Stories from Friday, November 8, 2013

The City of Monett received an unmodified audit, a clean positive report, for its fiscal year ending on March 31. Dawnata Hopkins, auditor for The CPA Group, presented her report to the Monett City Council during a special meeting on Nov. 6. Hopkins said new standards from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) changed the format of the city's audit in several parts. Even the term "qualified" or "unqualified" has switched to "modified."...

The Monett Cubs soccer team proved that lighting could strike in the same place twice as they claim their second consecutive Class 1, District 12 title with a 1-0 victory over College Heights on Nov. 7. Monett senior middle, Eddie Aceves, scored the game's only goal on a penalty kick with 1:07 left in regulation to secure the victory...

Monett city and rural firefighters joined Pierce City Fire District firemen to battle a fire at the Tommy Webb family home at 313 N. Pine Street on Nov. 6. According to Pierce City Fire Chief Rick Mercer, firefighters received the call at 4:49 p.m. and because of a previous exercise, arrived at the scene within a minute...

Ozark attorney Harry Styron is the new executive director of the Tri-State Water Resource Coalition. Styron succeeds Gail Melgren, who left to take a position with Senator Claire McCaskill's office. Styron, 61, is well acquainted with Monett, having grown up in Granby and socialized with a number of his contemporaries at Monett High School. ...

"In the past few months I have seen an increase of new families seeking assistance and that number will most likely continue to rise in the coming holiday season," said MaLinda King, Crosslines administrator. The first and third Saturday sales have been a success, allowing those in the workforce an opportunity to shop on the weekends...

Around every corner of Monett are brightly colored trees and others still far from fall colors. The coming weekend may represent the best or last chance to see fall foliage before much of it falls.

Shelby Jo Taylor has one objective in life -- to see how far she can go with the talents she's been given. "I'm hoping to have a career in singing and songwriting. Letting people enjoy my company and the lyrics [I write about] my life," said Taylor who was one of the singers that performed this past weekend at The Show in Cassville...

Habitat for Humanity, Monett/Purdy affiliate, will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. at First Christian Church, Fourth and Wishart in Monett. The Cassville Christmas parade will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Liberty United Methodist Church will hold its annual chili supper on Saturday, Nov. ...

Former Monett Times publisher Mike Schlichtman completed his first full ironman competition on Saturday, Nov. 2, taking part in the 15th annual Ironman Florida event held in Panama City Beach. Over 2,700 athletes took part in the grueling swim, bike, and run, covering some 140 miles between start and finish...

District football action continued on Nov. 6 with the semifinal round of playoffs being settled. Several Big 8 Conference teams are still alive in the playoffs. In the Class 3, District 4 tournament fifth-seeded Aurora played top-seeded Reeds Spring and earned a 29-20 win...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Nov. 8, 1933 Over a month late, the first heavy front of the season occurred in Monett and vicinity on Nov. 7. Early morning found the ground covered with a frost so dense as to resemble a light snowfall. Thelma Doty and her brother James, two children taken to Kansas City for corrective surgery for turned feet and a cleft pallet, thanks to the Monett Kiwanis Club, returned home merry and cheerful, with good signs that the latest surgery has repaired their defects...

Volunteers from PlayPower working on siding the Habitat home #7 at 100 E. Nellie on Nov. 2. On Saturday, Nov. 9, volunteers are needed starting at 9 a.m. to finish siding and yard prep work. Lunch will be provided. For more information, call Bill Van Eaton at 235-7634...

Well, last Friday was quite a day for me with my reception at the Casino. I told someone it was kind of like getting to go to your own funeral visitation, only with food.... I appreciate Murray giving me this space and opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks for the many kindnesses expressed to me and my family. I have had wonderful cards, office visits, and phone calls in addition to the Casino reception but I also want to say "Thank you" for a host of other reasons...

As Pete Rauch puts in his last day on the job as Monett utilities superintendent today, I would like to offer of few comments of appreciation. Pete and I started working in our respective posts a few months apart. At that time, I was still becoming acquainted with the cast of characters in the Monett beat. I too developed a strong respect and affection for the good guys like Less Shelton. Over time, as Pete and I got to work together, we came to share many mutual interests...

Ruby Smith Marbut was born Dec. 31, 1923, in Purdy, Mo., to Thurman Oliver and Lula Anne Smith. Ruby was married to Raymond Jackson Marbut, who preceded her April 12, 2003. Ruby was also preceded by one son, Jackie Scott Marbut, who died shortly after birth...

Lawrence Nimsick, age 85, of Monett, died on Thursday, Nov. 7 at Cox Monett Hospital. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the St. Agnes Catholic Church, Sarcoxie. Interment will be in the St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery. west of Wentworth, under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home of Monett...

Zachary Jackson, 56, of Granby, a forklift operator at EFCO in Monett, died on Oct. 31 at his home. A celebration of life service will be held at noon on Saturday, Nov. 9 at the home of Cynthia Pieschel, 108881 Blackberry Rd. in Sarcoxie. Arrangements are under the direction of Clark Funeral Home in Granby...

CENTRAL PARK AND MONETT ELEMENTARY Monday -- Breakfast: Waffles, sausage biscuit, cereal or oatmeal. Lunch: 1. Corn dog. 2. Sloppy Joe. 3. Turkey chef salad. Tuesday -- Breakfast: Breakfast pizza, fruit and yogurt parfait, cereal or oatmeal. Lunch: 1. Chicken nuggets. 2. Grilled cheese sandwich. 3. Fajita chicken salad...