50 years ago

Oct. 6, 1976

— Wildcats Smashed Lamar 30-0

With an abundance of scoring opportunities sent their way, the Cassville Wildcats scored twice on defensive efforts and three times on offense to swamp the Lamar Tigers 30-0 in a home contest Friday night. Cassville actually put the game on ice with a first quarter touchdown, then added four in the final quarter. Coach Gary Flood, sprinkled his team with reserves during the most part of the final periods. The Wildcats went on the scoreboard first when the defensive unit was on the field. Mike Carr, junior tackle, stripped a Tiger ball carrier with Doug Fare, junior back, taking off on a 45 yard touchdown jaunt. The PAT was no good. Closing minutes of the first quarter and all the second period were scoreless. Highlights of play included outstanding defensive efforts for the Wildcats. During the time, Charles Mizer intercepted one of two passes for the evening and covered a fumble. Mizer was also involved in good end play. Defensive backs stopping Lamar runs and pass attempts highlighted during the period were John Cowherd and Randy Casteel. Lamar was also put in the hold during the second quarter with a Steve Vaughan quick-kick that rolled dead on the visitor’s 20 yard line. Twice during the first half, Wildcat scoring drives came to an end as a result of fumbles and pitches that went astray. Cowherd’s interception of a Lamar aerial sent the teams in at halftime. Lamar started second half action with a kick return to the 50 yard line. In their first running play, Cowherd and Mizer put a big hit on Travis Jones, the Lamar workhorse and sent him to the bench. On the next time Lamar got their hands on the ball, Audy Holman, Lonnie Carlson and Raymond Sanders were leading tacklers. Steve Fare and Mizer again added their names to the tackle lists, the latter credited with a fumble recovery. Coach Flood’s Wildcats started the fourth quarter in possession at their own 38 yard line after the Holman brothers, Carlson, Carr and Clyde McCaslin had starred on defense. On a third and 10 situation, Cowherd hit Vaughan with a 22 yard pass play. Interference on the part of Lamar moved the ball to the Tiger 27. Cliff Haver, operating out of the shotgun formation, next caught Greg Simpkins near the endzone and rifled a pass in that direction. Simpkins, sandwiched between two defenders, made an outstanding reception, with a knee touching at the three yard line. From this point, Casteel took only one attempt to blast his way into the endzone. Again the conversion failed. Mizer, playing his best game of the season, put a good tackle on Lamar ball carrier on the visitor’s next possession, following efforts by Carr, McCaslin and Doug Fare stopped the Tigers cold and force a punt. Wildcat possession on the next series was their own 45 yard line. Haver missed a pass to Steve Fare. On the next play, again out of the shotgun, he found Vaughan clear in the middle, and threw a perfect strike. Vaughan cut to the sideline, broke clear and traveled a total of 45 yards for the touchdown. Again the conversion failed. Touchdown number four came with 7:40 remaining in the final quarter as Holman recovered a fumble at the Lamar 44. Vaughan took a Cowherd handoff, ripped off 30 yards for a first down at the Tiger 14. Casteel picked up eight, before Doug Fare hit the center for another six and touchdown. The extra point failed. Lamar’s next to last possession spelled another score for the Wildcats. Starting from their 19 yard line, the Tigers were racked by tackles from Fare, Vaughan and Elmer Conwell. On the third play from scrimmage, a fumble rolling loose at the 19 was grabbed by Vaughan and he started an 81 yard scamper to paydirt. For the fifth time of the contest, the extra point was wide. Cassville had produced the largest number of points on their side of the scoreboard for the year in the 30-0 victory. The win moved Cassville up to fourth place in the AA-division of the Big 13 with a 1-1 record. For the season the Wildcats stand at 2-3. Wildcat offenses ground out 14 first downs in the contest, with 125 yard net passing and 88 on the ground. Penalties were limited to six for a total of 50 yards. First downs were divided, five passing, eight rushing and one by penalty. Lamar offenses could generate only four first downs against the strong defensive Wildcats. 

40 years ago

Oct. 8, 1986

— Flat Creek Indian Artifacts Will Delay City Park Project

Cassville’s city park expansion project will be delayed for an unspecified length of time because the government thinks Indians once used the area along Flat Creek where the program is located. City council learned of the delay during their Tuesday night meeting. Chark Jo Ledgerwood told the council the project would enter a phase two Cultural Resources Survey as a result of artifacts that were found at the scene. City officials are speculating that a deeper dig will result in the near-surface find. The clerk said a Department of Natural Resources $30,000 grant to be matched by the city was not in jeopardy, but “probably would result in a delay while the finds are reviewed by the Department of Interior in Washington, D.C.” Artifacts found by an archeological team from SMSU in Springfield were not fully known. Cassville has apparently been told there was a “bag of arrow heads and possibly other items found in the area of the park expansion proposal.” When further investigation will be conducted and how deep a dig will be required to fully resolve the problem is not known at this time. There is always the possibility that some phases of the project might need to be changed as a result of the find. In cases such as this, restrictions are placed on what can be done in the immediate area where artifacts exist. The project, involving federal and state funds, was approved last year. Pending are acquisition of properties north of the present park facility. Included is a 2.3 acre site being negotiated from Rachelle Rush of Florida. A 5.4 acre site along the creek is being presented to the city as a gift from Hutchens Construction Company. City plans are to use existing Federal Revenue Sharing funds for their $30,000 match funds. All council members, Sue Brattin, Bob Mizer, Gary Fields and Bill Shiveley, were present in the meeting that opened with a group of Old Exeter Road and Sunset Heights residents complaining about traffic and speed in their respective areas. Included in those speaking were Raymond Timmons, Jim Rickman, Naomi Fanning, Chuck Miner, Harold Reese, Jane Ann Brim and Pauline Hickman. Suggestions to relieve traffic conditions and reduce speed in the two areas included: heavier patrol of law enforcement, enforce with fines, improve driveway locations, reduce visibility problems, prohibit throwing of trash from vehicles in residential areas. Mayor Rolland Meador polled the council on solutions, resulting with instructions going to the police department to concentrate on an obvious problem. Attorney Jim LeCompte appeared before council representing Continental Telephone in change of zoning on their Cassville property. The Sixth and Townsend property was rezoned from Residential Three to Commercial Two, permitting the firm to construct a new switching building. When completed the 1,032 square foot structure will replace the existing 2,000 square foot building which will be demolished. In the building removal, a landscaping project will be accomplished. The change had been previously approved by the Zoning and Planning Commission. Council approval came on three readings of an ordinance. John Hendricks appeared before council in reference to women’s fall softball schedules. Scheduled to run two more weeks, council later confirmed with Allen Sparks, head umpire, giving him authority to complete program as per wishes of majority of teams involved. A request from Don Tyson, water customer residing outside of city limits, for relief from excessive bill was denied. Tyson received approximate $225 billing for June-July resulting from leaks at his property. LeCompte reported to council that project of ordinance codification is progressing toward completion. Council by ordinance approved a mutual fire assistance ordinance with area departments. Included were Washburn, Seligman, Exeter, Monett, Wheaton, Butterfield, Purdy, Eagle Rock-Mano-Golden, Central Crossing Association and Jenkins. Bids reviewed for purchases included Emergency Management radio equipment, $2,019 to Miller, Mo. firm, after additional information is secured. Springfield firm was low bidder on $2,743 purchase of gravel and salt spreader equipment that will be attached to city vehicle. D&H Carpeting of Cassville, bid for $1,320 purchase of carpet for installation in four offices. Purchase of computer printer, one bid received from three requests, $1,293 purchase, placed on hold to November meeting. Council agreed to investigate house numbering system in areas not now so identified. Tabled for review with postal and other authorities. Police Chief Ray Burnette introduced to council Kevin Blaukat, who was employed a new member police force. Blaukat is a Jasper County deputy sheriff and has served as a Joplin officer. He was one of 26 applicants for a job here. Singlen Blauket plans moving here when accepting the job. George Ulmer reported that 13th Street bridge replacement project was in Jefferson City for review before officials proceed with design. Preliminaries, such as core drilling, not permitted until initial phases completed. Board of aldermen will schedule a review and recapitulation of water and sewer charges during the November meeting. Bills payable were $18,009.19 excluding payroll, according to clerk Jo Ledgerwood. Ulmer reported the city had received four or five times the requests over availability of funds for curb and guttering projects. Those accepted are being completed.

30 years ago

Oct. 2, 1996

— Grant will help county assess its healthcare needs

Health Department officials are counting on a $10,000 grant to help them diagnose the healthcare needs of Barry County residents. Pat Tichenor, Barry County health administrator, said on Monday that the county had received approval for a Core Functions Community Assessment grant from the state. This grant will be used to hire a professional who will conduct a “hands-on” assessment of what healthcare services Barry Countians need and what programs deserve state funding. Tichenor said this will be the first time a county-specific assessment has ever been completed. “In order to receive funding from the federal and state levels, we need to tell them what our needs are,” Tichenor said. “The Department of Health and the state as a whole have decided they need to spend money to find out what the needs are and not just guess at it.” Each county had the opportunity to apply for a grant and use the money to perform a needs assessment. “Community assessment is a big thing right now,” Tichenor said. “What they (state and federal governments) fund in the next four or five years is where the money is going to go. To receive money, we’re going to have to show a need.” The healthcare needs of Barry County differ from those of bigger cities. Tichenor said some key areas of need include transportation to healthcare providers, prenatal care and sites for delivery. “Most of our girls have to travel 65 miles to deliver a baby,” Tichenor said. The health care administrator also sees the need to serve a growing Hispanic population. Tichenor hopes to have some of the assessment questionnaires printed in Spanish. Flyers will also be posted in businesses and industries frequented by Hispanics who now call Barry County home. The local health department is not working alone. Barry County has joined forces with neighboring counties to explore how cooperative efforts between two or more counties can benefit area citizens. One such effort is the Community Health Assessment Resource Team (CHART), which meets monthly in Monett. Tichenor said the group combines health workers and volunteers from Barry and Lawrence counties who have been working to discover healthcare resources already in place within area communities. “We are looking at ways communities can help themselves in the area of healthcare,” Tichenor explained. Needs assessments must be submitted to the state by April 1, 1997. Barry County’s assessment process will be facilitated by an associate planner from the Southwest Missouri Advisory Council of Governments.

— Cassville Troop 76 received awards at recent Court of Honor

Boy Scouts in Cassville Troop 76 received awards and merit badges during Court of Honor held Sept. 17. Tenderfoot awards were presented to Dustin Epperley, Purdy, Andrew Ward, Shell Knob, and Hank Isley, Cassville. Ben Craig, Cassville, earned his 2nd Class award, and Jeff Sanders was given his Star. Life awards went to Luke Stouder and Scott Lyall. Merit badges were presented to: Dusty Hodge, woodcarving, swimming and first aid; Mike first aid; Hank Isley, first aid, fingerprinting; Brandon Seyler, environmental science; Eddie Thompson, safety; and Steven Craig, safety. Ben Craig, canoeing, lifesaving and emergency preparedness; Scott Craig, safety, woodcarving, leatherwork and geology; Luke Stouder, hiking and orienteering; David Hess, small boat sailing, rowing and environmental science, wilderness survival and safety; Doug Reyes, backpacking, cooking, orienteering and hiking. Jeff Sanders, leatherwork, swimming, rifle shooting, hiking, orienteering, cooking and backpacking; Scott Lyall, mammal study, soil and water conservation, shotgun shooting, weather, swimming, environmental science; and Matt Nutt, mammal study, soil and water conservation, nature and weather. Fifty Miler Award winners included Luke Stouder, Peter Rogers, Matt Nutt, Jeff Sanders, David Hess, Doug Reyes, Kevin Buchholz, Merle Rogers, Jay Reyes and Larry Quinalty. Historic Trails Awards went to Matt Nutt, Jeff Sanders, Mike Lane, Hank Isley, Dustin Epperley, Scott Lyall, John Focht, Jerry Lyall, Merle Rogers and Rick Isley. The Senior Patrol Leader award went to Matt Nutt, and Eddie Thompson gained the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Peter Rogers was honored with the Scribe Award and Jeff Sanders earned the Quartermaster Award. Scott Lyall received the Librarian Award, and Scott Craig and Luke Stouder earned Troop Guide Awards.