Kyle Troutman
Through the Years, Jan. 22
40 YEARS AGO: NO TELLING HOW MANY — Joana Smithson, Cassville school nurse, is pictured above taking the temperature of a pupil in her office in the middle school building. Mrs. Smithson, who had been in the post 19 years, was honored by faculty and staff members with a reception last week.
‘Cats wrestle up classes in Branson
Tktroutman@cassville-democrat.com he Cassville boys wrestling team is getting into the nitty-gritty of the season, coming off a sixthplace finish as the smallest school in the Branson Invitational and preparing for the Big 8 Conference meet this week and districts and state in February. Nathan Fortner, Cassville boys wrestling coach, said this season has been about progression, and the Wildcats have had no shortage of such.
Waste not, want not
Started from scratch 20 years ago by a handful of school students and their instructor, the Purdy Recycling Center has evolved from a school project into a community-wide enterprise. Gerry Wass, former Purdy Schools Spanish teacher and Spanish Club shepherd, has trouble getting his head around the recycling program’s 20-year milestone.
City holds public hearings for 3 grants
The city of Cassville held three consecutive public hearings on Jan. 14, led by representatives of the Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) and necessary to procure funding for three potential projects in the city.
Stephanie “Steph” (Cannady) Swadley
Stephanie “Steph” (Cannady) Swadley, 43, of Seligman, Mo. passed away Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at Mercy Hospital Cassville in Cassville, Mo.
Major adminstration restructuring approved at Purdy schools
A major reorganizational plan for leadership at the Purdy school district was approved at the school board’s Jan. 9 meeting.
Emily Kay Hayes
Emily Kay Hayes, 80, of Cassville, Mo. passed away Friday, January 17, 2025 at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Mo.
Kyle Troutman: Assessing needs
An interesting exercise occurred last Tuesday following the Cassville City Council meeting and Southwest Missouri Council of Government’s leading of three public hearings for proposed grant-funded projects.
Merlyn Johnson: An eye on politics in education
The 2025 Missouri legislative session convened on Jan. 8, and Gov.
Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights — the purpose of government
On Tuesday, March 4, 1913, Woodrow Wilson delivered his first inaugural address. The day “dawned cloudy,” Irwin Hoover recalled, “but the weather cleared and by mid-morning it was warm and comfortable.”
