Stories from Friday, May 3, 2013

Former PC mayor recalls trials of 2003 tornado times-news@monett-times.com Mark Peters has "a big box of stuff" from the time of the tornado that hit Pierce City on May 4, 2003. Peters, who served as the town's mayor at the time, said he has never looked at the things he saved. He admits he has not dwelled on the memory, but vividly remembers the ordeal of leading his community through dark days...

times-news@monett-times.com Sales tax payments to bi-county cities showed a slight improvement in April over a year ago. Overall sales tax revenue to the area dropped largely because of the loss of tax income from cars and boat sales to Barry County...

Times Photo by Melonie Roberts New security doors are up and functional at Central Elementary in Pierce City. The new doors feature locking technology so people visiting the campus have to be buzzed in to the main office area. The upgrade is a part of the R-6 District's security plan to ensure the safety of all students...

reporter@monett-times.com On April 23, Verona Mayor Willis Hutson appointed several municipal officers. Randee Stemmons, a Mt. Vernon attorney, was named municipal judge, and Bill Petrus, a Mt. Vernon attorney, was named the city's prosecuting attorney...

times-news@monett-times.com The effect of the 2012 drought and changes in state regulations are among the topics that will be presented at the annual Missouri Water and Wastewater Conference for the southwest section. The City of Monett will again host the session on Tuesday, May 7 at South Park...

St. Mary's Home and School will hold a spaghetti dinner, art show and silent auction on Friday, May 3. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., with the art show and auction at 7 p.m. The Monett Kiwanis Club will have a pancake supper from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 9 at the Monett Area YMCA Event Center. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Proceeds will support children's programs in Monett...

reporter@monett-times.com Two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred at 12:45 p.m. on May 1, at the intersection of Highway 60 and Finch Drive, about four miles west of Neosho. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the driver of a 2004 Dodge Ram, Linda C. ...

Monett High School's 2011 Yearbook has been recognized for excellence and featured in the 2013 Gotcha Covered Look Book, Volume 11, celebrating the best-of-the-best in yearbook design and coverage. Jostens Look Book is a collection of spreads and photos from outstanding yearbooks and their creative themes, cool covers, and dazzling designs relevant to students and that academic year...

CENTRAL PARK AND MONETT ELEMENTARY HM - Homemade fresh in the Opaa! Kitchen. WG - Whole Grain item. Monday -- Breakfast: French toast sticks, cereal or oatmeal. Lunch: 1. Sloppy Joe. 2. Ham and cheddar melt. 3. Chef salad. Tuesday -- Breakfast: Colby egg omelet, cereal or oatmeal. Lunch: 1. Flat bread cheese melt. 2. Super nachos. 3. Fajita chicken salad...

Several memories come back easily in revisiting the Pierce City tornado story. The photos revive a sudden queasiness, an empty feeling in the stomach, even a sense of helplessness. While the Joplin tornado was so much worse, for many of us, the vividness of the first exposure to such devastation in Pierce City made the most lasting impression...

Harold Loyd Davidson, age 78, of Verona, died at 2:41 p.m., on Tuesday, April 30, at his home. A memorial service, with full military honors, will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora.

William "Sam" Swartz, age 71, of Cassville, died at Mercy Hospital in Joplin, on Tuesday, April 30. Memorial services were held at the White Funeral Home in Cassville on Thursday, May 2.

Michael Bryan Davis, age 52, of Monett passed away Wednesday May 1, 2013 at his home in Monett. He was born on Feb. 19, 1961 in Monett, the son of Donna Rae (Wilson) Hotchkiss, and the late Michael Lee Davis. He was united in marriage on July 5, 1997 in Eureka Springs, Ark. to Marilyn Batesel, she survives...

times-news@monett-times.com The Freistatt Village Board of Trustees voted to approve a proposal for cluster mailboxes at their April meeting, following discussion with around 30 residents in attendance. "We can't serve you if we don't know what you want," Mayor Mike Ortwein said...