January 2026
Jon Horner: Creating opportunity together — A new year’s vision for our community in 2026
Here we stand at that annual strange feeling each year as we start to say goodbye to the year before, reflecting upon what has filled the past 365 days of our lives and beginning to see the possibilities which come with the shifting of the calendar to a new year.
Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights — Liberty or death
He rose, a Baptist clergyman recalled, “with an unearthly fire burning in his eye.” It was Thursday, March 23, 1775, and the fate of American liberty was on the patriot’s mind. To Thomas Jefferson, he was “the greatest orator that ever lived.” To Roger Atkinson, a spectator, he was “a son of thunder.” To his enemies, he was an insolent traitor to king and empire, a man as infamous for his utterances as the Apostle Paul when he stood on Mars Hill and preached to the people of Athens.
Through the Years, Jan. 7
40 YEARS AGO: PROGRESS IN WEATHER BREAK — With springlike temperatures, MECO Construction of Springfield is progressing rapidly on the Walmart store site near Cassville. South wall construction and concrete pouring are underway, and the store is scheduled to open in mid-1986.
Evelyn Elaine Hopkins
Evelyn Elaine Hopkins, 86, of Cassville, Mo. passed away Saturday, January 3, 2026, at her home.
John Tong Lee
John Tong Lee, 69, of Inola, Okla., passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa, Okla.
Lily Ann Petersen
Lily Ann Petersen, 84, of Monett, Mo., passed away Monday December 29, 2025.
John Riley Sullivan
John Riley Sullivan, 76, of Cassville, Mo., passed away peacefully on Friday, January 2, 2026, at his home.
Charles W. Williams, Jr.
Charles W. Williams, Jr., 92, of Rogers, Ark., passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, at Innisfree Health & Rehabilitation in Rogers, Ark.
John Eugene Miller
John Eugene Miller, passed away from cancer on December 23, 2025.
Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week, Jan. 7
Meet Phil! He’s a very adorable and energetic boy. Phil is very friendly and social and is a family dog. He likes other pups but wants to play and rough house, so a playful dog sibling will be the best match.
