News

A viral post by a Cassville Intermediate School parent has led to concerns about transgender student attending a puberty education class opposite of the student’s assigned gender at birth. The post on Facebook, which was originally public and has been changed to private, has nearly 600 comments and more than 100 shares. ...

The Cassville school district made the determination on Thursday to make Friday a virtual learning day, returning to in-person instruction on Tuesday due low attendance among students and staff. Students in grades 6-12 will not attend in-person classes on Friday, and they should be checking their district email for assignments and information from teachers. High school students that attend Scott Tech will attend and ride the bus at the regularly scheduled times...

Purdy schools announced Wednesday that they would be taking a wellness break from Thursday through Monday, with school returning in session Tuesday. As of 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, Purdy schools had 14 students who had tested positive and four positive cases among staff members. There were also 18 students and two staff members out of school due to household contact with someone who had tested positive for COVID-19...

Barry County’s active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases have more than doubled in the last eight days, and the figure is only 8 cases less than the county’s peak in November 2020. According to the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 5,511 (+246 from Jan. 4) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19...

Barry County is preparing its 2022 budget with a hearing scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 20 at the Barry County Courthouse in Cassville. In its proposed budget for 2022, Barry County is proposing approximately $266,503 more in expenses in 2022 than it did in 2021...

In February 2021, the nation was sent into what was novelly called, “Snowmageddon.” Texas literally froze over in an unprecedented cold snap, and the midwest saw temperatures plummeting into the negatives, with ice and snow covering the ground. During the week of Feb. 7, 2021, people in Cassville were concerned about the roads, water pipes, as well as, major concerns of power shortages...

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has taken the country by storm since 1995 for the children in her home county. The program’s inspiration came to Parton from her father’s inability to read or write. It aims to put a book in a child’s hands every month from birth until age 5...

With changes campus-wide for the Cassville school district, an opportunity to build a sensory room in the primary building presented itself, and the district took the opportunity. Dusty Reid, director of facilities and operations, said the idea was developed in the special services program...

A Cassville man has pleaded guilty to two felonies for stealing nearly $6,000 in property from two local businesses in October 2020. Justin Taylor, 48, of Cassville, originally charged with three counts, pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing — $750 or more, both D felonies. He was sentenced to 10 years in the department of corrections, which has been suspended for five years of supervised probation...

Purdy High School will crown its 2022 Homecoming Queen and Mr. Tip-Off in a special coronation ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 18, between JV and Varsity basketball games versus Diamond.

The Upward basketball program held its first games on Saturday at the Family Life Center, delivering the fun of sport, as well as ministry.

The Barry County Genealogical and Historical Society will hold its first Business Meeting of 2022 on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Historic Bayless/Salyer House located at 9th and Townsend behind the Post Office in Cassville. Immediately following the business meeting, the Program Committee will meet. ...

Barry County’s active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases diminished by a third last week, but this week, cases spiked to more than 100 active for the first time since Sept. 15, 2021. According to the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 5,265 (+104 from Dec. 29) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19...

Sales tax receipts to Barry County governments continued in December on the 2021 upward roll that was only interrupted in April, and year-end totals surprisingly continued to surge even as the COVID-19 pandemic waned somewhat, bringing double digit gains to half of the governments and related agencies funding their operations through taxes on retail sales...

At the beginning of the year, most people turn to their local gyms to take on their resolutions and find motivation to keep it going. In Cassville, one of those beacons is the Cassville YMCA, which offers classes, program and equipment to start of any resolution with success...

When people in Barry County need a helping hand, they can always find one at the Barry County Neighborhood Center and Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation (OACAC) office. Gail Reed, Barry County Neighborhood Center supervisor, said in 2021, 250 children were served for Share Your Christmas, and 41 families, or 111 children, were served during the Back to School Fair...

A delegation of Purdy students and their adviser, Amy Harkey, traveled to Washington, D.C., in November as part of the High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) program. While in the nation’s capitol, the students attended FCCLA's Capitol Leadership Conference, where they were challenged to “Make it Count” through advocacy training opportunities, Hill Day Role Play, participating in an advocacy rally and reflecting on their individual Hill Visits...

Cassville science instructor Lisa Reid spoke to intermediate teachers on Monday about science vertical alignment, during teacher in-service.

Slight snow and freezing temperatures hit the Barry County area on Saturday into Sunday, leading to spectacular winter views at Roaring River State Park.

The Corsicana Road District will meet in regular session on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at the home of Garry and Pam Bartkoski, located at 5086 Farm Road 2057 in Monett. The public is welcome to attend. The Seligman Chamber of Commerce country dances at the Seligman Chamber Event Center are every Saturday from 7-10 p.m. No alcohol is allowed. Admission is $10 per person, and 18-and-under are free. There is a potluck, 50-50 drawing and door prizes. For more information, people may call 417-662-3612...

Barry County’s active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases dropped by a third this week, but two new deaths were reported. According to the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 5,161 (+63 from Dec. 21) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19...

A Golden man died on Thursday after an ultralight experimental aircraft he was piloting crashed shortly after takeoff. Kenneth Taylor, 53, of Golden, died in the crash that occurred at about 3 p.m. Danny Boyd, Barry County sheriff...

The Cassville Democrat has served the people of Cassville and Barry County for 150 years by covering breaking news, crime, school boards and city councils, sports teams, weather and capturing meaningful and memorable moments. Newspapers do not sleep or take a day off, from the overnight fires to events on weekends and teamwork with countless members of the community. A 24/7 approach to coverage is what it takes to get all of the notable events to your doorstep, or Facebook page...

The twelve steps seem like miles at the beginning of one’s journey, but eventually, those on the road to recovery take that final step, and it all seems worth it. Step 12 in Celebrate Recovery (CR) is to carry out the message to others and practice the principles in all of one’s affairs...

The Exeter FFA chapter is making waves in the world of agriculture after attending two conventions this year, one in May and one in October. Rachael Brown, Exeter agricultural educator and FFA advisor, said at the Missouri State Convention back in May, Exeter FFA placed 21st place in the state when two FFA members received their state degrees, Lane Willis and Jamison Nichols...

Ashton Wheeler sported the ugliest sweater in the contest at Cassville High School.

Cassville High School Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas candidates raised $17,915.85 for next year’s Share Your Christmas, sponsored by the Barry County Neighborhood Center.

The Corsicana Road District will meet in regular session on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. at the home of Garry and Pam Bartkoski, located at 5086 Farm Road 2057 in Monett. The public is welcome to attend. The Veterans Taskforce of America, Inc. will meet at the Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett on Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. All honorably discharged men and women, wartime or peacetime, are welcomed...

A Purdy woman was injured on Saturday in a wreck at 11:30 a.m. on Farm Road 1095, one mile south of Purdy. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, William Burch, 50, of Purdy, was driving a 2020 Indian Challenger...

Barry County’s active COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases remained near 100 over the past 12 days, but six more residents with underlying health conditions have died of the virus. According to the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 5,098 (+162 from Dec. 9) confirmed positive cases of COVID-19...

There is no denying that children today are growing up alongside technology, and while it can be a great asset, there can also be serious consequences. Whether it be a video game, tablet, cell phone or smart T.V., children have access to a plethora of apps on these devices. But, when does an app go from being a great tool or social outlet to a dangerous weapon?...

One local photographer is making Christmas dreams come true, giving local youngsters an opportunity to spend some time with Santa Claus and parents lasting memories they will cherish for years to come. For the past six years LaDonna McVay has been inviting Santa into her photography studio on 13th Street for unique family photo shoots with local youngsters...

Purdy voters will have an opportunity to vote on a new use tax for out-of-state purchases sent to Purdy residents. According to Purdy City Council member Stacy VanNote, the proposed tax, if approved by voters, will not add a new tax to online purchases. Rather, she explained, the proposed use tax is already being collected on online purchases. The new tax proposal will allow the city of Purdy to collect its piece of the pie...

The city of Wheaton has submitted a request to MoDOT for a change on the population sign. JoGina Park, Wheaton city clerk, said that the population has changed from 699 to 672, however, MoDOT said it no longer changes the population numbers on the signs...

The well towers in Washburn are fitted with a light at the top, but one board member is concerned about the requirements from the FAA regarding said lights. James Libertus, Washburn maintenance supervisor, said the well towers are 120 and 131 feet tall...

The guys from Circle M Cattle Co. made a splash in Purdy Saturday, tossing lots of candy to hungry attendees and showing off some of their horses along the parade route. For more from the parade, go to: https://www.cassville-democrat.com/gallery/39799.

The Eagle Echoes choir performed the National Anthem prior to the Purdy girls basketball game on Thursday.

The Veterans Taskforce of America, Inc. will meet at the Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett on Jan. 2 at 4 p.m. All honorably discharged men and women, wartime or peacetime, are welcomed. The Barry County Courthouse will be closed on Dec. 31, but Skyler Bowman, Barry County collector, has announced that her office will remain open for tax payments only. The Collector’s Office is unable to make any changes or corrections, therefore, please plan to contact the Assessor’s office in order to request any changes or corrections prior to Dec. ...

Three women were injured on Friday in a wreck at 4:20 p.m. on Highway 37 in Butterfield. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Hilda Gomez, 50, of Exeter, was driving a 2018 Chevrolet Equinox westbound when her vehicle failed to yield to a southbound 2006 Dodge Caravan, being driven by Laura Caha-Fielder, 51, of Springfield, causing the Dodge to strike the Chevrolet in the side...