Stories from Thursday, August 25, 2011

Other stops for the evening included: seat belt violations; lack of insurance; lack of a valid driver's license or the driver not carrying a license; driving while license is suspended; and driving while license is revoked. One vehicle that was stopped and cited contained two adults and four children, one of whom appeared to have been in the process of being breastfed, in the front of a pickup truck. The driver was cited for multiple child restraint violations...

For the second year in a row, Glenn Obermann, of Monett, has claimed another top title at the Missouri State Fair. His entry of alfalfa hay was judged Grand Champion in the state hay contest on Aug. 14. "I want people to know we can grow awful good hay here in southwest Missouri," said Obermann, who lives on a 300-acre farm located north of Monett and southeast of Freistatt. He farms the land with his wife, Toni, and son, Jason...

The second body found with Rebecca Porter in a wooded area in Taney County has now been confirmed as her husband, Rusty Porter. Taney County Coroner Kevin Tweedy announced lab tests at the University of North Texas had confirmed the identification of Rusty Porter. The Porters had been missing from their Willard home since April 25. Their bodies were found on July 21 near Protem...

The First United Metho-dist Church, Liberty United Methodist Church and New Liberty United Methodist Church, of Monett, are joining together in a project called SERVE2011. All United Methodists across Missouri are being asked by the conference to go into area communities the weekend of Sept. 10-11, "to take church outside the walls."...

The Monett City Council took action to approve a grant arrangement to assist downtown at its August monthly meeting. An ordinance was adopted approving a letter of agreement with the Missouri Main Street Connection and the Monett Main Street Committee. City Administrator Dennis Pyle said a grant had been approved between the Main Street state organization and the partnership between the city, the Monett Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Betterment Committee...

A new twist occurred this year at the annual Freistatt Lions Club Ernte Fest celebration. Cards were distributed at the festival that encouraged people to report any "law enforcement harassment or inappropriate actions to the Friestatt [sic] Lion's [sic] Club. 417-235-5856."...