Stories from Wednesday, February 20, 2013

A winter travel advisory is in effect for the southwest Missouri area throughout today and into the evening hours. According to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the forecast is calling for a wintry mix of sleet, freezing rain and snow by early afternoon. Roadways may become slick during the afternoon and evening hours. As the storm travels across the southwest Missouri area, road conditions are likely to deteriorate...

The opening of the new Monett Area YMCA has been a spectacular success. "We didn't keep an exact count on Saturday, but we had thousands attend," said Gordon Brown, executive director for the Monett Area YMCA. "We had a thousand at a time in the building with people coming and going all day."...

Purdy basketball coach Tommy Egan stressed to his Eagles' about the need for a quick start to the Class 2, District 12 game against College Heights. Purdy failed to control the opening tip and trailed 2-0 10 seconds into the game, after that the black and yellow erupted like a roaring volcano...

Jim and Christi Eden, of Butterfield, announce the adoption of their seventh child, Kroquet Micheal-Wilhelm Eden, on January 30. Kroquet has six older siblings: Kuper Eden, Kiah-Grace Eden, Karmen Eden, and Kael Eden of the home; Kelbe Eden of Richland, and Ginger Henry, of Aurora...

Purdy Elementary Principal Jeff Swadley has announced character education medal winners for January. Purdy's kindergarten through fourth grade teachers, in partnership with elementary counselor Gary Jurgensen, teach a different character trait each month. At the end of the month each grade level nominates three students who best exemplify the trait presented. These students receive character medals from Swadley...

Jim and Christi Eden, of Butterfield, announce the adoption of their seventh child, Kroquet Micheal-Wilhelm Eden, on January 30. Kroquet has six older siblings: Kuper Eden, Kiah-Grace Eden, Karmen Eden, and Kael Eden of the home; Kelbe Eden of Richland, and Ginger Henry, of Aurora. Pictured above, from left, are: Karmen holding Kroquet, Kael, Christi, Kiah-Grace, Jim, Judge Scott Sifferman, Kelbe and Kupe...

Monett Elementary School has announced Students of the Week for Feb. 5.

The Purdy R-2 school district sponsored a luncheon for the senior citizens of the district in December 2012. Tables were covered with red and green tablecloths, greenery and red Christmas balls. Small stockings were placed at each place setting with a hand-drawn Christmas greeting from fourth graders in Amanda Spear's elementary class...

The 2012-13 basketball season hasn't gone quite like Pierce City sophomore Colin Garner had envisioned. Garner suffered an injury three games into the season and has just recently made his way back into the varsity playing rotation. However, the 5'11" guard found himself in the right place at the right time as the second-seeded Eagles held off the seventh-seeded Wheaton Bulldogs 48-46 to advance in the Class 2, District 12 tournament on Feb. 19...

It doesn't matter if it is football, baseball, soccer, chess or basketball, you can throw out each team's record when Monett and Cassville play because you know you are going to see a hard-fought battle. The two rivals tangled on the hardwood on Feb. 19 with Cassville earning a 61-53 victory...

Activity has heated up by candidates seeking to replace Don Ruzicka at the state representative for the 157th District in Lawrence County. On Saturday, Feb. 23, State Treasurer Clint Zweifel will appear on Saturday in Mt. Vernon at a rally for Democrat Charles Dake. The event will take place from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Mt. Vernon Eagles Club located at 1010 Breckenridge Rd. Zweifel is scheduled to speak at 9 a.m...

The Barry County Connections Coalition has a new focus. The local organization is beginning the second phase of its Local Public Health Agencies (LPHA) health grant. The coalition will concentrate its efforts on nutrition to fight obesity. The coalition was formed in 2006 and consists of doctors, pharmacists, representatives from Mercy and Cox Hospitals and a variety of other members...

Monett High School Parent Support meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 27 in the school commons. Discussion will focus on upcoming student events, including Project Prom. Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend. Registration is now open for Boys Baseball Tournaments at The Sandlot (formerly Mickey Owen). ...

Four people were injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred at 1 p.m. on Sunday on Farm Road 1110, about a half-mile south of Cassville. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the driver of a 2004 Oldsmobile Alero, Devan M. Keeler, 18, of Purdy, crossed the center line and struck a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox, driven by Jessie W. Goutney, 34, of Cassville, head on...

Ruth A. Bremer, age 93, of rural Freistatt, Mo., departed this life on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013 while at the Missouri Rehabilitation Center in Mt. Vernon, Mo. Ruth was born June 22, 1919, in Freistatt, Mo. to John (Olie) and Caroline (Minnie) Schoner nee Lehde. She was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Freistatt, Mo. She was a member and past president and secretary of the LWML Dorcas Ladies Aid, a member of the Senior Citizens Club, and a member of the Friendship Club...

Willis Gene Summers, age 83, of Phoenix, Ariz., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Feb. 15, 2013. Willis was born to Gladys and Charlie Summers in Monett, Mo., on Nov. 16, 1929. Willis retired after 25 years from Cudahy Packing Co. in Wichita, Kan. In 1975. He then moved to Christiansburg, Va. In 1980 and retired from the Hercules Arsenal, Radford, Va. In 1991 when he moved back to Wichita, Kan. He then moved to Phoenix, Ariz. in 2006...

Troy D. Tate, age 84, of Seligman, died at 6:45 a.m., Monday, Feb. 18, at Cassville Health Care and Rehab. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial with military honors will be in King Cemetery, Seligman...

Veta Spencer, age 94, of Mt. Vernon, died on Feb. 16. Visitation will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, at 10 a.m. at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, with services following at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be after the service at Ozark Prairie Cemetery...

Doris Maxine Ash, age 82, of Purdy, died at 5:26 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in Log Church Memorial Gardens, Butterfield. Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

Leonard Beeson, age 90, of Cassville, died at 9:15 a.m., on Sunday, Feb. 17, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial with military honors will be in Pilant Cemetery, Cassville...

Hartford E. Talbert, age 94, of Pierce City, died at 5 a.m. on Feb. 18 at Cox Monett Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City. Burial will be at Jolly Cemetery, west of Pierce City...