Stories from Friday, May 4, 2012

Monett sanitation and street department crews have been out in force this week for the annual Monett clean-up. Crews have been scooping up piles of debris. Foreman Dave Dunn said collections have been about average. Brush pick-ups have been higher than usual, which Dunn attributed to warmer weather allowing more yard work. Dunn said the volume of carpet being disposed may be higher...

CENTRAL PARK AND MONETT ELEMENTARY Key: SC - Smart Choice entree item (16 grams of fat or less.) HM - Homemade fresh in the Opaa! Kitchen. WG - Whole Grain item. Monday - Breakfast: Waffles, cereal or oatmeal. Lunch: 1. Chicken tenders. 2. Corn dog. 3. Popcorn chicken chef salad w/WG breadsticks...

The Monett High School band participated in district competition on March 31 at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin. Receiving one ratings were: Samantha Vore, clarinet solo; Shelby Bennett, flute solo; Aaron Morley, trombone solo; Alison Bekas, mallet solo; Angel Townsend, tenor saxophone solo; Bobby Mobley, trombone solo; Jonah Ragsdale, French horn solo; and Angelina Ortz, Emmy Mosier, Haley Pappas, Samantha Vore and Hannah Kingrey, Monett clarinet ensemble...

Monett sanitation and street department crews have been out in force this week for the annual Monett clean-up. Crews have been scooping up piles of debris. Foreman Dave Dunn said collections have been about average. Brush pick-ups have been higher than usual, which Dunn attributed to warmer weather allowing more yard work. ...

Leesa Ginther, with the Barry County Health Department, and Richard Huennekens, an employee of Old Town Pharmacy, were in Monett on Saturday taking part in the national Drug Take Back Day. Area residents dropped off both prescription and over-the-counter medications that were no longer needed or out-of-date. ...

DAMAR Worldwide Corporation, which operates a distribution facility in Aurora, has been recognized by the Department of Defense for extraordinary support of employees who serve in the National Guard and reserves. The Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency of the Department of Defense, will present a Patriot Award to William Sterling, DAMAR warehouse manger in Aurora. ...

A program on gang awareness will be presented by Dr. Luis C--rdoba at 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, at the Monett Middle School Auditorium. A session in Spanish will be held at 5:30 p.m. the public is welcome to attend. The Monett High School Band will give its spring concert at 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, at the First United Methodist Church, 1600 N. Central in Monett...

Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred at 10:15 p.m. on Highway 60 in Spokane. The crash occurred Thursday when the driver of a 1999 Ford Escort, Eric G. Hamby, 34, of Sarcoxie, was driving without the vehicle's headlights activated and a 1997 Volvo International, driven by Nickolas T. Whitehead, 19, of Nixa, pulled into the path of the Escort...

Gold Mechanical set 18 heating and air conditioning units on the roof of the new Monett Area YMCA using the St. Louis Helicopter company. The project was completed in about an hour and a half with a ground and roof crew of 10. Some units were hooked up, flown and set in less than a minute. ...

By Melonie Roberts Members of the Pierce City Board of Education reviewed the district's gifted program at their April meeting. The academic program targets first through eighth grade students at Central Elementary and Pierce City Middle School. Elementary students participate in the program for 150 minutes per week. Middle school students participate in the program for 45 minutes per day four days per week...

The Crowder College Board of Trustees approved a 5 percent tuition increase at its regularly scheduled meeting on March 29. In February, the board postponed discussion on a tuition increase in order to obtain more information on future state budget cuts. At the March meeting, Dr. Alan Marble, Crowder College president, reported that budget cuts will likely be between 8 percent and 12.5 percent...

The Monett Area Workshop Board discussed strategies to address finances in light of declining job assignments during a special meeting last week. The board chose to place the Workshop's now-closed facility in Exeter on the real estate market. Director Mica Plummer was asked to contact a realtor...

With summer coming soon, Monett's Animal Control Officer Glen Palade wants to remind residents of the city's leash law for dogs. "I know that people like to let their dogs run and play," Palade said, "but they also need to remember to respect other people and their property."...

By Murray Bishoff Five co-workers from Alaska passed through Monett on Tuesday on their way from Mesa, Ariz., to Chicago, Ill., as part of a fundraising effort to fight cancer. Matt Gregory, Philip Aldrich, Blake Ferrell, P.J. Fisher and Kyle Townsend headed through Monett during the noon hour on Tuesday after spending the night at the Shoal Creek Baptist Church. They walked on Highway 60 pushing an enclosed stroller containing Wrigley, the goat...

Robert "Bob" Wood, age 77, of Pierce City, died at 6:45 a.m. on May 3 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Plans are incomplete under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Elizabeth "Ann" Hollister, age 74, of Miller, died at 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 3 in her home. A graveside service, under the direction of Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home in Miller, will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, May 7, at the Miller Memorial Garden Cemetery...

Frances M. Balmas, age 78, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, May 2, 2012. Frances was born on July 8, 1933 in Aurora, Mo., the daughter of Thomas Grimes and Inez (Pritchard) Grimes. She attended school in Aurora. Frances was a member of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Monett and enjoyed fishing, hunting wildflowers, but most of all, she loved being with her family. For many years, Frances managed apartments in Oklahoma City, Okla., Joplin, Carthage, Springfield and Monett...

Joan Delea Andrews, age 55, of Eagle Rock, died on April 30, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, Cassville. Family will recieve friends on Thursday, May 3, from 6 until 8 p.m. at the United Methodist Church...