Stories from Friday, September 21, 2012

Roaring River State Park will host its 15th annual Wonders of Wildlife (WOW) outdoor recreation and conservation school Oct. 5 through Oct. 7. WOW is a hands-on learning experience for people of all ages, skill levels and interests. The classes teach basic skills for families and individuals to help them enjoy outdoor activities in a safe, responsible manner...

I just returned from a short trip to the Farm Progress Show with my dad. Held every other year in central Iowa, the show has hundreds of acres of the newest and best farm equipment, crop hybrids and gizmos. Crowded with farmers window shopping, it is one more example of how much ingenuity has gone into American agriculture in the last century...

For almost a year Congress has been talking about the budget cuts known as "sequestration" that will slash over $500 billion from the military, starting in January 2013. We've learned these cuts will decimate military readiness by mechanically slicing a mindless 10% to every line item in the Pentagon budget, cutting critical military technologies the same as office supplies and marching bands...

The State of Missouri`s mandatory veto session ended on September 12th. Governor Nixon had vetoed 17 bills. There were two bills that were of great concern to the legislature. One vetoed bill dealt with county sales/use tax on vehicles and boats purchased out of state. The Supreme Court ruled on March 21st that counties could no longer collect sales tax on this purchase if it was purchased out of state...

Congratulations to Asociaci--n Latina Imagen for sponsoring the first Hispanic Heritage Month Festival in Monett last Saturday. Their undertaking turned into a trial with the onslaught of rain. Fortunately, organizers soldiered forward and had a pleasant evening...

The Webb City Cardinal Pride Band program will be hosting 26 top Four-States-Area high school marching bands competing in this year's eighth annual "Webbstock" Marching festival, which will take place at Webb City High School Cardinal Stadium, on Saturday, Sept. 22...

Purdy Elementary Principal Jeff Swadley has announced character education medal winners for August. Purdy's kindergarten through fourth grade teachers, in partnership with elementary counselor Gary Jurgensen, teach a different character trait each month. ...

Monett Elementary School has announced Students of the Week for Sept. 4. Pictured in the front row, from left, are: Suzette Yarbro, Renata Lesue, Ana Whisenhunt, Leilani Kyle and Alexis Wise. Back row: Juan Sanchez, Citlalli Mendoza, Lindsay McDonald, Danilson Vazquez and Carter Kerr...

Each year a family from each county in recognized in Farm Family Day at the Missouri State Fair. This year Barry County was represented by three generations of the Emil Rosewicz family. The Rosewicz farm is located three miles southwest of Monett, where the family raises registered limousin cattle. ...

A Barry County man will spend 35 years in federal prison for producing child pornography and possessing counterfeit money. Timothy C. Stringer, 35, of Golden, was sentenced on Sept. 19 to 30 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor and five years in prison for possessing counterfeit currency. The sentences, which will run consecutively, were handed down in federal court in Springfield by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays...

Mike Dawson, assistant superintendent, has announced that on Monday, Sept. 24, school will not be in session to allow teachers to participate in a day of professional development. Campus schedules include the following professional development activities:...

Verona aldermen approved the purchase of narrowband radios for fire-fighters at the regular August meeting. The new equipment will bring the city's department into compliance with the federally mandated narrow band frequency requirements, which are set to go into effect Jan. 1, 2013. Total cost of the equipment is estimated to be $4,000...

New and innovative programs in the Monett R-1 School District were described in reports to the Board of Education during the August meeting. Russ Moreland, director of the Scott Regional Technical Center, said dual credit opportunities for students have started with Crowder College in welding and diesel technology. Discussion has begun on expanding the arrangement next year, including adding marketing...

Carnival games, inflatables, a magic show and plenty of delicious food will be offered during Monett Elementary School's second annual Family Fun Fest, which is slated to be held Saturday, Oct. 6 from 4 to 7:30 p.m. at the school. The fundraising event is hosted by the Monett Elementary School's Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). ...