News

The Cassville High School candidates for Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas have been announced. The group will be collecting donations in the community over coming weeks, with proceeds benefitting the Barry County Neighborhood Center’s Share Your Christmas program. The boy and girl who raise the most will be named Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas. Candidates include: front row, from left: freshman Gracie Maher, daughter of Allen and Brooke Maher, of Shell Knob, and Melissa and Jeremy Mansfield, of Cassville; sophomore Tyra Sturgell, daughter of Chad and Shawna Sturgell, of Cassville; senior Emerson Grossman, daughter of Melanie and Randy Grossman, of Cassville; and junior Jayla Cota, granddaughter of Carol Reed and Brent Stumph, of Cassville. Back row: freshman Carlos Barrientos, son of Allese Stubbs, of Cassville, and Melecio Barrientos, of Monett; sophomore Trevis Moore, son of Jeremy Moore, of Cassville, and Susan Norris, of Monett; senior Malachi Vincent, son of Stacy Reese, of Cassville; and junior Talen Reed, son of Shawn and Stephanie Reed, of Eagle Rock.

The Cassville R-IV School District has selected Wildcat alumna and current Cassville Middle School (CMS) Assistant Principal Samantha Cosper to serve as the next principal at CMS. Cosper will assume her role as principal beginning July 1, 2024.

The Ozark Festival Orchestra will present its Christmas concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. A special feature for this performance will be 10 dancers from the Midwest Regional Ballet Performing Arts Company and School in Joplin, dancing to three selections from Tchikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” The concert will also include holiday favorites by Leroy Anderson, arrangements of “Carol of the Bells” and other seasonal selections, a visit from Santa Claus and a sing-along. Parents are encouraged to bring children for photos with Santa. Cost for admission is $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens and free to children age 18 and under. The OFO is a not-for-profit ensemble based in Monett with 53 players in this concert, 15 of whom are from Barry and Lawrence counties.

Det. Doug Henry, with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, speaks to students about law enforcement during Career Day on Nov. 21. The event for all Cassville High School students allows them to see attainable careers in their community and help guide them in future course options.

Ground has been broken on a $2.74 million public works facility in Cassville, partially funded by federal money and the remainder by the city’s reserves. David Brock, Cassville public works director, said the 8,400-square-foot facility, which has broken ground at the southwest corner of the city’s land at the industrial park, will include temperature controlled bays, which take up the majority of that space, as well as offices, a shower room, a kitchen and a community room that will be available to the public.