Portion of Old Exeter Road to close

The City will temporarily close a section of Old Exeter Road on Tuesday to allow for scheduled utility installation work. Closure points include at Rainbow Drive and at 1st Street. Old Exeter Road will be closed to traffic between these two points for the duration of the work. Local access for residents within the closure zone will be maintained as much as possible. Motorists are encouraged to plan alternate routes and allow additional travel time. The city appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation while this essential utility work is completed. For more information, please contact the City Hall at 417-847-4441.

Missi Hekseth to speak at event

The Barry County Democrats are inviting the public to an open community information and public dialogue event featuring Missi Hesketh, Democratic Candidate for 7th Congressional District. The event will be held on March 11 at 6 p.m. at the Eagle Shell Knob VFW Hall, located at 24204 St. Hwy. 39 in Shell Knob.

Cassville preschool, Kinder Academy, kindergarten screenings in April

The Cassville school district screening dates have been set for preschool, kinder academy and kindergarten students for the 2026-2027 school year. All screenings will take place in the FEMA 1 Building, located next to the football field. Families with an eligible child for either preschool or kindergarten screening should call the Primary Office at 417-847-2445 to make an appointment. Preschool screenings are April 13 and April 15. Preschool screening is for children ages three and four who live in the Cassville school district and will be 3 at the time of screening. Please plan for 30-45 minutes for the preschool screening appointment. Current Cassville preschool students do not need to participate in the screening. Kinder Academy and Kindergarten screenings are April 14 and April 16. Children that are 5 years old on or before July 31 should be screened for kindergarten. Families whose children are being screened for kinder academy or kindergarten should bring the following items to their appointment: Official birth certificate, immunization (shot) record, proof of residency (utility bill with name and address, real estate contract or rental agreement) and parent/guardian’s photo ID. Anyone with questions may call 417-847-2445.

Purdy Road District to meet

The Purdy Special Road District will host its monthly meeting at 4 p.m. on Monday at the Purdy District Road Barn, located at 200 S. 9th St.. (Farm road 1085)

Corsicana Road District meeting set

The Corsicana Special Road District will meet in regular session on Tuesday at 7 p.m., at the home of Garry and Pam Bartkoski, located at 5086 Farm Road 2057 in Monett. The public is welcome to attend.

Strawberry-picking program at Historical Society 

Did you pick strawberries growing up? Jim Randall, Monett attorney, draws on four generations of farming strawberries, with railroad connections, for an entertaining program on March 17 from 7-8 p.m. at the Monett Historical Museum Event Center at 422 Broadway. There is no admission charge for the program.

Oak Hill Cemetery Annual Meeting in March

The Oak Hill Cemetery Annual Meeting will be on March 12 at the Family Life Center in Cassville beginning at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will include the election of officers and other issues concerning the cemetery to be discussed. Anyone interested is asked to attend.

4-H hosting 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run

The Barry County 4-H will host a 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run fundraiser on March 21 starting at the Cassville Aquatic Center, located at 501 Sale Barn Road in Cassville. Check-in is at 8 a.m., and the race begins at 9 a.m. Cost is $25 for adults and $15 for students, and cost for the 1-Mile Fun Run is $20. People may register online at https://pears.io/events/mu/4287/, or at the MU Extension office, located in the Barry County Courthouse, by March 1. 

Summer Putting League kicks off April in southwest Missouri

Mini golf enthusiasts are invited to tee it up this summer with the Summer Putting League, running from April through September and featuring monthly competitive play at two local courses. League play will take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Each event will consist of 36 holes, with an entry fee of $20 per night. The first Tuesday of each month will be at Coral Reef Mini Golf in Branson, and the third Tuesday of each month will be at Zone 4 Mini Golf and More in Cassville. The season will conclude with a championship event, scheduled for October or November, where league participants will compete for top honors. The Summer Putting League is open to players looking for fun, friendly competition throughout the warmer months. For more information or questions about the league, people may contact, Jody Kimble at 479-831-6757.

Book collection now at Bayless-Salyer house

The Barry County Genealogical and Historical Society book collection is now located at the Bayless/Salyer house on the corner of 9th and Townsend streets, behind the Post Office. This collection includes genealogical and historical information on states (including Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma), immigration and migration, the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWI, WWII, Native Americans and African Americans. It also has a vast collection of local family histories. The research room is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For all other times, people may call Norma Terry at 417-827-6585, or Lynna Spellman at 417-827-9676.

Voter registration ongoing for April elections

For those who are not current registered voters of Barry County and who wish to vote in the April 7 General Municipal Election, the last day to register to vote is Wednesday, March 11, 2026. People may register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office or the Monett Chamber of Commerce. Registered voters should notify the Clerk’s Office of any change of address or name. Photo ID is required to vote in the April General Municipal Election. Absentee voting is ongoing at the Barry County Clerk’s Office in Cassville, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Two-week in-person, no-excuse absentee voting begins March 24. If unable to vote in person, voters may send a written request to the office of: Joyce Ennis, 700 Main St. Suite 2, Cassville, MO 65625, or fax to: 417-847-5311. The Office will need: name, physical address, mailing address, date of birth, last four digits of Social Security number, phone number, reason for voting absentee and signature. Those who live in the Monett area may can go by the Monett Chamber Office and fill out the absentee application. They will fax it to the Barry County Clerk’s office. Absentee applications are also available at sos.mo.gov. The last day to request an absentee ballot by mail is March 25. For more information, people may call the Barry County Clerk’s Office at 417-847-2561, opt: 3, or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Cassville Farmers’ Market open on Saturdays

The Cassville Farmers Market is open weekly on Saturdays on the Barry County Courthouse Square, from 8 a.m. to noon. Vendors are offering eggs, vegetables, hand-made crafts, baked goods and more. Those interested in becoming a vendor may contact Chad Sprinkle at 417-846-3539.

Lessons offered before Seligman’s Saturday dances

The Seligman Chamber of Commerce country dances at the Seligman Chamber Event Center are every Saturday from 7-10 p.m. No alcohol is allowed. Admission is $10 per person, and 18-and-under are free. There is a potluck, 50-50 drawing and door prizes. Free dance lessons will also be given from 5-6 p.m. For more information, people may call 479-903-3640.

OATS rides available in Barry County

OATS Transit offers regular transportation services for the rural general public of any age, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. People may call the local OATS Transit office at 417-887-9272 or 800-770-6287 to schedule a ride or find out about services in the Barry County area. People may also visit the OATS website at oatstransit.org to view local schedules under “Bus Schedules,” then click on the county of service. OATS Transit is hiring drivers statewide to continue serving riders. Openings are listed on the OATS website.