Barry County

Southwest hangs hat on serves
Of all the things the Southwest volleyball team did well this season, it was best at serving. The Lady Trojans, who ended their season in a straight-sets loss to New Heights Christian Academy in the Class 2, District 11 Tournament, served at a 94% clip.
Purdy declared lead-free after pipe inventory
City officials discuss fence dispute between neighbors The Purdy City Council received good news on its lead pipe inventory during its October board meeting. Kevin Cook, public works foreman, reported the city’s review of water pipes in its limits had been finished ahead of the schedule set by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

Michelle Hilburn: What makes a library meaningful?
In Starfish by Lisa Fipps, one of my favorite young adult novels, Ellie, the main character, captures how meaningful a librarian’s presence can be: “[The librarian is] the first person to smile at me today./ The first to make me feel wanted./ Understood./I blink back tears./ It’s unknown how many students’ lives/librarians have saved/by welcoming loners at lunch.”

Through the Years, Nov. 6
30 YEARS AGO: COURTHOUSE ELEVATOR OPENING — Steve Holloway of Cassville, an employee of Branco Co. of Neosho and courthouse custodian Charley Baker stand in the basement area and show the depth of an elevator opening cut in the first story floor.
News Briefs, Nov. 6
The Wheaton FFA Alumni Booster Club is selling raffle tickets for a prize of four Kansas City Chiefs tickets (Section 34, Row 26, Seats 1-4) and a parking pass to the Dec. 21 game against the Houston Texans.
Personalized, local, cutting-edge, affordable
cancer diagnosis are where, when and how to receive effective and affordable care. For residents of Barry County, that answer may lay in their own backyard.

SKITS cast receives surprise after fun-filled musical presentation
Actors and actresses comprising the cast of Shell Knob in the Spotlight (SKITS) were surprised after Friday night’s debut performance of “Scary, Scary Night” to discover that the writer of the play, himself, Michael Lunsford, was in the audience. Lunsford celebrated his Oct.
Barry County sales taxes drop in October
Sales tax distributions to the bi-county area historically have an off-month every quarter, or two, as a correction of sorts — October generated more of a downtown than had been seen all year. Except for Seligman, every Barry County recipient saw less than a year ago.
Purdy schools make facilities improvements
Purdy school officials this fall have moved into the final phases of a multi-year effort to improve facilities around and adjacent to the school campus. Superintendent Travis Graham said the effort to catch up on deferred maintenance has now focused on replacing the heating and air conditioning units on the roof of the school, dating back some 20-30 years.

His House welcomes visitors
Sponsors, guests and residents enjoyed lunch, kids’ activities and tours of the campus during a Saturday celebration of the 15th anniversary of His House’s presence in the Shell Knob. This…