Springfield airport wins architectural award
Springfield-Branson National Airport received the 2025 General Aviation Project of the Year-Architectural Award, presented by the Great Lakes Chapter of American Association of Airport Executives, recognizing the architectural design and construction of the Midwest Premier general aviation terminal completed in October.
Since 1990, the general aviation terminal has supported the needs of private and corporate air travel in the Ozarks. The $6.7 million renovation project was conducted using a Construction Manager at Risk model with Dake Wells Architecture and Nabholz Corporation.
Fiocchi expands Ozark ammunition manufacturing after merger
Fiocchi of America, which manufactures ammunition at a facility in Ozark, has joined The Kinetic Group's lineup of ammunition brands, which includes CCI, Federal, HEVI-Shot, Remington and Speer.
Fiocchi owner CSG purchased The Kinetic Group (TKG) in 2024. As part of the combined operations, The Kinetic Group will migrate manufacturing of its HEVI-Shot shotgun ammunition to Fiocchi's Ozark facility.
"We're excited to have Fiocchi of America officially join of our group of world-leading ammunition brands. The Ozark, Missouri facility, where Fiocchi shotshells are currently loaded, will become a center-of-excellence for shotshell products," said Jason Vanderbrink, chairman and CEO of TKG. " ... HEVI-Shot will have a great new home here and will continue its 25-year legacy of loading the best steel, tungsten and bismuth shot for waterfowl and upland hunters."
Springfield Marine expanding Nixa facility in response to tariffs
Springfield Marine announced it will break ground in August on a 23,000-square-foot addition to its Nixa facility, which will contain an advanced finished goods warehouse that will effectively increase storage capacity by 50%. Beyond the extra storage, the addition will also free up 35,000 square feet within the existing facility for expanded metal fabrication and assembly.
The expansion is expected to be complete before the end of the year, allowing the company to increase its staff by 20-30%. The company noted in a news release that the move is a response to new U.S. tariffs as high as 95% or more on Chinese products.
Springfield Marine owner Caroline Carnahan said the company will continue to operate its China manufacturing facility, which will service markets outside the U.S., while supplying the U.S. market from its domestic facility.
Simmons named assistant director of parks
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board has named Jill Simmons as assistant director, supervising the Recreation Division, the largest within the parks system.
Simmons brings nearly 15 years of progressive management experience in public parks and recreation, as well as work in the private sector. Prior to this appointment, Simmons served 11 years as a community recreation administrator for the Park Board, first overseeing Family Centers, then Athletics. The position was previously held by Kim Reser, who retired in April.
Simmons holds a bachelor's degree in physical education and sports medicine from Cumberland University and a master's in health, physical education, recreation, and dance from Middle Tennessee State University. She has earned a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional designation and has served in several leadership roles with the Missouri Parks and Recreation Association, including Region 3 Director, and President of the Sports Section.
Junior League of Springfield announces Board of Directors
The Junior League of Springfield installed new officers and board members for the 2025-26 year. Members and roles include:
* Rachel Fuhrman, president (through Dec. 31); then at-large active through May 31;
* Sebra Butler, president elect (through Dec. 31) then president through May 31;
* Mary Galaska, secretary;
* Sydnie Evgenides, treasurer;
* Veronica Shultz, vice-president of communications;
* Kaleigh Gross, vice-president of fund development;
* Alexandria Dool, vice-president of membership;
* Stephanie Clark, sustainer director;
* Joanna Dettmer, nominating chair;
* Nila Hayes, at-large sustainer member.
Junior League of Springfield was founded in 1959 and current counts 390 members.
Wall named Friends of the Garden executive director
Friends of the Garden announced Kathryn Wall as the organization's new executive director. Wall, a former Springfield News-Leader reporter who has worked at the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, most recently served as chief operations officer at Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks.
In her new role, Wall oversees all aspects of Friends of the Garden's mission to inspire discovery, understanding and appreciation of nature by creating and maintaining features at Springfield Botanical Gardens at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park. She works closely with Springfield-Greene County Park Board staff and community partners to ensure this unique park continues to serve as an accessible and inspiring destination for visitors, families, gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
Friends of the Garden is dedicated to supporting Springfield Botanical Gardens through fundraising, volunteer-driven garden enhancement, educational events and public outreach. Friends of the Garden enriches the visitor experience and promotes community appreciation for horticulture and nature stewardship.
Webster County Health Unit wins WIC breastfeeding award
The Webster County Health Unit has been recognized with the 2025 Gold WIC Breastfeeding Award of Excellence, a national honor awarded by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Webster County is one of only nine counties in Missouri to receive the award, which recognizes exemplary efforts in supporting breastfeeding mothers and babies through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
The Gold Award of Excellence highlights local WIC agencies that have demonstrated outstanding achievement in breastfeeding support practices, including peer counseling, staff training, and community partnerships.
Through WIC, the health unit offers breastfeeding education, one-on-one counseling, peer support, and access to resources such as breast pumps. For more information about WIC services and breastfeeding support in Webster County, contact the health unit at 417-859-2532 or visit www.webstercountymohealth.gov.
Ozarks high school students participate in youth conference
Five high school students from the Ozarks joined other high school students from across the state at the Missouri State Capitol to attend the Cooperative Youth Conference and Leadership Experience (CYCLE). White River Valley Electric Cooperative sponsored five local delegates to attend the conference: Cora Presson (School of the Ozarks), Rylan Stone (Hollister), Quaid Hasler (Hollister), Will Lebsock (Hollister), Oliver Bonucchi (Ozark), and Aubrey Fitzpatrick (School of the Ozarks).
The four-day annual event in Jefferson City, hosted by the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperative, gives Missouri sophomores and juniors the opportunity to learn what it is like to serve in political leadership positions and get involved in community service, as well as the cooperative form of business.
To be eligible for the annual CYCLE Contest, students must be high school sophomores and attend a high school within the cooperative's service territory or be home-schooled within the territory, be between 15-16 years of age, and be at a sophomore level equivalent. Applications for the 2025 CYCLE Contest will be available March 2026. For more information, visit www.whiteriver.org/community/youth-programs/cycle/.
Tiny Fins Survival Swim breaks ground on 4th facility
Tiny Fins Survival Swim held a groundbreaking ceremony Aug. 1 for its new facility at 3021 E. Cherry St., which will be the fourth facility for the six-year-old swimming instruction company.
The new center is slated to open in the spring, in time for the next swimming season. Tiny Fins Survival Swim is dedicated to teaching lifesaving swimming skills, fostering confidence, and promoting water safety with children as young as six months old.
"We are proud of our growth and excited to expand our reach with this new location," said Benjamin Wooten, COO of Tiny Fins Survival Swim. "Our goal has always been to provide life-saving water safety education to as many children as possible, and this new facility will allow us to serve even more families in our community."
Branson Bank promotes Carnelison to VP
Branson Bank announced the promotion of Lyndi Carnelison to Vice President, Marketing Officer. In her new role, Carnelison will continue to oversee the day-to-day management of the Marketing Department, drive marketing initiatives, and implement the bank's overall strategic initiatives set forth by the Board of Directors.
Carnelison joined Branson Bank in 2006 and held several roles within the organization before joining the Marketing Department in 2008 where she has been responsible for marketing content creation, campaign management, internal and public communication, event planning, and various special projects. Two years ago, she earned the title of Marketing Officer and since has helped strengthen the department in a variety of ways such as, updating the annual budget and planning process, diversifying advertising channels, improving marketing policy, onboarding third party creative partners, and leading bank culture initiatives.
Carnelison received a bachelor's degree from College of the Ozarks. She has been involved in community efforts including Relay For Life of Taney and Stone Counties, the Branson Education Foundation, the Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks, and the Branson Chamber of Commerce. She is a board member for the Skaggs Foundation and volunteers for various Branson school activities.