News
Southwest FFA competes at Nationals
After a fifth-place finish at State, with Saige Miller placing ninth individually, the Southwest FFA Soils Team qualified to compete at the National Level. The National FFA Land and Range Judging Contest was held in El Reno, Okla. The students arrived in El Reno, on April 30 to prepare for the National Land and Range Judging Contest on May 2. All FFA members were tasked with judging the land and soil at four different sites. Participants judged the limitations and advantages of the land and soil. The following day, on May 3, the team received their placing. As a team, Southwest placed 16th out of 99 teams.
News Briefs, July 3
The Barry County Democratic Committee will be holding a meeting on Tuesday, July 9th at 6pm at the Cassville Branch Library, located at 301 W. 17th St.
Tale as old as time told in Cassville
Townsfolk celebrate Gaston, front, played by Carson Burt, in the Cassville Arts Council production of “Beauty and the Beast.”
McGuire suspends sheriff campaign
Mike McGuire, Cassville police officer and Republican candidate for Barry County sheriff in the Aug. 6 Primary, has suspended his campaign.
Cassville Boots, Badges & Bandages Blood Drive to unite area First Responders July 2
First responders from Cassville are uniting with Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO), the sole supplier of blood, plasma, and platelets to patients at more than 40 area healthcare facilities, for an inaugural Cassville Boots, Badges and Bandages Community Challenge Blood Drive.
Community painting Portrait of a Graduate
Program aims to improve student outcomes in schools A collaborative effort between five Barry County school districts is attempting to improve student outcomes, and the project is asking for the community’s help. Traci Mitchell, Cassville assistant superintendent, said the Portrait of a Graduate (POG) work, which ties to district improvement plans and has been shown to improve student outcomes, reflects the county’s agreed upon competencies necessary for students to be effective and successful mem- bers of the community.
A sight to be ‘scene’
Northbound drivers on Main Street in Cassville have a new scene to sight as they travel into downtown Cassville. The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the completion of a vibrant new mural that now adorns the south side of the Cassville Democrat building.
June sales taxes near even with 2023
Halfway through 2024, sales tax reports for Barry County show the local economy is generally holding even with one year ago. While three smaller cities showed double-digit drops from the immediate post-pandemic sales totals, overall sales tax income rose from last June.
Democrat publisher wins international award
Cassville Democrat Publisher Kyle Troutman, speaking, traveled to Toronto Metropolitan University on Saturday to accept a Golden Dozen award from the International Society of Weekly Newspaper Editors, an organization headquartered in Joplin and to which Troutman belongs.
Improvements at Roaring River State Park
Missouri State Parks personnel gathered at the Emory Melton Inn on June 6 to update the public on an extensive list of projects completed, plus those still in progress, at Roaring River State Park. Assistant Park Manager Forrest Brumm said completed projects include the renovation of the Honeymoon Cabin, the removal of the swimming pool, the installation of new playground equipment near the CCC shelter, the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers and repairs to roofs of existing structures throughout the park.
