Opinion

Jeremiah Buntin: If you’re tired of crime, join the club
With the recent uptick in criminal activity in the past few years, you can’t help but wonder “Was it ever this bad?” One solution to deterring thievery during the first part of the last century was to form chapters of the Anti-Horse Thief Association in Barry County.

Donnie Spears: The scriptures: The Bible!
Do you believe the Word of GOD to be true and complete? “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20-21 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Christians, everything we do, believe, and stand on must start and end with God’s holy word. The Bible is the truth we must stand on in everyday life.

Kristina Atwood: Be aware, prevent a fall
Did you know that in addition to September being the start of the fall season, it is also Fall Prevention Awareness month? Falls can happen to anyone, and this is what happened to me. The worst fall I ever had occurred when I was a sophomore in college.

Kyle Troutman: A time to collaborate
One thing is clear following the community meeting on Thursday — a significant portion of the community is tired of being burglarized. About 100 people attended the spur-of-themoment meeting, organized by Cassville resident Donnie Stumpff via one Facebook post and on 24 hours notice.
Jordan Troutman: Unintended consequences
Unintended consequence is a term I have heard many times as a journalist. While it can be used both positively and negatively, it typically is used to explain an unfavorable situation as the result of a newly implemented policy.
Janet Mills: Letting go — The joy of sharing
While rummaging through my cluttered basement in preparation for an upcoming garage sale, a weighty realization washed over me. What was I planning to do with all of this stuff? It was a wake up reminder of how easily possessions accumulate in our lives.
Bill Hodgson: The age of the narrative
The present age has sometimes been labeled as “post-modern,” “post-industrial,” “post-literal,” and even “post-scientific.” Although it doesn’t most often arrive in the printed word, in many ways, we live in the age of the narrative. It is easily visible in the way we communicate the weather report.

Trout Tales, Sept. 13
I broke out my hard hat again last week for an exciting event on the south side of the Cassville High School campus, the official groundbreaking for what I thought was a new pickleball stadium.

Kyle Troutman: Look ma, one hand!
Last week I stopped into a Cassville convenience store for a drink and was met with the most common encounter I have with children when it comes to my congenital amputation. For those who do not know me personally or have not seen me in person, I have a congenital (from birth) amputation a few inches below my left elbow.

Holly Rivera: When words of hate fester, give help
With September being suicide prevention month and me being one that that has dealt with loss of loved ones, I wanted to write on what needs to be reminded most of all in our schools. I just recently dealt with learning of one of my family members experiencing those hurtful words of,”Why don’t you go kill yourself.” These words was spoken from a child to another.