Barry County
Kyle Troutman: Assessing needs
An interesting exercise occurred last Tuesday following the Cassville City Council meeting and Southwest Missouri Council of Government’s leading of three public hearings for proposed grant-funded projects.
Merlyn Johnson: An eye on politics in education
The 2025 Missouri legislative session convened on Jan. 8, and Gov.
Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week, Jan. 22
O.J. (Odin) and his sister, Lulu, were abandoned in the country but fortunately, they were found by a nice human. They are black mouth cur mixes, born March 4, 2024. They are good with dogs, cats and children.
Major adminstration restructuring approved at Purdy schools
A major reorganizational plan for leadership at the Purdy school district was approved at the school board’s Jan. 9 meeting.
County budgets $6.67M for 2025
The Barry County Commission has approved the 2025 budget, which allows for up to $6.67 million in spending across all county offices and includes a pay raise for all county employees. Joyce Ennis, Barry County clerk, said the total proposed budget is $6,670,661, which includes estimated 2025 sales tax revenue of $6,012,401, plus $6,749,308.49 carried over from 2024.
Washburn man facing sex crime charges
A Washburn man is facing four felonies and a misdemeanor in a pair of criminal cases stemming from incidents in the 1980s and last year. Wesley Roller, age unknown, is charged in one case with sodomy (victim under 14 years old) and first-degree sexual abuse.
Woman seriously injured in crash
An Exeter woman was injured in a wreck at 10:30 p.m. on Friday on Highway 76, one mile west of Exeter.
Tigers finding new identity mid-season
Exeter boys basketball coach dislikes the phrase “rebuilding year,” but there are not many other ways to describe this year’s Tigers squad as they find their new identity. After losing a strong group of seniors to graduation last year, Williams said Exeter is still working to find its best lineup, a work in progress.
Purdy Homecoming candidates named
Purdy High School will crown its 2025 Homecoming Queen and Mr. Tip-Off at a special coronation between the junior varsity and varsity boys basketball games on Jan. 31. The jjunior varsity contest versus Lockwood begins at 5:30 p.m. This year’s Homecoming theme is “Growing with the Eagles.”
Scoreboard, Jan. 22
The Cassville girls basketball team (12-3) has now won 10 of its last 11 contests following a 3-win week Jan. 13-16.
