50 years ago

Jan. 31, 1973

• Work started on a four classroom addition to the Southwest of Washburn elementary unit and a cafeteria expansion, according to Superintendent Hubert Barton. The project, financed by a $190,000 bond Issue, was ready for use that school year. Remodeling of other buildings were scheduled in the project.

• The Cassville city council took proposed changes to new Zoning and Subdivision regulations under advisement following a public hearing, Mayor Bill LeCompte and final action on the new regulations would probably be made in a study session previously that week. There were 15 citizens, Mayor Le-Compte and three councilmen present for the hearing. Aldermen attending were W.E. Leonard, Bill Gunnels and W.C. Hailey. Suggested as changes were the following: Revision of Class R-1 residential to permit double family dwellings and change in lot and sewage disposal requirements. These recommendations were made by the Zoning and Planning commission in their earlier public hearing.

• Initial survey work on a possible $1 million flood control program for Cassville through the Soil Conservation Service was underway, according to a release that week from Dwight Samuel, Conservationist with the Barry County office.

Samuel said a five-member team of SCS personnel, headed by Joe Green, project engineer, would be conducting a final design survey on the sites of two proposed structures for the Cassville flood control project.

At the same time, locations were marked for core drilling operations, which followed in March. Drilling sampled the earth down to about 40-foot depth. Geologists were on hand to study the borings to determine the type of foundation material existing on which possible dams may be constructed.

The project would also seek suitable borrow areas to obtain material for construction of the holding dams. Water tables were also monitored to check the depth and fluctuation.

• Roads Collapse After Winter Freeze-Thaw: Surfaced roads throughout Barry County had been undoubtedly hit the hardest in several years due to winter moisture and freeze and thaw conditions. A general break-up of roads was experienced on all black-topped roads throughout the county. City streets were equally hard hit. Many rural gravel roads have become bottomless and, in some instances, impassable in heavy mud.

Over 11 inches of moisture recorded over a three month period, coupled with extreme temperatures and variances which produces a freeze and thaw, were major contributors to the condition of most roads.

Missouri Highway Department crews made efforts to smooth and fill the breakup areas. County roads, as well as city streets, did not have major work accomplished on them until the warm spring weather arrived and general maintenance programs were started.

40 years ago

Jan. 26, 1983

• Ten new members of the Barry County Extension Council were elected with the certification of results of the mailin ballot. Extension forces said the tally had been verified by County Clerk Rex Stumpff. New members of the council included: Art and Betty Hegi, Jerry and Sandra Forrester, Max and Becky Hudson, Bill and Dottie Davis and Larry and Gretchen Bussman. Each would serve a two-year term on the council. Members of the council are charged to guide the University of Missouri Extension program. Responsibilities include: assist in program planning, implementation of the program, make recommendations to university personnel, approve personnel assigned to the county and prepare annual budgets.

• To address the Cassville Chamber of Commerce annual membership Dinner that Saturday night was Dr. Frank England, a native of Washburn. Dr. England recently sold interests in a veterinarian serium business in Kansas City. He was developing interests in grape growing in this area. Dr. England outlined some of the possibilities of this area becoming Missouri’s most extensive grape growing region.

• Freshmen Add Two Victories to Record Running their season record to 10-3, Cassville freshmen defeated East Newton 36-34 that revious Thursday and downed Aurora 40-32 in a road trip the following Monday night. The frosh squad at CHS enjoyed one of their most successful seasons in recent years under Coach Ron Martin.

• Donating blood, a family affair: As Deanna Day was receiving her three gallon bloodmobile donor pin, her son, Rick, was about to make his first contribution. Mrs. Day and her son are from Exeter. She was among several South Barry County chapter donors to be recognized for reaching levels of service to the project. Despite unpleasant weather that Monday, 98 volunteers reported to the area effort and reached the 90 pint quota.

30 years ago

Jan. 20, 1993

• The largest building project in Cassville R-4 school district history, $4385,000 for construction of a new high school unit and administrative expansion and changes were main items of business before the board of education in regular session that Thursday night. Dr. Dan bailey, superintendent, said the bond election, in planning processes two years, would go before district voters the following April 6. Board action also included the addition of a new administrative post to coordinate and supervise purchasing. That job will go to the then middle school superintendent Marvin Henningson at the end of that school year.

• Quite probably the youngest leadership in the history of the Cassville Chamber of Commerce as Jon Horner, 30, became the new president, replacing Jerry Marple.

Horner brought with him an equally youthful board of directors of 11 other people. In the new list was Mark Smith, Greg Beck, John Sullivan and Michael LeCompte. They replaced Debby Lawson, Bruce Mitchell, Dr. Carolyn Hunter and Marple as retiring directors.

• JeniferA.Henningson, of Cassville, was named to the chancellor’s academic achievement list at the University of Arkansas.

Enrolled in the school of education, she achieved a 4.0 grade average during the fall semester on their Feyetteville campus. The CHS graduate is a daughter of Mr. and Mr. Marvin Henningson.

• Petty Officer First Class, Rick Matthews, of New Windsor, New York, was selected as Poughkeepsie Naval Center’s “Sailor of the Year” for 1992. This is the second time he had received this award in the previous five years. The first was presented at his previous command in Massachusetts. Petty officer Matthews and his family resided at Stewart Field, a sub-post of West Point, New York. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hollis Matthews and the grandson of Mrs. Mattie Stockton all of Cassville.

• Nancy Allison of Cassville, a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia College of Education, was included in the 1993 Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges.