Stories from Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Bill Koon, 76, passed away peacefully in Houston, Texas, surrounded by loved ones, on Saturday, May 4, 2019. He graduated from Cassville High School with the class of 1961. Bill’s life began in rural Missouri and ended in Houston, Texas, tracing a path across far-flung parts of the globe and touching many lives...

John Howard Lowry, 60, of Wheaton, passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. He was born April 17, 1959, in Phoenix, Ariz., the son of Clyde Austin “CA” Lowry and Velma Louise “Bibs” (Lester) Lowry. His first marriage was to Victoria Lowry and to this union one child, Alexander was born. On May 23, 1993, he was united in marriage to Mary Fontana and to this union two children, Sean and Anastasia were born...

Mary “Lorain” Pilant, 89, of Salem, Oreg., passed away Wednesday, May 8, 2019, at Cedar Village Assisted Living Community in Salem, Oreg. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at Pilant Cemetery in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Mary Frances Rose, 89, of Grove, Okla., formerly of Washburn, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2019, at her home. She was born Nov. 23, 1929, in Cassville, the daughter of Franklin and Delilah (Knee) Turner. On Nov. 3, 1945, in Cave Springs, Ark., she was united in marriage to Lenear Samuel Rose, who preceded her in death on Nov. ...

Since we have obviously been in the early spring weather season, some events being disastrous to Barry countians, which should be acknowledged by everyone with a hope for fast recovery of the damage. I noticed there haven’t been any old-time names used for storms lately...

Cassville’s baseball season ended on Saturday in a 3-1 loss to open district play against Seneca.

The Purdy softball team showed all the grit and determination a team needed to advance to the softball Final Four, but could not come up with the clutch hit when they needed it most in a 2-0 loss to Mt. Vernon on Friday. For six innings, the story of the game was the outstanding pitching of Purdy’s Lauren Schallert and Mt. Vernon’s Katelyn Kotlarz...

It will be a busy weekend for the Southwest track team as athletes head to Jefferson City for the Class 1 and Class 2 state track meet. The Trojan squad will be competing in four events at state. Sophomore John Scannell qualified in 110-high hurdles...

The primary goal for Cassville Saturday was to go to Hollister for district track and get as many qualifications for the sectional round at Waynesville. In the process, the Lady Wildcats ended up walking out with the school’s first ever girls district track title...

The first person to race on the field on Monday to celebrate Cassville’s stunning 2-1 overtime win over Monett was Lady Wildcats Coach Jake Forste. Not more than a half step behind was the entire bench of the Lady Wildcats screaming and celebrating at the top of their lungs...

Cassville High School has named its valedictorian and salutatorian ahead of graduation Sunday at 3 p.m.

Cassville Community Teachers Association (CCTA) Banquet that was held on April 29 in the Cassville High School Commons Area.

The May Cassville Middle School Students of the Month, sponsored by Willis Insurance, have been named.

Meet Hazel, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

Cassville is full of skilled makers, bakers and producers, and the Cassville Tractor Supply store is bringing these talented individuals and businesses together for a community-wide, family-friendly event. On Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the store will host its annual Market Day event featuring local vendors and their homemade and homegrown goods...

When someone is dealing with a mental health concern, it can be a lot to handle. It’s important to remember that mental health is essential to everyone’s overall health and well-being, and mental illnesses are common and treatable. May is Mental Health Month was started 70 years ago by the national organization, Mental Health America (MHA). ...

Justin Boot Company celebrated its 10- and 15-year employees on May 9. 

Our son Ben, his wife Holly, and our granddaughter Madeline live in Wichita, Kan. Theirs is a funny and unusual neighborhood.    One of the things I find delightful is that they have a neighbor who has a dog that is really good at getting out of his fenced backyard. So, the neighbors are frequently walking around their block calling for their dog.  ...

The next canvas painting project at the Cassville Branch Library is “Blue Butterflies” and will be held on May 28. There will be a 12:30 p.m. session and a second session at 6 p.m. Adults and high school age teens may attend. All materials and instruction are provided. ...

Mothers were celebrated last week at the Cassville Senior Center, where moms came to eat talk and have their names drawn for flowers.

Three men graduated Drug Court on Thursday, with proud and smiling faces.

Shayla Sports, left, and Audrey Tripp, smile while watching a senior flashback video shown at Exeter’s commencement ceremonies Saturday.

A group of Southwest seniors played “Man in the Mirror” Friday at the high school’s graduation.

Wheaton Class of 2019 graduates celebrated their accomplishment by tossing their hats and spraying silly string on one another to end commencement ceremonies Thursday.

Hundreds of people took to the street Saturday at the annual Power of Pink walk/run, which benefits local woman battling breast cancer.

Roaring River Health and Rehab is preparing for a week of fun to celebrate National Nursing Home Week, ending with an open house on Friday from 1-4 p.m. Norma Kirkpatrick, Roaring River Health and Rehab activities director, said it is a great opportunity for people to come in and see what happens in a nursing home...

The Barry County Community Choir is warming up their vocal cords again, planning a spring concert for Thursday at 7 p.m. Mary Richmiller, co-director of the Barry County Community Choir, said members from all over the county participate in the choir...

A Purdy man is facing a felony a two misdemeanors stemming from two occasions where he allegedly inappropriately touched a minor less than 17 years of age. Lloyd Anderson, 26, of Purdy, is charged with fourth-degree child molestation and two counts of misdemeanor supplying liquor to a minor...

Based in Webb City, Charlie 22 Outdoors is a non-profit organization dedicated to veterans and the outdoors, and the group is coming to Barry County next week to camp out at Roaring River State Park. Scott Hettinger founded Charlie 22 Outdoors as a result of a passion for serving those who have already served...

Speakers for graduation for the Class of 2019 at Purdy High School focused on personal reflections, meaningful memories and encouragement heading into new territory...

As a rainstorm that miraculously held off all night descended upon Bill Hailey Arena on Saturday night in the city of Cassville, Alisson de Souza (Taubate, Sao Paulo, Brazil) stood humbly in front of the out gate as fellow riders, with tears in their eyes, congratulated him on winning the inaugural Ridin’ with Mason Lowe Memorial...

The Exeter High School academic team fought hard to bring home a state championship for the first time in the school’s history. Michael Pisanti, Exeter academic team coach, said he was the assistant coach his first year, and this is his second year as head coach...