Extension Council nominations sought

Nominations are being accepted for the January 2027 election of the University of Missouri Extension Council in Barry County. Council members are elected or appointed to two-year terms and may not serve more than two consecutive terms. Nominees must be at least 18 and must reside in the district from which they are selected. Nominations must be made prior to Dec. 7. “We want nominees who are interested in improving our community and the education of our youth,” said Carolyn Kilts. “The resources of the University of Missouri System are available to us through this statewide partnership. We need active council members who recognize the needs in the community and can help plan, locate funds and promote educational programs with University of Missouri Extension specialists.” MU Extension offers educational programs in agriculture and natural resources, families, business and workforce development, community development, youth development, community health and various continuing education courses, seminars and workshops. Nominations may be made through the Council Chair Carolyn Kilts or the county extension center at 417-847-3161 or [email protected] . Nominees will be contacted to secure their permission to place their names on the January 2027 ballot.

Wheaton FFA hosting Labor Auction

The Wheaton FFA will host a Labor Sale and Auction on Oct. 16 at 6 p.m. in the ag room at Wheaton High School. A free dinner will be followed by silent and live auctions. 

Democratic Central Committee to meet

The Barry County Democratic Central Committee will meet on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Cassville Branch Library.

Courthouse, Judicial Center closed on Monday

The Barry County Courthouse and Judicial Center will be closed Monday in observance of Columbus and Indigenous People’s Day.

Road districts to meet next week

The Corsicana Special Road District will meet in regular session on Tuesday at 7 p.m., and the Capps Creek Special Road District will meet in regular session on Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Both meetings will be at the home of Garry and Pam Bartkoski, located at 5086 Farm Road 2057 in Monett. The public is welcome to attend.

Purdy Special Road District meeting

The Purdy Special Road District will meet at 4 p.m. on Oct. 12 at the District Road Barn, located at 200 South 9th St. (Farm Road 1085).

Seligman Planning and Zoning to meet

Notice is hereby given that the Planning and Zoning Commission of the City of Seligman will conduct a public hearing on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. at City Hall, located at 29144 Main Street in Seligman to discuss the following changes to the City Code: Chapter 405 update the zoning code for marijuana facilities; add language for adult use marijuana; for the purpose of updating the code to better reflect the revised statutes of Missouri; and for a more orderly and organized code.

Southwest NHS hosting pumpkin carving

The Southwest High School National Honor Society is hosting its annual pumpkin decorating/carving contest for Pre- K through 8th grade students. Pumpkins entered into the contest must be labeled with the student’s name and grade level. Two winners will be picked from each grade, and all participants will get a small goody bag of candy. The elementary categories are: animals, sports, Pokemon, food, Disney, and holidays. The middle school categories are: scary, sports, teachers, USA, care/logos and Founding Fathers. Pumpkins must be turned in from Monday, Oct. 26 to Thursday, Oct. 29 (no pumpkins will be judged on Friday, Oct. 30, which is trunk-or-treat day).  If you have any questions or concerns, contact either NHS President Olivia Hnem ([email protected]) or Adviser Steve Voyak ([email protected]) or call the high school at 417-826-5413.

Southwest High School to purge records

Southwest High School has submitted a notice of intent to destroy school records of the Class of 2019. anyone who would like to have their school file should come by the high school office from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to pick it up. All records will be destroyed on Oct. 30th. 

2 softball tournaments benefit locals in need

Two softball tournaments will be held in Wheaton in October, with proceeds benefiting local individuals in need. The first benefit is a co-ed softball tournament on Oct. 17 at the Wheaton ball fields. Teams are for ages 15-and-up, with at least six males and four females, and the entry fee is $275 per team. Proceeds benefit a 7-year-old Wheaton girl with Ewing Sarcoma cancer receiving treatments in Memphis, Tenn. The second tournament will be held the following weekend, on Oct. 24, also at the Wheaton ballfields and with the same age requirement, team requirement and team cost. That tournament will benefit Pastor Bob Howard, of the Wheaton United Methodist Church, who was diagnosed with globlastoma in July, recently underwent surgery and is waiting for treatment options. The team cost to play in both tournaments is $500. For more information or to sign up, people may call Clint Danforth at 417-693-3145, or Lacey Wassman at 417-236-6914.

Absentee voting ongoing for Nov. 3 General Election

The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 General Election is Oct. 7. People may register to vote at the County Clerk’s Office or the Monett Chamber of Commerce. Please notify the Clerk’s Office if there has been an address or name change for a currently registered voter. Photo ID is required to vote in the November General 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 Oct. 20. If unable to vote in person, a voter 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 can go by the Monett Chamber Office and fill out the absentee application. Chamber staff will fax it to the Clerk’s Office. Absentee applications are also available at sos.mo.gov. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 21. For more information, people may call the Barry County Clerk’s Office at 417-847-2561 or email [email protected] or [email protected].

Old Church Gallery Farmers Market open

The Old Church Gallery Farmers’ Market runs every Thursday from 8-11 a.m. at the Gallery, located on Farm Road 1240 in Shell Knob. The market offer farm fresh produce, eggs, jellies, relishes, baked goods, cut flowers, handmade crafts and more. The selection varies every week, so come early for the best choice. For more information, people may call 417-342-8671.

Barry County Community Garden meetings set

The Barry County Community Garden has scheduled its monthly meetings on the first Monday of every month, at Harvick Farms, located at 16062 Hwy. 76 in Cassville. The work in the garden days are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Garden, located at on 10160 Farm Road 2160. Tentative working days depend on the weather and will be updated on the organization’s Facebook page, “Barry County Community Garden,” and people may contact the page fort more information. Produce from the garden goes to the Cassville Pantry. New members and/or volunteers may come and reserve a plot.

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.