Viewpoint

Changes this week to COVID-19 quarantine guidelines in schools have given administrations some options for allowing students to stay in class in-person, but the changes have not come without some raised eyebrows. Gov. Mike Parson, the Department of Health and Senior Services and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced the changes on Nov. ...

The days of turkey and thanks are upon us, and even though this cluster of a 2020 is flowing as slow as burnt gravy, there are still plenty of things to be thankful for. I’ve come up with 20 things myself, in honor of this magical year, which I’m writing in the style of Jimmy Fallon’s “Thank You Notes.” If you are reading, just imagine the heartfelt music typically played by The Roots when Fallon performs his notes. ...

What are the qualities of a pastor? In Greek, the term “pastor” translates to “shepherd,” so traits that help a pastor guide his congregation are highly esteemed — to be loving and compassionate, honest and accountable, loyal and humble. These are all qualities that most exhibit when claimed to be called by a higher authority, and Pastor Jimmie Copley was most definitely called by a higher authority...

There’s no way to put into words how difficult it has been this week for the Monett and surrounding communities after the loss of Monett Superintendent Russ Moreland. The news came as a shock to everyone. It was unbelievable at first, and many, myself included, are still having trouble wrapping our heads around the tragic and untimely passing of a man so respected and loved by anyone who interacted with him...

Dear editor: Due to COVID-19 and some family members testing positive for the virus, we have decided to postpone Mike Schlichtman’s memorial service until late spring or early summer 2021. We sincerely appreciate the outpouring of love and support we’ve received from the Monett and Cassville communities since Mike’s death on Oct. 6...

I read a story this week about a long line for early voting somewhere in the country. A passerby in a vehicle shouted out to the line asking how long they had been waiting to cast their ballot, and a man responded, “Four years!” As divided as the country is, there’s no telling if the man waited four years to “Trump” the pundits again, or if he was just “Biden” his time to make a change in the White House...

They say there is no force equal to the strength of a determined woman, and I learned last week the cliché couldn’t be more true. On Oct. 16, my now-wife, Jordan Troutman (Privett), and I said our “I do’s” at Dogwood Canyon in Lampe. It was a beautiful, intimate, laugh-filled ceremony and reception. ...

Most people with a dedicated career can point to one moment in time, an event or a person, that pushed them to become who they are today. For me, that moment came in my sophomore year of high school. I picked up an issue of The Tiger newspaper from one of the stands at Little Rock Central High School and I fell in love. The photos, the design, the writing — the whole package appealed to me...

I struggle to find the words to say ‘Goodbye’ to a man that made an impact in a variety of ways, was a friend to many in many places, lived life to his fullest, was a man of God, loved his family, and was just overall, a happy guy. Mike Schlichtman, 57, of Steamboat Springs, Colo., formerly of Cassville, died Tuesday morning, Oct. 6, in a plane crash southwest of Evansville, Ind...