News

Third-graders present veterans program
Cassville Intermediate School third-graders salute as part of their Veterans Daythemed performance on Thursday. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
Officials address Citizens for Justice
Citizens For Justice — Barry County held its second community meeting on Nov. 4, largely focused on county and state officials in attendance addressing the group’s concerns.
News briefs, Nov. 15
A silent auction, consisting of donations from area businesses, will be held on Thursday at the Bayless-Salyer House in Cassville from 5-8 p.m. All proceeds from the fundraiser will support Project Graduation, which gives graduation Cassville High School seniors a safe and fun environment to celebrate their accomplishment as a class.

Words on parade
Johnny Dobbins dressed and decorated heroically — and was rewarded in high fives — during the annual word parade at Cassville schools on Oct. 31. Kyle Troutman/ktroutman@cassville-democrat.com
SLUDGE targets DNR
Before 1972, open dumps were the norm in Missouri. After a two-year survey prior to that time, the state health department determined the dumps, plus authorized land waste-disposal sites, were causing serious threats to human health and the environment.

Local businesses in the Halloween spirit
Many local businesses’ employees took advantage of Halloween to wear something different to their places of work. Below are photos of businesses who submitted photos of their employees on Oct.

Something’s afoot
Is there a Bigfoot lurking in the Mark Twain National Forest in Barry County? Rick Dyer, master tracker and longtime Bigfoot hunter, insists there is, and he intends to find it. Dyer and Jeremy Ware, fellow master tracker, are started working last week with a film production company to produce a documentary for the Discovery Channel, a fivepart series filmed primarily in Butler Hollow near Seligman and the forest.

Surrounded by service
Elliot’s upbringing spurs nearly 20 years in Marine Corps, Army Surrounded by so many family and friends who were veterans, Benji Elliot, of Shell Knob, knew early on he wanted to be involved in the military. Elliot was not even out of high school when he put his name on the line for his country, enlisting in 1997, his junior year at Cassville High School, and training monthly in Springfield.
New heating units at County Courthouse
The historic Barry County Courthouse has been updated over the last three weeks, with about 50 new geothermal units being installed at the building. Steve Blankenship, Barry County presiding commissioner, said bids were put out for the project last summer, and the total cost is about $300,000.
Tumble on by SKITS’ fall play
The Shell Knob in The Spotlight (SKITS) community theater actors group are working arduously putting the finishing touches on their respective roles for the comedy “Trouble-In-Tumbleweed.” The play will be on stage Nov. 17-19 at the Central Community United Methodist Church in Shell Knob.