Opinion

Jeremiah Buntin: History’s sticks and stones

September 4, 2024

A great place to comb through early Missouri history is the Missouri Judicial Records Historical Database on the Missouri Digital Heritage website. This database offers many pre-1900 court cases with images available for online viewing in many instances.

Sheila Harris: Walking on Swiss cheese

August 28, 2024

In Cassville and surrounding areas, there’s a mystery underfoot. It’s a mystery I’ve only been half aware of until I picked up a copy of a Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) publication at Kids’ Fishing Day last weekend.

Kyle Troutman: A stir about early out

August 28, 2024

When it comes to scrutinizing government entities, a frequent target is the local school district. Administrators do their best to provide quality educations that prepare students for the workforce or college, and the task is a monumental one, worthy of a healthy dose of criticism from time to time.

Jon Horner: Flying with faith into uncharted territory

August 28, 2024

School has started for so many kiddos and school staff in our communities. This brings excitement and also unchartered waters for many as they are about to open a new door in their life, whether it’s kids or school staff.

August 28, 2024

Dear Editor: The Wheaton Historical Society and Depot Museum would like to thank everyone that helped us during the 66th Wheaton Barbecue. Special thanks to the city of Wheaton for getting our new culvert installed before the barbecue and the use of an air compressor.

Trout Tales, Aug. 21

August 21, 2024

After enjoying 102 days of delayed alarms, on Tuesday I think I woke up earlier than an Opening Day Blue Wing Olive hatch at Roaring River. I got ready just fast enough to sit in the worst traffic of the year in Cassville, riding along with my bosses as we took their fourth-grade daughter into her new class.

Kyle Troutman: First-day differences

August 21, 2024

Having done news photography for going on 15 years now — and spending the last five years as the father of a school-aged child — not many mornings school. Through the chaos of parents and kids trying to get to their classes or lockers, the gamut of emotions is bottomless.

August 21, 2024

Fall can be a great time for planting potted perennials. Nurseries may have some great deals on them as the growing season winds down, and fall is a good time to get a new plant established before the cold of winter arrives.

Drake Thomas: ‘So, God Made A Teacher’

August 21, 2024

And on the 8th day, God looked at those made in his image and said, “I need a caretaker.” So, God made a teacher. God said, “I need someone willing to get up before dawn, collect last night’s grading, kiss their family goodbye, teach all day at school, bring home more grading, eat supper, then go back to school and stay until 9 to watch a student’s basketball game.

Kyle Troutman: This election had everything

August 13, 2024

I’ve been telling saying it for months at this point — I could write a book about the sheriff race in the Republican Primary Election. I feel like Bill Hader’s Saturday Night Live character, Stefon.