Cassville

Spring Vocal Concert delivers songs, smiles
Karma Kessinger, right, hugs Jenny Ortega after receiving her senior award at the end of the 2025 Spring Vocal Concert on April 15 at the performing arts center. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com

Two seconds at Cassville Relays
Apair of second-place team finishes were awarded to Cassville’s boys and girls track and field teams at the Cassville Relays on April 22, and the teams combined for 11 individual first-place finishes.

Weathering the weather
Storm season is upon us. As I pen this piece on Tuesday morning, we are in between lines of thunderstorms, and two tornado warnings had been issued in Lawrence County in the last hour — and I literally just had to stop typing this to post a storm damage report in Monett at Highways 37 and 60 and in South Park.

Dye-tracing scientists present findings
A five-year project to delineate Roaring River Spring’s recharge area is complete. Ben Miller, hydrologist and Cave Research Foundation (CRF) volunteer, was at the Emory Melton Inn and
Conference Center in Roaring River State Park on April 18, where he presented information about the study, which he and co-CRF volunteer, Robert “Bob” Lerch completed in late 2023.
Hall Theatre tied up in debts
More than $340K owed in deeds, taxes, judgements

Through the Years, April 30
40 YEARS AGO: FOR ALL TO SEE — A mother Robin built her nest on the edge of Cassville for all passing the four-way east of town to see. Installed last week, the nesting bird didn’t seem concerned about passing traffic, even the breezes often generated by large trucks. Perched atop a road sign just south of the intersection, the bird remains in place this week, going about the business of getting her eggs hatched.

Jig On the Water, April 27
Roaring River is running at 152 CFS, much better now, but is still very murky. Powerbait is still catching lots of trout. We are using 1/4-ounce egg sinkers to keep the bait on the bottom.

Kid Kat, Middle School choirs sing for spring
Trinity Granger, left, and Elizabeth Whiteley, under direction of Katie Stockton, high school and middle school vocal music director and choreographer, perform “Beautiful Day/Best Day of My Life” at the Spring Vocal Concert on April 22.

County schools collaborate to strengthen workforce development
In an effort to evaluate current job skills and strengthen workforce development in the community, educators, parents, employers, alumni, students and community members across Barry County have come together to discuss how best to prepare graduates for a successful future.
Scoreboard, April 30
The Cassville middle school boys and girls track teams competed in the Monett Middle School Invitational on April 17, bringing home multiple medals, including seven first places for the 7th and 8th grade Wildcats.