Barry County
News Briefs, June 26
The Purdy Community Picnic and Fireworks Show will be held July 3 at The Gathering Place in Purdy, located at 100 Old Bus. 37 and Hwy.

Rich Cummings: I’d rather have Jesus
There is a game that many of you have played called “Would You Rather?” In this game someone asks the question “Would You Rather?” followed by two options that are almost identically horrible or distasteful. Would You Rather lick a public picnic table or try and pick up a skunk? As you can see, neither is all that satisfying or even desirable.

Opera in the Ozarks hits high notes in Cassville
Thinking he was the forest ranger, Granny, right, played by Sydney Siler, goes to kiss Mr. BigBad, a wolf in disguise, played by Boone Elledge, during the Opera in the Ozarks production of “Little Red’s Most Unusual Day” at the Cassville FEMA Event Center on Thursday.

Tigers ready to reload after first district title
The Exeter baseball team recorded the most wins in a season since at least 2010, and the game that pushed the Tigers over the hump was a Class 1, District 5 championship win over Billings, the first district title in Exeter history.
Woman charged with theft from board
An Exeter woman is facing a felony theft charge after allegedly stealing more than $9,000 from a community board on which she served. Chelsea Ball, of Exeter, is charged with felony stealing of $750 or more.

3 Southwest seniors awarded Hagan Scholarship
Three Southwest High School Class of 2024 graduates will avoid student debt in coming years, as each has been awarded the Hagan Scholarship, worth up to $60,000 over four years. Scholarships were awarded to Lilly Wolf, who is planning to attend the University of Idaho to study Wildlife Resource Management; Faith Outhouse, who is planning to attend Missouri State University to study Nursing; and Kameron Kelley, who is planning to attend Drury University to study Architecture.
Roaring River concessions to be open year-round
Along with the welcome news that storm sirens are scheduled for installation in the campgrounds and near the lodge, attendees at Roaring River State Park’s annual public meeting on June 6 learned that concessions at the park will be open year-round, including the park store, the restaurant and lodging. The concessions are now operated by ExploreUS, a national company that submitted the winning bid after previous concessionaires, Jim and Carmen Rogers, declined to apply for a new contract.
Board of Equalization information released
The Barry County Assessor has mailed out change of assessment notices and taxpayers may have questions concerning these changes in assessment figures. Equalization Procedures If a taxpayer wants to challenge their change in assessed valuation, they should inquire about the issue before July 8, 2024.

Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights — The Mighty Endeavor
On Wednesday, June 5, 1944, the president spoke to the American people through a common and comforting medium: the fireside chat. “Yesterday,” Franklin Roosevelt began, “Rome fell to American and Allied forces.” In a voice ringing with optimism, the president added, “The first of the Axis capitals is now in our hands. One up and two to go!”

Through the Years, June 19
50 YEARS AGO: THERE’S DOLLARS IN THOSE SWATHS — This business end view of a combine in action on the Keen farm near Exeter is typical of action these days in Barry County as farmers harvest a valuable fescue seed crop. Operator of the machine is Bob Lauderdale. Worth Keen, co-owner of the operation, speculates this year’s crop on this land is about usual, since recommended fertilizer and grass care was followed in pre-season programs.