News

The reason for the season
Through all the commercialism and gift-giving to Santa and elves on shelves, one Cassville woman is hoping to help locals remember the reason for the Christmas season — the birth of Jesus Christ. Wife of Cassville United Methodist Church Pastor Jeff Fugitt, Jamie Fugitt has been collecting Nativity scenes for more than 40 years, and more than 120 unique scenes are on display at the church through Jan.
Man charged for chase on Hwy. 37
An Exeter man is facing a felony charge and a misdemeanor charge following an alleged high-speed chase on Highway 37 in Barry County. Cody Priest, born 1989, of Exeter, is charged with felony fleeing and misdemeanor failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Sun shines on Seligman Christmas parade
A mild Saturday and shining sun lit up the scene in Seligman, where the annual Christmas parade was held on Main Street. Photos by Jessica Breger/cassvilleads@outlook.com .
Christmas coming for 315 children
On Christmas morning, the smiles of 315 Barry County children stand to be a bit brighter, all thanks to local businesses, individuals and volunteers who support Share Your Christmas. A service of the Ozark Area Community Action Corporation’s (OACAC) Barry County Neighborhood Center, Share Your Christmas provides gifts directly to families in need, for a variety of reasons, that may not have a gift budget otherwise.
News Briefs, Dec. 18
The Roaring River Nature Center on Jan. 11 and Feb.

More than 130 entries in Cassville parade
Santa Claus waved to spectators at the Cassville Christmas Parade on Saturday, declaring who was on the nice list and who was on the naughty as he passed by the Barry County courthouse square.

An eye for an eye
Seventeen years ago, Skip White, owner and director of White’s Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville, promised lifeless 9-year-old Rowan Ford that he would watch her killer’s execution. On Dec.

Tense debate over poultry farm
Sharp exchanges and misinformation fueled a meeting at the Barry County Courthouse on Dec. 9 as neighbors and Barry County officials grappled with a proposal to build another poultry farm south of Aurora.

Jail features lauded at ribbon cutting
Barry County Sheriff Danny Boyd cuts the ribbon for the new Barry County Jail on Dec. 4. Boyd said he aims to have the jail operational by the last week of December.
Eagle Rock man dies in vehicle-pedestrian incident
An Eagle Rock man died in a vehicle- pedestrian collision at 11:45 p.m. on Friday on Highway 171 in Carterville in Jasper County.