News

Royal sweethearts crowned
CENTER: Senior couple Brendyn Paulsen, right, and Brooklynn Slye were named Homecoming King and Queen on Jan. 30, and Paulsen took the moment to plant a kiss on his girlfriend, just like his father did to his mother when they were crowned King and Queen in 2002.

Crowder nursing receives $60K grant for simulation lab
The nursing program at Crowder College Cassville Campus received a $60,000 boost in funding in January, given by the South Barry County Hospital District Board. Sandra Wilson, Crowder's director of nursing, said the college is happy to have such a strong partnership with the local board “Partnerships with clinical sites are significant to our nursing programs,” Wilson said.

Shaw, Nelson crowned in Exeter
Former Exeter Homecoming Queen Emma Sorensen, center, crowns 2024 Queen Kenze Shaw, left, as 2024 King Kason Nelson looks on, at right.
Highway 248 one-lane bridge to close during day
A bridge closure on Highway 248 in Barry County will affect traffic in the Jenkins area for up to two weeks.
Barry County Republican Party caucus in Cassville March 2
Barry County Republicans will have the opportunity to make their presidential primary selection in person on March 2, when the Barry County Central Committee will host the first caucus since 2012 at Cassville High School. Glen Cope, chair of the Committee, said the doors open at 8 a.m.

Cassville Volunteer Fire Protection District assistant chief promoted
Acheson takes reins of volunteer fire protection district Following an 16-month tour in Iraq with the U.S. Army, Derek Acheson returned to Cassville and a home so close to the Cassville Volunteer Fire Protection District’s Station No.
Denali to drain wastewater residuals lagoons in Missouri
The draining of Denali Water Solutions’ storage lagoons in Newton, McDonald and Macon counties is scheduled to begin after the company’s signing of an administrative action issued by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Jan. 31.

Hometown BBQ hero Joel Curren remembered
Friends and family of Joel Curren, pitmaster who founded and operated BBQ Station in Cassville for 15 years, gathered at his establishment on Sunday afternoon to celebrate his memory. Curren, who specialized in Texas-style hickory smoked barbeque, died on Jan. 17 after a battle with illness. Sharing stories of his friendliness and ownership of BBQ Station were his father Gil Curren, left, of Bentonville, Ark., and Jean Passley, of Cassville.

Purdy Homecoming court named
Purdy High School will crown its 2024 Homecoming Queen and Mr. Tip-Off at a special coronation between JV and varsity boys’ basketball games on Friday. The JV contest against Billings begins at 6 p.m. This year’s Homecoming theme is “Eagles Through the Years.” Front row, from left: senior Raeley Henderson, junior Rosa Schad, sophomore Gabriela Groomer and freshman Allison Lopez. Back row: junior Will Henderson, sophomore Damon Mahurin and freshman Logan Manwarren. Not pictured: senior Gauge Davidson.
News briefs, Feb. 7
The Cassville school district will host a Community Viewing Event on March 5 at 6 p.m. at the FEMA Event Center, showing the documentary “Childhood 2.0: The Living Experiment.” The documentary aims to educate parents, guardians and community members about the inherent challenges and dangers of the digital world.