February 2024
Shaw, Nelson crowned in Exeter
Former Exeter Homecoming Queen Emma Sorensen, center, crowns 2024 Queen Kenze Shaw, left, as 2024 King Kason Nelson looks on, at right.
Cole crosses 1,000-point mark
An Aurora girls basketball player with a Barry County connection has crossed the 1,000-point mark in her prep career. Junior Kylee Cole was 14 points shy of 1,000 going into a Jan. 29 Warrior Classic contest against East Newton. Cole put up 28 points in the 55-24 victory, achieving the milestone in the process. Cole averages 22 points per game. She is the granddaughter of the late John Cole and Linda Cole, of Exeter, and Howard and Jackie Burns, also of Exeter. Her great-grandmother, Gwen Hilburn, lives in Seligman, and she has numerous aunts and uncles from both Barry County towns.
Bill Hodgson: The ‘Messianic Secret’
The “Messianic Secret” is a theme that scholars began to discuss at the beginning of the 20th century. Though indicators are present in all four Gospels, attention was especially focused on St. Mark’s Gospel.
Crowder nursing receives $60K grant for simulation lab
The nursing program at Crowder College Cassville Campus received a $60,000 boost in funding in January, given by the South Barry County Hospital District Board. Sandra Wilson, Crowder's director of nursing, said the college is happy to have such a strong partnership with the local board “Partnerships with clinical sites are significant to our nursing programs,” Wilson said.
Hometown BBQ hero Joel Curren remembered
Friends and family of Joel Curren, pitmaster who founded and operated BBQ Station in Cassville for 15 years, gathered at his establishment on Sunday afternoon to celebrate his memory. Curren, who specialized in Texas-style hickory smoked barbeque, died on Jan. 17 after a battle with illness. Sharing stories of his friendliness and ownership of BBQ Station were his father Gil Curren, left, of Bentonville, Ark., and Jean Passley, of Cassville.
Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the week, Feb. 7
Maple is a white French Bulldog with cream spots. She is looking for a human to give her lots of love and attention.
Through the Years, Feb. 7
30 YEARS AGO: EAGLE VIEW — This is the view of an adult American Bald Eagle you can get in Barry County these days. The area has become host to the largest congregation of Eagles in Missouri according to Department of Conservation counts conducted shortly after the arrival of 1994. This photo, by Denny Goodnow of Eagle Rock, is one of the better efforts locally. Goodnow makes the photos available at Roaring River State Park and other outlets each season. The second photo in this series shows what can be seen without the aid of viewing equipment.
Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights: The backway forward
On April 4, 1954, Martin Luther King, Jr. stood at the pulpit within the humble walls of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., and delivered a sermon.
Jeremiah Buntin: Intoxicating history
The recent trend of “Dry January,” forgoing alcohol for the month, brings to mind some of the past attempts in Barry County to wet one’s whistle. Attitudes toward liquor in Barry County seemed fairly divisive throughout local history.
Once an Eagle, always an Eagle: Lee signs for college ball
Once an Eagle; always an Eagle. Purdy baseball senior Hunter Lee will not change mascots as he prepares to move to the next level, signing a letter of intent on Jan.
