News
28 say daycare should stay
A total of 28 parents, grandparents, employers and Masonic Lodge members filled the Cassville City Council chambers on July 8, offering heartfelt testimony urging the council to reverse its June decision that denied a special use permit for Taba’s Tiny Town daycare, operating out of the Pythagoras Masonic Lodge No. 383.

4 families graduate from F.U.E.L. Academy
His House’s 2025 F.U.E.L. Academy adult graduates, from left, Allisa Dutton-Durosette, Kenneth Durossette, Kimberly Mullins, Hanna Boemmels and William (Rocky) Hartley share the spotlight after receiving their diplomas in a special ceremony at Lakeside Christian Church in Shell Knob on June 7. In its sixth year, F.U.E.L. Academy, a residential life transformation and discipleship program, focuses on uniting, educating and loving families at risk. Six of the children of this year’s graduates were also presented with diplomas from the academy.
Purdy schools hold pay scale, raise steps
At its June meeting, the Purdy school board passed its budget for the 2025-2026 school year, calling for a $38,000 base pay for teachers, and placing a moratorium on capital improvements for a year.

Publisher wins 3rd international award
Kyle Troutman, right, publisher of the Cassville Democrat and co-owner of Troutman Media LLC, accepts his third Golden Dozen award from Dana Hess, judge of the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors (ISWNE) opinion writing competition, on Saturday at South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D.
Dollar General open in Golden
Dollar General has announced its store at 36319 State Hwy. 86 in Golden is now open to provide the community with convenient and affordable access to household essentials.

Free Little Libraries installed on Greenway
The Community Care Coalition and city of Cassville have teamed up to install two new Free Little Libraries on the Cassville Greenway Trail. One is at the Greenway entrance at the Aquatic Park, and the other is near the pickleball courts at Cassville City Park. People may freely borrow books from the stand and return them when they are done, and people may donate books in good condition to the stand. The Coalition will routinely restock the stands. Anyone with questions may email cccobc@yahoo.com. From left: Cheryl Williams and Teresa Williams with the Coalition, Cassville Mayor Jon Horner and Cassville Public Works Director Mike Hagins.
News Briefs, July 16
Dickerson Park Zoo will be at the Eagle Rock Branch Library today (Wednesday) at 4 p.m. Attendees may learn about the animals the park brings.

Lake lights up under Fire and Thunder
The CCC Camp in Shell Knob provided a picturesque line of sight for the Shell Knob Fire and Thunder fireworks show on Friday at the Highway 39 bridge over Table Rock Lake. The Shell Knob Area Chamber of Commerce funds the annual display.

7 Quilts of Valor presented
Christy Henley, of Cassville, smiles at family and friends as she accepts a quilt presented to him at the Quilts of Valor ceremony on Thursday at the Cassville Senior Center. All recipients Thursday included: Gary Clay, of Cassville; Larry Cowherd, of Cassville; John Callison, of Exeter; Larry Frakes, of Cassville; Kenneth West, of Washburn; Craig Jacobson, of Cassville; and Christy Henley, of Cassville.
Barry County sales tax revenues up in June
Sales tax to Barry County cities and the county government showed broad gains in June, logging every recipient except Purdy at higher numbers halfway through 2025.