Opinion

Rich Cummings: ‘Do you do well to be angry?’

January 31, 2024

This devotional and directory is made possible by these businesses who encourage all to attend worship services. There is a line from God that may fit our present climate in the U.S.

Kyle Troutman: Moving the APR ball

January 31, 2024

In recent years, state evaluation of public education has been a challenge for schools. With the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Missouri School Improvement Program (MSIP) standards continually evolving, it seems as soon as districts get close to adapting to a formula, the ball is punched out of their hands like the Chiefs’ L’Jarius Sneed stealing a touchdown from the Ravens’ Zay Flowers in Sunday’s AFC Championship.

Trout Tales, Jan. 24

January 23, 2024

I went down to Roaring River State Park a couple of times last week in search of the almighty Bald Eagles said to frequent the spring area this time of year, and after a few attempts, I think I’m giving up. I’ve seen a few of America’s birds, but they are soaring so high up in the sky I can’t get any good pictures of them.

Kyle Troutman: Winter, winter, go away

January 23, 2024

Without fail and about the same time each year, a case of the winter blues creeps in. I used to think I avoided this phenomenon, but I think instead I just buried my head in the proverbial snow.

Drake Thomas: Jekyll at school, Hyde at home — Navigating the school-home behavior disconnect

January 23, 2024

You’ve heard it a million times — a teacher bolsters your child’s behavior at school. They consistently clip off the chart for good behavior, are the teacher’s helper, and even receive awards for their positive behavior.

January 23, 2024

As a gardener, at the start of the New Year comes the hope of a fresh garden season. With a little planning and preparation before the daylight hours lengthen and the soil temperatures warm up, we can set ourselves up for a more productive garden season.

Trout Tales, Jan. 17

January 16, 2024

I got put on a sports assignment last week and who should I run into while under the basket? None other than Cassville Superintendent Merlyn Johnson, who was half the whistle for the Exeter Diamond matchup on Thursday. Here we see Dr.

Kyle Troutman: In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

January 16, 2024

Though the snowy roadways would have canceled school and kept many others at home from work, Monday was a federal day off for another reason, the celebration of the Jan. 15, 1929, birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 16, 2024

Since the election of our current prosecuting attorney, any concept of justice or safety in our community has been eliminated. The previous “home town” feeling of security, which allowed for unlocked doors, keys left in the ignition and letting ones children walk to school, the pool and the library unafraid is a thing of the past.

Michelle Hilburn: Reading for cheesy enjoyment

January 16, 2024

When I was a kid, I loved the Pizza Hut Book It program. It encompassed two of my childhood favorites — books and pizza.