Stories from Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Henry Luther Blankenship, 71, of Aurora, passed away Friday, Dec. 14, 2018, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. He was born in Jenkins, on June 1, 1947, the son of Duane and Ollie Blankenship. On Aug. 1, 1964, he was united in marriage to Sharon Bright, who survives...

Jerry L. Daniel, 75, of Purdy, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, following a brief battle with cancer. He was born on March 12, 1943. in Barry County, son of the late Oral Lee Daniel and Marzell Lucille (Stockton) Daniel. Jerry graduated from Purdy High School with the class of 1960. Throughout his life, he was a banker, auctioneer, and farmer. He served in the Missouri National Guard...

Johnny Lee Farmer, 55, of Cassville, passed away in his home Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2018. Johnny was born Feb.16, 1963, in Harrison, Ark., to the parents of Jackie Lee Farmer and Connie Marie (Hargis) Farmer. They both preceded him in death. He grew up in the Oak Grove, Ark., area where he received his education graduating from high school in Green Forest, Ark., in 1981...

Willa Lucille Orrell, 84, of Tunas, passed away on Dec. 1, 2018. She graduated from Tunas High School in 1951, and at the age of 17, went to Kansas City to work at Farmers Insurance. She later transferred to Colorado Springs, Colo., where she met and married Glenn Orrell, of Bolivar, on March 2, 1954; He preceded her in death...

Rodney L. Pender-graft, 58, of Washburn, passed away Monday, Dec. 10, 2018, at his home. He was born in Washburn, on Dec. 15, 1959, the son of Junior and Verbal (Dalton) Pendergraft, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death was one sister, Wanda Delores Williams...

William “Bill” Ray Vance, 77, of Cassville, passed away Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He was born in Mexico, Mo., on Nov. 28, 1941, the son of Robert F and Charity Eileen (Giles) Vance. On Oct. 21, 1960, in Laddonia, he was united in marriage to Veldia “Dene” Cowin, who survives...

Having nothing to do with the real reason for Christmas, but being a long-time tradition in publications throughout the nation, “Yes Virginia” first appeared in 1897 in a New York newspaper in response to a young girl’s question, “Is there a real Santa Claus?” The newsman, Francis Pharcellus Church, replied with this editorial and it became history’s most reprinted newspaper editorial:...

The Cassville wreslting team took third place at the Miami, Okla., tournament.

For the fifth year in a row, girls hoops teams will flock to Washburn for the annual Southwest Holiday Tournament. This year, the field includes eight teams from two states and is set to play out in two gyms on campus from Dec. 26-29. To make it easier for fans to attend, competition will not begin until 4 p.m. each evening...

For 36 years, teams have flocked to Washburn for the annual Southwest Holiday Tournament. This year, the field includes eight teams from two states and is set to play out in two gyms on campus from Dec. 27-29. To make it easier for fans to attend, competition will not begin until 4 p.m each evening...

Youth and varsity inexperience have led the Cassville girls hoops squad to a 1-6 start to the season. The Lady Wildcats’ lone win came on Nov. 19, a 50-43 decision over Pierce City. The season record is not a complete shock to those that have followed the team the last few years. After being senior-laden, a youth movement was expected this year, along with the growing pains that come with the inexperience...

For almost 32 minutes, the Purdy boys hoops team had Cassville on its heels in the Nest. Purdy was the more inspired team, and despite a size disadvantage, played at a high level. In the end, too many turnovers and a couple questionable shots led to its demise in a 56-50 loss to the Wildcats on Friday...

Cassville Coach Barrett Milleson did his best to prepare his team for the rigors that awaited them as they entered the Nest of Purdy on Friday to face the Eagles. When the final horn sounded, his Wildcats walked out of the gym with a 56-50 win that was far from routine and hotly-contested...

• Clifford Justin Barker, Cassville, operating a vehicle without a valid license, misd. D; seat belt violation, infraction, $50.50. • Matthew Thomas-Cort Parker, Jr., Exeter, driving while revoked/suspended, misd. D; speeding, misd. C; seat belt violation, infraction, $341...

Meet Karen Filippelli, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week. Karen is a super cute, sweet, and affection one-and-a-half-year-old kitty.

Jim and Christi Eden of Butterfield announce the adoption of their 9th child, Klancey McKinley Eden, on Dec. 7.

Regal employees joined the Holiday Community Partners program for work during the holiday season to provide cards, letters and stuffed stockings for U.S. troops and veterans. They team with Soldiers’ Angels to provide support to military families, wounded heroes, deployed service members and veterans...

The Central Crossing Senior Center has medical equipment available to lend out free of charge to anyone in the community who is in need. Items include walkers, either plain or with seating; wheelchairs, push or motorized; canes; bedside commodes; toilet risers; toilet arms; shower or bath chairs of several types; and a limited number of adult diapers. The Center also has a board with an arm to help someone get out of bed. ...

Shelly Riehn donated new toys at the Herrin Animal Hospital Open House on Thursday.

With squirming fidgets and solemn faces, Purdy’s pre-kindergarten students performed in the annual Christmas program on Thursday evening at the school’s school cafeteria.

Sgt. Taylor Lombard donated funds raised by the Barry County Sheriff’s Office to Gail Reed, Neighborhood Center supervisor for OACAC.

The concession stand at the Cassville football field is being replaced, and Dusty Reid, Cassville school district director of facilities and operations, coordinated with Training Officer Brad Harvey for the Cassville Fire Protection District to use the building for training purposes...

Volunteers met at the United Methodist Church to help sort gifts for the OACAC Share Your Christmas toy drive Monday morning.

Carolyn Hutchens, right, and Kegan Terry put out cheese curds for visitors to the Christmas at the Creamery event at Edgewood Creamery in rural Purdy Saturday.

Santa made an appearance and met with every child on the Santa train ride Saturday morning.

In an effort to keep its students safe, the Cassville school district completes background checks on all new hires, aiming to make sure the background check the district pays for is the best. Richard Asbill, Cassville school superintendent, said any school employee or volunteer, before they are allowed to have any access to the students, must go through a background check...

Catering to a younger generation, the United Methodist Church uses a band and new style of ministry to keep people coming to church. Micah Boise, United Methodist Church director of worship and youth pastor, said Uprising is a new ministry that the church is starting, and there is a band that will play for the new ministry...

Amidst all the shopping, cooking, gift-giving and gift-taking, the First Christian Church strives to remind people of what is truly important this time of year. Chuck Terrill, First Christian Church senior minister, said the Christmas Eve service will be held on Dec. 24 at 6 p.m...

Purdy's long running battle over its sewer system has apparently ended with the beginning of pumping effluent to Monett's wastewater treatment plant on Dec. 4. Public Works Supervisor Lonnie Lowery reported a problem last month delayed the start. An engineer misunderstood the pumping demands of the system and programmed the main pump station to provide continuous pressure rather than intermittent pressure because gravity flow assists the process. ...

The city of Seligman has been working on upgrades to the city’s water system, and its five-year plan focuses on detecting leaks, adding a water tower and renovating water lines. Brain Nichols, Seligman city clerk, said the city, on average, pumps about five million gallons a month...

City officials in Purdy have announced the location of the new post office and learned recently the community is about to lose its public library. Mayor Pro Tem Brian Bowers, presiding over the monthly city council meeting on Dec. 11, said the city had received official word that the spec building constructed by Ed Mareth at the northwest corner of Commercial and Washington had been selected as the new post office. ...

The Cassville school district investigated a bomb threat made at the high school recently after graffiti of the threat was found in one of the school’s bathrooms...

After 24 years, Barry County Presiding Commissioner Cherry Warren’s time at his post is coming to a close, and a reception was held in his honor Thursday recognizing him for the six terms of service. Warren received a plaque from Barry County officials, as well as resolutions from the Missouri House and Missouri Senate. About 75 people attended the event at the Barry County Courthouse...

Exeter High School’s girls athletics has been taking time to listen to guest speakers, taking trips and volunteering for a community-building exercise. Ashley Lye, Exeter vice principal, said the team has a guest speaker that comes in once a month...