The docuseries by Tiger King creators starring Sunrise Beach resident Tonya Haddix on HBO Max has brought new charges against her from PETA.Tonya Haddix who owns and operates Sunrise Beach Animal Safari is the star of a new docuseries titled "Chimp Crazy." The show deals with her lawsuit by PETA in the case of her care of a former Hollywood animal chimpanzee actor, Tonka.From PETA:Notorious animal dealer Tonia Haddix, who faked the death of Tonka the chimpanzee, was ordered by a federal court to pay nearly $225,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs to PETA after she repeatedly committed perjury and submitted false information to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri.

The 7th Lake of the Ozarks Food Truck Festival will move to a new venue this weekend. The Ozark Amphitheater in Camdenton will be the new site of the popular two day eating fest, with local food vendors and some from far away. Coordinator Ashley Hays of Barista Go Coffee Company in Osage Beach expects record crowds at the new venue. "Parking is better, the location is more accessible to the entire lake area," she shares.

Women’s Equality Day, celebrated on Monday, August 26, 2024, is the anniversary of the 19th Amendment which granted women the right to vote. As the slogan used to say, “We’ve Come a Long Way, Baby! At Lake of the Ozarks, there are many talented and intelligent women who are blazing trails right along with the guys. Let me introduce you to a few of my favorites:

Former Lake Area Attorney Arrested in Miller County. An attorney that used to service the lake area has been arrested in Miller County, Missouri. Christian Joseph Rassmussen, 47, of Tuscumbia, has been charged with.

One event that the lake area didn’t even know it was missing is important and will honor all military branches, active duty, and veteran service members in October. But it is open to the entire public! Hosted by the Branch 32 Fleet Reserve Association of Lake of the Ozarks, The Armed Forces Appreciation Gala is the first of its kind at Lake of the Ozarks. It is set to take place at the Inn of the Grand Glaize on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 5:00 pm. The gala will close at midnight with guest speakers, dining, drinks, and dancing. The Fleet Reserve Association has been supporting the US Navy, the US Marine Corps, and the US Coast Guard for almost a century. Their centennial will be celebrated on November 11, 2024, in Annapolis, Maryland. For one night, they would like to they would like to celebrate it locally with their home public, and include all military branches.

In an issue that arose on August 30th, 2024, The Superintendent of Schools at Morgan County R-2 School District informed the public that Versailles High School would compete in a Class 3 District for football and volleyball. Due to an error that was discovered in the enrollment verification data that was submitted to the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) in April 2024, Superintendent Marc Spunaugle said that the error will have an impact on all High School MSHSAA sanctioned activities for the 2024-2025 school year at Versailles High School. The regular season will remain as scheduled.

Paul "Stephen" Buckley, of Four Seasons, was appointed to the Missouri Commission on Human Rights. Mr. Buckley is a real estate agent for Ozark Realty in Lake Ozark. He previously served as the Human Resources Director for ABB in Jefferson City, in the Distribution Transformer Business Area. Mr. Buckley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Widener University. He is known for his strong work ethic as a realtor in the Lake area. He adds a vast background of business knowledge to the commission. The Missouri Commission on Human Rights is administered under the Missouri Department of Labor. The Human Rights Commission enforces Missouri’s Anti-Discrimination Law prohibiting discrimination in housing, employment, and places of public accommodations. The commission investigates complaints of discrimination in housing, employment, and places of public accommodations based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, age (in employment only), and familial status (in housing only).

Missouri Governor Mike Parson has appointed Morgan County R-I teacher Renee Pace to the America 250 Commission. The commission is a planning committee for the 250th-anniversary celebration of the United States.

A Grassroots Candidate Forum was held at the Lake of the Ozarks Board of Realtors for the Camden County, Missouri Sheriff's Race Tuesday, August 6, 2024. In the upcoming Camden County Sheriff’s race, two candidates attended an open forum held at the Lake of the Ozarks Board of Realtors building in Sunrise Beach on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

Seafood for a good cause rolled out last week at The Door Church in Laurie, Missouri. The Executive Director of Kids Cove Respite Home, James Radford, reported a sold out crowd on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Long lines of shellfish lovers loaded plates with crawfish, shrimp, sausage, corn, and all the fixins and enjoyed live music by Dave Dunklee with The Healing Box Project. Local radio and television personality Kevin Burns was emcee for the evening. A live auction followed the dinner with some impressive memoriabilia sold. A Fender Tom Petty signed guitar went for $2000!

Regalia Hotel and Conference Center is experiencing a reboot with new ownership. Coming for this Memorial Day Weekend is DJ ScoobE by the Hippopotamus Swim Up Bar on May 24,25, and 26. Admission is free and all ages are welcome. 3-7pm on Friday, and the fun continues 1-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Don’t miss The Liverpool Legends, live from Branson, on May 24 and 25. Tickets are on sale at https://app.promotix.com/events/details/LIVERPOOL-LEGENDS---MAY-24-25-tickets starting at $29.

Here at Lake of the Ozarks, it is a foodie's paradise, with new restaurants continously opening with every summer season. There are a lot of fun or innovative menus popping up every year. This is a list of the best values for families visiting the lake, the ones that will get your brood full for a full day of activities on the water.

The iconic Pancake House is located at the intersection of State Hwy KK and Osage Beach Parkway. The converted former Sonic Drive-In building is hard to miss. What is so special about The Pancake House? The pajama drive-thru! For vacationers, crawl out of bed from your hotel or condo, jammy pants and house shoes, jump in the car and drive up to a window that serves your breakfast to go without getting out. That is one family-friendly breakfast! Eating in, kids are also treated extra special by getting whatever toppings that they desire on their colossal pancakes, french toast, or waffles. It is a truly indulgent, unique breakfast experience for carb lovers. They do make amazing savory dishes such as their overstuffed omelets, with the favorite being The Greek Omelet with gyro meat, feta cheese, and sauteed veggies. A few extra things that you don’t want to miss, the kids will love my lifelong friend and former owner Genny with G’s freshly made stuffed muffins. They were a favorite with her kids, grandkids, and The Pancake House. Some are stuffed with cookie crumbles or peanut butter cups, and others with pineapple, or sweet cream cheese. They are a standard available in a case on the counter and she still comes in every week to make them. Genny and Dave Heimerl bought The Pancake House from her Aunt Helen who owned it from 1962. They have since sold it to the fine folks that own Bonnie Cafe, Buffet, and Grill down the road in Lake Ozark. The menu choices at The Pancake House were created by Genny and Dave, from Aunt Helen’s traditions that fed over 3 generations and 20 grandchildren in the lake area.

There is a new tea business in town with a unique twist. Steep Street Company recently moved into lower level of the Laurie Terrace Mall. Co-owners Amber Lucks and Nick Lynch have brought a warehouse for their online business to the West Side. The couple have built an internet merchant business that took off quickly, necessitating a production facility outside of their home.

In a Tuesday Laurie Board of Aldermen meeting, regulations regarding adult gaming machines were amended due to language, and are on their way to being approved. An amendment to Ordinance 2024-3 was approved by the board, which took out a private club/room restriction in the ordinance on May 14, 2024, at the meeting and will send the ordinance to the June aldermen meeting for final approval.

In a month of special meetings and public hearings, the Village of Sunrise Beach accepted annexation requests for two longtime lakefront bars. Prestige Lakewide LLC, the owner of Franky and Louie’s and Paradise Tropical Bar and Grill, received approval of a voluntary annexation by the Sunrise Beach Board of Trustees on Tuesday, May 13, 2024, at the May meeting.

The Fleet Reserve Association Branch 32 LOTO elected new officers in their May meeting at the Sunrise Beach Community Center. Its monthly membership meeting saw individuals who were dedicated to serving the branch and its members with their new leadership roles.

In a formal ceremony and reception at the Camdenton Knights of Columbus Hall on Saturday, April 20, 2024, Nathan West achieved the highest rank of scouting. The Eagle Scout award was bestowed on West by various officials including in person presentations by Dr. Lisa Thomas, Missouri State House of Representatives, and US Marine Corps Commandant William Wyman. Kevin Burns, local radio and television personality, emceed the event.

There is a new pop up bar in town, and you have to know the password to join in on the first Thursday of the month. Lake Breeze Terrace Resort kicked off a summer of fun in April with a prohibition era speakeasy style pop up bar. Entering through a secret entrance in the back of the building with a predesignated password, visitors slip through the kitchen, into the event space.

Video gaming machines are still in controversy in the town of Laurie. An incident earlier this year at Vinny’s Restaurant and Lounge led to the discussion of city ordinances regulating the adult only casino style slot machines. These machines, however, are posted for entertainment purposes only. Money to be paid out is up the company that owns them, and the host location.