News

Cassville band reaps rewards of hard work
For 12 hours each week, the Cassville High School band is putting in work. The efforts paid off on Saturday at the Pleasant Hope Pirate Power Classic, where the Wildcats earned four total awards: first place in Class 3, best drum major, best drumline and battle of the bands (spirit award).
News briefs, Oct. 11
The Eric Lee Hahn Memorial and KISS Rebreathers Dive Team Recognition Event will be held on Saturday at 5 p.m., at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center in Roaring River State Park. The Hahns will share stories of their son for the benefit of the Roaring River community, and a new map of the Roaring River spring cave will be presented and dedicated.

Power of Pink gives 6 support, love, $6.6K
Power of Pink celebrated its 13th year of service to women diagnosed to breast cancer by raising $40,051.93 to help support the six nominated ladies of 2023. Janice McCracken, Power of Pink founder and organizer, said with the addition of the six ladies from this year, the organization has helped 50 women total and raised $3661,822.61.
Cassville schools update Safety Preparedness Plan
The Cassville school district has updated its Safety Preparedness Plan for the 2023-2024 school year, citing upgrades to surveillance and facility safety. Across the district’s property, Cassville has more than 100 cameras online, with additional cameras having been installed over the summer.

‘Pink Out’ honors Exeter senior’s late mother
The Exeter school district hosted its very first Pink Out night on Tuesday, honoring the late mother of one of their own in the process. The high school volleyball team usually has a breast cancer awareness game, but this year, Stephanie Crumpler, Exeter volleyball coach, saw an opportunity to support one of her players.
Sales tax levels out in September
Sales tax receipts to bi-county cities and county governments at the end of the third quarter of 2023 show a new trend emerging. The COVID pandemic surge in revenues clearly stopped in April after three years.
Cassville man facing 11 felonies
A Cassville man is facing 11 felonies and seven misdemeanors relating to alleged burglaries in the Hilltop area from March to September. Monte Lucas, 23, of Cassville, is charged with the following felonies: possession of a controlled substance, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree burglary and eight counts of stealing.
Democrat wins 11 statewide awards
The Cassville Democrat won 11 total awards in the Missouri Press Association’s Better Newspaper Contest, including First Place in General Excellence. Kyle Troutman, Publisher of the Democrat, said he was thrilled with the results from the annual contest, especially given the changes at the paper in the last year, as entries were printed in the 2022 calendar year.

Local student first from Crowder academically published
Crowder Cassville RN student Anahi Gomez, of Washburn, had a 0.00 college GPA in 2022 after three attempts at furthering her education — now she’s the first Crowder student to be published in an academic journal. A 2015 graduate of a high school in Chicago, Gomez said she moved to Barry County in 2021 to focus on herself and make positive changes in her life.

New jail, health department on the rise
The new Barry County jail is off the ground and under ongoing construction, set to be complete in 12 months time. The $17 million facility on Old Exeter Road will be 30,000 square feet, about twice the size of the current jail, with numerous design features increasing safety and security.


