February 2025

Dialed up to 100

Prompted by “Zero Hero” to county to 100, starting by whispering and raising every 20 numbers to as loud as possible for 80-100, Cassville Primary School students, Rowan Stanton, left, Layten Craig, middle, and Layne Greek belt out the final figure. The activities were part of the celebration of the 100th day of school on Thursday.
Read MoreDialed up to 100

Kyle Troutman: A super winner

On Feb. 13, 2024, I wrote a column about the inspiration behind the Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl wins, praising the team’s never-quit attitude in the comeback win and being the Grim Reaper when things were grim, to paraphrase Coach Andy Reid.
Read MoreKyle Troutman: A super winner

Share a Heart helps local family

The annual Ronald McDonald House of the Ozarks Share a Heart Campaign is in the midst of its 32nd year, with donations being accepted at 70 McDonald’s Restaurants in the Ozarks, including Cassville. Customers are encouraged to support their local families by adopting paper hearts for $1, $5, or $20.
Read MoreShare a Heart helps local family

Gwen “Gennie” Scroggins

Gwen “Gennie” Scroggins, age 94, of Washburn, Missouri, was called by God to help him watch over the farmers, ranchers’ cattle, and all of the children in the world, on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Roaring River Health & Rehab in Cassville, Missouri. Gwen, daughter of John and Evalena (Reynolds) Brissey, was born in her paternal grandmother’s home in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on October 10, 1930. The Brissey family resided in Quay Valley and later moved to Tucumcari. During her teen years she belonged to the Horse Square Dancing Club. They performed at the Texas Governor’s Ball. In size she was the smallest, but her heart was extremely large. Following graduation from Tucumcari High School she attended Draughn Business School in Lubbock, Texas, which formed her career in bookkeeping. She first started at Worley Mills Feed Lots in Tucumcari. Following her move to this area in 1962, she worked as a bookkeeper at Southwest IV School District in Washburn and retired from the Purdy III School District. She often said she would work for free if she could work with her great friend, LouAnna Dodson. Gwen’s skills were reflected in her recordkeeping on the farm.
Read MoreGwen “Gennie” Scroggins