Stories from Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Drizzle didn't hamper the enthusiasm for the annual Pierce City Fishing Derby at South Park. Sponsored by the Pierce City Fire Protection District, the free event pulled dozens of children and their parents lakeside to net the biggest stringer. All children participating in the event received a prize. Little Mallorie Stockton, granddaughter of Mayor Allen Stockton, roped Jason Mencl into the task of keeping her hook full on Saturday. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com...

Drizzle didn't hamper the enthusiasm for the annual Pierce City Fishing Derby at South Park. Sponsored by the Pierce City Fire Protection District, the free event pulled dozens of children and their parents lakeside to net the biggest stringer. All children participating in the event received a prize. Little Mallorie Stockton, granddaughter of Mayor Allen Stockton, roped Jason Mencl into the task of keeping her hook full on Saturday. Melonie Roberts/reporter@monett-times.com...

When the rain passed Monday night, the sky cleared into a perfect summer evening to get out. Quincy Hartwigsen of Monett and his grandmother, Rita Hartwigsen, stopped by the lake at Monett's South Park, where it was time to release Quincy's pet turtle. ...

Toni Lee Chauvin, 67, of Aurora, died at 10:52 a.m., Tuesday, May 27, at Mercy Hospital in Aurora. A memorial mass was held on Wednesday, June 4, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Aurora.

Ronda Irene Cox, 50, of Joplin, formerly of Pierce City, died June 5 at her mother's home in Pierce City. Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m., Monday June 9, at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Graveside services were at 3 p.m., Tuesday, June 10, IOOF Cemetery in Monett...

Mary Ann Kackley, age 59, of Dallas, TX, passed from this life on Saturday, May 31, 2014 at Faith Presbyterian Hospice Unit of Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Mary Ann was born July 7, 1954 in Granby, MO, the daughter of Robert E. and Dolores (Lautaret) Thompson. She graduated from Monett High School, where she was very active in music, playing in the band and serving as twirling Majorette. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Monett...

reporter@monett-times.com A Monett High School junior has been named the first place winner in the 2014 Ozark Electric Youth Tour essay contest. Breanna Kelley, daughter of Sean and Tina Kelley, along with second place winner, Kylee Wilson, of Everton High School, daughter of Todd Wilson, will travel to Washington D.C. ...

The Monett Times A Mercy Hospital spokeswoman said she does not know how many jobs will be lost at the Cassville facility this month. Mercy recently announced the it would cut 200-300 jobs nationwide. The cuts are expected to take place later this month...

times-news@monett-times.com The city of Purdy will close one of the four railroad crossings in town in return for improvements on others. The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad has leased the line through Purdy since 1986 from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Aldermen frequently complain about poor maintenance of railroad property...

sports@monett-times.com Postseason awards continue to roll in for the Pierce City baseball team. This week, six members were named to the all-district team for the green and white. Kole Kelley, Bo Vincent and Colton Drollinger received first team accolades. Colin Garner and Mason Moreland earned second-team consideration and Mike Vincent was named honorable mention...

I have always loved going to auctions. It is a hobby that I learned from my father. My dad would tell my mom, "We'll be back in a bit." When we got in the truck, he'd say, "Don't tell your mom, but..." He didn't need to finish his sentence. I already knew we were going to an auction...

In the story about the Verona School Board which ran in the June 3 issue, the story should have said: "The board opted instead to absorb all of the 11.1 percent increase in health insurance benefits, which broke down to $442.40 a year per employee."...

The Barry County Retired School Personnel will have a joint meeting with Lawrence County Retired School Personnel on Thursday, June 12. Lawrence County will serves as hosts at the First Baptist Church in Aurora at 10:30 a.m. The cost of the meal is $12. Those attending are asked to contact Jeanne Ann Camp by June 5 at 235-8883 to assist preparations...

times-news@monett-times.com Nearly 30 new computers will come to the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library over the summer. With the use of a 25 percent local match and a purchasing agent for not-for-profit organizations, the library plans to replace and upgrade equipment...

reporter@monett-times.com The Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation Head Start centers in Barry and Lawrence counties were recently awarded $5,200 from the Barry-Lawrence Area United Fund to purchase new iPad's to document children's work and to facilitate school readiness...

Special to The Monett Times The use of food stamps in Barry County increased during the recession, assisting families in stretching their food dollars, contributing to local spending and helping spark a national debate about the future of the federal nutrition program...

times-news@monett-times.com An $1,800 raise for teachers' pay in the Purdy School District will boost salaries for the coming year under a new salary schedule. The new base set the salary for a first-year teacher with a bachelor's degree at $30,000, and first-year teacher with a master's degree at $32,250. Each year of service increases pay by $400 for the first 10 years, with smaller increases available through 30 years...

CASSVILLE -- Cassville police have released the names of the suspect and officer in an incident that led to the death of a 25-year-old Cassville man on Tuesday. John Thomas, 25, of Cassville, died en route to a Springfield hospital after being shot by Cpl. Donald Privett of the Cassville Police Department...

John R. Walker 55, of Cassville, died Saturday, June 6, at Cassville Healthcare and Rehab. Memorial services will be at 1 p.m., Friday, June 13, under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Enforcement division formulating fines for spill, fish kill