Stories from Wednesday, November 4, 2015

A Cassville man has been charged with rape following an incident in Wheaton on Oct. 29. According to a probable cause statement filed by Barry County Deputy Scott Salkill, the victim, whose name is being withheld, reported to authorities that at a home in Wheaton at about 1 a.m., Joel Pyle, 33, of Cassville, allegedly grabbed her by her neck and forced her into her residence. He then allegedly bent the victim over a couch and raped her, then left the scene in a gray Dodge Journey...

A Monett man is facing three felony charges for allegedly having sex with a 14-year-old girl in Exeter. According to a probable cause report filed by Barry County Deputy Terry Meek, the victim said she and Dustin Briskey, 24, of Monett, allegedly went to his SUV at a home in Exeter, parked in the driveway and had sexual intercourse...

Barry County Collector Janice Varner has announced the 2015 tax statements were mailed to Barry County residents on Monday. Anyone who does not receive a statement by Nov. 15 may call Varner's office at 417-847-2113. The 2015 taxes become delinquent on Jan. ...

Staff at Freedom Bank in Cassville had a little fun of their own with the Halloween holiday on Friday by dressing up together as jailbirds, courtesy of the Barry County jail, which provided the outfits.

Becky McKnight, of Washburn, who has been cooking meals at the Cassville Senior Center for five years and brings 30 years of cooking experience to the center, watches over a pot at the center.

Dr. Lisa Roark, center, and staff visited Jill Crawford's first-grade class in Cassville Thursday to teach children all about their bodies.

Barry County trick-or-treaters loaded up on candy at Seligman's trunk-or-treat event Saturday at the community center.

Assistant Cub Scout Leader Brandon Lakey, left, helps scout and son Reese Lakey create a tank as part of a project toward earning Wolf badges, while Scout Leader Mike Driskill, left middle, helped scouts and parents, including scout Timothy Kraft and his dad Marc Kraft...

A Shell Knob man was injured Tuesday in a wreck at 1:35 p.m. on Highway 39 in Shell Knob. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, a 2012 GMC Terrain, being driven by Barbara Dudley, 73, of Shell Knob, was stopped in traffic due to another crash. Her vehicle was struck from behind by a 2012 Honda Accord, being driven by Richard Boies, 22, of Shell Knob...

Two people suffered injuries Tuesday afternoon in a wreck at 1:05 p.m. Highway 39 and Route YY in Shell Knob. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, John Stephens, 46, of Conway, was driving a 1995 Mercury Sable northbound on Highway 39 when his vehicle struck a 2002 Lexus RX300, being driven by Donna Matchett, 72, of Shell Knob...

The Butterfield Community Building Committee recently received $12,000 in donations, including $10,000 from First State Bank and $2,000 from George's Poultry, for improvements to the city's community building. Improvements planned include upgrading the heating and air conditioning system, remodeling the restrooms, improving the kitchen, painting the building and purchasing new banquet tables...

With leaves falling in the changing seasons, homeowners are beginning their annual fall ritual of raking, bagging and burning the leaves. While most agree to use common sense when burning leaves, so as not to burn more than just leaves, experts advise to first check the weather forecast to see if it's a good time to burn, and to plan the burn...

After four months of sales tax returns besting last year's totals, receipts in Barry County dipped in October. The seven Barry County cities with sales tax generated $471,307.12, down 4 percent in comparing the same taxes collected a year ago. Only Seligman and Washburn in Barry County topped last October's totals. ...

One of Barry County's most wanted, who had managed to evade the law, was recently apprehended and arrested after a foot chase, according to Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly. On Oct. 23, Shawn M. Jones, 33, of Cassville, was arrested after tips were received by law enforcement that he was at a house in Butterfield...

A Crane woman was arrested in connection with two car thefts that occurred over a seven-day period. According to a probable cause statement filed by Cassville City Officer Danny Boyd, on Oct. 15, Melissa Hoyt (Ross), 38, of Crane, walked to 907 Main St. ...

Cassville High School students recently asked administration to offer a new course, a sneak peak into the education field, and the school delivered. The courses, which are called Teach and Train and Teach and Train Practicum, are designed to prepare students wanting to go into the education field and include in-class and hands-on training...

The Wheaton school district recently approved a general obligation bond refunding, resulting in net savings of over $86,000. The bond resolution authorized the sale of $935,000 in bonds, at an average interest rate of 2.33 percent. Series 2007 bonds carried an average interest rate of 4.2 percent by comparison. The difference reduced the future interest expense to the district, and taxpayers, by $86,423...

Several children from Sunbeam Preschool, based out of United Methodist Church, dressed in costumes and went out on Oct. 28, getting a head start on collecting candy for Halloween.

For the last five years, Seligman police officers have been taking children shopping, more specifically -- Christmas shopping. The Shop With a Cop program began when former Officer Randy Calbaugh and current Barry County deputy suggested it. "It was something we did in Kansas City when I worked in Clay County," Calbaugh said. "They did it for many years. It was aimed for the underprivileged or single parents that couldn't afford to get Christmas presents...

After one previous unsuccessful attempt to secure funding for a storm safe shelter, Purdy school officials are preparing to enetr another application to FEMA. Architect Brad Erwin told the Purdy School Board the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) sent out a letter indicating funding would again be available. Because Purdy developed an application with specific plans in 2014, the district can apply quickly and have an edge on others lacking similar preparation...

Things were quite a bit different back in the days of pioneer settler in Cassville, my grandfather three times removed. He took care of his widow in fine fashion for those days in his will, leaving her the home, 250 acres of land, and sufficient cattle to make a living...

After a season-ending loss to Reeds Spring on Friday, the 17 Cassville football seniors spent an extra minute on the field after the weekly post-game huddle. There was no shortage of hugs and tears among the gridiron brothers, as the emotional sting of the 20-13 scoreline meant the last time many of them would don the pads...