2020-08-12

2020-2021 Focus on Oak Grove City Guide Page 42 Focus on Oak Grove , the community’s newspaper, is available 52 weeks a year; each Wednesday afternoon in stores and newspaper racks in Oak Grove. A local subscription costs $40 annually and arrives in mail boxes each Thursday. Newspaper was founded in November, 1995 in conjunction with The Odessan , as an Oak Grove Chamber of Commerce project after Oak Grove Banner , Jackson County’s oldest newspaper, was closed in 1993. In 2014, Focus on Oak Grove became a stand-alone publication. Ownership is Spaar Publications LLC. Co-publishers are brothers, John and Joe Spaar. Family has been publishing newspapers for five generations. A knowledgeable and friendly staff is on hand to assist the community with family, civic, school and governmental news coverage as well as to help businesses, organizations and individuals meet their advertising needs. Linda Ighoyivwi provides customer service, gathers the local news and sends it to The Odessan office for processing. She is a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University and has strong ties to the community. She and her family reside south of Oak Grove. Ruth Ann Hafner joined the staff as a contributing writer in 2017. She is retired from the Blue Springs school district and resides at Lake Tapawingo. Hafner earned bachelor’s degrees in education and journalism from the University of Missouri, Columbia. She is a member of the Chamber of Commerce board of directors and reports on the school board, fire district and brings you the stories about people and events that shape the community. John Spaar is the advertising manager and is available to help business owners increase sales. Joe Spaar assists with production, working out of the Odessa office. Kory Hales, sports editor, works with coaches to cover Panther athletics. Hannah Spaar, news editor, covers the Oak Grove Board of Aldermen and local government. She is a 2013 graduate of the School of Journalism at University of Missouri, Columbia and is a recipient of the Outstanding Young Journalist Award given by the Missouri Press Association. In addition, a school intern works part-time at the office. Linda Carrell, who shares the history of Oak Grove in “Echoes from the Past” and Jack Hackley, lifetime resident and developer who writes, “Jack Remembers” are contributing columnists. Started more than 20 years ago, Jack’s column has become so popular he is published in more than 20 newspapers across the state. Every year, special sections feature high school athletes, graduation and Christmas greetings from local businesses. The bridal guide and Oak Grove City Guide are other annual publications. Missouri road maps are available at the Focus on Oak Grove office at no charge. Self-inking stamps, business cards and carbonless forms may be ordered at the office. Focus on Oak Grove is an award-winning publication recognized by the Missouri Press Foundation for outstanding coverage of government, breaking news, news or feature series, religion, rural life or agriculture, editorial and humorous columns in addition to receiving an honorable mention for the organization’s coveted General Excellence award. Awards also have been received in the MPA Best Advertising Idea Contest, making the newspaper a comprehensive means to promote organizations and businesses. Focus on Oak Grove attempts not only to inform residents about what occurs in city government, the school and fire districts, but will continue to feature the achievements and happenings whichmake up the fabric of the town. Whether it is a family reunion, engagement, wedding, anniversary or birthday, Focus on Oak Grove wants to record your family news as part of the history of the community. Office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday. Please stop by the office at 103 SE 12th Street, call 816-690-7218 or email us at focus@iland.net . The focus is always on Oak Grove! Focus on Oak Grove was founded 25 years ago to serve the community. News Focus on Oak Grove John Spaar Ruth Ann Hafner Linda Ighoyivwi Hannah Spaar