Stories from Thursday, July 11, 2013

The Monett R-1 School Board made several key financial decisions at meetings in June, including moving custodial services to a private firm. Board members approved a contract with Aramark, based in Springfield, for approximately $174,000. The contract will cover custodial, maintenance and grounds services for the 2013-14 school year...

Elmer Batschlet, age 94, of Pierce City, died on July 10 at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Mary Christine Kirksey, 50, was born on Dec. 21, 1962, to Franklin and Charlotte Barker. Although she was born and spent her childhood years in St. Joseph, Mo., her later years were spent in Verona with her husband, Terry, who survives. Chris was employed as a brake metal operator at ASI in Monett, Mo. for the past 11 years...

Everett Harmon, age 80, of Wentworth, died at 8:35 p.m. at his home. Funeral arrangements are incomplete under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Local student Lydia Mae Neher is one of the students chosen to participate in the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival (LSM) at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. The summer camp runs from June 23 to July 21. LSM features an outstanding faculty of artists and teachers who guide gifted high school students from around the country through four weeks of intensive musical study and performance. The program promotes a rich canon of music and trains young musicians of all faith backgrounds...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO July 11, 1933 Approximately 500 energetic Monett housewives invaded the City Hall Auditorium to hear Betty Boyle lecture on "Foods That Are Different," the first session of The Monett's Times first annual school of modern cookery...

The Kings Prairie Special Road District will meet at 7 p.m. on July 16 at Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett. Monett Youth Football will be holding its second sign-ups July 22 through July 25 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Field house next to Burl Fowler Stadium. Cost will be $50. The Monett Varsity Football coaches will conduct a football camp during that time. Cost is $20 and checks should be made out to MHS football. For more information, call Sean Kelley at 235-9700...

A Washburn woman and her daughter were hurt in a single vehicle crash at 9:05 a.m. on July 9 five miles west of Washburn. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Brandie Cotton, 22, was driving north on Farm Road 1010 in a 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser where she swerved to avoid a deer. The vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway and overturned...

Crowder College in Neosho has received a $14,500 grant from Arvest Bank in Monett and Neosho, made possible through the bank's connection with the Walton Family Foundation. The grant was presented at a recent meeting of the Crowder College Board of Trustees...

New officers have been installed at the Monett Lions Club.

Denali Dreams coffee shop, used bookstore and gallery will close on July 20. The coffee shop and its proprietor, Shaun Bennett, has played a major role in reviving business in downtown Monett. Bennett, who opened the business in November 2009, plans to continue living upstairs at 316 E. Broadway and hopes to rent the storefront. The location previously housed Mansfield's clothing store from 1933 to 2007...