Stories from Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Tommy Still, 77, of Wheaton, passed away Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, in his home. He was born Jan. 26, 1936, in Joplin, the son of E.A. and Mary E. (Smith) Still. On Nov. 16, 1962, in Cassville, he was united in marriage to Ruby (Utter) who survives. Also surviving is one sister, Wanda Guerrero, of Wichita, Kan...

Billy Don Ennis, 53, of Exeter, passed away Jan. 3, 2014. He was born March 29, 1960, to Glenn and Florence Ennis. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, H.T. and Effie Futrell and Olan and Janie Ennis. Survivors include: his wife, Cindy; one daughter, Kelsey Dawn Ennis, of the home; three sons, Clayton Ryan Ennis, of the home, Cody Russell Ennis and his wife, Brittney, and Aaron Don Ennis and one grandson all of Exeter; his mother Florence Ennis, of Exeter; his father, Glenn Ennis and his wife, Judy, of Stella; and one brother, Jerry Ennis and his wife, Tammy, of Exeter.. ...

Dolores Carol "Dee" Reynolds, 58, of Exeter, passed away Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, in Red Rose Health and Rehabilitation Center, Cassville. She was born Nov. 1, 1955, in Washington County, Kan., the daughter of Ralph E. and Dorothy Jean "Utter" Bolejack. On June 7, 1980, she was united in marriage to Derrell R. "Hoss" Reynolds, who preceded her in death on Aug. 22, 2003. Also preceding her in death were her parents and one sister, Betty Rose...

Micheal James Rogers, infant son of Jessica Rogers, of Washburn, passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in Mercy Hospital, Springfield. He was born Dec. 31, 2013, in Mercy Hospital, Springfield. Besides his mother, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Steve and Patricia Simmons, of Washburn...

Jeffrey Wayne "Jeff" Wilson, 36, of Cassville, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, in Mercy Hospital, Cassville. He was born Nov. 29, 1977, in Artesia, N.M., the son of David and Janet (Vannatter) Wilson who survive. Additional survivors include; two sons, Christyan and Evan Wilson, both of Cassville; one daughter, Kaylynn Wilson, of Cassville; one sister, Brandy Priest, of Cassville; and his maternal grandmother, Patricia Vannatter, of Loving, N.M...

Shirley Mae Palmer, 80, of Wheaton, passed away Sunday, Jan. 5, 2014, in her home. Arrangements will be announce by McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton. A complete obituary will be in next week's paper.

Loyd Nimon Ellis, 91, of Seligman, passed away Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014, in his home. He was born June 2, 1922, in Washburn, the son of James Franklin "Frank" and Sarah (Mahurin) Ellis. On Sept. 20, 1941, in Washburn, he was united in marriage to Delma Harrell, who survives...

By Jared Lankford sports@cassville-democrat.com Down and out was the best way to describe the Exeter boys basketball program when Jay Allen was elevated to head coach two years ago. Things went from bad to worse for Allen in his first season, with the transfer of all-state player Tanner White...

Photo submitted The 14-and-under Monett Grizzlies baseball team, pictured above, concluded the 2013 season in Columbia by winning the Show-Me State Championships. This was the third consecutive year the Grizzlies won the championship. During the course of the 2013 season, Monett collected six tournament titles along with a trio of second places finishes. ...

Students received recognition from the Purdy School Board for outstanding achievement in music and sports during the first semester of classes. Katherine Wise qualified for the All-State honor choir. In volleyball, Macey Breeding qualified for first team all-conference, Vira Aldava for second team all-conference, and Courtney White for honorable mention. ...

The Environmental Services division of the Barry County Health Department inspected 22 food-service establishments during the month of December. Of that group, 11 establishments had critical violations and six had no critical or non-critical violations...

By Murray Bishoff A Cassville woman was hurt in a single vehicle crash at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 6 five miles east of Neosho. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jennifer Tindall, 31, was driving west on Highway D in a 1999 Oldsmobile Bravada when her vehicle ran off the left side of the road and struck several trees...

The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce hosted its First Friday Coffee at Arvest Bank in Cassville. Those attending the networking meeting are pictured above. Fro mleft, are: Kelly Paul, Valerie Speer, Rhonda Stafford, Landon Fletcher, Linda Cowherd, Shawna Oltjenbruns, Mindi Artherton, director of the Cassville Chamber of Commerce, and Michelle Bredeson...

Thursday, Jan. 9 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 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...

A former Cassville resident has earned the Meritorious Service medal for accomplishments made from Aug. 18, 2011, through Aug. 30, 2013. Captain Jeremy S. Gracy distinguished himself in the performance of outstanding service as the Air Mobility Operations Flight Commander, 36th Mobility Response Squadron, 36th Contingency Response Group, 36th Wing, Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. ...

B.J. McGuffey and Alix Davis are pleased to announce their engagement. The bride-to-be is the daughter of John and Shelly Davis, of Stafford, Virg. The groom-to-be is the son of Billy and Glenda McGuffey, of Cassville. Alix is a graduate of John Brown University with a bachelor's degree in graphic design, and B.J. ...

50 Years Ago Jan. 15, 1964 Posting the magic number 50-0, the Exeter Tigers, coached by Charles Posey, are the proud owners of the new winning streak record in Missouri high school basketball. Superintendent John Beattie announced last week the Tigers apparently hold undisputed possession of the record after a search failed to find anything comparable. ...

Senator David Sater, R-Cassville, has been awarded the Missouri Cattlemen's Association's Friend of the Industry award for 2013-2014 for his support of agriculture and the beef industry. "Senator Sater is a strong supporter of agriculture in the State Capitol," said Missouri Cattlemen's Association Executive Vice President Mike Deering. ...

State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick will play a larger role in helping to ensure legislation that moves through the Missouri House of Representatives is crafted in a way that is fiscally responsible and in the best interests of Missouri taxpayers. Fitzpatrick was recently named by House Speaker Tim Jones to serve as a member of the House Fiscal Review Committee...

Ice Having gone through our share of slipping and sliding in snow and ice the past few weeks, brings to mind the tales that used to be told around Cassville about icing conditions in the distant past of the community. My folks once talked about winters that were severe enough that Flat Creek, a free-flowing stream in those days, would provide ice for the community. That might be hard to believe in these days of ice-makers, but it was true...

This week's featured pet is Bingo. He is very active, highly intelligent and full of love. He needs a home with people willing to invest the time to provide the necessary training and exercise a great dog like this requires. He is house trained, loves other dogs and is great with children. ...

Special to the Democrat The Cassville City Council held a special meeting on Dec. 30 to accomplish year-end financial transfers for the audit and take action on several on-going matters. The council voted for a slight increase to the water rates and authorized the firm of D.A. Davidson and Co. to refinance the Series 2010 Certificate of Participation bond issue in a move that will save the city nearly $172,000 over the next six years...

An Exeter man was killed in a single-vehicle crash at 3:28 a.m. on Friday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Billy Ennis, 53, was a passenger in a 2008 Pontiac driven by Ricky Pritchett, 45, of Purdy. Pritchett was driving west on Highway 86, two miles east of Stark City, when he failed to negotiate a curve. The car left the roadway, struck a culvert and overturned...

reporter@monett-times.com What started as a routine stop by a Barry County deputy on New Year's Eve ended in felony charges for a Cassville man. Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly said the incident started about 5 p.m. when a deputy saw the subject driving in an erratic manner. ...

Barry County Assessor Sherry Sears announced that the 2014 Personal Property and Business Assessment Sheets were mailed out on Jan. 2. Those who have not received a form are asked to allow at least seven to 10 days before calling the office to allow time for all forms to be delivered...

Flu vaccines available It's not too late to get vaccinated. Flu vaccines are still available at the Barry County Health Department, located at 65 Main St. in Cassville. KOMA Beef Conference slated The 2014 KOMA Beef Conference will be held at 3 p.m. ...

Commission expects to add personnel, vehicles in 2014

The City of Cassville recently honored employees for their service and dedication. Jennifer Evans, accounting clerk, and Stan Patton, of the City of Cassville public works department, were selected as the City of Cassville's 2013 Team Work Award recipients, based upon nominations received from fellow City employees...

reporter@monett-times.com After several days of single-digit temperatures, area residents will likely welcome a slight warming trend beginning Wednesday and continuing through the weekend. Many Barry County residents hunkered down during the coldest part of the weekend, when temperatures dropped into the negative numbers for three consecutive nights...

reporter@monett-times.com Investigation continues into an incident that occurred Friday in which a rural Washburn woman was robbed and then kidnapped from her home. According to Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly, the woman was kidnapped from her home on Trent Road in McDonald County. Two men broke into her house at about 12:30 p.m. Friday, threw her on the floor and demanded money, drugs and her car...

reporter@monett-times.com The third annual First Day Hike, which took place on Jan. 1 at Roaring River State Park in Cassville, was an overwhelming success, according to Kerry Hays, assistant park superintendent. "Our First Day Hike was a wonderful event with our biggest turnout since the program first started three years ago," Hays said...