Southwest grads say ‘aloha’ to high school

Colton Phillips, Southwest High School graduate, hugs his grandmother, Marsha Myers, during the flower presentation at Friday’s commencement ceremony.

Colton Phillips, Southwest High School graduate, hugs his grandmother, Marsha Myers, during the flower presentation at Friday’s commencement ceremony.

Clarence Thomas “Bud” Scott, Jr., age 75, of Rocky Comfort, Mo. passed away Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Freeman Hospital West in Joplin, Mo.

Vanessa Rae Puryear, 63, of Cassville, Mo. passed away on May 2, 2025, at Northwest Medical Center in Springdale, Ark.

Nathan “Big Nate” McFarland, has passed away. He was born in Bentonville, Ark., and spent his elementary years in Guymon, Okla., before settling in Cassville.

Velva “Jo” LaFever, 92, of Seligman, Mo., passed away Friday, May 2, 2025, at her home.

Vicki Diane Easley, 76, of Wheaton, Mo. passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at her home.

Crowder College Cassville held its first Open Mic Poetry Reading on April 24, with four high school or Crowder students participating in the poetry contest.

History is, at its root, a grand painting of human nature in all its ugly colors and forms, a Greek tragedy that shows us at our best and worst.

Here we are on the cusp of the month of May, one of my favorite months.

Cassville Middle School student Bear Lackey receives a MAP testing proficiency award from Principal Samantha Cosper. The grades 6-8 school held an ice cream social on April 28 for students who earned advanced or proficient on their 2024 MAP testing.