Kyle Troutman

Kyle Troutman

It’s a beaut, Batsche, it’s a beaut

On the north side of Cassville on Farm Road 1107, the glow of more than 13,000 Christmas lights shines bright on the Batsche property. First-place winners in the Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Decorating Contest, Tom and Cristie Batsche spend more than a month prepping the Jewell and Billy Thomas farm for the happiest of holidays, earning a “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” nickname in the process.

The reason for the season

Through all the commercialism and gift-giving to Santa and elves on shelves, one Cassville woman is hoping to help locals remember the reason for the Christmas season — the birth of Jesus Christ. Wife of Cassville United Methodist Church Pastor Jeff Fugitt, Jamie Fugitt has been collecting Nativity scenes for more than 40 years, and more than 120 unique scenes are on display at the church through Jan.

Man charged for chase on Hwy. 37

An Exeter man is facing a felony charge and a misdemeanor charge following an alleged high-speed chase on Highway 37 in Barry County. Cody Priest, born 1989, of Exeter, is charged with felony fleeing and misdemeanor failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Trout Tales, Dec. 18

By my estimation, there’s only one time a year parents allow their kids to just run all willy-nilly through the street — and you’re looking at it! The Wheaton parade is a big draw for kiddos, especially because of the International Attractions guy in the Slingshot flinging bouncy balls and stuffed animals up and down Main Street.

Exeter boys hoops wants to peak at season’s end

The Exeter boys basketball team has had a challenging start to its season, but Coach Tremanye Williams is less concerned about the beginning as he is the end. Finishing at 10-16 last season, the Tigers return three seniors — Kason Nelson, Jesse Eaton and Kendal Gorman — to this year’s squad.

Reflecting on a record

For the second season in a row, the Cassville softball team made history. In 2023, the 16-15 Lady Wildcats won the program’s first-ever district title under former coach Lori Videmschek, and this year, Cassville set a program record for wins, going 19-14 and taking second place in Class 3, District 6.