Community News

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin accepting nominations for county committee members on Friday. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. Individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate...

Viney Creek Recreational Area invites the public to an informational meeting at 5:30 p.m. on June 27, at the Golden Baptist Church, located at 28563 State Highway J in Golden. Park staff will be on hand to provide information and answer questions. This is the last year of Missouri State Parks’ agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to operate the facility. The public is invited to share comments about the park and its operations...

Meet Vinny Goldman, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

A total of 108 high school students participated in Missouri's 56th annual Missouri Electric Youth Tour to Washington, D.C., June 14-20. Local delegates were Zane Mebruer, of Cassville, and Ricky Miller, of Wheaton. They were sponsored by Barry Electric Cooperative...

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Missouri 124th annual Convention was held in Springfield April 28-30.

The Soroptimist Club has announced the induction of new members — Christine Kuhn, left, and Rachael Selby-Freeman

The Monett WaterThrashers Invitational held June 1 resulted in another first place finish for the team.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will begin accepting nominations for county committee members on Friday. Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. Individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate...

Juggler Brian Wendling amazed the audience at the Cassville Branch Library on June 6.

The Bluegrass Music Concert Series has returned to Roaring River State Park for another summer. The free shows featuring local bluegrass bands take place 7-9 p.m. every Friday throughout the summer at the park amphitheater. The schedule includes: • June 7 – Schuyler Valley Band...

Dads, what if there were a hole in your house about the size of a golf ball? Imagine that there is a hole at the bottom of the wall right where the TV cable comes in. Now imagine that you live in a snake-infested area and snakes are coming in through that hole, all the time. Snakes are coming right into your living room. About half of the snakes are poisonous and half of them are harmless. Now this is a problem, so you say, “Kids, we’ve got snakes.”...

Why did the turtle cross the road? In many cases, the answer is, he didn't. He tried, but a distracted or unobservant driver ran right over him. This is the time of year when male turtles have romance on their minds and are venturing out to find a mate. ...

Meet Arlo, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Arlo is a very handsome 2-year-old boy who appears to be a cattle dog mix.

• Michelle Renee Bacarisse, Pierce City, speeding, misd. C, $70.50 and court costs. • Jeffrey Scott Bart, Shell Knob, seat belt violation, infr., $10. • Daniel Scott Fellwock, Republic, failed to equip vehicle with muffler, adequate or properly attached muffler, infr., $55...

I loved summer as a kid. I associated summer with freedom: freedom from school, teachers and homework. On the last day of school each year I was excited, and at the same time, anxious.    I was excited to get home and get started on all of my summer plans. As I skipped home from elementary school on the last day, I would sing a celebration song: ...

The Cassville Cruisers Car Club presented Troy Lowe the Eddie Award at the May cruise-in. Lowe’s 1950 Plymouth was voted the “Best of the Bunch” from 1940–1953 models at the cruise-in. 

Meet Bandit Cobblestone, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

The Conservation Commission gave initial approval to increase the price of nonresident fishing permits, daily trout tags, and trout permits during the May meeting. The Department will post the proposed changes for public comment July 2-31 (July 16 to Aug. 14 for landowner registry rules 7.434 and 7.455) at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/Z49. The Commission will consider input received and make a final decision to move forward, modify, or withdraw the changes during its Aug. 23 meeting...

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Brian Blount today announced that Barry County is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from the tornado on April 30...

• James Edward Maxwell, Marionville, first degree tampering with a motor vehicle, fel. D, 120 shock incarceration with the DOC; second degree burglary, fel. D, 120 days shock incarceration with the DOC. • Jeffrey Miller, Eagle Rock, possession of controlled substance except 35 grams orless of marijuana, fel. C, 120 days shock incarceration with the DOC; DWI – drug intoxication, misd, B, shock incarceration with the DOC...

Bob Reed, left, and his great niece Elizabeth Whiteley placed flags at the Oak Ridge Cemetery Monday to honor veterans.

On May 21, Central Crossing Senior Center hosted the celebration of Older Americans Day. It was a widely varied event, with the central theme focused on improving the lives American seniors and local seniors in particular. The lunch was provided by Central Crossing’s business partners and sponsors. While not all could attend, their sponsorship is much appreciated.  ...

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

Shell Knob has many organizations, clubs, and groups that contribute to the betterment of the community as a whole. 

When people are out and about celebrating Memorial Day this year, they should take time to consider what the holiday is really all about. While enjoying themselves, they should consider the millions of veterans who have gone on before them in service to this country and the freedom everyone are privileged to enjoy.  ...

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

A man in Brazil recently won a lawsuit against the hamburger giant, McDonald’s. His award was $17,500.00. Why? He claimed that eating Big Macs for twelve years forced him to gain 65 pounds! When McDonald’s appealed, the award, thankfully, was thrown out.  ...

USDA Food Distribution is offering free food boxes to eligible Barry County low-income families on Tuesday from 3:30-5 p.m. at Cassville United Methodist Church, located at 601 Gravel St.  People should come to the back side of the church on 6th and Townsend Street in Cassville...

Our son Ben, his wife Holly, and our granddaughter Madeline live in Wichita, Kan. Theirs is a funny and unusual neighborhood.    One of the things I find delightful is that they have a neighbor who has a dog that is really good at getting out of his fenced backyard. So, the neighbors are frequently walking around their block calling for their dog.  ...

When someone is dealing with a mental health concern, it can be a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. May is Mental Health Month was started 70 years ago by the national organization, Mental Health America (MHA). ...

Cassville is full of skilled makers, bakers and producers, and the Cassville Tractor Supply store is bringing these talented individuals and businesses together for a community-wide, family-friendly event. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the store will host its annual Market Day event featuring local vendors and their homemade and homegrown goods...

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

Anyone can improve heart health, no matter age or medical history. Jim Corns is not only proof of that, he’s a cheerleader for others who are on his same cardiac rehabilitation path. Corns’ ability to make positive lifestyle changes to improve his heart health earned him the title of “King of Hearts” for 2019. ...

Meet Bruce and Chloe, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week. They came to the Haven because their owner is being deployed with the military.

Half asleep, half awake, a solo Mom was enjoying a wonderful dream. The Rapture had lifted all Christians to be with Jesus, for eternity. All was peaceful, quiet and full of joy. She snuggled back under the covers and happily faded back to sleep. An hour later, she awoke with a start. Something had happened, and she could sense it. She looked at the clock. It was 9:30 in the morning! Impossible! Her days started every day at 6 a.m. What had happened, she could not tell. But something was wrong!...

Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today the availability of a new web-based tool – developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin – to help dairy producers evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program...

Carol Craig, human resource specialist at Regal in Cassville, was recently honored by the United Way of the Ozarks as a recipient of its Campaign Champion Award.

The Cassville Senior Center is looking for help to keep its meal service going, seeing donations for new walk-in freezer and cooler units. According to a press release, the Center provides more than 40,000 meals per year to seniors in Barry County, both home-delivered and at the Center. The meal service began in 1983 and has operated out of the current building at 1111 Fair St. since 1998...

• 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...

What started out late last year to be free basic computer classes at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob (CCSC) has now evolved into a technology training center and help desk environment for area residents to obtain free assistance with computers, smart phones, email, Internet searches and other related technologies, as well as one-on-one help with self-paced computer training classes, such as Learning How To Use Windows 10...

Cattle grazing on lush green pastures tell the tale of why southwestern Missouri producers are warming up to warm-season grasses. Barry County producer Lindell Mitchell sees several benefits from year-round grazing of warm-season Bermuda grass in his cow-calf operation...

Growing up in a small town will imprint you for life. Approximately 25 percent of the man or woman you are today came from your environment. The rest of you is comprised of the people you have met, the books you have read, and the emotions you have experienced. So, being from a small town is an important part of who we are. ...

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that higher levels of coverage will be offered through the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP), a safety net program which began April 8. The 2018 Farm Bill also increased service fees and made other changes to the program, including service fee waivers for qualified military veterans interested in obtaining NAP coverage...

May is National Community Action Month, and 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) Neighborhood Centers. Community Action was established to help families and communities overcome the obstacles of poverty. Community Action Agencies serve 99 percent of all American counties with life-changing services to help families achieve financial stability...

Meet Slushi, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. This handsome 1-year-old guy had a bit of a rough start in life after he was born into a feral cat colony.

The Roaring River State Park amphitheater will host good, old-fashioned Bluegrass music from 7-9 p.m, each Friday in May, and on Saturday, May 25. The event is free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and bring a lawnchair...

My wife, Mary, always reads my column first, on Thursday evenings. Sometimes, she mutters, “That's dumb,” before moving on to the rest of the paper. I always feel a rush of accomplishment at such a remark. I do write some dumb stuff, just for fun. There is an abundance of serious stuff in the world. At times, I want to look at things from a different perspective. I guess I need an excuse to laugh...

The Jenkins Bridge Preservation Foundation will meet on May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Jenkins Fire Station No. 1. New officers have been elected: Dawna Skaggs, president; Tony Cope, vice president; Denise Prisk, secretary; and Teresa Wilson, treasurer. Board members are in the process of being selected. Anyone interested in the preservation of the Jenkins Bridge as a pedestrian bridge is invited to attend the meeting or volunteer to serve on the Board...

The Liberty tree program, offered through the University of Missouri 4-H Foundation, awarded Barry County 4-H with the opportunity for an active role in preserving American history in Barry County. Liberty trees, dating back to the Revolutionary war, were once the site of civil discussion in communities. ...

The Barry County Extension has welcomed a new member to the University of Missouri Extension faulty. Eden Stewart has joined the Barry County Extension office as of April 1. Stewart has worked within McDonald County as a Nutrition Program Associate for the past four years as she earned her master’s degree...