Community News

A young man went door to door in the one block long, small town business district. He was desperate to find a summer job in a time when jobs were hard to find. He walked into a men’s clothing store and spoke to the salesman. “I’m the owner and the only salesman,” the man told the boy. “I had an employee many years ago, but few people shop on Main Street anymore. See that suit?” The man pointed to a very ugly polyester leisure suit. It had obviously been out of style for ages.  ...

Meet Stockton and Slugger, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week.

Sound travels well in the summertime heat. All of our windows are open, and I heard you calling your dog the other night. It caused me to meditate on pet names. Yes, I am easily entertained. You called and called, and apparently, the dog didn't respond. The problem might have been that he didn't recognize his name...

Meet brothers Dark Stripe and Gray Stripe, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week.

The Habitat for Humanity of South Barry County has elected new officers for its board, as 6-year president David Hermann is stepping away from the organization’s leadership.

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

The following report is from MSBN.COM: BERLIN - A 43-year-old German decided to settle his imminent divorce by chain sawing a family home in two and making off with his half using a forklift truck. Police in the eastern town of Sonneberg said on Friday the trained mason measured the single-story summer house — which was some 8 meters (26 feet) long and 6 meters wide — before chain sawing through the wooden roof and walls. ...

Meet Bubba Lee, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

Meet Lavina, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Adorable and friendly, Lavina is a six month old puppy who was dumped with her littermates on the road near the Haven. She’s believed to be a hound mix and will probably be medi- um sized when fully grown. Lavina likes people of all ages and gets along well with other dogs. She would love to find her forever home soon. There...

The heat last week was difficult to bear. I sympathize with those who must work outside in one-hundred-degree weather. Hot and humid weather is hard on everybody and on everything. It drains and exhausts you. Mary is watering our flowers, shrubs, and garden slowly, and careful- ly. We never know when our well might go dry...

Almost 200 area teens and adults from the Monett Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints re-enacted the westward trek of handcart pioneers June 24 through 26. Each youth was assigned to a family consisting of a “Ma and Pa” and approximately six to eight youth. For three days, they helped push wooden handcarts with their belongings over various terrains – camping for two nights...

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

Mary and I have been blessed with eight grandchildren. We have seven granddaughters and one grandson. They are a joy to us, and we praise God for them. I received a text message from Sarah, my only daughter, regarding a conversation she had with Alex, who just turned seven. Here is her text: ...

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

It was Saturday morning. Marti wanted to get away for a couple of hours. She had an opportunity to go out for coffee with some girlfriends. “Of course, you can go,” said her husband. “I am perfectly capable of watching little Jill for a couple of hours.”...

Four shotguns have been donated to the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, including two from 4-States Electronic Monitoring and Tracking and two from Terry Burgess at 37 Pawn and Gun.

My family moved to Valley Center, Kan., in 1957. I was 3 when they bought the house at 418 N West Street. In those days there was nothing on the West side of our sand road except a wheat field bordered on the far side by the Little Arkansas River. The Adsit family had a red brick house at the South end of their 80-acre wheat field, next to the river...

Meet Scarfaceand Lovely Lucy, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week.

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

It's that time of year again. The weather is warm, children have finished school, and vacations are beginning. For many, this is a season for more time with family, time spent relaxing, and more overall fun. Yet while many people are taking a vacation, the devil is increasing his efforts, trying to pull Christians away from the Lord. ...

When I first met Thelma, nearly twenty years ago, I thought she was about a hundred years old. Of course, she wasn't. She was one of those grandmotherly types of people who looked wise and aged beyond their years. I found out that we had a good deal in common. Her roots were in Southeast Oklahoma. She came from the same small town my relatives came from and had the same southern drawl. She knew many of the places I knew, and her people knew my people. ...

Meet Dunkin D, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Dunkin is a well-mannered two year old girl who weighs in at just under 60 pounds.

Sarah, my daughter, is now a mother of three exceptionally bright children. Sarah got me a coffee mug that is imprinted with the words, “World’s Best Dad.” She inherited her sense of sarcasm from me. There is only one “World’s Best Dad,” and I am not Him. ...

Meet adorable kittens, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week.

Meet adorable puppies, the Haven of the Ozarks Pets of the Week. Puppy and kitten season is here, and there are plenty of both at the Haven.

Meet Ol’ Yellar, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. This seven year old boy came to the Haven with some pretty significant health issues.

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 sixty-five pounds! When McDonald’s appealed, the award, thankfully, was thrown out. ...

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 expected 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 Forman, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is giving thanks to the Girl Scouts (Troop # 71611, Seligman) for all they do after their recent acknowledgment of the Sheriff’s Office.

Soroptimist of Barry County has named Angela Seymour as the recipient of the 2021 Ruby Award for her efforts to improve the lives of students in the Cassville community through Crowder College.

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

I recently saw a sign in front of a church. It read, “Prayer is not our last resort, it is our first response.” I agree. If you are a Christian, you ought to consider yourself “armed and dangerous.” That's right! You have God given permission to carry a concealed weapon. The Bible gives you your “concealed/carry” permit! The weapon that you carry is called “prayer.”...

Improvements were recently made in Rocky Edmondson Park after the Cassville School District commissioned a new stamped concrete base to be added to the Rocky Edmondson Memorial.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) recently announced that Barry County is accepting applications for the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to address damages from the March 17, 2021 tornado. ECP signup began on May 4, 2021 and will end on June 3, 2021...

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

Area residents turned out to Exeter’s city park recently in celebration of Arbor Day. The city of Exeter has been a member of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program since 1996. During the celebration, the Exeter Tree Board was presented with the Tree City USA 25 year award by Jon Skinner, urban forester from the Missouri Department of Conservation...

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

“It’s time to mow the yard,” said my lovely wife. We live in the country on a five-acre plot. “Again?” I obediently went out to mow. I don’t think you can really call it mowing the lawn. It is more like a dandelion seed relocation project. The dandelion stems reach up out of the grass and give a scruffy lawn impression. We also have thousands of tall wild onion plants...

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

Meet Kali B, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

There is a nice rental cabin resort south of Cassville on Highway 112. Out front there is a changeable letters billboard. Right now, the sign reads: “Spring is here! I’m so excited I could wet my plants!” The tongue-in-cheek pun is one I can relate to. ...

Cliff Przybyl, right, co-owner of Cool Canine Natural Dog Treats, presented a check for $500 to Patty Ellison, left, president of Shell Knob In The Spotlight (SKITS).

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

People are funny. They make us smile by what they say and do. It is a great pleasure for me to write about the people I know because of the joy they bring to my life. I want to report on things that make me laugh in the hope that they make you laugh, too. Proverbs 17.22 states: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” So, sometimes, I focus on hilarity. If you think about it, many of the people you know are hilarious. And, so are you...

My garden raised a few eyebrows before it raised anything else. I planted it within a few yards of Haverhill Christian Church. It was just a little unusual to see vegetables growing that close to a church located five miles from the nearest town. Those who passed by were amused and amazed to see a hoe wielding, suit wearing preacher tending his garden...

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

Meet Annie Cat, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.