Column
Michelle Hilburn: First-day reads for back to school
Growing up, the first day of school was a sacred event in our household.
Lynn Hilburn: History – Part IV — What’s in a name
There have been several good books written about the history of Barry County and Cassville, including, but not limited to, Goodspeed’s 1888 History of Barry County, Nerva Brock England’s History of Barry County, Missouri and Emory Melton’s “The First 150 Years in Cassville, Missouri”, but I’m trying to look at things from a little bit different angle.
TroutMan vs. TroutWoman: Connected for a reason
The 2025-2026 school year is starting across the nation, but in Missouri there was a new law passed that, to me, feels like a step back to the 1990s and early 2000s.
TroutMan vs. TroutWoman: No device, no opportunity
Students starting school next week in Barry County may feel like they have been trapped in the Stone Age.
Jon Horner: Rising from the Rubble
There is a tendency to romanticize new beginnings as fresh, clean slates — pristine, hopeful, full of promise.
Kyle Troutman: Hand up requires reach out
When Barry County residents need financial assistance, one of the first places they could seek help is the Barry County Neighborhood Center.
Nathan Toon: Like Peter on the water
Recently, things have begun to change in my life and those around me. I can sense a call for faith to be tested and for obedience to heed that call.
Kyle Troutman: We’re in this together
A suggestion was submitted to the Cassville Democrat email the other day from a person in the community: “Have you ever thought of changing your name? I would think that your circulation would increase. I would love to subscribe but could not stand to have anything called Democrat in my house. I would certainly subscribe to the Cassville Gazette. There must be others like me.”
Sheila Harris: Where mercy collides with law
I first went to work for George’s Processing before the turn of the century.
Kyle Troutman: Good news in Wheaton
“There’s so much bad news in the world all the time, and this could be good news and an uplifting story.”
