Barry County
Sheriff: ‘We’re fully staffed’
Following an election year with a new jail under construction, Sheriff Danny Boyd said his Office is hitting the ground running in 2025. Staving off challengers in a four-candidate race — ultimately winning the August Primary Election by 48 votes among more than 6,000 after a hand and machine recount — Boyd said for the next four years in office, transparency and increasing service are his key goals.
Barry County sales tax dips in January
Sales tax revenues for Barry County cities and county government entities got off to a slow start for 2025, with lower receipts for almost all recipients. The seven Barry County cities and the county received $1,398,694.40, a drop of 8% from last January.
News Briefs, Jan. 29
Preschool screening for 3- and 4-year-old children in the Cassville school district is scheduled for April 7 and April 9. Parents of 3- and 4-year-old children may call the primary office at 417-8472445 to schedule an appointment.
Through the Years, Jan. 22
40 YEARS AGO: NO TELLING HOW MANY — Joana Smithson, Cassville school nurse, is pictured above taking the temperature of a pupil in her office in the middle school building. Mrs. Smithson, who had been in the post 19 years, was honored by faculty and staff members with a reception last week.
Waste not, want not
Started from scratch 20 years ago by a handful of school students and their instructor, the Purdy Recycling Center has evolved from a school project into a community-wide enterprise. Gerry Wass, former Purdy Schools Spanish teacher and Spanish Club shepherd, has trouble getting his head around the recycling program’s 20-year milestone.
Kyle Troutman: Assessing needs
An interesting exercise occurred last Tuesday following the Cassville City Council meeting and Southwest Missouri Council of Government’s leading of three public hearings for proposed grant-funded projects.
Merlyn Johnson: An eye on politics in education
The 2025 Missouri legislative session convened on Jan. 8, and Gov.
Haven of the Ozarks Pet of the Week, Jan. 22
O.J. (Odin) and his sister, Lulu, were abandoned in the country but fortunately, they were found by a nice human. They are black mouth cur mixes, born March 4, 2024. They are good with dogs, cats and children.
Major adminstration restructuring approved at Purdy schools
A major reorganizational plan for leadership at the Purdy school district was approved at the school board’s Jan. 9 meeting.
County budgets $6.67M for 2025
The Barry County Commission has approved the 2025 budget, which allows for up to $6.67 million in spending across all county offices and includes a pay raise for all county employees. Joyce Ennis, Barry County clerk, said the total proposed budget is $6,670,661, which includes estimated 2025 sales tax revenue of $6,012,401, plus $6,749,308.49 carried over from 2024.
