News

A normal day turned heroic recently when a local woman collapsed and her husband immediately started CPR, with Cassville police officers taking over and used an AED machine when they arrived on scene, saving the woman’s life. Dana Kammerlohr, Cassville police chief, said the three officers — Det. Danny Boyd, Sgt. Donald Privett and Officer Stuart Lombard — as well as local man Charles Greek, were all presented letters of commendation for their work...

The statute of limitations has passed for criminal charges to be filed for the deaths of three labradors who were allegedly shot to death and mutilated in Eagle Rock on March 13, 2018. Amy Boxx, Barry County prosecutor, confirmed the one-year time period to file a charge ran out on March 12...

The Purdy City Council recently reviewed its buildings and resources while contemplating future opinions. Mayor Po Prock said, in his opinion, the city owns more property than it can manage with six employees. Lonnie Lowery, public works supervisor, said his staff spends 24-30 hours a week mowing and weeding during the growing season...

The third project on the list for Cassville schools’ Vision 150 proposition, is to continue its focus on student needs with security upgrades, ADA playground accessibility and general maintenance. If the Vision 150 proposition is not passed, the district will have to postpone certain projects inevitably. In this case, the most critical maintenance and security needs will be planned first...

1. Why do you want to win this position? My reason for running is that Exeter is a nice little town and needs leadership. The city has gotten stagnant, and we have got to build it back up and address numerous things. We have a nice school, and i want to be part of the future and to help build the city back up. I have a management background and my occupations in the past are essential to helping the city move forward...

1. Why do you want to win this position? I am concerned about our town and don’t want to see it go downhill. We had a good mayor, who was a man I respected, and I think in political office you need to help people and be a good listener to get things done...

1. Why do you want to win this position? I am running for Mayor and asking for the citizens of Exeter’s vote to make this community a better place to live. In every census since the 1960s, Exeter has grown in population, with the explosion in growth in Northwest Arkansas, bedroom communities in proximity to Northwest Arkansas, such as ours is going to grow as well whether we want it to or not. ...

1. Why do you want to win this position? I want this position to be a voice for the people of the community. I want to improve community relations and have more community involvement. 2. If elected, what is your number one goal as mayor? My number one goal is to increase community relations and involvement. ...

On April 16, the Cassville industry technology class will test its vehicle’s mileage against other schools to determine who has the best, at the UCM Missouri Super Mileage Challenge. Marcus Reynolds, Cassville industrial technology teacher, said the class is building a vehicle to get the best fuel mileage in the Challenge...

Camp Barnabas is a week-long camp for youth who have chronic illnesses and special needs, offering a chance to experience classic summer camp activities. Andrea Harp, Camp Barnabas director of marketing, said this is the first year the Camp is hosting the virtual run...

Security measures are important when talking about city property, and a faulty system can cause problems of it own, so the city of Washburn is looking into cost-effective ways to combat the issue. John Tiedeman, Washburn mayor, said the current alarm system is antiquated and needs to be updated or replaced...

Across Barry County recently, cities were sent a message to update their storm sirens so they can be set off by the remote radio at Barry County E9-1-1. David Compton, Barry County emergency management director, said there is no change to the fire, EMS or police radio frequency...

What better way to prepare for St. Patrick’s Day than with crafts and children?

With help from Verna Fry, youth services director at Cassville Branch Library, Sylas Roark, 6, of Cassville, mixed the perfect gold color for his pot of gold he painted on a stone.

Around her students, Erica Gorman, instrumental music teacher, flashes a smile while the seventh- and eighth-grade jazz band played “Riff’n Around” on March 12, at the Music In Our Schools concert.

A benefit dinner will be held for Loren Lowe on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Butterfield Community Building. Lowe has been diagnosed with colon cancer and is unable to work due to the illness. There will be a brisket dinner for $12, Indian tacos for $12 or hamburgers for $8. All dinners will come with sides, drinks and desserts. There will also be a silent auction for donated items. All proceeds will be given to Lowe...

Two people died Saturday in a wreck at 8:19 a.m. on Highway 37, three miles south of Cassville at Farm Road 2212. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Johnny Berry, 59, of Exeter, was driving a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo when his vehicle failed to yield and struck the side of a southbound 2006 Chevrolet 2500 pickup being driven by Daniel Lloyd, 43, of Aurora...

On Monday, the Purdy school board will take the first steps toward hiring a new school superintendent. Steven Chancellor, who has led the district since the 2012-2013 school year, submitted his resignation last weekend, effective at the end of the school year on June 30...

The city of Cassville is continuing its work in Flat Creek this year, aimed at reducing flooding in the city. David Brock, Cassville public works director, said at the next council meeting, he will be asking that a purchase order be approved for about $120,000...

“The Newsies” team, representing the Barry County Advertiser and the Cassville Democrat, was the overall winner of the Trivia Night on Friday at the Cassville High School commons. The annual fun-filled event raised more than $2,500 for the Cassville Education Fund...

Proposition Vision 150 is a ballot measure to go to vote on April 2 that will allow the district to use bond funds to complete capital projects focused on early childhood, elementary students, safety and maintenance of the facility. Vision 150 is a $4 million no-tax-increase bond issue and will require a 4/7ths majority, or 57.14 percent, to pass...

The City of Wheaton is preparing for the new roof project on the utilities shop to be started, and officials are determining plans for a new paint job on all three water towers. Joshua Kinnaman, City of Wheaton utilities superintendent, said the roof on the old fire house should be completed sometime in March...

The Exeter school district will purchase 700 new chairs, as well as three new lunch tables, for a total cost of $11,287. Ernest Raney, Exeter superintendent, said the process before to get chairs the school needed for events, was to borrow them from the Cassville Life Center...

Anyone interested in the preservation of Jenkins Bridge is welcome to attend a meeting Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at the Jenkins Fire Station No. 1, located on Highway 248 near Jenkins. This will be the organizational meeting with officers and board members being nominated. Anyone who would like to be nominated but cannot attend should contact Dawna Skaggs at 417-574-6924. Voting will be at the next meeting on April 4...

A Shell Knob resident was injured Friday in a wreck at 4:40 p.m. on Highway 39, two miles north of Jenkins. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Darian Bryaz, 28, of Shell Knob, was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu northbound when the vehicle went off the left side of the roadway and struck a tree...

A meal was available for people who attended the Cassville Academic Banquet on Thursday night.

Patty Daniels, of Cassville, bids on 500 pounds of feed, one of the numerous silent auction items at the Ozarks Area Community Action Center fundraiser, held Friday at the Crowder Cassville Community Building.

Preschool screening for 3- and 4-year-old children in the Cassville school district is scheduled for April 8 and April 10. Parents of 3- and 4-year-old children may call the primary office at 847-2445 to schedule an appointment. Children must be 3 by Aug. ...

Angelia Burns' body was recovered from Table Rock Lake on Sunday March 3, 2019 less than a half mile from where her personal belongings were located on the lake shore on Feb. 10.  Burns was last seen walking out of her home in the Golden area. Several items of personal property, including her cell phone and cash, were found on the bank of Table Rock Lake...

The hearty and the adventurous threw caution aside and journeyed into Roaring River State Park’s fabled canyon for another glorious day of fishing on Friday for the opening of trout season. Temperatures in the 20s leading up to the gunshot to start trout fishing, plus the weekend threat of snow, thinned the crowd for Barry County’s most striking tradition...

Sales tax revenues to Barry County city and county governments dropped 9 percent in February after seeing a spike a year ago. In general, revenues landed slightly higher than two years ago, reflecting a positive trend. Barry County’s seven cities receiving sales tax took in $593,400.96, down 9 percent from last February. Purdy alone beat the sum from a year ago...

Proposition Vision 150 is a ballot measure aimed to provide Cassville schools with necessary fund to address capital projects the will offer new and expand educational opportunities. The projects on the list include the Early Childhood Center, renovation of facilities, learning and innovation, ADA accessible playgrounds, security and roof and general maintenance...

Crowder College in Cassville started a nursing program in 2010, and since then, the program has produced 157 graduates to date, with a 100 percent pass rate in 2018. Angela Seymour, director of Crowder Cassville campus, said it started offering full degrees through the nursing program 10 years ago...

The Purdy school board settled on a date for graduation and took personnel action recently. With considerable reluctance, board members agreed to set graduation for May 12, on Mother's Day, for the second year in a row. The time was slated for 2 p.m...

Flu season affected many this year, including daycares, schools and homes, and all had to find a way to combat the illness, some multiple times. Dr. Lisa Roark, owner of Roark Family Health and Medical Spa, said she has been seeing a lot of influenza A cases...

Over the years, as any homeowner knows, roofs become worn and leaky, and to combat this issue, the Exeter school district will repair current issues and possibly have an audit of the roof done to keep an eye on any possible future issues. Ernest Raney, Exeter superintendent said, there is a slow leak on the west side of the gymnasium...

Dairy producers received three varied ways to look at their operations during the annual Dairy Day conference hosted by the Monett Chamber of Commerce and the University of Missouri Extension Service. For an unusual hands-on approach, veterinarian Dr. ...

Maintaining equipment can be exhausting, but the Exeter school district is staying on top of needed upgrades and repairs, including the heater system. Ernest Raney, Exeter superintendent, said on the west side of the multi-purpose room, there was a supply fan failure...

Ventroliquist Jim Barber provided the entertainment at the annual Shell Knob Chamber Banquet Saturday.

Charlea Estes-Jones, left, is serenaded by Lauren Lee, as Cecelia Livingstone, who sang multiple songs in between scenes at the Murder Mystery Dinner, “Dewey and the Dastardly Damsels,” in Purdy Thursday.

During the annual chili/soup supper on Saturday, the Jenkins Fire Department kept it hot by warming people up with a nice steaming bowl of chili.

Community Blood Center of the Ozarks visited the Cassville High School on Feb. 27, to collect blood.

It was contentious and heated at times at the Clio community building in Jenkins on Feb. 19 as all three members of the Barry County Commission and Principal Engineer Spencer Jones spoke with about 75 people about the future of the historic bridge on Farm Road 1215 between Highways 39 and 248...

With Opening Day on a Friday this year, staff at Roaring River State Park are hoping for big numbers, estimating about 2,000 visitors making their way to the park. Paul Spurgeon, manager of the Roaring River Hatchery, which is managed by the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the stream is in good shape this winter...

A $1.3 million project to celebrate 20 years of Crowder’s campus in Cassville will offer more space, more classrooms and a new look to the exterior of the building. Amy Rand, vice president of finance for Crowder College, said $2 million was secured through capital request through the state of Missouri, and the completion date is set for fall 2019...

Southwest schools is replacing its set of Chromebooks for students, and the district is looking to increase safety at the bus stop down Highway 90 for students. Tosha Tilford, Southwest superintendent, said the Chromebooks that were approved in the December Board of Education meeting for the high school have all been labeled and distributed to the classrooms...

An Exeter man is facing four felonies and two misdemeanors relating to the death of an Arkansas man after a wreck on Feb. 1 on Highway 86, about four miles west of Carr Lane. Steven Fare, 59, of Exeter, is charged with DWI-death of another not a passenger, second-degree assault, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, misdemeanor careless and imprudent driving and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia...

Purchasing a new mower can be pricey, and the city of Seligman wants to be sure its Kubota mower will hold up to the city’s needs. Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk, said the city decided to go with a Kubota mower from Crown Power & Equipment, in Monett...

New user-friendly records management software is available, and the Seligman Police Department is applying for a Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) to help cover its cost. Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk, said this program allows for the police department to purchase new software...

A local quilter’s work is being displayed at the Barry County Museum, and it shows the different techniques and projects that can be done with quilting. Vickie Clancy, owner and quilter at Cottage Quilt Studio, said she is a quilt maker, but her business is long-arm quilting...