January 2023
Al Slavic: Good plans and broken dreams
This devotional and directory is made possible by these businesses who encourage all to attend worship services. Recently, two of us drove around an area in Shell Knob to pray in the community.
William Loran Robbins
L oran Robb ins William Loran Robbins, 83, of Jenkins, passed away Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at his home.
Joanne Pehkonen
ehkonen Joanne Pehkonen, 82, of Cassville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2023, at Oak Pointe of Monett in Monett.
Stanley Leroy Brattin
rattin Stanley Leroy Brattin, 71, of Cassville, passed away Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield.
New bathrooms built at City Park
Heated facility open year-round, triple the size of old building Frequent visitors to Cassville’s City Park will soon have a new place to “go.” A project planned in 2020 and put on hold due to COVID and the city’s National Flood Insurance Program opportunity, new bathrooms have been built and should open by the end of February. David Brock, Cassville public works director, said the previous facility was built around the time the park was done in the 1970s.
County budgets $5.6M
Barry County has adopted its 2023 budget, approving $5.6 million in expenditures with revenue of $5.7 million and nearly $3 million in carryover. Presiding Commissioner Steve Blankenship, Northern Commissioner Gary Schad and Southern Commissioner Gene Robbins adopted the plan on Thursday, noting the county is in a comfortable position after higher sales tax revenue in the last few years, as well as consistent savings by previous administrations.
Fitzpatrick: COVID relief, school spending focuses as auditor
MISSOURI INDEPENDENT Special to the Cassville Democrat Newly inaugurated State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick said on Jan. 9 that auditing federal COVID-19 relief funds and how local school districts spend money will be his top priorities during the coming four years.
Construction continues in Purdy
Construction is well on its way at Purdy schools, with crews working to install dual-point entry ways, update classrooms and redesign the school cafeteria. Superintendent Travis Graham said last week that the high school office, elementary school office and school cafeteria have all been completely gutted, and crews are beginning work to rebuild and replace.
News briefs
OATS Transit offers regular transportation services for the rural general public of any age, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Please call the local OATS Transit office at 417-8879272 or 800-770-6287 to schedule a ride or find out about services in the Barry County area.
CS Bank elevates up-and-coming bankers
Jason Tennant, President and Chief Lending Officer, CS Bank, is pleased to announce the advancements of several deserving individuals within CS Bank. Krista Beck, Autumn Hudgins, Joy Thurman, Dustin Turner, and Chance Robbins have all been named Vice President.
