
Cassville Student Body President Jonathan Stults, right, took on Teresa Stewart, Family and Consumer Science teacher, in a bubble wrestling match at Cassville High School on the first day of school Tuesday.

Publisher’s note: Throughout the summer, the Cassville Democrat will feature the best unprinted photos from each team photographed during the 2023-2024 athletics seasons. — KT Cassville’s Masin Bryan slides headfirst into third base during a game against East Newton last season.

Being involved in uplifting activities is something that Tatum Alyse Burt, of Purdy, daughter of Samantha and Nathan Burt, has always done. Burt recently returned from sharing the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ in the Australia Perth Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints. During her Purdy High School years, Burt participated in choir, band, track and dual credit, graduating in 2021.

The Cassville school district welcomes the following new certified staff to the district for the 2024-25 school year.

Matt Barlow readies his son Jett’s fishing pole during Kids Fishing Day at Roaring River State Park on Saturday. Barlow says he has been traveling to Roaring River, from Hoisington, Kan., since he was a child.

The Purdy volleyball team may be the youngest Coach Barry Wheeler has had throughout his 38-year career, and it will rely on four returners among five freshmen to reach its goals this season. Leading the squad this year are three seniors — setter Zoey Webb, middle hitter Gracie Patton and defensive specialist Brooklynn Bunch — as well as a junior, outside hitter Lauren Brooks.

Xia Shoua Khang, 64, passed away July 26, 2024 in Springfield, Mo., after a valiant battle with chronic kidney disease. He was born January 18, 1960 in Thakhek, Laos to Chong Xeng Khang and Choua Thao.

Charles Taylor Ward, 71, of Cassville, Mo., passed away Sunday, July 7, 2024, at his home. He was born in Cushing, Okla., on May 10, 1953, the son of Slyvia Gough, who preceded him in death.

About 100 area residents — the majority of them farmers — attended a fundraiser and informational event at H&H Pool Hall in Cassville Saturday night, where the prospective contamination of soil and groundwater from the land-application of industrial meat-processing and human sludge was the central theme. Two waste-hauling companies, Synagro Central and HydroAg Environmental, have more than 150 proposed permits pending with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to land-apply processing waste to almost 10,000 acres in Barry County.

Donald Ray Harrell, 90, passed away on August 6, 2024. He was born January 5, 1934, the tenth of eleven children born to Charles Aud and Daisy Jane (Creason) Harrell, who preceded him in death.