Stories from Thursday, January 23, 2014

Three local school districts and one municipality will see contested races in the April 8 election. Five candidates are running for the three open seats on the Monett School Board. All three incumbents filed to run again: Dave Beckett, who has served three terms, and one-term incumbents Ken Gaspar and Dr. Darren Bass. Also running again are Bill Willis and Steven Graves, both of whom ran in 2013...

A burn ban has been declared by fire chiefs for the Monett area. Monett city, the Monett Rural Fire Association, the Pierce City Fire District and the Freistatt Fire Department have joined in the declaration. "It's so dry and windy," said Tom Jones, Monett fire chief. "With the low humidity levels, there is also danger from grass burning due to high levels of nitrogen following the recent snows."...

During the warm weather break this week, crews for the Monett Street Department poured the concrete for the south side of the parking lot for the new Windmill Ridge Golf Course clubhouse. Street Superintendent Russ Balmas said the third pour, matching the one along the south edge, running the length of the lot, would simplify the rest of the work...

Monett city officials have taken action to secure two additional portable breathalyzer machines. As an emergency matter, council members approved an agreement with the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission over its "Blueprint for Safety" program. Police Sergeant Dennis Camp said the agreement would give the city access to a grant to purchase two new portable breathalyzer units at "minimal cost." Camp recommended prompt passage before the price went up...

Cox Monett Hospital celebrated receiving the Rural Healthcare Organization of the Month award from The Studer Group by providing refreshments for the day and the evening shifts of employees. A national assessment organization, The Studer Group began its association with Cox Monett in October 2012. ...

The Monett Rural Fire Association has named its leadership for 2014. Jackie Harris returned to the board of directors to represent District One, and Leland Doss filled the vacancy created by the resignation of John Hull in District Two. Gary Shoemaker is the new District Three representative, replacing Paul Bricker. Mike Meier returned to service another term representing District Four...

The McDowell Music Jubilee continues on Saturday, Jan. 25. The open mike sessions for old-time music will begin at 6:30 p.m. The jubilee is located south of Highway Z at Pleasant Ridge on Highway V to McDowell and follow the signs. The Arbor Day Foundation is again giving away 10 free flowering trees to those who join the not-for-profit organization in January. ...

A Verona man was airlifted to Springfield after suffering injuries in a crash west of Stotts City on Tuesday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Larry McElhany was headed west on County Road 2120, 1-1/2 miles west of Stotts City when he lost control of his 2000 Chevrolet 1500. Although damage to the vehicle was minor, McElhany was ejected from the vehicle upon impact...

Pierce City's girls basketball coach knows that he has his work cut out for him tonight against Pleasant Hope in the Marionville Lady Classic Tournament. "They are a good team and have the ability to go inside out," said Rob Guerin. "We have to match their intensity and make them play at our pace."...

Friday night's game for the Monett Lady Cubs basketball team against Billings is huge. While coaches will tell you that every game on the schedule is a big game and that none are as important as the one they are about to play, Monett desperately needs a win...

Organizing, planning and running any tournament, meet or event is often a thankless job. It is easy for the fans in attendance not to give a second thought about what it took to get secure score keepers, concession stand workers and people who stay to clean up when the event is over...

The Monett Lady Cubs swimming and diving team won four of their five head-to-head duals during Tuesday's home meet. The Lady Cubs' only setback was a 93-92 hiccup against traditional power Webb City. The Lady Cubs' team of Gina Verhoff, Maddy Glouse, Alex Bahl and Lauren Bass had the best relay time in the 200-yard medley at 2:04:87...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Jan. 23, 1934 How Kelly Creek will look when finished can be seen in the section between the Front Street bridge and Fourth Street, The riprap work is set on a good base sunk down below the level of the creek bed, the rocks are laid in cement and the wall is smooth and solid. The bottom is not yet concreted,...

Esther Mildred (Frederking) Kleiboeker, age 98 of Monett, MO died on January 21, 2014. She was born March 12, 1915 near Nashville, IL. to Louis and Bertha (Kayhs)
Frederking, baptized March 23, confirmed in the Lutheran faith, April 1, 1928. At the age of fifteen, Esther worked as a domestic for the Baer family of St. Louis. On one occasion she met Amelia Earhart, famed aviatrix, in St. Louis, MO...

Michelle Renee Halsey-Stolin, 49, of Monett, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Monett.. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 27, at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...

Kelly Dale Spencer, 55, of Stotts City, died Tuesday, Jan. 21, at his home. The body has been cremated. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at Hodges Cemetery in Stotts City under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home of Pierce City...

Spencer "Mike" Primrose, 80, of Cassville, died at 1:25 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, at Grissom's Chapel in San Lorenzo, Calif. Burial with military honors will be at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, Calif...

Terry Wayne Miller, 52, of Aurora, died at 2:51 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Burial will be at a later date at Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home of Aurora. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the funeral home...