August 2023

Holly Rivera: Sticks and stones

How many of you have heard the saying “Sticks and stones may break my bones but your words will never hurt me?” Trust me, we all have, yet we all have been faced with with those hurtful words thrown at us no matter who we are — based on race, age, wealth, addiction, beliefs and so on. With the Barry and Lawrence County Narcan Outreach, I recently spoke on stigma at two local events.
Read MoreHolly Rivera: Sticks and stones

Wheaton senior gets Soroptimist scholarship

The Soroptimist Club of Barry County has selected Zoey Martel as the recipient of the 2023 Violet Richardson Scholarship. Martel is a graduate of Wheaton High School. She plans to study nursing at the College of the Ozarks. The Violet Richardson Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior woman in Barry County that serves as community volunteer. Martel volunteers at her church, for local food drives and blood drives, sold drinks for the fire department fundraiser BBQ event, raised money for the Power of Pink Breast Cancer Drive, picked up trash and served meals to elderly community members. The mission of the Soroptimist Club of Barry County is to improve the lives of women and girls in the local community. From left: Laura Holycross, Soroptimist member; Martel; and Allison Angel, Soroptimist member.
Read MoreWheaton senior gets Soroptimist scholarship

Woman airlifted from fiery crash

Two juveniles were injured and an Aurora woman was arrested and airlifted from the scene of a vehicle wreck on Highway 39, six miles south of Aurora, after the vehicle caught fire at about 7:40 p.m. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Kiera Moore, 34, of Aurora, was driving a 2009 Ford Escape northbound when her vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree, then caught fire.
Read MoreWoman airlifted from fiery crash

Pets of the week

Who doesn’t love a puppy? Wonder is a beautiful tri-color mixed breed pup who is sweet, curious and playful. Wonder and her two brothers were abandoned on a road. They were so relieved to have food, water and a nice place to stay. Her brothers have found homes, but Wonder still needs her forever home. She will grow to be a medium/large size dog. Her estimated date of birth is May 4. All Haven pets are fixed, up to date on their vaccinations, and microchipped. The Haven of the Ozarks is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven days a week.
Read MorePets of the week

Jumping in the junior olympics

A Cassville boy has already cemented himself as one of the top 50 high jumpers in the nation, and he has an opportunity to go for a national medal this week at the AAU Junior Olympic Games. Cole Rainey, 10, of Cassville, has played soccer and done martial arts, but his greatest interest has been track and field — and he’s found success.
Read MoreJumping in the junior olympics

Wildcats’ defense competing for time

Twenty total Cassville football players are working this summer at the linebacker and secondary positions, competing with one another for varsity time in the upcoming season. Returning from camp at William Jewel last week and wrapping up three total weeks of workouts, Coach Clay Weldy said his seniors are the main leaders on the defensive side, but starters will not be determined until Week 1.
Read MoreWildcats’ defense competing for time

Domestic calls rise in county

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office is experiencing an uptick in domestic dispute calls, and the closure of a pod in the county jail has resulted in more inmates being held out of the county. Danny Boyd, Barry County sheriff, said deputies are responding to five or six domestic disputes per day on average, higher than normal and countywide.
Read MoreDomestic calls rise in county

High winds bring down trees, limbs

Overnight storm Sunday causes 1,500 power outages Wind gusts pushed through Barry County in the overnight hours Sunday, leaving a trail of mostly tree and limb damage in northeast and central barry County. David Compton, Barry County Emergency Management director, said the majority of the damage was in the Monett, Purdy, Butterfield and Wheelerville areas.
Read MoreHigh winds bring down trees, limbs