Opinion
Kyle Troutman: Windows and red flags
I’m a windows down kind of guy. There’s nothing like a warm day with the wind blowing through the car and the music turned up.

Trout Tales, Feb. 8
Found myself last week at the annual Barry County Soils and Crops Conference. I’ve never seen so much Carhartt in one room! There were all kinds of presentations, and lots of interestingliterature. The first presentation was on multi-species grazing. These farmers love their cattle and sheep and pigs and goats, but what about trout? I’m a species that likes to graze, especially on the flies that hang around the cows. Hope to see this presentation next year. Trout Brown is the comics correspondent for the Cassville Democrat, aiming to point out entertaining happenings in Barry County.
Janet Mills: Can I Hear You? Are You Listening?
When was the last time that you tried to call one of your adult children and they actually picked up the phone? The obvious next attempt to reach them is via a text message. You may need to wait a while for a response and if you are anything like me, you might find yourself checking your phone over and over for a one- or two-word reply.
James Weaver: God establishes truth, right, wrong
We live in a day where it seems that our country is losing its traditional religious and political moorings. In recent years there have been attempts to remove “under God” from our Pledge of Allegiance, “In God we trust” from our currency, and monuments of the Ten Commandments from public buildings and lands.
Cheryl Williams: You belong there
I am an Army Brat. I was 20 and had attended seven elementary schools, two middle schools, four high schools and two colleges on three continents when my dad decided to retire.
Kyle Troutman: Heels in hand for our kids
Parents have to put immense in extracurricular sponsors and coaches. Athletics and academics teams alike travel all over the region, nation, and soon internationally.
Jeff Fugitt: Don’t lose heart during trying times
This devotional and directory is made possible by these businesses who encourage all to attend worship services. It is relatively easy to celebrate God’s goodness and faithfulness when everything is going smoothly.
Merlyn Johnson: Communication a priority in 2023
Cassville R-IV School District is making consistent communication a top priority for 2023. One of the best ways to build and maintain good relationships is to form and maintain open communication.
Trout Tales, Feb. 1
It was a little colder than my normal 58 degree Roaring River water last week and we got about 4 inches of snow, so I popped over to the football field to do some sledding. Had the time of my life slipping around with these kiddos.
Kyle Troutman: Off the spike
Some weeks, it’s tough to pick just one topic for this column, so I’m taking a page out of Bob Mitchell’s book and clearing my proverbial spike. Theft at playground construction With little in the way of events for photographs last week, I found myself on the hunt Monday for a picture worthy of our front page, above-the-fold spot.