Stories from Thursday, October 11, 2012

The longest standing open major case on the books in Lawrence County now has a major reward offered. The parents of Christene (Nickle) Seal is offering a $25,000 reward for information to resolve their daughter's disappearance on June 19, 1972 from the family's mobile home a mile and a half from Verona...

Plane activity at the Monett Municipal Airport shifted during the summer months this year. Identifiable business flights hit a record high while non-business pleasure flights have fallen to a record low, largely due to the way flights are counted...

The Verona Lady Wildcats volleyball team fell 25-16, 25-21 to the Billings Lady Wildcats on Oct. 9. We struggled to get our serve in against a good Billings team," said Verona coach Brad Stewart. "It's hard to make runs when you struggle to put the ball in play."...

The Monett Speedway is one of the oldest and tradition-rich dirt tracks in Missouri. On Saturday, the seasoned dirt track will experience horsepower in the purest sense of the word as the Midwest Chuckwagon Racing Association races along the three-eighths of a mile track...

The Purdy R-2 Board of Education agreed to apply for consideration for storm shelter funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) at the board's September meeting. Superintendent Dr. Steven Chancellor changed the regular board meeting format and expanded the program presentations. Board members each had iPads for the first time that were used to follow the meeting...

Pierce City's Happy Harvest Day Prince and Princess candidates are pictured above.

Two Oklahoma men left Monett on Monday after staying overnight at the Jim Callan farm on their way to Memphis, Tenn., New Orleans, La., and Dallas, Texas, on a fundraiser to battle cancer. E.L. Smith, who is making the 1,658-mile trip with Charles France, attempted the trip in 2000 with his son, Patrick. Smith had a stroke in Conway, Ark., cutting the trip short. Earlier this year, Smith had two heart attacks. He recovered enough to make another try...

Details about programs offered through the Monett Area YMCA were presented by Jeremy Schmidt, youth and corporate membership director, at a recent meeting of the Monett Kiwanis Club. Schmidt, who has been with the Monett YMCA for the past five years, works primarily with children from kindergarten through sixth grade...

Margaret Josephine (Crowley) Curtis, 72, of Pierce City, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012 at her home. She was born on April 6, 1940 in Springfield, Mo., the daughter of the late Oscar and Stella (Harbor) Beyer. She was a retired substitute teacher and a member of the New Site Baptist Church in Monett...

Barbara Jean Crain, age 58, of Mt. Vernon, died on Monday, Oct. 8 at her home. Graveside services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 10 at Springfield Veterans Cemetery. Arrangements are under the personal care of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Peggy Buenning, age 94, of Monett, died on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to noon at the First United Methodist Church in Monett.

Cox Monett Hospital will hold its drive-through flu vaccination clinic in the south parking lot of the Monett Physicians Building from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Enter from Lincoln Street. Cost is $20, cash or check only. This clinic will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26 in the hospital's main lobby...

The Barry County Sheriff's Office received 205 calls for service from Sept. 17 through Sept. 30. The following reports were filed for that time period: Cassville: two reports of stealing, receiving stolen property, three reports of tampering with a motor vehicle, five reports of third degree domestic assault, harassment, three informational reports, first degree burglary and stealing, second degree burglary and property damage, aggravated stalking, sexual abuse, incorrigible juvenile, and two reports of second degree property damage.. ...

St. Mary's Catholic School pre-k class participated in the Jumpstart Read for the Record campaign, a program to promote early childhood education. This year's selection was "Ladybug Girl and the Bug Squad," by David Soman and Jacky Davis. Jumpstart supporters all read the same book on the same day in support of early childhood education...

Missouri Gas Energy (MGE) will continue a major upgrade of its gas main system in Monett, beginning in mid-October. Work will take place along Ninth Street, extending mains approximately 800 feet to the west of Ninth Street on Cleveland. Additional work will extend approximately 4,000 feet north and 300 feet south of Cleveland...

The McDowell Gold Jubilee will return for a 35th season on Saturday, Oct. 13. The jubilee will be held every other week, except in December, through the first week of May 2013. The music begins at 6:30 p.m. Unlike other music venues, the Jubilee offers an open microphone and no set performance schedule. Musicians are welcome to come to play a set and jam with others as the night progresses...