Stories from Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster filed a civil suit against Tyson Foods on Tuesday in response to the dumping and subsequent processing of the food additive Alimet into the city of Monett's wastewater system. Koster announced the lawsuit in a visit to Monett, where he toured the city's waste treatment plant and the site of the subsequent fish kill on Clear Creek...

Frank Compton will step down at the end of the month as chief executive officer at the Clark Community Mental Health Center as he begins to wind down a 50-year career in the mental health field. Compton helped start what became the Clark Center in 1974 and has led the organization for the past 20 years. ...

Significant electric rate increases will hit Monett customers this summer. The Monett City Council has scheduled public discussion and passage of increases at its monthly meeting on Friday, to go into effect on Tuesday, July 1. The action quickly follows an electric rate study by the engineering firm of Allgeier, Martin and Associates...

The Monett Area YMCA will become the site of an ABC TV show on Thursday when the team producing "Extreme Weight Loss" will film at the local facility. The shoot will take place at 8 p.m. Kerry Shanahan, a field producer on the "Extreme Weight Loss" show, said, "We want to spread the word to the city of Monett and its people to come out and join us. We want to get a lot of the community backing this shoot."...

A new contract with Aramark switched the arrangement with the custodial service from one year to a five-year rolling contract. "The district could seek bids for services annually," said Brad Hanson, superintendent, "but an extended arrangement offers security on pricing at their end and ours."...

An infant and a Purdy woman were injured in a recent two-vehicle side-swipe crash on County Road 1072, about four miles northwest of Butterfield. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred when a 2005 Jeep Liberty, driven by Heather Greer, 24, of Purdy, sideswiped a 1968 Chevrolet half-ton truck, driven by John E. Newman, 69, of Exeter at 2:20 p.m., Friday...

Success hosting recent events has contributed to planning for upcoming activities in Monett by the Chamber of Commerce. Sixty people attended the spring eggs and issues breakfast at the Monett Area YMCA. Jeff Meredith, executive director for the Chamber, said the 2015 breakfast will be held in the City Park Casino...

Tom Wolfe VFW Post No. 4207 Ladies Auxiliary will host a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18. The menu will include Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, carrots, roll, salad, dessert and beverage for $6.50. The Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District will hold a free summer safety course from 6 to 7 p.m. on June 24 at 307 Dairy St. in the training room. Space is limited. Those attending are asked to call 235-3102...

If the crowds filling up the Monett Speedway are any indication, quality racing is back. The Monett Speedway packed the house Friday for the Oil Capital Racing Series Sprint (OCRS) cars, and is looking for another large crowd this week as regular racing returns...

Monett soccer coach Cristobal Villa is a smooth operator when it comes to creating an advantage for his team. Villa, entering his second season at the helm and third as a coach for Monett, won a district title in his first season. For the Cubs, it was their second consecutive district title. If the target on their backs weren't big enough after the second title, it is definitely there as they seek their third...

Monett's Orange Tigers won the Monett Area YMCA under-10 division soccer championship with a perfect 9-0 record. Pictured, from left, are: Jesus Aldava, Jackson Jones, Eric Mendez, Joseph Wilkewitz, Angel Perez, Coach Jeff Meredith, Edgar Salas, Drew Meredith, Lydia Gibried, Dylan Fenske, Josh Wallace and Macey Flynt. Not pictured: Isaac Henley. Contributed photo...

A Golden man was injured in a single-vehicle crash over the weekend on Highway RA, about four miles north of Golden. A Missouri State Highway Patrol report indicates a 1979 Jeep J10, driven by Brian J. DeHaven, 44, of Golden, lost control on a curve, ran off the right side of the road, overturned and struck a fence at 5:45 p.m., Saturday...

Bonnie Jean Straw, 63, of Stotts City, MO, passed away on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at the Bentonview Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in Monett, MO. Bonnie was born on August 9, 1950, in Hartville, OH, the daughter of the late Bernard McGhee and Dorothy (Mauck) McGhee. She was a homemaker...

Faye Griffin Ridenour Litchfield, 87, of Monett, died Friday, June 13, at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 17, at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Chapel in Monett. Burial will follow at Rocky Comfort Cemetery in Rocky Comfort...

Velma Lea Wilson Caruthers died Friday, June 13, in Raleigh, N.C. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, June 20, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Monett under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home.

Forrest Allen Williamson, 89, of Shell Knob, died at 2:55 a.m., Saturday, June 14. No services are scheduled. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home of Shell Knob.

Donald Lee Holland, 68, of Pierce City, died at 1:50 p.m. Saturday, June 14 at his home. Graveside services are pending and will be held at Pierce City Cemetery under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home.

Roger W. Pruitt, 67, of Carthage, died at 6:45 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at his home. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, June 18, at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City. Cremation will follow.

A windmill framed against a sunset west of Freistatt provided a scenic setting. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster arrived at the city's waste treatment plant at 10:45 a.m. today. Koster is expected to meet with Utilities Superintendent Skip Schaller and David Sims, chief wastewater operator for the city. He is also expected to announce some sort of action at 1 p.m. at a news conference in Springfield...