SMALL TOWN PRESS

One of the things that make Shell Knob a community is our very own Shell Knob newspaper. Started in 1979 by Jeannie and Glenn Jones with help from Bill and Joella Lock, the Knob Rock Rattler has served this community for over forty years. So what’s in a name? Knob refers to Shell Knob, Rock to Table Rock Lake, and Rattler for a unique, fun monogram.

Owner and publisher Jeannie Jones moved with her husband to Shell Knob in 1978. They saw the need for a local paper to serve the community and provide an advertising medium for local businesses. The first edition was a typed, single page flyer. Jeannie and Glenn made 500 copies and mailed them to local residents. Initially intended to be a monthly, local acceptance soon created a need for a weekly paper. And despite Glenn’s death in 1984, it has remained a weekly ever since.

“The Rattler gives the entire community a voice,” Jeannie says. “Individuals, businesses, churches and organizations can all participate and keep our community informed through the paper. Without it, we really wouldn’t know about all the happenings in Shell Knob.”

Like all print media, the Knob Rock Rattler has faced challenges of internet competition, rising postage and increasing printing costs. But despite these hurdles, the Rattler stays active and relevant by giving a voice to the community and providing a link that connects Shell Knob residents and visitors.

Not intended to be a “newsy” publication, the Rattler fills its pages with local ads, church and organization news, information on fishing and enjoying the lake, local history, and school news. Stacked between all this reporting are the ever-popular “Smiles” to lend another positive aspect to both the paper and the town.

Whether you’re a local or a visitor, the Knob Rock Rattler is essential to knowing what’s happening in our town; a single source for entertainment, information and education. Many things make Shell Knob a community. The Rattler is part of the glue that bonds us together and makes us vibrant.