Stories from Monday, August 5, 2013

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Aug. 5, 1933 The fire siren last night was the signal for practically every car about town to rush pellmell after the fire truck as it dashed down Broadway supposedly on the way to a fire. Spectators sniffed the air and looked in vain for the light from even a tiny spark. And then it dawned on them, disgustedly, it was just another practice run...

times-news@monett-times.com The Monett R-1 School Board took a number of steps to prepare for the opening of the new school year during the July meeting. Bids were reviewed for repairs and resurfacing on the parking lot between the high school and the Scott Reginal Technology Center, mostly on the west end. All three bidders fell within $10,000 of each other. The low bidder was APAC Missouri and won the contract for $101,700...

Members of the Monett High School Marching Pride Band opened its annual camp on Monday, July 29 with a strong showing of 55 students. "I think what's helped a lot this year is the kids buying into the show," said Philip Soule, MHS band director. "The kids are very excited about our program this year."...

times-news@monett-times.com Verona School Board members reviewed construction projects and preparations for the 2013-14 school year during their July 18 meeting. Architect Richard Werner reported the library renovation project was rapidly moving forward. With the roof nearly finished midway through July, crews for Construction Services were installing ceiling grids, fire alarms and the heating and cooling system...

times-news@monett-times.com Details about the Missouri Leadership Academy were shared by Canyon Lundy, who attended the 2013 session during June in Warrensburg. Lundy, who begins his junior year at Monett High School this fall, spoke at a recent Kiwanis meeting...

Submitted photo The Haven of the Ozarks' pets of the week are Victor and Victoria. This playful pair hopes to find a family with plenty of play time to spare. The Haven also has lots of other cats and kittens for adoption. Animals available for adoption at the animal sanctuary are spayed or neutered and up to date on vaccinations. ...

community@monett-times.com A resident of France received moderate injuries in a single vehicle crash at 3:10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4 on I-44 a half mile west of Mt. Vernon. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Roberto Airoldi, 63, was driving west on the interstate on a 2012 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he struck a piece of tire debris. The debris was caught in the vehicle causing the driver to lose control, run off the left side of the roadway and struck the median cable...

Wheaton R-III Schools will begin classes on Wednesday August 14. There will be an open house for both the high school and elementary on Tuesday evening Aug. 13, from 6 to 7 p.m. Schedules for the middle school and high school are available after Monday Aug. 5...

Times Photo by Murray Bishoff Fire Sweep Simmentals, of Verona, won grand and reserve champion percentage bull, purebred grand champion bull and senior heifer champion in the junior show at the Ozark Empire Fair. Rebekah Callison, pictured above, showed livestock, along and her brother, Seth, and sister, Rachel...

SPRINGFIELD - During the prime haymaking month of May, lots of rain and cooler than normal temperatures played a role in the somewhat lower quantity and quality of hay in the 2013 Ozark Empire Fair Hay Show. "Only 25 hay entries were made. The lab results supported the lower quality concern with the relative feed values (RFV) coming in lower than usual. ...

Gary Wilmer Weston, age 64, of Washburn, died at 7:46 p.m. On Thursday, Aug. 1. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. On Monday, Aug. 5 in the Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter, under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Gary Wilmer Weston, age 64, of Washburn, died at 7:46 p.m. On Thursday, Aug. 1. Graveside services with military honors will be held at 10:30 a.m. On Monday, Aug. 5 in the Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter, under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Robert Steenrod, age 82, of Cassville, died on Thursday, Aug. 1, at Red Rose Health and Rehab Center. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Arrangments are under the direction of White Funeral Home in Cassville...

Janice M. Jones, 62, of Lee's Summit, Mo., died at 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at her home after a valiant two and a half year battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born on July 6, 1951, in Little Rock Ark. to James and Marie (Saulsberry) Creed...

Joe Kent Hopkins, age 77, of Cassville, died at 7:53 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, August 4, in Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial with military honors was in Corinth Cemetery, Cassville.

Autumn Keesaman, infant daughter of Kevin Keesaman and Katrina Perez, of Wheaton, died on Thursday, Aug. 1. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at McQueen Funeral Home Chapel with visitation from 1 p.m. to service time.

Schylar Bilyeu keeps a close watch while Seth Young shows him the quickest way down the slide at the Monett South Park playground.

The 2013 Purdy Livestock Show was recently held at Purdy High School. Winners in each division were awarded trophies, ribbons, cash and bragging rights. The show ended with a terminal market sale. Grand champion and showmanship winners, along with sale participants were as follows:...