2019 Year in Review: January, February and March
January 1, 2020
As 2019 draws to a close, the staff of the Barry County Advertiser hopes that you, your friends and your family have a healthy and prosperous new year, as well as a new decade, in 2020. In the meantime, here’s a look back at some of the top news items from 2019.
January
Cassville’s Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas pageant reported raising a record $16,402 to benefit OACAC’s Share Your Christmas toy drive. Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas winners the previous year were senior candidates Morgan Popanz and Evan Kessinger.
Security Bank of Cassville underwent a change of leadership. After saying goodbye to long-time vice president Jeff Parsons, bank management welcomed Colorado transplant Steve Slagle to Cassville.
Southwest High School hosted its annual girls basketball Holiday Tournament. The Wheaton Lady Bulldogs took first place after a grueling series of games.
Barry County officials were sworn into office, including newly elected county clerk Jill LeCompte, who took over for Gary Youngblood. Youngblood himself vacated the seat after being elected as the county’s new presiding commissioner. Other officials sworn in included: Amy Boxx, prosecuting attorney; Craig Williams, circuit clerk; Johnnie Cox, judge; Bob Foulke, judge; and Lois Lowe, treasurer.
The city of Seligman was awarded a $50K grant from the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of conducting a sewer improvement study.
The city of Cassville elected to form an Industrial Development authority in order to improve economic development in the area. Additionally, the city hired full-time economic developer Isaac Petersen to aid in the same goal.
The first 2019 baby was born in Barry County. Mississippi Wade Farris was born to parents Matt and Paige on January 3.
Wheaton Lady Bulldog basketball player Hallie Mitchell scored her 1,000th point while leading her team to a 62-29 victory over Galena.
The community mourned the loss of local bull rider Mason Lowe, who tragically lost his life after sustaining injuries during a professional ride in Denver, Colo.
Two Barry County citizens were appointed to state offices by Missouri Governor Mike Parson. Shell Knob native Scott Fitzpatrick was appointed to serve as the state’s 47th treasurer. Additionally, local attorney David Cole was appointed to the Health Facilities Review committee.
Governor Parson made an appearance in Cassville as the special guest speaker at Cassville’s 2019 Chamber of Commerce Banquet.
February
At a public meeting, Cassville superintendent Dr. Richard Asbill revealed that a former Cassville teacher, James Doyle “J.D.” Riddle, who had passed away some months prior, had in his will to leave $1 million of his life savings to the school. This money was used to create a new series of scholarships for Cassville graduates pursuing educational fields.
Purdy School District wrapped construction on a new facility that serves as a FEMA shelter, early childhood center and performing arts center.
Local quilter Vickie Clancy was honored with her own exhibit at the Barry County Museum from the beginning of February through March of 2019.
Mercy’s Cassville Clinic bid farewell to Dr. Jamie Zengotita after 14 years of dedicated service to the community.
After some debate and a 3 to 1 vote on the council, the city of Cassville elected to allow fireworks to be detonated within city limits on selected days on and around July 4.
Amid rumor and some controversy, Cassville’s Country Dodge dealership closed without warning, with the facility remaining vacant for months to come.
Exeter High named seniors Clayton Elders and Julia Grant as their 2019 Homecoming royalty ahead of their tip-off game.
Dozens of citizens met at the Clio Community Building on February 19 to engage in a public forum regarding the fate of the historic Jenkins Bridge.
Cassville Wildcat wrestler Keaton Artherton took fourth place at the 2019 MSHSAA State Wrestling championships.
Wheaton’s Lady Bulldog team went on to become district champions after a hard-fought 60-54 victory over the College Heights Lady Cougars.
To benefit a school choir trip, Purdy High School hosted a murder mystery dinner.
March
Crowder College’s Cassville campus broke ground on a historic $2.1 Million renovation plan.
The Cassville OACAC Neighborhood center hosted a benefit, where local bluegrass act the Homestead Pickers performed. The benefit raised money for the center’s emergency fund for families in need.
Dr. Steven Chancellor resigned as the superintendent of Purdy Schools, and was replaced at the end of the school year by Mindi Gates.
Three Cassville Police officers, detective Danny Boyd, sergeant Donald Privett and officer Stuart Lombard, as well as one citizen, Charles Greek, were awarded official commendations. All four individuals took crucial, life-saving measures to assist Greek’s wife as she was suffering from a public cardiac episode.
Exeter School District hosted a bluegrass and barbeque event to benefit the academic team.
For the first year ever, Cassville High’s girls soccer team took to the field in their first game.
Former Cassville resident and decorated astronaut, Dr. Janet Kavandi, was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Three members of the Southwest High School trap-shooting team, Ty Howard, Heather Windes and Joseph Stockton, took home medals at the 2019 Missouri Winter Games.
The city of Butterfield moved forward on the construction of a new city hall, moving from their previous location in the city’s community building to a new facility located by the fire department.
A benefit concert, headlined by the Homestead Pickers from Silver Dollar City, was hosted in Wheelerville in order to raise money to save the Jenkins bridge.
As 2019 draws to a close, the staff of the Barry County Advertiser hopes that you, your friends and your family have a healthy and prosperous new year, as well as a new decade, in 2020. In the meantime, here’s a look back at some of the top news items from 2019.
January
Cassville’s Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas pageant reported raising a record $16,402 to benefit OACAC’s Share Your Christmas toy drive. Mr. and Miss Merry Christmas winners the previous year were senior candidates Morgan Popanz and Evan Kessinger.
Security Bank of Cassville underwent a change of leadership. After saying goodbye to long-time vice president Jeff Parsons, bank management welcomed Colorado transplant Steve Slagle to Cassville.
Southwest High School hosted its annual girls basketball Holiday Tournament. The Wheaton Lady Bulldogs took first place after a grueling series of games.
Barry County officials were sworn into office, including newly elected county clerk Jill LeCompte, who took over for Gary Youngblood. Youngblood himself vacated the seat after being elected as the county’s new presiding commissioner. Other officials sworn in included: Amy Boxx, prosecuting attorney; Craig Williams, circuit clerk; Johnnie Cox, judge; Bob Foulke, judge; and Lois Lowe, treasurer.
The city of Seligman was awarded a $50K grant from the Department of Natural Resources for the purposes of conducting a sewer improvement study.
The city of Cassville elected to form an Industrial Development authority in order to improve economic development in the area. Additionally, the city hired full-time economic developer Isaac Petersen to aid in the same goal.
The first 2019 baby was born in Barry County. Mississippi Wade Farris was born to parents Matt and Paige on January 3.
Wheaton Lady Bulldog basketball player Hallie Mitchell scored her 1,000th point while leading her team to a 62-29 victory over Galena.
The community mourned the loss of local bull rider Mason Lowe, who tragically lost his life after sustaining injuries during a professional ride in Denver, Colo.
Two Barry County citizens were appointed to state offices by Missouri Governor Mike Parson. Shell Knob native Scott Fitzpatrick was appointed to serve as the state’s 47th treasurer. Additionally, local attorney David Cole was appointed to the Health Facilities Review committee.
Governor Parson made an appearance in Cassville as the special guest speaker at Cassville’s 2019 Chamber of Commerce Banquet.
February
At a public meeting, Cassville superintendent Dr. Richard Asbill revealed that a former Cassville teacher, James Doyle “J.D.” Riddle, who had passed away some months prior, had in his will to leave $1 million of his life savings to the school. This money was used to create a new series of scholarships for Cassville graduates pursuing educational fields.
Purdy School District wrapped construction on a new facility that serves as a FEMA shelter, early childhood center and performing arts center.
Local quilter Vickie Clancy was honored with her own exhibit at the Barry County Museum from the beginning of February through March of 2019.
Mercy’s Cassville Clinic bid farewell to Dr. Jamie Zengotita after 14 years of dedicated service to the community.
After some debate and a 3 to 1 vote on the council, the city of Cassville elected to allow fireworks to be detonated within city limits on selected days on and around July 4.
Amid rumor and some controversy, Cassville’s Country Dodge dealership closed without warning, with the facility remaining vacant for months to come.
Exeter High named seniors Clayton Elders and Julia Grant as their 2019 Homecoming royalty ahead of their tip-off game.
Dozens of citizens met at the Clio Community Building on February 19 to engage in a public forum regarding the fate of the historic Jenkins Bridge.
Cassville Wildcat wrestler Keaton Artherton took fourth place at the 2019 MSHSAA State Wrestling championships.
Wheaton’s Lady Bulldog team went on to become district champions after a hard-fought 60-54 victory over the College Heights Lady Cougars.
To benefit a school choir trip, Purdy High School hosted a murder mystery dinner.
March
Crowder College’s Cassville campus broke ground on a historic $2.1 Million renovation plan.
The Cassville OACAC Neighborhood center hosted a benefit, where local bluegrass act the Homestead Pickers performed. The benefit raised money for the center’s emergency fund for families in need.
Dr. Steven Chancellor resigned as the superintendent of Purdy Schools, and was replaced at the end of the school year by Mindi Gates.
Three Cassville Police officers, detective Danny Boyd, sergeant Donald Privett and officer Stuart Lombard, as well as one citizen, Charles Greek, were awarded official commendations. All four individuals took crucial, life-saving measures to assist Greek’s wife as she was suffering from a public cardiac episode.
Exeter School District hosted a bluegrass and barbeque event to benefit the academic team.
For the first year ever, Cassville High’s girls soccer team took to the field in their first game.
Former Cassville resident and decorated astronaut, Dr. Janet Kavandi, was inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Three members of the Southwest High School trap-shooting team, Ty Howard, Heather Windes and Joseph Stockton, took home medals at the 2019 Missouri Winter Games.
The city of Butterfield moved forward on the construction of a new city hall, moving from their previous location in the city’s community building to a new facility located by the fire department.
A benefit concert, headlined by the Homestead Pickers from Silver Dollar City, was hosted in Wheelerville in order to raise money to save the Jenkins bridge.
