Stories from Monday, March 31, 2014

sports@monett-times.com Pierce City football coach Matt Holt is leaving the Eagles after two seasons and to take the defensive coordinator position at Marshfield High School. Holt said the choice was difficult to make, but the right move. "It's a tough choice to leave this area after eight years," Holt said. "My wife (Amy) is a graduate from Pierce City and we have a lot of family and friends in the area."...

times-news@monett-times.com The Monett City Council has adopted a $48.4 million spending plan for the 2014-15 fiscal year, beginning April 1. Major spending carries over projects started in the current year. The budget projects total revenues of $48,374,825 and spending of $48,415,243. The budget maintains a general fund reserve balance of $605,450. Carryover funds are expected to leave a balance of $970,177 on March 31, 2015...

times-news@monett-times.com Sales tax receipts in March showed a steadying economic picture for the bi-county area. For the first time since 2009, sales tax income held to a single-digit jump, compared to the previous year. Ten of the 13 cities collecting sales tax showed gains or nearly even totals for the first quarter of 2014, compared to a year ago...

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com A recent fire completely destroyed an unoccupied house on 104 E. Market Street in Wentworth. The house was fully engulfed by the time Pierce City firefighters arrived shortly after 8:15 p.m. Thursday. Monett firefighters received a mutual aid call at 8:46 p.m. ...

A new Weekend edition is among changes coming to The Monett Times beginning next week, the newspaper's chief executive recently announced. Editor and Publisher Jacob Brower said the newspaper's first Weekend edition will be published April 12, and will be delivered to subscribers in Saturday's mail...

times-news@monett-times.com Planning has started for activities under the Cox Monett Healthy Communities Project. Local leaders are reviewing public practices and policies to facilitate to promote healthy eating an identify where physical activity is more prominent...

The VFW Post 4207 Ladies Auxiliary will host a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wed, April 2 at the Post, west of Monett on Highway 60. The menu will be fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, biscuits, desserts and salad. The cost is $6.50 for all you can eat...

Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com This weekend marked the 11th annual St. Lawrence Home and School fundraiser Horseshoes and Halos. Marion Dohmen and Glenna Kraft write their bids for silent auction items. All proceeds from the event benefit St. Lawrence Catholic School...

sports@monett-times.com For most fans, the most traumatic event is watching an injury happen to an athlete. However, Cox athletic trainer Dan Schmutz states that dealing with the initial trauma is just the tip of the iceberg for the athlete. The most common question asked by athletes are "When can I get back on the field?"...

times-news@monett-times.com Mike Wallace, chairman of the board of Community National Bank, has formally accepted the 2014 Pride and Progress Award from the Monett Chamber of Commerce. Wallace was in Mexico during the Chamber's annual membership meeting, when award winners were announced. He accepted the honor in a special presentation from Jeff Meredith, Chamber executive director...

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com It may not be quite time to dust off the picnic baskets, but the critters at Monett's South Park are eager for company. A group of squirrels moved into full picnic mode as they found a feast of seeds near the Park Lake over the weekend...

Harry Arthur Grainger, 84, of Monett, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on November 19, 1929 in Pontiac, MI, the son of the late Thomas and Ruth Grainger. Harry was united in marriage on June 21, 1959 in Sacramento, CA, to Carolyn Roberts, and she survives...

John Lee Embrey, 74, of Wheaton, died at 9 a.m. Wednesday, March 26. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. today in Wheaton Southern Baptist Church, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home of Wheaton. Burial will be in Dice Cemetery, Fairview. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. today at Wheaton Southern Baptist Church...

Nina Mary Melton, 86, of Springfield (formerly of Monett) died Wednesday, March 26, at The Maples Nursing Center in Springfield. Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. today at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Chapel in Monett. Burial will follow at the Arnhart Cemetery in Purdy. Visitation was 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home...

John Irwin Hedrick, 80, of Monett, died March 28, 2014, at his home. Memorial services will be held at a later date. His body has been cremated.

Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com Both geese and ducks, circling the park lake eagerly eyed the shoreline for people who braved the cool spring weather to toss some morsels their way at Spring Park over the weekend.

Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com Wickman's Garden Village in Monett hosted a tutorial on making fairy gardens on Saturday. Several of those in attendance brought containers to transform into hiding places for the wee folk, and purchased small plants and elements, such as rocks, seashells and figurines, to make their gardens unique. ...