50 years ago

March 21, 1973

— All 26 County Road Districts Have ‘73 Projects Every road district in Barry County, and there are 26 in a program of work recently approved by the Missouri Highway Department. Funds for the program of work this spring will come from County Aid Road Trust Funds, a kickback of gasoline taxes in the state to county levels. In connection with the coming program in the county, Leon Jackson, highway consult- ant, says the County Court will open bids on April 2 at 10 a.m. for bituminous surfacing, resealing bituminous surfaces and spot patching bituminous surfaces. Jackson said this week in all there will be 209 miles of maintenance work on county roads this spring, with each district participating. This has been one of the most difficult winters on roads and highways in my experience,” he noted.

—State Aid To Schools Reaches $14 Million — The March apportionment of state aid funds to Barry County school districts brings a total of $1,530, 086 thus far for the year according to Vedas Davis, county treasurer. Davis received $533,617 this week for distribution to nine districts in Barry County. Another bundle of state aid is scheduled for the schools in the last apportionment probably in May. A breakdown of the schools and the funds received this week included: Exeter $33,067, Wheaton $42,777, Southwest $80,147, Cassville $126,513, Monett $164,881, Purdy $59,021, Shell Knob $8,005, Jenkins $14,064 and Golden $5,142. State Aid funds from the Department of Education are appropriated funds from the legislature based on formulas for average daily attendance of pupils. The state funds are in addition to those produced by local tax levies and other sources of income for the respective districts.

— County Court Says No To $240,000 Jail Plan The Barry County Court has rejected a proposed plan for construction of a new jail according to County Clerk Chester Snider. Court deliberations turned down the plan that would have cost an estimated $240,000. Included in payback on the project would have been federal grants, Federal Revenue Sharing and existing county funds. The three-member court, Presiding Judge Roscoe Eden, Southern Judge Walter Cooper and Northern Judge Emil Sc-had, reviewed the plans and then rejected them. Snider said this week the county now has about $60,000 of the FRS funds on hands. Expected is another $15,000 in the same funds about the first of April. Barry County is scheduled to receive this sum of money from FRS each quarter for the next four years.

40 years ago

March 16, 1983

— The Barry County Court has announced the naming of G.E. “Huck” Ulmer as the new Barry County Engineer. Ulmer has previously served in this position a few years back. He replaces Leon Jackson. Ulmer is associated with the Miller-Newell Engineers, Led. and has maintained an office in Cassville for a number of years, — Mr. and Mrs. Fritz Brown, new managers of the Cassville Golf Course will be hosting a breakfast Saturday, April 9 for the lady golfers of the association. This will officially get the 1983 season of activities underway. The continental style breakfast will be served at 9 a.m. at the club house. After the meal a round of golf is planned for those who are interested.

— There are a total of 1.5 million acres of land in Mark Twain National Forest that stretches across southern Missouri. Of some national administration people had their way, between 150,000 and 250,000 of these acres would be put on the market for sale. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently revealed the real estate transaction is being studied by some in the Department of Agriculture, under which the Forest Service is assigned. Included in the Mark Twain acreage is 55,000 acres in Barry County. The Cassville ranger district, which consists of areas in both Barry and Stone coun-ties, there are 70,000 acres. Paul Johnson, ranger of the Cassville district, says the proposal is under study. Mark Twain’s size was accomplished in recent years with combination of Clark National Forest in areas of Missouri to the east under the one name. Purpose of the program is designed to help pay off the national debt.

— R-IV Board Re-name Building — The Cassville R-IV Board of Education met in regular session Monday, March 14, The following board members were present: Er- nest Cowherd, Don Stockton, Tom Cardin, Dr. Mary Newman, Lucille Johnston, and Irene Horner. Others in attendance were: Superintendent Bailey, board secretary Wanda Paul, principals Cudney and Marple; Kathy Goff, and prospective board candidates Billy Wolf, John Sullivan, and John Anglum. It was decided to rename the Cassville Elementary School to the Eunice Thomas Elementary School.

30 years ago

March 10, 1993

— Observing 50 years of employment with the Cassville automotive agencies, Ellen Kidwell of Cassville will be honored with a reception and open house at Nesbitt Ford. She has been associated in the office staff of Cassville Ford agencies that period of time. Hours of the Monday event will be 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is scheduled to include a number of owners or representatives that have been involved in the agency.

— Jail Smuggling Has Charges Filed — Exeter brothers have been charged with attempting to distribute marijuana in an attempt Sunday to deliver a reefer to an inmate in the Barry County jail. Dicke Wedel, 31, and Daryl Wedel, 22, were arrested after jail dispatcher Jason Ruark squeezed a bottle of shampoo the pair were bringing an inmate and discovered the attempt. Sheriff Ralph Hendrix said the marijuana cigarette was hidden in a straw sealed at both ends and inserted in the shampoo. The brothers said they were given the shampoo for delivery by a girl, whose name they couldn’t remember. Each posted $2,500 bond and face March 29 preliminary hearings.

— Volunteer fire and rescue personnel of Cassville were out Sunday, called to a grass fire on Bittersweet Lane southwest of Cassville. Fire chief Millard Andrews said the department answered an emergency call at the Dick Webb residence in Wildwood Estates Tuesday morning. Webb, who was doing work in his back yard, became wedged between his vehicle and a fence and was unable to loosen himself. He suffered only leg bruises but was checked at South Barry County Hospital. Department personnel Tuesday also answered a car fire call on Highway 248 and responded to a request for assistance in a grass fire at Exeter.

— County Unemployment At 6.2 Percent Level — Barry County’s unemployment level was lower in January than it was a year ago, despite some signs that indicate there could be fewer jobs in the county. The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said this week the Barry County level was 6.2 percent, compared to 6.4 percent a year ago. In December 1962 the level was 5.1 percent. Missouri’s unemployment rate was at 6.7 percent for the same comparison time. Comparisons with adjoining counties included 5.5 in Newton, for the Joplin region offices; 7.8 for Lawrence county, 4.6 for McDonald county and 24.3 for Stone. Missouri figures represented an increase of 1.4 percentage points from the December rate of 5.3 percent but was less than the seven percent rate recorded in January 1992. A total of 178,300 people were unemployed in the state during the report figure. Barry County’s workforce numbers usually stand just under the 14,000 number. Using this number, an estimated 868 employable persons are out of work in the county. Some of this number could be attributed to seasonal layoffs in the labor market and one plant closing in Cassville.

— Mayor Wants Pair Pet Pigs Removed, NOW — Pets are having a rough time in Cassville. For several weeks dogs have been prime subjects of action by the city council. Included were public hearings with first one and then the other side having their says regarding more strict control and licensing of dogs. Monday night mayor Rolland Meador reacted regarding a police report review that citizen complaints about pet pigs had not been resolved by the department. Mayor Meador informed sergeant Lonnie McCullough that he “wanted the pigs gone from the city limits and now.” City ordinances prohibit the keeping of swine in the city limits. Mayor Meador he would not tolerate citizen complaints that were not answered effectively. He said the animals at residences on West First and Fair Streets had to go. The mayor said “If it takes a court summons, get it. Judge Spain can handle the problem if necessary.”

— Navy Seaman Apprentice Travis L. Hobbs, son of Rocky L. and Linda M. Hobbs of Cassville, recently completed basic training at Recruit Training Command, San Diego. During the cycle, recruits are taught general military subjects designed to prepare them for further academic and on-thejob training in one of the Navy’s 85 occupational fields. Studies include seamanship, close-order drill, naval history and first aid. He is a 1991 graduate of Cassville High School.

— Cassville high school has a new basketball career scorer. He’s Jeremy Marple, whose 1509 career points exceed a total set in 1984. In recognizing Marple’s performance, high school principal Ron Richardson said a plaque will be presented in the winter sports banquet. Other recognition could include placing Marple’s photo in the senior high gym trophy case. Marple’s record topped that set by Lance Welch, who finished his career in 1984 with 1243 points. He had exceeded the point production of Fred Ray that was set in a Wildcat career that ended in 1961.