50 years ago

Oct. 8, 1975

— Big tater

Possibly not the biggest in the world, but he grew it himself….so thinks Greg Keen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Keen about his five pound sweet potato. Greg was tender of the family garden this season and produced some outstanding results…including this effort at sweet tater growing.

— New equipment in Eagle Rock

Clif Mitchell, chief of the Eagle Rock fire department that serves that lake community with Mano and Golden, has announced installation of emergency equipment including a resuscitation-inhalation and first-aid kit for the department. The equipment was provided by Culver Ambulance Service, Cassville.

— Fisherman’s Holiday Attracting Interest

Cassville’s Fisherman’s Holiday at Roaring River State Park this week has attracted top attention from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. James Wilson, director, contacted the sponsoring Chamber of Commerce this week seeking additional information due to the number of inquiries into the Jefferson City office. Chamber advertising in metropolitan newspapers had apparently stirred the interest, according to Wilson. He said a large representation from the state capital were hoping to attend. The outing will be all day Saturday and through noon Sunday. Chamber awards will include trophies for the largest trout, heaviest string of five limit and junior trophy for the largest trout. Merchandise prizes are also slated for second and third place winners. Weigh-in will be at the park lodge under direction of C of C secretary Bill Ward. All trout fishermen are eligible for the competition. The Missouri Conservation Commission is cooperating with stocking of lunkers in the stream for the event according to Charles Curry, hatchery superintendent.

40 years ago

Oct. 9, 1985

— City Continues Debate In Charging For Water Services

Virtually on the eve of making water refunds following lengthy court actions, the City of Cassville spent over one hour Monday night trying to decide what to do about charging for a four-unit apartment. The involvement was at the start of a session that involved sawe fairly hot complaints from citizens. Presenting city council with the decision was Jack Purdom, who recently purchased the Thomas property on North Main, with intentions of making four apartments at the Old Ingram home. The decision involved Purdom installing individual meters, or paying four minimums and then being responsible for overages under one meter. Council acknowledged the city would lose $20 monthly, if the apartment were permitted to install one meter under commercial rate. Attorney Don Cupps said old ordinances, still in force, require individual meters. Council comment, Bill Shiveley recognized the problem of the city losing money. Bob Mizer opted to not charge a minimum on each apartment and Gary Fields related there were several other situations similar to consider. Resolving the matter after 70 minutes of discussion, council said requirements would be individual meters, or multi-owners could pay minimum in lieu of expensive installation of meters, on existing structures only. Councilwoman Sue Brattin seconded a motion from Fields and the city stand passed 4-0. Cupps told the council that despite ordinances on rates being struck by recent court action, the old regulations in force would take care of the matter. He noted Cassville is not consistent in this. Some are on individual meters and some aren’t. Fields said review of water cards in making refunds had revealed a number of instances that classifications needed change. A regular appearer recently, Jim Buford, was next before the council, complaining about “two people in city vehicles reading water meters. That’s a waste of money,” he contended. Buford took 25 minutes of council time complaining about actions of water superintendent Tim Miller. He was admonished by Mizer to bring future questions to individual council members, not come to council meetings to “point fingers and call names” Mayor Rolland Meador dittoed Mizer’s remarks, says in the taxpayers interest, “we can’t rehash the past at every council meeting. David Burns, owner of the old Thomas property at West and Fourth, appeared before council, complaining about paying for building permit for work. Burns said he was later approached by building inspector Henry Scroggs for an additional permit fee for a second project. Burns also complained about being contacted early on a Sunday morning about the situation. He and Scroggs exchanged words before the council. Burns said program was good, but fees excessive on minor projects and complained about entire fee going to inspector. Council action abated second permit charge. Next appearing was Halley Baxley, a resident of 19th Street, objecting to abandoned and parts of vehicles in the neighborhood. She commented, “the reduced value because of some neighbors certainly wasn’t reflected in reassessment.” Council will refer use of property in the commercial area to the Zoning and Planning Commission. Final action was taken to accept 6.49 acres at the west edge of town into the city limits, as per May request of Mr. and Mrs. Marlett Sanders. Property is under contract with Wal-Mart Inc. of Bentonville, Arkansas for a new store. Ordinances accepting the property were passed, completing action started this spring but deferred pending decisions on access off Highway 37. There were no objections to the annexation in previous sessions. Cupps said a future zoning and planning meeting would set zoning classification on the property for council approval. Council went on record of approving project to apply for Block Grant funds this year that would fund addition of water storage tower and addition of new well to city water system. Council also gave Second Act permission to install natural gas through KPLGas Service at the old city hall. “Bills payable before council amounted to $22,016.48,” said Jo Ledgerwood, clerk. Monthly expenses this month amounted to $32,500, with approximately $28,500 in water, sewer and trash service billings. Council acknowledged $4,000 loss in funds this month. Ray Burnette, chief of police and Mayor Meador informed council of a police unit out of action due to transmission failure. Vehicle was to be traded this year. Council, after opening bids, purchased used unit from Central Dodge of Springfield for $8,750 plus extended warranty. Purchase was through agent Joe Neely of Cassville.

— Mrs. Miller Will Head Share Christmas

Ruby Miller has agreed to take the responsibility of chairmanship of Share Your Christmas, according to Maxine Roland, doctor of Second Act. Mrs. Miller retired more than a year ago from a supervisory job with Division of Family Services. She and her husband, Mirl, live east of Cassville near Mineral Springs. Share Your Christmas began in 1975 and is a community- wide project sponsored by the volunteer advisory board, Division of Family Services, Chamber of Commerce, and churches in the county. The Second Act at Eighth and Townsend is head-quarters, with help from clubs, individuals, organizations, churches, etc. Dottie Davis, volunteer coordinator, supervises the program. Mrs. Rowland plans to continue with the Second Act program and will serve as consultant.

30 years ago

Oct. 4, 1995

— Roaring River Project Set To Move Forward

Bid dates for Roaring River State Park’s new lodge complex have been set and are 99 percent official, according to Walter Johannpeter, assistant director of the Missouri Division of Design and Construction. A pre-bid date has been set for Nov. 7 at Roaring River State Park. Bids will be opened on Nov. 30. If weather cooperates, Johannpeter said construction should begin by Jan. 1. Construction costs on the project could range anywhere from $3 million to $4 million, according to Johannpeter. Project plans have been in the final approval stage for the past several months. Some minor changes were made on the project but the basic structure of the complex has remained unchanged since a revised set of plans were released last September. Original announcement of the project was made in February 1992. The new lodge will include 44,000 square feet and will be located on the hill right above the present motel. The current park superintendent’s residence will be demolished to make way for the lodge, according to Pete Landstad,, superintendent. Landstad said the current motel and restaurant will be demolished after construction of the new complex. Stewart Hutchison of Kansas City was the architect who designed the facility. Concessionaire Bids Awarding of Roaring River State Park’s concessionaire contract has been delayed. Originally, park officials were predicting that the contract would be awarded by early September. According to Tom Oliva, Missouri State Parks business manager, bids are still under consideration. Interviews with those bidding for the contract were conducted Aug. 18 by a five-person panel. Bids were received from: current concessionaire Jack Nickols; Jerry Cramer and JoAnn Koehler of Shell Knob; and Delaware North Corp. of Buffalo, N.Y. The panel’s evaluations were forwarded to David Shorr, director of Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Shorr said there was no reason for the delay except for the fact that DNR had been busy with other activities. Shorr and Oliva confirmed information received by the Cassville Democrat from a reliable source that the bid from Delaware North included an offer to make $200,000 worth of capital improvements to park facilities. Oliva acknowledged that including “lease hold improvements” in a bid proposal was not common at the state level but does occur in some park systems, especially at the national level. Delaware North is a company that holds the concessions contract at Yosemite National Park. Nickols said he was questioned during interviews as to whether he would make the existing lodge handicap accessible by installing an elevator. He said he would not because of cost. He did say he would remodel the upper floor of the lodge into a bed and breakfast as part of his proposal. Differing reports have been received as to the number of bids still being considered. Numbers range from two to three. Originally, four bids were submitted.

— Second Best Tag Record In Sight As Trout Season Comes To An End

After surviving tornado- like winds, flooding in the spring and a drought in the summer, Roaring River State Park seems determined to establish a new runner-up trout tag sales record for the 1995 sea-son. Park officials know they aren’t going to touch the standing record of 122,778 trout tags set last year, but they say they are close to putting a second best effort on the books. Both Tom Whelan, of the Missouri Conservation Commission hatchery staff, and park concessionaire Jack Nickols acknowledged this week that tag sale numbers stood at 103,601 at the end of September. Between now and the season’s end on Oct. 31, it will take 6,000 anglers to set a second best record. A good chunk of those seeking Rainbows at Roaring River might be around this weekend for the annual Fall Trout Derby, sponsored by the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce, the concessionaire and local businesses. Anglers will attempt to land one of the 50 tagged trout, which will be released in the stream Friday. Tags will go into a drawing for cash and merchandise prizes. Last year just over 1,400 anglers participated in the twoday event. At least 1,500 are expected this year. Nickols said he was proud of the number of anglers and visitors that have been in the park this year. As a result of the spring storms, two of the park’s campgrounds remain closed Good weather for the remaining four weekends in October and a colorful Flaming Fall Review could work together to push the number of trout tags sold to a second place record finish.