McDonald County Press

News

Mitchell Keeps Busy By Volunteering Since retiring in 2012, Margarette Mitchell of Anderson keeps busy by volunteering. by Rachel Dickerson McDonald County Press rdickerson@nwadg.com

Bluff Dwellers' Cavern Tavern Events Lovers of caves, locally-crafted beer and food trucks have an opportunity to enjoy all of the above in the coming weeks as Bluff Dwellers Cave hosts a new, themed tour, dubbed Cavern Tavern. The maiden event will take place on Friday, July 12, followed by two more events on July 19 and July 26. by Megan Davis McDonald County Press mdavis@nwadg.com

Riding Success: Local Artist Creates Leather Items For Trail Rides And More Lisa Florey simply needed a small storage bag to use while riding her horse. She didn't realize her handcrafted creation would launch a successful leather goods business that shipped items across the country. by Sally Carroll

SWC Council Learns Of Budget Shortfall Southwest City's board of aldermen brainstormed ways to cut city expenses in order to pay bills during the regular meeting Tuesday. by Megan Davis McDonald County Press mdavis@nwadg.com

Noel Marshal's Office Receives Generous Donation A citizen's concern lead to a generous donation of two brand new pistols to the Noel Marshal's Office. by Sally Carroll

Keaton To Represent Bloomer Trailers On National Team ANDERSON -- Callie Keaton was chosen to compete with the rest of the Bloomer team against approximately 1,200 other contestants at the International Finals Youth Rodeo in Shawnee, Okla., July 7-12. The IFYR, also known as the Cheyenne of High School Rodeo, prepares contestants to move up to the next level, offers 11 performances of the top high school rodeo action, has events running simultaneously in three arenas, and has more than $200,000 in the payoff. The best of the best compete at Shawnee, and it is the coveted win in a high school rodeo career. by Staff Report

Booking Report This booking report indicates that the people listed below were arrested or given notice to appear in court in connection with the charges listed next to their names. It does not indicate guilt or innocence in regard to any of the alleged offenses. by Staff Report

NASA Scientist To Speak At Library Program Amy Wallain digs deep to bring home creative programs for library patrons. As McDonald County Library director, Wallain utilizes her creativity to capture patrons' attention and share some neat information. by Sally Carroll

Sports

16U Baseball Closes Season The McDonald County 16U baseball team advanced to the semifinals of the Fordland 16U Baseball Tournament held July 8-9 at Fordland, Mo., before dropping an 8-0 decision to end its 2019 season. by Rick Peck

18U Baseball Finishes Season At Patriot Classic The McDonald County 18U baseball team closed out its 2019 season with two losses and a tie at the Patriot Classic 18U Baseball Tournament held July 8-9 at the LaRoche Sports Complex in Fort Scott, Kan. by Rick Peck

Mustang Baseball Comes Out With A 2-2 Win In Tourney Play Kameron Hopkins shut out Carthage on two hits to lead the McDonald County 18U baseball team to a 4-0 win in McDonald County's final game of the Lee Smith Shoot-Out, held June 28-29 at McDonald County High School. by Rick Peck/Special Peck to McDonald County Press

McDonald County 16U Baseball Claims Win in Nightcap After playing to a 2-2 tie in the first game of a doubleheader on June 26, the McDonald County 16U baseball team came back to claim a 2-0 win in the nightcap. by Rick Peck/Special to McDonald County Press

MCHS Annual Summer School Lifetime Sports Wrestling Tournament The annual MCHS Summer School Lifetime Sports Wrestling Tournament was held June 26, with results of the seven weight-class championship matches listed below, along with results of the exhibition match. by Rick Peck/Special to McDonald County Press

Opinion

OPINION: Accountability Defined Webster defines accountability as "the quality of being accountable -- especially: an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one's actions." It was pretty easy to look up the definition, so why is it so hard for people to understand the concept of accountability? by Kevin Wilson Columnist

Why Do Americans Celebrate Independence Day On July 4th? We often think July 4, 1776, was the day the Continental Congress declared America's independence from Great Britain, but that actually happened on July 2, 1776. John Adams wanted July 2 to be celebrated as the nation's official birthday. by Randy Moll

Take The Fourth Of July Quiz Test your knowledge about the reason we celebrate the Fourth of July each year. Answer the following questions and check your answers below. by Randy Moll

Religion

RELIGION: A Good Life Doug Cory greeted everyone and welcomed visitors while all were gathering to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Kendra and Derek Blankenship, Lexie, Sherri's friend, Linda Abercrombie, Skip, Gene Hall and unspoken. by Kitty Collingsworth Mill Creek Baptist Church

OPINION: Summer Soldiers "These are times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he who stands for it now deserves the love and thanks of man and woman! Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet, we have this consolation with us -- that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly; 'tis dearness only gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods." So wrote Thomas Paine on December 23, 1776. by Don Kuehle Columnist

RELIGION: Which Son Are You Most Like? Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." ... And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living...." Luke 15:1-2,11ff. (Read Luke 15:11-32) by Randy Moll

Be Encoouraged By All Lord Has To Offer Well, today was a day for celebration. Our Pastor and his beautiful wife both had a birthday. After our church service, family and friends gathered for a wonderful dinner with a birthday cake for dessert. Thank you to all who helped make this day special for two very deserving people. Another birthday was a bass singer named Brother Joe. We are truly glad he comes to worship with us. You might have to listen close to hear him but, when you do, it will bless your soul. It was nice to see Brother and Sister Sanchez, they are a wonderful blessing when they come. by Joyce Walters Cove Mission of Hope

Jesus Take the Wheel Ruth Briggs, Rick Lett, Kitty Collingsworth and Lou Durbin were celebrating birthdays as we gathered to worship Sunday morning at Mill Creek Baptist Church. Special prayers were requested for Barbara Cory, Susan's mother, Ralph McKnight, Don Chaney, Gene Hall and the Darnell family. Janet, Susan and Kim shared praises. In announcements, the business meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday evening and Vacation Bible School will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 13. by Kitty Collingsworth Mill Creek Baptist Church

'Let Us Test And Examine Our Ways....' "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord! Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven...." Lamentations 3:40-41 by Randy Moll

Celebrate Independence Day In the mid-1770s our nation was born out of rebellion and resistance to foreign rule. The poets have memorialized the main events of our birth and growth as a nation. Hear what they have to say. by Don Kuehle Columnist