Stories from Thursday, May 26, 2011

Stories of survival are surfacing as search and rescue efforts continue in Joplin four days after the tornado touched down, leveling blocks of the city, taking lifes and trapping people in their damaged homes. Three Monettans found themselves in the middle of the May 22 tornado. ...

The MARS Dirt Series headlines the 11th Annual Tony Roper Memorial this Sunday at the Monett Speedway. Tony Roper was a NASCAR driver from Fair Grove. "Tony cut his teeth on the dirt at Monett," said track owner Randy Mooneyham. "He won his first feature race here. He was a good kid."...

By DOUG TUCKER KANSAS CITY (AP) -- Clark Hunt -- billionaire, son of privilege, owner of the Kansas City Chiefs -- hoisted a heavy case of bottled water off the bed of a pickup and carried it toward a waiting pallet. "That doesn't go here," a young man told him. "It goes over there."...

Once the items are collected at D'Rowe's Restaurant on Saturday, coaches and players will accompany the truck to deliver the donations. Former Missouri player David Rowe owns the restaurant. Among items sought are flashlights, batteries, trash bags, band aids, bottled water and toiletries...

This week in Monett: At Denali Dreams, 316 E. Broadway, a benefit concert to help tornado victims in Joplin will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday featuring acoustic performer John Clapper. Admission will be $3. Mocha Jo's is closed Saturday and Monday for Memorial Day...

Relay for Life of Monett raised over $68,000 for the American Cancer Society with money still coming in from the 18 teams that participated. Organizers hope to reach their goal of $83,500 when all donations are received and tallied. "Overall, we are very happy with the evening," said Jennifer Cendroski, who served as co-chair of the local Relay along with Betty Messer. "The weather held off, and we had a great turnout."...

A three-vehicle wreck on Highway 37 one mile south of Monett yesterday resulted in serious injuries to two Nixa residents. The wreck occurred at 12:54 p.m. when the driver of a 2002 Pontiac Sunfire, Whitney K. Hilton, 22, of Aurora, stopped in the southbound lane to make a left turn and her vehicle was hit from behind by the driver of a 2000 Pontiac, Filiberto Rodriguez, 46, of Monett. ...

An unlicensed puppy mill in Aurora has been shut down after authorities cited the owner, Shirley Gilbert, for violations of the Animal Care Facilities Act. Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster said his office had obtained a temporary restraining order against Gilbert, who owns Wolfgang's Puppies and Gee Gee's Yorkies...

Members of Cox Monett Hospital's Auxiliary hosted a salad luncheon on May 20 to benefit the auxiliary's scholarship fund. Guests were able to choose from a variety of over 39 various salads and desserts, ensuring no one went away hungry.

A Miller man is dead following a two-vehicle collision yesterday on Highway 96 two miles south of Miller. The wreck occurred at 3:40 p.m. when the driver of a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, Beuford A. Patton, 88, of Miller, failed to yield and pulled into the path of a 2001 Chevrolet utility truck, driven by David D. Daniel, 40, of Republic...

In a special meeting of the Purdy City Council last week, aldermen approved a resolution to authorize the Barry County Assessor to abate a portion of taxes to qualifying businesses in the Barry County Enhanced Enterprise Zone (EEZ). Barry County Presiding Commissioner Cherry Warren and Cassville's City Administrator Eugene Dilbeck were present at the meeting to answer aldermen's questions as to the benefits the resolution would provide for the city...

The Monett R-1 Board of Education filled its teaching vacancies for the 2011-12 school year by hiring 12 employees at its May meeting. Two more vacancies opened at the meeting as the board accepted resignations from two fourth grade teachers, Brenna Zucca and Michael Spain...