Stories from Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Updates on a variety of projects at the Monett R-1 schools provided information for the Monett school board's Sept. 20 meeting. Superintendent Brad Hanson reported the storm safe room projects continue to wait for final approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) before seeking bids for construction. Hanson hoped to receive approval in October to move the process forward during the winter...

James Marshall "Jim" Echols, III, age 79, of Shell Knob, died at 3 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3. Services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Grace Community Fellowship Church, Shell Knob, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob.

Jackie Francis Horner, age 69, of Cassville, died at 9 p.m., on Friday, Oct. 4. Graveside services, with military honors, will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 10, in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Butterfield, Missouri, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

Kathryn Kay Fellwock-Schoen, 67 years old, of the Freistatt, Mo. Area, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday evening, Oct. 6, 2013. She departed her life in her home with her dear family by her side, after a lengthy battle with cancer. Kathryn was born on Nov. ...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Oct. 9, 1933 A town football team has been organized at Monett and practices held for the first time at the Junior Chamber of Commerce athletic field. The team will be known as the Monett Bears, and the players have selected black and gold as their colors...

Ribbon cutting ceremonies were recently held by the Monett Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors at Find It Again Antiques and Flea Market, located at 410 E. Broadway. Find It Again Antiques is open from 9 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Booth space is available. For more information, call 354-0058...

On Sept. 13, the Monett Area Workshop said goodbye to longtime employee Candy Whitlock, who retired after 42 years of service. A retirement party was held at the Workshop in her honor.

The Monett Lady Cubs softball team made history against the East Newton Patriots with a 10-1 win on Oct. 3. The Lady Cubs improved to 18-3 overall, but more importantly, 6-0 in the Big 8 Conference (Mt. Vernon does not field a fall softball team). Monett's 2013-14 softball squad became the first in school history to win an outright conference title. The Purple and Gold were co-champions with Carl Junction a year ago, but this year they stand alone on top of the league...

There were some key movements in the statewide football rankings this week. The statewide high school football rankings are compiled by a 15-member panel of sportswriters and broadcasters. First-place votes in parentheses. CLASS 6 1. Blue Springs (15)...

The Purdy Lady Eagles defeated College Heights 10-0 in six innings on Oct. 4 The Lady Eagles (15-5) recognized their lone senior, Carleigh Hall, before the game. Hall helped put Purdy on the board in the first. Jayse Henderson led off the home half of the first by reaching base on an error. Hall then tripled to score Henderson...

Area softball teams take the first step toward a potential state tournament berth with district play beginning this week. Monett, Pierce City and Jasper host tournaments with the most local implications. Class 3, District 12 In the Class 3, District 12 tournament at Monett, six teams vie for the district crown...

The Monett Lady Cubs volleyball team fell to Cassville in three sets on Oct. 3. The Lady Cubs (2-14-1) dropped the first set 25-17, but rallied in the second set for a 25-21 win. The third and final set was a see-saw affair but Cassville (5-7-6) prevailed 26-24...

The New Liberty Church will hold its annual rummage sale beginning at 8 a.m. on Oct. 11 and 12. Antiques, toys, cookbooks, kitchen supplies and much more will be available. The church is located two miles east of Monett on Highway 60 and south one mile on Highway Z...

The Barry County Retired Teachers and School Personnel have received the 2012 Unit of Excellence Award from the Missouri Retired Teachers Association and Public School Personnel (MRTA). The MRTA Unit of Excellence program is a voluntary program designed to help guide and direct local MRTA unit leaders. ...

The Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri (CCEM) has elected new officers and board members for 2014, including a bi-county representative. The new officers are: Erin Williams, O'Fallon Chamber of Commerce, president. Brent McCoy, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, vice president...

Preparations are being finalized for the 19th annual Missouri Health Care Association District IV Golden Age Games to be held on Friday, Oct. 25 at Monett High School gymnasium. Registration and team photos will begin at 9 a.m., with the opening ceremony to follow at 10 a.m. The Monett VFW Post #4207, will have the flag presentation and Patty Burge will sing the "Star Spangled Banner." Entertainment for the event will be the Country Grasshoppers, and a lunch of BBQ chicken for all participants...

The Monett Cubs soccer team opened play in the Willard Tournament with a thrilling penalty kick 5-3 win. The Liberators scored first in the game. A second half goal by Monett's Eddie Aceves knotted the score at 1-1 and forced overtime. Both teams played to a scoreless draw in two five-minute golden-goal overtimes to force penalty kicks to decide the winner...

The Monett swimming and diving team hosted its only home swimming meet on Oct. 3 at the Monett Area YMCA. Although the Cubs dropped duals to Kickapoo, Nixa, Ozark and Glendale, Monett coach Dan Janssen was encouraged. "We had the opportunity to swim against the cream of the swimming crop in southwest Missouri," said Janssen. "Meets against teams such as these are all about improving your time and getting to test yourself against the best...