50 years ago

Nov. 12, 1975

— HOME BURGLARIES AROUND TR LAKE SHOW INCREASE In the past three weeks there have been at least 11 burglaries investigated by the Barry County Sheriff’s office in the Table Rock Lake communities of Barry County. Sheriff Vernon Still said the investigations were being handled by Deputy Bill Gautney of Jenkins. Gautney was at the scene of the latest two Sunday night just south of the Central Crossing Bridge between Shell Knob and Viola. He said nine previous investigations had been conducted in that general area. In most cases method of entry to homes closed for the season by their owners had been the same. Burglars either pried open a door or window to gain entry. Again in most cases, items taken included small appliances, tv’s, radios and other items that probably should not have been left in cabins or homes in the first place. Law enforcement officers said they hoped owners of such accommodations on the lake would consider removing all valuable items from the homes if it was not their intention to return to the area until next season. They think this would go a long way toward discouraging this type burglary in the lake communities. Another suggestion fostered by the department was that permanent residents attempt to obtain descriptions and license numbers where possible of strange vehicles in subdivisions surrounding the lake. This could be highly valuable to officers in making their investigations. Gautney, part of the force of expanded deputies in the sheriff’s office is handling most of the patrol duties in the Table Rock communities. Local officers expressed the belief that the word getting around that people in this area removed all items of value from these type homes upon their departure would do more to discourage break-ins of this type than anything else. Involved in the investigations are also several incidents of boat docks in the Shell Knob area being stripped of fishing equipment and some outboard and trolling motors.

— SEVEN HUD PROJECTS SHOULD BE UNDER BID IN DECEMBER Bid dates for Housing and Urban Development programs in Barry County will be before January 1, according to George Ulmer of Miller-Newell and Associates of Cassville. Ulmer said planning on projects in Exeter, Purdy, Monett and Wheaton would be completed hopefully for lettings in December. A project scheduled for Cassville is currently under review by HUD headquarters in Kansas City because of proposed changes. In all, the projects will have $299,810 spent in the communities involved under a plan made available through the Barry County Court. Ulmer said the projects would include: North Barry County Neighborhood Facility, $82,000, with no location secured. James Ogle, director of NBC ambulance district, sponsoring official listed. Purdy City Park, $25,810, to the city of Purdy, Bill Hemphill, mayor. For acquiring land and installing facilities. Purdy Senior Citizen, $20,000 for construction of senior t citizen recreation center, City of Purdy named as sponsor. Exeter, $73,000 for installation of a new well and pump to serve the community. W. R. Mattingly, Jr., mayor of Exeter listed as sponsor. Wheaton sewer project, $11,500, extension of sewer lines to replace septic tanks in an area of town. City of Wheaton, mayor Boone McQueen listed as sponsor. Wheaton streets project, $11,500, resurface of approximately 18 blocks of streets inside the Wheaton city limits. The Cassville project originally called for a new building to be constructed as a neighborhood facility and ambulance garage. City Council turn-down of the plan preferred a remodeling program at the city building at Third and Main, which under consideration by the government agency in charge of the funds. This project scheduled to receive $76,000 Presiding Judge Nola McNeill and County Clen Howard Bounous said paper work on the programs have been in the processed shortly after the first of the year.

40 years ago

Nov. 13, 1985

— COUNTY BALANCE $10,000 WITH $55,000 BILLS TO PAY As of Tuesday, Barry County’s bank balance was $10,779.85, according to figures provided by treasurer Gene Fare. On the same day, Barry County’s expected expenditures for the month of November stood at approximately $55,000, according to county clerk Rex Stumpff. Presiding Judge Lloyd Dilbeck, on the same day, expressed the opinion that the county was broke. Just how bills payable, including salaries and normal expenses, would be paid is yet to be decided, according to Dilbeck. The presiding judge said it was quite evident the county would be hard pressed to meet $55,000 in expenditures at the end of the month, including officials and employee salaries, if the money just wasn’t there. “Current taxes being collected are obligated and can’t be touch-ed.” Dilbeck said. “This year’s collections are designed to pay off the $228,000 loan the county was forced to make earlier this year when funds were exhausted,” the county official said. Part of the problem arises in the county’s budget system on anticipated revenue. In this department a total of $1,075,512.73 was budgeted for 1985. The real difficulty, according to county officials, will be the January 1, 1986 start of the new budget processes which will be a “cut to the bone” process, according to Dilbeck. Barry County knew the money situation would be tight this year, prompting the November 5 ballot issues on a sales tax. “That would have brought us out of financial problems quickly next year,” Dilbeck said earlier. Now that there is talk about bringing the issue before voters again, Dilbeck said this week he wasn’t in favor, “unless we can have the 100 percent backing and support of all elected county officials. They, more than anyone else, should know the county’s financial condition and support additional revenue. Yet, they failed to do so last week and the issues went down by narrow margins.” Dilbeck said he was definitely not in favor of a special election issue. “We can’t pay the $5,000 cost of last week’s vote or it would deplete one-half our available cash. If the issue is submitted again, it will be in regular elections in April.” Another member of the county court, southern judge Bill Chappell, this week also acknowledged the county’s “need for additional financing, probably necessitating another election.” Chappell said the low voter turnout and low margins of defeat could mean possible passage on a second try. Dilbeck and Stumpff, at the courthouse Tuesday attempting to resolve some financial problems, said possible help could come from quick reimbursement from the state on various programs or an early release of Federal Revenue Share funds. The two county officials said it had been apparent for the past year this situation would face the county. Previous expenditures for reassessment and unusual past allotments of general revenue funds by a previous court to county road districts, have exhausted cash reserves. Dilbeck said the county had about $20,000 in the bank, but was using one-half, or about $10,000 to reimburse the CART road fund for that amount borrowed to avoid paying as much interest as possible. This year’s expenditures by the month, include the following figures: January $124,370.12; February $80,332.87; March $78,987.61; April $62,781.08; May $76,138.61; June $66,827.69; July $73,245.74; August $59,513.18; September $50,724.98; and October $53,374.07. County officials Tuesday said the court would be in discussion about finances in their Thursday session. Dilbeck noted Barry County wasn’t the only one experiencing problems. He, Chappell and Stumpff were in Kansas City over the weekend in sessions of the Missouri Association of Counties. Most officials we visited with were in the “same situation,” but most had solved their problems with a sales tax, something “Barry County officials would not support,” Dilbeck said.

— WILDCAT PRIDE

Whether you are a football fan or not, it’s impossible to diminish the accomplishments of the 1985 Wildcats of Cassville high. Their 8-2 season has brought much in achievement to the team and recognition to the community. The struggle has been difficult as Cassville several years ago went from coach to coach and unsuccessful season to even greater disappointments of entire game schedules without a win. If you don’t understand the purpose of the program, it’s not in the best interest of young folks to not know the feeling of victory, as well as the situation of defeat. Winning one game or none, in the course of a 10-game schedule, is what the young Wildcats of 1985 did during their freshman and sophomore seasons. Then, along came last year and the Wildcats posted a 4-6 record, and could easily have been even better in the final standings had a few breaks gone their way. Those breaks that didn’t come last year were around this year, breaks that a dedicated and skillful team can make for themselves. As the Wildcats went through this season, they for the most part presented a team effort. Both of their losses came at the hands of teams that are going to state playoffs this week. Cassville’s Wildcats of 1985 had some individual performers that did shine in the record books. But, it should be remembered, there were folks in front of those who were accomplishing that were every bit as responsible for the successes as those who had their hands on the ball. The above factor is probably the quickest to be overlooked in football records. Individuals must have skill, determination and ability to achieve, but they can’t do this by themselves, no matter how much the skill possessed. And, don’t overlook the dedicated hours the coaching staff contributed to the successes. All were around when the fortunes were not as good as they were for the past two years. They knew when they came to Cassville the program was in need of building…. and the staff has done just that. It’s been 37 years since the Wildcats posted a better record. It’s been 12 years, the season of 1973, since the Wildcats were anything close with a 7-3 record. The 1985 Wildcats have put Cassville back on the competition map of the area so far as football competition is concerned. More importantly, they have set the pace for future teams of young people, showing them that dedication to their cause combined with hard work, are ingredients required for success. A good lesson for life. What the Wildcats did Friday night in wrapping up a successful season was highlighted by a younger brother of the team’s quarterback, who made his way into the team’s post-game huddle and counted off the victory score with the squad. At the same time he had nothing but admiration for his older brother and you can bet your socks he will remember this moment as he grows into near manhood. That’s the purpose of football, give a large number of young people the feeling of what they can do if they work with their teammates, do their best and make allout efforts to achieve. Cassville’s Wildcats of 1985 have set the standard for future teams to follow…. We hope the lesson sticks good….everyone obviously likes a winner!

— By Publisher Bob Mitchell — PURDY SCHOOL PLANS INCLUDE BUILDING PROJECT The Purdy school board of education held its regular monthly meeting Monday. Under old business, Dr. Richard Place, superintendent of schools, informed the board that as per their instructions he had sent a letter to Telemark Inc. indicating that the district no longer wished to participate in their energy management program. Dr. Place was assured by phone that the system would be removed and all money refunded to the district. In other action the board discussed the district’s honor roll policy and decided to continue the present policy of an A honor roll and a B honor roll, and heard a presentation from Norman Pozniak regarding school district boundary lines between Wheaton and Purdy. In final action, the board discussed at length a new building program for the R-II district which would include additional classroom space to alleviate space problems at the elementary school and the addition of a new cafeteria for the district. The board directed Dr. Place to gather cost information and prepare to discuss it with the board at a later meeting. The next regularly scheduled meeting of the board will be Monday, December 9.

30 years ago

Nov. 8, 1995

— PRE-BID MEETING HELD FOR NEW PARK COMPLEX Tuesday’s pre-bid meeting for Roaring River State Park’s new lodge complex drew a crowd of contractors interested in bidding on the multi-million dollar project. Over 30 people were in attendance at the meeting, which was led by Mark Bruenger, project manager, and Stuart Hutchison, project architect. According to specifications outlined at the meeting, the complex contains approximately 47,000 square feet on a three and a half acre site. The building will include a store, a restaurant and 26 guest rooms on two levels. The project’s range of cost is listed as $3.2 to $3.6 million. “We think it’s going to be an exciting building,” said Hutchison. “And you can’t deny it’s a beautiful site.” Bruenger gave contractors general instructions for preparation and submission of bids. Only one base bid will be accepted. There are five alternate bids and a $15,000 contingency allowance. Bruenger told contractors to expect an encounter with at least six inches of rock at the site. “Make sure your base bid covers the cost of all excavation,” Bruenger warned Completion time for the project has been set at 440 consecutive working days from the date of notice to proceed. An allowance for 25 bad weather days has also been incorporated into the project specifications. Other project details brought out at the meeting included the use of cast iron pipe for plumbing, the fact that the project would be designed under 1993 codes, and the need to comply with the prevailing wage law. Hutchison reported that 13 general contractors had requested plans, including Branco Enterprises, Snyder Construction, R.E. Smith Construction and Mo-Do-Co. Bids on the project will be accepted until 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 30. Following the meeting, contractors and project officials toured the proposed site. The new complex will be located on the hill directly behind the current motel. The park superintendent’s house will be demolished to make room for construction. Bruenger noted that demolition of the existing motel and restaurant was not included in the project. The older facilities will remain open until the lodge complex is completed.

—PURDY SPIKERS PLACE SECOND AT STATE TOURNEY For the third year in a row, Purdy captured second place in the Class 1A state volleyball tournament held Saturday in Warrensburg. They lost in the championship game to Bernie 15-7, 15-13, 15-0. Bernie was the team that beat the Lady Eagles in the finals last year. The defending state champion had an undefeated season with 38 wins. Purdy’s efforts were led by Linda Sparkman who had 13 kills, Caseye McLeod who had six blocks and 18 digs, and Mandy Payne who added 18 assists and three aces. Purdy advanced to the finals by beating Nodaway-Holt 15-9, 15-9 and then split wins with Osceola, winning 15-11 then losing 12-15. Purdy’s overall scored for the day put them two-points above Osceola, which broke the tie and put the Lady Eagles in the championships. In early round play, Purdy leaders were Sparkman with 23 kills over six games and Payne with 39 assists. Other standouts were Francie Reust with two ace serves and Laura Wolf with six blocks. Purdy, coached by Pete Rose, ended its season 24-8-2. The Lady Eagles have won eight straight district titles and have reached the Final Four three times in the last eight years.