Stories from Monday, July 1, 2013

The Monett Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors discussed collaborative efforts and upcoming activities at their June meeting. Executive director Jeff Meredith described preparation of a program for distribution at Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League tournaments held at North Park. He assembled a list of churches, gas stations, restaurants and regional attractions, paired with coupons from Chamber members, for distribution in a pamphlet...

The Purdy City Council approved a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 that included a $5 increase in sewer rates. The sewer rate increase represented a phasing in of higher rates to meet a federal standard for eligibility for loan money. The standard states Purdy residents should spend a specific percentage of their income on sewer service, which, based on residential census numbers, would be $51.83 a month...

The Monett High School Pizzazz Poms Dance Team attended the Universal Dance Association camp held at Missouri State University in Springfield from June 13 through June 16. Each team member learned and was evaluated on three routines. The team received a superior trophy for their evaluations, which earned them an invitation to perform at the Capitol One Bowl on New Years' Day and a bid to compete in the National Dance Team Championships, to be held in February 2014...

The E-911 Emergency Services Board held its regular quarterly meeting at the Barry County E-911 Center in Cassville on June 24. The primary focus of the meeting was approval of a $1.2 million budget for the 2013-14 fiscal year. Changes to the budget were noted this year in a budget message prepared by Mike Philips, Barry County E-911 Emergency Services director. ...

On June 20, members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers met with law enforcement partners to discuss various criminal activities being reported in the bi-county area. Monett Police Chief Tim Schweder reported receiving an anonymous tip regarding the whereabouts of a wanted felon and recommended a $50 reward...

A Cassville man was involved in a two-vehicle collision that sent a Branson man to the hospital near Shell Knob on June 29. According to the Missouri State Highway patrol, Nathaniel Paulo, 31, of Cassville, was driving west in a 2000 Kia Sophia on Highway YY, one mile east of Shell Knob. ...

The Pierce City R-6 School Board presented a plaque of appreciation to Dr. Aaron Cornman for his years of service. Cornman will be leaving the district to pursue other opportunities.

The City of Pierce City has announced the discharge of fireworks will be allowed in the city limits until 10 p.m. on July 3 through July 5. The Summer Reading Club at the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library in Monett this week will offer a patriotic pet parade at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3. The club for teens will create personal time capsules to be opened in 10 years during the session at 4 p.m. on July 2...

The Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League team sponsored by Coast to Coast is pictured above.

The Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League team sponsored by Community National Bank is pictured above.

The Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League team sponsored by Check Cashers is pictured above. In the front row, from left, are: Christian Johnson, Jackson Young, Kale Sunderman, Ben Hoyt, Alex Miser and Matthew Fillinger. Second row: Seth Freiburger, Harrison Merriman, Parker Ticknor, Kevin Boysinger and Harley Lamastus. Third row: coaches Chris Fillinger, Steven Fillinger and Eric Merriman...

The Monett Rifle Club held their 48th annual Single Shot Matches on June 14, 15 and 16, at the range located east of Monett. Shooters from southwest Missouri and surrounding states came to compete, with several having competed at Monett for 30 plus years...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO July 1, 1933 Waking to find a 20-inch-long frog perched on the window sill inside the screen was a novel experience for Mr. and Mrs. C.B. Rohrbough. They clammbered out of bed when the frog started croaking for its morning feed and were amazed to find what looked like hundreds of man-sized frogs scampering over the floors and in the pantries...

After FFA contest season ended, the Purdy FFA Chapter used their chickens for one last learning activity. Students are pictured above learning how to butcher a chicken from start to finish. Bob Mareth helped teach the students the proper techniques to butcher...

Show season has begun with the Purdy FFA students getting the animals ready to show. Animals will be sold at the Barry County Terminal Livestock Sale to be held on July 20 in the Purdy Elementary gymnasium. The students have to tame their animals along with feed them a balanced diet to get them ready for the sale...

Marion Falmer, age 86, of Mt. Vernon, died at 11:40 a.m. on Friday, June 28, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri Funeral services, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2 at the Mt. Vernon Arts and Recreation Center (the Marc) with burial at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery...

Leslee James Hurd, age 32, of Mt. Vernon, died at 9:45 a.m. on June 28. The body has been cremated. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements were under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home of Pierce City.

Jerald (D.J.) Rickman, 90, of Purdy, Mo., entered into eternal rest on Saturday, June 29, 2013 at Lacoba Nursing Center in Monett. He was born Oct. 5, 1922 in Crane, Mo., the son of the late Dawson and Elsie (Earnhart) Rickman. He was united in marriage on Sept. 1, 1942 in Reno, Nev., to Ruby Davis. She preceded him in death on Aug. 23, 1980. He was then united in marriage to WillaDean Casper on March 30, 1984 in Purdy, Mo. She preceded him in death on June 6, 2013...

CASSVILLE -- Barry County 4-H members participated in a wide variety of public speaking and knowledge contests, Tuesday, June 11 at the Barry County Courthouse as part of the Barry County 4-H Achievement Day. Contests in traditional public speaking endeavors included "Prepared Public Speaking" where youth memorize a 5 to 7 minute speech on any topic and "Extemporaneous Speaking" where a topic is drawn the day-of the speech and then a five-minute speech is developed...