Community News

In preparing for Independence Day, I re-read the “Declaration of Independence” at www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration. Like you, I love America and pray for her. I am a patriot. I put my hand over my heart and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. I stand and sing the National Anthem. I often pray for our elected officials...

Meet Shaz, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

The Central Crossing Senior Center may be closed for day-to-day lunches and activities due to the COVID-19 crisis, but staff are still working to help their senior friends. The Center’s lunch-to-go program has volunteers who want to make these stressful times as much fun as possible. ...

Meet lots of adorable puppies, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week.

You know that you are in trouble when (multiple choice):  A. The family dog is having conniption fits underneath your father's bed  B. You kid brother has instantaneously vanished into thin air  C. Your father is screaming at you from the front porch, in broad daylight, dressed only in his underwear ...

Meet Tommy Haven, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

"Cat's in the Cradle" is a 1974 folk rock song by Harry Chapin. Most of you will recall that it is about a father who was much too busy to interact with his son. The song was popular when my oldest son was a boy. Chris would simply say to me, “Cat’s in the Cradle” when he felt like I was neglecting him. I knew exactly what he meant...

Recent storms and spring growth have left a lot of trees in need of attention. Barry Electric Cooperative wants its members to know that tree trimming is a job best left to experts, especially when they are located near power lines. In fact, the two leading causes of death while trimming trees come from falling and electrocution...

The Habitat for Humanity of South Barry County has announced a partnership with the Cassville Boy Scout Troop No. 76.

Meet Dashwood, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

Seventy years after its inception, the minute hand on “The Doomsday Clock” has been moved to 100 seconds before midnight. The Science and Security Board believe that the world is more dangerous than it has ever been. They based their decision to re-set the clock on increasing global environmental crises. ...

Meet (lots of) kittens, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week.

Meet Ian, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

I must be in trouble again. I hear Mrs. Preacher in the kitchen banging and clanging her pots and pans around. That's how I know that it is serious. When I am in the doghouse, she bakes. Married folks settle their spats in a variety of ways. Normal ways. ...

While the doors to Central Crossing Senior Center may be closed, staff have adjusted to the times and are still busy working to enhance the lives of area seniors. The dining room is closed, staff are providing more meals now than when “things were normal”? In fact, Central Crossing is now averaging 800 meals per week. ...

It happened again, the other evening. The electricity was off, again. By the light of our smart phones, we fumbled around for the candles. In the candlelight, there was nothing to do but sit, and wait for the lights to come on again.  What a bother! Every clock in the house would need to be reset, every household appliance would begin its infernal blinking. The meat in the freezer might thaw out, and horror of horrors, there would be no television to entertain us! ...

DJ White, Cassville High School Class of 2020, has earned perfect attendance during all four years of his high school career. The district presented DJ with a gift card for $100 and a plaque in recognition of his commitment to school attendance. DJ is the son of Shelley Prater and David White. He will attend Evangel University in the fall, plans to study criminal justice and will be a member of the football team at Evangel...

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites the public to get hooked on fishing through its Free Fishing Days June 6-7. During Free Fishing Days, anyone may fish in the Show-Me State without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit, or trout park daily tag. Free Fishing Days is an annual MDC event that takes place statewide during the Saturday and Sunday following the first Monday in June...

Mercy hospitals are returning to pre-COVID-19 (coronavirus) services by once again allowing in-patient care but still requesting patients wear masks. “Throughout the COVID-19 outbreak, Mercy has remained open to the greatest extent possible to care for you,” a press release said. “Now, we're cautiously beginning to reactive services which require in-person visits (such as non-emergency surgical procedures) as well.”...

As of Monday, all branches of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library district began offering contactless curbside/pick up service and desktop computer use by appointment only. Curbside/pickup service and desktop computer appointment hours are: • Monday – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m...

On Memorial Day, we remember the heroes who have given their lives in the service of our great nation. Those who spend time in military service have an uncomfortable life. Field duty is an inescapable ordeal. No matter what branch of the military, there will be C-Rations or MREs. Time will be spent cleaning weapons, standing guard duty, and braving the harsh elements. There will also be long hours spent living in a tent...

Meet Harold Cooper, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

OACAC has been awarded federal funds made available through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program. OACAC has been chosen to receive $29,300 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county. ...

To celebrate Mother’s Day this year at the Cassville Senior Center while still closed to the public, the staff planted flowers in Mason jars and gave them out last week to the ladies that came to pick up meals. 

With the gradual reopening of Missouri, SeniorAge will continue to follow the guidance of medical professionals, as well as federal, and state counsel that calls for "vulnerable populations" to remain sheltered in place until phase-in reopening of businesses and activities stabilize...

Meet Snickerdoodle, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Snickerdoodle is a darling 9-1/2-year-old guy who is looking for a quiet home to spend his senior years.

What the world needs more than anything else is a demonstration of the character qualities of God. Many in our culture are denying the existence of God. They just haven't seen God in action. God's activity is not hard to spot. If you will look for it...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has started making payments through the Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program – Plus (WHIP+) to agricultural producers who suffered eligible losses because of drought or excess moisture in 2018 and 2019. Sign-up for these causes of loss opened March 23, and producers who suffered losses from drought (in counties designated D3 or above), excess moisture, hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, typhoons, volcanic activity, snowstorms or wildfires can still apply for assistance through WHIP+.. ...

Meet Slugger, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

Did you ever get a song stuck in your head? One that goes around and around without end? That can be so annoying!    "Father Abraham; had many sons; many sons had Father Abraham; I am one of them; and so are you; soooo…let's …just …praise …the…Lord. Right arm!" ...

The Exeter Tree Board celebrated its 25th Arbor Day by planting a Red Bud tree on April 18.

On Friday, Arning Companies Inc. teamed up with Cassville Subway to support Subs for Heroes.

Meet Badar, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Badar (pronounced Bay-der) is looking for his fur-ever home.

The ICU nurses at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City would like to thank Wade Hermansen and Dry Gulch Manufacturing in cooperation with Litho Printers and Bindery for the face shields provided for them as they take care of COVID-positive patients.

Do you have a hard time listening to, or watching the news? The state of our nation is disturbing, discouraging, and to be honest, baffling. It’s clear there is a fight going on for the soul of America. We are at war. This isn’t a war fought with guns or air strikes. The war we face can only be won on our knees. Do we have a war time strategy? Or do we spend our time watching the news, complaining about it, and bemoaning the state of our nation?...

Meet Donald Ressler, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Donald is about two years old and is the sweetest cat anyone could ever want to meet.

Meet Rosalind Franklin, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

• Corey Jordon Kelley, Butterfield, financial responsibility violation, misd. D, $80.50. • Brent Allan Kerfoot, Exeter, seat belt violation, infr., $10. • David Manuel Madrid, Monett, seat belt violation, infr., $10 and court costs. • Peyton Richard Nicholson, Purdy, seat belt violation, infr. $10 and court costs...

Clayton Montgomery, of Exeter, will be observing his 102nd birthday today (Wednesday) at the Roaring River Health and Rehab in Cassville.

Our Nation hasn’t won a war in 75 years. There have been thousands of casualties, but no victory day parades. Our allies during World War II would report the same: very few military victories despite the great cost of precious lives. Our WWII victory didn’t come until people who had never prayed before began to pray. ...

Meet Shadow B, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Shadow is an adorable 1-1/2-year-old, 50-pound boy who is excited to find his forever home.

Contagious — even the word sounds deadly. COVID-19 and coronavirus now dominate our news reports. Coming into contact with contagion isn’t a good thing. Even so, nearly every Christian wants to be part of a contagious church. Though meeting together is difficult right now, I believe that the Christians in Cassville want to be characterized as people of infectious faith. We want churches that constantly experiences the joy of seeing others give their lives to Christ...

Meet Cali, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

The Health Department divides food service code violations into two categories; Priority and Core items. Priority items are more likely than other violations to contribute to food contamination, or illness and/or injury. Core items although important to the overall hygiene of the establishment, do not necessarily present an immediate threat to food contamination or illness and/or injury...

• Thomas Delmar Berry, Purdy, speeding, misd. B, suspended imposition of sentence (SIS), one year probation and court costs; seat belt violation, infr., $10; speeding, misd. B, SIS, one year probation and court costs. • William Anthony Bozman, Jr., Crane, speeding, misd. C, $70.50 and court costs; seat belt violation, infr., $10...

A passenger on a large jet was observed acting strangely. He looked at the magazine in the seat back pouch and whispered, “Wonderful!” He stroked the fabric of his seat cushion and repeated that word, “wonderful!” He looked out the window and said, “Wonderful!” He looked at the Hostess, and uttered, “Wonderful!”...

Meet Brett, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

• Christopher G. Nickle, Cassville, possession of marijuana/synthetic cannabinoid, misd. D, $200 and court costs. • Donald Eugene O’Brien, Shell Knob, speeding, misd. C, $70.50 and court costs. • Jonathan Perez-Mejia, Monett, speeding, misd. C, SIS, one year unsupervised probation and court costs...

Comedy, deception, romance and an Ozark resort proprietor whose pants keep mysteriously dropping to his ankles, these are the antics of the talented actors and crew of SKITS in the spring play, “Farce of Nature!” New actors and veteran players have combined forces to bring one of the funniest shows to ever grace the SKITS stage. ...

Meet Nero, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.