Column
Kyle Troutman: Charting new territory
As we wrap up the first week of 2026, there’s a pep in my step. Maybe it’s enjoying the last bit of fall weather brightening my days. It could that the kids went back to school this morning and routines can fall back into place. Or, better yet, it’s more likely I’m excited about what’s to come in the next 359 days.
Jon Horner: Creating opportunity together — A new year’s vision for our community in 2026
Here we stand at that annual strange feeling each year as we start to say goodbye to the year before, reflecting upon what has filled the past 365 days of our lives and beginning to see the possibilities which come with the shifting of the calendar to a new year.
Dakoda Pettigrew: American Insights — Liberty or death
He rose, a Baptist clergyman recalled, “with an unearthly fire burning in his eye.” It was Thursday, March 23, 1775, and the fate of American liberty was on the patriot’s mind. To Thomas Jefferson, he was “the greatest orator that ever lived.” To Roger Atkinson, a spectator, he was “a son of thunder.” To his enemies, he was an insolent traitor to king and empire, a man as infamous for his utterances as the Apostle Paul when he stood on Mars Hill and preached to the people of Athens.
Kyle Troutman: It’s a wrap
As 2025 comes to a close, we always take a look back at the top stories of the year in news and sports with our annual top 10s, but in this column, I’m divulging what caught the most attention from you — our readers.
Dakota Pettigrew: American Insights — The Greatness of Jimmy Carter
The train carrying the president-elect sped into Union Station at 3:45 p.m. To Woodrow Wilson’s surprise, few people had gathered to welcome him to the nation’s capital. The Washington Post reported, “It was a strange greeting for the man who is to rule the destinies of the nation for the next four years.”
The effects of Jesus’ birth
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14.
Jeff Fugitt: A Christmas Reading — Twas the best of songs, twas the worst of songs
Christmas can be a confusing time — especially for kids. We keep hearing that Santa Claus is coming to town. He/they seem to be duplicates everywhere and we wonder if mommy is kissing them all.
William Hodgson: In the fulness of time
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galations 4:4-5)
Kyle Troutman: ’Twas on the press before Christmas
’Twas 12 days before Christmas, and at The Cassville Democrat, A busy hand was a’typing requests for iPhones and crafts.
Lynn Hilburn: School house memories
This time of year brings memories of the time I spent getting part of my education in elementary country schools back in the 1950s.
