50 years ago
Dec. 5, 1973
— $634,601.80 COUNTY TAXES PAID TO-DATE
Barry Countians will probably pay about $1 million of their total tax bill between now and January 1, according to figures from the office of County Clerk Warren Drake. Mrs. Misha House, deputy, this week reported payments during October and November total $634, 601.80. Total due in the charges of tax books to the office is $1,749,985.66 Last year the charged amount was $1, 627,824.34. Mrs. House said collections this year were running about 10% ahead of last year. October payments were $303,322.65 and Nov- ember collections were $331- 279.15. This makes a total of $1,115,383.86 due before they become delinquent on January 1. Office records also indicate a total of 13,030 receipts have been made. A total of 25,000 statements were mailed from the office this year. Taxes not paid prior to the January 1 deadline will carry penalty and interest charges above the stated amount of taxes for individual property owners.
— WINTER ARRIVES IN WINDSTORM AND HEAVY RAIN
It was a long summer and fall, but it took the weather just one day to convert to winter in the Barry County Ozarks. The season change blew in on a wind and electrical storm Tuesday that was accompanied by torrential rains. Total rainfall in the storm that struck about 4 a.m. Tuesday was 2.39 inches according to the U. S. Forest Service here. The rains swelled the streams for the second time in as many weeks and started December off with a good supply of moisture. The most recent rainfall also gives the area a push toward new records in total rainfall. Mary Ann Thomas, record keeper at the Cassville ranger station of Mark Twain National Forest, says current recordings are 61.47 inches. Normal for the area is around 40 inches. November pushed the total upward with an official recording of 6.52 inches. Of this amount, 4.84 inches were recorded in a single storm over a weekend period the last of the month. Winds caused some damage throughout the area. Gusts were recorded at the Monett weather station of 50 miles per hour. Some lightning damage was also reported as the storm sped through the area. Most severe damage reported was a lost barn on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Wierman on Flat Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Wally Adams’ cars were damaged in Sherwood Forest from falling trees. Minor power outages in the area were quickly restored by Barry Electric crews. No line damage was reported at the co-op according to Mike Whisman of the office staff. Swelling streams were expected to cause some problems on Table Rock were already rising lake levels were being recorded. Boat dock owners were being again cautioned by the Army Corps of Engineers to check these facilities to make sure they were in no danger. The first snow and sleet of the season also accompanied the storm. Accumulations were not visible due to the warm ground conditions. Further drops in temperatures are expected the remainder of the week, the first extended cool periods of the season and winter is officially only two weeks away.
40 years ago
Dec. 7, 1983
— CASSVILLE FROSH TAKE PAIR GAMES
Freshman basketballers at Cassville put a pair of contests in the win column during action this week. The victories came over Monett 32-30 and Carthage 56-41, reports coach Ron Martin. Against Monett the Wildcat frosh were down 13-23 at halftime, pulling to 20-27 at the end of three quarters. Excellent defense was credited by Martin in providing the victory in the closing quarter. Kirkland Burbridge led Wildcat scorers with 11. Others included: James 4, Reed 2, Jines 6, Longley 9. Action of the junior Wildcats in the Monett tournament Monday night saw a decisive win for the first ranted CHS squad, 56-41 over Carthage. Burbridge was again the leading scorer with 15 points.
— 3 BID ON ROARING RIVER OPERATIONS
Three requests for bid forms for operation of Roaring River State Park restaurant subject to contract awards December 19, have been requested from the park office in Jefferson City. Sources say those making the request are Barbara Terry, Carolyn Marrs and Don Edie, all of Cassville. Mrs. Marrs has held the operation contract for five years. Contracts scheduled for awarding this month will be for a four year period.
30 years ago
Nov. 24, 1993
— TWO DAY CARE REQUESTS GO BEFORE Z&P
Cassville zoning and planning commission members will be in session December 9 to handle two requests involving day care centers. Zoning administrator Jo Ledgerwood said the hearings would commence at 4 p.m. Petitioners in one action are Rita Rogers and Brenda Samuel, owners of God’s Little Kingdom, operated at First Christian Church on First Street. The petitioners ask for conditional use permit. This facility, beginning last August, currently has 37 youngsters enrolled. According to Ledgerwood, centers that are operated in churches do not require state licensing until a new law becomes effective next year. That would negate the requirement of city zoning and planning regulations that state license is a pre-requisite of qualification. A second hearing follows the same requests of Lori and David White, who has intentions to begin a day care center at 1403 High Street in Cassville. Not currently in business, the Whites intend to seek licensing by the state. Their number of enrollees is not known at this time. Apparently, the state licensing requirement before consideration by the zoning and planning commission would be in place for the Whites, since individuals are involved.
— ROARING RIVER PLANS BACK TO ARCHITECTS
Plans for a $4.2 million motel and restaurant improvement at Roaring River State Park have been returned to a Kansas City architectural firm designing the facility. Missouri Design and Construction Division officials have notified state representative Nolan McNeill of the changes in process. McNeill said this week the state division expects the project plans will be completed in 30-45 days, permitting bidding processes to begin. Under this plan, construction could start in late winter or early spring. Project plans call for construction of a 24-unit motel and restaurant facilities seating 250 persons. Completion of the improvement is anticipated in 1996. At this time, existing motel and restaurant facilities would be demolished and the area converted to picnic facilities. Development of the project has been in progress two years by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, State Park Division. Funding provided by the state legislature is through 1/10 of a cent state parks and soil conservation sales tax in the state.
— BANDSTERS MAKE STATE HONOR GROUP CHAIRS
Seven Cassville band students went to Carthage Friday, November 19, to audition for district 11 honor band, with six students successful. They are Brandon Bivens, trombone, concert band; Kelley Hart, flute first chair; Gene Stouder, bari sax; Jeremy Day, trombone; Elizabeth Homesley, Clarinet; and Sarah Philbrick, French horn. These students were back to Carthage Saturday for an all day rehearsal followed by a concert that evening. The students making honor band are eligible to audition for state honor band at Columbia on December 4, says director Nancy Holman. Jeremy Day auditioned for honor jazz band and made third book in the trombone section. The concert for honor jazz will be February 5 at Webb City.
