Stories from Wednesday, February 9, 2011

During a special public meeting last night, Monett R-1 School District officials expressed serious concern over a push in the Missouri General Assembly for open enrollment. Ramifications could include a loss of local control over tax dollars, uncontrolled expenses and the possible collapse of small rural districts facing enrollment declines...

The 16th monthly Broadway Nights will be held in downtown Monett on Friday. The February theme is Valentine's Day and will feature live musicians in the stores that plan on staying open late. "Musicians do a lot of love songs," said Shaun Bennett, one of the Broadway Nights organizers. "That fits our romantic theme."...

Members of the Missouri Army National Guard, including volunteers from Monett and Pierce City, were called into action last week in response to the winter storm of 2011. According to Sgt. First Class Steve White, seven local soldiers deployed from Pierce City's Lawrence A. Witt National Guard Armory joined 160 others to respond to weather-related emergencies in southwest Missouri. Overall, just under 600 citizen soldiers and airmen were called into action all over the state...

The 16th monthly Broadway Nights will be held in downtown Monett on Friday. The February theme is Valentine's Day and will feature live musicians in the stores that plan on staying open late. "Musicians do a lot of love songs," said Shaun Bennett, one of the Broadway Nights organizers. "That fits our romantic theme."...

Virginia L. Sims, age 81, of Butterfield, died on Feb. 6 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 13 at Virginia's residence at 10603 N. Maple in Butterfield. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville...

Marjorie Ellen Rhodelan--der, age 92, of Mt. Vernon, died at 3:35 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 4 at the Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. No services are planned at this time. Burial will be held at a later date at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Pleasant Hill. Local arrangements are under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon...

Mary M. Butcher, of Eagle Rock, age 82, died on Thursday, Feb. 3 at the Red Rose Health and Rehab in Cassville. A celebration of life service and inurnment at the Beaver Cemetery in Seligman is planned for later this spring. Arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home in Cassville...

Marie Z. Whittenhall, age 101, of Monett, died on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Lacoba Nursing Home in Monett. No services are scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Lee Striler, age 84, of Lamar, formerly of St. Louis, died at 1:20 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5, at the Missouri Veteran's Home in Mt. Vernon. Local arrangements are under the direction of Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Dolly Barnes, age 91, of Jenkins, died at 1:58 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 7 in St. John's Hospital-Cassville. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, in Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be in Clio Cemetery in Jenkins. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11 in Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

The Verona Lady Wildcats handed a 71-37 loss to Billings in Monday night basketball action. The Verona Wildcats fell 74-59 to Wheaton Tuesday night For complete story see today's Monett Times.

The Pierce City Eagles and Lady Eagles earned a pair of victories over Sarcoxie on Tuesday evening. For the complete story, see today's Monett Times.

The Purdy Lady Eagles' shook off a sluggish start and picked up a 56-37 win over the Seneca Lady Indians Monday night. The Purdy boys fell 54-48 to Seneca Monday night. For complete story see today's Monett Times paper.

Barry County finally saw some basketball Monday night. The Monett Lady Cubs brought their 16-5 record to Cassville to play against the Lady Wildcats in a Big 8 Conference bragging rights contest. While the two teams have headed in different directions for most of the season, they staged a border war in the Cassville gym that wasn't decided until the final minutes, as Monett escaped with a 49-43 victory...