
Herrin Animal Hospital in Cassville collected toys in recent weeks for its 25th Annual Holiday Toy Drive. “It is always heartwarming to see the community come together to support our toy drive,” Dr. Brent Herrin said.

Chase Ruark, front, Wyatt Hollingsworth, right, and Eli Roper, on the floor work together to transport a table across the gym floor during a game at Cassville High School’s Christmas assembly on Thursday.

Idon’t know about you, but this year, I feel like my heart has grown a size or two amidst the outpouring of local Christmas cheer. I’m no Scrooge by any means, but Christmas — especially as a parent — can bring equal amounts of stress and joy.

Publisher’s Note: The Cassville boys and girls wrestling teams each competed in separate tournaments over the weekend. The Wildcats wrestled in the Harrisonville Christmas Tournament, and the Lady Wildcats in the 2024 Lady Mustangs Christmas Clash. Due to the Cassville Democrat's holiday print deadline, results were not available at presstime. Coverage of both events will be in the Jan. 1 issue.

Arvest Foundation recently awarded the Exeter school district with a grant of $5,000 for its student fund.
Jennifer Paige White, 53, of Cassville, formerly of Pierce City and Mt. Vernon, died on Dec.

Eight Southwest High School volleyball players earned Academic All-State. They were: sophomore Olivia Hnem; juniors Rylee Hobbs, Emma Outhouse and Marissa Freeman; and seniors Montana Skelton, Riley Flippo, Laura Henry and Kaleigh Tull. The varsity grade-point average was 3.87. In other postseason honors, Freeman and Henry were each recognized. Henry, a setter, was named to both the Class 2 All-District team and All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in assists and serve percentage. Freeman, a middle, was named to the All-SWCL Conference team. She led the team in kills, blocks and aces.

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.
11th Annual Southwest Girls Holiday Tournament starts Friday BY KYLE TROUTMAN ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com The Southwest, Cassville and Wheaton girls basketball teams will play a trio of games over the holiday break, as all three will participate in the 11th Annual Southwest Girls Holiday Tournament. Action begins on Friday, with No.

Helen Geraldine “Gerri” Raines, age 100, died Saturday, December 14, 2024, at Concordia Nursing and Rehab in Bella Vista, Arkansas. She was born December 1, 1924, in Seligman, Missouri, the only child of Leon and Lena (Kelley) Skelton.