Stories from Thursday, February 28, 2013

Keith Raley, age 64, of Wentworth, died on Feb. 25 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 on Saturday, March 2 at Lakin Funeral Home chapel in Pierce City. Visitation will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. at the chapel. Burial will be in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery, north of Pierce City...

Jack Lynn Swearingen, age 78, of Mt. Vernon, died at 1:13 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 24, at his home. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. A visitation will be held from 1 until 2 p.m., prior to the service, in the funeral home...

The Monett Ministerial Association's weekly series of Lenten services will continue at noon on Wednesday, March 6 at the Chapel of Grace, Doyle Carroll will be the speaker. A light lunch will be served following the service. The VFW Ladies Auxiliary will host a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, March 6 at the Post, located on West Highway 60. The menu will include corned beef with cabbage, boiled red potatoes and carrots, cornbread, salad, dessert and beverage. Cost is $6...

The Wheaton Historical Society and the Wheaton Depot Museum received a very special gift on Feb. 9. Neal Vineyard, formerly of Wheaton, who has established himself as a well known artist in the Hot Springs, Ark., area, presented Ralph Lamberson with a framed pastel of the Wheaton Depot Museum during the annual Valentine Sweetheart Dinner earlier this month...

On Thursday, Feb. 28 a free "Fishmas Eve" celebration will be held at the Roaring River State Park Store in honor of the start of catch-and-keep trout fishing season. The store is located at the junction of Highways 112 and F, and the celebration will begin at 7 p.m...

The Monett Chamber of Commerce and the University of Missouri Extension have joined together to host the 44th annual Ag Conference, starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at the Monett National Guard Armory, located at 300 Chapel Dr. in Monett. The event will feature a variety of educational seminars covering topics in the beef, dairy and agriculture industry...

Those still struggling with a New Year's resolution to lose weight now have another option to meet their 2013 health and fitness goals. CoxHealth has issued a free 12-week weight loss challenge, starting March 6 and continuing through May 23, which will include tools and motivations for success. The challenge will take place at the Monett Area YMCA, located on Highway 60 south of Monett...

The Monett City Council advanced its plans for expanding the Monett Regional Airport last week by approving an official consulting engineer for the airport's master plan. Following interviews with five firms, City Administrator Dennis Pyle presented the recommendation of the airport selection committee. Pyle, Mayor Jim Orr, airport manager Howard Frazier and Brian Hunter, with Jack Henry and Associates, served on the panel...

Meghan Shaner has begun her duties as the new executive assistant at the Monett Chamber of Commerce office. Shaner succeeds Adriana Salas, who became the new license office director at the end of January. A 2007 Purdy High School graduate, Shaner is the daughter of James and Susan Thomas, who own and operate Prime Cut in Monett. Shaner attended Missouri Southern State University for a year and presently attends classes at the Drury University satellite campus in Monett...

For three quarters of the Class 2 sectional playoff game, the Crane Lady Pirates harassed, frustrated and dominated the Pierce City Lady Eagles at Republic. In the fourth quarter the Lady Eagles basketball team staged one of the most improbable comebacks, but fell just short losing 57-55...

The Pierce City Eagles used smothering, defense, timely scoring and clutch free throws to rally past the Crane Pirates 37-35 in the Class 2 sectional in Republic on Feb. 27. The Eagles trailed most of the night, used a 7-4 push in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 35-35 with 1:39 left and then took a 37-35 lead with 26 seconds remaining on two Cedric O'Hara free throws...