Stories from Wednesday, July 2, 2014

The city of Exeter is hoping to avoid a visit from the Department of Natural Resources later this year, as it is applying for a bypass elimination agreement extension to solve some of its wastewater pipe issues on its own. Rusty Reed, mayor of Exeter, said the city has until July 30 to send an application letter for the extension. If it is granted, the extension will allow the city to conduct a study of its wastewater pipes and fix the most troublesome spots causing the excess inflow of water...

Seligman city officials have postponed the water line replacement project, as they are looking to hire an engineering firm to perform a water study before continuing work. In the meantime, the city's three full-time maintenance workers are fixing leaks in the water pipes until the project can begin...

Opening Day at Roaring River State Park may have been four months ago, but staff at the park are in the midst of the busiest time of the year. Kerry Hays, superintendent of Roaring River State Park, said about 550,000 people are expected to visit Roaring River this year, and the summer months are the most busy...

Three southwest Missouri cities are gearing up for 4th of July celebrations, with each celebration culminating in fireworks shows. The Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce is hosting its 35th annual fireworks show on July 4, and Karen Elsey, Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce director, said this year's show will be better than ever...

Each summer, area school districts are tasked with deciding whether or not to give raises to its staff, and this year, Cassville, Southwest and Wheaton schools have chosen to up employees' pay. The Cassville R-4 School District approved a $250 raise to the base pay, meaning a new teacher with a bachelor's degree and no teaching experience will now earn $34,750. Classified staff also received a 25-cent per hour step...

Two days from now, Americans will be observing one of the most important events of their history. Topped possibly by Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving, we have so much to be grateful for on this date that it's likely we don't give the freedoms and way of life those patriots back centuries ago who provided their sacrifices the true respect due them...

For the last four seasons, Cassville Wildcats Basketball Coach Danny Powers admits he has been spoiled with an interior size advantage over most teams. Powers' squad used the versatility of 6'7" Ethan Lowery to create size mismatches. With the departure of Lowery's imposing frame, the Wildcats are taking the summer season to install a new offense...

If you walk into to any barbershop, restaurant or place of business where Cassville residents tend to congregate, it is not long until the conversation shifts to Wildcat football. Lance Parnell and his coaching staff know that champions are made in the offseason, and Parnell has already ascertained one key piece of information -- his team is ready to work...

This year's squad has swimmers from Monett, Aurora, Pierce City and Cassville. The WaterThrashers are the largest team in the Tri-State Conference. Youth from age 5-18 are allowed to compete for the team. Coaching the WaterThrashers for a fourth consecutive season is Christin Janssen...

The Monett Speedway is hoping this Independence Day weekend culminates with fireworks on the track as they welcome the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) into town. "We have the best dirt track drivers in the country coming to our track this week," said Randy Mooneyham, speedway owner. "The rare Thursday night race just adds a little more excitement to this week."...

Local school superintendents offered "wait and see" sentiments about Gov. Jay Nixon's announcement that he plans to withhold $1.1 billion in state spending in light of bills passed by the Missouri General Assembly. Richard Asbill, superintendent of the Cassville R-4 School District, said any time there are such withholdings, it has a direct impact on schools and how they approach funding...

According to the United States Postal Service, the Washburn Post Office will face closing or a reduction of hours in the near future. The USPS implemented the Post Office Structure Plan, or POST Plan, in May 2012. Before the plan was announced, the USPS announced an idea that would lead to the closing of thousands of rural post offices to save money. The Washburn post office was on the list...

Moving into summer, the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library found operations and funding in a relatively strong position. Third quarter circulation figures showed the Monett branch held the top circulation spot again in April, with 7,158 items checked out, ahead of the Cassville branch with 6,608...

Those who visit Shell Knob on July 4 at about 6:30 p.m. can bear witness to a one-of-a-kind event that takes place on Table Rock Lake each year. Organized by Becky Caddell and her husband, Jerry, residents of Shell Knob and even tourists visiting the area take part in a boat parade each year, showing their patriotism on the way to a prime viewing area for the city's fireworks show...

The Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob held a recent fundraiser in an effort to fund a 6,000-square-foot addition to its building. Jeff Harp, chief publicity officer and member of the center's board, said with help from the local Knights of Columbus chapter, the center held a fish fry and barbecue, serving over 200 meals in an effort to raise money for the ongoing construction project...

A Cassville woman sustained minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash on Highway 37 about a mile south of Butterfield. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the crash occurred when a 1990 Toyota, driven by Ronald J. Beaudoin, 51, of Cassville, struck a 1990 Ford F150, driven by Jerry G. Bickford, 38, of Cassville, from behind at 3:50 p.m. Tuesday, June 24...

Southwind performed recently at the Fourth of July event at Red Rose Health and Rehab in Cassville.

A rain shower Saturday did not keep locals from participating in the first ever Townball game at Roaring River State Park.

Local residents recently donated blood to the American Red Cross.

The Purdy Community Celebration will be held on July 3 in downtown Purdy at 6 p.m. Hot dog meals, including chips, baked beans and a drink, will be available for $3. All proceeds go to the fireworks show, which will begin at dark. Those who attend should bring lawn chairs. Musical entertainment will be provided by Plymouth Junction, followed by Flyin' Buzzards and Ozark Mountain Revival...

Patrick Edward Anderson, Monett, two years unsupervised probation for non-support. Phoenix B. Barker, Aurora, one year of unsupervised probation and 40 hours of community service for three counts: minor visibly intoxicated, possession of marijuana, unlawful use of drug paraphernalia...

The office of Barry County Collector, Janice Varner, is preparing for the annual Barry County Delinquent Land Tax Sale. Missouri law requires that land with three years of delinquent taxes sell on the fourth Monday of August each year. The first publication of this sale will appear in the Cassville Democrat the week of July 16, 2014 at which time copies will be available in the collector's office...

Absentee voting for the Aug. 5 Primary Election will continue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through July 9 at the Barry County Clerk's Office in Cassville. If people are unable to vote in person, they may request an absentee ballot to be mailed. Absentee ballot request forms may be obtained at the Monett Chamber of Commerce; the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce; by written request to the office of: Gary Youngblood, Barry County clerk, 700 Main St. Suite 2, Cassville, MO 65625; or by fax at 417-847-5311...

Our church family at First Southern Baptist Church of Golden has welcomed Pastor Zandy Vandall, along with his wife, Jennifer, daughter Grace, and son Ethan.

July 8, 1964 Representing the Washburn and Seligman communities in the Summer Youth Baseball program this summer are the Southwest Twins, managed by Bob Norman and Charles Weathers. Team members are: Billy Deans, Glen Rose, Philip Preston, Edie Watson, Billy Schell, Sammy Weathers, David Burnett, Glen Erwin, Charlie Pippin, Jim Eggleston and Earl Mitchell...

Seventy percent of students at Cassville High School signed a pledge this spring to not drink alcohol before they turn 21. Safe and Sober, a nonprofit founded in 2004, rewarded Cassville High School and its students this week for their participation in the program by giving them a check for $500...

Officials at Southwest Elementary School have released the list of students named to the fourth quarter honor roll for the 2013-14 academic year. Principal's Honor Roll honorees are: Lyric Bernard, Jess Holder, Nevaeh Stogdill, Hunter Barnes, Miles Bowling, Brady Brinkman, Hunter Cain, Tara Hampshire, Saige Miller, Payton Morris, Ben Morris, Tehya Ross, Juliauna Sierra, Natalie Sanko and John Atkins...

Security Bank of Southwest Missouri has announced the names of two Cassville High School seniors were chosen to receive one of two scholarships awarded by the bank.

Jesse Henderson, of Cassville, graduated from College of the Ozarks at Point Lookout during commencement ceremonies held in May. He received a bachelor of science degree in psychology. Henderson is a graduate of Cassville High School. Also graduating were: Donovan Bartkoski, of Purdy, with a bachelor of arts degree in religious studies; and Jacob Nolan, of Aurora, with a bachelor of science in computer information science...

Local students were recently named to the dean's list at Missouri State University. For undergraduate students, criteria includes enrollment in at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester and at least a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale...

Kaylin Dilbeck, of Shell Knob, was inducted into the national academic honorary society Alpha Chi in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Aldermanbury on the Westminster College campus in Fulton. Dilbeck is a senior at Westminster, majoring in biochemistry...

Several Barry County students have been named to the Dean's List at University of Missouri for the spring 2014 semester. They inlcude: Trevor McClintock, of Cassville, and Jess Colby Ross, of Seligman, freshmen; Kory Waylynn Hayward, of Eagle Rock, a junior; and Jennifer Michelle Girard, of Shell Knob, a senior...

Seth Thompson, of Cassville, recently graduated with a bachelor of science degree from William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. A total of 396 degrees were conferred during the day. A combined total of 941 students in all disciplines have graduated from WWU in the past 12 months...