News

PHOTO/VIDEO GALLERY: Roaring River State Park Opening Day 2023
Scenes from Opening Day at Roaring River State Park on March 1.

Hatchery preps for Opening Day
Opening Day is nothing new to Barry County native Brad Farwell, but his job title of Roaring River Hatchery manager this year is. For the first time officially, he is charged with stocking the 6,000 trout, including 100 lunkers, into the river in preparation for 1,800 anglers visiting the park for a southwest Missouri tradition — Opening Day.
Wastewater residual use may be protected by ‘Right to Farm’
Rural Cassville resident Joey Rose is adamantly against the land-application of wastewater residuals by Arkansas-based Denali Water Solutions (Denali) and Synagro in southwest Missouri.

Purdy crowns Homecoming, Tip-Off royalty
On Feb. 10. Purdy High School held its 2023 Homecoming Coronation. Senior Alli Hayes was crowned Homecoming Queen and Senior Jake Young was crowned Mr. Tip-Off. Having just been named 2023 Mr. Tip-Off, Young is pictured crowning Hayes as Queen. Following the coronation, the Purdy Eagles Boys Basketball team defeated Billings, 52-46.
Sales tax continues strong in February
Sales tax revenue to the bi-county area continued strong in February. Historically, February has represented one of the smallest disbursements of the year, but for the past two years, February has out-performed January for local cities and the county government entities.
Hettinger to kick off trout season
Charlie 22 Outdoors founder hopes to help veterans Charlie 22 Outdoors, an organization for veterans to enjoy outdoor experiences, is planning its ninth trip to Roaring River State Park this year, and the company’s founder is being honored with the opportunity to fire the gun to start the season. Scott Hettinger, founder of Charlie 22 Outdoors, said he was asked to shoot the shot at 6 a.m.
Shelter Insurance to award scholarship
This spring, the Shelter Insurance Foundation will award a $1,500 scholarship to a graduate of Cassville and Wheaton High Schools. Shelter Agent Terri Lynn DeGraffenreid Brattin sponsors and partially funds this scholarship.
Plans underway for Barry County Youth Camp
One hundred local at-risk youngsters will have an opportunity to get outdoors and experience Mother Nature this summer at the Barry County Youth Camp thanks to the donations and contributions made by the community. This year’s camp is scheduled for May 30-June 3 at Camp Smokey at Roaring River State Park.
News Briefs, March 1
Great appreciation goes out to the businesses and individuals that donated and helped in anyway at the Britney Paul Benefit held on Feb. 18 at the Seligman Chamber of Commerce Event Center in Seligman.

County breaks ground on jail, sheriff’s office
On Thursday morning, about 15 county and city officials were on hand to break ground on the $17 million jail and sheriff’s office on Old Exeter Road. Another 20 individuals came to witness the event, some of whom will hopefully be working in the new facility by the end of 2024.