As we wrap up the first week of 2026, there’s a pep in my step.

Maybe it’s enjoying the last bit of fall weather brightening my days. It could that the kids went back to school this morning and routines can fall back into place. Or, better yet, it’s more likely I’m excited about what’s to come in the next 359 days.

In 2025, we accomplished more than we ever imagined. Our facade renovation was an incredible experience, and we are beyond grateful for all the compliments we’ve received in the last six months. We are equally grateful to the Cassville Downtown Restoration Fund, as frankly, none of that would have occurred without that partnership.

In September, we won another Gold Cup, naming us the best small weekly newspaper in Missouri for the eighth time in 11 attempts. And while keeping that pace with the quality of our news product, I have also began incorporating more and more video into our social media pages. If the 33% boost in followers is any indication, it seems the community is enjoying the new media.

In November, we launched a new community event, the Barry County Bake Off & Dessert Benefit Auction, which raised $1,500 each for two Cassville non-profit organizations to combat food insecurity.

And, finally, in the last few months, we’ve been restructuring our website services and circulation system, working with companies on the forefront of community journalism’s ever-changing landscape.

That may only be five things, but looking back, they’ve all played a huge role in the direction of the Cassville Democrat — and there’s more to come.

Building-wise, we are hoping to soon enter the second phase of our three-phase renovation plan. We are nearing the point of developing a commercial space on the west side of our first floor. By knocking down a few walls and putting one new one up, installing a new interior door and adding a new bathroom, we hope to get a business neighbor settled in this year. 

The third phase we hope to start shortly after — a full renovation (a rescue if we’re being honest) of the second floor. My wife, Jordan, has blueprints drawn for a three-bedroom, two-bath apartment, with plans for us to go back in time more than a handful of decades and live above our business. While it will take time, we are anxious for the end result.

After writing last week’s column and putting together our top 10s, I am confident we will be in the running for our ninth Gold Cup this year. Having had the success we have in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest year after year, it’s always a thrill to comb through our best work of 2025 and submit stories, designs, photos, videos and more to be judged against the works of our peers. That submission process is in March, and I’m already antsy.

Video-wise, I’m antsy for winter to be over and more opportunities to arise! We had a few really big ones (one hitting 2 million views), but all told, our reels had a combined 5 million views last year. I hope to keep building on that momentum and providing content that hits one of a community newspaper’s vital roles — showing Barry County folks doing the things they love.

With the success of the Barry County Bake Off & Dessert Benefit Auction the Saturday before Thanksgiving, we fully intend to keep that momentum going. It was the first use of our non-profit, Troutman Foundation, with the mission of supporting Barry County non-profit organizations. The Foundation is also taking over our Back-2-You initiative, in its third installment this year. We hope to have those figures (2% of all special project ad sales over the course of 2025) determined and donation recipients selected soon.

Finally, we are in the final stages of our online and circulation revamp. Within the next few weeks, news, sports and opinion content online, as well as the e-edition, will be considered premium content, requiring a subscription for access ($25 annually, or $20 for seniors or military). Obituaries, features in special sections and lifestyle content will all remain free to all.

With that change, we plan to put in more work. Within the next month, I plan to begin sending newsletters via email at least four times per week. That will likely come with a more modern, timely approach to posting stories online. Rather than uploading everything at once like we have for the last 10 years, I hope to start providing new content almost daily, recapping the days events in newsletter format to keep you all in the know, on time. 

Who says a weekly paper can’t behave like a daily these days?

While 2025 saw many successes, we also endured our fair share of challenges. We expect the same this year, as we take aim at new goals and chart new territory for the Cassville Democrat.

We hope you enjoy going along on the ride with us.

Kyle Troutman has served as editor of the Cassville Democrat since 2014 and owner/publisher since 2023. He is a three-time ISWNE Golden Dozen award winner. He may be reached at 417-847-2610 or [email protected].