Barry County
$23K grant aids Life Change efforts
Life Change of SWMO in Cassville recently received a significant monetary boost to its efforts in the area, a $23,000 check from Mercy Health Foundation. Derek Cornelius, Life Change director, said the donation, which represents more than a third of Life Change’s annual budget, will be put to use across the array of the organization’s offerings, including child care and the new mechanics and low-cost vehicle program.
KAA camp hosts youth in Golden
Kids Across America (KAA) recently held a summer camp in Golden, partnering with Prison Fellowship to host a five-day camp experience for children of incarcerated parents. KAA, a Christian sports camp located on 240 acres on Table Rock Lake, features three camps and a leadership development program for youth, ages 10-19.
Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week
Topanga is a fantastic young lady with a lot of manners and eyes that say she adores everyone. She is a lab mix. She is good with other dogs and super friendly to everyone. She was abandoned with her friend, Cory, in Verona. She would love to find a forever home soon. Her date of birth is June 18, 2020. Adopters can complete an adoption application at www.havenoftheozarks. org/adopt.
Southwest FFA competes at Nationals
After a fifth-place finish at State, with Saige Miller placing ninth individually, the Southwest FFA Soils Team qualified to compete at the National Level. The National FFA Land and Range Judging Contest was held in El Reno, Okla. The students arrived in El Reno, on April 30 to prepare for the National Land and Range Judging Contest on May 2. All FFA members were tasked with judging the land and soil at four different sites. Participants judged the limitations and advantages of the land and soil. The following day, on May 3, the team received their placing. As a team, Southwest placed 16th out of 99 teams.
News Briefs, July 3
The Barry County Democratic Committee will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, July 9th at 6pm at the Cassville Branch Library, located at 301 W. 17th St.
McGuire suspends sheriff campaign
Mike McGuire, Cassville police officer and Republican candidate for Barry County sheriff in the Aug. 6 Primary, has suspended his campaign.
Cassville Boots, Badges & Bandages Blood Drive to unite area First Responders July 2
First responders from Cassville are uniting with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, plasma, and platelets to patients at more than 40 area healthcare facilities, for an inaugural Cassville Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive.
Community painting Portrait of a Graduate
Program aims to improve student outcomes in schools A collaborative effort between five Barry County school districts is attempting to improve student outcomes, and the project is asking for the community’s help. Traci Mitchell, Cassville assistant superintendent, said the Portrait of a Graduate (POG) work, which ties to district improvement plans and has been shown to improve student outcomes, reflects the county’s agreed upon competencies necessary for students to be effective and successful mem- bers of the community.
June sales taxes near even with 2023
Halfway through 2024, sales tax reports for Barry County show the local economy is generally holding even with one year ago. While three smaller cities showed double-digit drops from the immediate post-pandemic sales totals, overall sales tax income rose from last June.
Improvements at Roaring River State Park
Missouri State Parks personnel gathered at the Emory Melton Inn on June 6 to update the public on an extensive list of projects completed, plus those still in progress, at Roaring River State Park. Assistant Park Manager Forrest Brumm said completed projects include the renovation of the Honeymoon Cabin, the removal of the swimming pool, the installation of new playground equipment near the CCC shelter, the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and repairs to roofs of existing structures throughout the park.
