Lawrence County Record

The opening of school last week across Lawrence County drew glowing reports from the various superintendents. Only the smallest districts reported decreases in the student count. Administrators have long cautioned not to take first day numbers too seriously, as paperwork for student transfers has often not arrived and some families do not arrive until after Labor Day. Nonetheless, distinct trends, such as growth in the youngest students, seems evident.

You are here Home » Tradition endures at Miller’s 76th Fall Festival Published by graphics on Sat, 09/05/2026 - 5:58am It was a busy week in Miller as students returned to school Monday morning and capped it off with the town’s beloved tradition — the 76th annual Miller Fall Festival on Main Street.

A county-wide burn ban is in effect for Lawrence County according to a release from the Halltown Fire protection District. The release states that, because of dry conditions, high winds and low humidity, open fires can be extremely dangerous. The full statement can be read below. “By order of the Lawrence County Commissioners and following official authorization from the State Fire Marshal, a temporary County-Wide Burn Ban is now officially in effect for all of Lawrence County.

Stephan Paul “Steve “Schaeg, 70, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, at his home in Shell Knob. He was born on Dec. 22, 1955, to Clifford and Margie (Grimmert) Schaeg, who  preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were his dear sister, Donna Kaye Schaeg and brother-in-law, John Rau. He was raised in Chesterfield and then Ballwin, Missouri. His greatest adventure was working the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany.

Mary Alice Rose, 92, of Washburn, passed away Friday, Aug.28, 2026, at Aspire Senior Living Roaring River in Cassville. She was born Aug. 18, 1934, in Washburn, the daughter of Walter J. and Laura A. (Sparks) Bruton. On April 22, 1953, in Washburn, she was united in marriage to Charles R. “Doc” Rose, who preceded her in death on Dec. 18, 2013. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her son, Richard Gale Rose, granddaughter, Brandy Rose; three brothers and four sisters.

Gary Lynn Robertson, age 82, of Mt. Ver- non, Missouri, passed away at 12:48 p.m. on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at Cox South Hospital, in Springfield, Missouri, sur- rounded by his family. He was born February 12, 1944, in Albatross, Missouri, the son of Harold and Chloina (Wil- liams) Robertson. Gary was a 1962 graduate of Quinter High School, in Quinter, Kansas, and received his bachelor’s degree from Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas, in 1966.

Six-year-old Bridger Ransom Boggs died from a gunshot wound to the head in a “tragic accident” Friday, Aug. 28. According to a press release from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, authorities reportedly responded to the Stotts City home of Duste and Erin Boggs on Friday afternoon after a report of a child who had been shot. Per the release, the boy was found with a gunshot wound to the head. The Lawrence County Coroner took the child shortly after for an autopsy.

Carolyn Sue Williams, age 85, of Marionville, Missouri, passed away peacefully at 11:43 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026. She was born in Searcy, Arkansas, on July 26, 1941, the daughter of Woodrow and Stella (Clay) Ellis. Carolyn graduated from Searcy High School in 1959 and soon after met her future husband Arthur “Gale” Wil- liams. They were married in Searcy, Arkansas, on August 13, 1961, and this union pro- duced three sons.

You are here Home » Unusual ordinance struck down at Mt. Vernon BOA meeting Published by graphics on Thu, 09/03/2026 - 3:54pm An ordinance allowing for the punishment of aldermen who tamper in city business outside of meeting was brought before Mt. Vernon’s governing body at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The Record’s “Recipe of the Week”: Dolly Parton Dump Cake by Julia Helvey 1 box yellow cake mix 20 oz. can crushed pineapple, NOT drained 21 oz. can cherry pie filling 21 oz. can blueberry pie filling 1/4 cup butter Grease and flour a 9x13-inch cake pan. Sprinkle the dry cake mix evenly over the bottom. Pour the crush pineapple and juice over the dry cake mix. Next, carefully drop spoons of the cherry pie filling, followed by the blueberry pie filling. Melt the butter and pour over everything.