Community News

On Saturday, and the 2nd Saturday of nearly every month, the VFW Memorial Post 2203 on Hwy 39 North of Shell Knob hosts a veterans’ breakfast. Any veteran of the U.S. armed services, regardless of location served, is invited to meet at the Post between the hours of 8-10 a.m. Saturday for a breakfast of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, coffee and juice; all at no cost...

On April 23 from 3:30-5 p.m., a USDA Commodities Food Box Distribution will be held at Cassville United Methodist Church, located at 601 Gravel St. People should come to back side of the church on 6th and Townsend St. Families should bring proof of address for all of the household members. For authorization of children in the home, please provide a document which displays your child’s name...

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

T he world experienced a great loss not too long ago. Larry LaPrise, who wrote the song "The Hokey Pokey", died at age 83. I understand that he died peacefully after having led a full and happy life. Still it must have been a difficult time for his family, especially when it came time to put him in the casket. They put his left leg in and, well…..that was when the trouble started. ...

Simplicity Lavender farms in Washburn, joined the Cassville are Chamber of Commerce.

The Dogwood Trail Garden Club is noted for reaching out to the community with their skilled master gardeners. This time, the Club decorated all the tables at the Central Crossing Senior Center with Easter themed center pieces for the enjoyment of the entire lunch crowd and all who use the dining rooms for the many events offered at the Center. Contributed photos

Compassus Hospice will be conducting training for persons interested in becoming non-medical volunteers, according to Brenda Smith, volunteer coordinator of the Monett office. The training will be from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 23 at the Monett Compassus office. The office is located at 845 Hwy. 60, Suite A...

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

The resurrection of Jesus was a life changing surprise for the early disciples. Even though the Lord had repeatedly taught that death could not hold Him, His followers were amazed to see Him alive! Don't you wish that you could be surprised this Easter?   ...

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...

People may visit Roaring River State Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 to celebrate Earth Day at the Ozark Chinquapin Nature Center. The Nature Center will host a variety of organizations and activities throughout the day. This event is free and open to the public...

Merry Smith, Branch Manager of Service 1 Federal Credit Union in Shell Knob was presented a plaque recognizing the Credit Union as a continued Gold level Business Partner of the Central Crossing Senior Center (CCSC), located in Shell Knob.

The woodland creatures of the utopian community of Evershade battle disease on two fronts in a new book by Cassville author Prix Gautney, recently released by Oghma Creative Media. In Gautney’s young adult novel, Season of Madness, second in her Evershade series, a terrifying plague called “The Madness” ravages the countryside. ...

The SKITS cast is having a blast with the whimsical comedy, “A Nose for the News!” where Cyrano fears he will never be Roxanne’s co-anchor on the news show of the TV station he manages because his nose is too big. His nose really is big. It’s so big, all his pullover shirts have stretch marks...

The city of Cassville has announced Police Chief Dana Kammerlohr has been nominated to the National Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) Executive Law Enforcement Advisory Board, said Cassville City Administrator Steve Walensky. “This is a great honor to be chosen to contribute and add leadership to such a vital program for our youth across the nation,” Walensky said. “Having Chief Kammerlohr selected from our community shows how successful we have been here in Cassville.”...

Golden Baptist Church has announced the opening of its new playground.

  Tractor Supply Company, in partnership with National 4-H Council, is gearing up for its Spring Paper Clover event, a semi-annual fundraising campaign that provides millions of dollars in scholarships for 4-H youth. Donations from the program provide opportunities for youth to attend enriching camps, conferences and other developmental programs across the country.  ...

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

When our building and grounds team did the church landscaping a few years ago, the plan called for four Red Twig Dogwood trees. To me, the flowering Dogwood tree is nature's way of saying grace before Spring sets in. For a time, at least, the Dogwood is the queen of springtime. When the Dogwood blooms, I think of the Legend of the Dogwood Tree.  ...

Nearly 60 area gardeners attended the spring gardening workshop hosted by Barry County Master Gardeners on March 9 at Crowder College in Cassville. Patrick Byers, regional horticulturist with University of Missouri Extension, shared information on growing many different kinds of berries in the Ozarks. ...

The City of Cassville's annual Spring Clean-Up will be held April 15-19. Republic Services will accept additional household waste and large items on regular collection days. The following items will be accepted at the curb: barbecue grills; patio furniture; outdoor furniture; sofas; dressers; loveseats; recliners; desks; televisions; bundled guttering; beds, including hide-a-beds, mattresses and box springs; wood pallets, with materials cut into 4-foot sections and stacked; sinks; toilets; cabinets; vanities; carpet that is cut into 4-foot lengths and bundled; and bicycles.. ...

• Drew Allen Chadd, Exeter, speeding, misd. B, one year unsupervised probation. • Dennis E. McMullen, Monett, failed to equip vehicle with muffler/adequate muffler/properly attached muffler, infr., $30.50. • Tyler Leon Troyer, Monett, no valid driver's license, misd. D, $30.50 and court costs...

Jon Horner, President of Security Bank of Southwest Missouri, was presented a plaque recognizing the bank as a Silver Level Business Partner of the Central Crossing Senior Center (CCSC), located in Shell Knob.

At the March 19 meeting for the Jenkins Bridge, the official name was chosen for the non-profit aiming to save the bridge — the Jenkins Bridge Preservation Foundation.  Any person interested in the preservation or in working with the group is encouraged to attend the meetings. There is also a Facebook site for information...

Meet Cheer, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Cheer is a 7-month-old kitty who is looking for her forever home.

In the springtime, a young man's heart turns to love. I think that old maxim is true. It was for me, anyway, during my high school years (Yes, I do remember something about those days!). I think we should add something to the maxim, though. It would be better said, "A young man's heart turns to love as he switches off his brain." That was my experience...

Anyone with mobility issues, like walking or standing in lines, may go to the Barry County Clerk’s office Saturday to vote absentee. The Barry County Clerk’s Office will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday for absentee voting for the General Municipal Election...

Come to Roaring River State Park for Birding Boot Camp during the weekend of March 30-31.  Beginning and experienced birders are invited to learn about topics such as bird identification, songs, nests and helping scientists around the world protect birds. Strap on boots, grab binoculars and get ready for 2019 Birding Boot Camp. These free events are open to the public...

Meet Melody, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Melody is a beautiful, 54-pound, 8-year-old girl who joined the Haven family about a month ago.

Our dog, Charlie, is now officially famous.  Occasionally, I get a response to an article I write for the Cassville Democrat. Last week's essay about our little Yorkie, Charlie, drew more responses than usual. I think that people identified with the little dog, who delighted in immersing himself in cow manure. ...

• James Louis Barnes, Verona, failed to stop for school bus, misd. A, one year unsupervised probation. • Brian K. Brown, Purdy, operating vehicle in careless, imprudent manner/accident, misd. A, six months probation. • Chad Douglas Chapman, Pierce City, no valid license, misd. unclassified, $128.50...

At the Paradise Valley Camping Club fishing contest on Opening Day, Adam Griffin caught biggest fish for adults, Kyleigh Albright caught the biggest fish in the youth division, and Denton Albright had the biggest stringer overall.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced this week that the January 2019 income over feed cost margin was $7.99 per hundredweight, triggering the first payment for eligible dairy producers who purchase the appropriate level of coverage under the new but yet-to-be established Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program...

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

I bought a tea cup Yorkie, for my wife, at Christmas time. I fought the idea of getting a house dog for a long time. My wife, Mary, wanted a Yorkie for a long time. They are cute, but they are also expensive (wives and Yorkies). The Yorkshire terrier was 10 weeks old when we got him, and now, at 7 months old, he is nearly full grown. He weighs a rock solid four pounds...

District Ranger Joe Koloski has accepted a new position within the Forest Service, and the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs (ACW) Ranger District of Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) has a new Acting District Ranger. Koloski will be moving to Morgantown, W.V., to continue serving the public as Field Representative with Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry; and Cody Lunsford has come from Kentucky to serve as the Acting District Ranger...

Right now, more than ever, mud is on people’s minds, boots and clothes. Mud, also known as soil, and how to best manage it is the highlight of the Missouri University Extension Service’s spring Women in Dairy meetings today (Wednesday) and on April 10...

Andy Reavis, co-owner of Willis Insurance, Inc. (which owns Shell Knob Insurance Agency) was presented a plaque recognizing the company as a continued Silver level Business Partner of the Central Crossing Senior Center (CCSC), located in Shell Knob. ...

Jaylyn Clevenger, Financial Sales Representative, Arvest Bank Shell Knob, was presented a plaque recognizing Arvest Bank as a Platinum level Business Partner of the Central Crossing Senior Center (CCSC).

Talk about hidden resources! I didn’t know that my wife and I would actually set the alarm clock to ring at four o’clock in the morning so that we could be in Roaring River State Park by 5. “On the River” owners Sam and Jenny Madsen had challenged us to be at the Cassville Chamber of Commerce tent to serve coffee with them...

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

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis has appointed Scott E. Spencer to its Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC) for a three-year term starting in 2019. Spencer, formerly of Cassville, is vice chairman, president and CEO of Sterling Bank, headquartered in Poplar Bluff...

The Barry County Genealogical and Historical Society has set its meeting dates, upcoming Spring Cleanup Notice and is inviting local residents to to join.  The group also has a new Facebook page called Barry County Genealogical & Historical  Society. Phone numbers to contact the group are: 417-271-3521 or 417-846-61110. ...

My oldest son lives in Memphis, Tenn. Chris wanted to do something memorable with his family. His two elementary-aged girls had never been fishing, so they drove to Cotter, Ark., to fish for trout on the White River. They spent Sunday fishing. The river was scenic. ...

The Thrifty Closet was recently recognized as a Platinum Level Business Partner with Shell Knob Seniors, Inc.  Since the inception of the Business Partners Program, Thrifty Closet has been recognized as an integral partner with the Central Crossing Senior Center. For years now, they have contributed generously to the salad bar at the Center. Anyone who has ever eaten at Central Crossing Senior Center has undoubtedly noticed it consistently provides one of the finest salad bars in the area...

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

Barry County Assessor Sherry L. Smith would like to remind taxpayers that the second notice reminder postcards, for the 2019 Personal Property and Business Assessment Lists, are scheduled to be mailed out next week. Assessment Lists, which taxpayers received in January, are due by March 1. However, there is still a window of opportunity through March to turn it in without receiving a late assessment penalty...

• Nicholas Alan Anderson, Cassville, failed to register a motor vehicle, misd. B, $30.50. • Randal Kent Becknell, Neosho, failed to equip vehicle with muffler/adequate muffler/properly attached muffler, infr., $80.50. • Cody Lee Burnside, Purdy, pursue/take/kill/possess/dispose of wildlife illegally, misd. A, one year unsupervised probation and court costs...

Cassville’s newest Champions of Trivia will be crowned on March 8 at the Cassville Education Fund Trivia Night fundraiser. The informal evening of fun and games begins at 7 p.m. at the Cassville High School commons. Now in its ninth year, Trivia Night is the annual fundraiser for the Cassville Education Fund. ...

Meet Minnie Pearl, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.