50 years ago
March 26, 1975
— FEDERAL-STATE REGULATIONS RESTRICT LAND DEVELOPERS
A majority of subdivisions in this area, including numerous projects on Table Rock Lake, are marking time for future decisions of the Missouri Clean Water Commission. Most are restricted from sales where developments do not conform to commission regulation for the disposal of wastewater which went into effect on June 30, 1974. The commission is conducting a public hearing on proposed changes in its regulation during a regular meeting Thursday in St. Louis at 10 a.m. Whether some of the developments will have representation at the meeting is unknown at this time. Regulations involved give developers the responsibility for planning adequate sewage disposal in subdivisions before the lots are sold and houses are built. A developer on Table Rock said the commission has no jurisdiction on sales made previous to the effective date of the law. Developers in and around this area are faced with federal Housing and Urban Development registration on inter-state sales. This agency has developed the practice of disapproving new applications until the Missouri agency has approved. Subdivisions asking for exemptions on the regulations have on the most part been refused any variation. Joe Ellis, Cassville attorney who has handled some registration requirements for developers, said this week that further operations are “virtually at a standstill in this area as a result of the complicated, expensive and toning ever noted four major agencies, HUD, Federal Trade Commission, Missouri Clean Water Commission and consumer protection agencies of the Attorney General’s Office, have all become involved. The most extensive of the proposed changes deal with exemptions for existing developments. Under the current regulations, owners of partially developed subdivisions may have to meet requirements similar to those for new developments. Developers of subdivisions which have reached a certain degree of development must file for exemption and demonstrate to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that the wastewater treatment methods they propose will not cause or permit any violations of the Missouri Clean Water Law. One proposed change in the regulation would allow these developers to simply register with the department. It would then be up to the department to demonstrate that a specific system was violating the law. Another proposed change would classify non-recreation-al subdivision lots into only three size categories, rather than the present four, to be used in determining whether a centralized sewage system must be provided. The conditions to be met for allowing single dwelling wastewater facilities would be simplified. Other proposed changes in the regulation are minor word changes or additions and do not change the substance of the regulation. Interested persons may contact the department or one of its regional offices to determine which developments would be affected by these changes. Persons wishing to present written or oral testimony at the hearing are encouraged to contact the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Quality, P. O. Box 1368, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101. The hearing record will be held open through April 3 for additional written comments.
— LONE BANDIT ROBS STATION NEAR MONETT
An armed robbery of the Midway Service Station, located between Monett and Purdy on Highway 37 at 6:50 a.m. Monday is being investigated by the Barry County Sheriff’s Department, According to Sheriff Vernon Still, $659 was taken from a cash register and from Lester Gambel of Monett, station manager. Sheriff Still said that a male suspect walked into the station and held up the manager at gunpoint. The type of pistol used in the robbery was not known. The suspect was described as of slender build, with dark complexion and in his early 20s. A sock cap was partially pulled over his eyes, Sherif Still said.
40 years ago
March 27, 1985
— INDUSTRY PAYROLL GREW 296 JOBS DURING PAST YEAR
Thirteen Cassville industries grew by 296 jobs during the past year, according to figures compiled by the Chamber of Commerce industrial committee. Information also states current payrolls went to $17.8 million dollars during 1984. The facts are a result of an update of Cassville Community Profile, being prepared for the Missouri Department of Commerce and Industrial Development. Industrial jobs in Cassville for the February 1984 profile stood at 1,071. For the 1985 profile, also figured in February, industrial employment in Cassville stood at 1,367 jobs. The thirteen Cassville industries, two of which did not participate in the report, also posted a total of 567,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Industries reporting to the C of C inquiry that will be included in the up-date to the state agency and their employment figures, included: FASCO Industries 550, Alvey, Inc. 60, Garrett Manufacturing 140, Wells Aluminum 36, Able 2 Products/Edison Co. 29, Forest Products Inc. 35, Justin Industries 350, Cassville Tool Service 3, Litho Printers 19, L.D. Brown and Associates 100, A-H Industries, Inc. 13 and Southwest Missouri Transit 32. Of the listed industries, A-H Industries at Hilltop is the newest, owned by Fred Arning and Gene Hughey and consisting of assembly and design facilities for service station canopy manufacturing. Up-dating processes for the Community Profile will be coordinated with the Industrial Development Corporation. Screening will cover a three year period of population, taxes, government, commercial services, industrial sites, utilities, labor, health services, major employers, climate, recreation facilities, transportation, education, development organizations and legislative districts. Missouri IDC uses profile information to respond to business and industry desiring facts when considering location in the state. Individual payroll figures for the industries involved are kept on a confidential basis. Coordination of the new profile information will be through John Anglum and Bob Mitchell, C of C industrial committee co-chairmen, Landon Fletcher, C of C president and Mrs. Ella Frost, secretary. Also participating will be Industrial Development Corporation directors, Truman Baker, Bill Easley, Bill Wiley and Mitchell. Cassville has participated in the Missouri agency program for a number of years. The up-dating of information is considered vital by the state and local agencies to keep current figures in Jefferson City for this area. Upon completion of the task of up-dating, the information will be forwarded to Jefferson City and the state agency will in turn provide a supply of Community Profile folders to the Chamber of Commerce for availability through the local office.
— INDUSTRY COUNTS LOCATION IN CASSVILLE A BLESSING
Able 2 Products located in Cassville 13 years ago, and owner-president Jerry Watley considers that decision a “blessing in coming to a quality community.” Watley traced the growth of his firm and product development during an appearance before the Cassville Rotary club last week. Able 2 Products, with a younger division, Edison Company, has 25 employees who assemble fishing, sport and emergency lighting equipment for distribution “in every state of the union, Canada and overseas,” Watley told the Rotarians. Our decision a number of years ago to locate in Cassville, “found a quality community, high-type employees and an opportunity for product development that might not have been found elsewhere,” he said. The companies operate in two locations, featuring 15 lines that are alternated between seasonal demand. “Cassville’s location in central USA which provides overnight delivery to either coast if you don’t mind paying the bill,” is another factor. Watley also detailed to Rotarians the process of placing the Cassville made products before buyers at a number of national trade shows.
— DOGWOOD COMING A WEEK LATER?
Full blooming of Dogwood and Redbud in Barry County will be a week later than usual this year. At least that’s the safe position being taken by Paul Johnson, ranger of the Cassville district of Mark Twain National Forest. Johnson, relied upon for the past seven years for a dogwood forecast, could be hedging his prediction this year, “since I missed it a week last year,” he commented this week. “The week of April 22-28 should bring full bloom to one of the most attractive shows in the forest lands,” Johnson said. He admitted he wasn’t extremely happy about making the one out of seven miss last year. Every weekend rains last year and cool spring conditions, delayed the arrival for 1984. “Naturally, everything will be quicker if we get a warm-up temperatures this year,” the forest official said.
30 years ago
March 15, 1995
— ACTIVITY LIST FOR CASSVILLE SESQUICENTENNIAL
A list of 22 major activities either confirmed or on the plan list for the period June 30-July 8 observance of Cassville’s 150th anniversary has been set by a ordinating committee. Leading the group, Darrell Ledenham stressed the overall committee is still chasing events and will be open to suggestions. With him on an executive committee are city clerk Jo Ledgerwood, Les Chapman and Charley Baker. All Cassville activities this year will be tied to the sesquicentennial in making the observance last through the Christmas parade in December. As of the present time, the following activities will be scheduled: June 30: “Two for the Show,” a Country, Comedy and Gospel Music Group; Hot Air Balloon Glow Exhibition; Bluegrass Music and Outdoor Food Court July 1: Mountain Men Rendezvous – Authentic Dress, Trade Goods, and Encampment of 1840s – 1850s Pioneers; Numerous Musical Events; Storytellers; Cloggers and Square Dance Exhibitions; Union and Confederate Civil War Reenactors and Encampments; Hot Air Balloon Races; Arts and Crafts Booths; Sesquicentennial Collectible Souvenirs; Legends of the West Reenactors; Historical Displays; Periodic Prize Drawings; Economic Development, Manufacturer’s Display July 2: Indian Dance Exhibitions; Community Worship Service; Kids Games July 3: Tractor Pull July 4: Fireworks Display, Shell Knob July 8: Barry County Youth Livestock Show/
— HEMPHILL NAMED ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR IN BARRY COUNTY
A native Barry Countian who is returning to Monett to practice law, has been named assistant prosecuting attorney. Prosecutor David Cole this week named Stephen R. Hemphill to the $20,000 a year post. Presiding commissioner Cherry Warren earlier acknowledged Hemphill’s post in county law enforcement was approved in the budget on a continuation of last year’s program. The assistant prosecutor’s assignment began March 1 Hemphill will replace Stephen Taliaferro, Cassville attorney, who served under prosecutor John Lewright in the post. Cole said Hemphill’s assignment with the office would include 2.5 days a week under the compensation agreement. He said the duties might include days being alternated on a weekly basis depending on court or office schedules. Hemphill, 38, is single, and is opening his practice in Monett after practice in Platte County near Kansas City. He served as an assistant prosecutor in that county and also worked for a short time in Washington, D. C., as legal counsel for a committee of the House of Representatives,. He is a son of Mrs. Robert Hemphill of Monett and a nephew of former Barry County sheriff Bill Hemphill. Hemphill completed his undergraduate work at William Jewell College and received a law degree from University of Missouri, Kansas City in 1981. Cole said the assistant’s post in the prosecutor’s office was being continued as case loads continue to increase. He said more than 1,600 felony and misdemeanor cases were filed through the office last year. He said the office also handled over 1,200 traffic cases last year. “That’s more than any county in the judicial circuit,” Cole noted. The prosecutor, elected in November, said the office expects to handle about 235 cases each month this year.
