Barry County

Crowder nursing receives $60K grant for simulation lab
The nursing program at Crowder College Cassville Campus received a $60,000 boost in funding in January, given by the South Barry County Hospital District Board. Sandra Wilson, Crowder's director of nursing, said the college is happy to have such a strong partnership with the local board “Partnerships with clinical sites are significant to our nursing programs,” Wilson said.
County Republican caucus, Democrat primary set
Presidential primaries are underway across the nation, and in Missouri, the process for local voters to select their presidential and congressional candidates has vastly changed. From 2000 to 2020, Missouri held a state-run presidential primary, a process state lawmakers repealed in 2022.
Young artists to shine for Ozark Festival Orchestra
The Ozark Festival Orchestra, based in Monett, will continue its 44th season at 3 p.m. on Feb. 25 at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center, presenting its annual Young Artists Concert.
Scoreboard, Jan. 31
The Cassville boys basketball team (8-11) took fifth place in its second consecutive tournament recently, and the Wildcats are heading into Big 8 Conference play. Cassville opened the 39th Annual Spokane Invitational Jan.

Kyle Troutman: Moving the APR ball
In recent years, state evaluation of public education has been a challenge for schools. With the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) standards continually evolving, it seems as soon as districts get close to adapting to a formula, the ball is punched out of their hands like the Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed stealing a touchdown from the Ravens’ Zay Flowers in Sunday’s AFC Championship.

Through the Years, Jan. 31
Feb. 6, 1974 — AMBULANCE DISTRICT TO CONSIDER 12 TOWNSHIPS Possibly the first official step toward formation of an ambulance district to serve the southern half of Barry County will be taken Friday when local emergency services officials meet with a federal program coordinator to investigate possibilities.

Through the years, Jan. 24
40 YEARS AGO: MIND SIGNS, THEY MEAN BUSINESS — Signs such as this is up on highways of the state, a result of severe break up of pavement in recent thawing weather. Jay Buxton, area maintenance supervisor, says a minimum of 75 miles of roads are in bad condition following weekend traffic. Especially hard hit are routes like Highway 37 which carries large counts of both passenger and commercial vehicles daily. Buxton said highway crews would be placing these signs at locations wherever “potholes” appear. He said the public should use caution traveling in any area road, signed or not, since break-up can occur at any time.

Hang, Dutra crowned Homecoming royalty in Wheaton
Zander Dutra, right, Wheaton Homecoming King, crowns Melanie Hang as Homecoming Queen Friday during the coronation at Wheaton High School prior to the contest against Hurley.

Wheaton boys hoops enjoying 3-game win streak
The Wheaton boys basketball team is heading into its Ozark 7 Conference slate this week at 1-0, hoping to make a run for a conference title and shot at the Class 2, District 11 championship. Seth Lash, Wheaton boys basketball coach, said the Bulldogs (11-6) started off much stronger than last season, going 7-3 in its first 10 games compared to 3-7.

Barry County pens $6.7 million budget for 2024
The Barry County Commission has passed a budget for 2024, fully funding the Barry County Sheriff’s Office to the tune of $4.2 million, a 54 percent increase, and raising county spending by $1.1 million, a 20 percent increase. The Sheriff’s Office in 2023 had an approved budget of $2,739,170, which was paid through general revenue.