Stories from Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Candidates seeking to fill the 157th state representative seat faced off in a candidate forum on March 22 at the Mt. Vernon Arts and Recreation Center. Democrat Charles Dake and Republican Mike Moon answered questions posed by three county newspapers and several additional questions for individual candidates from the audience...

Barry County voters are being asked to approve a one-eighth of a cent sales tax on Tuesday, April 2. If the measure passes, it would be the first sales tax increase since 1993 when voters approved the original half-cent sales tax that replaced the county property tax...

The Barry County Health Department, will be offering free testing of private well water at both their Cassville and Monett offices in recognition of Public Health Month, in April. The free test will be offered during the week of April 1 through April 4, and a water kit can be picked up at the Cassville or Monett office. The test will need to be taken to the Cassville office, located at 64 Main...

As the school year begins to wind down, upperclassmen begin to think of one of the two final "last hurrahs," of the year, prom and graduation. Starting the first weekend in April, the prom season kicks off with Purdy's "Midnight in Paris," on April 6, at the new Monett YMCA on Highway 37 south of Monett. The dance will be held from 7 to 11 p.m...

The snowstorm on Sunday, March 24, provided a prime example of the futility of erecting a roof in southwest Missouri. At the Lawrence County rest stop on Interestate 44, east of Mt. Vernon, the roof-covered picnic shelters all had their tables and seats completely covered with snow...

James and Mary Williams, of Monett, pictured above, are winners of the 2013 Cutest Couple Contest sponsored by The Monett Times and the Cassville Democrat. As the winners of this online contest, James and Mary won the following prizes from sponsoring businesses: $100 to Burrus Jewelers; $50 Walmart gift card from Ball and Prier Tire' $50 dinner for two at The Bayou restaurant in Monett; $25 to Tomblin's Jewelry and Gifts; $25 to Whitley Pharmacy and Gifts; one-year free subscriptions to The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat; and two coffee mugs from The Monett Times. ...

Monett Main Street will host a meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27 p.m. in the Community Room of the Monett Chamber of Commerce, 200 E. Broadway. Allen Casey, of Casey Architecture, will lead a discussion on the advantages of designating a portion of downtown Monett as a Historic Preservation District. ...

Barry County will replace the bridge over a dry stream bed on Farm Road 2040, approximately three miles south of Monett. The bridge is located between the extension of Eisenhower Street on Farm Road 1070 and Farm Road 1060, one mile to the west. Construction will begin on Monday, April 1 and last for approximately six weeks...

Pierce City Arts Council members attended the professional development conference for community art leaders, sponsored by the Missouri Association of Community Arts Agencies (MACAA), in Columbia. The conference is an opportunity for arts agency and community leaders from across the state to meet with state art leaders, network with other community arts leaders and to participate in professional development sessions...

James and Alberta Sparkman, of Marionville, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on March 21. James Sparkman and Gloria Alberta Lovett were united in marriage on March 21, 1953. The couple have two children, seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren...

Pierce City senior Brianna Zebert signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball at Missouri State University at West Plains next season. "The whole process was unexpected. Honestly, I don't know what to think," said Zebert about the signing. "The recruiting process happened so quick. One minute I am considering whether or not I could play college volleyball, the next minute I am signing paper work."...

Joplin Regional Artists Coalition (JRAC) recently held its board elections for 2013. JRAC is a 501(c)3 non-for-profit organization advocating and promoting it's nearly 100 artist members and their art. For more information or to join JRAC, call Linda Teeter 417-438-5931 or visit www.joplinrac.org.com...

Surrounded by her family, teammates and coaches, Purdy's Alyssa Gwin fulfilled one of her biggest goals, signing a national letter of intent to play volleyball next year at Independence Community College in Independence Kan. "This is the biggest accomplishment in my life so far," said Gwin. "I dreamed that I could play on the college level and worked my way to this point."...

David and Sarah Elbert, of Pierce City, announce the birth of a son, Ty David Elbert, at 2:49 a.m. on Feb. 3 at Cox Monett Hospital. The little lad weighed eight pounds, six ounces and measured 21 and three-fourths inches. Ty was welcomed home by sisters, Lilly, age 10, Olivia, age 5, and Ava, age 2. Maternal grandparents are John and Jean Patterson, of Pierce City...

The 2013-2014 award nominees for the following groups have been announced: The Gateway Award finals for grades ninth through 12th; Truman Award finals for grades sixth through eighth; Mark Twain Award finals for grades fourth through sixth; and the Show Me Award finals for grades first through third. Teachers will distribute lists of required reading to students...

The Dorcas Ladies Aid met on March 7 in the fellowship hall of Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt. Judy Lehde, president, called the meeting to order and welcomed 13 members. Ruth Nelson gave the worship. The group sang "Just as I Am," accompanied by Nadine Obermann, pianist...

Army Pfc. Travis A. Koenig has graduated from basic infantry training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga. Koenig received training in drill and ceremonies, weapons, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, core value and traditions...

The Barry County Southern Baptist Association will begin Sunday worship services at the Roaring River State Park amphitheater on Sunday, March 31, which is Easter Sunday. Roaring River Campers' Church will be offered at the amphitheater from 9 to 9:30 a.m. each Sunday from March 31 through Sept. 1. Services will include music and a message from the Bible...

Absentee voting for the April 2 general municipal election will continue at the Barry County Clerk's office in the Barry County Courthouse in Cassville through Monday, April 2. Voting hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals who have mobility issues, such as walking or standing in lines, are invited to vote absentee prior to the spring election. In addition to regular weekday hours, the clerk's office will be open for absentee voting from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 30...

"Shorty" needs a little TLC. This five-pound Chihuahua/Yorkie terrier mix male, pictured above with Animal Control Officer Glenn Palade, is available for adoption from the Monett City Dog Pound. Shorty is approximately 18 months old and would prefer an adult owner. The $55 adoption fee covers all first shots, rabies vaccination and spaying or neutering of the animal...

On Friday, March 22, two Eagle Rock residents and an Eureka Springs, Ark., man were charged with manufacturing and distributing a controlled substance following a meth lab bust in Eagle Rock. According to a press release issued by the Barry County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Mick Epperly was contacted by an Eureka Springs, Ark., Police Department Detective Hanlin regarding a possible meth lab in Eagle Rock...

Carolyn Elda Fritz, age 74, of Monett, Mo., passed away from this life on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 7:50 a.m., following a courageous battle with ALS. Carolyn was born May 31, 1938, in Carthage, Mo., the twin daughter of the late Martin and Milda Kleiboeker. She grew up on a dairy farm in the Freistatt area and attended Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Pierce City High School...

Joua Lor, age 25, of Sarcoxie, died at 7:29 p.m., Friday, March 15, in Newton County, Missouri. Services will be held from 8 a.m. Friday, March 29 until 12 noon Sunday, March 31, in McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton. Burial will be in Newtonia IOOF Cemetery, Newtonia...

John Vernon Starchman, 90, of Joplin, father of John Starchman, of Cassville, died at 6:30 a.m. on March 23 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 at the Mason-Woodard Chapel in Joplin. Visitation will be from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery...

On March 7, Roaring River State Park staff members joined U.S. Forest Service Mark Twain National Forest personnel in conducting a large prescribed burn along Chute Ridge, which is located off of Highway F south of the park. "We only burned 145 acres, but the Forest Service's part was 260 acres," said Tim Smith, park naturalist. "It was a joint burn. We burnt our acres, and they burnt theirs, but it was cooperative."...

The Purdy Elementary School has announced its honor roll for the third quarter of the 2012-13 school year. Third graders named to the All-A Honor Roll are: Aubree Bennett, Bradley Biloki, Dally Craig, Payton Crumpler, Zachary Henderson, Savannah McGuirk, M'Kena Propps, Lauryn Ramirez, Grace Stephens, Caitlin Brown, Daniel Faires, Wyatt Lowe, Lucas Maddocks, Kalleah Mosell, Jasmine Peterson, Heidi Sehrbrock and Eli Webb...

Members of the Verona Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Chapter recently completed the district level of competition held in Monett. Chapter members participated in events testing business skills and interviewing techniques. Based upon contests results overall, the Verona chapter placed sixth out of 16 schools...