Community News

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.

The Area Community Action Corporation's Barry County Neighborhood Center is seeking participants for ideas on how to best implement a new project for the community called "The People's Pantry." The program revolves around an emergency food and hygiene items pantry offered to the public, accessible 24 hours a day, to individuals and families in need...

I ordered the “beans and greens” with cornbread at Cracker Barrel the other day. I guess I was missing the good old days. When I was a boy, my maternal grandmother insisted that we eat greens early in the spring time. “They are good for you,” she said...

• Brandon James Reynolds, Cassville, second degree tampering with utility meter, misd. A, two years unsupervised probation, $10 CVCF. • Joshua A. Shoemaker, Cassville, possession of a controlled substance except 35 grams or less of marijuana, felony C, probation revoked, fiche years supervised probation...

The Fraternal Order of Eagles of Shell Knob and the Auxiliary recognize the value of the Central Crossing Senior Center adds to the community and has partnered with the Center. 

The Barry County Democratic Committee will host a county-wide mass meeting on April 6 at the Barry County Courthouse, located at 700 Main St., starting at 7:30 p.m. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Primary voters will caucus to be elected as Presidential delegates to the Congressional District and State Democratic Conventions...

Mary Wolf, president of the Parish Council of Catholic Women at Shell Knob’s Holy Family Catholic Church, recently presented a gift to Shell Knob Seniors, Inc.

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

The word “civil” means “courteous and polite,” unless the word “Civil” is followed by the word “War.”  Civil War means “a war between political factions in the same nation.” In that case, Civil War describes civilians fighting against civilians. When that happens, civil becomes not at all civil...

The “7¢ for The Library” vote on April 7 is the topic of discussion at six public meetings across the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library District. “Everyone is welcome to the town-hall-style meetings,” said Greg Brown, District spokesman. “They will be held at local libraries throughout the district. Attendees will learn about the library’s situation and the property tax levy adjustment that voters will see on the April 7 ballot...

The Barry County Clerk’s Office will be open Saturday for absentee voting for the Presidential Preference Election from 8 a.m. to noon. Absentee voting in person continues through Monday at the Barry County Clerk’s Office in Cassville, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m...

Pythagoras Lodge No. 383 presented a 50-year pin to Brother Raymond Catron on Feb. 20.

Meet Tom Keen, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

When the seasons change, it causes me to remember things from boyhood. I like to remember good things, and I am sure that I romanticize some events in my mind. At the same time, I worry a little bit that my children and grandchildren are missing out on some of the experiences that I enjoyed...

State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, was honored on Jan. 31 by SeniorAge Area Agency on Aging and the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob for his work on behalf of senior citizens.