Stories from Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Members of the Southwest R-5 Board of Education accepted the resignation of John Maddux, math teacher, during its regular meeting on Dec. 13. Members also employed Vivian Barber as a substitute cook, Matthew Tripp as a substitute teacher and reassigned Katrina Burns to a part-time cook...

The Southwest High School yearbook staff needs several submitted photos to complete the 2013 annual. The theme for this year's yearbook is Somewhere in the Middle of Nowhere. Members of the Class of 2013 are asked to submit one or two senior photos and four to five baby or child photos by April 30...

Democrat Photo/Reed The Cassville High School speech team competed at the inaugural McDonald County Groundhog Day Speech Tournament at McDonald County High School on Feb. 2. The CHS team advanced the following five competitors to the final rounds: Nate Marcano, children's storytelling; Sandra Campos, prose; and Kim Albert, Mike Martin and Chris Hinebaugh, original oratory. ...

Cassville High School senior Chris Hinebaugh represented American Legion Post #118 at the American Legion Zone 3 High School Oratorical Contest in Republic on Jan. 27. The zone includes over 30 counties in southwest Missouri. Hinebaugh, one of four finalists who earned the opportunity to compete at the event, earned second place and received a silver medal. ...

The Cassville School Board has approved lease purchase financing for the emergency storm shelter and performing arts building project currently underway on the R-4 campus. A large portion of the construction costs will be covered by a grant that the district has secured from FEMA. The lease purchase financing agreement will provide funding for the 25 percent grant match and the remaining building costs...

Photo by Murray Bishoff Sherry Tucker, of Exeter, pictured above, won second place in the professional decorating division in the cake baking contest at the ninth annual Chocolate Lover's Festival in Eureka Springs, Ark., on Feb. 9. Her cake shows a forest scene with bunnies on top. Sherry's son, Caleb, won first place for his candy entry in the youth division...

This year, Rebel Recycling added an e-recycling program to the list of services offered at its location on Highway 76/86 west of Cassville. "This will be our seventh year in business in Barry County," said Mike Jeffcoat, Rebel Recycling owner. "Through the years, we have received so many calls from people who are looking to recycle, donate or just get rid of electronics, such as TVs and computers...

Exeter High School celebrated homecoming with spirit week activities Feb. 4 through Feb. 8. The week culminated with basketball games against Verona High School on Friday night. A coronation ceremony was held to crown the 2012-13 EHS Homecoming King and Queen, and a special ceremony was held to recognize the 50th anniversary of the 1963 boys state championship basketball team, cheerleaders and managers. ...

Don Stewart, 89, of Wheaton, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. He was born Dec. 28, 1923, to William Franklin "Jack" and Ella May (Stark) Stewart in Pioneer. Survivors include: his wife of 61 years, Edna Mae; daughters, Brenda and Joe Giles, of Dickinson, Texas, and Karla and Steve Stocks, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; and five grandchildren...

Vernetta Earline Riffe, 76, of Cassville, passed away Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, in Lacoba Nursing Home in Monett. She was born Jan. 29, 1937, in Raytown, the daughter of Clyde and Esther (Stanley) Sousley. On May 9, 1957, she was united in marriage to Gilbert Leslie Riffe, who preceded her in death on Jan. 16, 2010. Also preceding her in death were two grandchildren...

Michael Thomas "Mike" Malousek, 64, of Shell Knob, passed away Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, in his home. He was born June 22, 1948, in Wahoo, Neb., the son of John and Eleanor (Tvrdy) Malousek. On May 1, 1989, he was united in marriage to Marilyn Elizabeth (Forster) McManaman, who survives...

Patrick Dale Kaneko (aka Edeyn Hannah Blackeney) of State College, Penn., formerly of Cassville, passed away Monday, Feb. 4, 2013, in Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Penn. He was born in Wichita, Kan., Aug. 11, 1975, the son of Robert "Bob" and Eupha Rose (Lakey) Kaneko...

Joan Rose (Friess) Irsik, 78, passed away at Springfield Mercy Hospital on Feb. 7, 2013, following a lengthy illness. She was born Oct. 26, 1934, in Cheney, Kan., to Fred and Anna Friess. She grew up on a farm near Wichita. After vacationing in the Ozarks for several years, they relocated their family of five children to Shell Knob in 1967. She was a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Shell Knob...

Robert M. Frye, Sr., 73, of Shell Knob, passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013, in his home. He was born Jan. 23, 1940, in Illinois, the son of Virgil M. and Margaret Kathryn (Reeder) Frye, who preceded him in death. Survivors include: his life partner and mother of his children, Emily K. ...

John H. Day, age 69, of Exeter, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2013, in Cassville Health and Rehabilitation Center, Cassville, Missouri. He was born September 16, 1943, in Washburn, Missouri, the son of John and Effie (Snook) Day. On January 15, 1968, in Cassville, he was united in marriage to Thelma Paul, who survives. ...

The Environmental Services division of the Barry County Health Department inspected 48 food-service establishments during the month of January. Of that group, 31 establishments had critical violations and 16 had no critical or non-critical violations...

Crowder College has released its fall 2012 semester dean's list. In order to achieve honors, students must earn at least a 3.5 grade point average and complete at least 12 credit hours during the semester. Local students who earned honors are listed below by hometown...

The Barry County Connections Coalition has a new focus. The local organization is beginning the second phase of its Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA) health grant. The coalition will concentrate its efforts on nutrition to fight obesity. The coalition was formed in 2006 and consists of doctors, pharmacists, representatives from Mercy and Cox Hospitals and a variety of other members...

Purdy school board members discussed programs to enhance health for faculty and students during the board's January meeting. Superintendent Steven Chancellor said the health risk assessment offered for faculty and staff at the beginning of the school year showed employees were most at risk for being overweight, having a lack of physical activity and poor nutrition...

Michael Robbins, who is in his fourth year of teaching K-12 instrumental, vocal, and general music in the Wheaton Public Schools, will be one of two soloists at the Ozark Festival Orchestra concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 17, at the Monett City Hall Auditorium. ...

Those wishing to learn the nuts and bolts of creative writing will have the opportunity to attend a workshop from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, at the Holiday Island, Ark., Clubhouse. Published writer Mike Hancock will lead the workshop, which will be repeated on Saturday, Feb. 19 at the Garden Bistro in Eureka Springs, Ark. Cost for either seminar is $45...

Photo by Susan Funkhouser "New Girl" Eileen Reagan, played by Dana Cunningham, at left, and Nerds Debbie Fox (Alissa Graham) and Laura Wilde (Katherine Wise) learned the fine art of girl talk in "Back to the 80s," with Mr. Cocker, played by Tanner Marshall, at rear...

On Jan. 9 the Junior ROTC rewarded cadets with school cords to represent commitment to the Scott Regional Technology Center, (SRTC) in Monett. "To us this cord means so much more than being on our right shoulder," said Allyson Cunningham, first year cadet from Exeter High School. "It means being recognized and having a hand in something much bigger than our home schools have to offer."...

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...

Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit that serves military families, is preparing for the future by opening a new field office to serve military families and wounded soldiers who live in or are returning to Kansas and Missouri. "Military families already know that change is a part of the deal when serving our country," said Paul Cupach, who will lead the network staff and volunteers for the Kansas and Missouri Operation Homefront base, "This is a new day for Operation Homefront, but the families of our service members in Kansas and Missouri can count on us to be there for them, now and after the deployments to Afghanistan end.". ...

Maintenance moves will bring several physical changes to branches of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library. During the library board's January meeting, it was reported shelves will be moved in the Purdy Branch. With the space gained, patrons will see a new children's rug and table plus a small bistro table and chairs for teens and adults...

Purdy aldermen backed away from a "no parking" position on Washington Avenue during the January city council meeting. At the direction of the city, public works superintendent Teddy McIntire placed "no parking" and "violators will be towed" signs on the north side of Washington Avenue between Commercial and Third streets...

Dear editor, I am writing this in regards to the new proposed law enforcement tax. As you know our current sheriff, Mr. Epperly, wrote a letter to President Obama upholding our Second Amendment and the Fourth Amendment Constitutional rights. This means that he stands up for the citizens of Barry County...

Recently, I received a press release from a French company called ApoteoSurprise. The release gushed about the first marriage proposal that would ever be conducted in space. The event is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Feb. 14, on Valentine's Day. ...

The United States Postal Service will change its delivery schedule to offer package deliveries on Monday through Saturday, and mail delivery Monday through Friday. This new schedule will begin the week of Aug. 5, and the projected savings for the Postal Service is around $2 billion annually once the program is fully implemented...

A Pierce City woman was injured in a single-vehicle crash that occurred at 11:35 a.m. on Wednesday on Highway 37 about one mile north of Purdy. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the driver of a 1990 Chevrolet Astro van, Elicia M. Wiggins, 36, of Pierce City, ran off the left side of the roadway, went through two fences and struck a tree...

Show will raise funds for Habitat build

Cassville High School FFA members will offer a baked potato bar and chili supper in the high school commons area from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Proceeds from the event will be used for the trip to the National FFA Washington Leadership Conference (WLC) in June...

It was standing room only at the Southwest Missouri Research Center in Mt. Vernon on Thursday, Feb. 7, as farmers and ranchers from all over the southwest Missouri region gathered to address the issue of cattle thefts. Members of several county law enforcement agencies were on hand, as well as the Missouri State Highway Patrol rural crimes task force, area prosecuting attorneys and Eldon Cole, livestock specialist from the Missouri University Extension...

Washburn City Council members agreed to write of over $6,000 in uncollectable utility accounts during the January meeting of the board. According to Julie Grillone, city clerk, many of the accounts dated back to 2006 or earlier and efforts to track and collect the debts owed by former customers had failed...

Democrat Photo/Lindsay Reed Cassville High School celebrated its 2012-13 tip-off on Friday. During a coronation ceremony held in the high school gymnasium, senior Dodie Becker and sophomore Eli Seay were crowned as this year's tip-off queen and king. ...

Photo by Murray Bishoff Barry County was a big winner in the cake decorating and candy contest at the ninth annual Chocolate Lovers' Festival, held on Feb. 9 in Eureka Springs, Ark. Jenny Thomas, of Exeter, shown above, won first place for her strawberry creation in the professional baking division. ...

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon's proposal to add $8.5 million to the state budget for mental health services may have a broad reaching effect on the healthcare system. Frank Compton, chief executive officer for the Clark Community Mental Health Center, said details on Nixon's proposal have not been released but the target for funding is known...

Luncheon to feature Jeff Seifried, of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce

MSU study designed to track the impact of education on teen pregnancies

A Purdy man will be sentenced today (Wednesday, Feb. 13) for his role in a drunk driving crash that claimed the life of a 10-year-old girl. Gregory Swaffar, 28, will appear for sentencing in Ozark before Christian County Circuit Court Judge Mark Estle Orr at 1 p.m. Swaffar pleaded guilty on Jan. 2 to two counts of second-degree assault and one count of murder in the second degree. His case was transferred from Barry County to Christian County in January 2012 on a change of venue...

Democrat Photo/Lindsay Reed Cassville High School senior Dodie Becker, daughter of Patricia Becker, of Cassville, and sophomore Eli Seay, son of Robert and Paula Day, of Cassville, were crowned CHS Tip-Off Queen and King during a coronation ceremony held in the high school gymnasium on Feb. 8. The Tip-Off crown was donated by Tomblin's Jewelers and Jewelers of America...

The Cassville City Council appointed Darelyn Cooper, city finance officer, as city clerk at its regularly scheduled meeting on Feb. 11. Prior to making the appointment, aldermen discussed four job descriptions that will be used to advertise open positions at the city over the next few weeks. The descriptions were for city clerk, accounting clerk, a temporary sludge hauler and a full-time parks maintenance employee...

Insults appear often on the internet, usually in anonymous form. This one is printed clearly on the Missouri State High School Activities Association website for all the world to see. The Southwest Lady Trojans, 22-3 on the season, are seeded #4 in the Class 3, District 12 girls basketball tournament at Seneca next week...

Cassville Intermediate School student Brady Mueller earned third place at the Elks National Free-Throw contest in Hot Springs, Ark., on Feb. 2. Mueller's achievement earned him a variety of gifts, including T-shirts, a water bottle and $80 in cash. Mueller earned an opportunity to compete in the regional event after earning first place in the 8- and 9-year-old division at the Elks Lodge free-throw contest in Eureka Springs, Ark., in January...

In front of a capacity homecoming crowd, the Verona Wildcats spoiled Exeter's basketball celebration by defeating the Tigers (7-16) 59-53 on Feb. 8. Exeter controlled the pace early, forcing the Wildcats to play the Tigers' style. At the 5:26 mark of the second quarter, Verona coach Brad Stewart was forced to take a timeout after back-to-back 3-pointers by Exeter's Michael Brattin and Kong Lee gave the Tigers a 14-8 lead...

The Purdy Eagles and Lady Eagles basketball teams spoiled senior night at Wheaton on Feb. 11. Purdy's boys mounted a ferrousious fourth quarter comeback to earn a 61-54 win, and the Lady Eagles cruised to a 61-19 win. For three years, the Wheaton Bulldogs had been the proverbial "thorn in the side" for Purdy...

The Cassville YMCA will hold sign-ups for spring youth soccer and flag football leagues at the YMCA facility on Highway 248 in Cassville from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16, Saturday, Feb. 23 and Saturday, March 2. All area youngsters interested in playing soccer or flag football this spring are encouraged to attend one of the sign-up events...

The Cassville Lady Wildcats dropped a Big 8 Conference game to visiting East Newton on Feb. 7. A 50-19 offensive struggle for the Lady Wildcats saw Cassville score less than 20 points for the second time in a 1-3 skid over the last two weeks. Cassville managed only 6 points in the entire first half...

The Verona Lady Wildcats traveled to Exeter on Feb. 8 for an Ozark 7 Conference hardwood clash against coach Jason Cole's Lady Tigers for Exeter's homecoming. Exeter prevailed in overtime, 39-33. It was a defensive battle that the Lady Wildcats (9-12) never led. Verona's Shelby Barsotti buried a 3-pointer with a minute and a half left to play that knotted the game at 33-33. The shot helped erase the 10-point lead that Exeter held late in the third quarter...

With just three games remaining in the regular season, the Cassville Wildcats got a much needed win on Feb. 8. The Wildcats celebrated Tip Off by defeating East Newton, 58-40. This was a get well game from the outset. Cassville never trailed in the contest and led by as many as 19 down the stretch. Garrett Kirk tallied an even 20 to lead all scorers. Ethan Lowery outplayed East Newton's big Bryce Zimmerman in the paint, opening up the lane and the floor for the Wildcats...

Rev. O. V. Dodson, 99 of Willard, passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013, in Willard Care Center. Rev. Dodson, the son of Famous Lisbon and Birdie Oaks Dodson, was born in Barry County, Missouri. He attended Barry County Public Schools and graduated from Kimberly High School in Kimberly, Idaho. ...

The Purdy Eagles and Lady Eagles swept a pair of conference basketball tilts from McAuley on Feb. 8. Purdy's boys used a second half surge to claim a 73-62 decision, and the girls gritted out a 34-25 win. In the boys' game, the McAuley Warriors built a 22-13 lead in the first quarter. With McAuley ahead 31-22 midway through the second, the Eagles mounted a comeback to trim the lead to 37-32 at halftime...

Trailing Pierce City by double digits in the third quarter and with three starters in foul trouble, Southwest coach Jess Ross had some decisions to make. "I told them just to play, and play smart," said Ross. "Even with the fouls, we had to have those guys on the floor."...

The Exeter Dance Troupe attended the Lee's Summit Dance Invitational at Lee's Summit North High School on Jan. 26. The dance competition, which is one of the qualifying state competitions for the Missouri Dance Team Association, attracted 50 dance teams from across the state, including varsity, junior varsity and junior high teams. ...