Stories from Wednesday, July 2, 2014

It was a good morning to go fishing at Monett's South Park on Tuesday, so Rita Freiburger packed up grandsons Alex and Asher Freiburger to do just that. The boys enjoyed using cheese and worms to try to attract a big catch. Melonie Roberts reporter@monett-times.com...

The Wheaton Fire Department will host the second consecutive Freedom Jam on Friday at the Wheaton City Park. Live entertainment and fireworks will mark the occasion. Performers will include a band from Monett, Down & Out, Point South from Cassville and the feature act, The Black Moods, from Tempe, Ariz. The Black Moods are a nationally-acclaimed rock band featuring two Wheaton natives...

Elizabeth Ann Willmouth, 82, of Miller, died at 6:56 p.m., Friday, June 27, at her home. Local arrangements have been conducted by the Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held in Brazil, Ind., at a later date.

Roseana "Rosie" Jane Williams, 90, of Shell Knob, died Sunday, June 29, at Mercy Hospital in Berryville, Ark. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 2, at the Shell Knob Church of Christ in Shell Knob. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. prior to the service...

Mary Jo Weston, 73, of Kansas City, formerly of Stella, died at 8:15 p.m., Sunday, June 29. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 5, at McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton. Burial will be in Macedonia Cemetery, Visitation will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m., Saturday, at McQueen Funeral Home, Wheaton...

Wanda (Witt) Ast, 48, of Monett, MO, passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, at 4:44 a.m. after conquering cancer for 16 months. She is survived by her husband, Mike Ast; four daughters: Lastacia (Davis) and Simon Tottingham of Seneca, Cassie (Davis) and Craig Potts of Springfield, Mackenzie Ast and Whitney Ast of Monett; one granddaughter: Madyson Tottingham; three sisters: Vickie (Witt) and Don Iman of Pierce City, Donna (Witt) and Bob Neff of Springfield, Sarah Witt of Monett; two brothers: Richard and Colette Witt of Marionville, Leonard and Tina Witt of Monett.. ...

Two people were injured in a single-vehicle crash on Highway 39 about one mile north of Mt. Vernon. A report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol indicates a 2003 Cadillac CTS, driven by Leah E. Goist, 25, of Mt. Vernon, was traveling northbound and ran off the right side of the road. The vehicle crossed the center line and ran off the right side of the road again. The vehicle struck an embankment before turning over into a field at 6:44 p.m. Monday...

Absentee voting for the Aug. 5 Primary Election will continue from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through July 9 at the Barry County Clerk's Office in Cassville. If people are unable to vote in person, they may request an absentee ballot to be mailed. Absentee ballot request forms may be obtained at the Monett Chamber of Commerce; the Shell Knob Chamber of Commerce; by written request to the office of: Gary Youngblood, Barry County clerk, 700 Main St. Suite 2, Cassville, MO 65625; or by fax at 417-847-5311...

An Aurora man was recently injured in an incident involving a Cub Cadet four-wheeler on private property about three miles northwest of Wheelerville. A Missouri State Highway Patrol report indicates the vehicle, operated by Carl R. Blevins, 31, of Aurora, ran off the private drive and struck a tree at 9 p.m. Saturday. Blevins was not wearing safety equipment, according to the report...

Loaves and Fishes lost all its stockpile of frozen food over the weekend. The charity organization is in need of donations of frozen vegetables and meats. Anyone who can help may contact 417-235-5240. The Purdy community will celebrate Independence day on Thursday evening, July 3. ...

The Barry-Lawrence Regional Library found operations and funding in a relatively strong position. Third quarter circulation figures showed the Monett branch held the top circulation spot again in April, with 7,158 items checked out, ahead of the Cassville branch with 6,608...

The Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League team sponsored by International Dehydrated Foods is pictured above. Members of the team include: Braden Cendroski, Parker Messer, David Southard, Elijah Ridenour, Cooper Spence, Alex Huntress, Ian Waterman, Wyatt Leslie, William Leslie, Colten Butts and Caden Szydloski. Coaches are Neil Messer and Keith Southard. LaDonna McVay Special to The Monett Times...

Local Lawrence County deputies will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide Fourth of July weekend "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" crackdown on drunk driving. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement through Lawrence County, will run through July 6...

The Monett Lions Club will again offer barbecued chicken dinners for the Fourth of July. The Lions will officially open their cook shack at South Park, west of the City Park Casino, at 11 a.m. on Friday with sales continuing until 2 p.m. or when the chicken runs out. Cost is $6 in advance or $7 on July 4. Tickets are available at U.S Bank, First State Bank, Buchanan Funeral Home or from any Lions Club member...

Motorists can't miss them. Around Monett and most neighboring towns, tents of fireworks vendors have popped up. This annual Independence Day ritual seems to have more stamina this year. According to Jeremy Webb with Hale's Fireworks on South Highway 37, sales over the first 10 days of the season have "about doubled" from last year...

Pierce City teachers will receive an increase of $500 to their base salaries plus a step of $310 to $425 on their salary schedules, thus ensuring every educator in the district will receive a raise in pay. Teacher salaries are based both on their number of years with the district and the amount of education they have obtained during their careers...

In an effort to upgrade the quality of the Greenways Trail in Monett, street department crews this week began rebuilding the sidewalk on Ninth Street from Bond to the middle school at Cleveland. Dave Dunn, assistant street department superintendent, left, said sections of the old sidewalk had become broken and uneven. ...

A collision on Highway 97 approximately a quarter mile south of the National Guard Armory in Pierce City between a tractor trailer and an SUV resulted in two people requiring medical treatment on Tuesday. According to the Pierce City Police Department, the wreck occurred around 4:50 p.m. ...