News

Across America: Traveling minister visits Cassville
A Kentucky man was turning heads and opening hearts in Cassville over a five-day period last week, carrying a wooden cross on his cross-country mission to spread Christian love and ministry. Gregory Jones, of Lexington, Kent., arrived in Cassville on Jan. 24 by way of Eureka Springs.
County Republican caucus, Democrat primary set
Presidential primaries are underway across the nation, and in Missouri, the process for local voters to select their presidential and congressional candidates has vastly changed. From 2000 to 2020, Missouri held a state-run presidential primary, a process state lawmakers repealed in 2022.
Purdy focus on Annual Performance Report fruitful
When the Purdy school district received its first Annual Performance Review (APR) based on the Missouri School Improvement Plan 6 (MSIP6) in 2022, one thing was clear — there was work to be done. Travis Graham, Purdy superintendent, said the district was disappointed in its score of 70.3 percent, and improvements mainly needed to be made in English language arts, math and science.

31st Annual Share a Heart Campaign kicks off
Starting today (Wednesday), 70 McDonald’s Restaurants in the Ozarks — including Cassville — will begin encouraging customers to support Springfield’s two Ronald McDonald Houses by donating $1, $5 or $20 and adopting a heart. With every heart adopted, the contributor will have an opportunity to enter a social media contest holding their signed heart with the message “I shared my heart #forRMHCozarks” for a chance to win one of four $250 Great Southern MasterCard gift cards.
News briefs, Jan. 31
The Barry County MU Extension will host its annual meeting and dinner on Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m.

Hang, Dutra crowned Homecoming royalty in Wheaton
Zander Dutra, right, Wheaton Homecoming King, crowns Melanie Hang as Homecoming Queen Friday during the coronation at Wheaton High School prior to the contest against Hurley.

Snow on the go at Roaring River State Park
Numerous deer could be found near the Roaring River Hatchery on Jan. 17, seeking out greens to eat amidst the melting snowfall from to days prior.
Law changes proposed for industrial waste haulers
Proposed Missouri House Bills 1956 and 2134 were the subject of a nearly three-hour hearing before the House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 8.

Barry County pens $6.7 million budget for 2024
The Barry County Commission has passed a budget for 2024, fully funding the Barry County Sheriff’s Office to the tune of $4.2 million, a 54 percent increase, and raising county spending by $1.1 million, a 20 percent increase. The Sheriff’s Office in 2023 had an approved budget of $2,739,170, which was paid through general revenue.

Cassville High School Performing Arts Center set to rise soon
The $9.8 million Cassville Performing Arts Center (PAC) will soon see red iron instead of red dirt, as progress on the facility is on track for its August completion. Clint Walton, vice president of construction operations at RE Smith, updated the Cassville School Board on Thursday, explaining what has been completed and what is yet to come.