Stories from Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Willard Allan Graham, 66, of Seligman, passed away Monday, Sept. 23, 2013, in Cox Medical Center, Branson. He was born in Davis City, Iowa, on Aug. 2, 1947, the son of Willard and Hazel (Parker) Graham. On Feb. 16, 1990, in Springfield, he was united in marriage to Patricia Sue "Patty" Baker, who survives...

Ricky J. "RJ" Jagger, 52, of Cassville, passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, in Missouri Rehabilitation Center, Mt. Vernon. He was born Nov. 17, 1960, in Boise City, Okla., the son of Raymond E. and Nancy Jean (Ward) Jagger. Preceding him in death were his father, Raymond Jagger; mother, Nancy Jean Henbest; and step-father, James Albert Henbest...

Flonnie Alene Henry, 77, of Exeter, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2013, in Mercy Hospital, Springfield. She was born Dec. 26, 1935, in Washburn, the daughter of Albert F. "Cotton" and Eva E. (Paul) Walden. On June 26, 1954, she was united in marriage to Willie Ray "Bill" Henry, who preceded her in death on April 30, 2013. Also preceding her in death were her parents; one son, Ricky Henry and one sister, Bonnie Pendergraft...

Phillip J. McKinley, 77, of Seligman, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2013. He was born on Nov. 9, 1935, son of Lewis and Virginia (Magner) McKinley, in Youngstown, Ohio. After graduating from Youngstown High School, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force serving from 1954 to 1957. ...

Maynard Leroy Swisher, 90, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2013. He was born the son of Jobe and Blanche Nickel Swisher, on April 2, 1923, in McCracken, Kan. He joined the Navy at age 17 and was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War...

Oddy Straight, 72, of Springdale, Ark., long-time businessman and resident of Springdale, Ark., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. He was born Jan. 14, 1941.He was owner and operator of Straight's Lawn and Garden in Springdale. His mission in life was to serve the Lord Jesus Christ through helping others, giving to others, and caring for his family...

Gregory John "Greg" Elworth, 61, of Hoskins, Neb., passed away Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, in Golden. He was born July 6, 1952, in Omaha, Neb., the son of Robert Leo Elworth, Sr. and Mary Theresa (Daly) Elworth. Survivors include: his father, Robert Elworth, Sr., of Holiday Island, Ark.; two daughters, Amy Classen and her husband, Tyler, of Norfolk, Neb., and Claire Elworth, of Hoskins, Neb.; three brothers, Robert Leo Elworth, Jr., of Willard; Mark Elworth and his wife, Jo, of Golden, and Tom Elworth and his wife, Mary Lynn, of Omaha, Neb.; two sisters, Mary Wright and her husband, Rex, of Glenwood, Iowa, and Joni Kennedy and her husband Harold, of Clarksville, Ga.; and one granddaughter.. ...

Helen "Louise" Cox, 82, died Sept. 27, 2013, at Freeman Hospital. Born Aug. 24, 1931, in Springfield, Mo., she graduated from high school in Salt Lake City, Utah. She married the late James W. Cox in 1951. She was a lover of beauty, hot pink, the movies, and an eternal optimist when it came to the Kansas City Chiefs. She enjoyed traveling the world, collecting antiques, and speaking in hyperbole. We told her a million times to stop exaggerating...she was also fluent in sarcasm...

Southwest High School will host two volleyball events in the coming weeks. Pink Out 4 is scheduled Thursday, Oct. 3 against Wheaton. The junior varsity game begins at 6 p.m. with the varsity to follow. The Lady Trojans will wear pink uniforms, use a pink ball, and decorate the gym in celebration of breast cancer awareness month in October. Fans and parents are encouraged to wear pink...

The Wheaton Lady Bulldogs won the Everton Volleyball Tournament on Saturday, Sept. 28. The Lady Bulldogs made the most of their tournament action. In pool play, Wheaton defeated Pleasant Hope 25-16, 28-26 and Everton 25-12, 25-18 before advancing to the championship against the School of the Ozarks...

The Southwest Lady Trojans capped off their busy week on Sept. 27 with a trip to conference softball rival Wheaton. The two teams met a on Sept. 14 in the Seneca tournament with Wheaton winning a pitcher's duel, 2-0. Tony Eagleburger's Lady Trojans avenged the earlier loss by defeating the Lady Bulldogs 7-5...

The Southwest Lady Trojans' softball team had a busy week. On Monday, Sept. 23 they traveled to Miller for a non-conference game. The game was exciting for fans, but the kind that cause coaches to get gray hair. The Lady Trojans prevailed in extra innings by a score of 15-13...

The Pierce City Lady Eagles, the three-time defending district softball champs, played host to the Lady Trojans on Thursday, Sept. 26. Southwest's bus ride to Pierce City was nearly as long as the game itself. The seven inning pitching duel lasted around an hour and two minutes...

The fast course at East Newton provided a preview of the Big 8 Conference cross-country meet. Six conference schools competed in the 17-team field on Sept. 28. Webb City captured the varsity boys division, scoring 59 points. Republic's Ryan Way blistered the course with a winning time of 15:50...

The Cassville Wildcat junior varsity football team traveled to Seneca Sept. 23 and earned a 19-8 win over the Indians. It was a perfect early fall night for football, but the Wildcats came out sluggish in the first half. The 'Cats had several offensive penalties and took the ball inside the 5-yard line on two different occasions without scoring...

Only trailing the host Bulldogs 14-7 at halftime and due to receive the second half kickoff, the Cassville Wildcats had a good feeling at Carl Junction on Friday, Sept. 23. Except for allowing an 80-yard screen pass for a touchdown on Carl Junction's initial possession, the Wildcats played the Bulldogs dead even in the first two quarters...

Members of the Silver Leaf Benefit Club met Sept. 17 at Barry Electric Cooperative, with Jean Marney, president, welcoming 18 members and guest, Nora Young. Sarah Marney gave the thought for the day, which encompassed volunteerism. Young presented the program on Court Appointed Special Advocates who represent children's best interests to the court. Young had been a CASA volunteer for 10 years...

Winners in this year's Shakin' in the Shell 26th annual car show, held on Saturday, Sept. 21, have been announced. Winner of the Sheriff's Award was Russ Pendergast with a 1972 Monte Carlo. The best interior award went to Vancil Riddlesperger and his 1955 Chevrolet...

Seniors wishing to enroll in the Medicare Assistance Program will have the opportunity to receive assistance from trained volunteers, starting on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob. Volunteers will be offering counseling and assistance in making changes to Part D coverage and changing providers on the Advantage Plan...

50 Years Ago Oct. 9, 1963 Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Company, which is constructing a new plant in Cassville, is in the process of interviewing employees. Approximately 1,500 persons signed up in the labor survey. The company plans on hiring an estimated 350 employees eventually...

Is this the year to begin saving heifers? That is the question being asked by a lot of beef cow herd owners in southwest Missouri according to Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "Forage availability certainly favors herd expansion for those operations who may have cut their numbers back in 2011 and 2012 due to dry weather," said Cole...

As part of a continued commitment to providing all pet needs, Tractor Supply Company has announced the launch of PetVet Clinic, an affordable and convenient way to protect pets by providing all of its vaccination needs. Tractor Supply's PetVet Clinic, operated by PawsPlus, will be available at the Cassville store beginning in October. For information about clinic dates and times, contact your area Tractor Supply store or visit www.petvet.pawsplus.com...

Cassville Middle School has a new club this year -- Middle-Level Future Business Leaders of America. The high school FBLA program has been successful for many years and the advisors felt it was time to start a new tradition in the middle school. The club has 25 paid members so far...

The JROTC program at Scott Regional Technology Center, in Monett, has a new Senior Army Instructor for the third time in 12 years. Colonel Chad Sparks, a 30-year Army veteran, has taken over the SAI position at SRTC. Col. Sparks began his military career in the ROTC program at the University of Central Arkansas Conway and basic training at Fort Knox, Ky. ...

Members of the Shell Knob School Board are seeking a replacement due to the resignation of one of their members. Patrons of the school district who are interested in being appointed to fill the vacancy are asked to send a letter of interest to Brenda Smith, secretary of the Shell Knob Board of Education, stating their qualifications and their reasons for wishing to be on the board...

Turnings by JusKim, Kim Kenney, of Cassville, will be traveling to the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis on Oct. 4 through 6. She will be part of an event that features more than 120 Missouri food producers and artisans. This yearly event is held in tents on the botanical gardens grounds so it can be held rain or shine. All the vendors featured are either selected or invited to attend...

Apexnetwork Physical Therapy, in conjunction with Monett/Purdy Habitat for Humanity, will be hosting Heroes for Habitat 5K run/walk on Saturday, Oct. 26 at the old YMCA located on Euclid Avenue in Monett. "Apex wanted to bring something fun and exciting to the community and bring awareness to a worthy cause," said Ivy Morgan, marketing coordinator for Apex Network...

The Clark Community Mental Health Center will host its inaugural 5K run/walk for wellness at 9 a.m. an Saturday, Oct. 5, on the observation of the 50th anniversary of the Community Mental Health Bill, signed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963. The event will kick off at 225 Third St. in Monett...

Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary will host a fundraising rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4 and from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 5 at the VFW Post #2203, located on Highway 39 in Shell Knob. This is one of the not-for-profit organization's largest fundraiser of the year and will help support over 150 animals at the no-kill shelter, located at 9617 Farm Road 2190 near Cassville...

Jenkins Fire Protection District volunteers will host their annual Fish Fry from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Station #1 on Highway 248 at the Flat Creek Bridge. Rusty Strings, featuring Debbie Batson, will provide entertainment. The all-you-can-eat fish or chicken meal, with sides, dessert and drink, will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. Cost of the meal is $8 for adults and $4 for children under the age of 10...

Thursday, Oct. 3 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...

Submitted photo At their September cruise-in, the Cassville Cruisers car club members presented Gene Swadley the "Eddie" Award for being voted the Best of the Bunch from 1971-1980. Swadley is pictured above standing beside his 1980 El Camino.

Ozarks Water Watch, a not-for-profit corporation that monitors, protects and helps improve water quality in the upper White River watershed, has received a $1 million grant from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, the Missouri Department of Conservation and Table Rock Lake Water Quality to assist homeowners repair or replace failing septic systems in the Missouri portion of the watershed area...

A Golden teen was injured in a single-vehicle crash at 6:10 a.m. in Wednesday on County Road 1135, about two miles east of Cassville. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the crash occurred when the driver of a 1989 Ford Ranger, Dakota B. Ball, 17, of Golden, struck a cow and overturned...

Recently Blake and Debbie Whitley, of Cassville, entertained long-time friends from Australia. Noreida Fotheringham, and daughter, Kim Wilson, of New South Wales, Australia flew into Springfield for a 10 day visit. As a senior in high school, Debbie was an exchange student for a year in Australia and stayed with her host family, the Fotheringhams, for a quarter of her visit. "It's been 42 years since Debbie was actually in Australia with us," said Noreida...

Many of you may have heard about a recently proposed Arkansas power line that could pass through southern Barry and McDonald counties. Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is considering Route 109, running for about 25 miles along the Missouri-Arkansas border, as one option to address power supply issues in north Arkansas...

Many of you may have heard about a recently proposed Arkansas power line that could pass through southern Barry and McDonald counties. Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) is considering Route 109, running for about 25 miles along the Missouri-Arkansas border, as one option to address power supply issues in north Arkansas...

Families and job creators across Missouri and the nation are bracing for impact as some of the first provisions of the president's health care law take effect. This comes after months of delays and reports of glitches that have troubled this costly government overhaul since its passage more than three years ago. Yet, more Americans admit they are still wary of and unfamiliar with the law...

A bipartisan group of Missouri lawmakers is crafting a proposal to expand the state's Medicaid program that would potentially give thousands of Missourians access to the health care program. Last year, the Republican-led legislature rejected Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon's proposal to expand the program using federal funds from the Affordable Care Act. Republicans cited concerns that the federal government would not keep its funding promises, leaving the state with a giant Medicaid bill...

This week's pet of the week at the Haven of the Ozarks is Sandal. Sandal is a one-year-old lab-mix that was found outside of Exeter. She loves to run and will need some space to do so. Sandal can jump most fences so supervision would be a must while outside if adopted to a home in town. ...

Welcome fall Just as quickly as this year has gone by, the fall season is upon us, and all around, there are sure signs of one of the best seasons going for this part of the woods. If you don't think the color change in the forests that surround us isn't just around the corner, drive down to the Roller Nursery growing grounds south of Washburn, and see some of the young trees getting ahead of their elders out in the woods in converting to the Flaming Fall Review...

Employees from the Shell Knob branch of Freedom Bank distributed over 500 clothing items at the community's Shakin' in the Shell event on Sept. 21. Teller Lavetta Phillips and her daughter, Jennifer Walton, administered the project, which offered collection points at local schools and the bank...

Hospice Compassus and Crowder have joined together to co-host a free screening of the film, Honor Flight, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 6, at Crowder College in Cassville. Donations will be accepted to benefit the Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization dedicated to sending World War II veterans to view the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C., each year at no cost...

Absentee voting continues for the Tuesday, Nov. 5 special election for the Wheaton Fire Protection District. Absentee voting will continue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Barry County Clerk's Office, located at 700 Main, Suite 2, in Cassville...

Clay to Sculpture two-day workshop set Creative Arts of Shell Knob will present a Clay to Sculpture workshop, led by professional sculptor Lew Aytes, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15 and Wednesday, Oct. 16, at Lakeside Christian Church in Shell Knob. Cost of materials is $65. Those planning to attend are urged to take a sack lunch. Beginner and experienced artists are welcome. To register, call Jo Daniels at 417-858-0423 or Eunice Blazek at 417-858-3130...

Members of the Creative Arts of Shell Knob cooperative will celebrate their second anniversary by demonstrating and exhibiting their art at the CCC Park in Shell Knob on Saturday, Oct. 12. "Marcia Nichols and I have talked about it since the day we opened, that it would be fun to have art in the park, and we finally made it happen," said Jo Daniels, a visual artist who is a member of the cooperative...

Starting next spring, students from Missouri State University, in Springfield, will be cleaning, repairing, arranging and indexing Barry County government records from the 19th Century, Jan. 1, 1801 through Dec. 31, 1900. The work is a cooperative agreement between Secretary of State Jason Kander and Missouri State University President Clif Smart, with the goal of training students in archival procedures while they gain jobs-ready skills in a supervised lab setting...

At 5 a.m. yesterday morning, the McDonald's restaurant in Cassville re-opened its doors to the public with a new look a little over six months after a fire that destroyed the previous building. "It was very important for us to get this building open, not only for our business, but for the revenue we bring to the city and for the jobs we provide to individuals," said Doris Autry, director of operations for Mathews Management Company, which owns and operates this and 34 other franchises in Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.. ...