Coronavirus News

The Barry County Health Department has reported a second COVID-19 associated death in the county. The second person was a 67-year-old man with underlying health issues. “The Health Department and Emergency Management officials wish to offer their sincerest condolences to the family and friends on their loss,” said Roger Brock, Barry County Health Department administrator...

The number of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County is now over 200, slowing to being up 26 (-3) from the previous week, and with 43 people recovering (+3). According the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 206 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, one presumptive and two antibody positives. ...

A 71-year-old Barry County man has died from complications associated with a positive COVID-19 (coronavirus) diagnosis. Barry County Health Department Administrator Roger Brock said the man, who was hospitalized after the positive result, was known to have other underlying health issues. “We are extremely saddened to have learned this person has succumbed to complications related to the COVID-19 infection,” Brock said.”...

The Barry County Health Department has issued a new set of COVID-19 (coronavirus) Phase II Mitigation rules, effective through Aug. 31. Among the rules are requirements for masking among employees of certain businesses, and the health department is encouraging other businesses to implement masking policies...

Lawrence County has announced 15 news cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), including an Aurora High School football player. The count is now at 132 total cases: 54 active, 76 recovered and 2 deaths. All positive cases have been told to isolate at home from all others and their close contacts have been notified and told to quarantine at home for 14 days and monitor for symptoms...

The number of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County is at 180, up 29 from the previous week, but with 40 people recovering. According the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 177 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, one presumptive and two antibody positives. As of Tuesday, a total of 53 people were considered active cases in isolation, two of whom are hospitalized, and 247 close contacts are quarantined in their homes...

As COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry and Lawrence counties near 300 total, some of the hardest hit areas have been nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. As of Tuesday, Barry County had 180 cases, and Lawrence County had 117 for a total of 297. Between both counties, at least 86 of those cases (29 percent) have been in nursing homes or other long term care facilities...

The Monett school district is aggregating data from a parent and staff survey in an ongoing effort to formulate its plans for returning to school in August while COVID-19 (coronavirus) is still a concern. Russ Moreland, Monett superintendent, said the district has a rough draft of its plans for reentry, but the situation is fluid, and surveys submitted to patrons of the district are an important piece of the reentry puzzle...

Organizers of First on Front, the popular summer concert series sponsored by First State Bank of Purdy in Monett, are hoping to be able to host a 2021 season. “It rained every night of our event in 2019,” said Amanda Lee, one of the event organizers. “Then, COVID-19 wiped out our 2020 season. But, we are hoping to be able to return in 2021, once it is safe for everyone to gather again.”...

With COVID-19 positive cases on the rise in the bi-county area, school administrators are wrangling how to safely resume classes in August. The Monett School District has developed a re-entry plan based on recommendations from both Barry and Lawrence County Health Departments, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and other medical resources...

The million dollar high school sports question on everyone’s mind has been, will the schools play sports this fall due to COVID-19 (coronavirus)? The answer, as of today, is a tentative “yes.” The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) issued an eight-page guidance this week for high schools to follow in an attempt to play sports in a socially responsible manner to combat the spread of coronavirus...

The Lawrence County Health Department has announced 12 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), bringing the county’s total to 117: 70 active, 45 recovered, and 2 deaths. All positive cases have been told to isolate at home from others and their close contacts told to quarantine for 14 days...

The Barry County Health Department is notifying the public of several potential exposures from a COVID-19 positive individual. A recent positive case visited: • July 10, Adelita’s in Cassville, 7-7:30 p.m. • July 11, Walmart in Monett, 1-2 p.m. • July 11 Dollar General on E. Broadway in Monett, 4:30-5 p.m...

The Barry County Health Department has announced a person employed at MO Wings in Monett has tested positive for COVID-19. The case is a result of community spread, and the individual is in isolation. Close contacts are being identified and, as appropriate, ordered to quarantine. Cases and close contacts are monitored each day by the Barry County Health Department...

The COOs of Walmart and Sam’s Club announced Wednesday that starting Monday, all shoppers at the stores will be required to wear face coverings. According to a press release from Dacona Smith, Walmart U.S. COO, and Lance de la Rosa, Sam’s Club COO, about 65 percent of the more than 5,000 stores and clubs are located in areas where there is some form of government mandate on face coverings...

The number of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County rose 50 percent in the past week, jumping from 101 on July 9 to 151 today. According the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 148 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, one presumptive and two antibody positives. As of Wednesday, a total of 64 people were considered active cases in isolation, one of whom is hospitalized, and 221 close contacts are quarantined in their homes...

A second death due to COVID-19 has been announced in Lawrence County, and officials announced the county has risen to more than 100 cases of the virus. Lawrence County has 105 total cases: 63 active, 40 recovered and 2 deaths. “Our thoughts are with the family [of the second person who died],” said Janella Spencer, administrator of the Lawrence County Health Department...

Due to recent exposure, the Lawrence County Health Department has recommended closure of the Mt. Vernon License Office until July 24. The office will be closed until that time. The Greenfield and Aurora License Office’s remain open at this time. Those having business at the Lawrence County Judicial Center in Mt. ...

The Lawrence County Health Department is announcing 15 new cases, pushing the county’s total to 69 total cases: 30 active, 38 recovered and 1 death. Eight are linked to the Freedom Christian Church/Ministry, four are linked to other positive family members, one is a work exposure at EFCO, one is determined to be community exposure and one is still under investigation...

The Barry County Health Department has reported 14 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), pushing the county’s total to 101 cases. Of the 101, 54 cases are considered active and are in isolation, and three people remain hospitalized with COVID-19 related complications. There are more than 75 close contacts quarantined, and 47 people have recovered from the virus...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting that two persons, one adult and one child, at the God’s Little Kingdom Preschool in Cassville have tested positive for COVID-19. The cases are a result of community spread. Both persons are under an isolation order and are recovering at home, all close contacts will be under quarantine. Barry County Health Department officials will monitor all of the effected persons daily...

Specific results have been announced for the free drive-through community testing events from June 26-30 in the counties of McDonald, Jasper, Newton and Barry. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) and the Missouri National Guard partnered with local public health agencies to offer the events, which open to any Missouri resident — county residency was not required.

Lawrence County has announced five new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) including one person who was infectious at the Freedom Christian Center Revival July 5-7 in Aurora. “If you attended the revival during any or all of these dates, we highly encourage you to please quarantine at home for 14 days from the last day you attended the revival and monitor for symptoms of COVID-19,” said Janella Spencer, Lawrence County Health Department administrator. ...

The number of COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Barry County continued its climb this week, as the county reported it is up to 87 total cases as of Tuesday afternoon, including three people hospitalized. According to a joint situation report from the Barry County Health Department and Barry County Office of Emergency Management, there have been 84 confirmed positive cases of COVID-19, one presumptive and two antibody positives. ...

The Lawrence County Health Department has announced one new case of COVID-19, also listing where the individual traveled July 1-3. The new case was a close contact of a positive family member from another county and has been isolating at home since July 4. The county now has 48 total cases: 16 active, 31 recovered and one death...

The Lawrence County Health Department is announcing four new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), bringing the county’s total up to 47 total cases: 17 active, 29 recovered and one death). Two new cases are linked to another family member in the home who is already positive, and the other two are considered community exposure with no other link...

A second area church has suspended services due to positive cases of COVID-19 within their congregations. Jason Mackey, pastor at Arnhart Baptist Church in Purdy, released a statement on Facebook Thursday saying two members of the Arnhart Family tested positive this week...

The Barry County Health Department has announced that a person employed at Cricket Wireless in Monett has tested positive for COVID-19. The case is a result of community spread, and the individual has been ordered to remain in isolation. Close contacts are being notified and, as appropriate, ordered to quarantine...

The Lawrence County Health Department is announcing 3 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). All cases are isolating at home and their household members are under quarantine. Direct contacts with other positive cases could not be determined with two of the cases, so community exposure is likely...

With the rising number of positive COVID-19 (coronavirus) tests in the bi-county area, the organizers of several summer venues have cancelled or postponed their events. The Monett and Pierce City school districts have announced the cancellation of summer school. Classes for both are set to resume in August...

The Lawrence County Health Department is announcing three new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). One case has been isolating at home already for some time, and the exposure link could not be determined. The two other cases are from the same household, and the exposure link is still under investigation...

Dr. Robin Trotman is addressing COVID-19 myths and information regarding the virus...

Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases in both Barry and Lawrence counties and surrounding areas, and in order to better protect our staff and patrons, the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library System is requiring that all patrons that enter facilities wear a mask...

The Lawrence County Health Department has announced 2 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus). The first case is travel-related, and upon arriving home, the individual immediately self-isolated. The second case is a work-related exposure and is also in isolation. Neither posed a risk to the general public...

  Misinformation and confusion are circulating in local communities, along with COVID-19 (coronavirus). On Wednesday, Dr. Robin Trotman, medical director of Infection Prevention at CoxHealth, will debunk myths and dispel rumors about coronavirus and COVID-19 during a Facebook Live event...

The Barry County Health Department has announced 17 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), bringing the total to 53 residents with the virus. Roger Brock, administrator of the Barry County Health Department, said the number of COVID cases in Barry County is continuing to rise daily...

The Lawrence County Health Department has reported the first death of a Lawrence County resident due to COVID-19. The resident was a 52-year-old with an underlying health condition. “We are truly sorry and extend our deepest condolences the family and loved ones of this individual,” said Janella Spencer, administrator of the Lawrence County Health Department...

A press release from the city of Monett says Mayor Mike Brownsberger and Commissioners Al Dohmen and Jerry Dierker are strongly endorsing masking protocols and asking area residents to do the same. “Monett and Barry and Lawrence counties are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases,” the release said. “We, as a community, need to remain vigilant in protecting ourselves from the virus until a vaccine is developed and widespread immunizations are possible...

The Lawrence County Health Department is announcing 4 new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), bringing the county’s total to 31 cases (eight recovered and 23 active). One of the new cases is an employee at Play Power in Monett. The Lawrence County Health Department has been working closely with Play Power to determine which employees were most at risk from working near this individual. All of those employees have been told to self-quarantine at home for 14 days from last exposure...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting that one individual who is an employee at the George’s Processing Plant in Butterfield has tested positive for COVID-19. The person is not a Barry County resident. The case is believed to be the result of community spread in a neighboring county. ...

The Lawrence County Health Department is announcing nine new cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus), bringing the county total to 27 cases (seven recovered and 20 active). Positive cases have been told to self-isolate at home. Close contacts have been or are in the process of being notified, and the Health Department will continue to monitor these individuals and provide instruction...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting that two employees of Bentonview Park Health and Rehabilitation in Monett have tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus). The cases are a result of community spread. The individuals are under an isolation order and are recovering at home after last working on June 19 and 20...

The Barry County Health Department and its Board of Trustees have issued new rules effective June 26 through July 15 to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the county. As of Tuesday afternoon, cases in the county had tripled in the past 10 days. With 36 total cases, 8 people were in isolation, 28 had recovered and 27 people were quarantined as close contacts with a positive case...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting that two persons employed at Lai Lai Asian Buffet and Dining in Monett have tested positive for COVID-19. Both cases are a result of community spread, and the individuals are under an isolation order. Close contacts are being contacted and, as appropriate, ordered to quarantine. All of those identified cases will be monitored daily by the Barry County Health Department...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting three new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 36. All three cases are the result of community spread. One of the new cases had been in quarantine due to being a close contact of a previous positive case. The other two cases are unrelated to earlier cases. All three persons are now under an isolation order and will be monitored daily...

The Lawrence County Health Department is reporting eight new cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total to 18 cases — seven resolved and 11 active. Three cases were acquired from workplaces with current outbreaks; four are still under investigation to determine the origin; and one is a family member of a positive case. The Lawrence County Health Department is working diligently to notify all close contacts...

The Barry County Health Department is announcing more locations visited recently by a person who tested positive for COVID-19. The Barry County Health Department is notifying the public of these potential exposures from a COVID-19 positive individual. A recent positive case visited: • June 15, Monett Family Restaurant from 11 a.m. to noon...

The Barry County Health Department, in cooperation with the Cassville School District, Missouri Department of Health and Human Services, and the Missouri National Guard, are hosting a free COVID-19 (coronavirus) community testing site for Missouri residents. Testing will be done at Cassville High School, located at 1825 State Hwy Y in Cassville, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on June 29...

Graduations this year in both Pierce City and Monett may have marked historic turning points for both school districts. Outdoor graduations have been a delight, and they suggest alternatives to what have been painfully cramped indoor rituals. In Pierce City, where a faction has argued for years to build a super performance gym, something the district can ill afford, dramatically showing an alternative makes one wonder why school leaders shunned a strategy that worked so well 20 years ago, the last time it was tried.. ...

Trouble is a’brewin’ in Barry County. As we entered Phase II of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) recovery plan this week, we had seen only a dozen cases from March 27, when the first confirmed case was announced, to June 12 — but now, the wave is coming. This week alone, Barry County confirmed 21 positive cases, tripling the amount confirmed in the last two-and-a-half months to a total, excluding the one presumptive case and two antibody positives. ...

The Barry County Health Department has reported an individual who is employed at EFCO manufacturing plant in Monett has tested positive for COVID-19. The case is a result of community spread, and the individual is under an isolation order. Close contacts are being contacted and, as appropriate, ordered to quarantine. All of those identified cases will be monitored daily by the Barry County Health Department...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting five additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 33. All five cases are the result of community spread. Three of the new cases had been in quarantine due to being a close contact of a previous positive case. The other two cases are unrelated to earlier cases. All five new cases are now under an isolation order by the Barry County Health Department and will be monitored daily...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting four additional cases of COVID-19, bringing our total number of cases in the county to 28. All four cases are the result of community spread. Two of the new cases had been in quarantine due to being a close contact of a previous positive case...

The Lawrence County Health Department is reporting two new cases of COVID-19. This brings the county’s total to 10 cases (seven resolved and three active). One case is an additional exposure at a workplace in Jasper County. The case has not travelled any place besides home and work during the infectious period, so the public is not considered to be at risk...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting two additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 24. Both cases are believed to be the result of community spread. One of the new cases had been in quarantine due to being a close contact of a previous positive case. Both new cases are now under an isolation order by the Barry County Health Department and will be monitored daily...

The Barry County Health Department has reported 22 cases of COVID-19 in Barry County, and it is offering more information on one of the cases’ locations visited recently. “As a part of our ongoing disease investigations, we have identified locations recently identified COVID-19 positive persons visited,” said Roger Brock, Barry County Health Department Administrator. ...

The Lawrence County Health Department is reporting one new case of COVID-19 (coronavirus). This case is a result of an exposure at a work place in Jasper County. The individual has not travelled any place besides home and work during the infectious period, so the public is not considered to be at risk...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting five additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the county’s total number of cases to 22. All of these positive cases are close contacts of a previous case. The new cases had been in quarantine due to the previous contact and are now under an isolation order by the Barry County Health Department, which monitors all quarantined and isolated individuals daily...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting five new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in the county to 17. Two of the new cases are a result of recent travel to a COVID hot spot, one case is a result of community spread and the final two cases are still to be determined...

The Barry County Health Department has reported locations that were visited by the 12th confirmed case of COVID-19 in Barry County. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are releasing a list of locations a COVID-19 positive individual has visited in Barry County,” said Administrator Roger Brock. “The individual is in isolation and close contacts are being notified to quarantine.”...

The Barry County Commission and the Barry County Health Department, as a part of the Barry County Phase II reopening plan and Gov. Mike Parson’s Show-Me Strong Recovery plan, are announcing these rules for the reopening of all businesses in Barry County...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting a 12th case of COVID-19 (coronavirus), an active case of COVID-19 and a result of community spread. This case is not believed to be related to recent positive tests at the George’s processing plant...

Pending expiration of Phase I on June 15, Gov. Mike Parson announced today that Missouri will fully reopen and enter Phase II of its “Show Me Strong Recovery” Plan on Tuesday. “It is truly incredible to think about how far Missouri has come since March,” Parson said. ...

Two individuals who are or have recently been employees of the George’s Processing Plant in Butterfield have tested positive for COVID-19. The persons are not Barry County residents, and the cases are believed to be the result of community spread in a neighboring county. ...

On Thursday the Barry County Commission sat with the Shell Knob, Seligman, Monett and Cassville Chamber directors, as well as Emergency Management Director David Compton, to discuss how the $4 million in CAES Act money the county has received should be distributed...

Purdy High School graduates bid a fond farewell to classmates and administrators during commencement ceremonies held Saturday evening at the district’s gymnasium. Speakers for the event included Haylie Harris, Shana Whisman and Shelby Haskins. Harris acknowledged the supporting roles played by their peers, friends, families and teachers, before speaking of the valuable lessons learned during her academic career...

An employee of George’s Processing Plant in Butterfield has tested positive for COVID-19. Roger Brock, Barry County Health Department administrator, said the individual lives outside of Barry County, and his office received notification of the positive on Tuesday morning...

The Verona School Board has approved plans for summer school, delaying it from the normal start time after polling parents of students in the district. Superintendent Tony Simmons said during the extended break, teachers regularly communicated with students and families, which allowed families to share their opinions. Based on these conversations, the original June 3 start date was pushed back to June 15, and summer school will continue through July 14...

Summer school started on Monday in the Monett school district. At Monett Elementary, lunch offered some new routines.

The summer weight lifting session finally began on Monday for Monett athletes, as the district opened for the first time since it was shuttered due to COVID-19 (coronavirus). “First off, we have smaller class sizes to aid in social distancing,” said Daryl Bradley, Monett athletic director. “We are stressing the six-foot distancing guidelines and are frequently sanitizing equipment.”...

Graduation ceremonies for the 30 members of the Class of 2020 will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Purdy High School gym. With possibly the smallest group of graduates since the 29 in the Class of 2004, social distancing will be less difficult. However, steps have been taken to maintain distancing. Admission will be by ticket only. Each student received 15 tickets for distribution. Each family will be seated in a pod, assigned randomly in a drawing held on Facebook...

The Lawrence County Health Department has announced that all seven cases of COVID-19 in the county are considered recovered. Recovery is measured by two negative tests at least 24 hours apart after 14 days of isolation and no symptoms. “We would also like to note that further testing of staff and residents at the facility [where all seven cases were found] produced no additional positive cases,” a press release said...

Graduation ceremonies for the 12-member Class of 2020 at the Berean Christian Academy were held Thursday night in the school gym. While the class size was fairly typical for Berean, though up from the three in last year’s class, the ceremony ran a bit differently because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic social distancing concerns. ...

Members of the Lawrence County Emergency Services Board (LCESB) saw a demonstration of new P25 radios for first responders from representatives of Radiophone at the May meeting of the organization. Dalton Lane, a Radiophone representative, reported Lawrence County had received $4.5 million in federal funding through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and is required to spend those monies on COVID-related items before Dec. ...

The Sports Commission Awards, sponsored by Elliott Lodging and presented by Blevins Asphalt, has been rescheduled for Aug. 10, organizers announced on Wednesday. The SCAs will recognize more than 140 high school student-athletes and 28 teams representing southwest Missouri high schools during a ceremony at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the ceremony to begin at 7 p.m. A full list of finalists can be found at www.mosportshalloffame.com...

The Barry County Commission and the Barry County Health Department, in alignment with Governor Parson’s Show-Me Strong Recovery plan, are announcing the extension of the Phase 1 rules until June 15. The rules allow businesses to remain open, while mitigating the potential spread of COVID-19 in Barry County. The rules include requirements for physical distancing, maximum occupancy limits, and source control masking requirements for some service providers...

County health officials are hoping for continued good news regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) as the local board and state prepare to advance the recovery effort into Phase II. Roger Brock, Barry County Health Department administrator, said how the next step will look depends largely on new guidelines expected from Gov. Mike Parson...

Thoughts of summertime in small towns typically lean toward dropping a line at the local fishin’ hole, picnics by the creek and a fall festival to celebrate a healthy harvest, neighbors, friends and community before the long days and nights of winter set in...

The Barry County government recently received a distribution from the state in the amount of $4,198,764, money from the CARES Act the county will have to distribute to smaller political subdivisions. Gary Youngblood, Barry County presiding commissioner, said the county is in the process of determining a distribution method...

The full slate of municipal races, school boards and assorted local government positions usually decided in April will be resolved when voters go to the polls on June 2, the new date set by the state because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. City of Monett...

The Barry County Health Department has reported an eleventh case of COVID-19. This is an active case of COVID-19, which is a result of community spread. The individual is now under an isolation order, and as part of the disease investigation, close contacts with the individual will be contacted and if appropriate ordered to quarantine...

More than 100 families brought chairs and sprawled out on the parking lot at Verona High School for the annual sports award banquet. Normally, the event is held in the cafeteria, but county social distancing guidelines due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) forced the coaches and athletic director to get creative with their approach...

You don’t have to travel far these days — if you can find a group of people — to see folks shopping or standing around socializing without wearing face masks. The heavy social media campaign underway has made wearing face masks into a political issue. This part of the country, while historically more conservative, may be more inclined against policies that can be freely interpreted as liberal. But conservative also means being extra cautious. Somehow that hasn’t translated to this situation...

Testing for COVID-19 (coronavirus) infections will continue for the time being in Monett, reported Steve Edwards, chief executive officer for CoxHealth Systems, in a weekly media briefing on Thursday. Testing at the First United Methodist Church in Monett by Cox Monett and Mercy Hospitals staff through May 18 had tested 133 people, approximately 10 per day...

After the COVID-19 (coronavirus) delay, election time is upon us once again, as city and school elections are set for June 2. Candidates in contested races are no doubt excited, losing two months of a possible term to the virus that tranquilized the norm...

Editor’s note: This piece is printed verbatim from a post on Dr. Erik Martin’s personal Facebook page. It is being reproduced in print with his permission. I am worried. I have been worrying a lot recently. We all are, aren’t we? I’m worried about COVID, and the economy, and about school starting. Doctors worry about our patients too...

The Barry County Health Department has announced its ninth and 10th cases of COVID-19 in the county, the first new cases since May 7. Administrator Roger Brock said the county was notified by the state after the Barry County resident tested positive in another county...

What will their next milestone bring? Matthew Hall, valedictorian of the 51-member Pierce City High School Class of 2020, gave audience members and his peers some serious food for thought at Sunday’s graduation ceremonies, held at the Don Keebaugh Stadium in Pierce City...

Stocking has resumed at Roaring River State Park and campgrounds are available for reservation, but one change is more noticeable than others — the fish-cleaning station is no more. Joel Topham, Roaring River State Park natural resources manager, said initially, staff were allowing anglers to use the station, so long as six-foot social distancing rules were observed. However, Topham said at times, there were still groups of more than 20 gathering at the small facility...

After having shuttered their stores in accordance with COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic restrictions on non-essential employment, local merchants are happy to be doing business again. During Phase 1 of the re-opening, employers are required to maintain social distancing, calculate maximum occupancy limits based on square footage and maintain masking requirements for some service providers...

For high school seniors across the nation, 2020 has not been a typical year. While school officials hope to resume classes as normal in the fall, those who are graduating this year are challenged by how to commemorate their milestone events in a non-typical fashion due to social restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic...

The breakfast for the 22 seniors at Verona High School was held on Friday morning in the school cafeteria, spaced for social distancing with separate tables for each family.

In an attempt to make sure that players received just recognition, the SouthWest Central League (SWCL) recently doled out baseball all-conference awards for the 2019-2020 season. Most of the the schools play a fall season, and those stats were used as a basis to award the honors...

The innovations we’ve seen as our area high school have approached graduation have been interesting and worth noting. The parades of seniors, dubbed a caravan for Monett High School graduates, have been great fun. The Monett graduates in particular took advantage of the opportunity to wear their caps and gowns and ride down Broadway, Central and Cleveland in their purple and gold flashing in the evening sun. It was great for them to cheer and wave and hear the public hail them...

Following the revelation that seven residents at a Lawrence County long-term residential care facility had tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus), tests of the staff to date have come up negative, relieving anxiety about the largest concentrated outbreak of the pandemic in the bi-county area to date...

Monett graduates Lourdes Morales, Ruben Dierker, Maria Cecenas and Graciela Morales waved to the crowd winding west on Broadway during the senior caravan on Friday.

Good news has arrived for local bookworms. The Barry-Lawrence Regional Library will soon be re-opening its branch locations implementing COVID-19 (coronavirus) safety protocols for the protection of staffers and the public. “The staff of BLRL is anxious to see our patrons again and get those materials our readers can’t wait to have into their hands,” said Gina Milburn, director. ...

Purdy High School senior Ezequiel Gaucin shared the sentiments of his class during the senior parade on Saturday, with rolls of toilet paper as part of the Class of 2020 on his sign, as he and fellow graduates rolled through town in a parade honoring seniors...

The reopening of the Monett Area YMCA on Monday came as a welcome relief to many.

Visitors to City Hall in Pierce City will now be faced with the Snot Blocker.