January 2024

Angela Brattin: Spring garden preparation is upon us

January 23, 2024

As a gardener, at the start of the New Year comes the hope of a fresh garden season. With a little planning and preparation before the daylight hours lengthen and the soil temperatures warm up, we can set ourselves up for a more productive garden season.

Drake Thomas: Jekyll at school, Hyde at home — Navigating the school-home behavior disconnect

January 23, 2024

You’ve heard it a million times — a teacher bolsters your child’s behavior at school. They consistently clip off the chart for good behavior, are the teacher’s helper, and even receive awards for their positive behavior.

Kyle Troutman: Winter, winter, go away

January 23, 2024

Without fail and about the same time each year, a case of the winter blues creeps in. I used to think I avoided this phenomenon, but I think instead I just buried my head in the proverbial snow.

Wheaton softball team recognized for Hall of Fame induction

January 23, 2024

Members of the Wheaton softball team from 1993-1997 were recognized on Friday at halftime of the Wheaton-Hurley Homecoming game. The squad was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 18, 2023. The 1993-1997 Wheaton High School softball era was a formidable force: 1993, third place in state; 1994, second place in state; 1995, third place in state; 1996, state championship; 1997, fourth place in state.

10 Cassville girls medal in Big 8 Conference tourney

January 23, 2024

The Cassville girls wrestling team took 13 members to the Big 8 Conference tournament on Jan. 17, and 10 Lady Wildcats brought home a piece of hardware, half for the first time at the varsity level.

January 23, 2024

Three Cassville wrestlers swept their way to gold medals at the Big 8 Conference Tournament in Marshfield on Saturday, with only one of 12 matches going the distance and all 11 others ending in pins. The Wildcats had three medalists out of 12 competitors: Riley James at 150 pounds, Tristan Thompson at 157 pounds and Colton Roark at 165 pounds.

Cassville High School Performing Arts Center set to rise soon

January 23, 2024

The $9.8 million Cassville Performing Arts Center (PAC) will soon see red iron instead of red dirt, as progress on the facility is on track for its August completion. Clint Walton, vice president of construction operations at RE Smith, updated the Cassville School Board on Thursday, explaining what has been completed and what is yet to come.

Barry County pens $6.7 million budget for 2024

January 23, 2024

The Barry County Commission has passed a budget for 2024, fully funding the Barry County Sheriff’s Office to the tune of $4.2 million, a 54 percent increase, and raising county spending by $1.1 million, a 20 percent increase. The Sheriff’s Office in 2023 had an approved budget of $2,739,170, which was paid through general revenue.

January 23, 2024

Proposed Missouri House Bills 1956 and 2134 were the subject of a nearly three-hour hearing before the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 8.

Snow on the go at Roaring River State Park

January 23, 2024

Numerous deer could be found near the Roaring River Hatchery on Jan. 17, seeking out greens to eat amidst the melting snowfall from to days prior.