Stories from Wednesday, October 1, 2014

With injuries plaguing the Cassville football team's upperclassmen, some of the Wildcats' younger players are seeing more playing time, and Head Coach Lance Parnell is seeing the benefits. Missing seniors Cody Olsen, Chase Jackson, Cade Pendergraft and Justin Dunivant during Friday's 49-7 loss to Carl Junction, the Wildcats saw a lot more action from underclassmen, such as sophomores Gilbert Medina and River Phelps, and juniors Dylan Klewer, Matt Popanz and Hunter Madison...

Cassville football coach Lance Parnell only knows one way to take on adversity -- head on. The Wildcats have been outscored 136-7 in the past three games, each of them losses. This week is Homecoming for the Wildcats, and when asked if the events surrounding the event posed a problem keeping his team grounded, Parnell was quick with the response...

Big 8 Conference Standings This week's schedule Monett at Carl Junction Mt. Vernon at Cassville Nevada at Aurora Last weeks results Aurora at Monett, 3-34 Cassville at Carl Junction, 7-49 East Newton at Mt. Vernon, 20-44 Lamar at McDonald County, 71-0...

JOPLIN -- Whether it's signaling plays, holding for the kicker, or playing on kickoff and punt coverage units, former Cassville star Ricky Nichols is doing anything possible to help his team win. Nichols, a Missouri Southern junior, is well acclimated to the difference between the high school and college game...

For Vicki Punch, practice manager at the Mercy Clinic in Cassville, it doesn't matter how many rounds of breast cancer come her way, she will defeat them. First diagnosed with breast cancer in 2001, Punch underwent a mastectomy and was said to be cancer-free, but the disease reared its ugly head again in 2009, leading her to conquer it yet again...

Gail Pierce, lead mammography technologist at Mercy Hospital in Cassville, has been in radiology since 1981, and she said nothing is more helpful when it comes to mammograms than the hospital's digital mammography machine. At Mercy since 2011, Pierce said the machine serves about 70-80 patients per month, peaking during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October at 120-130. She said it's seen about 1,000 patients per year since it came to Cassville...

By Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com When Wanda Long was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2013, she could not believe it, going as far as asking her doctor if he was sure it was cancer. Unfortunately for Long, the diagnosis was accurate. However, thanks to early detection and a quick turnaround between diagnosis and surgery, Long said she has a great prognosis...

The Cassville Community Foundation heard eight grant proposals last week, as it has about $4,000 that may be awarded to area applicants. Applications were received and reviewed on Sept. 24, and the foundation's recommendations committee must turn in their recommendations by Friday, then the foundation's board will award the grants based on direction from the committee and the board's wishes...

During National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, pink becomes a more common color, and more pink will grace the Mercy Hospital in Cassville, as it is selling pink ribbons for $1 each, with proceeds benefitting the Breast Cancer Foundation of the Ozarks...

A couple living in Shell Knob recently awoke to an intruder in their home, and detectives with the Barry County Sheriff's Office believe they have apprehended the man responsible. Randon James Hillhouse, 18, who lives close to the residence, has been charged with first-degree burglary for allegedly breaking into the home and attempting to steal a bottle of rum and a flashlight...

The city of Seligman has started the process of replacing a full-time police officer who recently resigned. Ray Earnest, Seligman's only full-time police officer, turned in his notice of resignation on Sept. 11, said Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk. His last day was Sept. 20...

The Jenkins Rural Fire Department has its annual fish fry Saturday at Station 1, near Highway 248 and Flat Creek Bridge, to raise money toward firefighter training and gear. The fish fry serves an all-you-can-eat meal from 5-7 p.m. The cost is $9 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under. The menu is fish or chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, hush puppies, desert and refreshments...

A piece of Bobcat equipment, which was stolen two years ago out of Lawrence County, has been returned to its owner, according to the Barry County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Mick Epperly received a tip Sept. 19 about a possibly stolen Bobcat, according to a press release from the Sheriff's Office. Epperly and Detective Robert Evenson drove to a location outside of Wheelerville...

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts in Monett and Shell Knob encourage area students in grades 6-12 to enter nationwide, patriotic essay contests before Nov. 1. The Patriot's Pen essay contest is open to students in grades 6-8. This year's topic is, "Why I Appreciate America's Veterans."...

Matt Wilken, left, of Verona, and Karrissa Smith, right, 11, of Rogers, Ark., make and tighten rope during the second annual Frontier Day Saturday in rural Jenkins. Jason Johnston reporter@cassville-democrat.com

CoxHealth prefers to only have its employees drive its ambulances, said a hospital spokesperson, in response to a new Missouri law that allows first responders, firefighters and law enforcement to drive ground ambulances in certain emergency situations...

Carol Schnitzler, of Exeter, puts the finishing touches on the rock-themed design gracing the base of the newly-built gazebo in Exeter. The gazebo replaced the old caboose in the city, which was recently sold to The Midland Railway Historical Association for $11,300. Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com...

Boy Scouts recognize selfless act with Medal of Merit The Boy Scouts of America will present a 14-year-old scout from Shell Knob with the Medal of Merit at 8:45 a.m. Saturday in the Crowder College Cassville Campus for saving the life of another scout...

Shell Knob Chamber director resigning Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Elsey is voluntarily retiring from the position effective in mid-October. The chamber is now accepting applications to fill the position. Buddy Bass Tournament on Saturday...

Bobby Ray Long, 74, of Holiday Island, Ark., passed away on Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014, at Brighton Ridge in Eureka Springs. He was born on March 16, 1940, in Soper, Okla., son of Richard and O.V. (Cox). On Nov. 7, 1983, he was united in marriage to Martha Coy in Eureka Springs, Ark. He joined the U.S. Army serving his country from 1962-1968. He joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1977, and retired in 1995 with a rank of Sergeant First Class. He attended the Holiday Island Baptist Church...

Donald Wayne Jesseph, 79, of Cassville, passed away Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. He was born Feb. 23, 1935, in Norwich, Kan., son of Jesse Lee and ViEttia (Lewis) Jesseph. He was married to Clorene (Long) Jesseph on July 6, 1960. Survivors include: his wife, Clorene Jesseph, of the home; one son, Gary Lee Jesseph, Topeka, Kan.; and a sister, Vera Rickard, of Wellington, Kan. He was preceded in death by his parents...

Dale L. Groom, 88, of Cassville, passed away in his home surrounded by his family on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. He was born on Aug. 22, 1926, son of Orion and Ethel (Macinturf) Groom, in Clyde. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving in the South Pacific Theater during World War II. He later graduated from the University of Missouri with a bachelor's degree in agriculture. On Nov. 7, 1980, he was united in marriage to Edna Alberta (Ottinger) Adams in Miami, Okla...

Jerry Ray Kerr, 73, passed away on Friday, Sept. 26, 2014. He was born on June 11, 1941, in Stella to the late Ovan and Grace (Pogue) Kerr. He graduated from Rocky Comfort High School in 1959. Soon after graduation, he worked for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. ...

Samey May Jenkins, 78, of Exeter, passed away Friday, Sept. 26, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was born April 10, 1936, in Gilmore, Ark., the daughter of Dawsey and Nannie (Hayley) Mc-Kellar. On Sept. 6, 1958, in Harrisburg, Ark., she was united in marriage to Ollie Jr. ...