Community News

In recognition of National Volunteer Appreciation Month, the Barry County Museum held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the museum in Cassville on Friday.

On Friday, April 27, the Cassville YMCA is holding a free community event to inspire more youth to keep their minds and bodies active at the annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families...

Area businesses are joining forces to support the Cassville Education Fund on Wildcat Wednesdays in April.

Hospice Compassus will be conducting training for persons interested in becoming non-medical volunteers. The training will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at the Hospice Compassus office located at 845 Hwy. 60, Suite A, in Monett...

Are you at risk of developing diabetes, heart disease or other chronic conditions? It may be time to “Know Your Numbers,” the focus of the health fair coming to Mercy hospital in Cassville. The public is invited to attend the event on Thursday, May 10 at Mercy Hospital Cassville. ...

Meet Jerry, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Jerry is a gorgeous Shepherd mix who is just under four years old, and we really can’t say enough good things about him. 

The Barry County Master Gardeners hosted their second annual spring garden workshop in March with 46 participants at Crowder College, and will host a plant sale at the Dogwood Car Show in Cassville the morning of May 5. Plants will include perennials, herbs, and garden vegetables that the members are sharing from their own landscapes or have started from seed for this season’s planting. The booth will be located off the northeast corner of the Courthouse Square...

Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary Director Carolyn Fliger visited the Cassville Senior Center on April 11.

SKITS spring play, The Groom Has Cold Feet, has all the twists and turns of a murder mystery set in an 1890's western town. Play dates are Friday, April 27 at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m., at the CC United Methodist Church, located at Highway 39 & Highway YY, Shell Knob...

The Cassville Police Department is participating in the D.E.A. Prescription Take Back Day scheduled for Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People may drop off medications at the back entrance (Municipal Court) of City Hall. The event is held to help people properly dispose of unused medications...

Most cow-calf producers feel they are producing a high quality feeder that does not demand the respect they should in the marketing arena. According to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension, there are steps that can help a cow-calf producer earn greater respect...

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

On Saturday, April 21, Roaring River State Park will host an Earth Day Celebration. Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. at the Ozark Chinquapin Nature Center with a birding hike along the River Trail. Hikers are encouraged to bring their binoculars. The event is free and open to the public, and will also include free tree giveaways for visitors, a live bird show, interpretative programs and activities...

The Cassville Senior Center will be hosting an event April 11 (today) at 11:30 a.m., featuring guest, the Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary, and two more events in the following week. The Haven will share a presentation about what they do along with information about how volunteers can help with their time and/or donations...

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

On Library Advocacy Day, which took place March 13 in Jefferson City, at the state’s capitol, Barry-Lawrence County Library System Director Gina Milburn and Youth Services Coordinator Janea Coker met with lawmakers to update them on the library system and ask for their continued support of libraries across the state...

In recognition of April being Public Health Month, the Barry County Health Department will be offering testing on private well water for $10, using a department provided water test kit to individuals, Monday through Wednesday. For the month of April, nursing stuff will conduct heart disease and stroke risk calculations with blood pressure checks and STD testing...

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

Though spring has officially arrived, the American Red Cross blood supply is still recovering from severe winter storms in March. Donors of all blood types are urged to roll up a sleeve and help save lives. Winter weather in parts of the country forced more than 270 blood drives to cancel, resulting in over 9,500 uncollected blood and platelet donations in the first two weeks of March. No matter the weather, the need for blood to help cancer patients, those undergoing surgeries, trauma patients and others remains.. ...

Access to specialists can be a challenge for people living in rural areas, but CoxHealth has a solution for orthopedic care in the Cassville area. Dr. Patrick Finkbone and Dr. Chad Efird, board-certified orthopedic surgeons, are now offering orthopedic care on Fridays through an outreach clinic located inside CoxHealth Center Cassville.    ...

When you’re battling back from heart trouble, it can take a royal effort. David Mohler knows that all too well – he’s had multiple stents and vascular bypasses since the 1990s. Most recently, he had coronary artery bypass surgery and got a pacemaker...

Houseplants should be a part of every home, according to Patrick Byers, a horticulture specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Houseplants add a note of beauty, they improve the indoor environment, and they have proven emotional benefits," said Byers...

Meet Venus, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. This beautiful girl is about a year and a half old. She’s sweet and very gentle.

Spring is just around the corner, and a favorite harbinger of spring in the Ozarks is the witch hazel plant according to Patrick Byers, horticulture specialist, University of Missouri Extension. Witch hazel is a native shrub that can be found across the Ozarks along streams, rivers and in other moist areas...

Deficiencies of Vitamin D are common according to Pam Duitsman, nutrition and health specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Most folks are aware that this fat-soluble vitamin works with calcium to help maintain and build strong bones," said Duitsman. "While that is true, vitamin D is actually a hormone that study after study shows is fundamental to the promotion of good health and prevention of several serious health conditions."...

Silver Discovery will hold its next meeting on Thursday, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 20801 YY 15 Road, Shell Knob.  Lunch will be provided. The host, Central Crossing Senior Center, will present on services available to the community. Sheila House will also present on Alzheimer support. The group will also be discussing its Senior Health Fair...

Members of the Silver Leaf Benefit Club, a member of General Federated Women’s Clubs, collected non-perishable food items at their February meeting.

If your doctor or dentist prescribes a pain reliever, take charge of your health and find out exactly what you are getting. UnitedHealthcare Group medical experts recommend you ask your doctor these questions about any opioid prescription. Common opioid brand names include Vicodin and Percocet...

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

The cast for 'The Groom Has Cold Feet' is rehearsing for opening day on April 27 under the direction of Director Susan Ramonette. This comedy is set in a western town in the 1890s and is a murder mystery that’s full of delight, suspense, comedy, twists and turns...

Jessica Cullers, regional director of business development, and Merry Smith, branch manager of Service 1 Federal Credit Union (FCU) in Shell Knob.

The Exeter school district would like to thank Peoples Community Bank for pledging $1,250 annually for the next eight years to benefit Exeter students.

Many cattlemen dread buying bulls, according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension. Cole says he understands the concerns, but there are some basic things that can be done to reduce the anxiety involved in bull shopping and buying...

Library cardholders of Barry-Lawrence Regional Library branches can now instantly explore, borrow and enjoy dynamic content on their smartphones, tablets and computer through a new digital platform offered by the library system. On March 5, library staff announced the availability of thousands of movies, television shows, music albums, e-Books, audiobooks and comics for mobile and online access through a new partnership with Hoopla digital (hoopladigital.com)...

Many organizations claim a day, week or month to promote their industry. Recognizable examples include May as Beef Month, June as Dairy Month and October as Agriculture Month. According to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension, it is time to designate March as 'Take Your Bull To The Vet Month...

Former Cassville resident Cheryl (Cullers) Bowman, Materials Research Engineer at NASA, John H. Glenn Research Center, was presented the prestigious Silver Achievement Medal from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration

The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce helped Making Memories Tours celebrate the opening of its new location on Tuesday.

Meet Dakota, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Dakota is a really fun, four-year-old Heeler mix who loves all of the people he meets, no matter their size or age.

Working purposefully to connect the various parts of our local food system is important for a number or reasons, according to Pam Duitsman, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Local food efforts improve access to local food, and helps us all learn where, how and by whom our food is grown," said Duitsman. ...

Daron Evans has joined the Cassville Community Foundation as a part-time coordinator for the volunteer-led Board of Governors. Evans will handle a variety of responsibilities related to the CCF’s meetings, special events and grantmaking activities. With his expertise, the CCF Board hopes to build a stronger stream of financial and in-kind support for local nonprofits...

Mercy Hospital Cassville’s Senior Life Solutions Program welcomes new therapist Pamela Smith, MSW, LCSW as its new Program Therapist.  Senior Life Solutions, an intensive outpatient group therapy program, is designed to meet the unique needs of older adults over the age of 65 struggling with depression and anxiety often related to aging.  As Program Therapist, Smith will be responsible for providing therapeutic services for patients utilizing group, individual, and family therapy sessions.  ...

Rusty Newman, president of Freedom Bank, Shell Knob and Golden locations, was presented a plaque recognizing the bank as a Gold-Level business partner of the Central Crossing Senior Center (CCSC), located in Shell Knob. 

A program to discuss Missouri’s complicated fence law will be held on Monday evening, Monday at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is being presented by the Barry County Extension Council and the Barry County Commissioners. The location of the meeting is the Barry County Courthouse on the square in Cassville. The fee for the workshop is $10 per person, which covers the program and materials. Pre-registration is requested by the Barry County MU Extension Center 847-3161. ...

In recognition of the value that local FFA chapters play in developing young leaders for a future in agriculture, its Butterfield feed mill staff, along with the Monett management and field staff, have selected the Cassville High School FFA Chapter to receive a donation of $680...

Silver Leaf Benefit Club, a part of General Federated Women’s Clubs, recently donated lap robes and shoulder wraps to residents of Roaring River Health and Rehab, and to Cassville Health and Rehab.

Silver Discovery will hold its next meeting on Thursday, March 1, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at 1011 Old Airport Road, Monett. Lunch will be provided. This month, the host, Oak Pointe Assisted Living, will present on services available to the community...

If your farm has been in the family since Dec. 31, 1918, you can apply to have it recognized as a Missouri Century Farm. To qualify, farms must meet the following guidelines: • The same family must have owned the farm for 100 consecutive years • The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, and nephews or nieces, including through marriage or adoption...

Meet Riva, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Riva is a gorgeous, 12-year old Shepherd mix who has resided at the Haven most of her life. 

Are your cattle performing poorly during the summer? Do your cattle show symptoms of fescue toxicosis during the late spring and through the summer? Are you wanting to increase pasture forage production, quality and cattle carrying capacity through the summer?...

Virginia and Steve Noller are excited that their dream of downsizing and simplifying their lives is becoming a reality. The couple recently purchased a double lot at Mountain View Estates from Shell Knob Seniors, Inc., a non-profit corporation that runs Central Crossing Senior Center. (CCSC)...