The Johnson County Graphic

09/14/2026

🗓Public meetings scheduled this week in Johnson and Franklin Counties. Links to meeting livestreams below, if available.

Monday, Sept. 14-
-Ozark City Council, 5:30 p.m., Council Chambers, Ozark City Hall
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/
-Clarksville City Council, 6 p.m., Clarksville City Hall
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/
-Hartman City Council, 6 p.m., Hartman City Hall

Tuesday, Sept. 15-
-Clarksville Housing Authority, noon, Foy Howard Community Center, 605 Lucas St.


Meetings are open to the public.

09/11/2026

What do dragons, unicorns and griffins have to do with getting kids to read?

Quite a bit, it turns out.

A program at the Johnson and Franklin county libraries is turning reading time into collectible cards — and giving kids another reason to keep reading after summer programs end.

🐉 Meet the Reading Dragons and find out how the program is catching on with local readers in this week’s paper. https://www.thegraphic.org/2026/09/08/libraries-dragons-help-slay-the-reading-slump/

09/10/2026

You can’t be everywhere — and you shouldn’t have to be.

One of the things we work hard to do at The Graphic is make it easier for you to keep up with what’s happening in our communities.

Most of the local government and public boards we cover meet monthly, and we publish many of those agendas in the paper so you can see what’s coming up. Every Monday, we also share the week’s public meetings in a pinned Facebook post, including livestream links when available.

We know you can’t make every meeting — but you still deserve to know what’s being discussed and decided. Social media can be a great way to stay connected, but following local government over time gives us a familiarity with the people, issues and decisions that shape our communities.

We know not everyone has the time to sit through a city council meeting or read through a lengthy agenda and that’s where we come in — we do our best to follow what’s happening and bring the important parts back to you.

We’re a small newsroom, and every subscription helps us keep doing that work. When you subscribe to The Graphic, you’re helping us continue showing up, asking questions and bringing you reliable local information. It takes just a few minutes to subscribe on our website https://www.thegraphic.org/

09/09/2026

🏈 There’s plenty of local sports to catch up on in this week’s Graphic.

We’ve got coverage from three Friday night football games, along with more football from our younger teams, volleyball action and University of the Ozarks track.

And off the field, Clarksville High School has announced its 2026 Homecoming royalty — we have the photo in this week’s edition.

Catch up with our local teams, athletes and students in this week’s Graphic and subscribe for online access to our exclusive content. https://www.thegraphic.org/

09/08/2026

This week’s Graphic is online and headed to the printer!

Inside this week’s edition:

🏈 Catch up on high school football and other sports from across the area.

🐉 See how a fun library program is helping young readers discover a love of books.

🏛️ Keep up with what’s happening in local government with meeting agendas and other local news.

Plus, you’ll find school news, community happenings and more from Johnson and Franklin counties.

Subscribers can read the full edition online now, and print copies will be out Wednesday.

Thank you for reading — and for supporting local news!

09/07/2026

🗓Public meetings scheduled this week in Johnson and Franklin Counties. Links to meeting livestreams below, if available.

Monday, Sept. 7
-Wiederkehr Village city meeting, 4 p.m., Swiss Chalet building, Wiederkehr Village winery

Tuesday, Sept. 8
-Coal Hill City Council, 6 p.m., Coal Hill City Hall
-Knoxville City Council, 6 p.m., Knoxville City Hall
-Lamar City Council, 6 p.m., Lamar City Hall

Thursday, Sept. 10
-Johnson County Quorum Court, 5:30 p.m., Johnson County courthouse
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/
-Franklin County Quorum Court, 6 p.m., Charleston courthouse


Meetings are open to the public.

09/04/2026

Johnson Regional Medical Center has been awarded nearly $1 million in rural health funding.

JRMC will receive $974,455 through the Rural Health Transformation Program to upgrade its network and wireless infrastructure, strengthen cybersecurity and expand access to virtual cardiology consultations.

Hospital officials said the funding will allow JRMC to replace long-needed technology and better position the hospital for future services.

Read the full story at https://www.thegraphic.org/2026/09/01/jrmc-awarded-974000-in-rhtp-funds/

09/03/2026

**Need a local service or business? Check The Graphic’s Service Directory.**

Our Service Directory brings together local businesses and services in Johnson and Franklin counties — making it easier to find the people and businesses you need, all in one place.

Take a look at this month’s directory and support local businesses that support our communities.

09/03/2026

Where will the data center’s community funds go?

The Clarksville City Council has begun creating a local foundation that will determine how funds provided by Serverfarm through the Community Development Grant Agreement are distributed.

The proposed Clarksville Community Benefits Commission would direct money toward areas including education and workforce development, health and emergency services, and civic programs.

The agreement includes $3 million in initial community investments, plus annual payments to a local nonprofit foundation.

Read the full story at https://www.thegraphic.org/2026/09/01/council-initiates-development-of-foundation-for-data-center-funds-money-submitted-through-cdga-will-be-disbursed-locally/

09/02/2026

🏈 A piece of Clarksville football history now has a permanent place at Metheny Field.

Before Friday night’s season opener, family, former players, assistant coaches and the Clarksville football program came together to honor the late Coach Don Byrd with the unveiling of the Don Byrd Victory Lawn.

Byrd led the Panthers to 100 victories and seven conference championships, but those who played and worked alongside him remember a legacy that went far beyond the wins.

Read more about Coach Byrd, his impact on generations of Clarksville athletes and Friday night’s special tribute at

Clarksville Honors Late Football Coach By Editor | September 1, 2026 | 0 SPORTS COVERAGE Local sports coverage made possible in part by our community sponsors The Clarksville School District athletic department and football program honored the late coach Don Byrd on Friday, Aug. 28, as the “Don By...