News

Ellis named special services director at Cassville schools
The Cassville Board of Education has selected Kendale Ellis to serve as the director of special services for the Cassville School District, effective July 1. This news comes after the current special services director, Mrs.

Denali’s Gideon basin deemed unfit
The integrity of Denali Water Solution’s Gideon storage basin in McDonald County has been compromised. Heather Peters, with the Water Pollution Section of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said her department investigated the condition of the basin after an area resident reported that the basin’s liner appeared to have floated to the surface.
Community Care Coalition takes shape
In a strategic move to adapt to the evolving landscape of community services, the former affiliate of Imagination Library, Barry County has rebranded itself as the Community Care Coalition, Barry County. The transition began amid the statewide rollout of the Imagination Library program by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Shelter Scholarship goes to Chappell
The Shelter Insurance Foundation has awarded a $1,500 scholarship to Avery Chappell!, a graduate of Cassville High School. Shelter Agent Terri Lynn DeGraffenreid Brattin sponsors and partially funds this scholarship.
Barry County Sheriff’s Office calls for service and reports taken, May 20-26
The Barry County Sheriff's Office responded to 271 calls for service for the week of May 20-26. The CAD events created by central dispatch are the Calls for Service Barry County Officers respond to every day, included in those calls are alarms, assaults, burglaries, domestic disturbances, DWI's, stealing, harassment, medical issues, paper service, prisoner transports, suspicious persons, traffic stops and warrant service. Reports are not generated on all the calls for service. The following reports were generated from the above 271 calls:
News Briefs, May 29
By the order of the Pioneer Road District Commissioners the Shoal Creek bridge on Farm Road 2070 will be closed, as of today (Wednesday) due to unsafe conditions. Voter registration ends July 10 for August Primary The last day to register to vote is July 10 for those who are not current registered voters of Barry County and who wish to vote in the Aug.

26 toss caps in Exeter
Exeter senior Star Xiong accepts her diploma from Ashley Fly on Friday during Exeter’s graduation ceremony, where 26 seniors walked the stage and ended their high school educations.
Judge rules in favor of Fertilizer Board
On May 13, a judge ruled in favor of the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board (MoFCB), respondents in a case that was filed in Cole County Circuit Court in Jefferson City, by petitioners, Denali Water Solutions and Synagro Central, on July 27, 2023. Both parties to the suit submitted a request for the judge to make a summary judgment in the case, a legal right when the parties believe the facts underlying their requests are beyond dispute.

Women on the Home Front
“Rosie,” she was called — short for Rosie the Riveter. The iconic name, memorialized by the equally iconic Howard Miller image of a young woman flexing an arm muscle, while sporting a red and white polka-dotted bandana on her head, and including the words, “We can do it,” above her head, refers collectively, to some 6 million women who entered the U.S. industrial workforce during World War II to perform jobs traditionally filled by men.

Record year for Power of Pink
Power of Pink celebrated the largest donation amount in the event’s history on Mother’s Day weekend this year. This year’s banquet and walk brought in a total of $53,442.90, giving four local women over $13,360 each to help during their fight with breast cancer.