Christian County Headliner News November 14, 2018

HEADLINER NEWS Christian County

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Nixa super sophomore spent offseason running and shooting.

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• Christian County’s Wicker Fixer is nationally known. Page 3A • How Christian County voted in November election. Page 9A • Clever quilter thanks veterans with every stitch. Page 10A

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Vol. 58, Issue 2 | Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Rance Burger/Headliner News A sign warns drivers not to use North Fourth Street in Ozark to turn around while viewing the Ozark Mill development. In spite of the signs, residents say tourists are using their driveways as turnaround points.

Ozark residents speak against Bass Pro boathouse The historic Ozark Mill on Nov. 7, 2018.

RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger

velopment, river access and nature trails and a multi-purpose building that can house educational classes and seminars.

At an Ozark Board of Aldermen meeting Nov. 5, Megan Morris offered some previously undisclosed features of the development. They included an outdoor chapel, a “distillery or small craft brewery,” a day spa and a small “boutique hotel,” using a house at the corner of McCracken Road and North Fourth Street as the check-in point. Drawings also showed a series of rental cabins connected by golf cart paths to the north of McCracken Road.

“We feel this would give our guests a nice, quaint, private experience out there,” Morris said.

Morris is the daughter of Bass Pro Shops founder

The people who live along one Ozark street aren’t sure they want tourists driving through their neighborhood.

The Ozark Board of Aldermen will consider a request for a planned united development for 40 acres of land on the west side of the Finley River, commonly known as the Ozark Mill property. Now owned by Ozark Mill, LLC, and the Morris family, the founders and owners of Bass Pro Shops, the property is slated to become Finley Farms. Developments announced the multipurpose project Aug. 1.

The development plan calls for a restaurant, a speakeasy-style bar, agricultural farm de-

Johnny Morris.

The proposed boathouse, currently a small home overlooking the Finley River near the McCracken Street bridge, drew opposition and complaints from neighboring property owners.

A quiet, little street Andy Robinson, a resident of North Fourth Street, presented a letter signed by 30 people who live near the development.

The letter notes some of their concerns.

“The development on Fourth Street will cause a loss of property values, increase congestion at the intersection of North Fourth and McCracken, increase vehicular and pedestrian traffic in general along Fourth Street, and undermine the neighborhood including loss of

Rance Burger/Headliner News Developers from Bass Pro Shops want to turn a house on the Finley River in Ozark into a place for guests of Finley Farms to rent canoes and kayaks. Neighbors along North Fourth Street say they oppose the rezoning request. quiet enjoyment of our property,” Robinson said.

Robinson said he does not oppose the development, he is simply against any commercial devel-

opment occurring north of McCracken Road on Fourth Street.

“It is our request that conditions be imposed to mitigate the negative con-

sequences to the neighborhood,” Robinson said.

Dwight McNiel shared a positive view toward the overall project. see BOUTHOUSE page 5A

Christian County chooses next presiding commissioner RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger

Eastern District Commissioner. Phillips received 6,459 votes to Weter’s 5,394.

Phillips won 54.49 percent of the 11,853 ballots cast.

Voters selected Ralph wspaper Bar Codes Phillips’ election to the Phillips to lead the Christian presiding commissioner County Commission. ksansas/Missouri office will create a Phillips won 26,683 8 95401 00100 4 vacancy for Christian votes to be elected County’s Eastern Dispresiding commisMM trict associate comsioner of Christian missionership when County, capturing Phillips is sworn in 75.5 percent of the in January. As has overall vote with 27 of been done twice in 27 precincts reportthe last decade, Gov. ing. Phillips will take Mike 00101 Parson holds an oath of office in Phillips 8 95401 1 authority to appoint January 2019 and someone to fill the vacancy. will begin to preside over BHFP-W The central committees the three-member county for each political party may commission. submit up to three names Challenger Bob Rubino, to the governor for consida Democrat from Nixa, took eration, but the governor 8,580 votes for 24.3 percent. can appoint someone not Christian County Presid95401 00102 8 by any politing Commissioner Ray Weter 8 recommended lost a bid for reelection in the ical party.

August Republican primary BR Phillips said he would work with the Christian against Phillips, the current

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County Republican Central Committee and with individuals at large to help find suitable nominees.

Phillips presently owns his own law enforcement consulting and investigating business, Ralph Phillips, LLC. 8 95401 00108 Phillips is involved in working as a part time school HDT-D resource officer and is a boy scout leader.

In 2016, Phillips unseated Democrat Sue Ann Childers for Eastern District commissioner of Christian County. At the time, he was in 8 a lieutenant 95401 00109 the Christian County Sheriff’s Office.

HDT-S Weter was first elected presiding commissioner in 2014, when he won a five-way Republic primary with 42.38 percent of the popular vote. He previously served eight years in 95401 the Missouri 8 House of Repre-00110 sentatives and one full term as NCTcommissionEastern District er of Christian County.

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Business Crossword Family

School gathers input 0 for long-range plan SYDNI MOORE sydnim@ccheadliner.com @sydnimCCHN Roughly 200 people 7 attended the second longrange planning meeting for the Ozark School District Nov. 8.

“We’re grateful. We had several people ask how we got so many there,” Ozark Assistant Superintendent Curtis Chesick told the 3 Headliner News. “We just have a community that’s committed to Ozark

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Legals 6B Marketplace Inside Obits 8A

schools and Ozark kids.”

School Board President Shane Nelson also said it was a great crowd. He gave an update regarding the long-range planning process.

“At this meeting, we had several different stations with different areas that we’re working on in our planning,” Nelson said.

“Finance, long-range planning, safety and security, transportation, gray configuration and special education and early child-

Opinion Outdoors On the Spot

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Sydni Moore/ Headliner News

hood learning.”

Nelson said he and other members of the board rotated around the room to hear suggestions and thank guests for coming.

“You want to listen more than you want to talk,” he said. “You need to hear what the people feel and want to do.”

Chesick agreed. He said the guests’ suggestions will guide the district’s direction into what’s developed next. see LONG-RANGE page 5A

Planner Schools Sports

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Entire contents copyright 2018© Christian County Headliner News

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Who Reads Newspapers Anyway?

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• CCH Newspaper readers buy from advertisements 66% of the time • CCH Newspaper readers keep their papers on hand for 3 or more days • CCH Newspaper readers are 54% women, the larger demographic of decision makers • CCH Newspaper readers have made 58,118 visits to our website last month

To put your business in front of our readers, call Tricia at 417-581-3541

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Wednesday, November 14, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

Nixa students thank 120 veterans RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger Nixa teenagers got a by-thenumbers lesson on service to their country.

More than 100 veterans took part in a ceremony at Nixa High School Nov. 9, with the entire student body in attendance. Capt. John Sorensen, 73-year-old a former U.S. Army helicopter pilot who served in combat in Vietnam, served as the keynote speaker.

Sorensen purposely filled his speech with attention-grabbing numbers, 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, 2.7 million men and women who served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, more than 1,400 Missourians among the 58,320 persons who have their names etched on the wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. Sorensen recounted some of his experience working with a unit that flew combat missions “When we prepared for takeoff each morning, we knew that we could count on one another.

I knew that everybody that was going to be out that day was willing, if necessary, to put their life on the line for me, and they knew that I was willing to do the same for them,” Sorensen said.

Sorensen also brought up the less-than-favorable reception that many Vietnam veterans received when they left their units overseas and returned home as individuals.

“We also returned home as individuals, often to scorn and ridicule of the very people we were serving. Some were called names. Some had eggs or tomatoes thrown at them. Some were spit upon and shown all different types of disrespect,” Sorensen said. “Thankfully, we seem to have learned our lesson and are more respectful for those returning from deployments today.”

He went on to give some examples of how the students could serve at home helping their friends and neighbors at home in their day-to-day lives.

The ceremony honored Richard Gregg, 92, who died Feb. 23, 2018.

Gregg’s family donated the funding for all 120 veterans in attendance to enjoy lunch at Nixa High School. The school took the money that had been raised to cover the veterans meals, and gave $725 to Honor Flight of the Ozarks in Gregg’s memory.

Rance Burger/Headliner News

Nixa High School hosted a ceremony to recognize veterans Nov. 9.

Rance Burger/Headliner News A veteran salutes members of the Nixa High School JROTC as he enters Eagle Fieldhouse on the campus of Nixa High School during a Veterans Day ceremony Nov. 9.

Gregg had attended Nixa High School’s Veterans Day ceremony in 2017. A video clip of an interview conducted that day showed a proud Gregg thanking the school for putting on such an event.

“The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is thank the Lord for this day,” Gregg said in the video. “I have been blessed.”

Nixa High School Principal Mark McGehee asked students to take their gratitude forward and to thank a veteran sometime over the weekend.

“I encourage you all this weekend at some point to make a personal contact to personally thank somebody you know in your life who is a veteran and thank them for their service,” McGehee said.

Rance Burger/Headliner News Nixa High School students stand and applaud for veterans in attendance at a Veterans Day assembly Nov. 9.

Rance Burger/Headliner News Former U.S. Army helicopter pilot John Sorensen (right), a veteran of the Vietnam War, enters Eagle Fieldhouse accompanied by his wife, Liz (left). Sorensen served as the keynote speaker at Nixa High School’s 2018 Veterans Day assembly.

Rance Burger/Headliner News Nixa JROTC members welcomed veterans to Eagle Fieldhouse for a Veterans Day assembly.

Leona Williams In Concert

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When: Nov. 23 5:30-8 p.m.

Call ahead for reservations, seats are going fast!

724-1016 Tues-Sat 6:30 am - 8 pm Sunday 6:30 am - 2 pm Behind Wendy’s in Nixa PatricksFamilyRestaurant.com

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Wicker Queen

Cheri Russell and her family have restored wicker for the last 42 years.

SYDNI MOORE sydnim@ccheadliner.com @sydnimCCHN

More than 40 years ago, when her family was still living in Cocoa Beach, Florida, Cheri Russell paid roughly $300 for the restoration of a wicker couch and chair she purchased at a garage sale.

“I found somebody in Orlando,” Russell said. “Oh, he did the most wretched job. It was horrible.”

Russell took to finding someone else— someone she could learn the restoration process from herself. Little did she know the hunt would lead her to her own business she hopes to run the rest of her life.

Trade secrets Days after Russell received her unimpressive restorations, she encountered a woman inside an antique shop who told her there was man in the area with a knack for wicker—but that he wouldn’t give her the time of day. Determined, Russell found out the man’s name—Craig Stroupe—and contact information, anyway, and gave him a call.

Sure enough, Mr. Stroupe was a tough man to crack, Russell said.

“I kept talking to him. He said to call back in three weeks. Then, he said to call back in two weeks,” she said.

Finally, during the next phone call, Stroupe told Russell to come to his house the following Monday. She drove an hour and a half from Cocoa Beach to Winter Park. Once she was there, however, he told her he couldn’t work with her and to come back Friday.

“I cried all the way home,” Russell said. “I was so upset with him. I said, ‘I’m not going back.’”

But she did. Once she pulled into Stroupe’s drive, Russell knew he couldn’t say no again.

“He stood there with his hands on his hips and he goes, ‘Okay, I guess you passed the test,’” Russell explained. “He said, ‘I don’t have time to waste teaching somebody and have them just flake out on me.’”

Russell said Stroupe had previously worked with young men, who had disappointed him by not showing up for work.

“He said, ‘Besides, women, girls—all you do is get pregnant,’” she said.

Russell proved him wrong. For the next 14 months, she worked with Stroupe diligently, from his wicker pieces’ frames up, paying him through the repairs she did for him and his clients.

Revved reputation Before too long, Russell and her husband Mike, along with their children, returned to their home in Missouri.

“My mom had died, and I got our farm, and Mike’s dad was not doing good,” Russell said.

A little more time passed, and Russell and her little family moved to Washington state, where her own wicker business soon took off.

“People were coming from all over Washington letting us fix their family pieces,” Russell said, and it wasn’t long before big name publications—like Women’s Day—noticed.

On Aug. 11, 1981, the magazine published an article on Wicker Fixer, Russell’s business, as well as several other female-operated home businesses.

“It was just when women were starting businesses at home,” Russell explained.

The day the magazine was to be pulled off the shelf, Russell’s family pulled back into Ozark, this time for good.

“We came home with wicker in our stuff from Washington,” Russell said. “The back was loaded. We brought it home and then we eventually shipped it back to them.”

The amount of unpacking that had to be done didn’t keep her from buying a copy of the magazine, though.

“If it hadn’t been for Women’s Day giving that shout-out to women—that’s what I think really helped us,” Russell told the Headliner.

“So, I’m very thankful for that—and Craig for

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Help Connect

Submitted photo Wicker Fixer owner Cheri Russell sits in between her daughter, Arianna, and husband, Mike. giving women a chance.”

Wicker Fixer’s nationwide exposure would additionally lead to even more coverage, including that by the Springfield News-Leader and the Kansas City Star, all while Cheri and Mike worked through more and more projects. Today, the pair estimates they’ve completed roughly 21,000.

Props for Paul Since the beginning of her business in 1976, Russell has loved working on family pieces.

“When we get pieces in, and it’s their childhood buggy or their mother’s or grandmother’s childhood buggy, it’s like giving them a piece of their family history back,” Russell said. “It’s awesome.”

As she works, she likes to imagine her projects’ previous lives—and what sorts of scenes they must have been a part of.

“I can envision the women pushing a wicker carriage down a boardwalk, or I can envision them sitting and talking in the park in their old dresses with their parasails and babies, and rocking them, and the nannies are talking about whatever, sipping their tea and all this kind of stuff,” Russell said, smiling. “I get transformed. Something takes over.”

Wicker Fixer’s projects come from all over.

Pieces from as far as California and Canada have found their way inside the Russell family’s farm home. In addition, some of the family’s personal projects have even wound up in a movie.

“A girlfriend had asked me, ‘What is your dream?’ And I said, ‘I would love to have some wicker in a movie.’ I thought that’d be cool. We were just talking about stuff like that,” Russell said. “A week or so later, the phone rings and someone goes, ‘I’m calling for Paul Newman.

We’re doing a movie, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Bridge,’ and we were wanting to know if you have some wicker.’ And I go, ‘Yeah, and I’m JoAnn Woodward.’”

Russell laughed. She said she thought her friend was playing a prank.

“And this lady goes, ‘No, really, it’s real.’”

So, Cheri and Mike drove a few pieces of Wicker furniture to Kansas City, where the film was shot.

“We got to tour the house and get pictures and stuff, and the deal was that we were going to get to meet Paul,” Russell said, though, unfortunately, she came down with pneumonia.

“I couldn’t talk because I was coughing so bad.

It was horrible.”

Russell didn’t get to meet Paul Newman, but she eventually saw the movie, which debuted November 1990.

Master weaver The restoration process for Wicker can be a days-long feat, Russell said.

A wicker table before and after the Russell family’s restoration process.

Sometimes, the pieces arrive so dirty, they have to be cleaned before anything else can happen.

“You have to be very careful in how you clean it. I try to hose it off. You wash it and use like, a mild soap,” Russell said. “You have to know the material of the wicker, too—is it rattan, is it wood wicker, is it sea grass? You have to be careful with what you’re doing.”

Often, the wicker must be conditioned, too.

Stroupe shared his personal formula with the Russell family that they’ve used and improved throughout the years. It makes the Wicker more pliable, Russell said.

“Then, you do your repair,” she added. “You have to get your materials and order your cane and you have to figure out what type of finish you’re going to put on it and all that kind of stuff.”

“It can get expensive, too,” Mike interjected.

Wicker Fixer, in fact, has a minimum wage charge of $145, though projects can reach costs of thousands of dollars. The Russell family has ways of showing customers their money’s worth it, though.

“We usually try to do before and after pictures, so we can show them,” Cheri’s daughter, Arianna, said.

And when customers do get their pieces back, a mini celebration ensues. Cheri celebrates with them.

“She gets lots of hugs, too,” Mike said, smiling.

Of course, not everyone’s happy, but Russell tries to walk away from projects satisfied she did everything she could.

“It’s been restored to the best of our ability and we brought it back to as best as original as we could,” Russell said.

On the Farm The Russell family’s home is more than a place for wicker restoration. Their farm is

Entrepreneurship runs in the Russell family. Cheri and Mike’s youngest, Arianna, is currently working toward the launch of her own business, Help Connect.

“We’re a for-profit business connecting the community with other nonprofit resources,” Russell said in a Headliner News article published in August. “What we offer is the only single database website to be able to get help if you need it [and] find volunteer opportunities.”

Furthermore, Help Connect joins people in need with area nonprofits based on the resources each offers. Nonprofits pay a subscription to be part of the website, or other businesses can act as adopters of a nonprofit and sponsor their payments.

Help Connect was originally set to launch Oct. 4, Russell’s birthday, but it’s taken longer than she expected.

“Building a custom-coded website with 130-plus pages, and doing the layout, is extremely time-consuming,” Russell recently said. “We have over a dozen nonprofits on board, but there is no set launch date.”

The good news is many nonprofits are still interested. Convoy of Hope and Harmony House have since signed on, as well as a dozen others.

“People just need to say tuned,” Arianna said.

Those interested can find more information at http://HelpConnect.net or can email Russell at arianna@helpconnect.net. made up of dozens and dozens of acres of land, a handful of natural springs, and even a few Bigfoot sightings, Mike teased.

“We had a guy working for us, and he was downhill by one of the springs that we’ve got,” Russell explained. Something threw a small rock at the worker’s legs, she said, and after looking up, he got out of there as fast as he could. The man later described what he saw as a big, hairy man.

“It was behind a big tree, but it stuck out on both sides,” Mike said, enthusiastically. “That’s apparently how big it was.”

Mike was also there when their property’s barn burned down roughly nine years ago.

“For years, we would find pieces on the back field of stuff, and pages of things that had burnt and blown around,” Mike said.

It took fire departments across seven counties to put it out, Russell added.

“I had stored all of my family stuff, all of our original wicker, but the only thing we lost of our customers’ was a big, long porch swing,” Russell said.

Other than a devastating fire, however, and the occasional Sasquatch sighting, the family enjoys their farm for its serenity.

“I can see the stars at night. It’s peaceful,” Russell said. “When you go down to the spring and hear that babbling brook, it’s just great.”

She said the property has its flaws—like her home’s crooked floors that send her office chair rolling every time she stands up—but she wouldn’t give it up for all the money in the world.

“I always say if I won the lottery or whatever, what I’d do is put in flowerbeds and gardens and I’d open it up,” Russell said. “I’d put old fashioned log cabins where people could stay, so that people could literally go back to the 1800s.”

For now, their homestead remains a place solely for their children and Russell’s business, which she plans to run as long as she can. She can’t think of two things she enjoys more than her property and wicker restoration.

“It’s been something I’ve been able to do—stay at home, take care of the kids, work at night and still be a mom,” she said. “You’re really blessed if you can find one thing in life that you can do that you love, but if you can find two things—I mean, my God, how lucky can you be?”

Cell phone tower at ballpark approved RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger

Rance Burger/Headliner News The northeast corner of U.S. Baseball Park in Ozark will soon be home to an AT&T cell phone tower. runs just east of the stadium’s parking lot.

“I have concerns with the safety, where you are putting the pole, if you’ve taken into consideration to put it further away from the residents,” Toliver said.

Jack Scheidt of Network Real Estate of St. Charles represented AT&T in front of the Ozark Board of Aldermen.

When asked about setback requirements, Schedit explained that the law requires a telecommunications tower to be 80 feet from adjoining property. At the stadium,

Schedit said, the tower will be 260 feet, more than three times the legal requirement, from anyone’s adjacent backyard.

The explanation didn’t seem to sway Toliver’s stance.

“I know that the requirements may be met, but if you would do any research on cell phone towers, the verdict is still out on safety issues. A lot of places, especially in Europe—they’ve done studies and they’ve found that people that live within a quarter of a mile of cell phone towers

are three times at a higher rate of getting brain cancer,” Toliver said.

Toliver said he isn’t opposed to cell phone towers, but wanted the aldermen to consider asking AT&T to place its tower closer to U.S. Highway 65, and farther away from the neighborhood to the east of U.S. Baseball Park.

The city of Ozark owns the property where the baseball stadium sits. Tuttle, Oklahoma-based OMS, LLC. owns U.S. Baseball Park. On official documents filed with the city, OMS does business as U.S. Baseball League. Owner Jeff Williams struck a 15-year lease agreement with the city of Ozark in 2015. City Administrator Steve Childers reminded the board of aldermen of the agreement before the vote on the cell phone tower permit.

“We still own this property, but we do lease it to the folks who are using it now. In that agreement, they can sublet the property for this purpose,” Childers explained.

There is no timeframe specified in zoning documents for when AT&T plans to have tower construction complete.

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Managers’ calls to the bullpen will be easier, as will phone calls from the stands to friends and family at home.

Some of the people who live near Ozark’s U.S. Baseball Park aren’t happy about it.

On Nov. 5, the Ozark Board of Aldermen voted 4-1 to approve a permit for construction of a cell phone tower at the Ozark stadium, which sits along U.S. Highway 65 just south of the State Route CC/J interchange.

The 130-foot tower will be on the northeast corner of the stadium, beyond the outfield wall in left field.

AT&T will pay the stadium’s Oklahoma-based ownership group to lease space for the tower.

Ozark Director of Planning and Development Cameron Smith recommended that the board of aldermen approve AT&T’s request for a conditional use permit based on the company’s application and a recommendation from the Ozark Planning and Zoning Commission.

“No concerns. There were no issues, it was simple as that. It did meet all of the criteria that we have for zoning ordinances,” Smith said.

Some of the people who live near the ballpark, however, are concerned.

Ben Toliver owns a home on North 17th Street, which

“If you just do a little bit of research, you’ll see that it’s on both sides. It’s not a done deal thing that it’s completely safe. It does transmit microwaves,” Toliver said.

Ward I Alderman Nathan Posten, who sponsored the bill for AT&T’s conditional use permit, said he conducted research into the neighbors’ concerns. Poster said he tried to find a reputable source to find scientific evidence that cell phone towers are harmful, and couldn’t find such evidence.

The Ozark Board of Aldermen expedited the permit process and granted the zoning permit with a 4-1 vote. Ward III Alderman Heather Alder cast the lone dissenting vote, and Ward II Alderman Bruce Galloway was absent from the meeting.

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5240 N. Towne Centre Dr. • Ozark, MO 65721 • 417-581-0000

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business

Christian County business relocates, triples in size RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger They’re in the business of repurposing goods and groceries that are still good. The people at Christian County Discount Freight will do the same with a building.

Store owner Todd White announced Christian County Discount Freight would move after 10 years of business in Nixa. White said his business has outgrown its 9,000-square foot building at U.S. Highway 160 and Tracker Road.

“We’ve been out of space for the last four years, and out of parking, out of physical space,” White said.

The company acquired the former Lake Hills Church. The building was originally constructed in 2001. It has been a home cooking restaurant, a seafood restaurant and a church.

The new owners took the existing footprint of 15,000 square feet and doubled it. When construction work is finished, they will have a 30,000-square foot store.

The move, White said, should allow the company ample room to grow.

“We’re talking triple the retail,” White said.

Rance Burger/Headliner News Christian County Discount Freight owner Todd White (left) talks to a contractor during the construction of a new store at North Towne Centre Drive and Calhoun Street in Ozark.

Retail space will jump from 7,000 square feet to 22,000 square feet. The company will also have to hire about 20 more people. The new store is located at North Towne Centre Drive and Calhoun Street, just southwest of the U.S. Highway 65 interchange with State Route CC.

Christian County Discount Freight will also have more warehouse and office space, but most of the inventory goes to the sales floor quickly. The business sells a mixture of groceries and goods.

“We get it from all kinds of sources, from closeouts, liqui-

dations, discontinued items, and we’re probably about 50-50 food/non-food,” White said.

White explained that much of the inventory comes from items that experienced some type of mishap in transportation, but that all of the product you’ll find in the store is safe to consume.

“If a box falls off the shelf and gets a dent in it, the flap comes up on a box of cereal, they take that off their shelf. They want everything perfect. The product is still good,” White said. “That all goes somewhere. Stores like us end up with it.”

By moving 4.8 miles miles from Nixa to Ozark, White hopes loyal customers from Nixa will keep shopping at Christian County Discount Freight, and that a new group of customers from Ozark and the surrounding area will discover the store.

“With CC, it’s just a straight shot over here. Since they’ve redone all of this interchange at 22nd Street and got that all lined up with red lights, it’s easy to get in and out,” White said. “I think we’ll pick up a ton of people that don’t even know we exist.”

As he stood on the slab of what will soon be retail space at the new store, White discussed the logistics of keeping the current store in Nixa open as he plans to open the new store in

Ozark. There will be no time in which Christian County Discount Freight loses a business day as a result of the move.

“We got all new shelving, new check stands, everything, so we’ll fully stock this store while that one is still running and then we’ll shut that one down on a Saturday and open over here on a Monday,” White said. “But it’s not like we’ll have to shut that one down and move everything from there to relocate like a traditional business would.”

The business has made it through some trials, but it has survived amongst some grocery and retail giants in Nixa and nearby Springfield. White can rattle off from memory exactly how close the store is to Sam’s Club, Walmart, Price Cutter, Harter House and other businesses that could be perceived as competition.

“In all of that, you would think an independent little guy like us would just get crushed.

I mean, there is no way—but our business model is totally different that those guys, and we’ve just exponentially grown,” White said.

White would like to have the new Ozark store open before Christmas, with an official grand opening to follow in January 2019.

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Ribbon Cutting for Venue on Brick

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Ribbon Cutting for Yard Dog Lawn Service & More

The Venue on Brick, located at 209 North Second Street in Ozark, celebrated its grand opening with an Ozark Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Nov. 9. Pictured: Lisa Lane (holding scissors) surrounded by family, Venue employees, and representatives from the Ozark Chamber of Commerce.

Yard Dog Lawn Service and More joined the Ozark Chamber of Commerce with a ceremonial ribbon cutting held at the Carl G. Hefner Enterprise Center on South Street in Ozark on Nov. 2.

Pictured: Ken Privett (holding scissors) and Tenya Privett surrounded by representatives from the Ozark Chamber of Commerce.

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Ribbon Cutting for St. George’s Donuts

St. George’s Donuts celebrated its arrival in Ozark with an Ozark Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting Nov. 1. Pictured: Nick St. George (holding scissors) and Katy St. George surrounded by employees and representatives from the Ozark Chamber of Commerce. St. George’s Donuts is located at 1415 W. State Highway J.

Ribbon Cutting for Fantastic Sam’s Cut and Color

Elisha and Caleb Boch (holding scissors), surrounded by Fantastic Sam’s Cut and Color employees and representatives from the Ozark Chamber of Commerce, celebrated their business at a ceremonial ribbon cutting Nov. 8. Fantastic Sam’s is located at 1956 Retail Lane in Ozark.

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Ribbon cutting for Baked Cafe & Bakery

Ribbon cutting for STL Insurance Group

The Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at Baked Cafe & Bakery on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Baked Cafe & Bakery is owned by Daniel and Jennifer Moore and is located at 105 S Water Street in Nixa. Baked offers a variety of breakfast treats and baked goods, smoothies, frappes, and coffees.

The Nixa Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at STL Insurance Group on Nov. 7. STL Insurance Group is owned by Todd Laney. STL Insurance Group is located at 107 W. Aldersgate Drive, Suite 7 in Nixa. STL Insurance Group offers insurance on homes, business, life and health.

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Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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news

Boathouse from page 1A a “level of service ‘B’” grade, meaning that the average driver has to wait 1015 seconds to safely travel through the intersection. Jones said the grade is expected to stay the same after the development is complete.

A third party engineer employed by the city of Ozark and the Missouri Department of Transportation have also reviewed the traffic studies provided by Great River Engineering through the Bass Pro group. City Administrator Steve Childers stressed to the board of aldermen that the study is preliminary in nature.

“All of the engineering work is still yet to be done, as well as architectural, work too,” Childers said. “(Ozark city) Staff still has the control. This (PUD) is a guiding document.”

Selling the Finley River lifestyle “The idea behind this is to allow everyone to get on the river and enjoy that paddler’s lifestyle that we have here in the Ozarks,” Morris said.

Morris said the green house near the bridge is an ideal spot for Finley Farms guests to access the river.

“We felt that the placement of this property, or this component of the property, is best suited for this location because it is on the mill pond, which has a slower flow there and it is more friendly for beginner paddlers to be able to get out there and experience the Finley River,” Morris said.

Morris said she is aware of some rumored “misinformation” circulating through the Fourth Street neighborhood, such as a rumor that Bass Pro Shops planned to build a boat ramp on the Finley River or that Bass Pro planned to build a retail shopping building north of McCracken Road.

“The traffic generated by the boathouse would only be walking, except the

two handicapped stalls,” Morris said.

Morris said Bass Pro owners want to be good to their neighbors.

“We don’t intend to change their way of life. However, we can’t deny the nature that our development will be the change, but we believe the plan we present to you is respectful of our neighbors and we are doing what we feel is right to minimize any negative impact while maximizing the experience that our guests would have at Finley Farms.

Our plan we are presenting to you is the lowest impact, lowest-density development that has a chance for success here,” Morris said.

Upcoming vote Nov. 19 At its next meeting, the Ozark Board of Aldermen will consider rezoning 40 acres of land set to become Finley Farms as a planned unit development (PUD).

A planned unit development, under state law, is a method by which developers may depart from typical zoning and land use restrictions found in the definitions of any one zoning category.

Local governments, through PUD agreements, may define what a developer is allowed and not allowed to do with their land, based on the terms of the agreement. PUD agreements are often utilized in multipurpose developments, such as what the Morris family has planned for Finley Farms.

Under terms of the PUD, the 40 acres of Finley Farms would drop from six different zoning classifications to three: agriculture, historic commercial and multi-family residential with medium density.

Because of the opposition to the development agreement, the Ozark Board of Aldermen will consider a final vote on the Finley Farms agreement on Monday, Nov. 19, at City Hall.

Long-range

Captain in fatal Ride the Ducks accident indicted in federal court Headliner News staff The captain of the Ride the Ducks boat that sank at Table Rock Lake in July, resulting in the deaths of 17 people, was indicted by a federal grand jury on Nov. 8.

Kenneth Scott McKee, 51, of Verona was charged in a 17-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield. McKee was the captain of Stretch Duck 7, operated by Ripley Entertainment, Inc. The company operated duck boat tours in Branson and on Table Rock Lake and Lake Taneycomo.

The boat sank in a storm on July 19, near the dock for the Showboat Branson Belle with 31 persons aboard, including two crew members. Seventeen persons, including one of the crew, drowned.

“Our entire community was shocked and saddened by the loss of 17 lives in this tragic event last summer,” U.S. Attorney Tim Garrison said.

“Today’s indictment alleges that the misconduct, negligence and inattention to duty by the ship’s captain caused or contributed to the loss of those lives.

The federal indictment charges McKee with misconduct, negligence, or inattention to duty by a ship’s officer, resulting in the death of another person. McKee is charged with one count for each of the 17 passengers.

The federal indictment alleges that McKee commit-

ted acts of negligence and inattention both before and during the time that a severe storm passed over Table Rock Lake.

McKee allegedly failed to properly assess incoming weather prior to entering the vessel on the water. At the time McKee drove the vessel into the water, according to the indictment, there was lightning in the area and severe weather approaching.

The indictment also alleges that McKee failed to properly assess the nature of the severe weather while the vessel was on the water.

Garrison said federal prosecutors are asking to take the lead on the Ride the Ducks case ahead of civil lawsuits filed by victims’ families and surviving passengers.

“This remains an active and ongoing investigation,” Garrison added. “To better enable our office in its urgent pursuit of justice through this investigation, we have requested various courts presiding over the related civil lawsuits to allow our intervention and stay certain manners of discovery to prohibit those lawsuits from impeding or jeopardizing our work.”

The indictment claims McKee failed to immediately increase speed and head to the nearest shore as conditions worsened. He allegedly caused or allowed the vessel’s plastic side curtains to be lowered, which created a barrier over the vessel’s

ing the information attendees contributed before an additional long-range planning meeting in December, solely for the school board.

“We really were just regular people at the meeting last night,” Nelson added. “We’ll have a chance to put in our input as we compile the data and move forward.”

A Jan. 29 meeting will also be held for a presentation regarding long-range planning configurations and to vote on options.

“I would like to say thank you to all of the people who showed up,” Nelson said.

exits in the event of a need to abandon ship.

The first and second time the vessel’s bilge alarm sounded, the indictment says, McKee failed to raise the side curtains, failed to instruct passengers to don personal flotation devices, and failed to prepare to abandon ship.

The indictment states McKee failed to instruct passengers to abandon ship as the boat sank low into the water and experienced, “loss of freeboard,” which occurs when waves pass over a boat’s waterline in a manner that causes a vessel to fill with water.

Under federal law, a conviction for misconduct, negligence, or inattention to duty by a ship’s officer is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole on each count of conviction, plus a fine of $250,000.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Randall D. Eggert and Assistant U.S. Attorney Casey Clark. It was investigated by the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service, the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the Stone County Sheriff’s Department, the Taney County Sheriff’s Department, the Branson Police Department, the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, the Stone County Prosecutor’s Office and the Taney County Prosecutor’s Office.

Nixa man’s trial set for April Headliner News staff

from page 1A

A Nixa man accused of molesting two girls is set to stand trial in April on three felony charges.

Forrest Edwin Wasson III, has a trial scheduled to begin April 15, in Ozark.

The 37-year-old Nixa resident is charged with first-degree statutory sodomy, deviate sexual intercourse with a person less than 14 years old, seriousWasson ly physical injury/displaying a deadly weapon/dangerous instrument/subjecting victim to intercourse with more than one person/victim less than 12 years old; and two counts first-degree child molestation.

Wasson appeared before Circuit Judge Jennifer Growcock on Nov. 7. The court ordered that a public defender would represent Wasson

at trial. He is currently at a state prison in St. Joseph serving four years on an unrelated conviction of failure to pay child support out of Barton County.

Wasson was accused in the child molestation case in February 2019.

The individual who reported the crime said she saw Wasson rubbing one of the victim’s back. She asked the victims about Wasson and they said that he molested them.

The person who reported Wasson said she asked asked him where he slept the night before and “described the look on Wasson’s face as a ‘sign of guilt.’”

During forensic interviews at the Child Advocacy Center, the victims disclosed multiple incidents when Wasson allegedly molested them.

“She said Wasson likes touching her in places she did not like,” the statement says. “She advised Wasson just started doing this and she did not know why. She said she did not like going (to the house) if Wasson is there.”

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“I was managing one group, but what I can tell you is even when you got to that sixth group, you were hearing different ideas all over,” he said.

There was some discussion, he said, regarding the district’s office building.

“It’s in excellent shape,” Chesick said. “It would be worth remodeling.”

In fact, Chesick said, a number of people he spoke with at the meeting were interested in the idea of remodeling it for another purpose.

Chesick said the next few weeks will be spent aggregat-

Submitted photo The Coast Guard oversees the removal of Stretch Duck 7 from Table Rock Lake in Branson on July 23, 2018. Missouri State Highway Patrol divers rigged the vessel, then a barge crane lifted it to the surface before it was towed to shore and loaded onto a flatbed trailer for transport to a secure facility.

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“We share some of the same excitement and enthusiasm that you and other city leaders have shown,” McNiel said.

The plan to convert a single green house into a boathouse with a floating dock for canoe and kayak rental, however, is a problem for McNiel.

“This one tiny area has potential to create big problems, not only for my neighbors on Fourth Street, but for the city as well,” McNiel said.

Tourism has already begun on Fourth Street, McNiel said, with curious people traveling through the area to look at the Mill project in progress.

“You’ll have a lot of people just traveling down to see what the draw is.

Those people, once they have no place to turn around, are forced into our driveways,” McNiel said. “My neighbors are having 25 to 30 cars a day pulling in and turning around.”

McNiel, a former law enforcement agent who once served as the interim sheriff of Christian County, is also concerned that the intersection of Fourth Street and McCracken Road will become increasingly dangerous. McNiel called the intersection, “the lynchpin for the quality of life,” for people who own property on North Fourth Street.

Another Fourth Street resident, Larry Lee, said he has seen an increase in traffic since the Finley Farms project was announced.

“This is generating a lot of gawkers,” Lee said. “It’s infringing on our quiet, little street.”

Great River Engineering Principal Engineer Spencer Jones, representing Bass Pro Shops, referred to a traffic study conducted on the roads surrounding the Ozark Mill, including Fourth Street. He said the study determined that the intersection of Fourth and McCracken attained

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Our view

‘Quiet little street’ likely going fast’ About 30 Ozark residents signed a letter. More than 20 of them showed up to be heard by the Ozark Board of Aldermen.

They weren’t linking arms in effort to stand against a mighty developer, a multimillion project and everything the project stands for. They were at odds with one piece of a much larger plan, a boathouse.

One little green house on the Finley River is suddenly one of the most controversial buildings in Ozark. It’s one house, but North Fourth Street resident Dwight McNiel said he and his neighbors don’t want it to become part of Bass Pro Shops’ planned unit development for Finley Farms.

“We are not opposed to this project. We are not opposed to the PUD reclassification for the project. We’re only asking that the project not be allowed on Fourth Street in our residential neighborhood,” McNiel said.

The developers plan to renovate the historic Ozark Mill into a restaurant, bar and museum. The development will also have retail space, a bakery and a multi-purpose meeting area.

At a Nov. 5 meeting, developer Megan Morris (daughter of Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris) explained plans for the surrounding property, which will feature a chapel, a distillery or microbrewery, a day spa, a boutique hotel, rental cabins, golf cart paths, farming fields and orchards and a trail system. At the crux of it, sits a green house bordered by the Finley River, McCracken Road and North Fourth Street.

The house is located upstream from a retention dam, directly across from the boat ramp at Finley River Park. The developer would like to turn it into a boathouse and a place to rent kayaks and canoes.

“We feel this would give our guests a nice, quaint, private experience out there,” Morris said.

If the development moves across McCracken Road and onto North Fourth Street, neighboring property owners are worried that traffic will increase, the street will be busier with tourists and that their property values will decline. They are also worried about the dangers that increased traffic at the intersection of North Fourth Street and McCracken Road could pose.

McNiel called the intersection, “the lynchpin for the quality of life,” for people who own property on North Fourth Street.

Even if the Ozark Board of Aldermen votes against allowing the boathouse as part of the planned unit development, residents of Fourth Street will probably still experience an increase in tourism traffic and longer waits at their intersection with McCracken Road.

What’s more, they will also see heavier traffic at their next points of egress, regardless of which way they turn onto McCracken.

A development the size of Finley Farms is going to alter the neighborhood and the traffic. The next best action the property owners can take will be to appeal to their aldermen for traffic controls, maybe even stop signs or lights. If they truly want more safety, signalizing intersections will be the way to get it.

Peace and quiet will be more difficult for the board of aldermen to regulate. Fourth Street residents can hope that the Bass Pro developers follow through on their pledges to be neighborly and to place buffers between the commercial development and the adjacent property.

“

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

Calling off class probably the right call Kids in Christian County enjoyed two semisweet words on their social media timelines Monday: “early release.”

They aren’t quite as celebratory as “school closed,” but when snow is falling outside, it’s still something any kid can get excited for. The best feature of early releases for the school districts are that they won’t have to make up a fully-missed day later in the year.

I have absolutely no envy for the school district officials who make the call on whether or not school will be held in a winter weather event. In spite of their best efforts to gather information and evaluate the safety of road conditions, they are going to catch a ration of complaints no matter the decision they make.

If they decide to push through and hold classes, people will be upset that the school subjected kids and parents to unsafe road conditions. If they cancel class on a day where the roads clear thanks to improving conditions and hard-working road crews, then they are encouraging kids to be overly cautious.

Those gripes will come back around in May when makeup days extend the school year toward summer.

In my hometown of Pryor, Oklahoma, we had a school superintendent who was notorious for having school on days when snow and/or winter weather led all of our surrounding school districts to cancel class. One year, after some particularly icy precipitation, Dr. Burdick drove to work for a day at the office.

While walking from his car to our district’s board of administration office, Dr. Burdick slipped on a patch of ice and fell to the concrete, breaking his elbow.

The superintendent spent the day in the hospital, and as I recall, had to have

surgery to repair his broken arm.

We still went to school that day.

In more than 10 years working as a journalist, I have determined that parents will happily call just about anyone who doesn’t work at their child’s school in search of information on cancelations. Sometimes adults display the same type of behavior toward their employers.

When I was younger, I worked for a news/talk radio station at Lake of the Ozarks. I was very happy to work for an organization regarded as a go-to source for news, but I quickly became annoyed when employees of the outlet mall in Osage Beach would call me to find out if they were supposed to go to work that day.

“I don’t know. This is a radio station.

It’s not the Levi’s store. Call your boss,” I’d tell people.

A preschool in Camdenton sent out a letter advising parents to check our radio station for winter weather information.

They also, ridiculously, included our office phone number.

Here’s where the winter weather disaster happened: instead of listening to their radios, parents from that preschool called the radio station. About a hundred of them.

The phone calls started at around 5

a.m. and didn’t stop until 8 a.m. Then came the second wave of parents asking if their child’s preschool would have classes the next day.

At 8:30 a.m., I called the administrator of the preschool to read her the riot act.

“I’m trying to talk to the sheriff, and our MoDOT engineer and the power company to get some valuable information out to people, but I can’t do it because I’m too busy being your receptionist. What on earth gave you the idea to tell people to call our office? Why did you think that would be acceptable? Do you have any idea? Do you?” I fired off into the phone.

Looking back, it was pretty regrettable to unload my anger like that. Winter weather madness got the best of me.

Still, never will I ever advise anyone to send their child to that particular preschool.

You’ll hear it from lots of places, but here it goes again as we prepare for winter: don’t drive on slick roads if you don’t have to. Check the weather and the road reports from MoDOT and from your municipal department of public works before you travel. Allow yourself plenty of extra time. Dress in layers. Take a bottle of water. Be nice.

Rance Burger Rance is editor of the Christian County Headliner News. He’s a longtime Missouri journalist, an avid runner and a more avid coffee-drinker. ranceb@ccheadliner.com

quoteof the week See full story on page 5A.

“The development on Fourth Street will cause a loss of property values, increase congestion at the intersection of North Fourth and McCracken, increase vehicular and pedestrian traffic in general along Fourth Street, and undermine the neighborhood including loss of quiet enjoyment of our property.”

Andy Robinson, Ozark resident

letters to editor Give us your opinion. To submit letters to the editor, email news@ccheadliner.com.

• Letters must include a name, street address and phone number for verification purposes.

• Anonymous letters will not be printed.

• Letters should not exceed 300 words.

• Letters may be edited for brevity and libel.

• Writers are limited to one letter in a calendar month.

• As a rule, we do not publish letters about conflicts between a private individual and a private business, or letters about the alleged guilt, innocence or evidentiary accuracy of legal/judicial cases.

chadwickarea news I am sorry that last week’s news didn’t make it through the fax machine. I usually have a Monday morning routine to finish off the typing and running the news through just before “I load and go.” Just want you all to know I wasn’t in the hospital or out of town. I will check it closer from now on.

The sixth month physical is due on Thursday. It always seems strange that the forms all want to list them as “Glenda Marie” instead of just “Marie.”

My granddaughter, Julie, had a birthday on Nov. 8. Our little Willow in Colorado shared the same big day.

And, Ted and Kathy had an anniversary that day. We could have a big celebration every week at my house.

Joey, Kelby, Aleisha, and Hadley came down last Sunday evening for a while to get deer stands ready for this past weekend.

The PTO provided a big lunch for all the Chadwick school staff on Wednesday in appreciation for all the extra help with the recent carnival.

The Foundation Group met Thursday evening to make plans and make changes for next year’s craft fair.

Thanks to everyone for making this year’s event a success. The next event for this year is the Heritage Day next Tuesday, where the kids will learn some old time ways of daily living.

There will be several meetings this

week to get ready for the busy season ahead of us. I missed the annual Veterans Day celebration on Friday at the school. It was too late to get there by the time some cattle were put back in the right pasture and hay rolled out. I hear it was great.

Our family veterans include John, Joey, Cameron, and Colby. Colby is still on active duty.

My dad had four boys, but as a young kid growing up, he heard all the horror stories of the Civil War and our family. Feelings were still very strong in the early 1900s. He never wanted his boys to join the Army.

Joey got an eight-point deer on Saturday. Then, she got her doe Sunday morning. Kelby got a six-point and doe before noon. They both needed some time in the warm house by the time they had spent so much time in the very cold woods. It is strange how some years it is so warm they have to get the deer taken care of as soon as possible and the next one they freeze quite fast.

The big election was over on Tuesday evening. We all thought it would be so good to not have to hear any

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 HEADLINER NEWS and Nixa Enterprise

Entire contents ©2018, Christian County Headliner News and Nixa Enterprise; all rights reserved.

Copyright Notice: The entire contents of the Christian County Headliner News and Nixa Enterprise are fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced without the expressed written permission of the Christian County Headliner News and Nixa Enterprise.

114 N. Second Ave., P.O. Box 490, Ozark, Mo. 65721 Phone: (417) 581-3541; Fax: (417) 581-3577

The Christian County Headliner News and Nixa Enterprise (USPS: 416740) 114 N. Second Ave., PO Box 490, Ozark, MO 65721 is published weekly on Wednesdays, by Nowata Printing Company. Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates at Ozark, Missouri 65721.

General manager Tricia Chapman

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Newsroom Editor: Rance Burger ................................. ranceb@ccheadliner.com Associate Editor: Sydni Moore sydnim@ccheadliner.com Sports Editor: Pat Dailey……………………patd@ccheadliner.com Sales Tricia Chapman Office manager Ashley Sudheimer

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Contributors: Missouri Digital News reporters appear courtesy Missouri Press Association.

more of the hateful commercials. Boy, were we wrong. The recounts seem to be going on forever and ever. How can so many mistakes be made by educated people? People have lost the ability to get along with anyone who does not agree with them. How can 8,000 mistakes be made? Machines were supposed to make things easy with no mistakes.

Friends have commented a lot about the meteorite showing up on our local school playground in the middle of the night. Thank goodness for continuous filming of the school.

There was good visit with Darlene Applegate Sunday night. She was having some concerns about a friend who wasn’t doing so well. Getting ready for winter and carrying trash up a big hill was a big one.

I feel for all the folks involved in the wildfires of the west. All those trees are so beautiful until a fire hits them.

You all have a good week and stay well!

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.

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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, November 14, 2018

Page 7A

news

Crossword

CLUES DOWN 1. Insect drawn to

flame 2. A Spanish river 3. Reduce (Brit. sp.)

4. Wish well 5. Robots are an example 6. Young women 7. The tip 8. Young women’s association 9. One who is suspicious 10. A child’s apron 11. Not dirty 12. Fightin’ Irish football coach 14. People from Taiwan 17. Harry Belafonte’s daughter 20. Santa’’s helper 21. Cereal plants 23. Respectful address 25. Unit of electrical resistance 26. Used to managing without 27. Type of chair 29. London footballers 30. Vaccine developer 32. 10 meters 34. Type of story: __ fi 35. Covering on birds’ beaks 37. Small freshwater fish 40. Confederate soldier 42. Female sibling 43. Belgian city 47. An electrically charged atom 49. A way to entertain 50. Regenerate 52. Highly flammable liquid 53. Mark 55. Not good 56. Eloquent Roman orator 57. Absence of difficulty 58. Kazakhstan district 59. Plateau 61. Midway between northeast and east 65. Military policeman

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES ON PAGE 9A

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!

Submitted photo Clockwise from top left: A Flying Fortress with one of its engines on fire. Lieutenant William ‘Bill’ Soules bumped a regular crewman off the flight so he could be an observer, but he got more than he bargained for and spent the remainder of the war in a German stalag. Pilot Edward Bender’s German-issued prisoner of war identification card.

MOzarks Moments: Flying Fortress goes down in flames

M

Ozarks

oments

Lieutenants Edward Bender and Earl Woodard, both from Missouri, were about to leave Glatton Army Air Base in England on a bombing mission to a German airfield in France.

It was April 25, 1944, and while any mission carried an inherent risk, this was not like one of their higher-risk bombing runs over Germany.

As the crew was preparing the B-17G for takeoff, two men appeared and announced that they were going on the flight as observers, and so they would replace two of the crew members previously assigned to the flight. The newcomers were lieutenants Jack Hotaling, the group gunnery officer, and Bill Soules, who was the pilot of a newly-arrived replacement crew. Soules would be serving as the waist gunner on the flight.

Little did they know that their decision to go along on this fateful flight would not only have a big effect on their lives, but also on the two men they bumped from the flight who would be safe in their barracks that night.

The flight went smoothly until the Flying Fortress reached the target area. It was socked in with clouds, so they could not see to drop their bombs. While

By Paul Johns

most of the bombers headed back toward England, the mission commander in their B-17, Maj. Rod Francis, told Bender to instead head for the western coast of France to see if their group (12 bombers per group) could find a submarine “pen” to bomb as a “target of opportunity.”

In order to have enough fuel for this secondary run, they had to drain the extra fuel in the wing-tip tanks into the main tanks. As this was being done, Edward Bender recalled in his memoir that the ship made a big jump and the right waist gunner yelled out, “Fire in the No. 4 engine!”

Bender made no mention in his memoir of being under fire by German anti-aircraft guns at that time.

However, an article in the June 5, 1944, issue of the Southwest Missourian out of Cape Girardeau reported that he was missing in action and said his plane was shot down.

German anti-aircraft flak was one of the biggest dangers faced by the Flying Fortresses. There was no dodging the flak, and so they were forced to fly through it. The German shells were designed to explode out shrapnel that would tear its way through the bombers. The “effective ceiling” of the anti-aircraft

guns was up to 37,100 feet.

Bender’s B-17 was flying at 23,500 feet when it caught fire.

Whether the “big jump” he felt was the plane being struck by flak or was the result of the No. 4 engine catching fire, and a resulting explosion of the fuel, is open to speculation.

Whether it was mechanical failure or enemy flak, the resulting fire was fast and furious.

Almost immediately after the fire warning was yelled out, the major gave the command to abandon ship. That command was followed by the top turret gunner yelling that the fire was already into the bomb bay.

Bender stayed in his seat long enough to turn the big bomber toward the English channel, so he was the last crewman to bail out. Upon landing, Bender was quickly captured by German soldiers and taken to a large barn that was being used as a temporary headquarters.

Bender was astonished to see that behind the barn was the burned wreckage of their B-17.

He described the scene thusly: “Its tail was in the top of the tree and little wisps of smoke were still rising here and there. The fuselage came down at about a 45-degree angle, ending on the ground at the radio room.

From there forward, everything was either burned or shattered. The plexiglass nose was some 20 yards farther down the hill; the left wing, down to the number-one engine, rested on another tree; and about 10 feet of the right

wing had slid along the ground almost to the side of the barn.

On the left, a gouge in the ground ended where the No. 2 engine had come to rest. On the right, the No. 4 engine lay at the end of a similar groove, having just missed the back corner of the barn. There was no sign of the No. 3 engine.”

Already captured and sitting on top of a machine gun “pill box” was their bomber’s ball turret gunner. As it turned out, six of the eleven crew members were captured by the Germans. The other five, who were not captured, were the first ones to bail out and they landed in the interior of France where it was less sparsely populated by the German military.

The last six to bail out had been carried closer to the coast of France in the burning bomber and landed among the plentiful German forces guarding the coastal area. In addition to Edward Bender, one of those half-dozen captives was one of the observers on the flight. Bill Soules was from Oklahoma and he ended up in a German Stalag and remained there until liberated by Allied troops, as did the other five captives.

The remaining five crewmen who bailed out of the burning bomber landed where they had better odds of not being immediately captured. But they still were up against a harrowing, perilous journey if they were to get out of German-occupied France.

Next week: The French Resistance, close calls, and hardships aplenty.

Letter to the Editor:

Well done, Nixa High School As a veteran, my husband never wants his horn tooted, so it’s hard to get him to attend Veterans Day events. Nixa High School has an annual Veterans Day assembly and luncheon, and I twisted Rob’s arm into RSVP’ing and going this time, because our son played at the assembly in the wind ensemble.

We were so impressed and delighted! It was such a wellplanned, well-executed event, and really made the vets feel appreciated. Upon entering, we were greeted by JROTC members and directed to the library, where there were all kinds of lovely signs and decorations and gorgeous flowers welcom-

ing the vets. They served coffee and cookies, and showed a video with pictures of each vet in attendance.

When it was time for the assembly, each individual vet was announced (name, branch, years of service) and got to walk into the gym through an honor guard with raised sabers. There was enthusiastic applause the whole time. The wind ensemble played beautifully, the chamber choir sang beautifully, and there was a very interesting speaker who was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam.

It was so wonderful to see all of the students and faculty there honoring the veterans. After the

assembly, the vets went back to the library for a delicious luncheon, complete with cake.

We sat and visited at length with another couple of band parents, one of whom is also a vet.

The whole thing was just so lovely, and we will definitely make it an annual tradition. I told Rob that after 22.5 years of service and all of the sacrifices he made, he deserves to be honored. Many kudos to Nixa High School for all the effort and care put into this event. It’s such a wonderful thing for the community!

Amy Safely Nixa

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CLUES ACROSS 1. Type of toast 6. Peter Griffin’s daughter 9. A group 13. Ancient Greek unit of weight 14. Small amounts 15. Ready and __ 16. Right 17. Asian antelope 18. Cambodian monetary unit 19. Type of leather 21. Secret clique 22. Cabbage and cole are two 23. Burmese ethnic group 24. Empire State 25. Be in debt 28. Italian monk’s title 29. Asian plants 31. Everyone has one 33. One who can’t sleep 36. “Glengarry, Glen Ross” playwright 38. Shock therapy 39. Cavalry sword 41. A must-have 44. Type of fabric 45. French composer 46. A type of pen 48. Snout 49. One of the six noble gases 51. Married woman 52. Register formally (Brit.)

54. Greek sorceress 56. Depository library 60. A tightknit group 61. Ancient units of measurement 62. He was Batman 63. Dry or withered 64. Margosa tree 65. Tables (Span.)

66. Large jug 67. Make a mistake 68. Puerto Rican genre of music “La __”

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Wednesday, November 14, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

obituaries & death notices Dorothy Jean “Jeannie” Cheek

Jerry Roy Wood Dec. 5, 1940Oct. 30, 2018 Funeral: A graveside serve was be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 10, at Ava City Cemetery, with Rev. Oren Alcorn officiating. No visitation is planned. Donations may be made in honor of Jerry to the American Kidney Fund or to the American Diabetes Association. Online condolences may also be shared at http://barnesfamilyfunerals. com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark.

Jerry Roy Wood, 77, of Ava, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018, surrounded by his loving family, at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. He was born Dec. 5, 1940, the son of Roy and Fern (Davis) Wood.

During the summer of 1959, Jerry and his girlfriend, Sharon, graduated from Ava High School. Following school, Sharon and her family moved to California. Approximately four short months later, Jerry made the trip to California with a wedding ring and made a proposal to his high school sweetheart. On Dec. 16, 1961, Jerry and Sharon (Sellers) were united in marriage.

Jerry was a long-time Douglas County resident and a well-known business man. Early in his career, Jerry attended Automotive Mechanic and Repair School in Kansas City and completed his certification.

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Barnes Family Funeral Home Ozark, MO

www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com

For 16 years, he enjoyed the manager position at the Ava Texaco station. Later, Jerry was owner and operator of his own automotive mechanic repair business and farm implement sales until his retirement in 2003. Jerry was also a family man that centered his life around his children and grandchildren. In his spare time, he enjoyed numerous fishing trips, hunting and working on his farm.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Sharon; sister Teresa Stillings and husband Leroy; son Steve Wood and wife Regina; daughter Lisa Jenkins and husband Jerry; grandchildren Tyler Wood and fiancé Jennifer Stewart, Cally Parker and husband Ely, Brandon Jenkins and Kaitlyn Jenkins; great-grandchildren Blair Wood-Oxley, Beckham Parker, Brynn Parker, Baylor Parker, Jackson Stewart and Kaityn Stewart.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Judy Lakey.

Roger William Sanders June 20, 1950Nov. 5, 2018 Funeral services were Thursday, Nov. 8, at Wasson Funeral Home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Pastor Bruce Boehmer officiating. Burial followed at 2:30 p.m., Nov. 8, at George’s Creek Cemetery in Yellville, Arkansas. Visitation was from 9-10 a.m., Nov. 8, at Wasson Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CORE Academy of Science. To sign the online guestbook, visit http://www.wassonfuneralhome.com.

Roger William Sanders was born in Springfield on June 20, 1950. He died on Nov. 5, 2018. His parents were Hallie (Firestone) and Roy Lee Sanders.

Roger attended elementary and high school in Nixa. He received a Bachelor of Arts from College of the Ozarks and then a master’s degree from the University of Michigan. He received his PhD in plant science from the University of Texas.

In 1980, he married Connie Stanley and they had two children, Nathan Clark and Rachel Leigh.

Roger worked at Ohio State as a post doctorate and then accepted a job at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami, Florida. He worked as a consultant and also for Botanical Research Institute of Texas in Fort Worth, Texas. After moving from Texas, Roger taught in the biology department of Bryan College in Tennessee. The last few years, he was assistant director of CORE Academy of Science.

He and Connie retired in 2016 and moved to Arkansas.

Roger is survived by his wife, Connie; son, Nathan (Karen), and grandson, Jonas all of Seattle; and daughter Leigh of Phoenix. He is also survived by a brother, J.E. Scroggins of Humansville, Missouri; two sisters, Linda Bandy (Wayne) of Kansas City, and Gail Klesen of Bella Vista, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Feb. 9, 1939-Nov. 4, 2018 Services were Nov. 8, at Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark, with Chaplain Suzy Lynch officiating. Jeannie was cremated following her request, and interred at Delaware Cemetery, Clever.

Online condolences may be shared at http://barnesfamilyfunerals.com.

Dorothy Jean “Jeannie” Cheek, 79, died Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018, after residing for an extended time at Ozark Nursing and Care Center. She was born Feb. 9, 1939, the daughter of Herman Lee and Merle Agnes (Gardner) Wheat. Jeannie was a loving mother, grandmother and sister who treasured her time with family and friends and always placed the needs of others above her own. She was a devout Christian who loved gospel music and going to church.

Jeannie is lovingly survived by her family which includes a brother, Jim

William “Bill” Wesley Lilley

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Barnes Family Funeral Home Ozark, MO

www.barnesfamilyfunerals.com

Wheat and wife Barbara; a daughter, Heather Bradford and husband Chris La Rose, with grandchildren Tiffany, Christian and Christopher; additional grandchildren Cody, Mckayla, and Kloey; and numerous nieces, nephews and other dear loved ones.

Jeannie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Patrick Cheek; brother Richard Wheat; infant granddaughter Cassandra Barnett; as well as her son, James Barnett (July 10, 1972- December 25, 2008), for who we will also share this remembrance.

Eugene Howard “Gene” Ruble Feb. 24, 1926Nov. 4, 2018 Funeral took place Nov. 9, at Adams Funeral Home, Ozark. Visitation took place one hour prior to funeral.

Burial to be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield.

Memorial donations may be made to Cassidy United Methodist Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Eugene Howard “Gene” Ruble, 92, of Fremont Hills, died in his home Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. He was born Feb. 24, 1926, in Plato, the son of Henry and Mollie (Handley) Ruble.

Following graduation from Lebanon High School, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served his country as a decorated soldier and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Following his enlistment, he attended Southwest Missouri State University (now MSU) and graduated in 1950 with a bachelor’s degree in education. He served as a teacher and basketball coach for Ironton and later for Lebanon High School. He received a master’s degree from the University of Missouri. In 1959, Gene became an agent for State Farm Insurance in Lebanon. He advanced to regional director and in 1973 became vice president for American National Property and Casualty Company. Gene retired as president of American National in 1990. Following retirement, he became a home builder in Fremont Hills.

Gene was an All-Star basketball player for MSU,

where he was a letterman and first-team all-conference four consecutive seasons. His basketball accomplishments were recognized by his induction into both the MSU Athletic Hall of Fame and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. Always generous, Gene donated his time to numerous boards and organizations, serving as president of both the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Missouri and the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of Cassidy United Methodist Church. Gene enjoyed golf and spending time with friends. He also enjoyed the companionship of his faithful dog, Zoie.

Gene is survived by his wife, Ginger; a son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Karen Ruble of Springfield; a grandson, Chase Ruble and wife Lily of Richardson, Texas; and two step-children, Donald Lee, of Ozark, and Kathy Roy with husband Jeff, of Nixa.

Gene was preceded in death by three brothers, Clyde, Claude and Clinton Ruble; and his parents.

Sept. 6, 1930Nov. 8, 2018 Services were Nov. 12, at the Christian Church, Nixa.

Graveside service followed at 11 a.m. Nov. 13, at the Isabella Cemetery in Isabella, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.

William “Bill” Wesley Lilley, 88, of Springfield, died Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018. He was born Sept. 6, 1930, in Okeene, Oklahoma, the son of Herman Jefferson and Martha (Oliver) Lilley. On May 15, 1948, he was united in marriage with Twyla Joan Fuller.

Bill graduated from Central State College in Edmond, Oklahoma with a degree in music education in 1951. Following graduation, his 40-year teaching and administrative career included positions in Dexter, Bucklin, St. John, Lyons and Dodge City, Kansas, where his marching bands became legendary. In 1971, he received his master’s degree from Wichita State University and became the Supervisor of Music for the Hutchinson, Kansas School District, overseeing the band, orchestra and vocal music programs. He was loved by his students and colleagues alike and over the years his bands performed at two NFL halftimes and three bowl games. Bill was well-known and respected as a director, administrator and leader in Kansas music education.

He served as President of the KMEA from 1977-1979 and was inducted into the KMEA Hall of Fame in 2013.

Nothing gave him as much pleasure as hearing from his former students, wheth-

er they continued in music professionally or just recalled the special times being part of one of his bands.

Bill was active in the Christian Church in Lyons, Kansas and the Nixa Christian Church and many civic organizations. Fishing, hunting, camping, boating and Lady Bears basketball were life-long passions and he shared those passions with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his three sons and their wives, Wesley and Patricia Lilley of Centennial, Colorado, Jeffrey and Susie Lilley of Rose Hill, Kansas, and Gregg and Cathy Lilley of Fordland, Missouri; 10 grandchildren, Nathan Lilley, Travis Lilley, Jason Lilley, Casey Lilley, Ayrin Billups, Alex Lilley, Craig Meitler, Kim Meitler, Jason Henry and Shawn Lilley; 16 great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Sylvia Wright of Fairview, Oklahoma; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Twyla; a brother, Carl Lilley; a sister, Ethel Wilhelm; three brothers-in-law, Oral Fuller, Virgil Wilhelm and Jim Wright; two sisters-in law, Myrtle Lilley and Barbara Geis; and his parents.

Sophia Claire Tahiri Funeral was held Nov. 13, at Adams Funeral Home, Nixa. Burial followed at McConnell-Bledsoe Cemetery, Nixa.

Sophia Claire Tahiri, of Nixa, passed away at the age of one month and two weeks old, after a valiant fight for her life. This small, little girl had the fight of a warrior. She overcame many life-threatening conditions. Sophia had perseverance, was long-suffering and beamed of love.

She taught her mother and father more about love than they thought was possible. In Sophia’s short, little life, she made a lasting impression on her family and caretakers.

Sophia is survived by her parents, Hakim and

Jennifer Tahiri, of Nixa; a sister, Abby Lay, of Nixa; her paternal grandparents, Nessredine Tahiri, of Oujda, Morocco and Yamina Khir of Queens, New York; her maternal grandparents, William and Kathleen Lay, of Nixa; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Ozark man dies in house fire Headliner News staff

Submitted photo

An Ozark man died in a house fire in southern Christian County on Nov. 6.

The Ozark Fire Protection District reports that Jesse Taylor, 41, died as a result of injuries sustained in the single-family home on Capp Hill Ranch Road.

When they arrived at the home, firefighters found a fire in the kitchen. Investigators with the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Ozark Fire Protection District are working to determine what caused the deadly fire. Taylor was the only occupant of the house and the only person harmed.

Firefighters put the blaze out in about 45 minutes.

Capp Hill Ranch Road is in southern Christian County off of State Route W, just northeast of the Busiek State Forest.

French Club serves Nixa Nixa High School French Club students worked at the Christian Associates Thrift Store. Students swept, put five Christmas trees together and tested the lights, folded clothes and helped bag items for customers. Pictured, from left: Anna Moles, Kaitlyn Carter, Ethan Armour, Mitchell Harris, Kaitlyn Jones, Zakiyyah West and Mathew Henry.

PUZZLE ANSWERS from page 7A

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Early deadlines for holiday schedule Due to holiday scheduling there will be earlier-than-normal deadlines for the Dec. 26, 2018, and Jan. 2, 2019, editions of the Christian County Headliner News.

Legal deadlines will be moved up to 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, and 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, respectively.

Other advertising deadlines will be at noon on Dec. 20, and Dec. 27.

The newspaper will go to press earlier than usual both weeks, so effort to make content submissions such as press releases or letters to the editor should also be done earlier than usual, at 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, and 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 28, respectively.

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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Election results for Christian County U.S. Senator Missouri (3,256 of 3,256)

Sydni Moore/Headliner News The Vineyard’s tables were nearly full as watch party attendees waited for election results.

Voter turnout exceeds expectations More than 62 percent of Christian County voters cast ballots on Nov. 6. Christian County Clerk Kay Brown reported a turnout of 58,355, which exceeded her initial expectation of a 50 percent voter turnout.

At least 100 of those voters sat inside The Vineyard that night to watch for election returns. As restaurant owner Heather Davis scurried about taking care of guests, State Rep. Lynn Morris, State Rep. Eric Burlison and auditor candidate and Jefferson City attorney Sandra McDowell chatted with each other and friends.

Morris was reelected to represent the 140th

Patrons gather around a television playing Fox News during The Vineyard’s watch party.

House District, while Burlison was elected to the Missouri Senate.

McDowell lost a close Rep. Lynn Morris (left) chats with newrace to incumbent Nicole ly-elected State Sen. Eric Burlison among Galloway. the crowd.

Burlison to represent Christian County in Missouri Senate RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger Eric Burlison has his sights set on taking the spirit of the Ozarks to Jefferson City.

Burlison won election to the Missouri Senate by taking more than 73 percent of the vote in the race for the Missouri 20th Senate District with all precincts reporting. Winning the election with was the first step toward a loftier goal of serving the maximum-allowable eight years.

Burlison “You want to make it meaningful and you want to have a tremendous impact for the people that you know and love,” Burlison said.

Burlison took 62,247 votes to Democrat Jim Billedo's 22,006.

Burlison is an experienced lawmaker, having served as a state representative for the past eight years. He will replace State Sen. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa, whose time in the Missouri General Assembly ends because of term limits.

“Jay has a great legacy. He has not only served as our senator, but he served as a state representative before that and

then as a mayor in Nixa,” Burlison said.

Burlison said he got to know Wasson while the two served together at the state capitol.

“I had the honor of working with Jay and considered him a Submitted photo mentor whenev- An official map from the Missouri Secretary of er I served in the State’s Office shows Missouri Senate District 20.

House of Repthe families are able to be sucresentatives. He was my (committee) chairman, cessful without being dependent on others,” Burlison said. and I was proud to take over as “When people from all over the the chairman for the commitworld come through this area, tee that he chaired,” Burlison one thing they’ll remark upon said. “I think we worked very is how kind and truly genuine well together, and I will still see people are.” him as somebody that I will Professionally, Burlison look to for guidance.” works in computer software Burlison points to his record and owns a small business of legislating for tort law reform owning rental homes. in the Missouri House, where Wasson reached the limit on he sponsored legislation that the time he may legally serve in makes it more difficult for busithe Missouri General Assembly. nesses and individuals to be sued by trial attorneys. Burlison Wasson was first elected to the Missouri House of Representasaid he intends to continue tives in 2002 and then elected to sponsor acts of tort reform to the Missouri Senate for the while serving in the Missouri first time in 2010. He has served Senate. the maximum-allowed 16 years Burlison also hopes to vote in Jefferson City. for law changes in such a way Gov. Mike Parson recently that reflects what the people of appointed Wasson to a position southwest Missouri value. on the Missouri Tourism Com“I want to ensure that this mission. community is strong and that

Morris re-elected to Missouri House of Representatives RANCE BURGER & SYDNI MOORE news@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerNews Lynn Morris will serve a fourth and final term in the Missouri House of Representatives.

Morris notched 12,289 votes to take 73.5 percent of the popular vote with all 17 precincts reporting to win the state representative position for Missouri’s 140th House District. Democratic challenger Tony Smith received 3,989 votes, or 23.85 percent of the vote while Green Party challenger Robert Debbaut took Morris 2.67 percent of the votes with 446.

Morris believes his experience representing eastern Christian County in the Missouri House of Representatives aided his campaign.

“Six years of being in office is definitely an advantage over my opponent,” Morris said.

“Also, I think being in business 41 years was an advantage for me. You get to know people.”

Morris attended a loud and bustling Election Night watch party on Tuesday at the Vineyard Market in Ozark.

In the August primary, Morris defeated Republican challenger Jason Shaffer 3,443-

2,755, securing 55.55 percent of the 6,198 votes across 17 polling precincts.

Morris was first elected to the Missouri House in 2012, and re-elected by eastern Christian County voters in 2014 and in 2016. Morris is a pharmacist and the president and owner of Family Pharmacy.

Family Pharmacy filed for bankruptcy in May 2018.

“I officially retired in April and we sold our company Aug. 31,” Morris said. “My employees all have a job and they are hiring new people. The stores all stayed in tact, they are keeping all the stores open.

Our customer base is being taken care of.”

Morris said that someday the new owners, Smith Drug, might change Family Pharmacy, but he isn’t worried about what could happen. He also doesn’t think the bankruptcy will create much negativity or hamper his ability to be a leader in Christian County.

Morris expects Republicans to hold majority control of the House, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t willing to work with Democrats to pass legislation he believes in.

“In 2012 when I first won office, the civility, working together in Jefferson City was better. I would say that every two years it seems like we’re losing a little bit of the civility up in Jefferson City.

That being said, we are still so much better off working

together than they are in D.C.,” Morris said.

Morris is currently the vice chair of the Missouri House Health and Mental Health Police Committee. He also sits on the Fiscal Review Committee, the Insurance Policy Committee and the Interim Committee of Stabilizing Missouri’s Health Insurance Markets.

Morris has lived in Fremont Hills since 1978 with his wife, Janet. They have three grown children, Justin, Melissa and Mandy.

% votes Josh Hawley (R) 51.43 1,245,732 Claire McCaskill (D) 45.46 1,101,377 Japheth Campbell (L) 1.1 27,413 Jo Crain (G) 0.5 13,165 Craig O'Dear (I) 1.4 33,142 Christian County Josh Hawley (R) 69.6 25,378 Claire McCaskill (D) 27.0 9,880 Japheth Campbell (L) 1.3 485 Jo Crain (G) 0.4 161 Craig O'Dear (I) 1.3 472 State Auditor Missouri % votes Saundra McDowell (R) 44.6 1,060,066 Nicole Galloway (D) 50.37 1,197,020 Sean O'Toole (L) 2.1 51,468 Don Fitz (G) 0.7 18,388 Jacob Luetkemeyer (Const.)

2.0 48,384 Christian County Saundra McDowell (R) 57.9 20,751 Nicole Galloway (D) 37.8 13,551 Sean O'Toole (L) 2.6 940 Don Fitz (G) 0.5 208 Jacob Luetkemeyer (Const.)

1.0 363 U.S. Rep. Dist. 7 (332 of 332)

% votes Missouri Billy Long (R) 66.3 195,872 Jamie Daniel Schoolcraft (D) 29.9 88.642 Benjamin T. Brixey (L) 3.6 10,833 Christian County Billy Long (R) 69.8 25,186 Jamie Daniel Schoolcraft (D) 26.3 9,505 Benjamin T. Brixey (L) 3.7 1,348 State Senator - Dist. 20 (63 of 63) % votes Eric Burlison (R) 73.9 62,247 Jim Billedo (D) 26.1 22,006

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State Rep. - Dist. 138 (27 of 27) % votes Brad Hudson (R) 100 14,730 State Rep. - Dist. 139 (13 of 13) % votes Jered Taylor (R) 75.0 12,784 Cora Hanf (D) 24.8 4,232 State Rep. - Dist. 140 (17 of 17) % votes Lynn Morris (R) 73.7 10,085 Tony Smith (D) 23.4 3,211 Robert Debbaut (G) 2.7 372 38th Circuit Judge, D-I (27 of 27) Laura Johnson (R) 98.6 30,611 38th Circuit Judge, D-III (27 of 27) Jessica L. Kruse (R) 98.7 30,564 38th Circuit Judge, D-IV (27 of 27) Doug Bacon (R) 98.7 30,562 Christian County Presiding Commissioner (27 of 27) % votes Ralph Phillips (R) 75.6 26,683 Bob Rubino (D) 24.3 8,580 County Clerk (27 of 27) Kay Brown (R) 98.9 30,678 Circuit Clerk (27 of 27) Barbie Barnett-Stillings

(R) 98.9 30,428

Recorder of Deeds (27 of 27) Kelly Blunt Hall (R) 98.9 30,269 Collector of Revenue (27 of 27) Ted Nichols (R) 98.9 30,691 Prosecuting Attorney (27 of 27) Amy J. Fite (R) 98.7 30,026 County Auditor (27 of 27) Amy Dent (R) 99.0 30,241 Judge retention Shall Judge W. Brent Powell of the Missouri Supreme Court be retained in office? % votes Yes 71.3 1,452,787 No 28.6 583,178

Shall Judge Mary Rhodes Russell of the Missouri Supreme Court be retained in office?

Yes 71.9 1,452,787 No 28.6 569,200 Shall Judge Jeffrey Bates of the Court of Appeals, Southern District be retained in office?

Yes 75.1 353,455 No 24.9 117,138 (782 of 782) Constitutional Amendment No. 1

% votes Yes 61.9 1,459,576 No 38.0 895,012

Constitutional Amendment No. 2 Yes 65.5 1,572,592 No 34.5 826,777 Constitutional Amendment No. 3 Yes 31.4 747,977 No 68.6 1,631,228 Constitutional Amendment No. 4 (3,256 of 3,256) Yes 52.4 1,186,642 No 47.6 1,079,356 Proposition B Yes 62.3 1,488,368 No 37.7 901,808 Proposition C Yes 43.5 1,031,371 No 56.5 1,339,299 Proposition D Yes 46.4 1,101,830 No 53.6 1,274,099 City of Clever Question 1

% votes Shall the city of Clever, Missouri continue applying and collecting the local use tax at the same rate as the total local sales tax rate, currently at a rate of one and eight hundred seventy-five thousandth percent (1.875%), provided that if the local sales tax is repealed, reduced or raised by voter approval, the local use tax shall also be repealed, reduced or raised by the same action?

Yes 74.1 642 No 25.9 224

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Wednesday, November 14, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

news

Cemetery caretaker, veterans honored Headliner News staff

Donald Patrick devoted more than 40 years of his life to caring for Eisenhour Cemetery.

It’s a place of peace and remembrance on the grounds of Eisenhour Church, south of Spokane off of U.S. Highway 160 in the far southeastern corner of Christian County.

His great-grandfather, John Patrick, came to Missouri from Virginia.

He homesteaded in southeastern Christian County south of what is now Spokane,

Submitted photo Left to right: Brent Cannell, Tori Crandall and Samantha Cannell place the cornerstone for the Glen L. Smith Walkway in Nixa.

and donated the land around Eisenhour Church for what is now Eisenhour Cemetery.

Many of John Patrick 's grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been involved in the care and upkeep of the Eisenhour Cemetery.

Saturday, Nov. 3, Don Patrick was honored for his work as a cemetery caretaker. A new flagpole will fly the American flag over the cemetery each day.

Patrick received a plaque.

Adelyn and Aryanna Baxter sang the National Anthem and led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance. After the ceremony, a group of veterans from an American Legion group from Branson placed flags on all the veterans’ graves.

Submitted photo A new flagpole and American flag fly over Eisenhour Cemetery near Spokane.

Memorial walkway dedication in Nixa Nov. 17 Headliner News staff

Submitted photo Volunteers, from left to right, Steve Black, Chandler Cannell, Kelly Dial, Samantha Cannell and Tori Crandall dig ground for a memorial walkway at America Legion Nixa Memorial Post 434. the mission of service whether veterans, fire, police and other emergency personnel.”

People are invited to the unveiling and dedication ceremony at the American Legion Nixa Memorial Post 434, 591 McCroskey Street in Nixa. The event is free to attend, and refreshments will be served following the ceremony.

“This event is the first step to recognizing those that have paved the way for our freedoms,” Holt said. “This wasn’t just the board of directors it was the entire American Legion Family here in Nixa and the community, which without this support we would be alone in our efforts.”

The American Heritage Charities, a new local non-profit affiliate of American Legion Post 434, created and organized the walkway and raised funds to support it.

On Sat., Nov. 3, the American Heritage Char-

Submitted photo Pictured with Eisenhour Cemetery caretaker Donald Patrick (seated, center) is his wife, Evelyn, his brother Junior and wife, Mary, as well as many of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Submitted photo Brent Cannell places memorial bricks at the Glen L. Smith Walkway in Nixa ities Board of Directors, and the members of the Nixa American Legion Family comprised of local American Legionnaires, the American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion Auxiliary Juniors and Sons of the American Legion broke ground and

installed pre-purchased engraved bricks.

American Heritage Charities is still accepting donations for the project’s continued growth and community park development, which can be made online at americanheritagecharities.org.

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Christian County

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Quilt of Valor Retired Navy veteran Robert Davidson of Ozark received the “Quilt of Valor” from the Isaac Garrison Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Davidson is pictured with Regent Joanna Bradley and Registrar Karen Scott, who hand made the quilt.

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The Nixa American Legion Family of the American Legion Post 434 and the American Heritage Charities are joining together for the unveiling and dedication of the Glen L. Smith Memorial Walkway on Sat., Nov. 17, at 10 a.m.

The Glen L. Smith Walkway is named after Post Commander Glen Smith of Nixa, who has served in this capacity for five years.

The walkway is a brick pathway that includes the names of individuals who have protected and served the United States. It is a tribute to remember military service members and emergency responders.

So far, 18 engraved bricks have been purchased by local business and community members, and those bricks are already installed in the walkway. American Heritage Charities and the American Legion are looking forward to adding many more names to the pathway.

“Commander Smith has unselfishly given his time, ideas and support to not only the American Legion but also to the veterans of Christian and Greene Counties in letting them know we are here to help,” Charles Holt, president of American Heritage Charities, said.

“His involvement with the cities of Nixa and Ozark has also helped in getting the word out that ‘we can help our own’ in trying times. This walkway and park will honor those that have passed on, and the ones that continue with

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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news

Veterans receive ‘honor quilts’ at ceremony in Clever RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger Kerin Hatch has been making quilts for military veterans for a decade.

Over the past 10 years, more than 50 men and women have received one of Mrs. Hatch’s handmade quilts as a “thank you,” for their service to the country.

Hatch presented 10 more quilts to veterans on Nov. 8, at a ceremony at Clever Middle School.

Each quilt came with an inscription, which read in part, “This quilt was made for you out of appreciation for your dedication and service to our country.”

Hatch encouraged the veterans to think of the quilt as a hug, providing “warmth when they need it.”

The 10 honored guests were treated to performances by fourth and fifth grade choir students and the seventh and eighth grade band.

Rance Burger/Headliner News U.S. military veterans, from left, George Cutbirth and James French talk with each other before the start of a Veterans Day ceremony at Clever Middle School.

Rance Burger/Headliner News U.S. Army veteran George Cutbirth (center) hugs valor quilt maker Kerin Hatch of Clever at a Veterans Day ceremony at Clever Middle School on Nov. 8.

The school district recognized Army veterans George Cutbirth, Ken Helvey, John Weno and Dale Williams, Navy veterans James French, Sid Smith, Wayne Sullivan and Ray Thompson, Air Force veteran Bill Hardy and U.S. Marine

Rance Burger/Headliner News A former U.S. Marine stands to be recognized during the playing of the Marines’ Hymn at a Veterans Day ceremony at Clever Middle School on Nov. 8.

Corps veteran William Kearnes.

Clever Middle School Principal Justin Sullivan gave a short speech, thanking all military veterans for their commitment.

“It is their service and sacrifice that has kept our country safe and free. No matter which branch you served in, whatever your job or

Kerin Hatch (left) has been making quilts for military veterans for a decade.

task, how many years you served, committing yourself to service in the military was a brave and selfless act,” Sullivan said.

Rance Burger/Headliner News

Submitted photos More than 2,000 educators from across the region gathered at James River Church in Ozark to attend the annual STAR Summit Nov. 6.

Educators collaborate at annual STAR Summit Headliner News staff

They are rivals in sports, but allies in education.

More than 2,000 educators from Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Willard and regional school districts learned from each other Nov. 6, during the annual Shaping Teachers Across the Region (STAR) Summit.

The day began with more than 200 educator-led breakout sessions at Republic High School and Willard High School.

Sessions ranged from classroom tips and tricks, engagement and motivation techniques, technology integration, mental and emotional well-being, and just about everything in between in order to positively impact more than 20,000 students throughout the region.

In the afternoon, teachers met at James River Church in Ozark for a keynote presentation by Dr. Heidi

Submitted photo

JTSD principal wins leadership award Dr. Jennifer Chastain (third from left), principal of the John Thomas School of Discovery in Nixa, was awarded the Transformational Leadership Award from Missouri State University.

The award is given to “dedicated leaders who shine in the areas of progressive, future-ready learning.”

Submitted photo Teachers from Nixa, Ozark, Republic, Willard and other school districts shared ideas and concepts at the haping Teachers Across the Region Summit.

Follow us on Twitter — www.twitter.com/HeadlinerNews

Hays Jacobs, an author and internationally-recognized education leader known for her work in curriculum mapping, curriculum integration, and developing 21st century approaches to teaching and learning.

Submitted photo The teachers who attended STAR Summit on Nov. 6, at Republic, Willard and Ozark reach an estimated 20,000 students across southwest Missouri.

Dear Citizens of Christian County, I am very grateful and humbled to be re-elected to serve the good people of Christian County.

We had great voter turnout which is a tribute to our citizens. My pledge is to work across party lines to assure we are making progress to the betterment of our individuals, our communities, and our state. Let’s all work together to continue to keep Christian County great!

Thank you again for your support!

Sincerely, Lynn Morris, State Representative, District 140 Eastern Christian County.

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Please do not call the Ozark Community Center with questions.

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Wednesday, November 14, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

Nixa Community Center Veteran’s Day Ceremony Headliner News staff

The Nixa Community Center hosted a Veteran’s Day Ceremony Nov. 10 at 9 a.m. Celebrations included the pledge of allegiance, the national

anthem, a warm welcome by Nixa Vietnam War Veteran and VFW member Al Michel, a guest speaker, and a Girl Scout troop choir. Vietnam and Korea War Veterans were present as well as younger soldiers.

Sydni Moore/Headliner News Al Michel welcomes ceremony attendees inside a community room at the Nixa X Center.

Sydni Moore/Headliner News The Nixa Community Center hosted an indoor Veterans Day ceremony with veterans who served overseas in Sydni Moore/Headliner News Korea, Vietnam and in the Middle East.

A group of Girl Scouts salute the American flag during a song.

RANCE BURGER ranceb@ccheadliner.com @RanceBurger He is accused of impersonating a police officer, and Halloween was not part of his excuse.

Kevin Hagey, 38, of Branson is accused of stealing a cell phone stand from an Ozark business, and telling the store manager that we was a police officer, complete with a badge.

Hagey is charged with false impersonation of a law enforcement officer, misdemeanor stealing and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. All of his charges are misdemeanors.

Hagey was arrested on Oct. 29 for failing to appear in court in Christian County. He was first arrested an charged on April 25, when a manager at Chambers Sales in Ozark HAGEY contacted police about a theft in progress.

The manager reported that a man with a beard and a baseball cap, later identified as Hagey, stole a black cell phone stand from the store, which sells an array of wholesale and discounted items at its location on North 21st Street. When the manager confronted the man, he “flashed her a badge and stated he was a police officer,” according to court documents.

Police went to a neighboring antique store, where the cashier told them a man ran inside the shop and into a restroom. In the probable cause statement, a police officer notes that he did not locate any stolen items on Hagey when he was searched.

An Ozark police officer who searched the restroom found “a Taney County Sheriff’s Deputy star badge,” which Hagey denied ever having.

According to the probable cause statement, police searched Hagey’s car and found glass pipes and a substance suspected to be methamphetamine inside a Batman bag.

Ozark Raider Team places 13th at national contest Headliner News staff The Ozark High School Army JROTC Raider Team attended the national Raider competition at Lawhorn Scouting Base in Molena, Georgia on Nov. 3.

Raider competitions are a teambased, military-themed, multi-event fitness contests. The national competition features a 5K run, rope bridge

(teams construct a bridge across a river, cross the river, then deconstruct the bridge), gauntlet (rucksack run), cross-country litter rescue, and a “physical team test.”

The Ozark Raider Team finished 13th in the male division. Cadet 1st Sgt. Brandon Ward represented the team in the individual “Ultimate Raider” competition, featuring the top Raider

from each team. He placed second in his heat. His overall standing has not yet been publicized.

Ozark JROTC cadets who took part include James Adams, Grant Bell, Dylan Fritz, Kaiden Johnson, Parker Lane, Clayton Moison, Riley Newsom, Justin Price, Lexzandro Rosario, Quinton Verburgt, Brandon Ward and Reid Wilson.

Submitted photo The Ozark JROTC Raider Team placed 13th in the male division at the national Raider competition Nov. 3 in Georgia.

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SPORTS

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

www.ccheadliner.com/sports

Wofford feels summer travel to pay dividends PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports

Knowing how hard he worked and all he learned over the summer, Nixa’s Kaleb Wofford is anxious for the Eagles’ season-opening tip at the Springfield Parkview Classic.

He still has three weeks remaining before he can prove himself all over again and this time around most likely on another level.

“I’m ready to see how much better I’ve gotten since last year and this summer,” Wofford said while previewing his sophomore season at Nixa.

Wofford surely benefitted greatly from playing with Yanders Law 16U in the NY2LA Sports League over the summer. The travel-ball team lived up to its name, venturing to gyms in Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago, just to name a few.

“We played about anywhere you could think of,” Wofford said.

Wofford’s Yanders Law teammates, all juniors and sophomores, are identifiable names across southwest Missouri, if not statewide.

They include Kickapoo’s Anton Brookshire, Dora’s Isaac Haney, Raymore-Peculiar’s Kian Scroggins and Carthage’s Alex Martini.

“I had a good summer playing with Yanders Law,” Wofford said “I played with great players. I was challenged being surrounded by great competition in practice all the time.”

Wofford responded well to the challenges he faced last season as as freshman playing

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with and against players as much as three years older than him. His 3-point shooting shined, as he made 67-of-167 attempts (40 percent) beyond the arc.

Wofford was named to the All-Central Ozark Conference Third-Team. He was the only freshman recognized by the COC coaches.

“It meant a lot,” Wofford said of the experience he gained last season. “I learned a lot of things playing with older guys and people who are better, stronger and quicker than me. I became a better player and feel more confident in my game.”

Wofford didn’t put any undo pressure on himself and thrived in a supporting role.

“Because I was a freshman coming in playing varsity, I feel like people weren’t sure if I should be playing varsity or not,” he said. “I’m kind of glad I thought that way. It helped me get off to a good start and get more confident in myself.”

Of course, Wofford is on everyone’s radar now.

“People know who he is,” Nixa coach Jay Osborne said. “There’s no surprise anymore.

He’s going to have to pay attention to detail, as far as using screens and getting open. We keep forgetting he’s just a sophomore. He’s still got some youth in him. But he’s a really good

Nixa’s Kaleb Wofford returns to the Eagles after being named to the AllCentral Ozark Conference Third-Team as a freshman last season.

Pat Dailey/Headliner News shooter.”

Nixa will be counting on Wofford more so than originally thought. Braeden Combs, who also played varsity ball as a freshman, will not return to the Eagles for his senior season. He is not attending school at Nixa.

Wofford anticipates staying put at shooting guard, but expects his role to increase.

“I’ll probably play the same position, but this year you’ll see me more as a leader,” he said. “We had a lot of guys from last year graduate, so I’ll be a lot more of a leader this year. Trying to make everyone around you better is a great role to be in. I love it.”

With Nixa’s losses to graduation and the absence of Combs, the Eagles will still be expected to contend in the Central Ozark Conference, but won’t be pegged a favorite to

win the league title by many folks.

“We have lots of great shooters. Just about everyone on our team can shoot the 3,” Wofford said. “I’m ready to surprise everyone. It should be a great season. Stay tuned.”

Sportsman making junior season her finale to join Marines PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports

Pat Dailey/Headliner News Nixa features returning players (front row, left to right) Emily Edwards and Paige Sportsman, (back row, left to right) Gabby Nielsen, Lakin Copeland and Kelsey Biro.

Lady Eagles banking on experience

After learning lessons the hard way, upperclassmen seek rewards PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports The first sign of things to come for what was mostly a group of freshmen and sophomores for Nixa two years ago was a Lady Eagles victory over eventual Class 5 Quarterfinalist Branson.

During a late January Central Ozark Conference contest at Branson, Nixa pulled out a 42-40 upset of a Lady Pirates outfit led by all-stater Amanda Kearney.

Emily Edwards, a freshman, banked in a 15-foot winning jumper at the final buzzer.

“That was a big win for us against a really good team and a really good player,” Edwards happily recalled.

“To get it like we did was exciting. It was a ‘Hey, we can hang with these guys moment’ for us.”

“That gave us a lot of confidence as a team,” added Gabby Nielsen.

“Seeing that we could do that and be that good was pretty big for us, especially playing against Amanda.”

The Lady Eagles otherwise had to learn lessons on what varsity ball is all about the hard way. They finished 12-15, losing close contests and suffering seven losses by 10 points or more, including a 27-point whipping to Kickapoo and a 25-point rout at the hands of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

“We struggled,” coach Jennifer Perryman said. “We were in so many close games. Some of those didn’t go our way because of our youth.”

Indeed, nerves typical of a fresh-

man or sophomore were a factor at the time.

“Every time I went into a game (as a freshman) I was scared,” Paige Sportsman said. “It was terrifying, but rewarding. I had really good teammates to help me get over my fears. Also, the coaches used my strengths and abilities and told me I was capable. I got more confident as the year went on.”

“As a freshman and sophomore, I was scared coming in because you don’t want to disappoint the upperclassmen or the coaches,” Lakin Copeland added.

Nixa was still a rather young team last season, when the Lady Eagles overcame starter Taylor Arnold transferring to Blue Eye and improved to 19-10. They capped things off by knocking off Republic for the Class 5 District 12 championship.

“I think we held up well as younger girls,” Nielsen said.

“Last year, we were winning some those close games because of experience,” Perryman said. “We can only imagine what it’s going to be like this year.”

The hardships and occasional rewards Nixa endured and enjoyed the past two seasons have the Lady Eagles setting their sights high this season, as they finally face off against opponents their own age or even younger.

Edwards values the experiences she gained going against players up to three years older than her. During club ball, she and some of her Nixa teammates also have ‘played up,’ as the players say. But she notes

the Lady Eagles haven’t only played against older players.

“When you come into high school, some of your teammates are older, too,” Edwards said. “In club ball, you’re playing with girls your own age. So, that was a different dynamic for us. You get used to it. It was fun and really pushed you.

“Now that we’re on the other end of it, you feel leadership responsibilities. You want to lead the team in the right direction.”

Copeland also appreciates the chance to lead.

“It’s special for me to mentor the younger girls, not only as basketball players, but people,” she said.”I know it’s hard to come in as a new player and not know how to run anything. I think they’re doing well.

Hopefully, we’re doing a good job showing them how to do everything.

We expect the best out of them, even though they are younger.”

Nixa certainly isn’t lacking experience, but still isn’t a senior-dominated team. The Lady Eagles are expected to be without one of their seniors, Kelsey Biro, for much, if not all of the season. She tore a ligament in a hip in the pre-season and will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

Biro has confidence her veteran teammates will still meet their lofty goals.

“We know what we can do and we have high expectations,” Biro said.

“We beat Republic at Districts (last season) and we hadn’t beat them in a long time. We are expecting big things and think we can go really far.”

Give Nixa’s Paige Sportsman a challenge and she will not only do everything she can to meet it, but find out if there’s a way she can make it even harder for her to accomplish.

“That’s my personality,” she said. “I always want to do the hardest thing possible. That sounds weird to so many people. But I want challenges.”

Most high school students will tell you their junior year is their toughest academically. Well, Sportsman has been meeting that challenge the past few months and at the same time doing one better.

She’s combining her junior and senior years into one in an effort to graduate a year early and accelerate the start of her aspiring career in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Thus, this upcoming basketball season will be Sportsman’s finale as a Lady Eagle.

“I want to get a head start on my career as a Marine,” said Sportsman, who will enlist once she turns 17 years old next summer. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and am passionate about.

“I’ll miss basketball a lot.

In fact, it was the one thing that could have possibly kept me from (graduating early). I talked to my parents about it over the summer and we decided if joining the Marines is what I really want to do, I should do it.”

Sportsman is taking a full schedule of classes this semester and will do the same next semester, while also enrolled in two on-line classes, a senior English class and an elective. She’ll complete her high school studies by taking a summer-school class.

“I’ll get the equivalent of my diploma in June,” she said. ‘I could still walk with my class in June (of 2020), if I want to. I’m thinking about doing that.”

Actually, there’s more on Sportsman’s plate.

“I have to balance my classes, basketball, JROTC and a job,” she said. “I feel like it’s helping me as an individual to grow up. “ Sportsman is part of a group of juniors for Nixa who were forced to grow up a bit sooner than most freshmen and sophomores. They’ve logged their share of minutes the past two seasons while helping the Lady Eagles win the Class 5 District 12 championship last season.

Coach Jennifer Perryman said it’s a bit bittersweet to

Pat Dailey/Headliner News Nixa’s Paige Sportsman and the Lady Eagles will host Crane, Marshfield and West Plains in a jamboree Thursday. know this will be her final season to call upon Sportsman.

“I’m so proud of her and support her,” Perryman said.

“But at the same time I’d love to have her another year.

I can’t complain. Being a Marine is what she wants to pursue ultimately. So, we’re just happy to have her one more year.”

Perryman values the spark Sportsman provides the Lady Eagles.

“She’s an unbelievable defender, a great ball-handler and one of the best passers we’ve seen,” Perryman said.

“She’s a ball of energy. That’s contagious. She loves to press and face-guard. I think the rest of the team feeds off of her.”

Sportsman’s energy surely will be tested as she begins her path toward becoming a Marine during a 13-week boot camp in Parris Island, S.C. “It will be very difficult,” she said. “I’m mentally and physically preparing for it.”

Sportsman certainly isn’t lacking motivation to be a Marine.

“You earn that title,” she said. “I’ll always be able to call myself a Marine once I get the title. I’ve been interested in the Marines because of the challenge and the brotherhood and sisterhood.

“I’ll go in for a shorter enlistment,” she added. “If I like it, I’ll stay in it and make it a career. If I don’t, I’ll have the experience and will always be a Marine.”

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sports

Ozark’s record-setting season end at Sectional PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports Columbia Rock Bridge offered Ozark a different formation than the Tigers had seen out of anyone all season, with the Bruins lined up in a 4-3-3.

Likewise, Ozark gave Rock Bridge a vantage point that the Bruins hadn’t experienced in nearly a month, namely life as a trailer.

Rock Bridge’s response to the change of scenery last Tuesday proved a bit more effective, as the Bruins tamed the Tigers 2-1 in a Class 4 Sectional at Tigers Stadium.

After Ozark went up 1-0 on a goal by TK Stine, Rock Bridge received goals from Jeremiah Johnson and Jayron Johnson. All the scores came within four minutes of each other in the first half.

The Johnsons’ goals were spaced apart by a mere :59.

“They responded well,” Tigers forward Wade Korns said. “We had a lapse in confidence for a few minutes and let them take control of the game. If we don’t let that happen, we win this game.”

“Hats off to Rock Bridge for coming right back after we scored,” Tigers coach Tom Davidson said.

Ozark (23-4) otherwise repeatedly turned away Rock Bridge, which sported a unique look by fielding three offensive players up top.

“Most teams have one or two guys up top,” Korns said. “Since they had three, that meant a lot more work for our defense.”

“We hadn’t seen that (formation) out of anyone this year,” Davidson added. “I thought our kids played well against it. I’d been watching Rock Bridge on film earlier this week and they are dynamic. We minimized their opportunities.”

“Not very people play a 4-3-3 any more and no one around here plays it,” Ozark ‘keeper Sean Smith said. “Playing with three up top, they were trying to get their left forward in. They tried to split our left back and get him inside. It worked out twice for them.”

Smith, who was fresh from back-toback shutouts at Districts last week, added a couple more spectacular saves to his post-season highlights. He got a helping hand, er foot, from teammate Joe Van Hoesen. After Smith knocked away a Rock Bridge shot at one end of the goal, the Bruins were on the verge of scoring on a rebound at the other end of the goal.

But Van Hoesen was in the right spot at the right time and booted the ball out of harm’s way.

“That was really clutch,” Smith said. “If Joe wasn’t there, it would have been a 3-1 game.”

The Tigers perhaps could take some

Ozark’s Troy Davidson attempts a header against Rock Bridge in Sectional play at Tigers Stadium. consolation in taking a 1-0 lead on Rock Bridge. The Bruins entered with a streak of seven shutouts and 11 shutouts overall.

They hadn’t allowed a goal since an Oct. 9 match against Columbia Battle.

Stine stopped that streak, scoring on an easy put-in that was set up by a perfectly-placed cross by Korns.

For Korns, the match marked his playoff debut. He returned to the Ozark lineup after suffering a dislocated right right shoulder during the last week of the regular season. He missed both of the Tigers’ District matches.

Korns received clearance to play Monday.

“I let the shoulder rest for a week and then did physical therapy with our trainer so I could get back to play,” Korns said. “I told our trainer that I was going to play and was happy I had the chance to play.”

“It was nice having him back,” Davidson said. “He’d be the first to tell you he got out of shape in a week. He wasn’t quite himself. That’s a tough injury because you can’t really keep your cardio up. But he played good.

Pat Dailey/Headliner News Ozark’s Nicholas Rushing and a Rock Bridge player converge on a loose ball.

“We moved Wade to the outside. I knew there would be a lot of traffic on the inside, so I was trying to protect him a little bit. It worked out well on that first goal.”

The Korns-to-Stine combination nearly worked as well during a sequence in the second half, but a Stine shot on goal was off target.

Ozark worked itself in position to attempt its usual number of shots on goal, but couldn’t convert.

“Credit to the guys, they all worked hard,” Smith said. “The spirit was definitely there. We all wanted it. Sometimes, the shots don’t hit the back of the net.”

“We had a lot of opportunities,” Davidson said. “I thought the shot count was fairly even. When it was 2-1 and we were only 13 minutes in, I thought maybe this was going to be one of those 5-4 games.

But both defenses played well.

Sean Popppe offers congrats to TK Stine after a Stine goal.

Pat Dailey/Headliner News

“It’s playoff soccer. When you get to this point, you’re going to play a really good team,” Davidson added. “Rock Bridge is really good team and they win their district most of the time. They are playoff-hardened. For us, there wasn’t a lot of kids I had out there who played (at this stage) two years ago.”

Smith, a senior, was thankful the Tigers drew by far their biggest crowd of the season. With the Ozark Booster Club offering to pay admission for the first 50 students at the gate, the student body turned out in good numbers. The Rock Bridge faithful also traveled well.

“I sent a mass text out on my phone. I think most of us did that,” Smith said. “It was nice for my last soccer game to have a lot of people out there supporting us.

None of the students know what any of this means, but at least they were yelling for us.”

Pat Dailey/Headliner News

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Ozark’s Eli Lairmore completes a pass on a header.

Pat Dailey/Headliner News

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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Wildcats wanting to return Billings to prominence PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports Billings’ glory days that culminated in a Class 2 state championship in 2012 are still fresh in the minds of the Wildcats’ current crop of seniors.

The Wildcats’ Tyler Essick, Bobby Brown and Grant Groves were fixtures in the stands as wide-eyed youngsters during the program’s heyday that also included three straight undefeated seasons within the SWCL. They’re hoping for similar success this season.

“It was exciting for the town and awesome for us to see,” Groves said while recalling his memories from when he was in grade school and junior high. “We saw what those teams did and have always wanted to do it ourselves. It would be an awesome experience.”

Essick cheered on his older brother, Austin, a 2013 Billings graduate who started for the Wildcats during their state championship season.

Naturally, Tyler dreamed of experiencing championships as well.

“When we went to State, we looked up to those guys,” he said. “We learned to play their ball.

They were a fast team.

We’re trying to be a fast team. We want to follow in their footsteps.”

The highlights Austin and his teammates passed on to the younger Wildcats have always been a mighty source of motiva-

Pat Dailey/Headliner News Billings welcomes back senior starters, left to right, Bobby Brown, Grant Groves and Tyler Essick, from its 18-win season of a year ago. tion.

“They told us all about their memories, traveling and getting to State,” Tyler said. “It would be mean a lot to everybody to get to do some of the same things they did.”

Billings was 18-9 overall and 3-4 in the SWCL last season. Forsyth, last season’s league champion, and runner-up Clever are no longer part of the SWCL.

The Wildcats are optimistic about their chances to contend for the conference title based on their three returning senior starters and a standout sophomore class.

Billings, which hasn’t made it past the semifinal round of Class 2 District 11 the past five seasons, debuts Nov. 20 at home versus Chadwick Brown hopes he and his teammates can create the

same kind of excitement around Billings as the Wildcats did from 2011’13 and bring back some of their fans.

“The fans were amazing back then,” Brown said.

“The fan base has went down a little bit since then because we haven’t gone as far as those teams did. We’d love to have everyone come out for us.

It would be great to have that happen.”

Little gives herself a big surprise by signing with C of O PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports The first left upon leaving Clever High School while traveling east on Highway 14 is a street named Little that is a dead end.

That’s also a description of Harper Little’s initial thoughts of attending College of the Ozarks. She went to summer basketball camps at C of O while in grade school, but didn’t dream of becoming a Lady ‘Cat. “A couple of years ago I told my mom, ‘I’m never going to C of O. That’s not the place for me,’” Little said while recalling the irony during her signing ceremony last week to shoot hoops for the Lady ‘Cats.

Little, at least, allowed herself to accept an offer from C of O coach Becky Mullis to visit Point Lookout earlier this year with an open mind.

“When coach Mullis contacted me, I thought I’d go visit just to see how it is,” Little said. “When I got there, it seemed like the right place for me.”

Little, who will be a four-year starting guard at Clever this winter, will join a program that has produced repeated All-American guards in recent seasons. C of O features standouts in its backcourt this season in seniors Kelsie Cleeton and Cass Johnson.

Little is already a member of Clever’s 1,000-point club and fresh from a junior season in which she was named the SWCL Player of The Year. She put up nightly averages of 17.3 points, 5.5 assists, 5.5 steals, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 blocks, while shooting 43 percent from the field (173-of-400), including 37-percent accuracy from 3-point land (66-of-177).

Lady Jays coach Dan Jones, noting Little’s athleticism, is confident C of

Pat Dailey/Headliner News Clever’s Harper Little is all smiles after signing a letter of intent to College of the Ozarks. With her are her parents (front row, left to right), Claudia and Jamie, (back row, left to right) C of O coach Becky Mullis and Clever coach Dan Jones.

O will like all she has to offer at both ends of the court.

“She’s a combo guard and defensively, she can rebound and block shots,” Jones said. “C of O will be bringing in a smaller player who can play big. The athleticism and intensity she brings to the floor fits right in with what coach Mullis likes in her players.

“Harper thinks C of O is the fit for her and so do I.” When Jones arrived at Clever prior to Little’s eighth-grade year, he felt she had the potential to be a college player.

“I knew we had something special,” he said.

“We’ve talked several years about this and she said (basketball) was the way she wanted go. Her

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real love is basketball. So, we knew this was going to happen one day.”

Little’s family already has ties to C of O. Her uncle, Ozark athletic director Yancey Little, played baseball for the Bobcats. Her cousin, Cade Little, is a freshman on C of O’s baseball team.

Little joins a recruiting class that also includes Bolivar’s Michelle Gabani, Strafford’s Kayley Frank and Thayer’s Julia Stone.

Little has played some club ball with Frank, but admits it will take some getting used to having a Strafford player as a teammate.

“We might have a little bit of a rivalry, but it will be good,” she said.

Little looks forward to continuing C of O’s strong tradition as one of the

NAIA’s elite powers.

“It’s big-time basketball, which is what I’ve always wanted,” she said.

“I feel I come in and make a big impact as a freshman or sophomore.”

Mullis is optimistic Little’s versatility will prove valuable.

“Harper’s a great athlete and competitor,” said Mullis, who married Ozark golf coach Daniel Mullis earlier this year. “She’s going to be a defensive stopper for us.

Also, she’s athletic enough to get to the basket, can shoot it and handle the ball. She’s a really good all-around guard. She can bring it up if we need her to and she can play the wing if we need her to.

“I think she will continue our tradition of excellent guard play.”

Find us on Facebook! www.facebook.com/ CCHeadlinerNews

Pat Dailey/Headliner News Nixa junior Josh Mason and the Eagles open at the Springfield Parkview Classic Nov. 29-Dec. 1.

Mason’s game has grown as much as he has PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports Never mind if acquaintances Josh Mason hasn’t seen in a year or two notice his growth spurt. They all do. What’s more telling is even passersby he sees often constantly take note how much taller he has become.

“About everyone I see, that’s the first thing they talk about,” the Nixa junior point guard said.

Mason hasn’t enjoyed one growth spurt since entering high school, he considers himself lucky enough to have had two. He grew from 5-foot-6 as a freshman to 5-9 as a sophomore and checked in at 6-1 this year as a junior.

Mason doesn’t have to be a pass-first point guard any more. He can look for and create his own shot.

“I can shoot over and score on a lot of defenders I couldn’t shoot over before,” he said. “I’m able to attack the rim with confidence and have confidence in my shot. Also, I can pass around people and over them. It’s a lot easier offensively and defensively for me now.

“Longer arms help me a lot on steals, tips and blocks, whatever I need to do.”

Mason has also grown into a top contender for Nixa’s starting point guard job. Coach Jay Osborne has also noticed how easier things are for Mason.

“He’s able to get shots off over some people. He can see the floor better and his ball-handling has gotten better,” Osborne said. “Give him a little steak and potatoes and he’d be even better.”

Mason has handled the growth spurts well in regard to maintaining his coordination.

“Being in the gym everyday has helped me, so I wouldn’t have any lack of coordination,” he said.

“You’ve got to keep working on drills.”

He has endured some growing pains.

“I’ve had some back and hip pain,” Mason said. “ I’ve had to get through that. It’s tough, but getting better.”

And, of course, Mason practically has had to get a whole new wardrobe.

“Just last week I had to go pants shopping,” he said. “My old pants don’t fit.”

As a mighty mite, Mason was optimistic a growth spurt was forthcoming. He has relatives who are much taller than average. By the way, the average height for a man is 5-9.

“My parents were kind of worried about me because everyone else was maturing earlier than I was,” Mason said. “But they knew I would grow. My Dad says, ‘The longer you wait to grow, the longer you will grow.’

“I have some tall cousins on my Mom’s side. They are 6-foot-5. So, hopefully I can keep going.”

Winter sports previews Whether you’re from Ozark, Nixa, Clever, Sparta, Billings, Spokane or Chadwick, you’ll want to pick up the Christian County Headliner News on Nov. 28. We’ll have season previews for all of Christian County’s high school winter sports teams, including basketball, wrestling and swimming.

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After strong finish, Sample ponders playing college ball PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports “Mr. Nixa,” as Sean Sample has been pegged by his Nixa classmates and teammates, is ready to be just another face among thousands of students on a college campus.

After seeing his standout Eagles football career end last Friday, Sample revealed his plans at this time are to pursue a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, most likely at Missouri State.

“That’s what I’ve decided,” he said.

Sample added he would be content playing intramural flag-football or soccer. But he isn’t ruling out the possibility of extending his football career, if an offer to do so is forthcoming.

“I haven’t written it off completely,” he said. “We’ll see. I have to let (the end to his Nixa career) settle in. In the coming weeks, I’ll start to sit down and think about it.”

Sample has been a college prospect as a kicker since he launched a 50-yard field-goal as a sophomore in a District game against Neosho two years ago. Nixa’s kicking duties were primarily handled by junior Andrew Anello this season, but Sample filled in on occasion and averaged 52 yards on kickoffs with one touchback and was 6-for-6 on extra-point attempts.

Sample is tabbed 91st among senior kickers in Kohl’s National Rankings.

The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder starred on offense as a running back and on defense as a safety. He finished with a flourish, rushing for a season-high

Pat Dailey/Headliner News

Sean Sample rushed for 1,084 yards this season.

284 yards in Nixa’s 42-41 Class 5 District 6 overtime loss to Parkview. He closed with 178 carries for 1,084 yards. He had two interceptions against the Vikings and ended among the top three on the team in tackles on the season.

Sample’s biggest night as a Eagle came in Week One a year ago, when he ran 24 times for 306 yards, to go along with three catches for 115 yards.

Nixa coach Rich Rehagen, while congratulating Sample

on his career, told him he could play at the college level.

“He’d make a heck of a college player, if he chooses to do that,” Rehagen said. “I don’t know what he’ll end up doing.

But he could so some stuff at the next level. He’d have to find the right fit. He’s got the leg to be a kicker. He can play defense at the college level. He could also have a role offensively because he can do so many good things.”

Sample, a longtime soccer play-

er, has mostly envisioned himself as a college kicker.

“For a long time, I thought I wouldn’t do anything but kick,” he said. “But coaches have told me they think I could play in the secondary and play safety. I’ve gotten advice from a lot of coaches.”

Sample related his recruiting rapport with college coaches has slowed.

“I had camp invites during the summer,” he said. “I haven’t received much (interest) this season.”

Nixa to hold signings Wednesday Nixa will host a letter of intent signing ceremony for 12 seniors Wednesday.

Among the signees will be seven soccer players. The Eagles’ Hunter Daniels will sign with Missouri State and Ethan Pellegren at Drury, while the Lady Eagles’ Lexie Rasmussen will sign with Southwest Baptist, Ashley Glenn with Evangel and Erin Crawford, Erin Hartley, Hannah Lannutti will sign with Drury.

For baseball, Hunter Crabtree will sign with Missouri Southern and Brandon Teter and Jake Uber will sign with Three Rivers.

For track, Elliott Rule will sign with Missouri Southern.

For basketball, Kelsey Biro will sign with Henderson State.

Ozark to hold signings Wednesday Ozark will hold a letter of intent signing ceremony for 00 seniors Wednesday.

A total of six Tigers and Lady Tigers will be signing with Missouri State. That group includes volleyball players Julia McCown, Holly Luginbill and Kennedee Anderson, baseball players Blake Mosley and Carson Shaver and swimmer Chloe Nelson.

Signing with Drury will be soccer players Ava Scott, Ashley McCulloch and Keeley Combs and baseball player Dylan Frandsen.

Also for soccer, Jadyn Easley will sign with Mizzou and Haidan Baade will sign with William Jewell.

Volleyball player Katie Vorhies will sign with Harvard.

Trackster Olivia Lyon will sign with Pitt State.

Potts’ play give Eagles bright future at quarterback PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports

Pat Dailey/Headliner News Nixa’s Hunter Daniels is the Class 4 District 10 Player of The Year.

Nixa’s Daniels District Player of The Year PAT DAILEY patd@ccheadliner.com @HeadlinerSports Nixa’s Hunter Daniels received top honors from Class 4 District 10 coaches by being named the District’s Player Of The Year.

Daniels, a senior forward, closed out his Eagles career with 27 goals this season. He will continue his career at Missouri State.

District champion Ozark landed five players on the First-Team.

They include senior defenders Nick Rushing and Lawson Spence, senior goalkeeper Sean Smith, junior defender Carson Armstutz, junior midfielder Troy Davidson and junior forward TK Stine.

Spence, who totaled a dozen goals and six assists on his way to becoming Ozark’s career goals leader with 82, shares the District’s Defensive Player of The Year honor with Rushing.

Stine, who topped

Ozark with 22 goals, shares the District’s Offensive Player Of The Year award with Kickapoo’s Jason Riddle and Branson’s Kyle Sutton.

Davidson led the Tigers with 12 assists while netting 12 goals.

Nixa is also represented on the FirstTeam by senior defender Tyler Stoneberger and senior forward Andreas Luiga.

The rest of the FirstTeam is made up of Kickapoo goalkeeper Jacob Holman and midfielder Aidan Bilboa and Branson forward Dwight Hyde.

Holman is the Goalkeeper of The Year.

Ozark coach Tom Davidson is the Coach of The Year.

The Tigers’ second-teamers are senior midfielder Magnus Kulseng, junior defender Mason Demoss and junior forward Wade Korns. Nixa’s second-teamers are senior forward Ethan Pellegren and senior midfielder Nathan Hirsch.

Reid Potts took advantage of his chances to give a preview of what figures to be Nixa’s future at quarterback.

He closed the season by firing three first-half touchdowns at Parkview in the Eagles’ 42-41 Class 5 District 6 overtime loss.

Potts also played a prominent role in the Eagles’ game-winning 58yard touchdown pass on a flea-flicker at Branson in Week Seven. He caught a lateral from quarterback Hunter Crabtree and then fired the ball downfield to wide-open wideout Lukas Roemen.

“We run that a lot in practice. But I never thought we would run it in a game,” Potts said. “I was very excited when I heard (the call for) it. I didn’t know what expect. But it was well executed.”

Potts hooked up with wide receiver Caleb Pierce for a 45-yard pass at Webb City in Week Nine.

“We made a lot of plays at the jayvee level together,” Potts said.

In only his second year at quarterback, Potts took the great majority of snaps behind center for Nixa’s jayvee team.

“Playing jayvee ball was a great opportunity to show what I can do,” he said. “Being brought up to the varsity was nerve-wracking at first.

Everything is faster. I think I’m starting to get used to it. Once I get into the game, I feel pretty comfortable.”

“He’s one who has developed this year,” Rehagen said. “Reid has really had a good year. He’s athletic.

We’ve got to get him a little

Reid Potts carries the ball in Nixa’s Week Seven win at Branson. bigger, no question. But I like some of the things he does. He’s pretty quick, he makes good decisions and he throws a good ball.”

Potts was a receiver in junior high. The fact he was a seldom-used receiver led to his decision to move to quarterback.

“My freshman year I decided to be a quarterback,” Potts said. “We didn’t throw the ball a lot in seventh- and eighth-grades, so I wasn’t getting the ball.

I thought, ‘Maybe I can get in there and throw.’ I wanted to get our passing

game going.”

Potts values the insight he gained as a receiver.

“I know about their timing and what’s going through their heads against cornerbacks and safeties,” he said. ”I think that helps me as a quarterback.”

Potts is plenty motivated for his junior and senior seasons.

“I’m gong to work in the off-season to be able to compete at a higher level,” he said. “For my size, I know I need to get bigger.

I also need to throw more

Pat Dailey/Headliner News

accurately and get my deep ball farther.”

COC has three teams still playing The Central Ozark Conference has three teams alive in the playoffs.

Class 5 District 6 champion Carthage (10-1) entertains Lebanon in a Quarterfinal game Friday.

Class 4 District 6 Webb City (11-0) hosts Camdenton in a Quarterfinal game Friday.

In Class 6, Joplin (10-2) is in the semifinal round and will host Christian Brothers on Saturday.

Bowling, Chrestman and Bilyuk place in top 20 at State Swimming Headliner News staff Ozark’s Kaden Bowling finished 15th in the diving competition at the Class 2 State Swimming and Diving Championships over the weekend.

Bowling totaled 362.85 points.

He had 182.15 in the prelims and 279.95 after the semifinal round. He entered the finals in 12th place.

The winning points total was 503.55.

The Tigers’ Caleb Chrestman, a sophomore, posted a 16th-place finish in the 50 freestyle (22.63).

The winning time was 21.41.

Chrestman was the second-highest finishing sophomore.

Nixa’s Ilya Balyuk placed 19th in the 200 individual medley (1:52) and 20th in the 100 backstroke (56.07).

Chrestman took 24th in the 100 freestyle (51.09).

Ozark’s 200 freestyle relay of Mal-

achi Van Der Merwe, Mason Waitke, Blake Schamma and Chrestman was 23rd (1:37).

Ozark’s 400 freestyle relay of Van Der Merwe, Schamma, Chrestman and Trenton Crisp finished 23rd (3:36) Schamma was 25th in the 500 freestyle (5:09) and 31st in the100 butterfly (56.96).

The Tigers’ 200 medley relay of Brett Meyer, Josh Dean, Van Der Merwe and Waitke was 29th (1:52).

Christian County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, November 14, 2018

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permits when they do not qualify for them, such as claiming to be a resident landowner or lessee when they are not or misrepresenting the number of acres they have. We also find folks who share their permits with others—which is illegal— and who use the permits on land other than the property for which the permits were issued, which is also not allowed.”

Agents conducted a statewide review earlier this year of landowner permits issued during the past several years and related violations. They

found about one-third (more than 30 percent) of those using no-cost landowner permits misuse them.

A common violation encountered in the field by conservation agents is someone using landowner permits on land they do not own, or lease but do not live on.

To help hunters determine if they qualify for landowner permits, MDC has created an online Landowner Permit Quiz at huntfish.mdc.mo.gov/ permits/qualifications-resident-landowner-permits/ landowner-permit-quiz.

Conservationists asks hunters to use free permits properly Headliner News staff Billy R. Weter Seaman 1st Class, Armed Guard Gunner on the WC Latta Aug. 21, 1944–March 14, 1946 Award Victory Medal

Samuel L. Shortt Tech 5 Demolition Squad March 29, 1944–May 17, 1946 Served in England, France and Germany Silver Star recipient

The Missouri Department of Conservation reminds people using its free resident landowner permits for deer and turkey hunting to comply with the Wildlife Code of Missouri by being sure they qualify for the permits and use them properly.

MDC issues free resident landowner permits for deer and turkey hunting to qualifying Missouri landowners and members of their immediate households, and to those who

lease and live on qualifying land and members of their immediate households.

According to MDC, conservation agents regularly report the misuse of landowner permits.

“While most hunters properly use their free landowner permits from MDC, we find several hundred cases each season where folks do not play by the rules – intentionally or by mistake,” said MDC Protection Division Field Chief Dean Harre. “Many of the violations involve people fraudulently obtaining and using the free

Take extra precautions when shopping online Headliner News staff

Robert W. Weter Spc 4, 4th Combat Infantry Vietnam, June 11, 1969–June 11, 1971 Combat Air Medal badge, Combat Infantry badge, Expert Rifleman

Many people do holiday shopping online to save time, money and effort.

However, shoppers using the Internet should be cautious according to David Burton, county engagement specialist and community development specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Get the details. Confirm the phone numbers and physical addresses of online vendors in case you need to contact them.

"Read descriptions of products and

calculate costs, including shipping and handling, before deciding which site offers the best buy," Burton said.

Burton advises online shoppers to pay by credit card. An advantage of using a credit card is that you have additional protection under the Fair Credit Billing Act if you have problems.

"Sellers are required to ship items as promised or within 30 days after the order date if no specific date is promised," Burton said.

Keep records. Be sure to save records of your online transactions, including the product description, price, online

receipt, and copies of any email correspondence between you and the seller.

"Review your credit card statements thoroughly and check for any unauthorized charges," Burton said. "I speak from experience on this one."

Financial or personal information like your credit card, checking account, or Social Security numbers should not be sent via email because this is not a secure method of transmitting information.

For more information, visit the OnguardOnline website, http:// OnGuardOnline.gov.

Look before you sleep: Missouri bedbug population rises with holiday travel Headliner News staff Little hearts might skip a beat when Mom whispers, “Sleep tight.

Don’t let the bedbugs bite.”

Once rare in American homes, bedbugs have been on the rise over the last decade.

Holiday travel gives these bloodsuckers an opportunity to hitch a ride, but University of Missouri Extension horticulturist and entomologist Tamra Reall says you can ditch the itch with a few precautions.

First, check the area where you set your luggage. Don’t put luggage on the bedding or on the floor. “I put my luggage in the bathroom while I inspect everything with a strong flashlight, including beds, drawers, closet, luggage rack and behind the headboard, if

possible,” Reall says.

Check your bedding before you settle in for the night. Pull back the covers and look closely for small, reddish-brown bugs.

Adults are about the size of an apple seed.

They leave dark stains on sheets. The stains are fecal matter made from blood sucked from humans and pets.

Reall recommends checking your luggage when you get home.

“Your luggage can pick up bugs from other luggage or cargo holds on airplanes. Running clothes through the dryer on high for 45 minutes will kill any bugs you missed.”

Bedbugs come out at night to feed. During the day, their hiding places might include your favorite comfortable spots—your recliner, couch and

bed. Temperatures 70 degrees and higher provide the best conditions for bedbugs to lay eggs for quick hatching.

Bedbugs are patient.

They survive in vacant buildings and can live up to one year without feeding.

Be careful when buying used furniture and bedding, Reall says.

You might get bugs with your bargain. The bedbug ignores social and economic class and will happily infest even the cleanest and most uncluttered homes. If your college student is home for the holiday, check laundry closely. Dormitories and apartment buildings are smorgasbords for bugs.

If you do find bedbugs in your own home, contact a pest control service for the most effective removal of bedbugs.

An up close look at a bedbug, which usually comes out at night to feed.

Submitted photo

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NOTICE OF SINGLE FEASIBLE SOURCE PURCHASE Pursuant to RSMo 50.783 (2), the Christian County Commission has waived the requirement for competitive bids or proposals on the following intended purchase, which exceeds the $6,000 threshold for advertising of the competitive bid requirements.

Vendor: Carter- Waters Items to be acquired: Unitex Pro-Poxy Type III DOT High Friction Bridge Overlay System Reason for suspension of competitive bids: In accordance with RSMo 50.783 (2), the item being purchased is available from this sole distributor servicing this region.

Per the requirements of RSMo 50.783, this notice shall be posted in one weekly and one daily newspaper at least ten (10) days before the contract is to be let.

If, through discovery, it is determined that other feasible sources exist, the Commission shall rescind this waiver and proceed with normal competitive bids as required per RSMo 50.

Any objection to this single source purchase must be submitted in writing to the County Commission within ten (10) days of the publication of this notice.

NOTICE OF SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE'S SALE For default in the payment of the debt and performance of the obligations secured by the Deed of Trust executed by Ryan A. Braudway and Andrea M. Braudway, dated March 22, 2017, recorded March 23, 2017, as Instrument No. 2017L03447 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds for Christian County, Missouri, the undersigned Successor Trustee will, at the request of the holder of said debt, on Friday, November 30th, 2018, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., commencing at 1:00 p.m., outside the main door of the Christian County Courthouse in Ozark, Missouri, sell at public venue to the highest bidder for cash the real property described in said Deed of Trust, to-wit: ALL OF THE NORTH 242 FEET OF THE EAST 180 FEET OF THE SOUTH HALF OF THE WEST HALF OF THE EAST HALF OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER OF SECTION 24, TOWNSHIP 26 NORTH, RANGE 22 WEST, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI AND CONTAINING 1.00 ACRES, SUBJECT TO ALL EASEMENTS AND/OR RIGHTS OF WAY.

Please publish on Wednesday November 7th, November 14th, November 21st, and November 28th of 2018.

PUBLIC NOTICE OF NAME CHANGE In the Circuit Court of Christian, Missouri In Re: Valerie Marie Sprinkle Case No. 18CT-DR00350 Judgment for Change of Name of Adult Individual Petitioner appears in person.

The court finds that the change of name would be proper and would not be detrimental to the interests of any other person.

The name of Petitioner is changed as follows From: Valerie Marie Sprinkle To: Valerie Marie Silkwood PUBLIC NOTICE OF SURFACE MINING APPLICATION - PERMIT EXPANSION Clever Stone Company, Inc. 1075 Wise Hill Road Clever, MO 65631 has applied for a permit expansion to their existing permit from the Department of Natural Resources, Land Reclamation Program, to mine Limestone on an additional 80 acres of land for a total of 210 acres located at PIT NO.1 & PIT NO.2 site, in Christian County, Section 9, Township 27N, Range 23W. These operations will be conducted during the approximate dates of 01/01/2019 to 12/31/2100 Written comments or a request for an informal public meeting may be made by any person with a direct, personal interest in one or more of the factors that the Staff Director may consider in issuing a permit, as required by The Land Reclamation Act, sections 444.760 to 444.790 RSMo. Mail written comments, or a request for an informal public meeting to: Director, Land Reclamation Program, Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. All comments and requests for a public meeting must be submitted in writing to the director's office no later than fifteen days following the final public notice publication date. For more information about this process, please contact the Land Reclamation Program by telephone at 573-751-4041.

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on November 24th, 2018 a private sale will be held for the purpose of satisfying a landlord's lien on the contents of storage @ Eastside Storage 1258 W. Westside Blvd. units 1/34 and 350 South Nicholas Rd. unit B12.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE

AND ALL OF THE WEST HALF (W 1/2) OF THE EAST HALF (E 1/2) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE 1/4) OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (SW 1/4) OF SECTION TWENTY-FOUR (24) TOWNSHIP TWENTY-SIX (26), RANGE TWENTY-TWO (22), AND ALSO ALL OF THE NORTH HALF (N 1/2) OF THE EAST HALF (E 1/2) OF THE WEST HALF (W 1/2) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE 1/4) OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (SW 1/4), SECTION TWENTY-FOUR (24), TOWNSHIP TWENTY-SIX (26), RANGE TWENTY-TWO (22), CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI, EXCEPT THE FOLLOWING: ALL OF THE NORTH 242 FEET OF THE EAST 180 FEET OF THE SOUTH HALF (S 1/2) OF THE WEST HALF (W 1/2) OF THE EAST HALF (E 1/2) OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER (SE 1/4) OF THE SOUTHWEST QUARTER (SW 1/4) OF SECTION TWENTY-FOUR (24), TOWNSHIP TWENTY-SIX (26) NORTH, RANGE TWENTYTWO (22) WEST, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI. to satisfy said debt and costs.

Karl Finkenbinder, Successor Trustee /s/ Karl Finkenbinder Schenewerk & Finkenbinder, Attorneys at Law, LLC 100 Prairie Dunes Dr., Ste. 200 Branson, MO 65616 (417) 334-7922

For default in the payment of debt secured by a deed of trust executed by Erin Holcomb, dated April 29, 2015, and recorded on April 29, 2015, Document No. 2015L04827, in Book No. 2015, at Page 4794 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, Christian County, Missouri, the undersigned Successor Trustee will on November 28, 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: ALL OF LOT THIRTY-SIX (36), FINAL PLAT OF FOREST PARK PHASE III, A SUBDIVISION IN NIXA, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF, IN PLAT BOOK G, PAGE 563., commonly known as 913 S Timber Ridge Dr, Nixa, MO, 65714 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: October 31, 2018. For more information, visit www.southlaw.com NOTICE Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. §1692c(b), no informa-

local churches

ASSEMBLY OF GOD • First Assembly of God 706 Glossip Ave., Highlandville (417) 443-6217 Pastor: Joe Contreras • Hope Church of Sparta 6778 State Hwy. 14 East Sparta, MO 65753 (417) 988-0944 Sundays - 10 a.m.

Wednesdays - 6:30 p.m.

• James River Assembly of God 6100 N. 19th St., Ozark

The Springs Church Jerry Carlin, Senior Pastor

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

5500 S. Southwood Road

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

889-9445

526737hb

(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 • Clever First Assembly of God 111 N. Public Ave., Clever Pastor: Bruce Baker 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

tion 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. 208573-857890.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE For default in the payment of debt secured by a deed of trust executed by Derek Lee Johnson, dated June 2, 2014, and recorded on June 9, 2014, Document No. 2014L05736, in Book No. 2014, at Page 5682 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, Christian County, Missouri, the undersigned Successor Trustee will on December 5, 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: ALL OF LOT SIX (6), FINAL PLAT OF THE RIDGE SECOND ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION IN NIXA CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF IN PLAT BOOK G, PAGE 712., commonly known as 612 S Eastridge, Nixa, MO, 65714 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: November 7, 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. 213578-888219.

NOTICE OF TRUSTEES SALE In Re: Tim McGee and Katherine McGee, husband and wife TRUSTEE'S SALE Under the terms of the Deed of Trust executed by Tim McGee and Katherine McGee, husband and wife dated 01/31/2013, and recorded on 01/31/2013 Book 2013 Page 1407 in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for Christian County, MISSOURI, the undersigned Successor Trustee, will on 11/30/2018 at 11:00 AM at the South Front Door of the Christian County Courthouse, 100 W Church St. Ozark, MO 65721, sell at public venue to the highest bidder for cash subject to the terms announced at the sale, the realty described in said deed of trust, to wit: ALL OF LOT TWENTY-EIGHT (28), QUAIL RUN SUBDIVISION-PHASE II, A SUBDIVISION IN CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. .

Substitute Trustee Corporation SUCCESSOR TRUSTEE www.substitutetrusteecorp.com Published in the County Headliner File #: MCGTINO1

Christian

NOTICE OF TRUSTEE'S SALE For default in the payment of debt secured by a deed of trust executed by Oscar Sutton and Dana Curtner, dated September 22, 2008, and recorded on October 2, 2008, Document No. 004064480010, in Book No. 2008, at Page 14594 in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds, Christian County, Missouri, the undersigned Successor Trustee will on November 28, 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:

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

All of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of the Northwest Quarter (NW 1/4) of the Southwest Quarter (SW 1/4) of Section Thirty-six (36), Township Twenty-eight (28), Range Twenty-one (21), in CHRISTIAN County, Missouri., commonly known as 6190 State Hwy Nn, 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: October 31, 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. 214186-881195).

PUBLIC NOTICE in the circuit court of Christian County state of Missouri Bank of America, N.A. Plaintiff, vs.

Gilbert Jones, Virginia Jones nka Jennifer Corinne Jones, John Doe, and Jane Doe Defendants.

Cause No. 18CT-CC00202 Notice Upon Order For Service

by Publication The State of Missouri to Defendants, John Doe and Jane Doe: You are hereby notified that an action has been commenced against you in the Circuit Court for Christian County, State of Missouri, the object and general nature of which is to Quiet Title as to the property secured by a Deed of Trust dated August 8, 2007, and which action affects the following described property to wit: ALL OF LOT NINETEEN (19) FINAL PLAT ROLLINGS HILLS SUBDIVISION- PHASE ONE, NIXA, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI. The names of all parties to said action are stated above in the caption hereof and the name and address of the attorney for the Plaintiff is Scott D. Mosier, Heather M. Fuller, or Kip J. Bilderback, Millsap & Singer, LLC, 612 Spirit Dr., St. Louis, MO 63005, (636) 537-0110.

You are further notified that, unless you file an answer or other pleading or shall otherwise appear and defend against the aforesaid petition within forty-five (45) days after the 24th day of October, 2018 judgment by default will be rendered against you.

Witness my hand and the seal of the Circuit Court this 11th day of October, 2018.

[Seal] Barb D. Stillings Circuit Clerk By: J.Taylor Deputy Clerk Published: October November 7, 14

24,

31,

TRUSTEE'S SALE IN RE: Gaelyn Westfall Hoelzle and Mark Hoelzle Wife and Husband Trustee's Sale: For default in payment of debt and performance of obligation secured by Deed of Trust executed by Gaelyn Westfall Hoelzle and Mark Hoelzle Wife and Husband dated February 15, 2007 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Christian County, Missouri in

(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

Book 2007, Page 3459 the undersigned Successor Trustee, at the request of the legal holder of said Note will on Tuesday, November 27, 2018 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., (at the specific time of 1:45 PM), at the South Front Door of the Court House, City of Ozark, County of Christian, State of Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash the following described real estate, described in said Deed of Trust, and situated in Christian County, State of Missouri, to wit: ALL OF LOT TWO HUNDRED SIXTY (260), FINAL PLAT OF TURNBERRY ESTATES PHASE 4, A PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT IN OZARK, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. to satisfy said debt and cost.

MILLSAP & SINGER, P.C., Successor Trustee 612 Spirit Drive St. Louis, MO 63005 (636) 537-0110 F i l e N o 143124.112718.390367 FC

:

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.

PUBLISH ON: October 31, 2018 11/07/2018, 11/14/2018, 11/21/2018 TRUSTEE'S SALE IN RE: Ashley L Holt, a single person Trustee's Sale: For default in payment of debt and performance of obligation secured by Deed of Trust executed by Ashley L Holt, a single person dated April 17, 2017 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Christian County, Missouri in Book 2017, Page 4677 the undersigned Successor Trustee, at the request of the legal holder of said Note will on Tuesday, December 11, 2018 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., (at the specific time of 1:45 PM), at the South Front Door of the Court House, City of Ozark, County of Christian, State of Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash the following described real estate, described in said Deed of Trust, and situated in Christian County, State of Missouri, to wit: ALL OF LOT FIVE (5) OF CANYONWOOD FIRST ADDITION, A SUBDIVISION IN CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOURI, ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. to satisfy said debt and cost.

MILLSAP & SINGER, P.C., Successor Trustee 612 Spirit Drive St. Louis, MO 63005 (636) 537-0110 F i l e N o 193908.121118.392131 FC

:

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.

PUBLISH ON: November 14, 2018 11/21/2018, 11/28/2018, 12/05/2018 TRUSTEE'S SALE IN RE: Lynne L Hopkins, a Married Woman and Tommy G Hopkins, Her Husband Trustee's Sale: For default in payment of debt and performance of obligation secured by Deed of Trust executed by Lynne L Hopkins, a Married Woman and Tommy

• 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

G Hopkins, Her Husband dated January 28, 2008 and recorded in the Office of the Recorder of Deeds of Christian County, Missouri as Book 2008, Page 1596 modified by Loan Modification Agreement Recorded August 22, 2016 as Book 2016, Page 10857 the undersigned Successor Trustee, at the request of the legal holder of said Note will on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., (at the specific time of 1:45 PM), at the South Front Door of the Court House, City of Ozark, County of Christian, State of Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash the following described real estate, described in said Deed of Trust, and situated in Christian County, State of Missouri, to wit: ALL OF LOT SIXTY-ONE (61), FINAL PLAT OF FOREST PARK PHASE III, A SUBDIVISION IN NIXA, CHRISTIAN COUNTY, MISSOUR [MISSOURI], ACCORDING TO THE RECORDED PLAT THEREOF. [THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN BRACKETS HAS BEEN ADDED TO MORE ACCURATELY REFLECT THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION.] to satisfy said debt and cost.

MILLSAP & SINGER, P.C., Successor Trustee 612 Spirit Drive St. Louis, MO 63005 (636) 537-0110 F i l e N o 193261.112018.390937 FC

:

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.

PUBLISH ON: October 24, 2018 10/31/2018, 11/07/2018, 11/14/2018 PUBLIC NOTICE TRUSTEES SALE In re: Ronald D. Letterman and Mellzina F. Letterman, husband and wife TRUSTEE'S SALE - Default having been made in the payment of a Note described in and secured by Deed of Trust executed by Ronald D. Letterman and Mellzina F. Letterman, recorded March 30, 2006 in Book 2006 at Page 5953, in the office of the Recorder of Deeds for the County of Christian, State of Missouri, MTW Trustee Services, Inc., the undersigned Successor Trustee, at the request of the legal holder of said Note, will on December 11, 2018 between the hours of 9 o'clock a.m. and 5 o'clock p.m., to wit: at or about 1:00 p.m., at the South Front Door of the Christian County Courthouse, in the City of Ozark and State of Missouri, sell at public vendue to the highest bidder for cash, the following real estate described in said Deed of Trust and situated in the County of Christian, Missouri, to-wit: All of Lot One (1) in Block Four (4) of the original Town of Sparta, Christian County, Missouri, according to the recorded Plat thereof. for the purpose of satisfying said indebtedness and the cost of executing this trust.

MTW Trustee Services, Inc. Successor Trustee (314) 961-0400 Notice: Pursuant to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 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.

Pastor: Ray Brinson • Victory Baptist Church 5058 state Route W, Ozark (417) 581-2257 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 County Headliner News I www.ccheadliner.com I Wednesday, November 14, 2018

COURT

Recent charges filed in Christian County

CHRISTIAN COUNTY CHARGES: NOVEMBER 5-12, 2018 • Jacob Dean Woodruff, domestic assault - 4th degree - 1st or 2nd offense. Oct. 26 • Latisha Morley Morley, domestic assault - 4th degree - 1st or 2nd offense. Oct. 1 • Jeffrey Ben Martin, stealing Oct. 21 • Bryan Edward Humphrey, domestic assault - 4th degree - 1st or 2nd offense. Aug. 15 • Herbert Roland Lentz Jr., domestic assault - 4th degree - 1st or 2nd offense, trespassing - 1st degree, assault - 4th degree. Oct. 30 • Mona Vanwechel, passing bad check. April 9 • Mona Vanwechel, passing bad check. April 9 • Heather R. Vinson, possession of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. May 2 • Micah Tyler Rasmussen, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while revoked/ suspended - 1st offense, exceeded posted speed limit by 11-15 mph, failure to register motor vehicle, driver/ front seat passenger failure to wear properly adjusted/ fastened safety belt. June 22 • Robin L. Farthing, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, operated a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, involving an accident, operated motor vehicle owned by another knowing owner of vehicle has not maintained financial responsibility. Nov. 17 • Desiree Edwards, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of

Page 7B

news

Spire natural gas rates to lower

marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. Dec. 14 • Nigel Kalton Weeks, assault - 3rd degree - special victim, resisting/interfering with arrest, detention or stop, assault - 2nd degree - special victim. June 21 • Brandon Chaise Elmore, robbery - 1st degree, stealing.

July 9 • Michael Linn Allen, resisting arrest/detention/stop by fleeing - creating a substantial risk of serious injury/death to any person, driving while revoked/suspended, operated a motor vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner, involving an accident. July 18 • Mark Guilford Harrington, unlawful use of weapon subsection 4 - exhibiting, 2 counts: domestic assault - 4th degree - 1st or 2nd offense.

Sept. 12 • John Franklin, passing bad check. Mar. 4 • Kelly Jean Irmen, unlawful use of weapon - subsection 4 exhibiting. July 12 • Dustin Ray Gann, unlawful use of weapon - subsection 4 exhibiting. Sept. 17 • Troy Don Baumgardner, failure to register as a sex offender.

Feb. 22 • Bradley Jason Blevins, 2 counts: statutory sodomy - 1st degree deviant intercourse with person less than 14 years of age/severe physical injury/displaying deadly weapon/dangerous instrument/ intercourse with more than one person/victim under 12 years old, 2 counts: enticement of a child, actor 21 years of age or older and child less than 15 years of age, sexual misconduct or attempt involving a child under 15 - 1st offense. Jan. 1, 2012 • Jonathan Miles Bradford, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, possession of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid of 10 grams or less, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. May 13

Headliner News staff Customers who buy their natural gas from Spire are set to see a slight decrease in rate.

The Missouri Public Service Commission announced that Spire’s rates would drop as of Nov. 15 to reflected estimated changes to the wholesale cost of natural gas, along with a change to what is called the “actual cost adjustment (ACA) factor.”

Spire Missouri, formerly Laclede Gas Company, serves more than 500,000 Missouri customers, including those in Ozark and other parts of Christian County.

The ACA factor is a mechanism which tracks any over-collection or under-collection of actual natural gas costs over a 12-month period. The net over- or under-collected balances are subsequently either refunded or collected the next year.

Under the filing with the Missouri Public Service Commission, Spire residential customers will see natural gas rates decrease by approximately $0.04 per hundred cubic feet of natural gas, down from approximately $0.52 per hundred cubic feet to approximately $0.48 per hundred cubic feet. Spire stated in its filing that compared to current rates and assuming normal usage, this change would lower the average monthly natural gas bill for a

Headliner News file photo A Spire Missouri utility van parked on North Second Street in downtown Ozark. Spire’s natural gas service area includes Ozark and other parts of Christian County.

Service Commission. The wellhead cost of natural gas is unregulated and is primarily driven by supply, demand and the weather.

The Missouri Public Service Commission does conduct an annual regulatory review to ensure that regulated natural gas companies make prudent decisions in securing natural gas supplies for their customers.

typical residential customer over the upcoming winter by approximately $4 per month.

Approximately 50-55 percent of a customer’s current natural gas bill reflects the cost of natural gas from wholesale suppliers. The wholesale cost of natural gas (the cost your local natural gas company must pay to its suppliers for natural gas) is not regulated by the Missouri Public

Seat belt usage on the rise

Missouri’s annual survey reveals 87.1 percent usage Headliner News staff Safety belt usage in Missouri has climbed to its highest rate ever. The latest Missouri Seat Belt Usage Survey, which has been taken annually since 1998, shows 87.1 percent of Missourians use a safety belt. In 1998, that figure was 60 percent.

Missouri is nearing the national average which is 89.7 percent.

“We’ve seen a 5.7 percent increase in usage in the past two years alone,” said Jon Nelson, executive committee chair of the Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. “We’ve increased educational efforts through the Buckle Up Phone Down (BUPD)

individuals and 430 businesses have taken the BUPD pledge to always wear their safety belts, and put their phones down while driving,” Nelson said.

Pickup truck drivers and passengers had the lowest seat belt usage rate at 71 percent.

“With more than 90 percent of traffic crashes attributed to human error, we know most are preventable.

However, a safety belt is your best defense in a vehicle crash,” Nelson said.

“Buckle up and never drive distracted or impaired.”

For more information regarding roadway safety or Buckle Up Phone Down, visit www.saveMOlives.com.

program statewide, and the survey results show those messages are being heard.”

With 61 percent of Missouri’s traffic crash fatalities in 2017 involving an unbelted driver or passenger, this increase could result in many lives saved.

Observers recorded data from 560 sites within 28 Missouri counties on more than 135,000 vehicle occupants.

The report showed vehicle passengers and females were more commonly belted, and that occupants of sport utility vehicles and minivans also had a higher rate of safety belt usage at 86.5 percent.

“Since inception, more than 5,600

SALE DATES Nov. 14th thru Nov. 24th 2018

CABOOL

HEATING STOVE OPTIONS (425370)

(417) 962-4535

Heats up to 1000 sq. ft.

Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

HOUSTON

Hwy 63 (By the Super Center) 1453 Sam Houston Blvd

27999

$

Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Hwy 38 at 360 McNabb Rd I-44 Exit #100

(417) 468-6262 Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

57999

$

6,797

99 $

929

(417) 753-2500 Mon.-Sat. 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

619

459

$

Includes an installed ice maker. (REF183SS)

15 cu. ft. capacity (CFR15W)

WHIRLPOOL WASHER & DRYER

7.0 CU. FT. ELECTRIC DRYER (ED1WW)

3.5 CU. FT. TOP LOAD WHITE WASHER (W1WA)

459

449

$

Homeline 200 Amp Load Center with 6 Breakers

$

OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT

10999

$

(525871)

Husqvarna Chain Saw 18” Bar Get a free 450 Rancher $30 Gift Card

CELLULOSE INSULATION

7

Per Bag

Covers 40 sq ft at a R-19 value!

542378hb

CHEST FREEZER

$

Available at our Cabool Location.

$ 89

or shop online at chchomecenter.com

579

$

WHIRLPOOL 18 CU.FT. STAINLESS STEEL REFRIGERATOR

Model 350

ROGERSVILLE Hwy 60, 2 Blocks South on Mill St.

1099

$

Wood Stove • Heats up to 1,700 sq. ft.

• Built in blower • Model 2016 (042015)

Efficiency, Burns Less Wood.

$

(ERSCFB)

(REFS25BS)

Pellet Stove • Heats up to 2,000 sq. ft.

• Built in blower Central Boiler Classic Edge Outdoor Wood Furnace • 2016 Capacity (04R5500M) Optimized for Performance, High

(417) 967-4179

MARSHFIELD

36” 24 CU. FT. BLACK STAINLESS SIDE BY SIDE REFRIDGERATOR

Small Log Wood Stove

Near Hwy 60 at 107 South Hwy 181

30” BLACK STAINLESS STEEL ELECTRIC SMOOTH TOP RANGE

• Keeps winter heat in • Fill gaps and voids • Easy to install

6 Panel Pine Prehung Door

144 $ 154

with purchase of Husqvarna 450 Saw

369

$

95

Stihl MS 250 Chain Saw 18” Bar

29999

$

Save 60!

Stihl available at Houston store.

$

2’, 2’4”, 2’6” Sizes

2’8”, 3’ Sizes

Husqvarna 125B Gas Blower

13997

$

Husqvarna 350BT Backpack Blower

32995

$

Page 8A

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 I www.ccheadliner.com I Christian County Headliner News

news

on t he

Al Michel

FAVORITE THANKSGIVING FOOD: Ham.

Vietnam War Veteran

spot

E SUNSHIN ?

OR SNOW .

Sunshine

FAVORITE HOLIDAY:

Thanksgiving.

S EE THING

E THR WHAT AR NT ON A YOU’D WA ISLAND? d matches DESERTED fishing an

ING BEST TH ABOUT AN CHRISTI : COUNTY ess and

WHO MAKES UP YOUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY?

dlin The frien r. each othe caring for

My wife, Pat, my two children, Jason and Laura, and my grandchildren.

HOBBIES: BEST THING ABOUT CELEBRATIN G VETERANS DAY:

To help reme mber what our country re ally is and what our vete rans do to help maintain and preserve our freedoms and rights.

THE MOUNTAINS OR OCEAN? Mountains.

ear for A tent, a sp to cook.

My favorite hobby is woodworking. I do woodworking whenever I can and make a little sawdust. I’ve done it a good part of my life.

WHAT DID YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I’m retired from public education. I was a school teacher and administrator.

I taught junior high math and science.

DO YOU VOLUNTEE R ANYWHERE ?

E FAVORIT COLOR:

I volunteer w ith the veterans, at c hurch, with Least Of The se.

Blue.

WHAT BRA NCH OF THE MILITARY D ID YOU SERVE ?

The Navy.

WHAT WERE YOUR DUTIES IN THE NAVY? I was aboard a ship in the Navy. I’m a Vietnam veteran, then I spent 20 years in the Reserve.

Sydni Moore/Headliner News

communitycalendar and risk factors and more. Visit alz.org/CRF to register online.

Nov. 15-16 ELF JR. THE MUSICAL The Ozark High School Musical Theatre Department presents a story everyone loves, based on the Movie “Elf,” with Will Ferrell. The show starts both nights at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. Students and children cost $5. Adults are $7. Pictures may also be taken with Santa Claus before the performance in the commons area for $1. Proceeds will benefit Care to Learn – Ozark.

Nov. 17 54TH ANNUAL OZARK CHRISTMAS PARADE Celebrate the magic of Christmas with a magical parade here in Ozark. Arrive early to get pictures with Santa, enjoy a Christmas hay ride, caroling, hot cocoa and Christmas movies on the square. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. Those interested in registering a float should email events@ozarkchamber. com for more information.

CHRISTIAN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS SEMINAR The organization’s free seminar will be held 1-4 p.m. at the Nixa Community Center, 701 N. Taylor Way. Springfield-Greene County Botanical Center Director Katie Keith will discuss adding winter elements to gardens in her presentation, “Bare Necessities & Living Accessories in Garden Design.” Grimes Horticulture’s Bill Eskes will also discuss “What’s New & Exciting for Your Spring 2019 Garden.” Call (417) 581-3558 to register.

Nov. 22 FREE THANKSGIVING DINNER Cassidy United Methodist Church, 5151 N. Fremont Road, Nixa, is hosting a free dinner for those in the community who need a meal on Thanksgiving Day. Turkey, ham potatoes, gravy, vegetables, bread and dessert will all be served. Meals are packaged to-go and may be picked up at the church between 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

It is required that people call ahead to place their order Nov. 19 through 10 a.m. Thursday morning. The church’s number is (417) 582-3632.

Nov. 29 CC LINKS AND OZARK SCHOOL DISTRICT FAMILY WORKSHOPS Learn advice and tips regarding family life at workshops, presented by the Ozark School District and CC Links. The next workshop covers communication and how to set up your home environment to increase it. The workshops take place 6:45-8 p.m. the last Thursday of each designated month at Ozark Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, 202 N. Fourth Ave. Childcare during the event is available—arrive at 6:30 if needed.

Nov. 30 SANTA’S WORKSHOP The Christian County Library Ozark Branch, 1005 North Fourth Ave., is hosting a Santa’s Workshop 2-5 p.m. Children can come meet and have their photo taken with Santa, and shop his workshop for inexpensive gifts for parents, grandparents, siblings and friends.

16-17 Event of the week

Every month NIXA SENIOR CENTER EVENTS The Nixa Senior Center holds dances regularly on Tuesdays and Fridays at 7 p.m. Admission is $4. For more information, call (417) 725-3322.

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.

ABUNDANT BLESSINGS KIDS KLOSET Abundant Blessings provides clothing for children in need and foster children. Hours of operation are 6-8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 5-7 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m.-noon Thursdays. The closet is located at 117 W. Sherman Way, Suite 104, Nixa. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/abundantblessingskidskloset.

OACAC HEAD START SPRING RECRUITMENT Ozarks Area Community Action Cooperation is now accepting applications for enrollment in its Head Start program, beginning in September. The program prepares 3-5-year-olds for success in school. Applications may be submitted through Sept. 4. For more information, call (417) 724-2920 or visit www.OAC.AC. Every Tuesday and Thursday YOGA AT THE LIBRARY Debra Tucker, of 417 Create Art and Yoga, will teach a gentle, restorative yoga class for adults once a week, covering basic principles of alignment and technique.

The event takes place 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Second Saturday OZARK SENIOR CENTER ALL YOU CAN EAT BREAKFAST Skip cooking for an already-prepared, hearty breakfast benefiting the Ozark Senior Center.

Adults cost $5 and kids cost $2.50 for a hot meal including bacon, eggs and French toast. The event is open to all.

The senior center also serves coffee and donuts for veterans to sit and enjoy together monthly. For more information, call Bill Acre at (901) 299-4367.

Through Feb. 1 NIXA ACADEMIC HALL OF FAME Christian County residents can now nominate an upcoming Nixa graduate to the high school’s Academic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors students who have found many successes throughout their high school endeavors. Go to www.nixaalumni.net to submit a nomination through Feb. 1. Include a list of their accomplishments, job history, and letters of recommendation.

Nov. 15 UNDERSTANDING ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIA A special seminar will be held at Spokane First Baptist Church, 773 Spokane Road, 7-8 p.m. Attendees will learn about the impact of Alzheimer’s, the difference between the disease and dementia, disease stages

NOV

OZARK CRAFT FESTIVAL 2018 Christmas is just around the corner.

The Ozark Community Center will host the Ozark Cosmopolitan Club’s 11th Annual Ozark Craft Festival 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16 and 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 17.

Crafters will sell their own handmade items and unique gifts.

Admission is free.

Assisted gift-wrapping will also be available.

Nov. 30-Dec. 2 THE LIVE DRIVE-THRU NATVITY Experience the joy and wonder of Christmas. North Nixa Baptist Church presents the 4th annual Drive-thru Nativity. Guests will visit the bustling marketplace of Bethlehem, see live animals, hear an angel choir and much more. The nativity runs 6-9 p.m. nightly.

Call (417) 725-5355 for more information.

Dec. 7 NIXA CHAMBER 30TH ANNIVERSARY The Nixa Chamber of Commerce will celebrate its 30th anniversary 6 p.m. at Green House Two Rivers in Highlandville. A cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m.

Dinner begins at 6:45. Tickets purchased in advance cost $35. After Nov. 15, tickets are $40. RSVP at nixachamber.com.

Dec. 8 CANDY CANE CODING The Christian County Library is encouraging kids to learn how to code. Those in third through seventh grade can attend this workshop at the Ozark Branch to learn the secrets behind computer language.

They’ll create personalized beaded candy canes using binary code 10-11 a.m.

Dec. 8-9 NIXA JUNIOR HIGH CRAFT SHOW Shop till you drop at the 38th Annual Nixa PTSA Craft Show at Nixa Junior High School. Doors open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m-4 p.m. Sunday. Pick up your last-minute holiday gifts and goodies. Over 200 vendors will be present. For more information, call (417) 225-1660.

Dec. 11 TECHIE Q&A Do you have a burning question about a new technology or need guidance with a computer or device you already own? All ages are invited to this open question-and-answer forum 6-7 p.m. at the Clever Public Library, to ask library IT staff about almost anything tech-related. For even more personalized help, call (417) 724-6100 to request a 30-minute one-on-one help session with a library technology trainer.