Exeter

Exeter lights community Christmas tree
The city of Exeter held its Christmas tree lighting on Saturday, illuminating the tree and gazebo on Front Street.

Tiger Band takes 3rd in small schools
On Oct. 19, the Exeter High School band participated in the Missouri Southern Homecoming Parade in downtown Joplin. The Tiger Band finished in third place in the small school division. The Tiger band will also perform in the Exeter Christmas Parade on Dec. 7, and the band will perform as part of the Exeter School Christmas concert on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Local students harvest knowledge through Agriculture Education on the Move
This fall, third grade classrooms across Missouri — including at Exeter and Southwest — are harvesting knowledge as students participate in Agriculture Education on the Move (Ag Moves). Through this initiative of Missouri Farmers Care, students discover how their lives are intertwined with agriculture through hands-on learning led by passionate educators in their classrooms.

Vegetative fires burn across county
A trio of fires struck Barry County over the weekend, all vegetative and all starting just days after the Barry County Commission enacted a burn ban until further notice. The first fire was on Friday west of Cassville and east of Exeter along Highway 76/86.

41 years of digs and kills
Southwest’s Laura Henry (No. 10) sets teammate Marissa Freeman for a kill attempt in a matchup with Pierce City Saturday at Southwest’s Volleyfest, the 41st year of the tournament.

Beds built by Barry Countians for Barry Countians
Doug Dunning, right, brands beds with the Sleep in Heavenly Peace logo while Lasche Finch looks on during a construction event Saturday in the parking lot at First Christian Church in Cassville. With the help of 20-30 volunteers at several summer construction events, the non-profit group has delivered 185 beds to Barry County children since June 2023.
News Briefs, Sept. 25
The Exeter Community Gospel Hymn Sing, an uplifting evening of traditional gospel music, will be held on Saturday from 6-8 p.m. Hosted by the Exeter Community Outreach, this event will be held in the multi-purpose room at Exeter schools.

Exeter welcomes 3 to staff
The Exeter school district welcomed three new staff members this fall. They include: Lindsay Reed, K-12 librarian; Jennifer Brown, elementary secretary; and Andrea Howard, paraprofessional.

Sweet treats and time with grandparents
Harper Walker, 8, drizzled caramel over her ice cream during Thursday’s Grandparents Day treat at the Exeter school district.
Grant renewed for $900K
The Exeter school district has received another grant for its Afterschool Program, renewed for a third five-year cycle and keeping the program going. Mandy Mattingly, Afterschool Program director, said it’s rare for a school to be renewed once, let alone twice.