Kyle Troutman

Kyle Troutman

Through the Years, Dec. 25

30 YEARS AGO: JUDGED BEST OF DECORATIONS — Providing a more than adequate identification for Santa Claus as he next arrives in Cassville, this home decoration scheme was chosen best of the town by Chamber of Commerce judges. The home is that of Jim and Helen O’Dell on Fair Street.

Helen Geraldine “Gerri” Raines

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.

Hooping for the holidays

The field at the 42nd Annual Southwest Boys Holiday Tournament is as competitive as ever, with last year’s champion retaining the No. 1 seed and two Barry County schools looking to dethrone the title-holder.

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.