Stories from Friday, March 21, 2014

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com Construction is expected to pick up rapidly next week at Lacoba Homes in Monett. "Weather has not been our friend," said Mike Baldus, executive director. Crews for Eoff and Associates, of Springfield, have dug out space for the new basement on the west side of the administration building, shown above, compacted earth on the upper level for the new wing, framed in an office space on the southeast corner of the complex, and prepared to pour footings next to two wings for additions to eight existing resident rooms. ...

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com An abandoned controlled burn on the Monett Industrial Development Corporation's property east of the Monett Regional Airport spread to around 40 acres and prompted a response by both the Monett and Pierce City firefighters. ...

Oran Neil Calton, 59, beloved husband, father and brother, passed from this life March 14, 2014. A native of Monett and Pierce City, he was preceded in death by his parents Calvin Lee Calton and Vera Lea Hawkins Calton, his brother, James Bentley Calton, of Missouri, and his wife Linda Hicks Calton, of Mobile, Alabama. ...

Robert Sam "Bob" Pinkley, age 57, of Marshfield, MO, passed away on Monday, March 17, 2014, as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Bob was born on August 30, 1956, in Monett, MO, son of Edward Sam Pinkley and Betty Jo (Dummitt) Chadd. ...

sports@monett-times For the first time since 1991, Verona High School will field a baseball team. The introduction of the spring sport has fueled enthusiasm and opened the opportunity for over 20 athletes who would have not otherwise participated in the spring season...

Schedule 3-21 @ Fair Grove Tournament 3-24 Bolivar 3-27 @ Carthage 3-29 @ Greenwood Tournament 3-31 McAuley Catholic 4-1 @ Aurora 4-7 Rogers Heritage High School (Rogers, Ark.) 4-8 at McAuley Catholic 4-11 at Ozark Lady Tiger Shootout 4-15 at Carl Junction 4-22 Fair Grove 4-24 Webb City 4-28 at Marshfield 4-29 at Fair Grove 5-1 Willard 5-6 Central (Springfield) 5-12 Aurora 5-13 Logan-Rogersville

times-news@monett-times.com Construction is near the halfway point on the new 4,200 square foot addition at the Monett National Guard Armory. According to Mjr. Tamara Spicer, Guard spokesperson, the addition, placed on the north side of the assembly hall, contains room for administration, storage and training space. The military parking space will also receive an extension...

Darrel Campbell, writer for TV shows "Soap" and "Stiff Competition," will perform "A Night of Comedy" benefit show for the Mt. Vernon Arts and Recreation Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 22 and 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Mt. Vernon Arts and Recreation Center, 822 W. Mt. Vernon Blvd. Admission is $5 or a donation to the arts...

times-news@monett-times.com The fourth annual Transition and Resource Expo will bring close to 50 exhibitors providing services to people facing disabilities of all kinds this month. The event will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Scott Regional Technology Center...

reporter@monett-times.com PIERCE CITY -- After a two-year absence, Pierce City will soon have a re-organized Friends of the Library organization, due to the efforts of a local author. Polly McCrillis, owner of Bookmarks LLC in Pierce City and author of 13 novels in 11 years, loves to read and write...

times-news@monett-times.com Students attending summer school in the Monett School District in June will have a different experience this year, as blended scheduling will expand virtual learning and vary schedules beyond previous experience. According to Mike Dawson, assistant superintendent, many students who attend sports camps, take dance lessons or spend time at grandma's house do not have time to come to school for a block of time every day. ...

times-news@monett-times.com The Monett City Council has introduced a proposal to give a 99-year lease to the Monett Historical Society for half of the municipal parking lot at Bond and Second streets for construction of a new museum. Under terms of the lease, the Monett Historical Society will pay $1 a year for 99 years to use the east half of the parking lot for a museum. ...

times-news@monett-times.com Representatives of Tom Wolfe Memorial Post 4207, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and its Ladies Auxiliary, have spoken out against the proposed ordinance banning the use of Highway 60 intersections for fundraising. This is the second time the city council has considered an ordinance limiting use of street intersections for fundraising by charitable organizations. ...

SPRINGFIELD -- Two men received prison sentences on March 20 for their role in a $2 million scheme to defraud Cargill Inc. at the company's feed mill in Butterfield over nine years. Bob True Beisley III, 40, of Nevada, was sentenced to two years and 11 months in prison without parole. Ronald Bunn, 45, of Deerfield, was sentenced to two years and three months without parole. They appeared separately before Judge Gary Fender in Western District Federal Court in Springfield...