Stories from Wednesday, April 20, 2011

April 18, 2011 Administrators at McDonald County H.S., Nevada H.S., members of the Big 8 Conference, and MSHSAA Board of Directors; I am writing you today to share the findings of the Ad Hoc Conference Affiliation Committee for McDonald County High School and Nevada High School...

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) denied a request from McDonald County and Nevada High Schools to be added to the Big 8 Conference on Monday. Both schools have tried unsuccessfully to gain access to the Big 8 since 2007 when they were members of the now defunct Southwest Conference, which also included Webb City, Carthage and Neosho...

The Monett golf team won the Big 8 Conference Tournament in Lamar on Monday. The Cubs took first place ,shooting 317. Carl Junction was second with a 318 and Mt. Vernon finished third, recording a 319. "The team title wasn't decided until the last group finished," said Monett Head Coach Derrek Uhl. "As we watched the scores go up on the board as the golfers came in, it got pretty intense."...

Rex Seward, age 89, of Webb City, formerly of Monett, died at 7:30 a.m. on Monday, April 18 in Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. A graveside service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 22 at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on thursday, April 21, at the Thornhill-Dillon Funeral Home in Joplin...

Michael Ray Clifford, age 67, of Aurora, died at 3:32 a.m. on Monday, April 18 at his home. A funeral service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 21 at the Aurora Bible Church with burial at the Maple Park Cemetery...

Anna Lenora Newkirk, age 86, of Mt. Vernon, died at 1:12 p.m. on Monday, April 18 at Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20 at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with burial at the White Chapel Cemetery in Springfield. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service...

The trial over Monett's tax increment financing (TIF) program, scheduled to start on April 18, has been delayed while Circuit Judge Neal Quitno studies motions for summary judgment made at the hearing on March 21.

After a lengthy postponement and last minute delays, it appears the murder trial of Christopher Collings will begin this morning (Wednesday) in the Phelps County Courthouse in Rolla.

On Saturday, April 30, area residents will have the opportunity to join the fight against prescription drug abuse by participating in a locally sponsored "Take Back" event.

Cox Monett Hospital has a new leader.

The Purdy Eagles baseball team (10-3, 2-0) defeated McAuley 15-5 on Tuesday night. The win was the seventh in a row for the Eagles "We played our second consecutive game without commiting any errors," said Purdy Head Coach Joshua Hughes. "Playing error free baseball this time of year is what good teams have to do to win."...

The Pierce City track team swept the boys and girls divisions at the Ash Grove track meet on Friday. "We had some kids really step up and perform great," said Pierce City Head Coach Brad Hocker. "We competed very well against some bigger school. I was very proud of my squad."...

The Purdy Eagles golf team won its second consecutive golf tournament. On Monday, the Eagles claimed top honors in the Clever Invitational Golf Tournament at Island Green Country Club in Republic. Purdy shot a 355 for first place. Fair Grove finished in second with a 355, and Marion C. Early was third, recording a 407...