January 2025
Man charged after chase into McDonald County
An Aurora man is facing a felony charge after allegedly fleeing authorities for nearly 30 minutes into McDonald County. Cody Lowe, born 1990, of Aurora, is charged with felony resisting arrest.
Sales tax revenues up in ‘24
Despite December sales tax distributions falling 3% below a year ago, reports from Barry County cities and county government entities showed widespread gains over 2023, though some reflected very small revenue increases. Totals for 2024, compared to income before the COVID-19 pandemic surge in local shopping, show how sales and use tax now completely power local government operations.
Normal “Tim” Timothy Frye
Tim Frye passed away on December 29, 2024. He was surrounded by his loving family when he quietly left.

Jaime Alonso Cota, Jr.
Jaime Alonso Cota, Jr., 28, of Mt. Vernon, Mo. passed away Wednesday, January 1, 2025 at his home.

Harold Eugene “Gene” Doke
Harold Eugene “Gene” Doke, age 89, of Seligman, Missouri passed away Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at his home. He was born August 23, 1935 in Garfield, Arkansas the son of Harold Lee and Gladys (Schell) Doke.

Maurice Robert “Bob” Goodrich, Jr.
Maurice Robert “Bob” Goodrich, Jr. of Lenexa, Kan. passed away Sunday, December 29th at 3:40pm at Advent Health Hospital.

Through the Years, Jan. 8
40 YEARS AGO: CHECKING WATER METERS — Two members of Cassville city council and a pair of private citizens aren’t looking for creatures in the hole in front of them, they’re observing water meter conditions on Fair Street in Saturday’s cold.
Lynn Hilburn: Keep daylight saving time as-is
Dear Editor: I am much in favor of all of the waste reduction and fraud exposure that Trump, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy seem to be going after (I have researched and, depending on who you believe we have over $320 million per day of fraud and waste in the Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security systems). But, I do not understand attacking daylight saving time.

Jeremiah Buntin: What’s in store for the new year
The changing over to a new year always reminds me of the book title “Seeds of Time” by H. Harold Shamel that we have in the Barry County Museum bookstore.

Local law enforcement takes oath
At the Barry County Judicial Center on Dec. 31, 2024, Barry County Sheriff’s Office deputies, officers with the Ozarks Drug Enforcement Team and police officers from Monett, Cassville, Purdy and Wheaton recited their oaths for the coming year, led by Barry County Circuit Clerk Craig Williams. Contributed photo