Stories from Wednesday, March 20, 2013

When the Monett City Council meets at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, council members will review plans for the 2013-14 fiscal year, starting on April 1. A spending plan of $45.6 million, including a 2 percent pay increase, is proposed. The budget calls for increasing spending from the $44.2 million plan for 2012-13, despite an anticipated reduction in sales tax revenue by $75,000...

The American Flag for the new Monett Area YMCA was donated by members of Monett Hobbs-Anderson American Legion Post #91. A special flag-raising ceremony was held during the grand opening of the new exercise and wellness facility on Feb. 16.

Members of the Lawrence County Tax Board for the Developmentally Disabled (LCDD) approved a number of grant requests at their quarterly meeting on March 12. The Lawrence County case management team requested expanding the Partnership of Hope waiver for eight clients to 10 in anticipation of a growth in service needs...

Winners have been named in the 2013 Draw Pierce City contest, sponsored by the Pierce City Arts Council (PCAC). Winners were chosen from entries in four categories. Former coach and art teacher Richard Kutz chose first and second place winners in the three categories from Central Elementary School and a first place winner in the adult division...

State Representative Scott Fitzpatrick will host a public forum at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 22 at the historical courthouse in Cassville. The Monett Ministerial Association will continue its weekly Lenten services at noon on March 20 at the First Baptist Church in Monett. Rev. Paul Lanning will be the speaker. A light lunch will be served following the program...

A resident at Benchmark Healthcare in Monett has been recognized by the University of Missouri's School of Medicine Legacy Teachers program. The University of Missouri School of Medicine created its Legacy Teachers program in 2005 to recognize patients who are among the best and most memorable teachers for physicians. ...

Rick Phillips retired from Schreiber Foods in Monett on Feb. 20. On Aug. 8, 1980 Phillips started his career with Schreiber Foods as a blending operator in the set-up room and later became a processing operator. "My years with Schreiber have been good for me," said Phillips. "I now intend to enjoy golfing, fishing and traveling...

Herb Depot in Monett celebrated its 17th anniversary on March 12 with an open house, free samples and a special drawing. Herb Depot has been located at Bridle Lane and Wellington in Monett since October 2006.

Walter S. Pettit, Jr., of Aurora, was selected for the Missourian Award, a honor handed out to only the most accomplished citizens in Missouri. To be selected for the award, individuals must be born in Missouri. Nominees must have made an outstanding contribution to their state or nation in one of the fields of: civics, business, arts or politics...

Broadway Fashion, now open at 409 E. Broadway in Monett, offers shoppers limited quantities of name brand clothing at discounted prices of up to 70 percent. Owner Fatlum (Lumi) Osmani opened the new retail outlet on Feb. 13. "I have casual and business casual clothing for men and women," Osmani said. "I carry a little of everything."...

Wanda Jo Allen, age 77, passed away on Friday, March 15, 2013 in Weatherford, Texas. She was born on Sept. 7, 1935, in Monett, Mo., the only child of the late Everett C. and Wanda Lynn Hartman Cramer. Wanda married Norman Allen in Tulsa Okla. on March 22, 1952 and they began their life together...

Fue Yia Chang, age 72, of Salida, Calif., died at 7 a.m. on Monday, March 11. Services will be held from 12 noon until midnight on Friday March 22 and from 8 a.m. until midnight on Saturday, March 23, and from 8 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2013, in, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton. Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Pulaskifield...

Ann Ingle, 95, of Fairview, Mo., formerly of Monett, entered into eternal rest on Monday, March 18, at the home of her daughter, Mary Lahman, where she had been living for the past nine years. She was born on April 4, 1917 in Monett, Mo., the daughter of the late Calvin and Martha (McCoy) Sooter...

Debra Kosky, age 52, of Bolivar, died on March 17, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A memorial service will be held at the IOOF Cemetery, in Custer City, Okla., on Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m. Arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville...

Charlie Johnson, age 79, of Aurora, died at 12:11 a.m. on Friday, March 15, at the Ozark Methodist Manor, in Marionville. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 18, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial was at Maple Park Cemetery...

Robert Steven "Steve" Knechtenhofer, age 56, of Washburn, died at 5:45 a.m., on Tuesday, March 12, at his home. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, March 23, in Corinth Baptist Church, Cassville. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

A Purdy woman was injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred at 8 p.m. on Monday, March 18, on Highway 249 about one mile east of Joplin. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the driver of a 2008 Volvo semi tractor and trailer, Radjapov Sharabidin, 48, of Phoenix, Ariz., forced a 2013 Toyota TC, driven by Angela L. Swadley, 44, of Purdy, into the guard rail. The Swadley vehicle struck the guardrail and overturned in the roadway...

Monett High School has announced Students of the Month for February.

Monett Elementary School has announced Students of the Week for March 4.

The Monett Board of Education recognizes board members during the January school board meeting. Members of the administrative team presented each board member with a certificate of appreciation for their dedicated service.