Stories from Tuesday, July 1, 2014

One person was hurt in a single-car crash on Farm Road 1100, one mile south of Highway 60. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, April Witcher, 42, of Purdy, was driving her 2006 Kia Spectra north when the car went off the road and ended up in the ditch. ...

The acclaimed regional band Sober as a Judge provided live entertainment for Mt. Vernon's Red, White and Boom Independence Day party at Spirit of 76 Park over the weekend. Crowds gathered around the ball field and adjacent cemetery for the evening fireworks display in perfect weather conditions for a summer outing. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com...

Richard J. Frana, 82, of Eagle Rock, Missouri, died Thursday, June 26, at the Red Rose Health and Rehabilitation Center in Cassville. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville...

Betty I. Moore, 92, of Willard, died Friday, June 27, 2014. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob.

Cherryl Ann Boettler, 65, of Aurora, died at 12:35 p.m., Saturday, June 28, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, at the United Methodist Church in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., prior to the service...

Bryson Parker Blankenship, infant son of Clint and Bobbi (Hudson) Blankenship, of Jenkins, died at 2:39 p.m., Friday, June 27, at St. Louis Children's Hospital. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 2, at Clio Cemetery, Jenkins, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville, Missouri...

The Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League team sponsored by CPA Group is pictured above. In the front row, from left, are: Matthew Cooper, Kyler Ellison, Matthew Burdett, Hunter Laning, Kaden Palmer and Allen Parmley. Second row: Cade McCollough, Corbin McCully, Caleb Hoffman, Angel Soriano, Keller Snodgrass, Charles Ortwein and Tyler Waterman. Third row: coaches Chad Palmer, Brent Waterman and Frank McCollough. LaDonna McVay/Special to The Monett Times...

Monett Speedway officials are hoping that this Independence Day Weekend kicks off with fireworks on the track, as they welcome the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) into town. "We have the best dirt track drivers in the country coming to our track this week," said Randy Mooneyham, speedway owner. "The rare Thursday night race just adds a little more excitement to this week."...

Recalling the famous Liberty Bell, the 1898 bell from Monett's original Central School, now on display by the entrance of Monett Elementary School, serves as a reminder of past celebrations with its still golden tones. July calendar girl Ireland Maureen Mertens will celebrate the nation's birthday in the week ahead. ...

Fireworks at the New Site Celebration Day received a recorded accompaniment of music by John Philip Sousa. While not extremely high, the fireworks filled the sky in an array from multiple fireworks exploding together. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com...

The building at 115 Fifth Street in Monett was demolished by order of the Monett City Council Monday following the collapse of the roof. Building Inspector Wade Ennes reported the owner declined to make repairs due to financial hardship. The building, which previously served as an office for Jane Hager Sligar's New York Life office, had been vacant for a number of years and had lost its windows to vandalism...

A full day of activities are planned for Monett's Fourth of July celebration on Friday. The Monett Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a number of attractions leading up to the big fireworks show around 9:15 p.m. Starting the day will be the Monett Lions Club's annual barbecued chicken dinner sales. ...

An Aurora man was injured in a single-vehicle crash on Farm Road 2040 about one mile west of Madry. A Missouri State Highway Patrol report indicated a 1998 Ford Explorer driven by Zackary T. Homan, 18, of Aurora, swerved to miss an animal in the road and struck a utility pole at 12:35 p.m. Friday...

A 11-year-old was seriously injured on an ATV rollover on Friday on Farm Road 2090 about 4-1/2 miles from Jenkins. A Missouri State Highway Patrol report indicates the 2007 Honda ATV, operated by Koy D. Essary, 11, of Cape Fair, failed to negotiate a curve, ran off the roadway, struck a fence and overturned. Essary was ejected from the vehicle. He was not wearing safety equipment, according to the report...

The Monett Kiwanis Club will hold its third annual duck race during the Fourth of July celebration on Friday at Monett's South Park. Tickets are available for $5. According to Brad Hanson, club president, the club will pay $500 for first place, $250 for second, $100 for third and $50 for fourth...

The Monett Utilities Department will receive services for a different national firm for sewer repair services over the next three years. City officials have approved a contract with Visu-Sewer, a Wisconsin-based firm, for a variety of maintenance services, from video recording inside lines to root cutting and smoke testing...

More details were revealed about Monett Naval airman Walfred Anderson's death in 1918 during commemorative ceremonies recently held on at Whiddy Island off the coast of Ireland. Locals marked the spot where Anderson died to recognize the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I. Irish naval personnel and historians joined veterans and visitors on Bantry Bay's Whiddy Island for the occasion...

A crowd estimated by Pastor Aaron Weibel at "more than the population of Pierce City" gathered on the lawn at New Site Baptist Church, southwest of Monett, for the church's sixth annual Celebration Day to mark the nation's birthday. Refreshments, games for children and inflatables from the Monett Area YMCA provided a full evening leading up to the fireworks show. ...

A patriotic workshop service will be held at 11 a.m. on Sunday, July 6 at St. Stephen's Episcopal church, Sixth and Benton in Monett. The public is invited to join in patriotic hymns, readings from the Mayflower Compact, the U.S. Constitution, Lincoln's second inaugural address and letters between John and Abigail Adams...