2018 Year in Review, part 2
January 9, 2019
As 2018 ends, the Barry County Advertiser staff hopes you, your friends and family have a prosperous new year in 2019. Here is a look at some of the top news items of 2018.
April
Wade Hermansen and Steven Henbest were elected to the Cassville R-IV School Board of Education.
Central Crossing Fire District voters approved a property tax levy that will enable the department to have 24 hour staffing.
Protestors gathered in Eagle Rock to demand justice for three dogs shot near the lake.
Cassville High School's girls' soccer team won their inaugural match against Monett.
Congressman Billy Long visited Cassville Schools to attend a ribbon cutting for the reopening of the Intermediate School after extensive repairs.
Jeff Parsons was named to the Security Bank Board of Directors.
Bayleigh Schad, of Purdy Schools, was selected to attend a D.C. Journalism Conference.
The Barry County E9-1-1 Center celebrated its ten year anniversary with an open house.
The Barry County Sheriff's Department retired the late Master Sergeant Carl Cosper, Jr.'s badge number in a ceremony.
Habitat for Humanity released information that it would be building homes in Seligman eventually.
Jerry Marple was sworn in for a new term on the Cassville City Council.
Exeter seniors Trevor Nelson and Jozee Sorensen were named prom king and queen.
Former Cassville music teacher Dr. Russell Robinson handed out the first annual $2,000 scholarship to a graduating senior going into music education to Emily Sink.
A Purdy man was arrested for allegedly burning down his own home.
The OACAC VOICE program was presented at Purdy Schools to give elementary-aged children a look at different career avenues.
A dementia support group provided area caregivers with help in techniques to care of loved ones with memory problems.
Heritage Medical Clinic announced it would be closing its doors at the end of May.
The Southwest Lady Trojans took first in the Ash Grove softball tournament.
The Missouri Conservation Department announced no cases of Chronic Wasting Disease were found in Barry County.
The Barry County commissioners and health department announced they would be moving forward with a prescription drug monitoring program to help combat the opioid crisis.
Local author Linda Sartin published the first book in sci-fi romance trilogy.
Cassville FFA's Andrew Littlefield was named Area 11 star in Agriscience.
Wheaton FFA dairy team Calista Burns, Ariana Williams, Lina Hang and McAla McManus took first in State competition.
May
Skeletal remains were found in rural Jenkins, and officers with the Barry County Sheriff's Department sought tips.
Exeter's police car was damaged in a high speed pursuit.
Wheaton Fire Department collected donations for a family who lost everything in a house fire.
The Mark Twain National Forest management team sought input on flood-damaged trails.
Purdy High School crowned Colt Keeling and Casey Ellison as the prom king and queen.
Purdy and Southwest advanced to the softball district final.
The Cassville Rotary Club held its annual Bull Blast at the Bill Hailey Arena.
Local attorney Blake Fields asked for help from the community to help a defrauded church in Carr Lane.
The late Master Sergeant Carl Cosper, Jr.'s name was added to the Law Enforcement Memorial in Jefferson City.
All Faith Methodist in Eagle Rock held its 36th style show and luncheon.
Diane Shiveley stepped down after 20 years of volunteering at the Cassville Schools library.
Exeter's Class of 2018's top five students were Madison Davis, Caeton Valenzuela, Madelyn Cole, Chloe Carpenter and Maycee Blake.
The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Dogwood Car Show.
Cassville High School's Payton Varner was named the Elks Lodge Student of the Year.
Area schools announced the valedictorians and salutatorians of their graduating classes: Cassville: Maycee Blake (V) and Madelyn Cole (S); Purdy: Layne Skiles (V) and Emily Webb (S); Wheaton: Sean Lowry (V) and Kayla Vang (S); Cassville: Hannah Kelley (V), Alex Hopper (S) and Madison Olbertz (S); and Southwest: Caitlin Blevins (V), Tanner Leonhardt (V) and Jennifer Quintanilla (S).
OACAC held an open house for National Community Action Month.
Roaring River State Park held the annual spring Kids' Fishing Day event.
Southwest High School graduated 51 students during their ceremony on May 11.
Wheaton High School graduated 30 students on May 10.
The Exeter Class of 2018 graduated 15 students during their ceremony on May 11.
Purdy High School's graduation ceremony boasted 45 graduates on May 13.
Cassville High School had 132 graduates at their ceremony on May 20.
Wheaton's Power of Pink fundraiser shattered previous records, netting $47,142.02 for breast cancer patients in Barry County.
Local senior citizen Nadean Davis received the Senior Service Award from Governor Mike Parson.
The local Habitat for Humanity ReStore moved to a bigger location, offering more products for shoppers.
A ranch rodeo hosted by the Cassville FFA Booster Club featured local riders.
Exeter's Academic Team finished its third tournament season strong.
June
The Barry County Farmers Co-op celebrated its 50 year anniversary.
The Rotary Club of Cassville's 76th rodeo was revamped with a new company in charge of the event.
The Barry-Lawrence County Library kicked off the Libraries Rock! summer reading program.
Lita Higgs and Susie Jacobs each got a hole-in-one at the Cassville Golf Course.
The Barry County Republicans barbecue featured guest speaker former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.
The annual Roaring River State Park meeting focused on improvements, including a huge hatchery renovation project.
Exeter Fire Department, partnered with the American Red Cross, started a free smoke detector program for citizens within its district.
The annual Barry County Fair was held at the Exeter Corn Maze on June 30.
As 2018 ends, the Barry County Advertiser staff hopes you, your friends and family have a prosperous new year in 2019. Here is a look at some of the top news items of 2018.
April
Wade Hermansen and Steven Henbest were elected to the Cassville R-IV School Board of Education.
Central Crossing Fire District voters approved a property tax levy that will enable the department to have 24 hour staffing.
Protestors gathered in Eagle Rock to demand justice for three dogs shot near the lake.
Cassville High School's girls' soccer team won their inaugural match against Monett.
Congressman Billy Long visited Cassville Schools to attend a ribbon cutting for the reopening of the Intermediate School after extensive repairs.
Jeff Parsons was named to the Security Bank Board of Directors.
Bayleigh Schad, of Purdy Schools, was selected to attend a D.C. Journalism Conference.
The Barry County E9-1-1 Center celebrated its ten year anniversary with an open house.
The Barry County Sheriff's Department retired the late Master Sergeant Carl Cosper, Jr.'s badge number in a ceremony.
Habitat for Humanity released information that it would be building homes in Seligman eventually.
Jerry Marple was sworn in for a new term on the Cassville City Council.
Exeter seniors Trevor Nelson and Jozee Sorensen were named prom king and queen.
Former Cassville music teacher Dr. Russell Robinson handed out the first annual $2,000 scholarship to a graduating senior going into music education to Emily Sink.
A Purdy man was arrested for allegedly burning down his own home.
The OACAC VOICE program was presented at Purdy Schools to give elementary-aged children a look at different career avenues.
A dementia support group provided area caregivers with help in techniques to care of loved ones with memory problems.
Heritage Medical Clinic announced it would be closing its doors at the end of May.
The Southwest Lady Trojans took first in the Ash Grove softball tournament.
The Missouri Conservation Department announced no cases of Chronic Wasting Disease were found in Barry County.
The Barry County commissioners and health department announced they would be moving forward with a prescription drug monitoring program to help combat the opioid crisis.
Local author Linda Sartin published the first book in sci-fi romance trilogy.
Cassville FFA's Andrew Littlefield was named Area 11 star in Agriscience.
Wheaton FFA dairy team Calista Burns, Ariana Williams, Lina Hang and McAla McManus took first in State competition.
May
Skeletal remains were found in rural Jenkins, and officers with the Barry County Sheriff's Department sought tips.
Exeter's police car was damaged in a high speed pursuit.
Wheaton Fire Department collected donations for a family who lost everything in a house fire.
The Mark Twain National Forest management team sought input on flood-damaged trails.
Purdy High School crowned Colt Keeling and Casey Ellison as the prom king and queen.
Purdy and Southwest advanced to the softball district final.
The Cassville Rotary Club held its annual Bull Blast at the Bill Hailey Arena.
Local attorney Blake Fields asked for help from the community to help a defrauded church in Carr Lane.
The late Master Sergeant Carl Cosper, Jr.'s name was added to the Law Enforcement Memorial in Jefferson City.
All Faith Methodist in Eagle Rock held its 36th style show and luncheon.
Diane Shiveley stepped down after 20 years of volunteering at the Cassville Schools library.
Exeter's Class of 2018's top five students were Madison Davis, Caeton Valenzuela, Madelyn Cole, Chloe Carpenter and Maycee Blake.
The Cassville Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual Dogwood Car Show.
Cassville High School's Payton Varner was named the Elks Lodge Student of the Year.
Area schools announced the valedictorians and salutatorians of their graduating classes: Cassville: Maycee Blake (V) and Madelyn Cole (S); Purdy: Layne Skiles (V) and Emily Webb (S); Wheaton: Sean Lowry (V) and Kayla Vang (S); Cassville: Hannah Kelley (V), Alex Hopper (S) and Madison Olbertz (S); and Southwest: Caitlin Blevins (V), Tanner Leonhardt (V) and Jennifer Quintanilla (S).
OACAC held an open house for National Community Action Month.
Roaring River State Park held the annual spring Kids' Fishing Day event.
Southwest High School graduated 51 students during their ceremony on May 11.
Wheaton High School graduated 30 students on May 10.
The Exeter Class of 2018 graduated 15 students during their ceremony on May 11.
Purdy High School's graduation ceremony boasted 45 graduates on May 13.
Cassville High School had 132 graduates at their ceremony on May 20.
Wheaton's Power of Pink fundraiser shattered previous records, netting $47,142.02 for breast cancer patients in Barry County.
Local senior citizen Nadean Davis received the Senior Service Award from Governor Mike Parson.
The local Habitat for Humanity ReStore moved to a bigger location, offering more products for shoppers.
A ranch rodeo hosted by the Cassville FFA Booster Club featured local riders.
Exeter's Academic Team finished its third tournament season strong.
June
The Barry County Farmers Co-op celebrated its 50 year anniversary.
The Rotary Club of Cassville's 76th rodeo was revamped with a new company in charge of the event.
The Barry-Lawrence County Library kicked off the Libraries Rock! summer reading program.
Lita Higgs and Susie Jacobs each got a hole-in-one at the Cassville Golf Course.
The Barry County Republicans barbecue featured guest speaker former U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft.
The annual Roaring River State Park meeting focused on improvements, including a huge hatchery renovation project.
Exeter Fire Department, partnered with the American Red Cross, started a free smoke detector program for citizens within its district.
The annual Barry County Fair was held at the Exeter Corn Maze on June 30.