Opinion

Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights — a perennial choice
“America wept tonight, not alone for its dead young President, but for itself,” the journalist James Reston wrote in a special to The New York Times, which, on Saturday, November 23, 1963, bore the haunting headline “Kennedy is Killed by Sniper.”

Trout Tales, July 31
I dug out my safety gear again this year for Saturday’s Ozarks Got Talent show at Zone 4 Mini Golf & More. There’s a fiery trend at this event, and I always say, “Safety first.”

Dakoda Pettigrew: The hateful embrace
The temperature in the Old Senate Chamber reached a sweltering 90 degrees — but within Charles Sumner raged a fire hotter than any that could be accurately recorded. On May 19, 1856, the avowed abolitionist senator from Massachusetts rose to deliver a 112page speech on “The Crime Against Kansas.” As with Lincoln, the Kansas-Nebraska Act stirred a flame of defiance within Sumner.

Kyle Troutman: It’s in your hands
In six days, Barry County voters who select a Republican ballot in the Primary Election will have their say in 10 contested races for local, state and national positions. While all the state and national winners on the GOP ballots will have Democrat opponents — including our state house and state senate districts — for the three contested races locally, Tuesday represents the culmination of a long and arduous campaign season with no opponents waiting in the wings.

Kyle Troutman: Back in the swing
After nearly two months of being displaced, Jordan and I — as well as our staff — were beyond elated to get back into the swing of things at our office on Main Street. On the morning of May 26, we, like many of you, awoke to the hail-acious windstorm that caused millions in damage to property and homes in Barry County.
LETTER: Correcting misinformation on jail GED program
Dear Editor: There has been misinformation circulating Barry County concerning the GED program that will be offered at the new county jail. The program will not use any tax dollars.

Jeremiah Buntin: ‘Black Gold’ of the Ozarks
Many Ozarkers have the shared memory of picking-up black walnuts in the fall harvest each year, along with stained hands as souvenirs. The black walnut tree has been providing extra income for folks in the area for generations.

Trout Tales, July 17
I stopped by the FEMA Event Center last week to see my favorite hillbilly, Rusty Pliers. This magician and ventriloquist performed for the Cassville Branch Library’s Summer Reading Program, and the YMCA day campers enjoyed the show, too.

Kyle Troutman: Taking the leap
In August 2012, my friends and I took a day trip to Greers Ferry, Ark., for a few hours on the lake and an early-20s pasttime — cliff jumping. Looking down over the edge of the 30-foot cliff was a little dizzying, and if we’re being honest, even after watching my buddy launch himself off without a bit of hesitation, I was scared.

Drake Thomas: All aboard for imagination station — Nurturing creativity in children and ourselves
The human brain is responsible more functions than we can count, but the phenomenon of imagination is one that I can never get enough of. When you stop to think that in your mind’s eye, you can conceptualize and visualize a project or idea, and make it come to life — that’s incredible.