Stories from Thursday, November 19, 2009

Crews for Missouri Gas Energy have been at work in Monett since last week re-laying a major gas line on Ninth Street south from Scott Street. The work is part of an ongoing upgrade of the natural gas infrastructure in Monett. According to Jim Carrier, operations supervisor for Missouri Gas Energy, Monett's natural gas system was first installed around 1929. Several lines have been scheduled for replacement...

"Slow, very very slow" is how Micha Plummer described business these days at the Area Workshop. According to the annual audit for the handicapped employer for Barry and Lawrence counties, contracts for work have dropped 28 percent in the past year. Plummer, who has been director at the Workshop for nine years, said she has gone to great lengths seeking work for the handicapped employees. ...

This week in Monett: Joe Levanti's Horseshoe Theater will present the Flint Hill Ramblers bluegrass and gospel band at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the Monett City Hall Auditorium. Band members come from northeast Oklahoma and northwest Arkansas and have become local favorites. Admission is $5...

A former Cassville man is facing federal charges for his banking practices that involved branches in Aurora, Mt. Vernon and other cities. Richard G. "Rick" Burton, 59, of Nixa, formerly of Cassville, and Kathy Cyrena Allen, also known as Kath Stanton, 66, of Sarcoxie, have been named in] an 19-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Springfield on Tuesday...

A Barry County man was apprehended at gunpoint on Tuesday night after he led area law enforcement officers on a high speed chase in the Monett area. Jason Ponder, 32, of McDowell, was taken into custody along with his wife, Rita Ponder, 30, who was a passenger in his vehicle. The two face drug charges and first degree assault charges and are being held in the Barry County Jail...

The home tours will focus on contemporary styling and country sophistication. Featured homes include the Jack and Margaret Prim home at 811 Hampton Place and the home of Jon Suit at 902 E. Lakewood Dr., both in the Lakewood Terrace subdivision; the home of Kenny and Mindy Barnes at 23866 Lawrence 1104; and the home of Fred and Carrie Jobe at 401 Eighth St., which is the third residence finished by the Habitat affiliate...

Elizabeth "Irene" Moore, age 94, of Aurora, passed away at 4:45 p.m., on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at her home. She was born on March 9, 1915 in Aurora, Missouri the daughter of Joseph P. and Beatrice (Madry) Arend. Irene was a Monett High School graduate and a homemaker. ...

Barbara C. Fenske, age 66, of Purdy, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2009, in Lacoba Nursing Home, Monett, Missouri. She was born January 29, 1943, in Barry County, Missouri, the daughter of William "Bill" and Maleta "Pat" (Bishop) Center. She was united in marriage to Braxton Gray and to this union one son was born. Later she married Paul Fenske...

NINETY YEARS AGO November 19, 1919 SEVENTY YEARS AGO November 19, 1939 SIXTY YEARS AGO November 19, 1949 FORTY YEARS AGO November 19, 1969 THIRTY YEARS AGO November 19, 1979 TWENTY YEARS AGO November 19, 1989 TEN YEARS AGO November 19, 1999...

Four-year participation awards were presented Tuesday night by the Monett Booster Club to athletes in the fall sports of football and soccer. In addition, special coaches awards were presented to athletes in the sports of cross country, football and soccer...