Stories from Friday, March 11, 2011

KANSAS CITY (AP) -- The Kansas City Royals aren't liable for injuries to a fan hit in the face by a hot dog that was flung into the crowd by the team's large, furry lion mascot named Sluggerrr, a jury found Wednesday. The plaintiff, John Coomer of Overland Park, Kan., said he was "hugely disappointed" in the Jackson County jury's verdict but respected it...

The Purdy Lady Eagles continue their march toward a state title. On Saturday, Purdy will face the eighth ranked Fordland Lady Eagles in Rogersville. Tipoff is set for 2:45 p.m. "Fordland is a good team," said Purdy Head Coach Grant Young. "When you reach this stage of the season, every team is a good team. They are well rounded and match up well with us. Fordland can post up with three players that are listed at six foot and they can shoot the three-ball."...

Pierce City's Robert Baldwin is a man on a mission. The senior completed one part of his stated goals when he reached the 1,000 career points mark during Pierce City's 2011 basketball season. "I always wanted to reach that magical point total," said Baldwin. "I set several aggressive goals for my basketball career and reaching 1,000 career points was near the top. It feels great."...

In a very solemn ceremony, the casket of U.S. Army Special Christopher Stark arrived at the Monett Municipal Airport around 2:30 p.m. yesterday. On hand for the arrival was Governor Jay Nixon and Missouri National Guard Adjutant General Stephen L. Danner...

"We're likely to see record farm income in Missouri." That is the assessment of Scott Brown, associate director of the Food and Agriculture Policy Research Institute (FAPRI). A frequent speaker at the Lawrence County Soils and Crops Conference, Brown said trends seen in recent years have reached a turning point...

Alice Helmkamp has received the Freistatt Community Service Award for 2010. Helmkamp is the second recipient of the Community Service Award. The honor was created to recognize Chester George, who developed the idea for the crosswalk at the Post Office...

The fifth annual Pierce City Spring Auction will be held on Sunday, April 9 in the Pierce City High School gymnasium. The theme this year is "All-Star Auction." Over the past four years, proceeds from the auction have been used to help purchase air conditioning for the gymnasium, the scoreboard at the baseball complex, new chairs in the gymnasium, playground equipment and a new marquee at the elementary school...

Donald Robert Maupin, 71, died on Wednesday, March 9, 2011 at 2:35 a.m. in the Lawrence County Manor after a long illness. A Masonic funeral and visitation will be held on Friday, March 11, in Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, Mt. Vernon, beginning at 6 p.m. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 12, in St. Susanne's Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon, followed by burial in Rock Prairie Cemetery, Halltown...

Sandra "Sandy" Sue Koepp, age 66, of Shell Knob, died at 5:56 a.m. on Thursday, March 10. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 14, in Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Burial will be in Lake Park Memorial Gardens, Shell Knob. Visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 in Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob...

Marilyn Zimmerman passed away on March 4, 2011 in Santa Cruz, Calif. She was 74 years old. Marilyn was born on Aug. 18, 1936 in St. Joseph and was a long-time resident of Wilcox, Neb., Fort Scott, Kan., and Monett, Mo. Friends paid their respects at Benito and Azzaro Pacific Gardens Chapel, 91050 Cayuga St., in Santa Cruz, Calif. on Thursday, March 10 from 4 until 7 p.m. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Meierhoffer Funeral Home, in St. Joseph, Missouri...

Visitation for Christopher G. Stark, 22, of Monett, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today. The family will meet with friends at Buchanan Funeral Home.