News

The concession stand at Wildcat Stadium was torn down on Tuesday, making way for a new stand to be built soon...

Estimates and a design have been completed for the 7th Street bridge, which adjoins the city park to the downtown area, but the project is going to be more expensive than originally planned. Steve Walensky, Cassville city administrator, said Allgeier Martin and Associates, a Joplin-based engineering company, has submitted a preliminary construction design and cost estimate for the 7th Street crossing on Flat Creek, which was damaged in the July 2015 flood and removed after subsequent damage in 2017.. ...

With only a few business days left before the deadline to file for city, school board and road district elected positions, the Exeter mayoral race is shaping up to be the most contested in Barry County. As of Friday, four people had filed for the position, replacing the late Rusty Reed. Lance Eaton, Mike Vasey, Troy Berry and Kenen Martinez have all filed for the two-year post...

The Cassville school district is hoping to benefit from the Monett school district’s addition of another regional offering for students in local districts — the Monett Behavioral Center. Russ Moreland, Monett superintendent, said the idea took root while Brad Hanson was still superintendent, and he is only continuing to roll the ball...

An anticipated, drop in sales tax revenues in December left a mixed bag of results for 2018. After increases in five of the first six months of the year, drops in three of the last six months erased annual gains for four of the seven municipal recipients...

Many things can be seen driving down the street of a small town, from horse-drawn buggies to classic cars, but it was a surprise for some residents to see something unusual making its way down Main Street on Thursday — a house. Betty Tilton, part owner of Tilton & Sons, Inc., said her husband and sons were the people driving the trucks and getting everything in place for the home to travel from St. Edwards Catholic Church to a new resting place northeast of Cassville on Highway 248...

The city of Cassville has implemented new policies for snow and ice control on roads, which include a new mixture of salt and sand, as well as prioritized levels of service that aim to provide motorists with adequate driving surfaces. David Brock, Cassville public works director, said a couple of things will change from how the city approached winter weather in the past...

Wheaton School District Superintendent Lance Massey attended two different state legislature meetings recently in Springfield and Webb City, learning about a few topics that stuck out to him regarding proposed state laws. “One thing that will actually take effect [in 2019] is the way that we count school days,” Massey said. “Currently, it is a combination of hours and days, and it will be moving to an hours-only system.”...

A Purdy man is facing five felony charges after a call for shots fired resulted in a search of his residence and police finding multiple marijuana plants. Kenneth Snider, 33, of Purdy, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, manufacture of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon and manufacture of marijuana...

The University of Missouri Extension will host the 90th annual Barry County Soils and Crops Conference on Thursday, Jan. 24, at the First Christian Church, 905 Old Exeter Road in Cassville. According to conference coordinator Reagan Bluel, presenters will focus on helping local producers manage their bottom line...

The Wheaton school district has set goals for some projects that need attention in its buildings, and will be purchasing a new air-conditioned trip bus. Lance Massey, Wheaton school district superintendent, said CTS is a company that the district has done business with before, a group that will come out and give a no-obligation, no-cost estimate...

Barry County Prosecutor Amy Boxx will serve the state in an advisory capacity in coming months, as she was selected as one of 12 advisors on incoming Attorney General Eric Schmitt’s transition team. The team will focus on reviewing the Attorney General's Office and gathering information relevant to Schmitt’s top priorities as Attorney General...

Tip-Off candidates this year at Cassville have been announced

Children spend time in the library to play games, read and learn, even though they are still out of school from holiday break.

When water sources freeze in the north, bald eagles migrate south to find food and water. People may join Roaring River State Park staff to watch for bald eagles along Roaring River at 3 p.m. on Jan. 19. People may also watch a movie about the national symbol and participate in eagle-themed activities. ...

It's back to the drawing board for members of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library board. Last month, Gina Milburn, director, spoke to State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, concerning efforts to have the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library included in a statute that would allow the board seek a sales tax for funding. At that time, Fitzpatrick said his support was contingent on having the support of State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, and State Rep. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, as well...

The Purdy school board recently heard positive reports about the new storm shelter/performing arts center and took action on staffing. Superintendent Steven Chancellor reported the elementary school Christmas program, the first event in the new performing arts center, prompted “tons of good feedback.” Sound and lighting proved adequate, though microphones offered some early challenges. The stadium seating offered a better view than the elementary gym...

Barry County Clerk Gary Youngblood, right, swore in a group of incumbent officeholders Friday.

Exeter students take a state test once a year, and with a new program the school has implemented, the students get better assistance in areas they struggle in. Tim Jordan, Exeter principal, said the school chose to use the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) test which is not a state test but rather a national test that is used all over...

Students at Southwest have a school counselor they can turn to when needed, but Southwest has taken an opportunity for more help available to the students who need it. Tosha Tilford, Southwest superintendent, said the Clark Center started a program in September 2017 to provide on-campus therapy...

Wheaton High School has seen an upswing in its ACT scores in recent years, and the district credits the improvements to a workshop offered at the high school. Lance Massey, Wheaton superintendent, said the high school students have been able to check their ACT scores recently, and many of the students are happy with the results...

Along with water system renovations, the city of Seligman has been repairing the sewer system pumps and has received a grant through the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a system study. Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk, said the city has 14 lift stations, 13 of which pump into a main lift station...

Many schools have started to recognize the effects of trauma on students, and the Southwest school district, through the Clark Center Mental Health, has begun taking a proactive approach to the issue. Tosha Tilford, Southwest superintendent, said she sent some teachers, administrators and counselors to a training about the impact of childhood trauma on student achievement at school at the beginning of the school year...

Friday, the American Red Cross set up at Arvest bank for a blood drive.

The Barry County Health Department is holding a coat/winter gear drive to help support the local schools and children in need. Drop offs are Save-a-lot and La Michoacana in Monett, and the Monett Barry County Health Department. Initially, items donated will be distributed to the local schools and any surplus will be kept at the Monett branch Health Department. People in need will be able to pick up from the health department location...

1. Youngblood landslides way to commissioner Outgoing Barry County Clerk Gary Youngblood earned a landslide victory in the election for Barry County presiding commissioner. Youngblood took in 2,753 of the 5,382 total votes, winning all 16 precincts and in the absentee ballots. Incumbent Cherry Warren came in second with 1,586 votes, and John Hendricks rounded out the results with 1,043 votes...

Barry-Lawrence Regional Library system board members had to make a few difficult decisions at the November meeting, opting to close the Purdy branch by March 1, 2019. At the crux of the matter is the state minimum wage increase, approved by voters in November, which dramatically impacts the system's already strained budget. ...

The Seligman Police Department applied for grants twice for new equipment for patrol cars, and officials said between donations made by the county and area cities to the Ozark Drug Task Force, fees are being paid twice. Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk, said Seligman’s Chief of Police Matt Phillips requested a $10,000 grant through the Local Law Enforcement Block Grants (LLEGB) to purchase a new radio, a portable radio and repeaters for the vehicle...

The Stehlik family has donated steps to the Barry County Courthouse, which ties into their family history and heritage. Corles “Corky” Stehlik said earlier this year the Barry County Commission contacted him in regards to the concrete steps on the west side of the Courthouse on the square...

The Exeter school district is preparing for the annual bus inspection and deciding which buses would qualify for the Clean Diesel grant. Ernest Raney, Exeter superintendent, said generally in the fall, the school sends in its information to the Clean Diesel grant...

This time of year people fill up on family, food and Christmas spirit, and the First Baptist Bible study group went out Monday night during their meeting to spread Christmas cheer. Scott Conover, First Baptist Church youth pastor, said the First Baptist Bible study group meets on Monday nights...

A spot on the Exeter City Council will remain open until the April Municipal Elections after one of the city’s aldermen submitted a letter of resignation in December. Keith Johnson said in a letter to the city he was resigning his post, due to health concerns. Myrna Eisenbraun, city clerk in Exeter, said the city will wait to fill the seat until April to avoid having a special election...

Fifth-grade students at Cassville Intermediate School performed “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 18.

The Cassville Senior Center hosted a Christmas dinner on Wednesday.

Crowned as 2018 Miss Merry Christmas was Morgan Popanz, and Evan Kissinger was crowned as Mr. Merry Christmas.

A skit was put on called Makeup Mania, where two girls had two minutes to put makeup on a couple of boys.

Holiday royalty at Purdy High School was crowned on Dec. 14 in the high school gym after an activity-filled week of festive dress-up days, sponsored by Purdy Student Council.

As recent as one month ago, occupying the State Treasurer’s Office was not on the mind of State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob. That changed merely a couple weeks ago, when his name was suggested for the position and he met with Gov. Mike Parson about filling the opening left by incoming Attorney General appointee Eric Schmitt...

Exeter High School’s girls athletics has been taking time to listen to guest speakers, taking trips and volunteering for a community-building exercise. Ashley Lye, Exeter vice principal, said the team has a guest speaker that comes in once a month...

After 24 years, Barry County Presiding Commissioner Cherry Warren’s time at his post is coming to a close, and a reception was held in his honor Thursday recognizing him for the six terms of service. Warren received a plaque from Barry County officials, as well as resolutions from the Missouri House and Missouri Senate. About 75 people attended the event at the Barry County Courthouse...

The Cassville school district investigated a bomb threat made at the high school recently after graffiti of the threat was found in one of the school’s bathrooms...

City officials in Purdy have announced the location of the new post office and learned recently the community is about to lose its public library. Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bowers, presiding over the monthly city council meeting on Dec. 11, said the city had received official word that the spec building constructed by Ed Mareth at the northwest corner of Commercial and Washington had been selected as the new post office. ...

The city of Seligman has been working on upgrades to the city’s water system, and its five-year plan focuses on detecting leaks, adding a water tower and renovating water lines. Brain Nichols, Seligman city clerk, said the city, on average, pumps about five million gallons a month...

Purdy's long running battle over its sewer system has apparently ended with the beginning of pumping effluent to Monett's wastewater treatment plant on Dec. 4. Public Works Supervisor Lonnie Lowery reported a problem last month delayed the start. An engineer misunderstood the pumping demands of the system and programmed the main pump station to provide continuous pressure rather than intermittent pressure because gravity flow assists the process. ...

Amidst all the shopping, cooking, gift-giving and gift-taking, the First Christian Church strives to remind people of what is truly important this time of year. Chuck Terrill, First Christian Church senior minister, said the Christmas Eve service will be held on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m...

Catering to a younger generation, the United Methodist Church uses a band and new style of ministry to keep people coming to church. Micah Boise, United Methodist Church director of worship and youth pastor, said Uprising is a new ministry that the church is starting, and there is a band that will play for the new ministry...

In an effort to keep its students safe, the Cassville school district completes background checks on all new hires, aiming to make sure the background check the district pays for is the best. Richard Asbill, Cassville school superintendent, said any school employee or volunteer, before they are allowed to have any access to the students, must go through a background check...

Santa made an appearance and met with every child on the Santa train ride Saturday morning.

Carolyn Hutchens, right, and Kegan Terry put out cheese curds for visitors to the Christmas at the Creamery event at Edgewood Creamery in rural Purdy Saturday.

Volunteers met at the United Methodist Church to help sort gifts for the OACAC Share Your Christmas toy drive Monday morning.