News

The Barry County Health Department has announced four new deaths related to COVID-19 (coronavirus). “We are deeply saddened to announce the loss of four more Barry County residents to COVID related deaths,” a press release said. “This brings the total number of deaths in Barry County to 13.”...

Thousands of local supporters of President Donald Trump made their voices heard — and seen — on Sunday. When Mandy Clevenger started a Facebook group and organized a Trump Parade, she did not quite expect the level of participation the event would receive — a 6 mile line of cars traveling from Cassville to Monett via Highway 37...

The number of active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County nearly doubled in the past week, climbing to its highest point at any one time thus far at 181. According the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 882 (+166) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, including one presumptive and four antibody positives. ...

State House District 158 incumbent Scott Cupps, R-Shell Knob, will have a challenger for his seat in November in Brenda McKinney, D-Seligman, and the two are focused heavily on the budget, jobs, healthcare and the environment. Cupps is a life-long Barry County resident who still farms throughout the county. ...

Due to COVID-19 risks and restrictions school districts have had to face this school year, Southwest decided to create a new virtual education option, PRIDE, that allows the students to easily transition between virtual and traditional seated settings...

Area school districts have faced a number of obstacles in the 2020-2021 school year that are brand new, one of which is a shortage of available substitute teachers. The issue itself isn’t new. In fact, Richard Asbill, Cassville superintendent, said finding substitutes can be difficult in a normal school year...

After a Primary race on the Republican ticket, voters in south Barry County will have the opportunity on Nov. 3 to vote for one of two candidates for Southern Commissioner — Democrat and incumbent Wayne Hendrix, or Republican and challenger Gene Robbins...

The city of Seligman has seen the aging of its city hall roof over the years and has decided to start the process to do a complete tear down and rebuild, hopefully by the end of this year. Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk, said while there has not been any issues with leaking inside the building up to this point, over the last couple of years during heavy rain and wind, they noticed shingles having been blown off...

It’s yet another scam circulating in Barry County. A local business received a priority mail package from Freforw Logistics, LLC, out of Philadelphia, Penn., that included a legitimate-looking check and a letter with instructions on what to do with the funds...

Third-grader Jonah Farris penned a sciencey selection into his wish list at Cassville Intermediate School’s annual Book Fair Monday.

Cassville High School teacher Samantha Cosper waves hello to her students on Monday via Zoom, as classes at the school have moved to a blended learning schedule.

Kindergartener Rowland Fellwock showed his team spirit ahead of the Monday Night Football game by wearing his Chiefs PJs to school on Monday’s Pajama Day.

People who vote at Kings Prairie/Pleasant Ridge have a change to their polling place. For the Nov. 3, 2020 General Election, and all future elections unless stated otherwise, Kings Prairie/Pleasant Ridge voters will vote at the Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, located at the corner of Highway Z and Highway VV. For more information, people may call the Barry County Clerk’s Office at 417-847-2561 or email jhlecompte@barrycountyclerk.com...

The Barry County Health Department has announced its ninth COVID-related death. The individual is 79-year-old man who had no serious underlying medical conditions and lived independently in his home with his wife. Health Department and Emergency Management officials extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends on their loss...

COVID-19 positive cases and exposure levels have risen at Cassville High School, and due to the situation, the school is experiencing an increase in student absences. As a result, effective Monday, high school students will transition to a blended learning schedule. This change will take place in the high school only...

The number of active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County grew by 84 in the last week, 31 more than the week before. According the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 716 (+84) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, including one presumptive and three antibody positives. ...

Barry County has announced an eighth COVID-related death has been confirmed. The individual was a 77-year-old man, with underlying health conditions, who was a resident of a congregant care facility. Health Department and Emergency Management officials extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends on their loss...

A lack of rain over recent weeks in parts of Barry County has seen the central and northern parts of the county moved into a D3 (extreme drought) status, and firefighters are urging residents to be cautious. Nick Mercer, Purdy fire chief, said his district and Monett City have issued burn bans, and others are considering it after the new designation on Thursday...

1. Why do you want the position of coroner? I want to serve the families and the communities of Barry County. By electing me as the next Coroner I will work to bring new things to the office. 2. What makes you more qualified than your opponents? I believe I am qualified for the job. I have served as a Assistant Deputy Coroner under the direction of Jim Fohn...

1. Why do you want the position of coroner? I feel it is my Christian duty to help other people and all of my life I have tried to put myself in positions where I can help others in any situation needed. When I was offered the opportunity almost 13 years ago to assist Jim Fohn, who was coroner, I saw another way to be available to help people in need. ...

1. Why do you want the position of coroner? Barry County deserves the most professional and educated person for this position - one with compassion and educated in death, investigative and crime scene investigation. I feel I have the most education of the campaign candidates. Through the years, I have witnessed every type of death from commercial airline crashes to sudden heart attacks...

Donald “Rex” Stumpff owned and operated business for decades in the Cassville area, and he is remembered fondly for his work as the Barry County Clerk from 1982-1994, but his biggest legacy is his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. When Donnie Stumpff was asked what he will miss most about his father, he said, “Where do you start?”...

While expecting his own baby, a local business owner’s friends and family have been eager to reach out to help with any needs, which got him thinking about the needs in his community. Dustin Golightly, owner of Golightly’s Ink, is urging his community to take action to help with this need...

Due to COVID-19, and the possibility of virtual learning becoming more common, the Wheaton school district has the opportunity to extend the exterior WiFi access points. Kevin Butler, Wheaton IT director, said the district heard about the opportunity through a vendor that previously worked for the school district...

Makenna Wilson, Steven Kloss, Reanna Randolph and Colton Hurst celebrated Spirit Week at Cassville schools by dressing up to be unseen on Camo Day.

Two children were injured Thursday in a wreck at 3:10 p.m. on Highway 37, north of Highway 90 in Washburn. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Ashley Stanley, 40, of Cassville, was driving a 2015 Dodge Challenger northbound when her vehicle struck the rear of a 2017 Toyota Sienna van, being driven by Vanshai Vue, 34, of Washburn, as it was making a right turn...

A Washburn man was injured Sunday after being struck by a vehicle at 10:53 a.m. on private property on Highway 37 in Washburn. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Stephanie Brinkman, 44, of Western Grove, Ark., was driving a 2002 Chevrolet S10 eastbound, and as she was backing up, struck J C Henry, 88, of Washburn...

An Aurora man was arrested Sunday following a wreck at 6 p.m. on Highway 248, four miles west of Cassville. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Parker Abramovitz, 31, of Aurora, was driving a 2007 Buick Lucerne westbound when his vehicle crossed the center line and sideswiped a 2007 Dodge Ram and its towed unit, being driven by Andrew Goans, 46, of Springfield...

A Springfield man died Friday after a motorcycle wreck at 2:30 p.m. on Highway 76, five miles north of Shell Knob. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Christopher Johnston, 41, of Springfield, was driving a 2006 Yamaha YZFR1 motorcycle eastbound and the bike failed to negotiate a curve and went off the roadway and struck a tree...

Dazee Williams, daughter of Terry Purdom, could not attend homecoming festivities in person, so she was crowned 2020 Cassville Homecoming Queen at home, and the crowned was streamed on to the scoreboard at Wildcat Stadium.

A free T-shirt will be given, while supplies last, to those who donate blood at the Mill Street Church of Christ on Oct. 23 from noon to 6 p.m. in the multi-purpose room. Masks are required for donors and staff. If a person does not have a mask, one will be provided. Appointments are encouraged and may be made by calling 417-227-5006 or going to www.cbco.org/donate-blood...

From hunting to fishing, motorcycling to biking and skiing to flying, Mike Schlichtman was the outdoorsman’s outdoorsman, and he’s being remembered by his friends as a Christian, mentor, family man and one-of-a-kind friend. Schlichtman, 57, died on Oct. 6 doing something he loved, flying in an airplane, and his untimely passing has hit the hearts of the Cassville and Steamboat Springs, Colo., communities...

Barry County has had a seventh resident die of COVID-related complications. The person was an 83-year-old man, known to have underlying health issues. Health Department and Emergency Management officials are saddened by the loss of another Barry County neighbor, and officials extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends on their loss...

The Barry County Health Department is notifying the public of potential exposures from a COVID-19 positive individual. A recent positive person visited: • Oct. 2 Game Commander • Oct. 5, State Farm (Kyler St.) Additionally, three Burger King employees have tested positive for COVID-19...

A rural Monett man facing four felonies for alleged sex crimes involving minors was released from the Barry County jail on Thursday after a bond reduction. Berlan Crouch, 70, of rural Monett, is charged with two counts of first-degree sodomy and two counts of incest...

The number of active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County grew by 53 in the last week, 15 less than the week before. According the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 632 (+53) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, including one presumptive and three antibody positives. ...

A former owner of the Cassville Democrat died Tuesday in a plane crash in Indiana. The Posey County, Ind., Coroner identified Michael Schlichtman, 57, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., formerly of Cassville, and William Rohland, 75, of Garden Grove, Calif., as victims in the ultralight plane crash...

There are an estimated 155,000 Americans living with metastatic breast cancer, and nearly 30 percent of people diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer will develop metastatic breast cancer. Metastatic breast cancer means the cancer that was once in the breast has moved to another location in the body...

Torey Wigant was a typical college student working hard to obtain a master’s degree in occupational health and safety management at University of Central Missouri, never thinking that her world was about to turn upside down. “I was doing my internship at Altec Industries in St. Joseph, and taking classes,” said Wigant, of St. Joseph, formerly of Mt. Vernon. “I didn’t feel sick. But there was a lump.”...

Power of Pink is a local organization that operates to serve and help those who have had a breast cancer diagnosis, but where does that power come from? Many would say the power in Power of Pink is shown in the men and women who fight every day after they have started a breast cancer journey. Some might say it is derived from the support and donations that go to those in need who are dealing with the unforeseen consequences of a cancer diagnosis...

In the summer of 2019, local woman Erma Mast noticed something that would soon change her life — a lump in her left breast. The big “C” is a scary topic for anyone, but during the month of October, survivors, victims and organization speak out in the hopes of spreading breast cancer awareness. If one life is saved because a man or woman saw signs and knew what to do, it is all worth it...

In the battle against breast cancer, those on the front lines have seen it all. Among those is Frankie Smith, a mammography at Cox Monett Hospital for 11 years. We see about 15 patients a week,” Smith said. “We get about a 50/50 mix; those who religiously come in for their screenings and those who come because it was recommended.”...

For the fifth consecutive month, despite the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, sales tax revenues to Barry County and its cities mostly rose in September over receipts a year ago. The September comparison was challenged by the Missouri Department of Revenue a year ago, adding two distributions of interest to the monthly total, and none this year. Nonetheless municipal county totals edged over the 2019 sums even if county-wide taxes lagged...

With the new 2020-2021 school year, Southwest decided to put into its curriculum more options for its middle school students. Christy Hermansen, Southwest middle school principal, said she emailed her teachers last spring and asked them, “If you could teach anything, what would it be?...

The city of Wheaton is working on Phase 2 of its street project for the year. Josh Kinnaman, Wheaton utilities supervisor, said Cassville Sealing and Stripping got the bid for the street work for $8,500. “They are sealing cracks and doing the crosswalks, as well,” he said. “We are working on the streets that haven’t been repaved in awhile to help increase their life span.”...

A Cassville man is facing multiple charges after a vehicular pursuit on Sept. 30 that employed spike strips to disable his vehicle. Jason Swift, 37, of Cassville, is charged with delivery of a controlled substance, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, first-degree endangering the welfare of a child, resisting arrest and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia...

The Eagle Rock Branch Library will host a Home School Program on Monday from 10 a.m. to noon. The program will either be outside or in the Barn to allow for social distancing. People are asked to bring a mask if distancing is not achievable. Anyone with questions may contact the library at 417-271-3186...

The number of active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County grew by 68 in the last week, but the number of quarantines fell significantly. According the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 579 (+68) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, including one presumptive and three antibody positives. ...

In recent months, the hashtag #SaveTheChildren has been a trending topic online, but child sex trafficking in southwest Missouri may not start where many think. Brian Martin, an officer with the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crime Task Force, Missouri Internet Crimes Against Children, Homeland Security Investigations, Barry County Sheriff’s Office and Joplin Police Department, said in the majority of cases, trafficking starts online or when children choose to run away from home, and while the risk of kidnapping does exist, it is low comparatively.. ...

The United Methodist Church Food Pantry has served its community for 20 years out of the church’s basement, but now, the newly dubbed “Cassville Food Pantry” has moved to a bigger and brighter location in Cassville. Janet Mills, Cassville Food Pantry director, said for 20 years, the food pantry has operated to the best of its ability, and now, there is more room to grow...