Stories from Thursday, October 24, 2013

The Monett City Council will accept public comment on a new policy concerning distracted driving by city employees, introduced at the Oct. 21 meeting. Monett City Administrator Dennis Pyle said the policy arose from a recommendation by the employees' safety committee...

Vivid sunsets are one of the treats to living in the Monett area. The pleasure is especially striking when the sky turns such a vivid red, as it did on Oct. 21, that the railroad tracks through the train yard in Monett glow red in the reflection.

The Ozark Festival Orchestra will open its 34th season on Sunday, Nov. 3 with its Pops in the Park pie and ice cream benefit concert at the new Monett City Park Casino. The casino is located in Monett's South Park, on the hill overlooking the Highway 37 and 60 interchange in Monett...

Brad Hanson was installed as the new president of the Monett Kiwanis Club during the club's installation banquet on Oct. 17. Outgoing president Gordon Brown reviewed successes over the past year during the event, held at Big Baldy's Barbecue in Monett...

Monett High School Marching Pride Band was in competition on Saturday, Oct. 12 at El Dorado Springs High School. This was the first competition not effected by inclement weather and the Marching Pride Band made the best of the opportunity. MHS placed second in their division for the field competition and 5th overall for the day in field...

A drug take back program collection will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Bruner Pharmacy, Fourth and Broadway in Monett. Unused medications can be dropped off. The Pierce City Senior Center will host a dance at 7 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the center, located at 104 Locust St. The Fun Timers Band will perform. Admission is $3 and finger foods are welcome...

Thirty-five people gave blood at the American Red Cross blood drive held in October at the First Presbyterian Church in Monett. Donna Beckett, bloodmobile chairman, noted five-gallon marks were reached. Among those receiving gallon pins were: Sharon Ridenour, one gallon; Marty Lewis, six gallons; Mark Bradshaw, seven gallons; Ken Saloga, 12 gallons; and Jeffery Gates, 15 gallons...

One person received moderate injuries in a two-vehicle crash on Route K one mile north of Aurora, at 5:25 p.m. on Oct. 22. According to the Missouri State Highway crash report, Terry W. Miller, 52, of Aurora, was driving south in a 1999 Isuzu Rodeo when he crossed the center line. The Rodeo collided head-on with a 1994 Toyota Camry, driven by Deborah D. Pattyson, 63, of Aurora. Pattyson was taken to Cox Hospital South in Springfield. Both were wearing seat belts...

Area high school runners have been busy collecting medals on the road race circuit. Jerry Ragsdale, of Monett, was the overall winner at the Nixa Azalea Festival Half Marathon on Sept. 13. Ragsdale won by more than two minutes over the closest challenger, with a winning time of 1:27:56...

Cassville's Chris Shore turned the annual running festival into a "pinkout" for Breast Cancer Awareness, and the attending teams and fans responded with a sea of pink. With MSHSAA uniform rules waived for the meet, runners added pink socks, ribbons, shirts, and headbands to their usual running attire to demonstrate their solidarity in the fight against cancer...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Oct. 24, 1933 The Buick sedan belonging to Charles Rose, stolen from the garage at his home on Oct. 21, was recovered undamaged in Joplin. The Monett Bears community football team, having defeated Carthage and the C.C.C. Woodchoppers, will meet the Seneca Indians on the Junior Chamber of Commerce Athletic Field on Sunday afternoon...

Jerry Dean Edwards, age 77, of Mt. Vernon, died at 12:04 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, at the Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home. Burial was at the Mt. Vernon City Cemetery...

Madge Meadows, age 56, of San Diego, Calif., died on Oct. 21, at her home. Graveside memorial services will be held at a later date in the Monett I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Monett Elementary School held its third annual Family Fun Fest on Saturday, Oct.5. "The Fun Fest not only replaces the door-to-door fundraiser but gives the families of MES and the community a fun and safe family night out," said Julie Southard, member of the PTO...