Stories from Thursday, February 20, 2014

Around 60 firefighters from 14 fire departments and districts, as well as the Missouri Department of Conservation, battled a fire through grass and timber north of Monett this week. A trash fire got out of control around 3:15 p.m. Tuesday on Farm Road 2220, west of Farm Road 1070...

With day one in the books the Monett Cubs prepare for a busy and important day two at the Class 2 state wrestling championships in Columbia. All eight wrestlers are still alive in the competition for the Cubs, with five in the winner's bracket in Sean Jastal, Chase Brennan, Kedric Brink, Wesley Abramovitz and Shawn Beeson...

Monett High School's eight wrestlers who advanced to the state tournament in Columbia received a royal sendoff shortly before noon Wednesday as they walked through the halls of the school lined with cheering supporters. Matches begin at 10 a.m. today at the Mizzou Arena. Follow Monett-Times.com/sports and Twitter.com/MonettSports for updates...

An Aurora man suffered an apparent heart attack that took his life while driving on Interstate 44 this week. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that Michael Periman, 44, was headed east on I-44, 12 miles east of Lebanon at 7:22 a.m. Monday, when he suffered the heart attack, drove into the median and struck a cable barrier...

An unusual number of structure fires have plagued the winter months in the Monett area, leading fire officials to offer advice on how they can be prevented. Monett Fire Chief Tom Jones advised homeowners to think beyond their normal routines to keep homes safe...

For wheat producers in southwest Missouri, the answer is March. Jill Scheidt, agronomy specialist at University of Missouri Extension, growers are pushing their plating dates and she cautions growers to wait until Oct. 14 for planting and March to apply nitrogen...

The Monett Rural Fire Association will hold a chili supper at 6 p.m. on Feb. 22, at the main fire station at 920 E. County Rd. The supper is offered as part of an informational meeting to brief the public on the April 8 ballot proposal to organize a fire district...

The Pierce City Lady Eagles aren't too worried about being seeded second in the Class 2, District 12 tournament. They don't care who their opponent is or what time the first game is scheduled. All they want to do is play the next game. "We have adopted a 'no regrets' policy," said Rob Guerin, Pierce City coach. "We want to go out every night an play to 100 percent of our ability and leave it all on the floor. If we do that we'll be winners, no matter what the scoreboard says."...

It was a season full of unknowns, growth and establishment for the Monett Lady Cubs swimmers and divers. Monett coach Dan Janssen knew that this year's season would be challenging, but also set the stage for future generations. "I was very pleased with how we finished our season," Janssen said. "The girls also saw some of the best (swimmers) and saw that there is still a long way to go to reach their goals."...

EIGHTY YEARS AGO Feb. 20, 1934 Three Civil Works Administration projects for Monett amounting to $13,666 have been allowed through the Relief and Re-Employment Committee of Barry County. The major project is $9,666 to be used to continue the work on Kelly Creek. The force of men working on the project was cut from 145 to 100 men, who are paid 45 cent an hour...

Michael Dwayne "Mike" Periman, 44, of Mt. Vernon, died Monday, Feb. 17. Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 21, in Mineral Springs Cemetery under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be from 12-1:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home...

Terry Lee Cooper, 53, of Pierce City, Missouri entered into eternal rest on Tuesday February 18, 2014 at Cox Monett Hospital. He was born on March 19, 1960 in Monett, Missouri, the son of Donald Lee Cooper and the late Wanda Christine (Burbridge) Cooper. He was united in marriage on May 11, 1979 to Tina Wessell, she survives...

Martha "Marty" Ellen Beckwith, 92, of Monett, died Wednesday, Feb. 19, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home of Monett.

Mary "Joanne" Wright, 83, of Cassville, died at 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 21, at St. Edward's Catholic Church in Cassville under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield...