Through the Years, Sept. 4

40 YEARS AGO: NEW SURFACE FOR TRACK — Application of a cinder material on the CHS athletic field is underway under a joint school district and alumni project. Volunteers are pictured here in the first of a work project to spread the material. Superintendent Dan Bailey for the district and Jim Lassiter for the alumni group, are coordinating the effort.
Cassville still stymied in Seneca

Early mistakes and losing the war in the trenches led to a loss in Cassville’s first football game of the season, falling to last year’s Class 3 runner-up Seneca on the road, 55-16. Clay Weldy, Cassville football coach, said the team knew going into the contest that Seneca was a strong opponent.
Kyle Troutman: Labor Day adventures

Unwittingly, the Troutman family has started a new tradition. For the second Labor Day weekend in a row, we went camping.
Florencio Villa Leiva

Florencio Villa Leiva, 76, of Purdy, Mo., passed away Thursday, August 29, 2024, at his home. He was born February 23, 1948, in San Jose de las Corrientes, Mexico the son of Francisco Villa and Magdalena Leiva, who preceded him in death.
Kimberly Ann “Kim” Clements

Kimberly Ann “Kim” Clements, of Eagle Rock, Mo., passed away on August 15, 2024, at the age of 58. She was born July 18, 1966, in Homer, La., the daughter of Wright and Laura (Basco) Clements.
Bill James Forgey

Bill James Forgey, 78, of Gateway, Ark. passed away at his home on August 27, 2024.
Gerald Dee “Jerry” Hopper

Gerald Dee “Jerry” Hopper, 85, of Mt. Vernon, Mo., passed away Monday, August 26, 2024, at Missouri Veterans Home in Mt.
Grant renewed for $900K
The Exeter school district has received another grant for its Afterschool Program, renewed for a third five-year cycle and keeping the program going. Mandy Mattingly, Afterschool Program director, said it’s rare for a school to be renewed once, let alone twice.
Meeting a myriad of needs
Meeting students’ needs outside of the classroom is a challenge, and the Purdy school district is taking it head on by implementing the Care to Learn program at the district this year. A Springfield-based non-profit with three primary goals: meeting students’ needs regarding health, hunger and hygiene.
Sales tax revenues drop in August
The generally predictable summer slump in sales tax revenues surfaced in August as income to Barry County cities and county governments dipped overall by 5% from a year ago. Barry County’s seven cities collecting sales tax took in $812,010.58 in August, down 3% from a year ago.