country Club for the fourth annual Trivia Night, benefiting the foundation. Players will compete as teams of eight, answering 10 rounds of questions. Ticket holders will be treated to a buffet of appetizers and desserts, as well as the opportunity to bid on a variety of silent auction items. Cash bar will be open for players age 21 and older.

New this year is the optional team theme competition. Teams that select and represent a theme — costumes, table decorations, etc. — will be judged by foundation directors, and one team will be recognized as the winner. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with trivia beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at the Christian County Library, $25 per person or $200 for a team of eight.

Feb. 17

GARDENING 101

Beginning gardeners and “never-gardened-before” adults and teens can learn the basics of gardening at Christian County Master Gardeners’ public seminar, Gardening 101, from 1-4 p.m. at the Nixa Community Center, 701 N. Taylor Way. The seminar, part of CCMG’s Garden Gate educational series, is free but requires registration at the University of Missouri Extension office in Ozark, by calling (417) 581-3558.

Refreshments will be served.

Feb. 24

NIXA INDOOR GARAGE SALE

The Indoor Garage Sale will be 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at the X Center in Nixa. Entrance is free to the public.

Space is limited. A 10x10 space is $20 and a 10x15 space is $30. Tables are available for $5 per table.

The X Center reserves the right to refuse any item inappropriate for sale in this event. No concession items allowed.

Feb. 28

THE UPDATE AT THE NIXA SENIOR CENTER

The Update is a great way to learn more about what’s happening in Nixa and have your questions answered while enjoying lunch. Each month, from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Nixa Senior Center, there will be a different guest speaker. These events give those who may not have access to the city’s electronic communications an opportunity to meet and interact with the city’s leadership, voice their concerns and stay informed. Anyone can enjoy lunch at the Nixa Senior Center with a suggested donation of $6.

Learn more at the Nixa Senior Center website.