Stories from Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Any team that has faced the Purdy girls basketball team over the last three seasons has had to deal with the force that is Layne Skiles. The senior routinely attracted double teams and the attention of the best players from the opposing school. Now, she has received the attention of college scouts...

Patricia “Terri” Blankenship, 74, of Wheaton, passed away Nov. 5, 2017. She was born Oct. 13, 1943, to Claud and Alta (Shaffer) Taylor in Covington, Okla. She married her first husband, Marvin Jones in Dodge City, Kan., on April 30, 1959. To this marriage two daughters were born, Sasha “Lynne” and Rebecca Ann. ...

Patricia Bledsoe, 72, of Simco, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at her home. She was born on Aug. 30, 1945, in Stella, daughter of Okle and Kitty Bailey. She was a graduate of Rocky Comfort High School in McDonald County. She worked as beautician in Stella, waitressed at the Longview Café, and was manager for Dollar General in Neosho. She was a member of the Body of Christ Ministries in Wheaton...

Arlin Albert “Al” Campbell, 86 of Cassville, passed away Monday, Nov. 6, 2017, at his home. He was born June 20, 1931, in Arkansas City, Kan., the son of William Albert and Eva (Morgan) Campbell. On Dec. 27, 1950, he was united in marriage to Rozella “Rose” Sparks, who survives...

Ronald Glen Ewing, 60, passed away Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017. He was born on July 7, 1957, in Des Moines, Iowa, to Glen Ewing and Roberta (Wheeler) Curnes. He graduated from Madrid High School in 1975, and then went to Bolivar Technical College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He later received a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Phoenix...

Robert Victor Huff, Jr., 87, of Shell Knob, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at Ozark Nursing and Care Center in Ozark. He was born Oct. 24, 1930, in Kansas City, the son of Robert Victor and Nell Elaine (Dignon) Huff, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were one son, Grant Huff and one sister, Louise...

Alfred Lee Jennings, 74, of Cassville, passed away at his home on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017. He was born on Jan. 17, 1943, in Shawnee, Okla., son of Edd and Annabelle (Shelton) Jennings. On Aug. 12, 1978, he was united in marriage to Karen J. Holbrook in Santa Cruz, Calif. ...

James Elias “Jim” Long, 64, of Cassville, passed away Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. He was born March 19, 1953, in York, Neb., the son of Dean Melvin and Luella Mae (Warren) Long, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were two sisters, Lee Annette Long and Shirley Maggard and a sister-in-law, Kaye Long...

Roy Lee Nokes, 72, of Monett, passed away Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, at his home. He worked at the Monett Area Workshop for many years. He was a client of ARC for many years. Graveside services were held Monday at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Chaplain Larry Kackley will conduct the services...

Norma “Gayle” Russell, 80, of Jenkins, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017, at her home. She was born March 16, 1937 in Stone County near James River the daughter of William Earl and Ella (Gore) Dotson. On May 31, 1956 in Cassville, she was united in marriage to Doyle Russell, who survives...

Lillian Rae Welker, age 77, of Holiday Island, Ark., passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was born Aug. 31, 1940, in Los Angeles, Calif., the daughter of Guy and Lorraine (Cane) Butcher. On Jan. 29, 1965, she was united in marriage to Ellis Walker, who survives...

There is nothing in between when it comes to being favorable toward eating or not having anything to do with eating turnips, which is one of the vegetables normally readily available this time of the year. The turnip has become a crop available both to humans and cattle, the latter being the one that is quite choosy about consuming the veggie...

For Cassville senior Austin Wilson, the goal of obtaining a college scholarship came true recently in the form of an offer from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. While at school, the Cassville runner has agreed to pull double duty and will run on the Bearcat cross-country team in the fall and the track and field team in the spring...

Moments after a 24-6 win over Eldon, Mt. Vernon Coach Tom Cox was surrounded by media and television cameras and was answering questions about his team’s win over a program that had averaged almost 51 points per game this season. Cox was on the verge of tears as he recalled how proud he was of his players and how they executed the game plan to perfection, save for one play that allowed Eldon to score...

At 6-3, Cassville standout hoops player Madi Stokes is easy to spot in a crowd. That is precisely the reason Missouri Southern State University (MSSU) in Joplin coveted the Lady Wildcats senior. “Madi will give us some added size at 6-3 with good hands and a nice soft touch around the basket,” said Ronnie Ressel, MSSU coach...

Alissa Porter of the Seligman Branch of the People’s Community Bank, presented Exeter High School senior Trevor Nelson, with a Student of the Month certificate.

The Southwest Middle School FFA Chapter recently hosted its annual Barnwarming event.

The Cassville Mask and Gavel Club will host the annual Glenda Ward Speech and Debate tournament on Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, at the high school. The Cassville Speech and Debate Club is asking for help from parents and community members to help judge performances on one or both dates to support their nationally qualifying speech and debate team. No experience is necessary...

Cassville High School Theatre Production will present Beauty IS a Beast, written by D. M. Bocaz-Larson, on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Cassville Middle School FEMA Event Center. The production is based on a magical fairy tale about a vain princess named Beauty who is rude and terrible to others in the kingdom, and includes an entertaining performance with jokes and a life lesson or two embedded in the performance...

The Cassville FFA Chapter recently received a grant from the Zoetis Industry Support Program.

On Saturday, Sept. 30, four Cassville FFA members, Daniel Hudson, Nate Hudson, Roper Stone and Andrew Littlefield (pictured in photo), participated in the American Royal Calf Scramble.

Kornerstone’s Teen Parent Program recently received funding from the Robert and Francis Chaney Family Foundation in the amount of $4,000 for program year 2018.

Like many who go into the medical profession, Jillian Hodge credits her family for inspiring her to go into health care, and eventually to Mercy, where she serves as a certified family nurse practitioner. “I have an aunt who passed away a year ago who was a nurse," said Hodge. ...

OACAC Head Start is now accepting applications for enrollment in its Head Start program.

On Monday, Oct. 6, Herrin Animal Hospital, Cassville, presented a check for $384 to help support Haven of the Ozarks Animal Sanctuary, of Exeter.

Art teacher Jo Daniels will be holding a monthly art and craft class at the Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 9 a.m. Different media will be explored at each class, and a $5 fee will be charged for materials such as canvas and paint...

The Central Crossing Senior Center in Shell Knob celebrated Halloween ‘senior style,’ Oct. 31, with its own Halloween Spooktacular

Meet Spunky, the Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week.

SKITS entertained 350 people the weekend of Nov. 3-5 in Shell Knob for its three-date fall play performances. The Brothers Grimm Spectactulathon played to a full auditorium each performance. Featuring Grimms' fairy tales, some that are well known, and others that haven’t made it to the big screen, the cast of 23 brought them all to life with a descriptive stage set, brilliant costumes, supporting props and comedic lines...

Children dressed up in their favorite costumes for a Trunk or Treat event hosted by Cassville United Methodist Church on Sunday on the grounds adjacent to the church, making rounds to collect candy.

On Thanksgiving Day, First Baptist Church in Cassville will deliver hot meals to homebound individuals. Those who are homebound, or who would like to submit the name of a homebound individual to receive a Thanksgiving meal, may call the First Baptist Church office at 417-847-2965 by Monday...

U.S. Veterans were honored Friday during Exeter school’s annual veterans assembly, and given a mic to announce their name and years of service, along with a certificate.

Candidates for Southwest High School Tip-Off Queen are: senior Willow Ellis, junior Shaylin Hendrix, sophomore Carley Black and freshman Danielle Reed.

Southwest Elementary Choir Director Mary Ellen Conrad sings “God Bless America” Friday at the Southwest High School Veterans Day assembly.

ROTC members conduct a special folding of the U.S. Flag ceremony, before presenting it to a veteran, during Wheaton schools’ annual assembly to honor veterans.

Tomblin’s Jewelry & Gifts owner Chloe Epperly visits with a customer Saturday morning in her store during the community’s Christmas Open House event.

Students at Purdy High School placed flags to honor veterans from all branches of military, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, and the POW/MIA flag, during the annual tribute to veterans, held Friday in the gymnasium.

Cell phones were on hand to capture moments at the Veterans Day assembly at Cassville High School Friday

A Seligman woman is facing two felonies for allegedly attempting to run over multiple people with her vehicle following an altercation at a bar on Highway 112 Saturday. Jennifer Brown-Downard, 34, of Seligman, is charged with two counts of first-degree assault...

A Seligman woman has been charged after Barry County Sheriff's Office deputies allegedly found methamphetamine and a stolen pistol in the vehicle she was driving following a traffic stop. Annber Moss, 30, of Seligman, is charged with possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, stealing of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon...

The Purdy school board has shaded plans to install solar energy panels on the school while leaving the door open for later consideration. Superintendent Steven Chancellor said he felt that at the present time, he did not want any distractions from the FEMA project, constructing the new preschool and performing arts center. He felt installing solar panels would send mixed messages to patrons focused on seeing progress on the new building...

Barry-Lawrence Regional Library board members would like to see patrons present a library card when they ask to use a public computer. The question about requesting presentation of a library card was raised at at staff meeting. Several employees wanted to see the rule relaxed for customers that forget their card, or for those the staff knows personally due to frequent contact...

On Nov. 3, the Barry County Museum held a book signing for Volume 20 of its "Lifetimes of Memories" series and celebrated its 10-year anniversary. The series is part of an ongoing project, started in 2005, and each book volume features the lifetime stories of three to four Barry County natives...

A Rogers, Ark., woman is facing two felonies relating to an alleged robbery at gunpoint on Oct. 28 at a home on Highway 112 near Seligman. Angela Goetz, 37, of Rogers, Ark., is charged with first-degree robbery and delivery of a controlled substance...

On Nov. 8, Troop 76 Boy Scouts broke in their new, 2017 trailer, donated to the group by a Climax Springs man and his late wife after they heard about the issue on the news. In the spring, the Scouts’ trailer was stolen from the parking lot of the group’s hut where the boys hold their meetings, packed with supplies and gear they were planning to use for an annual camping trip...