Stories from Wednesday, August 20, 2014

Theresa B. Haynes, 52, of Seligman, passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Cassville Health and Rehabilitation Center. She was born June 11, 1962, in Monett, the daughter of Clyde and Eldine (Gifford) Henry. On Jan. 19, 1982, in Bentonville, Ark., she was united in marriage to Joseph "Joe" Haynes, who survives...

James Allen Huffman, 64, of Cassville, passed away Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014. He was born Feb.8, 1950, in Mesa, Ariz., the son of James A. and Ruth (Kaiser) Huffman, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were: one son, Derrek Huffman; one brother, Larry Huffman; and a stepson, Curtis Keeley...

Brandy Lee Davis/Scates, 38, was born on Oct. 13, 1975, in Seminole, Okla., to Kelly Gene Davis and Alice Gail Davis. She passed from this life on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014, in Cassville, after fighting a courageous battle for life with a heartless foe...

Ruby L. Still, 72, of Wheaton, passed away Sunday, Aug. 17, 2014, in Red Rose Health and Rehabilitation Center, Cassville. She was born Sept. 13, 1941, in Cassville, the daughter of Harry W. and Lucy J. (Priest) Utter. On Nov. 16, 1962, in Cassville, she was united in marriage to Tommy Still, who preceded her in death on Dec. 30, 2013. Also preceding her in death were her parents...

Yvette Isbell Pulley, 97, of Eureka Springs, Ark., passed away in her home on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014. She was born on Jan. 30, 1917, daughter of Newton and Rosa (Narro) Isbell, in Baldwin, La. She grew up in Tyler, Texas. In 1934, the family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where she lived until 2013, when she moved to North West Arkansas to be closer to her daughter and family, Kimberly, Richard, and Ariel Clark. ...

Lucille Mary Lindsay, 85, of Cassville, passed away Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in her home. She was born May 1, 1929, in St. Louis, the daughter of Howard and Ida (Hespen) Wall. She was united in marriage to David Lindsay, who preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her parents; two previous husbands; one son, Robert Rose; and one daughter, Mary Rose...

Blaine Edmondson Brock, 81, of Cassville, passed away Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Cox Medical Center South in Springfield. He was born Oct. 10, 1932, near Cassville, the son of Oliver P. and Carrie (Edmondson) Brock. On June 10, 1967, in Cassville, he was united in marriage to Allene Stubblefield, who survives...

Virginia Lee "Ginny" Bowler, 89, of Shell Knob, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in her home. She was born Oct. 3, 1924, in Bolivar, the daughter of George R. and Antha Lee (Morgan) Martin. On Sept. 14, 1940, she was united in marriage to Harley William "Bill" Bowler in Ashland, Kan. He preceded her in death on Dec. 24, 1979. Also preceding were her parents, sons, Billy George and premature twin sons, and sisters, Francis Rodriguez and Dixie Harris...

The city of Exeter has officially hired a new police chief. Morgan Struble, 26, was hied on July 9 on a 30-day probationary period. Pleased with his work during that period, city officials made the decision last week to officially hire Struble. Struble replaced Marion Jacobson, who resigned June 14 to take a job outside of law enforcement. A full-time employee, Struble will be paid $10 per hour, an annual salary of $20,800...

Pictured from left, Purdy Middle School pals Anastasia Ohler, Shana Whisman and Mackenzie Fuller enjoyed breakfast together on the first day of school on Tuesday. Contributed photo

From left, Charity and Tom Hernandez and Steve, Hannah and Tami Reid, all from Purdy, take a break during Trivia Night at the Cassville Branch Library. They were the winning team out of three teams. Jason Johnston reporter@cassville-democrat.com

Assistant Principal Coy Dalton informs a group of Cassville High School students about rules for attending Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett. Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com

Japanese beetles have been reported in large numbers across the state this year. Trap counts through Missouri indicate the beetle population will continue to climb, and should be peaking this month. The beetles are said to feed on any plant that has an appealing aroma to them, making them a threat to farmers in Barry County...

A Cassville man and a Pierce City man were injured Sunday night in a wreck on County Road 2220, one mile west of Pierce City. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol Report, Kenneth Yahner, 30, of Cassville, was driving a 1994 Volvo and allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign, striking a 2003 Ford Expedition being driven by Judy Flehmer, 59, of Pierce City...

A three-car pile up on Highway 37 in Purdy on Thursday led to an Eagle Rock woman being treated for moderate injuries. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Ashton Young, 16, of Monett, was driving a 2006 Ford Mustang when her vehicle entered the path of a 2004 Buick LeSabre, being driven by Dawna Headgepath, 48, of Eagle Rock. The impact caused Young's vehicle to impact a stopped 2012 Chevrolet Impala, being driven by Linda Killion, 47, of Wheaton...

Kornerstone Inc. will be hosting a 5K Walk/Run in September in Cassville, with the proceeds from the event benefitting teen moms in Barry County through the Kornerstone Teen Moms program. Kornerstone Director Marlene Whitham says the 5K is a good, healthy way to get the community involved...

The Exeter and Wheaton Fire Departments will soon be filling their boots with more than just feet. The departments are gearing up for the Fill the Boot fundraiser, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Jerry Bear, executive director of the MDA, said firefighters across the nation have been a big help to the association...

Cassville native Vicki Irsik is excited to start her new job as principal at St. Lawrence Catholic School in Monett. "This place is home," Irsik said. "I've been here since the first of July. I can say the Lord's here, the kids are good and the teachers are phenomenal."...

The Cassville Police Department and the municipal court invited a former West Memphis, Ark., police chief to train area law enforcement about sovereign citizens, who have made their presence known in Barry County. "[Sovereign cItizens] are more dangerous, more of a threat to us than international terrorists," said Bob Paudert, a retired police chief. "They are in our own backyard."...

Norman Drake, of Neosho, was the president of the Spring River Pulling Association for almost 43 years, and many area truck and tractor pullers, sled operators and spectators respected him. After Drake died on Jan. 15, his family has decided to stay on for one more year before letting others lead the association forward...

Seligman has to replace a 34-year-old irrigation system in a lagoon that stores the city's sewage and waste water, a project estimated to cost $60,000. "We need a more efficient way of discharging the lagoon waste water," said Brian Nichols, Seligman city clerk. "It's gone through its natural cycle."...

A full day of activities are planned for the 56th annual Wheaton Barbecue, a benefit hosted by the Wheaton Volunteer Fire Department on Saturday, Aug. 23 in the Wheaton City Park. The main attraction for the event is the half-chicken barbecue dinners with baked potatoes, baked beans and beverages for $6, or $3 for children. Pulled pork sandwiches, homemade pies and ice cream will also be available. Serving begins at 11:30 a.m...

Caden Moran, 7, of Rogers, Ark., smiles as he holds up his catch at Roaring River State Park's Kids' Fishing Day Saturday. According to Paul Spurgeon, manager of the Roaring River Trout Hatchery, a total of 970 children cast their lines at the last Kids' Fishing Day of the year. Kyle Troutman editor@cassville-democrat.com...

The city of Exeter and the Exeter School District are at odds over the district's request to create more parking by using a portion of the city park. Brad Porter, member of the Exeter School Board, addressed the city recently and asked for it to donate to the district the western-most portion of the park, from where the district's bus barn is located to the elementary school parking lot, so it could be used for more parking...

Area school administrators closely monitored enrollment as K--12 students returned from their summer break. The Cassville School District had 1,861 students on Friday, an increase of 40 students over the previous year. Cassville High School had 597 students, Cassville Middle School had 427 students, Cassville Intermediate had 392 students and Eunice Thomas Elementary had 445 students...

The city of Cassville is mulling a water line project that would replace half of the city's 43 miles of water pipes, with the goal of eliminating water losses the city has experienced. Steve Walensky, public works director for the city of Cassville, said some of the city's piping is more than 80 years old, which is well past its intended life span and is causing the city to hover around 30 percent water loss...

Even if Barry County sports fans do not recognize the name, many would recognize the face of Lee Stubblefield, especially those who have spent time driving in Barry County or running its trails. This summer, Stubblefield, who was already on staff in the Southwest School District, was ask to again take over a cross-country program that he helped build into a state champion in 2000...

Ready or not, the first week of the high school football season is here. It's hard for some to fathom two August games, but that has become the new reality with the Missouri State High School Activities Association adjusting the season so all games, regular season and playoffs, will be played on Fridays...

A 60-year-old man Reeds Spring man has been officially charged after being arrested Tuesday for allegedly invading a home on Kings Cross Lane in Golden. Lewis Coker, 60, of Reeds Spring, is facing charges of first-degree burglary, a class B felony; stealing, a class C felony; and two counts of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, class C felonies. ...