Stories from Monday, July 22, 2013

times-news@monett-times.com Plans for the two new safe rooms for two campuses in the Monett R-1 School District moved forward during the June meeting of the Monett School Board. Superintendent Brad Hanson reported design for the middle school/intermediate school safe room had been sent to the state level for approval well in advance of the July 12 deadline. Deadline for submitting the high school facility's design is in mid-August...

Times Photo by Murray Bishoff Efforts began on July 18 taking the metal siding off the three buildings owned by Bruner Pharmacy at Fourth and Broadway. Owner John Bruner said he has been ready to "pull the trigger" on the renovation, long anticipated as a major step in bringing back the historic look to a number of downtown Monett buildings. ...

reporter@monett-times.com Several area residents have recently called the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office and the Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney's Office regarding a check cashing scam. Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay and Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Don Trotter have issued a statement urging all citizens not to fall victim to this reoccurring scam...

Times Photo by Melonie Roberts The Monett and Lawrence County chapters of Relay for Life joined efforts this year to host the annual Bark for Life fundraising event. Participants are pictured above. From left, are: Betty Ross and Boots, Leslie Lindsay and Norman, Tricia Caveness and Tubby, Faith Bailey and Stetson, Janice Johnson and Boudreaux, Heather Johnson and Cub, Kimberly Utter and Gauge, Susan Funkhouser and Charlie, Donna Hammond and Toby, and Shari Wilson and Doc. ...

According to a recent report, Barry County has seen improvement in child well-being even as socio-economic issues continue to affect Missouri youth. The report is part of a larger project the 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book, which is prepared by the nonprofit organization, Partnership for Children...

The Monett City Council will hold a work session on Monday, July 22 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall to discuss the Kelly Creek flood mitigation plan. Tim Land, operator of the Kick'n Paintball Park, west of Monett, will be the speaker at the noon meeting of the Monett Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, July 23 at Happy House restaurant...

reporter@monett-times.com Officials with the Barry County Health Department would like to remind parents to make sure their children are up-to-date on immunizations before classes resume in August. Missouri law requires children in pre-school through 12th grade receive immunizations and boosters to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases. Immunizations not only protect children, but teachers, staff and the community as a whole...

sports@monett-times.com A walk-off single from Isaac Long brought home the winning run for Monett Post #91 during a 12-11 victory over McDonald County in the District 15 American Legion baseball tournament on July 18. Long collected two RBIs on three hits for Monett. He doubled in the fourth inning and singled in the eighth and ninth innings...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO July 22, 1933 Relief agencies in Monett issued a warning to all the city's unemployed that relief funds this winter probably will be considerably reduced as compared with last winter and urged all jobless men to make as much provision for winter supplies of food and fuel as possible...

Jewell Margaret Loftis, age 78, of Aurora, died at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 17, at the Mercy Hospital in Aurora. A funeral service was held at Crafton Cantrell Funeral Home at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. Burial was in Maple Park Cemetery.

Michael Wade Pendergrass, 13, of Dundee, Fla., died while visiting Monett on Friday July 19, 2013. No funeral services have been scheduled at this time. Arrangements are under the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, MO.

John Layton, age 52, of Anderson, died at 12:35 a.m. on Thursday, July 18. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23 at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 22 at Lakin Funeral Home chapel...

Harold Loyd Blair, age 69, of Seligman, died on Thursday, July 18. Burial with a Patriot Guard escort will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, in King Cemetery, Seligman, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. There will be no visitation. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date...

Dennis Chaney, age 63, of Ash Grove, died at 11:02 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, in his home. A graveside service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 23, at the Gass Cemetery in Harrison, Ark. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, July 22, in the funeral home chapel...

reporter@monett-times.com Members of the Barry County Drug Court team bid one of its founding members a tearful farewell last week, as Lisa Schlichtman, a long-time advocate of the program, attended her last court session on Thursday. Schlichtman has taken an editor's position at the Steamboat Pilot & Today newspaper in Colorado and will be moving to the Steamboat Springs area immediately as she and her husband, Mike, undertake a new chapter in their lives...