Stories from Monday, January 23, 2012

Traffic crashes are up slightly in Monett, according to a report from the Monett Police Department that cited four more crashes in 2011 than in 2010. Sergeant Dennis Camp said of the 161 collisions investigated by patrol officers in 2011, 29 involved injuries to the driver or passengers, which was three more than in 2010. None were fatality wrecks...

"There's No Place Like Purdy" was the theme for the Purdy High School homecoming celebration on Friday. Junior Lydia Berry was crowned homecoming queen. The "Wizard of Oz" backdrop and a red ruby slipper made of balloons were created by the PHS art department...

Hollywood stars headlined the festivities on Saturday night as Cox Monett Hospital hosted the 10th annual Dining for Diabetes event at the Pierce City Armory. Following the "Hooray for Hollywood" theme, servers dressed up as film stars. Independent judges had difficulty choosing one best dressed server this year and opted to honor six...

The Freistatt Board of Trustees closed out its books on 2011 and passed a budget for 2012 during its January meeting. The only fund where spending exceeded revenue was the general fund, which was tapped to purchase the $14,675.12 storm siren. Because the fund started the year with significant money carried over from the previous year, the dip into working capital of $7,099.47 was covered...

It was a wonderful holiday season for Crosslines, according to Director MaLinda King. "Thanks to all of our supporters who helped make this a great Christmas for many families in the community," King said. "We were able to help over 320 families with food baskets and had nearly 30 families adopted through Crosslines. Many other families received gifts and gift cards."...

Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay has released information on methamphetamine-related crimes that occurred from July through December of 2011. In that six-month period, a total of 10 meth labs were seized and five clandestine dump sites were cleared. ...

For the first time, Monett High School Key Club officers received the oath of office during the weekly meeting of the Monett Kiwanis Club, the Key Club's sponsoring organization. Receiving the oath of officer were Emily Copening, president; Jonathon Schliem, vice president; Monica Villa, junior vice president; Jordan Marion, sophomore vice president; Haley Henry, freshman vice president; Emily Pitts, secretary; and Vanessa Schoon, treasurer. ...

History and operations at the Monett Municipal Golf Course were presented to the Monett Kiwanis Club by Mike Knight, director of golf for the course, at last week's Kiwanis meeting. Located on the southwest portion of town, Monett's golf course began in the 1920s on the Meador family farm, said Knight. It was started by attorney Dan Meador and Dr. Lewis Ferguson. The original course had nine holes and sand greens...

A chili dinner fundraiser for the Barry-Lawrence County Development Center, hosted by Firefighters Local #2001, was held on Jan. 12 at Monett Fire Station #2. According to a spokesman for the union, the local chapter has selected the Development Center, Cox Monett Hospital's Cardiac Kids and Dining for Diabetes programs as projects to support...

The Verona Wildcats gave the Cassville Wildcats all they wanted but came up short in the championship game of the Spokane Tournament, falling 51-47 on Saturday night. "The boys are disappointed," said Verona coach Brad Stewart. "It's good to see them so hungry. I told the team the last 48 hours were kind of like an NBA schedule. We hit this big shot to win Friday, and we didn't tonight. We have to clear our mind and move on to the next game."...

The Purdy Eagles pulled off a 66-56 victory over Pierce City in Friday night basketball action. "We were pretty rusty tonight," said Purdy coach Tommy Egan. "Pierce City did a good job of breaking us down off the dribble and finding an open shooter. I thought we finally settled down on defense in the fourth quarter and hit some tough shots to secure the win."...

The Verona Lady Wildcats earned a 59-39 win over Billings to claim fifth place in Marionville Lady Comet Classic on Saturday. "I thought we did a good job of coming together for the victory," said Verona coach Ryan Yates. "I think we are coming together as a team and playing our best ball of the season. Jessica (Youngberg) had a big game for us tonight. It was a team win."...

The Monett Cubs basketball team took fourth place in their eight-team pod of the NEO Invitational Tournament on Saturday, falling 63-56 to Tulsa (Okla.) McLain. The Cubs trailed 14-11 at the end of the first quarter and were down 33-18 at halftime. Monett would rally in the third quarter, opening the second half with a 13-4 run that cut the McLain advantage to 37-31 with a minute to play in the period. McLain stopped the bleeding and led 43-35 to begin play in the fourth quarter...

Betty Trobaugh, age 96, of Kansas City, died on Thursday, Jan. 19. Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, in Oak Hill Cemetery, Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville, Missouri.

Sidney James Sexton, age 52, of LaRussell, died at 12:35 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 16, in the Cox South Hospital in Springfield. A memorial service under the direction of Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home was held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 23, at the New Home Baptist Church. Burial was in the Sycamore Cemetery...

Mildred Gretchen "Rachel" Morris, age 46, of Braymer died on Friday, January 20. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25, in Macedonia Cemetery, Stella, under the direction of McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday in McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton...

Thelma Lou McFarland, age 83, of Cassville, died at 3:35 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 25 in Union Cemetery, Stella, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

Reverend Georgie Alvin "G.A." Brannan, age 98, of Seligman, died at 9:06 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in OK Assembly of God Church, Washburn, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in King Cemetery, Seligman...

Velma Lena Baum, age 85, of Marionville, died at 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Aurora Nursing Center. A funeral service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at the Elm Branch Christian Church with burial at the Marionville IOOF Cemetery...