Kyle Troutman
3 local schools head to tourney
11th Annual Southwest Girls Holiday Tournament starts Friday BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com The Southwest, Cassville and Wheaton girls basketball teams will play a trio of games over the holiday break, as all three will participate in the 11th Annual Southwest Girls Holiday Tournament. Action begins on Friday, with No.
Hooping for the holidays
The field at the 42nd Annual Southwest Boys Holiday Tournament is as competitive as ever, with last year’s champion retaining the No. 1 seed and two Barry County schools looking to dethrone the title-holder.
Arvest makes series of school donations
Arvest Foundation recently awarded the Exeter school district with a grant of $5,000 for its student fund.
Through the Years, Dec. 25
30 YEARS AGO: JUDGED BEST OF DECORATIONS — Providing a more than adequate identification for Santa Claus as he next arrives in Cassville, this home decoration scheme was chosen best of the town by Chamber of Commerce judges. The home is that of Jim and Helen O’Dell on Fair Street.
Helen Geraldine “Gerri” Raines
Helen Geraldine “Gerri” Raines, age 100, died Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Concordia Nursing and Rehab in Bella Vista, Arkansas. She was born December 1, 1924, in Seligman, Missouri, the only child of Leon and Lena (Kelley) Skelton.
Dr. Darrell Gene Woods
Dr. Darrell Gene Woods, age 75, of Cassville, Mo., passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, in his home.
Southwest volleyball players honored
Eight Southwest High School volleyball players earned Academic All-State. They were: sophomore Olivia Hnem; juniors Rylee Hobbs, Emma Outhouse and Marissa Freeman; and seniors Montana Skelton, Riley Flippo, Laura Henry and Kaleigh Tull. The varsity grade-point average was 3.87. In other postseason honors, Freeman and Henry were each recognized. Henry, a setter, was named to both the Class 2 All-District team and All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in assists and serve percentage. Freeman, a middle, was named to the All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in kills, blocks and aces.
Jennifer White
Jennifer Paige White, 53, of Cassville, formerly of Pierce City and Mt. Vernon, died on Dec.
It’s a beaut, Batsche, it’s a beaut
On the north side of Cassville on Farm Road 1107, the glow of more than 13,000 Christmas lights shines bright on the Batsche property. First-place winners in the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Decorating Contest, Tom and Cristie Batsche spend more than a month prepping the Jewell and Billy Thomas farm for the happiest of holidays, earning a “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” nickname in the process.
News Briefs, Dec. 25
The Roaring River Nature Center on Jan. 11 and Feb.
