News

KAA camp hosts youth in Golden
Kids Across America (KAA) recently held a summer camp in Golden, partnering with Prison Fellowship to host a five-day camp experience for children of incarcerated parents. KAA, a Christian sports camp located on 240 acres on Table Rock Lake, features three camps and a leadership development program for youth, ages 10-19.
News Briefs, July 3
The Barry County Democratic Committee will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, July 9th at 6pm at the Cassville Branch Library, located at 301 W. 17th St.

Tale as old as time told in Cassville
Townsfolk celebrate Gaston, front, played by Carson Burt, in the Cassville Arts Council production of “Beauty and the Beast.”
McGuire suspends sheriff campaign
Mike McGuire, Cassville police officer and Republican candidate for Barry County sheriff in the Aug. 6 Primary, has suspended his campaign.
Cassville Boots, Badges & Bandages Blood Drive to unite area First Responders July 2
First responders from Cassville are uniting with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, plasma, and platelets to patients at more than 40 area healthcare facilities, for an inaugural Cassville Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive.
Community painting Portrait of a Graduate
Program aims to improve student outcomes in schools A collaborative effort between five Barry County school districts is attempting to improve student outcomes, and the project is asking for the community’s help. Traci Mitchell, Cassville assistant superintendent, said the Portrait of a Graduate (POG) work, which ties to district improvement plans and has been shown to improve student outcomes, reflects the county’s agreed upon competencies necessary for students to be effective and successful mem- bers of the community.

A sight to be ‘scene’
Northbound drivers on Main Street in Cassville have a new scene to sight as they travel into downtown Cassville. The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the completion of a vibrant new mural that now adorns the south side of the Cassville Democrat building.
June sales taxes near even with 2023
Halfway through 2024, sales tax reports for Barry County show the local economy is generally holding even with one year ago. While three smaller cities showed double-digit drops from the immediate post-pandemic sales totals, overall sales tax income rose from last June.

Democrat publisher wins international award
Cassville Democrat Publisher Kyle Troutman, speaking, traveled to Toronto Metropolitan University on Saturday to accept a Golden Dozen award from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors, an organization headquartered in Joplin and to which Troutman belongs.
Improvements at Roaring River State Park
Missouri State Parks personnel gathered at the Emory Melton Inn on June 6 to update the public on an extensive list of projects completed, plus those still in progress, at Roaring River State Park. Assistant Park Manager Forrest Brumm said completed projects include the renovation of the Honeymoon Cabin, the removal of the swimming pool, the installation of new playground equipment near the CCC shelter, the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and repairs to roofs of existing structures throughout the park.