Stories from Monday, December 9, 2013

Due to the first snowfall of the 2013-14 winter, a number of events scheduled for last weekend did not take place. Here are a number of re-schedulings and cancellations: The Monett Elementary School Christmas program, set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, has been moved to Thursday, Dec. 12. Performance times will remain the same...

Preparations for improving Monett's sewer system have resulted in an usual opportunity to make significant upgrades at the waste treatment plant. Increases in sewer rates are being phased in to deal with a mandate through the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to reduce the amount of storm water that seeps into the sanitary sewer system. ...

Smiles on the faces of Latisha Morris and young rider Brooklyn Harvill, at right, reflected the fun of runs down South Park's sledding hill on Dec. 6.

The Verona R-7 School District has closed on property that will make future expansion possible. Superintendent Tony Simmons told board members the purchase of 347 E. Ella and two additional acres south of the school campus gives the district 14 additional acres of property adjacent to the school for future use...

Missouri's unemployment rate fell sharply in both September and October, according to data released by the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Jobless numbers for Barry and Lawrence counties have hit their lowest totals since August. The rate fell to 6.9 percent in September and then again in October to 6.5 percent, the lowest unemployment rate for the state since September 2008. This is the 50th consecutive month that Missouri's rate was lower than the national unemployment rate...

As the Christmas shopping season picks up steam, work crews contracted through Dierker Construction have put finishing touches on the three buildings housing Bruner Pharmacy, from 319, 321 and 323 E. Broadway in Monett. Owner John Bruner said he would like to reopen his sidewalk for the December shopping crowd. Much of the work in recent weeks has gone into cleaning, replacing and matching missing bricks after the siding that covered the fronts of all three structures for 40 years was removed...

Mother Nature made her presence known over the last few days and has caused several area basketball tournaments to reschedule games. At the Carthage Invitational Tournament, all games have been moved to Dec. 21. The Monett Cubs will play Nevada for fifth place at 2 p.m...

Monett High School's sports expansion continues with the start of the Lady Cubs' swimming and diving's inaugural season. Typically coaches of a brand new program discuss the need to teach fundamentals and work on establishing a solid foundation for their program to build on...

Grandma's Quilting Group has donated two quilts to be given away in a drawing at noon on Dec. 20 at the Pierce City Senior Citizens Center. Proceeds from the drawing will be used to help cover insurance costs for the Senior Center for the coming year...

A Granby man was killed in a single-vehicle crash at 2:54 p.m. Dec. 5 on Highway 39 about four miles north of Pierce City. According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when the driver of a 2006 Chevrolet Colorado, Ronald L. Arnall, 64, of Granby, ran off the road and struck a tree. Lawrence County Coroner Scott Lakin pronounced Arnall dead at the scene. Arnall was not wearing a seat belt...

Habitat for Humanity, Monett/Purdy affiliate, will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at First Christian Church, fourth and Wishart in Monett. The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive from 1 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 at Monett Community Church. The church will serve soup, chili and other Christmas snacks for donors. T-shirts will also be given to every donor...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Dec. 9, 1933 While shipments from Springfield bakeries have stopped as truck drivers fight for recognition of their new union, Mr. and Mrs. George Erickson say they could employ 14 people instead of three or four to meet demand at their bakery in Monett, one of the best bakeries in southwest Missouri...

Leo Henry Eggert Sr., 84, of Monett, entered into eternal rest on Friday Dec. 6, 2013 at Aurora Nursing Center in Aurora, Mo. He was born on June 13, 1929 in Aurora, Ill., the son of the late Leopold William and Josephine (Stile) Eggert. He was united in marriage on June 11, 1954 to Mary Adelaide Cochrane, she preceded him in death on Aug. 10, 2002...

Janet Sue Hudson, age 69, a lifetime resident of Pierce City, Mo., suddenly passed away on Friday, Dec. 6, 2013, while at her home. Sue was born on May 30, 1944 in Pierce City, daughter of the late George Montgomery and Una Mae (Williams) Montgomery. She had attended Pierce City Schools and had worked as a file clerk for St. Vincent's Hospital for over 10 years...

Richard Keith Faulkner, beloved husband, father and friend, passed away peacefully at home in Monett, Mo., on Nov. 24, 2013, after a six-week battle with cancer. He was born on April 6, 1937, in Long Beach , Calif. and was raised in Lomita, Calif., Dick graduated from UCLA with a BS and MBA Degree in Business. ...

Anne Kathaleen "Kathy" Garcia, age 71, of Shell Knob, died at 3:19 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob.

Janice Elaine Langford, age 61, of the Berwick community, died at 6:05 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at her home. Funeral plans are incomplete under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City.

Elizabeth Ann "Liz" Bray, age 88, of Mt. Vernon, died at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4. A memorial service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, in Mt Vernon, will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, at the First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Vernon...

Matt Casey, age 63, of Monett, died on Thursday, Dec. 5, at his home. Matt has been cremated at his request and no formal services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.