Stories from Wednesday, March 7, 2018

A structure fire east of Purdy destroyed the home of John and Linda Keckler on Tuesday. According to Purdy Fire Chief Nick Mercer, Purdy firefighters responded to a call at 11612 Highway C at 3:54 p.m. on Tuesday. Flames were visible through the roof as firefighters arrived. The house was completely destroyed...

Two Barry County deputies were involved in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon, where the suspect in the case was injured. According to Sgt. John Lueckenhoff, Missouri State Highway Patrol public information and education officer, two Barry County deputies were dispatched to a domestic disturbance at a home on Channel Cat Lane...

Presiding Commissioner Cherry Warren had been undecided if he would run for his post again this year, saying he would make his decision on filing day — and he did. County Clerk Gary Youngblood announced his intention to file for presiding commissioner in January, and local businessman John Hendricks had also made his intentions clear about the position...

The Purdy school board adjusted its school calendar for the remainder of the year and voted to phase in the new Latin system that will halt valedictorian and salutatorian designation in three years. Superintendent Steven Chancellor reported that since the January school board meeting, the district lost class days on Feb. ...

Ziggy-Artist of Oddities performed one of his fire-eating segments during the Shell Knob Chamber banquet on Saturday.

When Barry County families want to go out to enjoy a nice dinner, their options locally are limited, often prompting a drive of about an hour in any direction to enjoy one in Rogers, Ark., Joplin, Branson, or Springfield. But, come this summer, locals will have another option, thanks to a couple who will be bringing a restaurant to them...

Age: 37 Current Occupation: Physician, Small Business Owner Past Experience: As a physician, I have the unique opportunity to work with children and adults in our community on a daily basis.  I have served as a girls’ softball coach for the last 2 years working with 5-7 year olds.  I am a Cassville Rotary member and serve on the Rotary Board.  I am a member of the Cassville Chamber of Commerce.  I am also on the board of the Cassville YMCA.  I am on the Barry County Health Department Board. ...

Age: 34 Current Occupation: Self employed. Chicken/cattle farmer Past Experience: Cassville alumni Education: Associates degree 1. Why do you want to win this position? To try to better our school district. 2. If elected, what is your number one goal on the school board?...

__Information provided:__ I retired for the Cassville School system after 32 years of employment. While I was their I worked in the primary and high school. My husband and I also were small business owners of a home interior business for 22 years. I have been involved in church, school,member of the Chamber of Commerce and involved in many of their activities and am now serving on the Barry County Board for the Developmentally Disabled...

Age: 48 Current Occupation: Owner Dry Gulch Manufacturing Past Experience: Serving on Chamber of Commerce Board, YMCA board and other various community committees. 23 years in business. Education: 1988 Cassville High School Graduate; 1993 B.S. Economics University of Missouri, Columbia...

__Age:__ 36 __Current Occupation:__ Sr. App Engineer for Jack Henry & Associates, Owner of Henbest Storage __Past Experience:__ 7 years employed with Cassville Schools as Technology Specialist. __Education:__ Cassville Alumni, United States Marine Corps Veteran, Associates Degree in Computer Science

Age: 33 Current Occupation: Assistant Metering & Plant Manager at Barry Electric Cooperative Past Experience: I worked at Countryside Bank in operations from 2004-2006, and worked for Missouri State University from 2003-2004. Education: 2003 Cassville High School graduate and attended Missouri State University for 2 years...

Age: 36 Current Occupation: Chief Wastewater Operator for the City of Cassville Past Experience: No answer provided. Education: Graduate of Cassville High School 1. Why do you want to win this position? I have worked with several children and faculty in our district through many organized sports and events. We have an amazing school district but if I can be their voice and give good sound views to better our school then this would be the reason I want to win this position...

Sales tax to local city and county governments saw a sharp rebound in February, in contrast to typically the smallest disbursements of the year, as if the Missouri Department of Revenue wanted to prove the red ink in January did not reflect a deduction to make December numbers bigger...

When school districts set their schedules for the year, they plan for a snow day or two and adjust accordingly, but this year, repeat snowfalls, ice and frigid temperature episodes prompted several school closures, which have literally snowed their schedule...

The city of Exeter will host its annual City-Wide Yard Sale on March 24. Anyone interested in participating may stop by City Hall or call 417-835-2823. No fee is charged to participate, and a list of sales and addresses will be available at City Hall. Three days later, on March 27, the city will host its annual Cleanup Day. Those with appliances for disposal may call City Hall to arrange for pickup...

With a dedicated team of excellent staff all working toward a singular goal, to provide excellent care, Roaring River Health and Rehab was granted the 5-star status as determined by the criteria set forth by CMS and DHSS. The criteria includes annual and complaint inspections and quality measures to determine a overall rating. Roaring River Health and Rehab was given an above average rating for the health inspections and have not had any complaint inspections that resulted in a deficiency...

The National Asphalt Pavement Association (NAPA) announced that Hutchens Construction Co., Cassville, has won the 2017 Ray Brown Airport Pavement Award for excellence in construction of an asphalt airport pavement for the Rogers, Ark., Executive Airport. The airport was recognized as having 2017’s Highest Quality Airport Pavement...

The Tractor Supply Company store in Cassville recently donated 38 bags of pet food to the Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary to help feed local dogs and cats in need of adoption. "More often than not, animal shelters and rescues depend greatly on food donations to support the pets they take in that await adoption," said Bob McDonald, manager of the Cassville Tractor Supply store. ...

Meet Dakota, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Dakota is a really fun, four-year-old Heeler mix who loves all of the people he meets, no matter their size or age.

Working purposefully to connect the various parts of our local food system is important for a number or reasons, according to Pam Duitsman, nutrition and health education specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Local food efforts improve access to local food, and helps us all learn where, how and by whom our food is grown," said Duitsman. ...

Daron Evans has joined the Cassville Community Foundation as a part-time coordinator for the volunteer-led Board of Governors. Evans will handle a variety of responsibilities related to the CCF’s meetings, special events and grantmaking activities. With his expertise, the CCF Board hopes to build a stronger stream of financial and in-kind support for local nonprofits...

The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce helped At The River Consignment celebrate its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, Feb. 27.

Mercy Hospital Cassville’s Senior Life Solutions Program welcomes new therapist Pamela Smith, MSW, LCSW as its new Program Therapist.  Senior Life Solutions, an intensive outpatient group therapy program, is designed to meet the unique needs of older adults over the age of 65 struggling with depression and anxiety often related to aging.  As Program Therapist, Smith will be responsible for providing therapeutic services for patients utilizing group, individual, and family therapy sessions.  ...

Several Barry County graduates were recently inducted into Crowder College’s XiXi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) during its spring induction ceremony.

Cassville FFA hosted its Area 11 Banquet on Thursday, Feb. 22.

Members of the Cassville Middle School Technology Students Association (TSA) recently traveled to Missouri Southern State University in Joplin to compete in a regional competition. The group was established at CMS in 2017, and is led by co-sponsors Jake Forste and Robbie Artherton. That year, the school earned one trophy and 12 medals in the regional competition. Showing great improvement in 2018, students earned three trophies and 17 medals...

Several Barry County graduates were recently inducted into Crowder College's XiXi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) during its spring induction ceremony. Membership by invitation to students who have completed at least 12 hours with a 3.5 grade point average or higher. The mission of PTK is to recognize academic achievement of college students and provide opportunities for them to grow as scholars and leaders...

The Cassville FFA Chapter recently attended the Eldon Career Development Event contest, with the Poultry Team taking first place; Food Science, third; Meat Team, fifth; Dairy Cattle Team, seventh; and Livestock, eighth.

On Thursday, Jan. 11, the Exeter FFA Chapter attended the District Greenhand Conference at Missouri State University in Springfield.

Cassville High School junior Sam Holman has been named Big 8 All-Conference in the Scholar Bowl competition.

The following Cassville primary kindergarten and Kinder Academy students were recognized as February’s Students of the Month.

It is 3:45 p.m. on Monday, and the sound of basketballs banging off the floor fills the hallways at Purdy High School. Never in the history of the boys hoops program has an Eagles team played a varsity game this deep into the season. Yet, the gym has 20 players, drenched in sweat and working toward a Class 2 semifinal showdown with Hayti on Thursday...

For the boys and girls Classes 1, 2 and 3 basketball teams, the season has come down to a four-team, three game tournament. Beginning Thursday morning, the top four teams from each of the three classes descend upon JQH Arena and vie for the right to be called state champion...

It had a different feel than most season ending losses. Moments after Cassville fell to Webb City, 37-26, Lady Wildcats Coach Chris Shore left the locker room quickly to meet privately with his seniors. Shore said he told his players they played a great defensive game against the Lady Cardinals, but just did not get the offense they needed...

No team wants to see a game or season end in a loss. For Cassville, 17 times this year, that feeling occurred, with the final loss coming in the form of a 64-53 loss to McDonald County in district play. According to Coach Barrett Milleson, that pain, frustration and disgust of losing are what will fuel his team this offseason...

Anyone who has been to Roaring River State Park openings over the past 90 years realizes that little has changed, at least over the past few decades. It’s still a drive down Missouri Highway 112, and then carefully drive down the steep hill, turn left, and you are in the thick of things...

Lillie May (Force) Schange, 88, of Trophy Club, Texas, passed away Sunday, Feb. 18, 2018, at her home. She was born Oct. 18, 1929, in Gentry, Mo., the daughter of Floyd and Edna Mae (Framton) Force. She was united in marriage to Harry Russell who preceded her in death...

Billy Joe Marshall, 86, of Shell Knob, passed away Monday, Feb.26, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark. He was born June 23, 1931, in Kilgore, Texas, the son of Boyd and Ora (Cook) Marshall. In 1950, in Wichita Falls, Texas, he was united in marriage to Dolores Billinger and to this union four children were born. ...

Sally Elizabeth Lofstrom, 78, of Shell Knob, passed away on Jan. 20, 2018. She was born May 5, 1940, the daughter of Eugene Olaf Lofstrom and Dorothy Arleen (Benton) Lofstrom. She grew up in Kansas City, Kan. She was a member of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Shell Knob...

Leona Hancock, 61, of Washburn, passed away Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark. She was born July 7, 1956, in Lubbock, Texas, the daughter of Leon and Myrtle Daily. On April 8, 2006, she was united in marriage to Robert Hancock, who survives...