News
State Board of Education visits Cassville
Twenty-one state education officials visited the Cassville school district for about an hour on Thursday, hearing about the district’s challenges and successes and discussing how they could help. The Missouri State School Board and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) staff, led by Board President Charlie Shields and DESE Commissioner Margie Vandeven, were en route to a board meeting at Roaring River State Park.
Henningson recognized during reorganization
The Cassville School Board reorganized post-election on Thursday, taking time to recognize the fourth person ever to win five elections to the board. Becky Henningson, board president from 2018-2022, has been on the board for 15 years and is being replaced by Chad Yarnall, a 6-year board member returning after defeat in the 2022 election.
Chicken waste refinery plan ditched
A prospective buyer of the former Justin Boot buildings had formulated a plan to make 3D-printed tiny homes in the main facility and a chicken waste refinery in the other, and the latter plan has shifted away from Cassville. Steve Walensky, Cassville city administrator, said possible buyer Steve Morrison had been working with the city for about the last year-and-a-half to two years.
City hopes use tax will net $150K
Voters in the city of Cassville passed a new use tax for online purchases on April 4, and the city hopes to see the measure net about $150,000 per year, if not more, to supplement the Cassville Police Department. Steve Walensky, Cassville city administrator, said that the ultimate annual revenue is a mystery due to the nature of the tax and no previous tracking.
Cassville High School band, choir boast successful seasons
The Music program at Cassville High School has had a successful contest season and enjoyed marquee moments at local concerts. The 'Wildcat Jazz' band competed at the University of Central Missouri and Pittsburgh State's Jazz Festivals, earning a II+ rating (Excellent) at UCM and a 1 (Superior) rating at Pitt State.
Southwest inducts 13 into National Honor Society
The Southwest High School Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) inducted 13 new members and installed new officers at a ceremony on April 12. The new members are: Abbie Clark, Addison Cotton, Riley Flippo, Kayla Hendrix, Addison Keates, Piper King, Kelsee Merritt, Saige Miller, Tristan Morgan, Rebecca Swanepoel, Montana Skelton, Kaleigh Tull and Rachel Willer.
State Board of Education meets at Roaring River
The Missouri State Board of Education held its regular April meeting at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center at Roaring River State Park.
All smiles on Prom night
Camren Brattin, left, and Lilly Burk slow danced at Whetaon’s Prom on Saturday. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat. com
News briefs, April 19
A Community Yard Sale is scheduled for Saturday beginning at 8 a.m. at Cassville High School, with proceeds from the event benefitting seniors taking a trip to Europe this summer.
Wastewater project set to begin this week
The city of Cassville’s overhaul of its sanitary sewer system is underway, beginning with open trench excavations on 11th Street. David Brock, Cassville public works director, said excavations were expected to begin the week of April 10, beginning at 11th and Fair streets, continuing northwest on 11th Street to Main Street (Business Highway 37).
