Ozark County

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Ozarks Honor Flight has taken 14 trips to the nation's capital.  A man who grew up near Gainesville has been a regular at the airport in D.C., welcoming the World War II veterans as they arrive. Jeff Huse, who has lived in Washington, D.C. for about 20 years, is inspired by the service of his own father, a World War II veteran who passed away about five years ago.  Huse says he loves seeing the range of emotions on the faces of the vets as they arrive.  It's an emotional experience for him as well -- one that he feels brings him closer to his father.

GAINESVILLE, Mo.-- The memorial service for Private First Class Matthew England, a 2007 graduate of Lutie High School, will be Sunday, June 19th at the First Christian Church in Gainesville.  The service will begin at 3:00 PM. England was killed last week in an IED explosion in Iraq.  He was scheduled to return home from deployment in August.  England's mother and step-father, Pamela and Joe Hengen live in rural Ozark County.

THEODOSIA, Mo. -- Ozark County authorities have busted what they believe is a multi-state meth-making and counterfeit operation.  Hidden near Theodosia, producing the illegal drug and phony money, as well as fake social security and payroll checks.  KY3 is at the sheriff's office in Gainesville and has been looking at the evidence.

The districts are involved in the Community Foundation of the Ozarks Rural Schools Partnership. Ozark Elementary is getting a grant to maintain an outdoor classroom and build nature trails. Stockton High will develop a community trail network.  Galena High will create a food garden and study wildlife.  The Hartville district will  create a native flower and vegetable garden.  The Ozark County Youth Empowerment Project will expand recycling in Gainesville and Willow Springs elementary will improve its outdoor classroom.

High waters have claimed the life of a 54-year old Hardenville man. The incident happened shortly after 9:15 Saturday night. David Langdon's car was swept off a low water bridge on County Road 528, just south Hardenville.  Somehow, Langdon was overcome by the high, strong current. According to the Ozark County Sheriff's Department, a passenger in the vehicle said he tried to rescue Landon but was unsuccessful. Langdon was found about 100 yards downstream from his vehicle.

OZARK, Mo. - Christian County commissioners have hired an engineering firm to analyze what to do next about the Riverside Bridge in Ozark. The county closed the bridge in March of 2011 because of structural problems.   But, the first order of business is finding money for a new bridge to carry car traffic over the Finley River. Preservationists hope the old span can be used for bicycles and pedestrians.   

Bolivar (Mo.) Herald-Free Press Baxter Bulletin (Mountain Home, Ark.) Branson (Mo.) Daily News Buffalo (Mo.) Reflex Cabool (Mo.) Enterprise Carroll County Star-Tribune (Berryville, Ark.) Cassville (Mo.) Democrat Cedar County Republican (Stockton, Mo.) Christian County Headliner News (Ozark and Nixa, Mo.) Douglas County Herald (Ava, Mo.) El Dorado Springs (Mo.) Sun (Flippin, Ark.)

A handful of money issues are on the ballots in a few Missouri and Arkansas counties, as well as a statewide issue in Arkansas. In Barry County, voters will decide a 3/16-percent sales tax that would be in effect for five years for the purpose of law enforcement services.  Also in Barry County, voters are asked to approve an additional 1/8-percent sales tax for 911 services. The city of Warsaw is voting on a 1/8-percent sales tax for parks, including construction of a new city swimming pool.

The Douglas County Sheriff’s office has charged two men after a six month investigation involving robberies in five counties and the City of Springfield. Warrants were issued for 25-year-old James Ellison Jr., also known as Bo Ellison of Goodhope and 36-year-old Doyle Shelton, Jr. or Ava. The men are suspected of robbing all kinds of tools and equipment from Douglas, Greene, Ozark, Taney and Webster Counties and the City of Springfield and Cabool. Press Release Douglas County Sheriff Chris Degase: The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has just recently concluded a nearly 6 month investigation that has solved burglaries and stealing case in Douglas, Greene, Ozark, Taney, Webster, Counties and the City of Springfield and Cabool.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Every planeload of veterans on Ozarks Honor Flight represents enough 'living history' to write another book about World War II.  The latest trip is more proof that that's no exaggeration.  It also was another reminder that time marches on. Army veterans and twins Fray and Ray Hillhouse were together on this trip on Tuesday. “We planned it that way,” said Fray Hillhouse. Their mother also wanted it that way when World War II broke out and they were drafted.

GAINESVILLE, Mo. -- A first responder in Ozark County died on duty over the weekend. Donald Shaper of Pontiac was directing traffic Friday night around a stalled car on Highway 5 near the Missouri-Arkansas state line when he suffered an apparent heart attack. Shaper was a member of the Timber Knob Volunteer Fire Department. He was 60.