Stories from Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Several days after an apartment fire killed five people in Wheaton, no determination has been made as to the cause of the fire. The fire erupted around 3 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 22. According to Wheaton Fire Chief Bob Lombard, two men, two women and a child living in an eight-unit brick building located south of Wheaton High School perished from probable smoke inhalation...

Due to the tremendous outpouring of clothing and merchandise received for the victims of the fire that occurred in Wheaton on Nov. 22, Bob Lombard, Wheaton fire chief, is asking for future donations to be made in the form of cash or gift cards. Monetary donations will be accepted at the Wheaton City Hall, which is located on Main Street in Wheaton, or can be mailed to: Wheaton City Hall, P.O. Box 70, Wheaton, MO 64874...

The Barry County E-911 Emergency Services Board will welcome three new members at its next quarterly meeting in December. In the Nov. 6 election, Barry County voters tapped Leslie Smith, of Butterfield, as one of two new northern district representatives. The other northern district representative seat will be held by Monett Fire Chief Tom Jones, who was elected by write-in votes...

Former Exeter High School boys basketball coach Scott Thomas White, 41, who has been accused of having sex with a girl under the age of 14, was granted a change of venue when he appeared in Barry County Circuit Court for arraignment on Nov. 20. The case was transferred to Lawrence County...

Winter is approaching in Missouri, and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) prepared for winter storms by holding a statewide drill on Oct. 31. "The way MoDOT deals with snow is a year-around topic of conversation for many of our employees, and we are always looking for ways to improve our performance," said Beth Wright, MoDOT state maintenance engineer, "This year, we are trying something new that will allow us to test the readiness of employees and equipment."...

Cassville resident and auto racing pioneer Freddy Fryar will be inducted into the Alabama Auto Racing Pioneers Hall of Fame on Dec. 7 and the Ozarks Auto Racing Hall of Fame on Jan. 5, 2013. "All of your friends and competitors who you raced against all your life vote you into the hall of fame," said Fryar. "It is really an honor to be voted in."...

Chamber to give away $500 in Cassville Cash

Community to welcome holiday season with parade and musical shows

Southwest High School will celebrate tip-off during its basketball game against McAuley Catholic on Friday, Dec. 7. Southwest High School Tip-Off candidates are pictured above. From left, are: senior Megan Cook, sophomore Kenzie Harvey, cheerleading candidate Kallie Brown, freshman Jamie Aday and junior Britney Mitchell. Southwest High School students will cast votes for the 2012 tip-off queen during their lunch periods on Dec. 7...

The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce will hold its final quarterly luncheon of 2012 at the Barry County Museum, located on Highway 112 south of Cassville, at noon on Monday, Dec. 10. Instead of a formal speaker, the event will give several businesses an opportunity to show off their products...

Two Barry County teens are dead following separate holiday crashes. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a Fairview teen was killed when the 2006 Honda Rancher ATV he was driving rolled down a hill and came to rest on the driver, Jet Lee, 13...

Cassville Police officers will be cracking down on impaired drivers Dec. 10 through Dec. 16 during a special driving while intoxicated enforcement effort. "Losing a loved one during the holiday season is a tragedy no one should have to endure," said Chief Dana Kammerlohr. "Impaired driving is a preventable crime, and we intend to crack down so drivers feel secure when traveling on Missouri's roadways."...

Exeter High School will hold its 2012 Miss Merry Christmas coronation ceremony in the high school gymnasium during the basketball game against Hurley on Friday, Dec. 14. Miss Merry Christmas candidates, who were chosen by their classes, are pictured above. ...

Water system improvements are nearly complete in the City of Butterfield. Aldermen heard the news at the September meeting of the Butterfield City Council. All lines and hook-ups have been installed and paving is slated to begin before the end of the month...

In light of the norovirus scare currently taking place in Taney County, officials at the Barry County Health Department have not received any reports of the highly contagious illness spreading across county lines. Roger Brock, administrator at the Barry County Health Department, said there was no cause for concern at this time...

Barry County community members are invited to help make Christmas bright for area needy children by donating to this year's Share Your Christmas and Angel Tree efforts. Barry County OACAC Neighborhood Center staff members have been distributing Share Your Christmas ornaments to local businesses. Community members interested in purchasing toys for this year's effort should select an ornament from a Share Your Christmas tree or visit the Neighborhood Center to adopt a child or family...

Members of the Washburn City Council are looking into the possibility of obtaining health benefits for full-time city employees, depending on the cost of that package. The move came during the council's regular September meeting. "We have to see what's out there and what our funding looks like," said City Clerk Julie Grillone. "It has to be affordable."...

SUPPORT GROUP: The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group of Cassville meets at 8 p.m. at 1308 Harold St. in Cassville. For more information, call 846-4044. SUPPORT GROUP: Anyone who is concerned about a friend's or loved one's drinking is invited to attend the Cassville Al-Anon Family Group, which meets at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Cassville...

The Southwest Little Theatre will extend the run of its old fashioned melodrama, "The Drunkard or The Fallen Saved," at 6:45 p.m. nightly on Saturday, Dec. 1, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. The play is a retelling of "The Drunkard or The Fallen Saved," by W. H. Smith, written in 1850. The play was originally produced as part of the temperance movement, but has become a modern comedy favorite because of its overly dramatic dialogue and its excessively emotional acting style...

Big Creek Resort will feature its newest unit during the Shell Knob Christmas Tour of Homes, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. The 2,400-square-foot home contains five bedrooms and four bathrooms. The structure also features a wraparound deck that provides a wonderful view of Table Rock Lake. ...

Democrat Photo/Lindsay Reed The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce held its third Cash Mob event at Papa Vito's in Cassville on Nov. 15. One more Cash Mob event will be held this year. Cassville Chamber of Commerce members interested in hosting a future Cash Mob event can sign up for the monthly drawing by calling the chamber at 847-2814 or emailing chamber@cassville.com...

This year, Mercy is doing something unique to promote emotional health during the holiday season. The healthcare organization is asking area residents to take time to count and share their blessings. The business has even established a website at www.ourblessingscount.com where community members can share their blessings, invite friends and family members to share blessings and read the blessings posted by others...

The holiday season is upon us, and for many this means we increase our travel, shopping and charitable donations. Unfortunately, this also opens a door for scammers to take advantage of our additional online activity. Whether you are making flight reservations or purchasing the top gifts of the season, your email and personal accounts can become vulnerable. Before clicking on a deal that seems too good to be true, stop and think...

Curt Kester, RRT, NPS, (respiratory therapist), was named November Co-Worker of the Month at Mercy Hospital in Cassville. Kester has worked for Mercy for seven years. He and his wife, Tami, reside in Neosho. They have five grandchildren and two grandchildren. ...

One way to prevent holiday stress is to prepare some of the food ahead of time and freeze it. From casseroles to cookies, cooks can prepare a large portion of holiday food before the actual day arrives. "However, some things freeze better than others," says Tammy Roberts, University of Missouri Extension nutrition specialist. ...

There is always ample opportunity to take in lots of extra calories and pack on a few pounds from Halloween to New Year's Day. Individuals who don't want to deal with that extra weight in 2012 should make a plan now about how they are going to manage all of the opportunities for eating extras in the coming months...

Phillip Elias Wilson, 83, of Shell Knob, passed away at his home Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. He was born April 5, 1929, in Lone Elm, near Jenkins, the second child of Everett and Dollie (James) Wilson. On June 28, 1948, in Barry County, he was united in marriage to Opal Caroline Cooper, who survives...

Austin Charles Leon Turner, 19, of Golden, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, in an automobile accident. He was born July 11, 1993, in Berryville, Ark. Surviving are his mother and step-father, Allie and Mark Hatcher, of Golden; his father, Thomas Turner, of Holdenville, Okla.; paternal grandmother, Mavin Chupco, of Holdenville, Okla.; four brothers, Marvin Turner, of Golden, and Conner Turner, Cameron Turner and Thomas Turner, Jr., all of Oklahoma; and one sister, Mavin Turner, of Oklahoma...

Brandon John Thurston, 8, of Wheaton, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in the apartment fire at Wheaton. He was born April 28, 2004, in Liberty, the son of Kenny and Mary (Hatfield) Thurston. Survivors include: his father, Kenneth Thurston, of Kansas City; and maternal grandfather, Gordon Hatfield, of Browning...

Jo Ann Swearingen, 77, of Rocky Comfort, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012, at Cox Monett Hospital in Monett. She was born on May 12, 1935, daughter of Charles Killion and Evelyn (Payne) Killion in Rocky Comfort. She was a life-long resident of Rocky Comfort and graduated from Rocky Comfort High in 1953. ...

Kristine Dawn Samuel, 43, of Cassville, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2012, in her home. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, in St. Thomas A'Becket Church, Cassville. Rev. Edith Bird will conduct the services. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today (Wednesday) in St. Thomas A'Becket Church...

Lois Mae Ruark, 68, of Cassville, passed away Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in her home. She was born June 13, 1944, in Butterfield, the daughter of Marshall and Gladys (Killman) Mahurin. In June 1962, in Monterey, Calif., she was united in marriage to Vernon Ruark, who preceded her in death on Dec. 7, 1988. Also preceding her in death were her parents and two sisters, Judy Stockton and Naomi Sooter...

Elizabeth L. "Betty" Rochovansky, 94, of Shell Knob, passed away Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Peachwood Manor, Cassville. She was born Dec. 3, 1917, in Wilks-Barre, Penn., the daughter of Andrew and Anna (Groholy) LaVenda. On April 9, 1942, she was united in marriage to John F. Rochovansky, who preceded her in death in March, 2009. Also preceding her in death were her parents and one son, John David Rochovansky, in July, 2009...

Jet Lee, 13-year-old son of Ka Ying and Xee (Vang) Lee, of Fairview, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, as a result of an ATV accident. Services will be held from 8 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, until Monday, December 10, 2012, in McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10 at Dice Cemetery...

Mary Elaine Henning, 43, of Wheaton, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in the apartment fire at Wheaton. She was born Sept. 4, 1969, in Excelsior Springs, the daughter of Gordon and Mary (Mace) Hatfield. Survivors include: her father, Gordon Hatfield, of Browning; one daughter, Sarah; four brothers, Robbie Tustison, of Clarksville, Chris Tustison, of Waldo, Kansas City, Randall Tustison, of Excelsior Springs, and Steven Medley, of Waldo, Kansas City; five sisters, Melissa Cooper and her husband, Robert, of Exeter, Casey Bender, of Liberty, Rebecca Scott and her husband, Bo, of Milan, Jessica Ruh and her husband, Henry, of Garfield, N.J., and Rita Store, of Excelsior Springs.. ...

Jonathan "Jay" Daniel Gemmecke, 32, of Wheaton, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in the apartment fire at Wheaton. He was born March 2, 1980, in Neosho, the son of Danny and Debby (Courdin) Gemmecke. Survivors include: his mother, Debby Gemmecke and Rick Howard, of Galena; one daughter, Mackenzie Gemmecke, of Monett; one brother, Joseph Gemmecke and his wife, Veronica, of Cassville; two sisters, Janet McNeill and her husband, Brooks, of Exeter, and Jennifer Wilson and her husband, Michael, of Coleman, Okla.; and paternal grandmother Marge Gemmecke, of Pea Ridge, Ark.. ...

Ella Frost, 91, formerly of Cassville, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in Rogers, Ark. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lige Frost. She served as secretary for the Cassville Chamber of Commerce for several years. Survivors include: her sons Bob Frost and wife, Dee, of Pueblo, Colo., Gene Frost and wife, Carol, of Noel; one grandson; and two great-grandchildren. A graveside service was held at the Frost Cemetery in Seligman, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

Deborah Cain Erway, 53, of Rocky Comfort, passed away on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 at her home in Rocky Comfort. She was born on June 2, 1959, daughter of George Brand and Shirley Hewitt, in Melville, N.J. She earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and worked for the State of New Jersey for several years, then retired and moved to Wheaton. On April 20, 2004, she was united in marriage to Alex Erway in Pioneer...

Molly Beth Doherty, 54, of Wheaton, passed away Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, in the apartment fire at Wheaton. She was born Aug. 9, 1958, in Grand Rapids, Mich., the daughter of Donald and Helen (Kettlehake) Harshbager, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death was a granddaughter, Mary Beth...

Colleen Ann Davis, 78, of Monett, passed away Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, in Lacoba Nursing Home, Monett. She was born Jan. 18, 1934, in Washburn, the daughter of George Burl and Della Adeline (Snook) Creason. She was united in marriage to Raymond Davis, who preceded her in death on Oct. 22, 2002. Also preceding her in death were her parents; one sister, Nadine Thompson; and a grandson, Dakota Myers...

Pauline (Nickle) Coatney, 88, of Lake Lotowana, passed away Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at the home of her daughter, Ruth Edwards. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Pastor Danny Heupel will conduct the services. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery, Cassville...

Bill Dwayne Allen, 62, of Purdy, passed away Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, in his home. He was born June 12, 1950, in Wichita, Kan., the son of George Leon and Ola Ibanez (Walling) Allen. On May 23, 1982, in Wichita, Kan., he was united in marriage to Joyce Faye Allen, who preceded him in death on July 25, 2009. Also preceding him in death were his parents...

Cassville Democrat intern Mati Spencer traveled to Souix City, Iowa, to work on the campaign for Steve King earlier this month. She received the opportunity through Generation Joshua, a program designed to train the leaders of the next generation. Through the program, Spencer took part in a Student Action Team (SAT) that was responsible for conducting door-to-door campaigns, handing out literature about their candidates, calling registered voters to encourage them to cast a ballot and waving signs for the candidate on roadsides. ...

A Stella man has been charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors following a high-speed chase through Macon, Randolph and Boone counties. Joshua J. Hood, 23, was reportedly driving a stolen pickup from the Cassville area when he drove off from La Plata Short Stop convenience store without paying for $140 of diesel fuel...

The Cassville Lady Wildcats opened the 2012-13 season with a 47-41 victory over Galena in the Blue Eye Tournament on Monday, Nov. 26. Emily Speakman scored 21 points to lead Cassville. Kelsey Baker and Lindsey Nolan combined for 6 points in the final two minutes to secure the win after Galena had tied the game at 41-41 with a 9-0 fourth quarter run...

Seven Southwest High School volleyball players earned postseason honors. The Lady Trojans finished with a 20-11-1 overall record and a share of the Ozark 7 Conference championship. "It was an amazing season," said Coach Steve Voyak, who finished his 10th season at the helm of the Lady Trojans. ...

The Southwest Lady Trojans basketball team raced to a 32-10 halftime lead and then cruised to a 56-24 win over Hollister in the opening round of the Blue Eye Tournament on Nov. 26. Three Southwest players scored in double figures, led by 6'0" senior center Taylor Mettlach's 14 points...

Purdy High School senior golfer Phillip Roller signed a national letter of intent on Nov. 20 to play golf at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin next year. "It feels good to know that I can continue my golfing career," said Roller. "My dad was a professional golfer, and he inspired me to want to play golf."...

The Purdy Eagles surrendered a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, but held on in overtime to defeat Marion C. Early 61-60 to open play in the Clever Tournament. "The game went pretty much how we expected," said Purdy coach Tommy Egan. "Both teams were basically playing a whole new lineup from last season, and nerves were evident from the start. We had some turnovers and struggled with our shooting at times. The boys responded well."...

The Zingers girls fast pitch softball team will be holding a basketball tournament for third through sixth grade boys and girls at Purdy School on Dec. 14, 15 and 16. For more information, call Travis Brown at 417-669-7969 or 417-442-7260 or email him at tdalebrown@windstream.net...

The Wheaton Bulldogs boys basketball team dropped its season opener 56-36 to Sarcoxie on Nov. 20. The Bulldogs (0-1) jumped out to a 12-9 lead after one quarter of play, but poor shooting allowed the Bears to win the second period, outpacing Wheaton 19 to 8 and collecting a 28-20 edge at halftime...

Whitney Edie, a graduate from Exeter High School, led Missouri State University in both points and rebounds as the Lady Bears defeated UC Santa Barbara 68-61, in the consolation finals of the Hardwood Tournament of Hope women's basketball event in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico...

Hunters shot 204,668 deer during the November portion of Missouri's firearms deer season, a total that tops the harvests of the pasts four years. In Barry County, 1,446 deer (750 bucks, 178 button bucks and 536 does) were harvested this season. The total was an increase from the 2011 season when 1,447 (752 bucks, 151 button bucks and 544 does) deer were collected...

A Golden man and his sons all harvested deer during the fall hunting season this year. Pictured above, are: Jeff Prier, with a 10-point buck; Austin Prier, with a six-point buck; Adam Prier, with an eight-point buck; and Andrew Prier with a seven-point buck. All of the deer were harvested in the Golden area. Austin, Adam and Andrew are the sons of Jeff and Mandi Prier...

Clay Henderson, of Purdy, harvested his first deer, a button buck, during the youth hunting season. The 9-year-old is the son of Jay and Shelley Henderson.

Ashton Lauderdale, pictured above, harvested his first deer, a two-point spike buck, on Nov. 10. He is the son of Wade and Brandy Lauderdale, of Cassville. Ashton's sister, Lexie Wilson, daughter of Brandy Lauderdale and Ian Wilson, harvested her first 10-point buck on Nov. 17. She was hunting with her stepfather Wade Lauderdale...

Travis Hughes, of Purdy, killed his first deer, a five-point buck during Missouri's annual youth hunt. The 7-year-old claimed his trophy north of Purdy. He is the son of Joshua and Misty Hughes, of Purdy.

Democrat Photo/Lindsay Reed The Cassville Middle School Lady Wildcats eighth grade basketball team is pictured above. In the front row, from left, are: Ashlea Large, Briaunna Hickman, Tori Cole, Savannah Williamson, Reagan Brock, Ashley Ray and Debbie Davis. Back row: assistant coach Treslyn Pollreisz, Devyn Callahan, Bailey Periman, Macey Parsons, Chelsea Small, Kandace Wallace, Alicia Huse, Camille Holman and coach Chris Kell...

Democrat Photo/Lindsay Reed The Cassville Middle School Lady Wildcats seventh grade basketball team is pictured above. In the front row, from left, are: Yesenia Aguinaga, Emma Coenen, Abbi Atkinson, Hailey Matthew and Megan Richter. Back row: assistant coach Treslyn Pollreisz, Ashlynn Howe, Josie Lone, Madilynn Stokes, Hallie Long, Audra Brooks and coach Chris Kell...