Stories from Friday, March 8, 2013

National Guardsmen from Monett in the 276th Engineering Company (vertical), based at the armory in Pierce City, can anticipate a busy year ahead, including summer training in Arkansas. Part of the 203rd Engineering Battalion, the 276th continues its mission as a vertical construction company. According to Sergeant First Class Mike Doty, the longstanding focus as a company that erects buildings and bridges remains an active part for military unit...

Roger Dale Crim, age 48, of Washburn, died at 8:50 a.m., on Wednesday, March 6, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, March 9, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in Washburn Prairie Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

Edna E. Shipman, age 89, of Monett died at 9:30 p.m. on March 6 at Lacoba Homes in Monett. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 11 at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City. Burial will be in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield. Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home...

Gladys Long, age 91, of Seligman, formerly of Kansas City, Kan. Died on Tuesday, March 5, at Northwest Medical Center in Bentonville, Ark. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville.

Robert Len "Bob" Hunter, age 73, of Aurora, died at 8:09 p.m. Tuesday, March 5. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 9, in Aurora United Methodist Church, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial, with military honors, will be in Maple Park Cemetery, Aurora...

Leona Ada Burns, age 93, of Mt. Vernon, died at 9:04 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, at the Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with burial at Goss Cemetery at a later date...

The announcement about the closing of Dairy Farmers of America operations in Monett and the two agriculture conferences hosted by the Monett Chamber of Commerce this week underlined the importance of agriculture to the local economy. The DFA plant originally began as Producers Creamery in 1948. Local dairymen went to Springfield to tell the milk processor that the Monett area could support its own plant, rather than hauling milk daily to Springfield...

There are times in our lives when we have "God Wink" experiences when we see God step out of the woodwork and into our lives making His presence known. We know without a shadow of a doubt when it happens to us if we are in touch with that spiritual realm that transcends time and space...

The Monett Ministerial Association's weekly series of Lenten services will continue at noon on Wednesday, March 6 at New Site Baptist Church, southwest of Monett. Dennis Burge will be the speaker. A light lunch will be served following the service. The Chris Stark Memorial 5K and 10K Run will be held at 8 a.m. ...

A two-vehicle collision around 3:30 p.m. on Cleveland Avenue in Monett on Wednesday, March 6 backed up traffic but resulted in minimal damage or injuries. According to Monett Police Officer Dennis Goss, a full-sized pickup, driven west by Ted Dorton, of Verona, was stopped in traffic and struck in the rear by a Ford Explorer SUV, driven by Kimberly Davis, of Verona. Dorton declined transport and sought medical assistance on his own...

Purdy Fire Protection District volunteers responded to a record number of emergency incidents last year. According to a report provided by Chief Mike Redshaw, the district responded to 249 calls for service in 2012. "The exceptionally dry and windy conditions this year caused a dangerous situation," said Redshaw. "Sparks from machinery that normally wouldn't start a fire or a fire small enough that the operator could contain it rapidly grew due to how dry everything was...

The Verona R-7 Board of Education approved a salary and benefits schedule for the 2013-14 school year that included an increase in the base pay for certified staff. According to Superintendent William Sweet, $100 was added to the base pay for teachers with a bachelor's degree and $50 was added to the base for teachers with a master's degree...

"Spinning and core classes are for beginners, intermediates and advanced riders," said Reed. "We will let participants go at the speed their body will endure." Reed's classes include teaching 30 minutes of spinning and 30 minutes of core, which focuses on exercising different muscle groups including arms, legs and abs...