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Ozarks Life

Missouri became the first state to sign a law celebrating good neighbor week in 2022.

Ozarks Life: Good Neighbor Week

Updated: 21 hours ago

By Chad Plein

David Burton’s hope is this one week of helping our neighbors will become second nature for Missourians.

Ozarks Life

Nelson claims to have taken a trip in a UFO in 1955.

Ozarks Life: Buck Nelson’s out-of-this-world trip

Updated: Sep. 22, 2023 at 6:32 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Buck said UFOs would visit him five times. On the fifth visit, he and his dog went into the spacecraft.

Ozarks Life

Lebanon Police officer, Hayden Dugger was recently crowned Mrs. Missouri American.

Ozarks Life: From local police to a national pageant, Hayden Dugger is making a difference

Updated: Sep. 15, 2023 at 6:09 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Every pageant contestant has a platform or a cause. For Hayden, it’s very personal.

Ozarks Life

Chris White takes his 24-foot-long trailer to every home Chiefs game.

Ozarks Life: Comforts of home at ‘The Home of the Chiefs’

Updated: Sep. 8, 2023 at 6:23 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Chris White started constructing this terrific trailer back in May. This weekend warrior manufactured everything except the exterior wrap that he designed.

Ozarks Life

The Strickland's raise and sell compost worms from their farm in Laclede County.

Ozarks Life: Kyle and Jen Strickland’s unique Laclede Co Farm

Updated: Sep. 1, 2023 at 6:26 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

The idea crawled into Jen Strickland’s mind when she was diagnosed with Alpha-Gal. The tick-borne illness makes people allergic to mammal meat and products.

Ozarks Life

The Beverly Hillbillies truck is on display at College of the Ozarks.

Ozarks Life: Paul Henning’s gifts for the Branson area

Updated: Aug. 25, 2023 at 7:58 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

A native of Independence, Missouri, Henning made it big in Hollywood with the Beverly Hillbillies.

Ozarks Life

Monkeys are picking out ingredients for a new beer.

Ozarks Life: Brewing up a good time while monkeying around

Updated: Aug. 18, 2023 at 8:31 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

These monkeys are picking out the ingredients of a new beer for a charitable night at the zoo.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: The American Dream in Cabool

Updated: Aug. 11, 2023 at 10:31 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

After working for almost every day since 1975, Mercedes Munoz is closing El Imperial restaurant.

Ozarks Life

Bunky was a fixture in the standings thanks to his never-say-die attitude.

Ozarks Life: A man named Spunky Bunky Long

Updated: Aug. 4, 2023 at 10:03 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Bunky was a fixture in the weekly race standings thanks to his never-say-die attitude.

Ozarks Life

Wayne Glenn is enjoying retire at his Christian County home.

Ozarks Life: Catching up with “The Old Record Collector”

Updated: Jul. 28, 2023 at 5:22 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

From 1978 to 2021, the former social studies teacher and principal in both the Nixa and Clever School Districts loved spinning records on the weekends.

KY3 First Alert Weather

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Volunteering at the Price Cutter Charity Championship

Updated: Jul. 21, 2023 at 6:17 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

There’s an army of ambassadors from the Ozarks making sure the event goes off every year as crisp as that perfect tee shot down a fairway.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Barry County author pens Echoes from Ozarks

Updated: Jul. 14, 2023 at 6:21 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Mark has been described as a current-day Mark Twain.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Keeping the Wynn Mandolin legacy alive

Updated: Jul. 7, 2023 at 6:49 PM CDT

By Chad Plein

At the age of 13, Berry slowly started learning how to make his dad’s instruments. Today he is keeping the Wynn name alive thanks to a shop at his home in Ozark.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Almost a century of House Handle handling Ozarks orders

Updated: Jun. 30, 2023 at 7:51 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

The House Handle Company went from selling someone else’s handles to creating its own.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: The service of Donnie and Ronnie Wright

Updated: Jun. 23, 2023 at 7:05 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

In 1965, they joined the Mount Vernon Fire Protection District and were commissioned as Lawrence County deputies. Then in 1968, they became Mount Vernon police officers as well.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life Vault: The time The Beatles visited the Ozarks

Updated: Jun. 16, 2023 at 6:47 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

In the fall of 1964, the Beatles had a stretch of 32 concerts in 31 days. With a day off before their tour’s finale in New York City, the Fab Four stopped in Oregon County, MO.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: David Trask’s musical journey among the greats

Updated: Jun. 9, 2023 at 8:35 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

In the late 1970s, the country music scene was heating up, and so David went to Nashville. He got hired on the spot by Waylon Jennings.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Allison’s long-lost high school ring

Updated: Jun. 2, 2023 at 12:33 PM CDT

By Chad Plein

Shortly after graduating high school in 1988, Allison Medina moved to Charleston, South Carolina, and lost her high school ring.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: The time a Springfield woman met Dolly Parton

Updated: May. 26, 2023 at 6:46 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

They reached out to Dolly Parton’s people through social media, hoping for a video call with the music superstar. But they got a whole lot more.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Honoring an engine of growth for Christian County

Updated: May. 19, 2023 at 7:18 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Larry Waggoner has been commissioned by the Historic River District to create its latest, beautification project for the city.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Honoring West Plains first celebrity

Updated: May. 12, 2023 at 5:59 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

At Oak Lawn Cemetery in West Plains a modest congregation came out to pay their respects to Polly Bradford.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Historic Downing Street

Updated: May. 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

So why does Taney County have this block of half-timbered or Tudor buildings?

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Checkered Flag for Dallas County Speedway

Updated: Apr. 28, 2023 at 6:46 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Scotty Allen wants to pass along that his parents are in good health; it’s just the right time.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Area teen invited to perform at Carnegie Hall

Updated: Apr. 21, 2023 at 5:22 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Gabriella Wise to perform in the Middle School Honors Ensemble.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Florence is a new, big star in Branson

Updated: Apr. 14, 2023 at 5:22 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Florence the elephant is probably the largest, animatronic animal the Ozarks has ever seen.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Record year for friends of the Easter Bunny

Updated: Apr. 7, 2023 at 5:49 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

The workshop at SWI Industrial Solutions is always hopping busy for the Easter Bunny. It’s Sunny Bunny Easter Eggs won’t fill themselves.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Local author releases book on Bill Virdon

Updated: Apr. 3, 2023 at 11:01 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

David got to know Bill and Shirley Virdon in 2019 when he became the associate pastor at their church.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Deacon Dog of Old Stone Church

Updated: Mar. 24, 2023 at 6:45 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

As for his longevity, Robin feeds him real food. Joe loves chicken, salmon, and hamburgers.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Moxie Garrison showing moxie in the face of a genetic disorder

Updated: Mar. 17, 2023 at 5:39 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

The Garrison’s have found a surgeon to help Moxie with a potentially life-saving surgery, but it’s in London and the payment is expected in advance.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Performing with a purpose at Silver Dollar City

Updated: Mar. 10, 2023 at 5:23 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Brian Arnold continues performing despite two, major life changing events.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Operation Song pays tribute to an Ozarks veteran

Updated: Mar. 3, 2023 at 5:26 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Debra Walden Davis was approached by Operation Song to see if they could write a song about her and her father.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Sparta senior’s challenge off the court

Updated: Feb. 24, 2023 at 7:21 AM CST

By Chad Plein

For four years, Sparta fans watched Kavan battle rival teams. But away from the court, he has another battle.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Mtn. Home author shares her creative mind with children

Updated: Feb. 3, 2023 at 5:18 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Rosette Elizabeth Hurst is working on her fourth children’s book.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Helping area kids sleep in heavenly peace

Updated: Jan. 27, 2023 at 5:18 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Exeter non-profit builds beds for area kids who sleep on couches, chairs, or floors.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Melinda Mullins continues father’s legacy

Updated: Jan. 20, 2023 at 6:24 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Johnny Mullins wrote songs for Porter Wagoner, Loretta Lynn, and others.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Getting Sunny Bunny eggs ready for Easter

Updated: Jan. 13, 2023 at 10:11 AM CST

By Chad Plein

The workshop at SWI Industrial Solutions is always busy; but especially busy right now. The Easter Bunny needs these Sunny Bunny Easter Eggs filled.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: The case of Eureka Springs’ Black Dog

Updated: Jan. 6, 2023 at 10:22 AM CST

By Chad Plein

In the shadow of the Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs is the last place a beloved black dog was seen.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Gingerbread Chapel at College of the Ozarks

Updated: Dec. 23, 2022 at 9:35 AM CST

By Chad Plein

This is not just a gingerbread house but a piece of art created by students at College of the Ozarks.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: The birth of Ralphie’s Red Ryder BB gun

Updated: Dec. 16, 2022 at 9:33 AM CST

By Chad Plein

The rifle Ralphie wanted in the movie didn’t exist in the 1940s. So what did Daisy do?

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: ‘Tis the season for C of O fruitcake!

Updated: Dec. 9, 2022 at 5:14 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Annually, between 10,000 and 13,000 College of the Ozarks’ fruitcakes are made.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Business is “hopping” in Eureka Springs

Updated: Dec. 2, 2022 at 8:45 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Yume's bunnies sit at her shop’s checkout greeting customers and showing off their unique talent.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Young author helping kids with diabetes

Updated: Nov. 18, 2022 at 9:18 AM CST

By Chad Plein

Eventually, through hard work, Ellie Rowe and others turn the page on their disease. They learn how to live and thrive with it.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: H.K. Silvey, out of this world fiddler

Updated: Nov. 11, 2022 at 9:39 AM CST

By Chad Plein

H.K. has played the fiddle longer than most of us have been alive. He taught himself how to play as a kid.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Shoot’n for Dreams

Updated: Nov. 4, 2022 at 6:42 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

You can reach out to Craig Logan if you’d like to help Shoot’n for Dreams or to nominate a kid for an upcoming hunt.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Visiting the Missouri State Penitentiary, Part 3

Updated: Oct. 28, 2022 at 9:23 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Built in 1836 to ensure Jefferson City would remain the state capital, no one wanted to end up there. Today though, guests are dying to get in thanks to this property being considered, one of the most haunted places in Missouri.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Visiting the Missouri State Penitentiary, Part 2

Updated: Oct. 21, 2022 at 10:19 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Hundreds of deaths happened inside the penitentiary. Some think the hate, chaos, and angst left an imprint on the property.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Visiting the Missouri State Penitentiary, Part 1

Updated: Oct. 14, 2022 at 9:40 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

These buildings were fortresses to keep Missouri’s worst from escaping. Today many believe some of these inmates still cannot leave.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Matthew Garcia’s masterpiece on the point

Updated: Oct. 7, 2022 at 9:22 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

It’s not as old as Stonehenge or as mysterious as the heads on Easter Island but the shoreline at Big M Campground near Cassville was awe-inspiring.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Sam and Kaila

Updated: Sep. 30, 2022 at 8:20 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

Kaila, like Sam, had numerous surgeries. And Kaila, like Sam, is focused on the future, not the past.

Ozarks Life

Ozarks Life: Helping the regal fritillary butterfly rebound

Updated: Sep. 24, 2022 at 10:23 AM CDT

By Chad Plein

The regal’s habitat is disappearing. We have lost close to 99% of Missouri's native tallgrass prairie.