January 2025

Trout Tales, Jan. 15
While the boss was homebound due to last week’s snow, I was sent on assignment to find the best sledding hill in Barry County. Alas, I was distracted by this scene at the home of Adrian Reed in Purdy.

Fluffy snowfall facilitates fun Friday
Beaux Doucet, 6, of Cassville, slid into a pile of snow while playing in the precipitation last week. On Thursday and Friday, cities in Barry County received between 5-8 inches of snow, with Cassville getting 5.5 inches.

Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week
Boz is an adorable and cuddly young pup who loves to play. His estimated date of birth is Nov. 20, 2024. He gets along well with other dogs and cats.

Kyle Troutman: Precipitating memories
“This is the most snow I’ve ever seen in my life!” That’s what my 9-year-old exclaimed Friday morning as we woke up to 5-and-ahalf inches of pristine, wet, heavy, perfect-forsnowmen- and-sledding snowfall. School had already been canceled the night before, and we took advantage of the call to sleep in a bit before bundling up and heading to the hill.

23 play in Christmas Recital
A total of 23 local pianists, students of Ruth Burnside, of Purdy, performed a Christmas Recital on Dec. 8 at Countryside Christian Church in Monett.

Cassville pressing through competitive schedule
In the absence of a Christmas break tournament, the Cassville boys basketball team is ready to turn the season’s corner and use back-to-back tournaments as a springboard to Big 8 Conference play. At 1-8, the Wildcats have played a competitive schedule, facing only one squad with a sub-.500 record, Buffalo, which they beat in the Strafford Tournament, 48-46, on Dec.
Man charged for car theft
A Fulton man has been arrested and charged with a felony after allegedly stealing a vehicle from a victim in Barry County, a crime for which he is on probation for a previous conviction. Richard Burwell, born 1993, of Fulton, is charged with first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle.
Purdy man charged with rape
A Purdy man is facing three felony charges after allegedly restraining and molesting a victim in Barry County. Jesi Owen, born 1989, of Purdy, is charged with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy.
Dairy Day, Beef Cattlemen’s Conference, trade show returning
The Monett Area Chamber of Commerce will bring back its popular agriculture conferences in 2025. Monett Dairy Day and the Beef Cattlemen’s Conference will again be held on the same day, Tuesday, Feb.

Fulbright recipient times two
As a result of a second Fulbright Scholarship, a Purdy native is preparing to bring some tune to Tunisia. Jason Terry, a 2005 graduate of Purdy High School and the son of Steve and Mary Terry of Purdy, will soon begin his second venture abroad as a Fulbright Scholarship recipient — this time as a piano-tuning instructor at the Arab and Mediterranean Music Center in Tunisia.