Stories from Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Cassville Wildcats basketball team absorbed a pair of losses at the Bolivar Tournament on Jan. 24 and 25. The Wildcats gave up a 41-38 lead and lost to Aurora on Thursday night, 55-48. Then a dismal night of shooting led to a 49-23 loss to Morrisville on Friday...

Purdy High School senior Mattie White signed a national letter of intent to play basketball at Missouri Baptist University (MBU) in St. Louis next year. White chose the Lady Spartans over Evangel and John Brown universities. "MBU felt like home," said White. "The coaching staff and players on the team made me feel welcome and that was big for me."...

Area community members are encouraged to help the Cassville Lady Wildcats raise funds for Parkinson Disease research during the team's Make a Difference fundraiser on Monday night. CHS will host the Monett Cubs, and the varsity game will begin around 7 p.m...

The Southwest Trojans finished sixth in the NEO Tournament in Miami, Okla., on Jan. 26. The Trojans' start to tourney play was rough as they fell 67-43 to Roland, Okla., on Jan. 24. On Jan. 25, the red and black rebounded with a 56-55 nail-biter over Grove...

It took a couple of seconds of reflection when Mizzou quarterback James Franklin was asked if he would change anything about his past. "I wouldn't have listened as much to the coaches that told me I was too big to be a college quarterback," said Franklin. "I didn't start playing quarterback until I was a junior in high school. I made it now."...

The Wheaton Bulldogs won their homecoming game over the Exeter Tigers on Jan. 25, posting a 70-41 victory. Jory Bartkoski and Hli Yang were crowned king and queen, respectively, and the Wheaton community paid homage to past homecoming queens as well...

It took a while to get things rolling, but the Exeter Lady Tigers hit their stride after a tentative first quarter and posted a 41-21 victory over Wheaton on Jan. 25. That first period of play ended with a 6-6 tie, much to the concern of Exeter's Jason Cole...

Speakman reaches 1,000 points

Cassville FCCLA members competed at Region 11 STAR events on Friday, Jan. 25. Members competed in events that centered around the acronym STAR, Students Taking Action with Recognition. Members planned and carried out events in their local schools and communities and presented those projects to judges at Missouri Southern State College in Joplin...

Students in the Purdy R-2 School District who achieved awards during the fall semester were recognized at the December meeting of the Purdy R-2 Board of Education. In volleyball, the Purdy team won the tri-conference championship for the first time in 19 years. Senior Chelsea Mareth was named to the All Conference first team. Senior Alyssa Gwin and junior Macey Breeding were named to the second team. Senior Kenzie England received honorable mention. Coaches were Heather Romine and Mica Propps...

Students at Southwest R-5 High School recently rallied to help one of their own in need. Faye Robbins, the school's cook, and her husband, J.D., lost their home to a fire on Jan. 14. A Kiss the Pig fundraiser was created to help the Robbins family. Students had collection jars placed in the school's administrative office and the competition was to see which class would raise the most money. ...

Agnes Eleanor Barrett, 88, of Cassville, passed away at her home on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013. She was born in Carteret, N.J., on Aug. 22, 1924, the daughter of Feliks and Agnes (Adamski) Szymborski. She was united in marriage to Michael Raskulinecz and to this union two children were born. ...

Audrey Irene (Plumlee) Clifton, 101, of Humboldt, Kan., formerly of Rocky Comfort passed away Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, at Chanute HealthCare Center. She was born Jan. 16, 1912, in Rocky Comfort, the only child of Oscar Esmond and Bessie (Link) Plumlee. She grew up in Rocky Comfort and graduated from high school there...

Elsie Bell Ervin was born on February 21, 1926, in Compere, Texas, daughter of George and Mary Violet Smith. She passed away on January 28, 2013, in Bentonville, Ark., at the age of 86 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, her first husband of 44 years Joseph P. Bell, a brother J.T. Smith, and a sister Wanda Jean Smith...

Wa Seng Lee, 59, of Fairland, Okla., passed away Friday, Jan. 18, 2013, in his home. He was born Feb. 2, 1953, in Laos to father, Nao Thao Lee and mother Kia Xiong. In February 1976, he was united in marriage to Sia Xiong, who survives. Also surviving are eight children, Mai Lou Lee, Mai Chong Yang, Mai Mao Lee, Foi Lee, Ia Ong Lee, Kabo Lee, Yer Lee and Tou Phong Lee; and five sisters, Youa Lee, Mai Houa Lee, Bao Lee, Mee Lee and Neng Lee...

Andrew Loyd, 20, of Wheaton, passed away on Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, from injuries sustained in an ATV accident. Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday at the White Funeral Home, Cassville, with Pastor Scott Mitchell and Pastor Melvin Anders officiating. Burial will follow at Union Cemetery near Longview...

Roger W. Rautio, 75, of Seligman, passed away Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013, in Webb City Health and Rehab, Webb City. Services are pending and will be announced by Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. A complete obituary will be in next week's paper. Visit www.fohnfuneralhome.com for online obituaries, guestbook and private condolences...

Katherine (Katie) Southerland-Fountain passed away at home in her sleep on December 23. 2012. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Fountain Griffith; father, Billy Don Fountain; sister, Holly Fountain-Southerland; and niece, Maren Fortney. She is survived by: her siblings, Brad Beck and Julie Fountain; and many beloved cousins (especially Colleen Belisle-Tarpy and BJ Belisle-Lacy); sister-in-law, Vali Gray-Beck; and longtime friend, Kerby Brooks...

Alera Vera Betten Uher, 95, of Lincoln, Neb., passed away Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, in Cassville Health Care and Rehab in Cassville. She was born Jan. 18, 1918, in Crete, Neb., the daughter of Edward and Grace (Behrens) Henning. In 1936, she was united in marriage to Oscar Betten, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her parents and two sisters, Velda and Verlyn...

Charles Vinyard, passed away Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, in Jackson Hospital in Jackson, Tenn. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Pastor Milford Baker will conduct the services. Burial will be at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Butterfield...

KuJay Xiong, 41, of Eau Claire, Wis., passed away Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, in OPD Mittaphab Hospital in Vientiane, Laos. He was born on April 3, 1971, in Phou Vieng, Laos, to father, Yongma Xiong and mother, Youa Moua. He was the youngest of five brothers and one sister: Chongpao, Sher, Ying, Koua and Khou. ...

Campaign benefits Ronald McDonald facilities

Exeter Elementary students celebrated their 100th day of School on Jan. 24. Security Bank donated a check in the amount of $100 to help promote the importance of school and community. Pictured above, from left, are: Aubrey Hill, kindergarten teacher, and Bert Cross, from Security Bank in Exeter. ...

The Cassville Education Fund will hold its next Trivia Night in the Cassville High School commons area at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 8. The defending champions, the Commerce Bank Cash Cows, will compete against other teams to claim the Champions of Trivia title...

SUPPORT GROUP: The Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group of Cassville meets at 8 p.m. at 1308 Harold St. in Cassville. For more information, call 846-4044. SUPPORT GROUP: Anyone who is concerned about a friend's or loved one's drinking is invited to attend the Cassville Al-Anon Family Group, which meets at 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Cassville...

Members of the Washburn Board of Aldermen considered using a collection agency to recover 30 past due or unpaid utility accounts during their regular meeting on Dec. 17. City Clerk Julie Grillone reported the cost of recovering unpaid funds would run approximately $15 per account. Aldermen approved using a collection agency to recover funds if further research indicated it was the best option for the city...

On Jan. 15, the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Terry's Cafe, which is located in Old Town Shell Knob, a mile from Highway 39 on Farm Road 1240. The restaurant is owned by Terry Gregory, who has been in business at the location for over 10 years. ...

For the second consecutive year, the number of child abuse cases handled through the Children's Center in Monett increased to record levels. The 2012 total reflected the largest increase in a 12-month period since service began. Increases were seen throughout the 12-county area served by Children's Center of the Ozarks, the umbrella organization for the Monett office. A total of 1,041 children were served by the office, an increase of 37 from 2011...

Mercy Clinic Family Medicine-Shell Knob has expanded its vaccination services to include children's vaccines. In addition, the center has met eligibility requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be part of the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program...

Last year, the City of Los Angeles, Calif., proclaimed Feb. 1 as Rob Dyrdek Day in honor the professional skateboarder's philanthropic work, including the construction of seven skate parks in the city. Although I would not consider myself a skateboarding fan and I can only name one other professional skateboarder, I am a fan of Rob Dyrdek. ...

A new 4-H chapter could be coming to Barry County. On Feb. 7, a meeting will be held at Southwest School in Washburn to identify a community leader and at least 10 youth members and establish a structure for the new chapter. People interested in participating in the club will learn what it takes to get involved in 4-H, and hear about volunteer opportunities with the club, projects to get involved in and opportunities within the 4-H group. ...

A Wheaton man was killed in a McDonald County crash that occurred at 7:20 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28, on Indian Creek Road about one mile west of Rocky Comfort. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the driver of a 2004 Yamaha all terrain vehicle, Andrew G. Loyd, 20, of Wheaton, ran off the right side of the roadway and struck a utility pole. He was not wearing a seat belt. Loyd was pronounced dead at the scene by McDonald County Coroner B.J. Goodwin...

"When will the new YMCA open in Monett?" has been a question circulating throughout the community for months, and now area residents have a firm answer. Saturday, Feb. 16 has been set as the date for the Monett YMCA's grand opening celebration. Tours of the brand new recreational facility will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day, which will also feature special activities, prize giveaways, healthy snacks and the opportunity to join the Y and sign up for its expanding list of programs...

Expecting sales tax revenue to decrease in 2013, the Barry County Commission adopted a $3.1 million budget last Thursday. The county's 2013 budget totals $3,173,703, which is $437,870 less than last year's spending plan and $322,743 less than the amount actually spent...

The Southwest Missouri Office on Aging (SWMOA) in cooperation with the IRS will offer free tax assistance at area senior centers beginning Friday, Feb. 1. The Tax Counseling for Elderly (TCE) Program provides free help to people age 60 and older across 17 counties in southwest Missouri...

Mike McCracken was recently honored by the South Barry County Hospital District Board of Directors at Mercy Hospital Cassville. After 18 years of service to the board and the community, McCracken has made the decision to step down. He served on the board from 1995 until this year. ...

Marvin Phipps, Barry Electric Cooperative Board secretary, has announced that the cooperative's district membership meetings will be held on Feb. 11, 12 and 14. During the district meetings, members nominate candidates to serve on the cooperative board of directors. ...

City staff works to improve facilities and inspire residents to take care of recreational areas

The Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano Fire Protection District is asking voters in its service area to approve a one-tenth of a cent tax increase during the upcoming April election. "Our tax revenue has been flat for the last three or four years," said Steve Gash, Eagle Rock-Golden-Mano Fire Protection District chief. "But the costs of fuel, insurance, workman's compensation insurance, personal protection equipment and to equip and train firefighters and first responders has gone up...

The Cassville School Board approved a $1.04 million lease agreement during its regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 17. The funds will be used to cover the district's match for the FEMA tornado/safe room project, which is currently being completed on the R-4 campus...

Herschend challenges Cassville community to be "great not just good"