Stories from Wednesday, May 11, 2016

I'm not sure what the waiting is for. Is it because Cassville is just one of those communities slow to give recognition when achievement is realized? Or, is it just because people here don't fully understand what Janet Kavandi has achieved? Those who have any age on them might shake the cobwebs out and remember she is a daughter of the late Bill and Ruth Sellers of Cassville. ...

The Cassville Women's Golf League play a three-person scramble event on Thursday. First place, with a 45, went to Marlene Wolf, Pam Graham and Barb Vesely. Second place, with a 46, went to Connie Figgins, Becky Ryder and Jeanette Skorupski. Third place was won by Sue King, Sandy Fleischmann and Karry Lewis with a score of 49 by a card-off...

The Purdy golf team qualified two golfers for the Class 1 tournament at Fremont Hills country Club in Nixa on May 16-17. Matthew Wilson and Tyler Keeler both made the cut for the Eagles. Wilson finished 13th overall with a 14-over-par, and Keeler carded a 17-over-par at the par-72 Hoots Hollow Golf Course in Sedalia on Monday...

Cassville golfer Dylan Garner earned a berth into the class 3 state championship golf tournament May 16-17 at Rivercut Golf Course in Springfield. Garner finished 20th at the sectional tournament at Whispering Oaks Golf Course with a 10-over-par 80 on Monday...

The Cassville High School Golf Team has made a $300 donation to the Community Food Pantry at the United Methodist Church.

In my house, I own a plastic pig. To look at the item, there is nothing that identifies it as special, rare or unique. The molded plastic swine is roughly 10 inches long, 5 inches tall and 3 inches wide. There is a place underneath for batteries. In the animal's mouth is a sensor. When triggered, a cheap voice chip lets out a noise that is supposed to resemble a hog grunt...

The Southwest Junior High Trap Team hit 440 of 500 targets to claim third place at the Missouri High School Trap Shooting Championships at the MTA Shooting facility in Linn Creek. Ty Howard led the squad, breaking 94 of 100 targets. Hunter Stanley broke 92; Leland Colf, 91; Garrett Stanley, 82; and Samuel Jennings rounded out the scoring with an 81...

Cassville's baseball team heads to Monett on Saturday for the Class 4, District 12 tournament. The Wildcats (14-9) and earned the No. 3 overall seed and play East Newton in the first round, and the Wildcats feel like the tournament is wide open. "Teams one through six could win this tournament," said Jade Samborski, Cassville coach. "We have two state-ranked programs at the top of this tournament, but feel like it is still open for the taking."...

Arvest Bank announced the beginning of its sixth annual 1 Million Meals campaign, which challenges bank associates, customers and community members to fight hunger in the more than 120 communities the bank serves by providing at least one million meals to those in need. Today, the bank announced the campaign has exceeded 500,000 meals, or halfway to its goal...

This week's pet of the week at the Haven of the Ozarks is DJ, an older guy full of spunk, energy, and happiness.

David and Rhonda Craig, of Cassville, along with Loye and Connie Rose, of Cassville, are pleased to announce the engagement and upcoming wedding of their children, Kendal Lynn Craig and Trey Rose.

Last week, the Cassville Farmers' Market began offering an additional day during the week for residents to pick up farm-fresh foods.

Mercy employees and others from the community gathered Thursday inside the main lobby for a corporate prayer in honor of the National Day or Prayer, an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May which invites people of all faiths to pray for the nation...

The first Barry County Youth Camp Trivia Night fundraiser saw more than 75 people competing for championship honors while raising money to benefit the Barry County Youth Camp. The trivia contest and silent auction netted nearly $2,500, which will be used to support programs and activities at this year's camp, slated to take place from May 23-26. The theme of this year's camp is "Creative Minds at Work."...

Drake Thomas, performing as Tulita Pepsii, reacts to winning the Big Man on Campus event Saturday night.

Many cars at the 30th Annual Dogwood Car, Truck and Motorcycle Festival sported themes.

While three Barry County cities saw gains in sales tax revenues in April compared to 2015, total revenues coming into all seven Barry County cities saw a drop. The seven Barry County cities collecting sales tax received $445,494.14, down 7 percent from a year ago...

The city of Washburn has had an empty alderman chair at its city council meetings for a while now, which Julie Grillone, city clerk, finance director, and court clerk, said has not been filled most likely because of preconceived ideas about what the position would entail...

Since Mercy's takeover of EMS services in the county in early March, the Barry County Ambulance District has reported its response times have improved by an average of 16.5 minutes. "I've said it many times that I am incredibly grateful for the service that Cox provided as long as they did, but things have improved immensely since March 9," said Ken Cieslinski, board chairman for the district...

In February 2014, the Viney Creek Recreational Area near Golden was marked for closure, but Missouri State Parks stepped in to ensure the serene area, which includes campgrounds, playgrounds, picnic areas and boat ramps, remained open to area residents...

Roaring River State Park and Fish Hatchery will be the place for kids to be on Saturday, as the area is hosting the 36th annual Kids' Fishing Day. The popular event, which began in 1981, gives children the opportunity to learn how to fish, and learn about the natural world around them in a variety of seminars geared for children, in the serene setting of the historic park...

Now that Olson Engineering has completed its water study and advised the city of Seligman of the underlying infrastructure issues with its aging water system, the city is exploring options on how to carry out the firm's recommendations with the least impact on residents...

The city of Cassville has declined a resident's request to enact a leash law in Cassville, pointing to laws already on the books regarding vicious dogs as adequate in addressing the issue presented to the council last month. Jon Horner, alderman, discussed the topic at length on Monday, sympathizing with the resident, Tracy Youngblood, who was forced to put down her chihuahua after it was attacked by a pit bull during a routine neighborhood walk...

State and national legislators representing Barry and Lawrence counties each plan to back presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump in November. State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, said although there are flaws in Trump's candidacy, and all other candidates, he will vote for Trump if he is selected at the upcoming convention...

For the second time in just more than two month, Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon made the hike to Roaring River State Park, this time to cut the ribbon on a piece of the park's history that has received new life. The CCC Lodge, which has not been available for lodging for the past 40 years, has officially opened its doors to park-goers, with the first reservations already booked for Sunday...