50 years ago
May 8, 1974
— FARMER’S EXCHANGE GOING UP
Construction has started on the new Cassville Farmer’s Exchange building. Footings and foundations for the structure are being installed preparatory to the metal building being assembled. The building, 60×160 feet, is scheduled for arrival here by May 20. Duane Blankenship, manager, says exchange plans are to move to the building the latter part of July.
— INSURANCE OFFICE TO OPEN IN SHELL KNOB
Howard Mcllrath of Shell Knob this week announced opening of an insurance office to serve that area of Table Rock. The agency will be located in offices of Shell Knob Realty. Mellrath, a former area resort operator, is president of the newly established Community Bank of Shell Knob.
— COUNCIL TALKS LOCAL FLOOD PLAIN EXPANSION
The Cassville city council met in special session Tuesday to consider proposals of extension of the flood plain through town. Mayor Bill LeCompte said the principal reason for the program would be to provide flood insurance availability through federal programs now available. Working with the area Resources Conservation and Development and Barry County Soil and Water Conservation District, city officials could approve ordinances that would extend present flood plains along Flat Creek, Little Troublesome and Hawk branches that flood in times of heavy rain. Under the same agencies, Cassville has been attempting flood control programs over a lengthy period of years. Mayor LeCompte said the program, which would take into consideration 100-year patterns of flooding would make insurance available at low rates under existing federally backed programs. Flood insurance is not normally available in any area. Coordination of the program is being handled Dwight Samuel, conservationist, Barry County SCS.
40 years ago
May 9, 1984
— 54 COUNTY DAIRY FARMS ON PROGRAM
Information provided by the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service, says 54 Barry County dairymen are participating in the milk-diversion program. First quarter payments amounted to $180,400. In total, 13 of Missouri’s top milk producing counties, all in the southwest section, has 667 farms who received $2,966,200 an ASCS spokesman said. Barry County’s participation represents about onethird of the total number of farms involved in dairy operations. Eleven of the southwest Missouri counties are expected to account for nearly half of the projected 387 million pounds of milk reduction in the state. Started January 1, the program continues through next March. During the 15-month length, payments are scheduled in increments of five quarterly checks. Signing of contracts by dairy farmers means they agree to cut milk output by culling cow numbers, reducing feed rations, or a combination of both. Projections are that cutbacks aren’t as large as anticipated.
— CEMETERY PLAN TO CITY; AWARD STREET CONTRACT
Oak Hill Cemetery Association has proposed to the Cassville board of aldermen that city government assume operation of the local facility. A proposal was submitted Tuesday night during the regular council session. Mayor Bill LeCompte read a proposal whereby the not-for-profit corporation suggested deeding the property to the city of Cassville for operation. Officials of the association had earlier approved the plan in a board of directors meeting. Assets listed by the association include $45,000 in certificate of deposit trusts, the interest earned going to cemetery up-keep. The association also listed $7,000 in a bank account. Proposed by the group was a cemetery board that would continue functions of the association. City attorney Donald Cupps said laws of Missouri provide for city ownership of such facilities, with some reservations included. Officials of the association include Wayne Smithson, Paul Henbest, Worth Keen, Russell Moore and Kathleen Speer. For the most part, association functions such as maintenance, have been covered by individual contributions. Council action on the request, with all four aldermen, John Miller, Bob Mizer, Allen Stubblefield and Bill Ward concurring, was to invite Oak Hill officials to the June 12 regular meeting for further discussion. Prior to official start of the meeting, council opened the loan bid proposal for street work this summer. The proposal was from Evan Hutchens and Son Co. in the amount of $101,720. Consulting engineer George Ulmer said the Hutchens firm and Swift Construction of Neosho had requested plans and specifications on the 3 1/2 miles of hot mix application and two miles of chip and seal work this summer. Council moved to accept the Hutchens bid upon verification of extension of prices. Stubblefield refrained from voting, since he is an employee of the firm. Hutchens and Ulmer said an early summer start was planned. Council also accepted, with reluctance, the resignation of Barney Anderson as chief of the volunteer fire department. Anderson, a veteran of 25 years service, has served the last 10 as head of the group. His retirement is effective June 1, the same time as he leaves his business, Cassville Distributing. Anderson’s son, Jim, will assume managership of the auto parts firm upon his father’s retirement. The volunteer fire department includes a staff of 14. Ten of these volunteers are connected with a telephone alarm system for answering calls. Bills payable for the month amounted to $24, 212.92, according to clerk Jo Ledger-wood. Mizer was a dissenting vote on paying bills, after questioning expenditures for gasoline, tractor-mower repair from water and sewer revenue sources. His negative vote was in objection to the expenditures being entirely out of the water and sewer department. Police chief Ray Burnette presented Joe Dubuque of Shell Knob as a candidate for the police force. Dubuque’s employment was approved by council to replace David Nokes who has joined the Springfield department. Dubuque will attend police training prior to being assigned official duties. Ulmer reported to council that the Flat Creek bridge on Sales Barn Road was entering the backfill phase. The city engineer projected traffic on the crossing within 30 days, depending on weather conditions. South Barry County Ambulance District officials Esther Eubanks and Jim Downey appeared before council to request return of office and unit storage spaces relinquished three years ago. The Community Center spaces are now used by the city for offices and equipment storage. Ms. Eubanks told the council staff expansion and plans of the district could require the spaces formerly used. A joint city-board meeting will be scheduled June 5 for further discussions. Annexation of properties of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Noland and Mr. and Mrs. Phillip McClure in the northeast part of Cassville was accepted by ordinance. The four-acre area includes a nine unit mobile home park and the Noland residence. Public hearings were held April 30 with no objections expressed. A request for water ditch diversion by Melvin Ridenour on Route Y was tabled for study. City will ask Cassville Manor to adjust driveway at Old Exeter Road project. Neal Cook, emergency preparedness director for the city, told council of a developing plan that will set priorities for tornado and damaging winds warning and details of an explosion and major fire situation. Cook said alternate emergency operation centers would be established, warning procedures developed, and a chain of command set for conducting various functions in an emergency. Cook, who will attend summer management emergency meetings in Jefferson City, said a time will be set for a trial alert drill within the next two weeks. City departments will set plans for the drill. Council realized the season for growing weeds on property was upon them. Their discussion on two pieces of troublesome property took nearly the longest segment of their agenda time. City police and other employees were instructed to report any incidents of, property owners not keeping property mowed to city specifications.
30 years ago
April 27, 1994
— CHAMBER GOING COMPUTER; BEGINS MEMBER CONTACTS
Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce is going to enter the computer age, compliments of FASCO Industries of Cassville. An announcement that Cassville’s largest employer would provide the C of C a computer unit and software appropriate to the civic group’s functions, was made by Mike McCracken, plant manager of Cassville FASCO. A message of the project came to the chamber board by member Dennis Ledgerwood, a staff member of FASCO. The system and software will be in place within the next couple of weeks. Sonja Chasteen, secretary, said the computer applications would greatly enhance operations of the C of C as well as the Industrial Development Corporation. Member records, activities and designs for various activities can be provided by the project. Both C of C and IDC records, correspondence and functions come out of the Chamber offices. Chasteen serves as secretary of both organizations. FASCO’s gift came “In recognition of nearly 20 years service and cooperation between the C of C and FASCO,” noted McCracken. “The company just wanted to show it’s appreciation for the efforts of both the Chamber and IDC on it’s behalf since the company first came to Cassville in 1974. We’ve had a good relationship with the community and we hope this gift will serve as a token of our esteem for Cassville and surrounding area,” he concluded. Chamber president Stan Kelley also announced the beginning of a new or renewal member drive that has targeted 39 contacts in this area. Kelley said the effort would be to boost the membership from the present 155 in the area. Directors will serve makeup teams that are doing the leg work of the drive. Teams will include, Mike LeCompte and Reece Lancaster, Kelley and Dr. Dale Assing, Kathy White and Amy Wells, John Sullivan and Landon Fletcher, Mark Smith and Greg Beck, Merle Rogers and Dennis Ledgerwood. Directors made the group’s usual $500 support toward the Barry County Youth Livestock Show. Events will be held in the stock area of the R-4 schools campus this summer. Paula Zogleman, representing the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce presented plans for the lake community’s annual Independence Day fireworks pro-gram. The July 4 event over Central Crossing Bridge of Table* Rock Lake, is rated among the best in the area. Cassville residents will have. an opportunity to participate in funding the expensive fireworks program though a canister that will be placed in the C of C offices. Anyone wanting to participate can do so through this method during regular Chamber hours.
— COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT ABOVE STATE AVERAGE
For the first time in years, Barry County’s unemployment percentage in March was above the state average. With Missouri holding steady at six percent, Barry was at 6.7, up from 6.3 in February. Adjoining county percentages, Lawrence 7.3, McDonald 6.5, Stone 18.9
