Stories from Monday, February 24, 2014

A malfunctioning instrument transformer positioned on the north side of the main EFCO factory in Monett kept firefighters and city electric crews busy Sunday afternoon. According to Aaron Burdett, electric department foreman, an instrument transformer used in metering, malfunctioned and shorted out. ...

reporter@monett-times.com Barry County DARE Office Larry Stockton is urging children to do whatever it takes to get away from someone trying to take them against their will. Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers heard Stockton's review of the DARE program and asked several questions concerning child safety in light of the recent kidnapping scenarios in Marionville and Springfield...

times-news@monett-times.com MT. VERNON -- The Lawrence County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) officials plan to expand operations this year. Chet Hunter, Lawrence County emergency management director, plans to pursue a new Storm Ready Community initiative, organized by the National Weather Service...

times-news@monett-times.com A goal of $52,000 has been set for the 2014 financial assistance program to support the Monett Area YMCA. The annual Y campaign enables the Monett Area YMCA to carry out its policy that no one is denied membership or program participation due to income. With current membership near 7,000, people of all ages are enjoying a wide range of programs and activities at the Y...

reporter@monett-times.com MT. VERNON -- Knowing the people in the community is one of the reasons Janella Spencer decided to go into the field of public health. The Aurora resident graduated from University of Missouri and worked for Cox Hospital South in Springfield for six months before applying for an RN position at the Lawrence County Health Department. A 22-year veteran, Spencer was promoted to administrator on Feb. 1, following the retirement of former administrator Alethea Goodman...

This week marks "Dr. Seuss week" at Verona Elementary School. Each year, teachers and students participate in a variety of activities to honor this author, whose birthday is March 2. In addition to individual classroom activities, this year Verona Elementary students will dress up differently each day next week, to recognize one or more Dr. Seuss books...

The City of Mt Vernon will unveil its new promotional video, "Mt. Vernon, a Place to Call Home," at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at council chambers at Mt. Vernon City Hall, 319 E. Dallas St. The video incorporates views of the town, activities and arts, shot mainly in time-lapse through the seasons. Local photographer Steve Snyder worked the city officials, business and community leaders to make the video. For information, people may call 417-466-2122...

Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com Caylee Sooter and Samuel Crow were recently named Pierce City's 2014 homecoming king and queen. Sooter is the daughter of Cory and Erika Sooter, and Crow is the son of Mitch and Sarah Crow.

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com Monett High School senior Monica Zengotita beamed as she accepted the applause of the audience at Monett High School Friday following the announcement that she was the Rose homecoming queen. She received the crown from Jonah Paszek, at right, and the other royal gifts, handed by the cheerleaders to her other escort, Nathan Webb...

composition@monett-times.com A Washburn man was seriously injured in a rollover crash during the evening hours on Thursday. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the wreck happened at 8:50 p.m. when Bobby Scott, 35, of Butterfield, was driving east on Farm Road 2130 one mile east of Butterfield. Scott's vehicle ran off the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned...

sports@monett-times.com COLUMBIA -- An exhausted Chase Brennan took a deep breath, just mere moments after he won a 10-7 decision over Jericho Harris of Harrisonville and his third state wrestling title in four years. Brennan, who had just wrapped up a perfect 49-0 season for Monett, walked over to Coach Daryl Bradley to shake his hand and share a private moment. ...

sports@monett-times.com COLUMBIA -- The expression on Monett wrestling coach Daryl Bradley's face as the 84th annual Missouri State High School Activities Association Wrestling Championships concluded said it all. It was a look of frustration, encouragement and resolve...

Feb. 24, 1934 The children of Central School gave a lively patriotic operetta, "Uncle Sam's Visit," at the Monett High School auditorium. Nearly 150 children appeared in the program. With the number of men of Civil Works Administration jobs being reduced under the administration's plan of gradual demobilization of the CWA army, plans are afoot to find ways for all of the people who have been on relief rolls and relief programs to provide for themselves with as little public help as possible...

Donna Lee Bass Craker passed away February 15, 2014 in Crescent City, Florida. Donna Lee was born September 29, 1932 to Glennon and Irene Bass of Monett, Missouri. She graduated from Monett High School in 1950. Donna is survived by her husband Charles Craker of Crescent City, Fla.; one brother, Joe Bass of Salem, Ore.; one half-brother, Janzen Bass of Phoenix, Ariz.; four children, Shayla Sanders of Seattle, Wash., Kevin Hahn of St. ...

Harvey Earl Richardson Jr., 92, of Miller, died at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home with burial at Dadeville Masonic Cemetery in Dadeville...

Peggy Louise Newton, 80, of Marionville, died Friday, Feb. 21, at her home. Service arrangement are incomplete and will be announced by Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home of Monett.

Purdy won its fourth Ozark 7 Conference title in five years with a 57-37 win at Exeter on Thursday. The Lady Eagles used a strong second half, outscoring the Lady Tigers 33-18 to pull away for the victory. Purdy finished the regular season with a perfect 6-0 conference mark...