Stories from Friday, April 25, 2014

reporter@monett-times.com Cox Monett Hospital is hosting a six-week class, Feel Better Now, to encourage people with chronic conditions is seeking ways to live a healthy life. The free class will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays starting May 6 and continuing through June 10...

Police: Suspect fled scene on foot; reward offered

times-news@monett-times.com More money available due to uncompleted storm shelter projects will enable the city of Monett to have a greater portion of the cost for the new storm safe room on Marshall Hill paid by the federal government. City Administrator Dennis Pyle said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had more money available than expected for storm shelters because other projects planned in the current fiscal year were not finished. ...

reporter@monett-times.com VERONA -- Students at a local school district are now being encouraged to take their own tablets, smartphones and other Internet-capable devices to school. Previously, the administration at the Verona School District discouraged the use of such devices, but has recognized that learning comes in many forms, including on tablets and phones...

Monett Electric Department crews were busy in a very visible place at Highways 37 and 60 in Monett this week. According to Skip Schaller, utilities superintendent, the linemen installed a "double deadhead." "Instead of the wire being one piece, it is connected either side of the mast arms," Scahller said. ...

reporter@monett-times.com After serving a combined 40 years helping serve the needs of Lawrence and Barry County clients with developmental disabilities, John Foley, president and chief executive officer, and Doug Wallner, human resources director at Arc of the Ozarks, announced their retirements this month...

reporter@monett-times.com Berean Christian Academy will host its fourth annual Chili and Soup Supper 5:30 p.m. Saturday at the Monett Community Church, located at 2101 E. Cleveland in Monett. The event, sponsored by Parents in Action, will feature a pie auction and a live auction for a John Deere lawn mower and a John Deere Gator from Larson Farm and Home in Freistatt ...

The Monett Lions Club will host its annual steak dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at the Scott Regional Technology Center. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. The Monett Area YMCA is celebrating Healthy Kids Day from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26 at Monett's South Park. This free community event is intended to help families find fun through active play and educational opportunities and inspire them to carry that spirit of fun through their summer...

sports@monett-times.com You may not recognize their faces, but you probably have heard their voices with nearly 5,000 combined broadcasts. For Monett resident Mike McClure and his long-time friend Don West, broadcasting is not a hobby, but their livelihood and passion...

sports@monett-times.com As Monett gears up for the final push before the district playoffs the team is showing encouraging signs. Are they perfect? No. Coach Michael Calhoun even admits that. But the Cubs, 10-7 overall and 2-1 in the conference, keep making strides...

Bennie McEntire, 78, of Monett, died Tuesday, April 22, at his home. The body has been cremated. Arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory of Cassville.

Julie Ann Beeson, 44, of Aurora, died Monday, April 21, in Mt. Vernon. Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home of Monett.

Agatha Lindsey, 97, of Bolivar, died at 8:25 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at Citizens Memorial Healthcare in Bolivar. Graveside services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Hickory Grove Cemetery in Brighton under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home of Aurora...

John R. Mayes, 96, of Blue Springs, died Monday, April 21. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 25, at Blue Springs Cemetery in Blue Springs.

Bobbie "Jeannie" Nichols, 61, of Greenfield, died at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 22. Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Resthaven Memorial Garden in Ponca City, Okla., under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home of Cassville. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the funeral home...

Construction moves forward on a daily basis at the $11 million water treatment plant on the northwest side of Monett. Above, Jacob Pankratz and Mike Kauffman build forms for the effluent on the sides of the 1 million gallon clear well that will hold the purified water. Larry Marble, job superintendent for Crossland Heavy Construction, said that crews plan to place the dome over the clear well in six weeks, providing the permanent look for the site. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com...

A new alternative country music band will perform at 9 p.m. on Saturday at Bumpers Bar and Grill in Monett. Plymouth Junction is a band using the name for the Monett community before the Monett Town Company was created in 1887 and ultimately incorporated into the city known today as Monett. ...