50 years ago

Feb. 4, 1976

— Going up with shoe line production here

A year ago at this time, employment for the area didn’t look too good. Jumping-Jacks Shoes, at that time Cassville’s largest employer, was working only four days a week. Cutbacks were underway due to a general economy slowdown and influx of foreign shoes on the domestic markets in this country. Today, it’s a different story according to Jerry McCaffery, company vice president and general manager for the Cassville and Monett manufacturing facilities. “The market is there this year and our shoes, both current and new lines, are being received well,” he said recently. Larry Crotser, superintendent of the Cassville plant, echoed the same attitude about the entire production season. Right now the company is in the process of adding to the manufacturing staff at Cassville and Monett, with numbers talked at 275 in Cassville compared to 238 at this time last year. At the same time, the Cassville plant will be increasing production from 3,600 pairs a day to a projected roll-off of 3,900 per day. Crotser noted the four-day slowdown of production last year ran into the month of March. This year, U.S. Shoe Corporation, parent company of Jumping-Jacks, has projected to employees no let-up in manufacturing through August. Quality production at the Cassville plant is still an important factor in Jumping-Jacks’ scheme of things, according to Crotser. He said lines of new trial shoes were being manufactured here and would be presented by the company in upcoming shows in the East.

— Jaycee charter program attracts state officers

State and regional officers of the U.S. Jaycees were in Cassville Saturday evening for charter presentation programs for the new chapter here, according to John Bartkoski, president. Heading the speaker list was Dennis Henson of Cape Girardeau, state president, with Bob Holbert of Springfield, regional director, also present. The charter presentation program was a dinner affair at Town House Restaurant. The program included master of ceremonies Chip Kammerlohr, with Rex Stumpff giving the invocation. Officers of the newly chartered organization include John Stringer, first vice president; Kammerlohr, second vice president; Raymond Fischer, secretary; and Vaughn Smith, treasurer. Cassville’s newest civic club had 26 members at the charter program.

— Three projects in county on roads letting

Three road projects in Barry County are scheduled for improvement this year, according to Robert N. Hunter, chief engineer of the Missouri Highway Department. The projects are among those in bid calls for Feb. 27 in Jefferson City. All three call for plant mix bituminous surfacing for a total of 19 miles and include Route 37 through Cassville, Route 248 and Route 39. Individually, the projects are outlined as follows: a plant mix bituminous surface leveling course 22 feet wide, together with any incidental work on Business Route 37 from 0.8 miles south of Route 37 northwest of Cassville southerly to Route 112 in Cassville, the total length being 2.603 miles; a plant mix bituminous surface leveling course 20 feet wide, together with any incidental work on Route 39 from Route 248 southeast of Jenkins southerly to 0.34 miles north of Route 76, the total length being 7.425 miles; and a plant mix bituminous surface leveling course 20 feet wide, together with any incidental work on Route 39 from Route TT southeasterly to Route 248 southeast of Jenkins, the total length being 8.816 miles. If construction bids are awarded later this month, work will commence with weather breaks this spring. Hunter noted combination bids will be permitted on the three projects. Supervision of the scheduled work will be under the Joplin District Office of the department.

40 years ago

Feb. 5, 1986

— Half county sales tax issue passed; roads get help, revenue beaten

Barry Countians approved Proposition Two on their sales tax ballot Tuesday, giving roads and bridges a financial boost. At the same time, and for the second time in just over three months, voters turned down a one-half cent sales tax for general revenue and tax reduction. Totals on the vote had Proposition One failing by 153 votes, 1,925 in favor and 2,078 opposed. Proposition Two passed by 401 votes, getting 2,212 in favor and 1,811 against. Just over 4,000 of the county’s 16,000 registered voters went to the polls in spring-like weather Tuesday. By contrast, the November sales tax issue attracted just under 2,450 voters. In November, the general revenue-tax rollback feature failed by 75 votes and the road-bridge issue was defeated by 22 votes. Presiding Judge Lloyd Dilbeck of the county court said Tuesday night it was very doubtful the issue would be resubmitted again this year. He said the court would review current budget proposals when they were returned from Jefferson City and would make further cuts if necessary. Court action last month reduced operation budgets of all officials by 20 percent. Court attitudes have been that further cuts, as necessary, would be made to maintain a balanced budget. Court action in coming weeks will probably result in borrowing funds for operations against anticipated revenues next year. To close out 1985, the county borrowed over $200,000 and shifted funds until revenue was available to meet payrolls and various obligations. Officials said while the issues attracted more voters this time around, the general revenue portion was beaten by about the same margin. The road issue will mean about $500,000 additional money annually for 26 districts when collections begin this July. In other county votes Tuesday, Purdy’s school district approved a $200,000 bond issue for various improvements, 528 yes votes and 157 no. Monett schools also approved an issue to use available funds for improvement projects, 579 to 136. Purdy road district voters decided a dissolution issue, voting 242 in favor and 257 against.

— City would increase park by seven acres

Cassville’s existing 11-acre park area would be expanded by an additional 7.3 acres if a grant request is successful. Mayor Rolland Meador said this week Cassville had been approved for a second-phase request for funds from the Missouri Inter Agency Council for Outdoor Recreation. The fund, administered by the Department of Natural Resources, is being asked to match $30,000 in local revenue sharing funds for land purchase and additional park and recreation improvements. City Clerk Jo Ledgerwood and engineer George Ulmer will complete the second-phase requests. Ledgerwood said the plan proposed paving parking lots, street improvements, lighting of a multi-use court, fencing, playground and equipment additions, and the acquisition of 7.3 acres in the area of Flat Creek adjoining the park area. City officials said Cassville’s request for the funds would be under a March 3 deadline.

— Business changes in and around Cassville

Three business changes and improvements are noted in the Cassville area this week. Jeff Cooper has repurchased Cassville Gun and Pawn from Nolan Lassiter and is moving the business back into its old location in the Edmondson-Turner building at the intersection of Highways 248-112 in south Cassville. Bud Reid of Cassville has leased property from Mr. and Mrs. Ron McGrath in south Cassville. After improvements, it will be used as a real estate office. The property is the former Ernest German residence on South Main. At Hilltop, Mr. and Mrs. Gene Huspek have started construction of a new facility for their Hilltop Package Store at the intersection of Highway 112-76-86. The metal structure will contain 5,400 square feet, and when the 60-by-90-foot structure is ready, the present building will be demolished.

— Popchoke named Navy Surface Warfare specialist

Navy Petty Officer Third Class Robert R. Popchoke, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard L. Popchoke of Exeter, was designated an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist while serving at Naval Guided Missiles School, Dam Neck, Va. To earn the insignia, Popchoke demonstrated superior knowledge and proficiency in his shipboard watch stations, especially during emergency and battle conditions. Other requirements included being in the top categories of leadership and performance, having 24 months aboard ship and passing an oral examination by his commanding officer. A 1982 graduate of Exeter High School, he joined the Navy in February 1985. 

30 years ago

Jan. 31, 1996

— Butterfield board proposes wastewater treatment project

A public hearing to discuss construction of a wastewater collection and treatment facility for the Village of Butterfield will be held Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. in the community center. A preliminary engineering report will be presented by Kevin Skisbiski, senior project manager with Archer Engineers of Springfield. He said the board of trustees is proposing that a sewage collection system and wastewater treatment facility be constructed to provide Butterfield residents with sewer service. The system will probably consist of a three-cell lagoon and two or three lift stations, according to Skisbiski. He added that a lagoon system was the least involved mechanically and the easiest to maintain. No cost estimates have been prepared at this time but will be made available at the public hearing. The trustees hope to finance the project with the assistance of a Community Development Block Grant. The public hearing is part of the CDBG application process. The deadline to apply for grant money is March 15. Skisbiski said the trustees told him they had little money available to finance the project. He will suggest to the board that they place a revenue bond issue on the April ballot. Bonds will be used to help finance the project and would be paid for by users of the new sewer system. Other funding possibilities include a low interest loan through Rural Economic Community Development, formerly the Farmers Home Administration, or through a grant from the Department of Natural Resources’ State Revolving Fund. The engineer said preliminary plans call for a system designed to serve Butterfield’s 160 current water users plus meet the needs of projected growth over the next 20 years. Growth projections will be based on census and DNR guidelines. A specific location for the lagoon has not been chosen. Skisbiski said it would probably be located somewhere on the east side of town where the bulk of the residents live. Village Clerk Mary Boyd said Butterfield’s 240 residents are currently using private septic tank systems.

— Veteran agent receives top award from state conservation department

Barry County Conservation Agent Charles Marrs has been named Conservation Agent of the Year for 1995. Marrs was chosen for the recognition by his peers. Marrs, 54, became a conservation agent in 1967 after working with the Kansas City Police Department for two years. The Freeman native has been stationed in the county for his entire 29-year career with the Missouri Department of Conservation. Marrs said he has been offered promotions but chose to stay in this area because of the local people he serves. “I love visiting with the farmers, trappers and hunters in the rural areas,” Marrs said. “It’s fascinating work.” In addition to his regulation enforcement duties, Marrs serves as a hunter education instructor and a field training agent. He also writes newspaper articles and appears on radio and television programs to inform citizens about conservation issues and laws. Conservation Agent Bill Gray, a member of the award selection committee, said Marrs is an excellent example of what it takes to be an outstanding conservation agent. “He is a great asset to the department,” Gray said. “He has a demanding assignment of working in an area with a trout park, which requires a lot of contact with the public. He has to be a public ambassador helping people and taking care of any problems that occur.” Marrs was recognized as the Protection Division’s Southwest Region Agent of the Year in 1972 and 1995. He received the Conservation Agent of the Year award at the Protection Division Conference held last week at the Lake of the Ozarks. “It’s a great honor,” Marrs said. “It was flattering and just a little embarrassing.”

— SCH officials expect patient revenue of $8.3 million in 1995

South Barry County Hospital officials have approved a 1996 budget plan, which projects total patient revenue of $8.3 million. That estimated total is 11 percent higher than 1995 patient revenue, which totalled just over $7.5 million. Debbie Stubbs, the hospital’s chief executive officer, said 1996 budget figures were based on eight main budget assumptions. She said the hospital is expecting emergency room revenue to increase by 15 percent and outpatient revenue to rise by 14 percent. Part of the growth will occur because of the hospital’s expansion project, Stubbs said. She is also expecting revenue from hospice services to double. Home health revenue figures included a five percent increase and medical clinic revenue should increase by 15 percent, Stubbs said. Inpatient revenue is expected to stay the same, following an industry-wide trend where outpatient revenue exceeds inpatient revenue. Chief Financial Officer Keith Daniels said last year 62 percent of total revenue was derived from outpatient care, while inpatient care accounted for 38 percent. Total patient revenue will be offset by a large uncollectible amount, which Daniels expects to total 10 percent of gross revenue. Daniels said the hospital’s “bad debt” skyrocketed in 1994 and remained at that high level in 1995. “The hospital cannot deny people care because of inability to pay,” Stubbs said. “At this point, we don’t turn anyone away.” She added that the hospital tries to collect a deposit for emergency room care, uses a collection agency and helps patients try to get Medicaid or Medicare. Stubbs said the hospital hopes to expand its medical clinic hours so that medical needs could be assessed in the clinic rather than in the emergency room, which would lower the cost to the patient. Budget figures for the new year call for net revenue of $6,099,524 and total expenses of $5,635,746. After operating income is deducted and miscellaneous revenue added, the hospital expects to finish the year with a net income of $648,828, slightly higher than last year’s net of $581,771. A complete breakdown and comparison of revenue and expenditures in 1995 and 1996 is included in the accompanying chart.