News

College of the Ozarks to host Jenna Bush Hager—humanitarian, correspondent, and best-selling author

College of the Ozarks to host Jenna Bush Hager — humanitarian, correspondent, and best-selling author — for Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Fall Convocation Oct. 10   Reservations available on Wednesday, Sept. 18  POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks will host Jenna Bush Hager, daughter of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and First Lady Laura Bush, as this year’s speaker for the Leonard B. and Edith Gittinger Convocation on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. in the Howell W. Keeter

College of the Ozarks welcomes new faculty members for 2024-2025 school year

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — College of the Ozarks is entering the 2024-2025 academic year with four new faculty members. The College is excited to welcome these members onto campus. Dr. Ryan Douglas will serve as assistant professor of business at College of the Ozarks. Before College of the Ozarks, Douglas worked as a business consultant for Cerner Corporation, and then he worked as an accountant in their finance department. After that, he served as a project accountant for Burns and McDonnell, staff

JUST ANNOUNCED THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS Performing at Black Oak Amphitheater October 6!

Lampe, MO- September 10, 2024 – The legendary Ozark Mountain Daredevils are set to perform as special guests for ZZ Top’s upcoming October 6 show, exclusively at Black Oak Amphitheater. Fans can look forward to an unforgettable night of music, featuring a unique blend of country-rock and classic rock. This one-night-only event is the final concert of 2024 – tickets are selling fast, so, don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible experience!EVENT DETAILS: Artist: ZZ Top “The Elevation

Final Date Set for Merger of Table Rock Community Bank and First Community Bank of the Ozarks

BRANSON, MO, FORSYTH, MO, HOLLISTER, MO, BRANSON WEST, MO, KIMBERLING CITY, MO, CRANE, MO and SPRINGFIELD, MO – SEPTEMBER 3, 2024 Alton Bancshares, Inc., the parent company of Table Rock Community Bank and First Community Bank of the Ozarks, Member FDIC, is pleased to announce that the highly anticipated merger is scheduled to commence at close of business on Friday, December 6th, and will be finalized by open of business on Monday, December 9th. As previously announced, following completion of the

College of the Ozarks hosts Character Camp for fall 2024 incoming class

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — Incoming freshmen at College of the Ozarks experienced Character Camp, a week-long orientation, from Aug. 16-23. Character Camp provides an intensive orientation to the College and outlines what is expected of students. The program is designed to develop character in students and provides new students with a built-in support system that helps them navigate their college experience. During the week, 340 incoming students were placed into 28 groups called “families.” Each family was led

College of the Ozarks To host USS David Ray Reunion celebrating Vietnamese Refugees

POINT LOOKOUT, MO — College of the Ozarks will host the USS David Ray Reunion on Sept. 13, 2024, in the Silver Dollar City Parlor at The Keeter Center. The event is organized by Kirk Klingler and will feature Lloyd Nguyen, associate professor of criminal justice at College of The Ozarks. This event is meant to honor the sailors serving on the USS David Ray as seen through the eyes of Vietnamese refugees who were rescued from inevitable demise. The Vietnamese will share their stories of the re-education

College of the Ozarks to hold 9/11 Memorial Ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 11

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — On Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 9 a.m., College of the Ozarks will hold a special ceremony to commemorate the lives of those who perished in the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. The public is invited and encouraged to attend the ceremony. The ceremony will be held at the Lest We Forget 9/11 Memorial located next to the Point Lookout Fire Department on James Forsythe Drive on the College of the Ozarks campus. Special guest speaker, Sonja Maria Lohmeyer, has a diverse

Taneyville students, community enjoying track improvements

School is back in session in Taneyville but students aren’t spending all day in the classroom. Thanks to funding from Silver Dollar City Foundation’s Hope Grant, the district’s gravel track is in tip-top shape just in time for students. The track, which is located behind the school, is used throughout the day for recess, PE classes, cross country and then after school, it is open to the community. “The district has maintained the track as well as possible with limited funds and equipment,” explained

Ollis/Akers/Arney Named as a Top Insurance Workplace by Insurance Business America

Ollis/Akers/Arney Named as a Top Insurance WorkplaceSPRINGFIELD, MO – Ollis/Akers/Arney for the sixth consecutive year was named a Top Insurance Workplace—one of only 43 companies in the United States and Missouri’s only company to achieve the distinction from Insurance Business America.“I am a firm believer that culture starts with your hiring process,” says Joe Gaunt, Ollis/Akers/Arney director of operations. “With targeted selection interviewing, we’re trying to get an idea of how a person is going to

MU Extension to host Tai Chi for Arthritis & Fall Prevention

Branson Bank Mortgage – Best of SWMO

(Branson, MO) The Branson Bank mortgage team is known for its tailored approach to mortgage lending. Whether it’s a first-time homebuyer in Branson, a family looking to refinance in Branson West, or a new construction in Forsyth, the team is equipped to provide comprehensive support and guidance through every phase of home ownership. Christi Abker has served the customers of Branson Bank since 2019. As Vice President, Mortgage Loan Officer, Abker oversees the Mortgage Department based out of the Gretna

The Butterfly Palace Unveils New EV Chargers Powered by Solar Energy

The Butterfly Palace Unveils New EV Chargers, Powered by Solar Energy, in a Major Step Toward SustainabilityBranson, MO, August 21, 2024 — In a bold stride towards environmental conservation and community support, The Butterfly Palace is thrilled to announce the installation of brand-new electric vehicle (EV) chargers, now available for public use. These chargers, operational from 9 AM to 5 PM daily, are a testament to the company’s commitment to a greener future, utilizing solar energy to provide an

Evangel University joins The Alliance for Healthcare Education as inaugural affiliate

The Alliance for Healthcare Education is excited to announce that Evangel University has joined as the organization’s first affiliate partner, marking a significant expansion of the collaborative efforts to address the region’s health care workforce needs. Founded by CoxHealth, Missouri State University, Ozarks Technical Community College, and Springfield Public Schools, The Alliance for Healthcare Education was established to create a sustainable pipeline of health care professionals for decades to come.

School of the Ozarks hosts Classical Christian Education Teacher Training, July 22-25

POINT LOOKOUT, MO — The School of the Ozarks hosted their first teacher training on July 22-25, for teachers who are in their first years of teaching within the Classical Christian Education model. Over 100 teachers throughout North America attended the three-day training sessions, with most of their expenses being paid by the Stanley M. Herzog Charitable Foundation. “We want to help train teachers to give an education that many of us did not receive. When the movement will really take off is when those

Entrepreneurial Missourians get chance to participate in free business workshops

Across the Show Me State, a wave of entrepreneurial energy is growing. The Early-Stage Business Boot Camp, designed with aspiring entrepreneurs and new small business owners in mind, has successfully graduated nearly 130 entrepreneurs across the southern part of the state since December. Now the program is coming to Stone County Sept. 19 – Nov. 14. “This program is so impactful to our participants as they navigate how to start and grow their business,” said Sandra Smart, business consultant and technology