Barry County

Kyle Troutman: Is the credit worth it?
AState Senate Bill enacted in August 2023 is finally getting its time under the spotlight in Barry County. SB 190, and the August 2024 revision called Senate Bill 756, created a new property tax credit for seniors 62 and older, allowing those who are eligible, to apply and are approved to essentially have their real estate property tax levies frozen at the time of approval.
25 earn Silver Spoon awards in 2024
The Barry County Health Department has announced 25 of the 231 food establishments in Barry County will receive the 2024 Silver Spoon award. The award is presented to food establishments in the county for demonstrating excellence in public food safety.

Thang wins Purdy Spelling Bee
On Jan. 28, Purdy Elementary held its annual Spelling Bee. The winner was Solomon Thang, a fifth-grader from Abigail Buntin’s class. The runner-up was Kiya Lee’Jace Atkins. The other participants were: Bildad Chan, Thayer Friely, Mark Jenkins, Win Htet, Kaden Rosewicz, Violet Adams, and Thierry Thigpen. The Spell Master was Susan Funkhouser.

Michelle Hilburn: Best books guide for children, teens
Building strong reading skills and cultivating a love for books is key in nurturing a lifelong passion for reading. I believe that there is a perfect book for every reader, and if someone doesn’t enjoy reading, they simply haven’t discovered the right book yet.

Through the Years, Feb. 5
40 YEARS AGO: VISITORS COME ASHORE FOR LUNCH — Grazing on a campground area near Eagle Rock Landing, these Canadian geese have been attracting considerable attention the last few weeks. Their trips from the water to the land area result in grazing over grass areas and paying little attention to spectators who drive through the area. They probably feel secure, as the fellow at upper left, was constantly eyeing their observers this particular day.

7 Exeter students make honor bands
Seven Exeter students were selected recently to perform in Southwest Missouri District Honor Band. Biaktha Hnem was selected via audition as second-chair flute in the high school honor band, while Taylor Mattingly was selected as third-chair trumpet in the high school conference band.

Big blaze knocked down on Highway CC
A large blaze in freezing temperatures proved a test for the Exeter Fire Protection District, but not an unsurmountable one. In the early morning hours of Jan.
Exeter proposes bond issue for campus improvements
April 8, voters in the Exeter R-VI School District will have an opportunity to vote on the district investing in the future of its schools and students. Voters will be asked to approve the issuance of $2.5 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund critical improvements and new construction across the district’s facilities.
Senior tax credit on ballot
Voters in Barry County will have the opportunity on April 8 to allow the county to pursue enacting Senate Bill 190, and six elected county officials are on record as being against the proposal. Senate Bill 190, which was BARRY COUNTY VOTE What: On Senate Bill 190 When: April 8 municipal election Outcome: Approval would allow county to freeze property tax levies for residents over 62 modified by Senate bill 756 in August 2024 authorizes counties to grant property tax credits to eligible senior citizen taxpayers.
Scoreboard, Feb. 5
The Cassville boys basketball team (4-13) has only seven games left before Class 4, District 12 action in Monett, and four of the seven games have Big 8 implications. The Wildcats are two weeks removed from a fifth-place finish at the 40th Annual Spokane Invitational, falling 59-52 to Strafford in the opening round, but rebounding with wins over Southwest and Ash Grove to take fifth.