Area news

Fireworks At The Dam

The County Liners, a popular local singing group, performed for the crowd awaiting fireworks on Saturday, July 5, at the Pomme de Terre Dam. The band played a collection of country, classic rock and folk hits from 7 p.m.-11 p.m. before and after the large Pomme de Terre Chamber of Commerce sponsored commercial grade fireworks display above Lake Pomme de Terre. Following all the day’s Fourth of July events, a record breaking crowd assembled at the US Army Corps of Engineers Project Office at the Dam to hang out before the fireworks started. While waiting, they browsed the many vendor booths and food trucks on hand, listened to a deejay spinning records, bought T-shirts and glow sticks, and had an overall great time. Fireworks Over the Dam is sponsored each year by the Pomme de Terre Chamber of Commerce.

Duck Derby Record Breaking Success

The Pomme de Terre Chamber of Commerce’s Great Duck Derby was Saturday, July 5, with record breaking participation and record breaking ticket sales! After selling rubber duck …

County Begins Long Desired Projects

The Hickory County Commission has settled in for the start of many long desired projects that are designed to enhance the community, fix key areas, and build Lake Pomme de Terre for the future. A large portion of that work began on Monday, July 7, with the beginning of construction expansion to the Hickory County Courthouse in Hermitage. On Monday, crews began taking down the back steps and removing windows and planned to hold a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, July 8.
On top of that, contractors have already been hard at work transforming the old Dollar General Building into the new Ole Hickory Building, which will see the construction of a space for much needed county offices, and they also have plans to revitalize the Dorman and Rough Hollow Bridges. According to Hickory County Presiding Commissioner Robert Sawyer, this is all part of an estimated $6 million in community enhancements that have been discussed and dreamed about for many years.
Associate Commissioners Larry Lightfoot and Rick Pearson have been working with Sawyer and local government officials at getting these projects underway for several months, noting that the time has long passed to see improvements in the quality and function of services available to the citizens of Hickory County. Their hopes are that these new efforts will help the community grow bigger and better, while repairing some key areas where lack of funds had slowed progression.
“It’s all about bettering services to the community,” said Sawyer. “I’m hopeful for the work we have ongoing and know it will help us do great things for the people of Hickory County.”
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Ozark Market Day

Don Ginnings drove the Kids Train on Saturday, July 5, offering local youth and adults a spin around the Hermitage Square during the 48th Annual Ozark Market Day. This event, sponsored by the Hermitage Lions Club, saw a large turnout as people came from all over the state to visit vendor booths, enjoyed some grilled hamburgers, participate in kids’ games and other activities, and enjoy a little American Independence in the heart of Southwest Central Missouri. Ozark Market Day is one of the biggest events in Hickory County each year and is always a great time for visitors and local citizens. It ran from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Hickory County Courthouse Lawn. More pictures from the Fourth of July event can be found elsewhere in this issue.

Saturday, July 5, saw the return of Ozark Market Day to the Hermitage Square. The 48th Annual Ozark Market Day, sponsored by the Hermitage Lions Club, kicked off at 8 a.m. and ran until around 3 …

Parents as Teachers

CMH Diamond Nationals

The big winner of the 19th annual CMH Diamond Nationals, featuring the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, was Ricky Thornton Jr. of Chandler, Ariz. Action was held for the first time as two-night …

Poker Run Winners

The big winners in this year’s Wheatland Harvest Festival sponsored Poker Run are pictured on the …

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The Index Jul 16, 2025

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School To Start Soon

With the 2025-2026 school year less than a month away, many Hickory County parents and children are joining teachers, staff and administrators in anticipating the big day. As a public service, The …

Loaded Potato Dinner in Wheatland

On Wednesday, July 23, the McCarty Senior Center in Wheatland will hold Dirty Bingo and a Loaded Potato …
Wheatland Poker Run
So Many Options
Masons Serve Up Treats
Honoring Local Veterans

Kyle Londre of Wheatland, a local farmer and business owner and veteran of the United States Army, was …

GREAT DERBY DUCK RACE
Wolff scores Thursday Night Thunder win

Information provided by Lucas Oil Speedway Media Staff It was quite a Thursday night for Tyler …
Ole Hickory Building
COUNTY PROJECTS...

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1A Hickory County Courthouse As noted, construction on the Hickory …

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Obituaries

Keith L. Lilly, 59

Keith L. Lilly, 59, of Flemington MO passed away Tuesday, July 8th 2025, at Big Spring Care Center in Humansville MO. Keith was born October 5th 1965 to Larry Lilly and Deanna Richards. Keith worked …

Nancy Rogers, 89

Nancy Rogers of Hermitage, MO passed away July 4th, 2025, at the age of 89. Nancy was born in St. Louis Missouri on March 17, 1936 to Loretta (nee McGoldrick) and Otto Arras. She …

Herbert Albert Nelson Jr., 80

Herbert Albert Nelson Jr., age 80, of Hermitage, MO passed away July 12th, 2025 at his home. He was born August 11th, 1944 at Kansas City, Kansas to Herbert Albert Nelson Sr. and Mary B. …

Ronald “Ronnie” Dean Hunt, 76

Ronald “Ronnie” Dean Hunt, age 76, of Hermitage, MO passed away July 10, 2025 at Citizens Memorial Hospital, Bolivar MO with his older brother , Gary & Bonnie Hunt by his side. …

Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Cooper, 90

Gerald “Jerry” Wayne Cooper, age 90, of Weaubleau, MO passed away July 1, 2025 at his home. He was born September 18, 1934 at Mankato, Minn., the son of William “Don” …

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Summer 2025 Lake News

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Pomme de Terre Lake News Spring/Summer 2025

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State Track Champ

Joelle Barker, daughter of Tim and Michelle Barker (Lawson) and granddaughter of Mike and Sharlene Freeman of Hermitage wrapped up her high school track season in June with participation in the Class …

Area teams head to Final Four

A quartet of area baseball teams earned berths in the MSHSAA semi-finals following wins in their respective quarter-final games Wednesday, May 28. In class 1, the St. Elizabeth Hornets return to …

Skyline moves on to championship game

The Skyline Lady Tigers punched their ticket to the Class 2 championship game after a close, 42-33 win over Norwood a Mizzou Arena in Columbia Friday, March 14. The Ladies came out strong, …

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