Stories from Monday, December 19, 2011

A Monett man has been arrested in connection with at least 15 counts of graffiti vandalism. Monett Police Chief Tim Schweder reported that Jeremy J. Shank, 32, who lives at 304 Sixth St., has been arrested and charged with 15 counts of vandalism that have occurred in the downtown district of Monett. Locations were centered at various locations on Bond Street, Fifth Street, Sixth Street and Broadway...

The Barry-Lawrence Area United Fund presented a check for $1,000 to Linn Thornton to support his annual community Christmas dinner to be held on Christmas day. Ken Dudzik, United Fund president, pictured at left, presented the check to Thornton surrounded by his Indian artifact collection and many donated Christmas presents. ...

It's going to be a very Merry Christmas for some area residents in need this holiday season. For the fifth year, AmeriCorps Purdy Reading Coaches have volunteered to pack Christmas food baskets at Crosslines in Monett. This year's effort will benefit approximately 300 recipients. ...

Officials with the Monett Police Department and Barry County Sheriff's Department are working together to solve a rash of vehicle thefts taking place in the county. Monett Police Chief Tim Schweder said he and Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly have discussed the recovery of a number of vehicles that have been stolen from the Monett and Barry County area and later stripped and burned...

Plans for holiday activities advanced during the November meeting of the Monett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The Festival of Lights had a full line of captains in place to head volunteers at the Elf Hut. The holiday lighting display at South Park will remain open through Dec. 30...

An attempted armed robbery at a Monett convenience store and gas station ended in disappointment for the would-be robber. Monett Police Chief Tim Schweder reported an armed masked bandit entered H&W Oil Company (Herd's), located at 600 Cleveland Ave. in Monett, at about 8:20 p.m. on Sunday. The bandit brandished a weapon and demanded the clerk open the register and turn over the cash...

An Eagle Rock man was arrested last Wednesday by Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly after the suspect allegedly fired shots into a trailer house behind Mitchell Plaza on Highway 86. According to a press release issued by the Barry Couty Sheriff's Department, Timothy W. Kendrick, 48, was charged with first degree assault and with discharging or shooting a firearm at a person, motor vehicle or habitable structure...

An Aurora man was injured in a single-vehicle wreck that occurred on Friday on Farm Road 1210 about one mile south of Aurora. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at 2:21 a.m. when the driver of a 2008 Dodge Charger, Clayton D. Breidenstein, 22, of Aurora, ran off the roadway and struck a culvert, a fence and a utility pole...

DeElda Mae Brown, age 76, of Rocky Comfort, died Friday, Dec. 16. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21 at the McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday Dec. 20 at the funeral home...

Robert Lee Phillips, age 63, of Cassville, died at 5:48 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. before the service. Burial will be at Grandview Cemetery in Grandview, Ark...

Mary VanDerhoef Drummy, age 90, of Monett, died on Sunday, Dec. 18. Funeral arrangements were incomplete at presstime and are under the direction of Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett.

Sandra "Jeanie" Buehler, age 70, of Aurora, died at Cox Hospital South in Springfield on Thursday, Dec. 15. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19 at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora.

Tony Rattles, 44, of Monett, passed away Sunday, Dec. 18, 2011 at his home. He was born March 20, 1967, in Ft. Sill, Okla., the son of Linda (Bergesch) Pettus, of Wentworth, and the late Lee Rattles. He was united in marriage to Chris Machalhaney, who preceded him in death in 2002...