Barry County
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.

Randy Kalbaugh: Sheriff Questionnaire 1 (Law Enforcement)
I plan on getting a Barry County Drug Task Force. Two deputies who want to work undercover 40 hours or more a week to significantly decrease the drug problem in Barry County.

James Morgan: Sheriff Questionnaire 1 (Law Enforcement)
The best way to address the drug problem in Barry County will be to create a narcotics unit. Many of Barry County’s crimes are committed because of the drug epidemic. Right now, meth and fentanyl are running rampant through many of our communities and have gone unchecked for far too long. If elected I would immediately begin working to create a selfsufficient narcotics unit. I will look at adding canine teams to our department to help deter drug trafficking into and around Barry County. I would like to have quarterly meeting with surrounding law enforcement agencies to discuss criminal investigations, new trends in criminal behaviors and to build strong working relationships with all Barry County law enforcement to not only stop the drug problem but to stop the thefts in our county too.

Danny Boyd: Sheriff Questionnaire 1 (Law Enforcement)
Drugs are a continuous problem, it is a daily fight for law enforcement in every county, not just Barry County. My deputies encounter drugs every day, we continually look for drugs, take drug tips from concerned citizens on our tips hotline which is monitored every day as well as work closely with our local drug task force and other agencies to combat the problem.
News Briefs, June 19
The Purdy Alumni Association will meet on June 29 at 6 p.m. at the Purdy school cafeteria.

RECOVERVILLE SERIES: Locals recovering after trees damage homes, property
Locals recovering after trees damage homes, property Cassville resident Morgan Williams says she was never afraid of storms before, but that changed after the May 26 windstorm that snuck up on Cassville residents in the wee hours of the morning. Williams, her husband Trevor, and the couple’s two teenage sons — who live in the Sherwood Forest addition on the north side of Cassville — were asleep when the storm rolled into town around 3 a.m.
RECOVERVILLE SERIES: Shining a light on linemen
Would you prioritize work if multiple trees had fallen on your home, or you were about to leave on a mission trip, or you had a newborn in the NICU? On the week of May 26, three linemen did just that.
RECOVERVILLE SERIES: Downburst delivered wind damage
The National Weather Service and Barry County Office of Emergency Management have determined a downburst over Cassville to be the cause of an estimated $5 million in infrastructure damage and the county to pursuing federal disaster declaration funds for individuals. According to a National Weather Service (NWS) survey, while no tornadic rotation was observed on radar, a wide swath of damaging wind gusts at least 70-80 miles per hour swept through Wheaton to the Cassville, Shell Knob and Eagle Rock areas.
RECOVERVILLE SERIES: Resources for storm recovery available locally
Cassville Food Pantry Director Janet Mills said she panicked when the power went off during the overnight May 26 storm in Cassville. “I had five freezers full of perishable food – a total of about 1,500 pounds,” she said.

Trojans trudge through .500 season
Finishing at exactly .500, the Southwest baseball team had many highlights this season, but one-run games and untimely hitting hampered the Trojans through the spring. Derek Mann, Southwest baseball coach, said while the team ultimately fell short of its goals, it was able to accomplish plenty at 14-14.