Stories from Thursday, June 13, 2013

reporter@monett-times.com A Monett man is in custody following an investigation into a report of stolen property north of Purdy. According to the Barry County Sheriff's Office, John Weber, 26, was arrested at a Monett business on June 12. Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly has asked Barry County Prosecuting Attorney Johnnie Cox to charge Weber with felony receiving stolen property...

The first acquisition of land to expand the Monett Regional Airport was approved by the Monett City Council at a special meeting on June 11. Council members agreed to buy 2.13 acres from Newell and Cynthia Ward for $194,400. Action came following word that the Wards had made an offer on another property and planned to move...

times-news@monett-times.com A former YMCA camp employee has been sentenced in Federal District Court in Springfield for sexually exploiting children. According to Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Matthew O'Dell, 29, of Springfield, was sentenced on Wednesday, June 12 to 20 years in federal prison without parole. O'Dell was formerly employed at YMCA's Camp Wakonda in Lawrence County...

The Mark Chapman Band is thrilled to announce their winning title in the Battle for the Saddle competition at the world famous Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville, Tenn. "We'll be performing at the Wildhorse Salon [in Nashville] for the next year," Chapman said, "about once a month or so."...

Approximately 875 marijuana plants were seized north of Mt. Vernon on Monday, June 10. The Lawrence County Sheriff's deputies and the Missouri State Highway patrol responded to a call regarding several plants thought to be marijuana growing on the caller's property...

After the tragedy surrounding this year's Boston Marathon, running has taken a greater significance in the city of Boston. The One Run for Boston, the first nonstop, coast-to-coast 300-leg relay ever attempted in the United States, began on June 7. Each runner will make a contribution to the One Fund Boston via their entry fee. Proceeds from the event will go to help those who were affected by the Boston Marathon tragedy...

A ceremonial signing to mark the completion of Barry County's work-ready application was held at the Monett Chamber of Commerce office on Friday, May 24. Community and business leaders who have worked together toward the county earning a work-ready designation attended the ceremony and signed the application...

The Monett Kiwanis Club will host a "Glow in the Dark" night golf tournament at 8 p.m. on Friday, June 28 at the Windmill Ridge municipal golf course in Monett. Three-person scramble will play nine holes. Registration cost is $30 per person. Proceeds help support the Children's Miracle Network and the local YMCA Strong Kids program. To register, call the golf course at 235-6076...

The Lawrence County Historical Society will dedicate the new Fred G. Meiswinkel Reading Room at the Historic Lawrence County courthouse at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26 and the public is invited to attend. County office holders will host an open house at the courthouse from 10 a.m. ...

Purdy Middle School seventh grade student Amber Holm has been selected as a state finalist for the National American Miss pageant. Amber, who is the daughter of, Cindy Holm, of Purdy, and the late Gordon Holm, will compete in the pre-teen division at the pageant in Columbia Aug. 9 and 10...

Ken Terry, of Purdy, was in the right place at the right time for a photo opportunity. Terry met the Hillstrand brothers, Andy and Johnathan, at an event held in Springfield. The Hillstrands own and operate the F/V Time Bandit, one of only 89 vessels that fish crab on the Bearing Sea...

Eugene Arthur "Gene" Bounous, age 91, of Monett, Mo., met his Lord and Savior on the morning of June 11, 2013. Gene was born on Nov. 30, 1921 in Monett, the son of the late Frederick E. Bounous and Victorine (Avondet) Bounous. Gene was a lifelong resident of Monett and was the final member of the first generation of Waldensians born in America. ...

John Chester Pennel, 91, of Joplin, Mo. passed away on June 9, 2013 in Joplin at Freeman East Hospital. Chester was born on Jan. 3, 1922 in Verona, Mo. to the late Frank and Lillie (Todd) Pennel. He was a resident of Barry County in his early years, moving to Joplin in 1952...

Betty (Marbut) McQueen passed away on Dec. 28, 2012 at the age of 87. Betty was the daughter of Britt and Mayme Marbut; sister of Demp Marbut, Wilma (Marbut) Schaffer, Mary (Marbut) Mackey, Stanley Marbut, and Rose (Marbut) Terry; wife of Lavern A. McQueen; mother of Eddie McQueen, Donald McQueen, and Rebecca (McQueen) Dawson; and Grammy to her granddaughters, Tracy Avanzo, Deva Dawson, and Bryn Dawson...

Larry Eugene Robison, 59, of Monett died on Monday June 10, at Red Rose Inn in Cassville. Memorial services for will be held on Friday, June 14, at the Faith Worship Center in Aurora. Arrangements are under the direction of Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...

New officers have been installed for the coming year at Hobbs-Anderson American Legion Post #91 in Monett. Dan Musgrove, district commander, served as installing officer.

Ron Branum has been named Legionnaire of the Year for Hobbs-Anderson American Legion Post #91 in Monett. Branum has served as Post commander for the past three years.

Approximately 180 sixth grade students at Monett Intermediate School graduated the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program on May 16. School Resource Officer Jay Jastal, who has been teaching the DARE program since 1999, said the program had undergone some changes this year...