Stories from Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Echo the Eagle is as visible as any player at Purdy High School basketball games. Standing over 6-5, with a nearly 6-foot wing-span, Echo prides himself in striking fear into opposing mascots and rallying the fans to stand up and cheer. Before every game, Echo saunters through the crowd as the loyal Purdy fans filter into the gymnasium. He constantly pauses for autographs, high-fives from young children and a long line of hugs and pictures from those in attendance...

What started as a jaunt to find warm weather the first week in January, ended up as a question of: "Who is going to feed us in the future?" Bringing this subject to the forefront were conversations with the folks further south who were responsible in years past for providing the produce that many folks in these parts had grown accustomed to enjoying...

The mother of murdered Washburn woman Casey Brace is speaking out about difficulties she has had in seeing her grandchildren, two of whom have been put in temporary custody of the parents of Brace's accused killer. According to Washington County (Ark.) Circuit Court documents, Springdale residents John and Mary Paschall filed temporary custody paperwork in Arkansas for Alli Paschall, 2, and Braxton Paschall, 4. ...

A Barry County rancher is set to appear in court Tuesday for disposition after being accused of assaulting a teenager with an axe handle, breaking the teen's legs and nose. The Barry County Prosecuting Attorney's Office has charged James Mason, 42, of Cassville, with three felonies: first degree-assault causing serious physical injury, a class A felony, armed criminal action, an unclassified felony, and first-degree property damage, a class D felony...

A new Missouri State House bill plans to ease restrictions for boat liquor license applications by reducing the required number of passengers from 100 to 30. If the proposed legislation becomes law, State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, who sponsored the bill, said it would not only make the playing field more level, but it could create more outlets for people to consume alcohol on boats...

WASHBURN -- The Southwest school district plans to have a more functional 1,440-square-foot greenhouse constructed by May. The total cost is $73,875, and the district's portion is $32,320 since Chris Hunt, Southwest High School and Middle School vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor, received a grant for the turnkey greenhouse project...

Southwest Elementary students Tristyn Harding, left, Hunter Cain, middle, and Marcus Lakey practice how to properly brush teeth Thursday at the Delta Dental's Land of Smiles presentation. Kindergarten through third-grade students learned about dental hygiene. Jason Johnston reporter@cassville-democrat.com...

Area law enforcement are hoping to see passed a bill that would created a monitoring program to slow illegal prescription drug trade. "If we have somebody who we believe is selling prescriptions, it's a very hard case to prove," said John Luckey, director of the Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force...

A variety of new resources are planned for branches of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library. Director Gina Milburn reported that use of wireless Internet service has almost tripled over last year at this time. Computer use has also increased. The district will see significant savings on its local and long distance telephone service for branches in Monett, Pierce City, Aurora and Marionville. ...

Seligman has suspended Tony Amos, the city's main sewer operator, pending an investigation, said City Clerk Brian Nichols. "We're fearful that documentation wasn't logged; that records weren't kept on the operation of the sewer lagoon," said Nichols, who has been in contact with the Missouri Department of National Resources (DNR)...

Seligman recently purchased $9,666.53 in pipe locating equipment to comply with federal regulations and state statutes. "Every public utility must be able to actively locate their equipment," said Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk. The Seligman Board of Aldermen approved a bid from Tontitown, Ark.-based HD Supply Waterworks after Wayne Persons, Seligman maintenance supervisor, recommended the company to the city out of the bidder list...

The Missouri Department of Natural Resource has notified Seligman about plugging water well No. 2, which has been out of service since the 1970s. "[Costs] could be up to $18,000," said Brian Nichols, city clerk. "DNR has grants available to help us fund this."...

If area residents are interested in becoming beekeepers, they can attend a free introductory adult education class at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the Cassville High School agriculture department. "If you get involved in beekeeping, the possibilities of learning something new everyday is there," said Leon Riggs, 77, an area beekeeper who will be the main speaker at the class...

Scott Frederickson, Cassville High School band director, plays a flugelhorn during "I Remember Clifford" at a jazz concert in the Cassville FEMA Event Center Friday. Jason Johnston reporter@cassville-democrat.com

Fifteen contestants competed in the fifth annual Miss Crowder Pageant Sunday at the Crowder College Cassville campus. Those pictured include: Alex Tummons, Miss Southern Ozarks 2015; Kaitlyn Rigdon, Miss Southern Ozarks' Outstanding Teen 2015 and Miss Crowder's Outstanding Teen 2014; Rebekah Rhoad, Miss Crowder's Outstanding Teen 2015; Olivia Henson, Miss Crowder 2015; and Morgan Shumaker, Miss Crowder 2014. Jason Johnston reporter@cassville-democrat.com...

A backhoe clears the snow off of Wild Apple Drive in Cassville Monday. A weather station 4.8 miles south-southeast from Cassville indicated 5.5 inches of snowfall fell Monday, according to the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network. Jason Johnston reporter@cassville-democrat.com...

Cassville High School Choir members Jena Hilburn, left, and Kiley Wolf, left middle, perform a singing Valentine Thursday for Donna Lawson, right, Cassville High School librarian. Wolf's father, Denny, played the guitar. Jason Johnston reporter@cassville-democrat.com...

For the first time since its 2010 state championship run, the Purdy girls basketball team earned the No. 1 seed in the Class 2, District 12 tournament. "I think the seed is a testament to how hard our girls worked this season," said Eli Ernst, Purdy coach. "Getting the seed is one thing, but we still have to take care of business."...

The Exeter boys basketball team earned the No. 5 seed in the eight-team Class 1, District 4 basketball tournament Bradleyville (18-5) earned the No. 1 seed with School of the Ozarks (15-7) claiming the No. 2 spot. "We've got some work to do if we want to extend our season," said Jay Allen, Exeter coach. "We have to play as a team."...

The Exeter girls basketball team earned the No. 5 seed in the eight-team Class 1, District 4 basketball tournament Chadwick (14-5) earned the No. 1 seed, with Bradleyville (16-5) claiming the No. 2 spot. "This is a tough and well-balanced tournament," said Colt Higgs, Exeter coach. "Any team in the top five seeds is capable of winning it. We are going to have to stick to what we do best and be as close to perfect as possible."...

The Purdy boys basketball team is best described by its coach Tommy Egan as a scrappy bunch. The Eagles earned the No. 6 seed in the eight-team Class 2, District 12 basketball tournament when begins next Tuesday at Pierce City. Pierce City (15-7) earned the No. 1 seed, with Miller (10-14) claiming the No. 2 spot...