government

Merlyn Johnson: An eye on politics in education
The 2025 Missouri legislative session convened on Jan. 8, and Gov.

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.
Sales tax income rises in March
Sales tax revenues to Barry County cities and the county government generally rose in March, though more than half the cities did not share the additional prosperity. The seven Barry County cities collecting sales tax recorded a 2 percent gain over last March, thanks to both Monett and Cassville logging gains.

Lynn Hilburn: Worry for our future history
As president of the Barry County Genealogical and Historical Society, I realize my editorials should probably be mostly about the history and genealogy of present and past residents of Barry County. This editorial is about what I would consider the “future history” of the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Barry County residents and of the whole United States. I will endeavor to keep this as apolitical as possible.