Stories from Monday, March 25, 2013

The Monett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors selected a president and a president-elect at the annual joint meeting of the incoming and outgoing boards last week. Usually, the annual meeting focuses on selecting a president-elect who will take up the leadership reins in a year. Circumstances complicated this year's choice...

Barry County Drug Court recognized its newest graduates during graduation ceremonies held Jan. 31 at the Barry County Judicial Center in Cassville. To graduate, participants must successfully complete the intensive court-supervised drug treatment program that serves non-violent offenders who have drug or alcohol abuse problems...

A Wheaton man was killed in a single-vehicle crash that occurred at 2:40 p.m. on March 21 on Highway 76 about two miles south of Wheaton. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when a 2000 Ford SUV, driven by Jared T. Spears, 26, of Monett, ran off the roadway and over-turned...

Clifford J. "Cliff" Knisley, age 81, of Shell Knob, died at 12:52 a.m. on Thursday, March 21. Funeral services with Masonic Rites will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, in Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Burial with military honors will be in Lake Park Memorial Gardens, Shell Knob...

Jean Cope, age 81, of Mt. Vernon, died at 7:20 p.m. on Thursday, March 21, at her home. A funeral service was held at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 25, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, in Mt. Vernon. Burial was at the Mt. Vernon City Cemetery.

Debbie Lush, age 52, of Wheaton, died on Wednesday, March 20, in Shreveport, La. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, at the White Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial was at Oak Hill Cemetery, Cassville.

Frank Huffman, age 59, of Washburn, died on March 19, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

James Marion "Bug" Bell, age 51, of Rocky Comfort, died Thursday, March 21. Visitation will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 in McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton.

Erma Lavern Dotson Moreland, age 81, of Cassville, died at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, March 25, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Cassville, Missouri.

Chloe Marie Fellwock, 4 years of age, went to be with Jesus on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 7:15 a.m. Chloe was at home, resting in her mama's arms and with her daddy by her side. During her three-month battle with brain cancer, Chloe was exceptionally brave and courageous. Even though Chloe lost her ability to enjoy her favorite activities, she never complained about her illness. She was an inspiration to all who knew her...

Monett High School issued a letter on March 20 to the parents of the girls' basketball team informing them of the contamination of drinking water at a Feb. 4 game at Cassville. "We were informed of this incident Wednesday morning, and by Wednesday afternoon, we pulled our students on the girls' basketball team that were involved and let them know what had happened," said Brad Hanson, Monett superintendant. "We also sent a letter home with the students."...

The Monett Kiwanis Club will hold its quarterly evening meeting open to the public at 6 p.m. on March 26 at Big Baldy's Barbecue, east of Hickory and Highway 60. Ron Hearst, meteorologist for KY3 television, will be the guest speaker. Cost is $10 per person and includes the meal...

A pilot project to improve Monett's sewer system will begin on Tuesday. March 26 and continue for several months in the northwest corner of the city, generally west of Sixth Street and north of Sycamore. The Monett City Council approved a resolution approving a proposal with Ace Pipe Cleaning at the monthly meeting on March 22. Ace crews plan to begin work immediately...

The Bark for Life will be held on Saturday, May 4 at Monett South Park from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. At the event, those attending will walk their dogs, visit pet service vendors and participate in family activities. All dogs must be on a leash and owners must be prepared to clean up after their pets...

Punxsutawney Phil, the most famous groundhog in the United States, might want to go back into hibernation for falsely predicting an early spring. Tradition has it that winter will end quickly if the rodent does not his shadow after emerging from his western Pennsylvania lair...

Monett Police held a debriefing session last week to review the March 13 manhunt that concluded in the capture of Chris Young, of Monett, who took a firearm from a Barry County deputy and fled during an arrest attempt. Young was captured after five and a-half hours in Monett...

It was fun for all at the annual Trinity Lutheran Church Teachers Education Association (TEA) school carnival on Friday, March 8. While adults enjoyed a meal of baked ham or fried chicken and perused the live and silent auction items, youngsters tried their hands at many games of skill and chance...

The Pierce City R-6 Board of Education has filled its superintendent vacancy by rehiring former superintendent Russell Moreland to fill the vacancy. The current superintendent, Dr. Aaron Cornman, took the job as superintendent in the Hillsboro R-3 School District near St. Louis to move closer to his aging parents...