Barry County
News Briefs, July 17
Barry County Clerk Joyce Ennis reports a public pre-election tabulation test of the electronic tabulating equipment for the Aug 6, 2024 Primary Election will be held at 9 a.m. on July 25, in the County Clerk’s Office.

New location, same Fire and Thunder
The annual Fire and Thunder fireworks show was held on Friday, postponed on Independence day due to rain throughout the county. The show featured a new shoot location on the southeast corner of the Shell Knob bridge. Photos were taken in three locations: In the grass on the northeast side of the bridge, the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce parking lot, and the parking lot of the Central Community United Methodist Church.

Randy Kalbaugh: Sheriff Questionnaire 4 (Community)
I plan on communicating with the public through the newspaper and a county run web site. I plan on informing the public of an area we responded to, nature of the call, if a report was taken, if an arrest was made, and if charges are being filed. At the end of the month, I will have the number of calls we went to, charges, arrests, charges filed, and how many the prosecuting attorney filed charges on. I want the public informed and up to date on what the Sheriff’s Office is doing.

James Morgan: Sheriff Questionnaire 4 (Community)
I will use local newspapers and social media to keep citizens informed. I believe in being transparent with the community.

Danny Boyd: Sheriff Questionnaire 4 (Community)
I am usually available to speak with the public during normal business hours. I receive multiple phone calls day and night. I utilize social media including Facebook and the Barry County Sheriff’s Office website. I also currently use the neighborhood watch programs in which to communicate with the public.

Barry County sheriff candidates to take the stage
Voters seeking more information on Barry County sheriff candidates will have the opportunity to hear from three first-hand on Friday at the Barry County Sheriff Candidate Forum. The free-to-attend event, set for 7 p.m.
Bird flu: Not just for the birds
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or “bird flu,” is on the move in dairy herds across the United States, and while scientists seemed baffled by the means of the H5N1 virus’ initial leap from poultry to a herd of Texas dairy cattle in March, poultry-industry insider William Wymore, of Owensville, believes its transmission can be easily explained. The storage and land-application of poultry and meat-processing sludge is facilitating the spread of bird flu, he alleges.
Koehler jury trial in U.S. District Court in August
Former Cassville woman charged federally with possession of child porn An Aurora woman who was charged with three felonies in Barry County is now charged in U.S. District Court with possession of child pornography, and an accelerated jury trial has been schedule for Aug.

Kyle Troutman: Join us for Friday’s forum
Have you ever lost sleep from a mixture of excitement and anxiety? Such has been the case for me the past couple nights as my mind has raced and raced in anticipation of this Friday, when the Cassville Democrat will host its first political forum under Troutman Media LLC ownership. At 7 p.m.

Gary Schad: Northern Commissioner Questionnaire 1
To continue the job I started, which is to keep Barry County moving in the right direction. For those of you who may not know prior to me joining the commission the county was experiencing a reduction in sales tax due to the 2008 recession where even services and staff were eliminated to maintain a balanced budget. I’ve been able to work with the other office holders to pull Barry County out of that deficit and improve the budget to where we are now actually able to fully run the county and even put back some for reserves. I’d like to ensure this continues and our county is able to thrive.