Stories from Monday, March 3, 2014

times-news@monett-times.com CASSVILLE -- Nice weather contributed to a good opening day for trout season Saturday at Roaring River State Park. "It was a perfect day," said Larry Zebert, of Pierce City, fishing on the banks Saturday morning. "It's a weekend and it brought out a lot of people."...

Ice-covered bridge blamed for wreck

Chester D. McCann, age 90, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at Mercy Hospital in Aurora. He was born May 1, 1923, in Aurora, the son of the late Mason and Lilly (Taylor) McCann. Chester graduated from Aurora High School and was a U.S. Naval veteran serving in WWII. He retired from the City of Springfield where worked as a heavy equipment operator for the city utilities...

times-news@monett-times.com Monett city officials have proposed providing financial support for the July Fourth celebration in Monett with the Monett Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber will return to run the event, having previously managed the celebration from 2007 through 2009...

reporter@monett-times.com The Pierce City R-6 School Board approved extending contracts for administrators to include the 2015-16 academic year at its February meeting. Those administrators include Steve Garland, high school principal, at a salary of $62,436; Gayla DeGraffenreid, middle school principal, at $65,196; Kristi Marion, elementary principal, at $59,166, and newly-hired Marla Kemp, special education director, at $45,000...

times-news@monett-times.com The Monett City Council has called a special meeting for 1 p.m. Tuesday to discuss property issues. Council members will introduce an ordinance to initiate negotiations with Empire District Electric Company for the city to take over rights to electricity sales at the Monett Regional Airport. ...

times-news@monett-times.com Child abuse cases using the Children's Center reflected a significant drop in 2013 over the 15-county area served. In contrast, cases processed at the Monett office based on referrals from Barry and Lawrence counties showed a 5 percent rise for the period...

Justin Beck, director of golf for the Windmill Ridge Municpal course in Monett, will speak at the Monett Kiwanis Club meeting at noon on Tuesday, March 4 at Happy House restaurant. The Monett Jaycees will meet on Monday, March 3 at Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m...

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com Monett water department crews have begun recording global positioning readings for the more than 4,000 water meters in the city. Galen Hall, lead man for the water department (shown above recording a downtown meter) started on the project two weeks ago and has finished logging around 80. ...

sports@monett-times.com PURDY -- Pierce City (19-7) showed great maturity when the clock struck zeros and their 56-49 Class 2 District 12 championship win over Jasper was complete on Friday. Instead of collapsing into a pile on the floor screaming hysterically, the Lady Eagles formed a single file line, graciously shook the Jasper players' hands and told them "good game." Then the green and white sent their two senior starters (Christine Younker and Mattie Brottlund) to retrieve the first place plaque.. ...

sports@monett-times.com PURDY -- Pierce City fought the good fight. Sometimes, a good fight is not good enough. One or two more baskets could have earned the Eagles a district title game berth. Instead, their season at the hands of Greenfield, 57-55...

reporter@monett-times.com SPRINGFIELD -- Rebekah Polly loves art. Not only is she the art teacher at Monett High School, she can be found at RSVPaint, a niche art studio in Springfield, teaching basic and advanced classes to novice painters in her spare time...

Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com Pierce City pre-school students recently enjoyed a break in their normal routines as they celebrated a day of "books 'n jammies" in school. Students were encouraged to wear their favorite pajamas and snuggle in with their favorite books for a fun day of reading. Pictured above, from left, are: Ali Holland, Landon Day, Cordelia Davis and Connor Nixon...

Erma Mae (Strong) Ivaska passed peacefully away at her home on February 28, 2014 with the warmth of her family surrounding her. Erma was 77 years old. Erma was born to John and Mary Strong. Preceded by her three brothers Darrell, George, and Dickie and son Michael. She is survived by her sisters, Jacqueline, Jeanine, Myrna, and Beverly. Erma and Don celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary this month...

Eloise Hailey, 99, of Mt. Vernon, died at 1:50 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at her son's home. A private burial will be at a later date at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home of Mt. Vernon.

Betty Rose Andrews, 59, of Miller, died at 10:32 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at her home. A visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 1, 2014, at the Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home.Betty Rose Andrews, 59, of Miller, died at 10:32 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26, at her home...

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com One person was transported to Cox Monett Hospital for injuries following a recent two-vehicle collision at East Cleveland and Seventh streets. The 2011 Chevrolet Colorado pickup, pictured above at right, driven by Trenton Walker, of Monett, collided with a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by Heather Costello of Monett, at 3:20 p.m. ...