Stories from Saturday, July 12, 2014

The nature of the news business is that bad news often takes precedent. After all, things happening the way they're supposed to happen makes for boring headlines, and failure to serve as the public's watchdog would be negligent. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't take time to smell the roses and focus on the things that make our community great...

Community activities have a life of their own, oddly enough. Some seem to almost run themselves, though a closer look behind the curtain usually reveals a small army of mice scurrying around that make things happen. Don't take the mice for granted. Monett's Fourth of July celebration may not differ a lot from many others. ...

Joel Adams, of Stotts City, recently returned from Columbia where he was re-elected as a regional representative to the Missouri State 4-H Council. The election took place as part of the 69th annual State 4-H Congress in May. The Congress was attended by 294 Missouri teens...

Friends of the late Monett firefighter Dave Shaner gathered to honor him in a candlelight ceremony to honor fallen and tenured firefighters in Kingdom City at the memorial set up by the Fire Fighters Association of Missouri and the Missouri Association of Career Fire Protection Districts...

The Crane Broiler Festival is now accepting entries for the 2014 Slick Chick Pageant to be held Friday, Aug. 22. Information and registration form can be found at www.cranebroilerfestival.org. For additional information, people may call Angie Rinker at 417-880-4432...

Two handmade quilts and an afghan will be given away in a drawing at the annual Stones Prairie picnic on Friday, July 18 at St. John's Lutheran Church, northwest of Purdy.

A few summer showers did not dampen the spirits of the members of the Verona Wild Clovers 4-H Club during the annual Missouri Extension Twilight Horticulture Tour Thursday.

A Cassville man sustained serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash at 11:28 p.m., Wednesday, on Highway 76 about one mile east of Cassville. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the incident occurred when a 1998 Chevrolet Malibu, driven by Aaron L. Miller, 34, of Cassville, ran off the road and overturned...

A Cassville woman sustained minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash at 6:55 p.m., Wednesday, on Farm Road 1072, about six miles north of Cassville. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the crash occurred when a 1980 Chevrolet pickup truck, driven by Berry D. Thomas, 18, of Purdy, failed to stop at a stop sign and drove into the path of a 1999 Dodge Dakota, driven by Destani R. Stensrud, 21, of Exeter, striking the truck...

Area enforcement officials are seeking help from the public to solve a local crime. The Monett Police Department investigated a burglary at the North Park concession stand, at approximately 2 a.m. on June 28, in which three suspects entered the building and allegedly stole food and drinks...

Cox Monett Hospital is hosting Committed to Kids, a program for overweight teens and their families to work together to overcome health issues, including obesity and low self-esteem. "We know if one parent is obese, the child has a 50 percent chance of becoming obese," said Lauren Holland, community educator with the hospital. "If both parents are obese, the child has an 80 percent chance of becoming obese."...

The soldiers of the local 276th Engineering Company, currently in Afghanistan, were among the troops recently recognized for outstanding service. Since taking charge of the Missouri National Guard in 2009, the adjutant general said he has frequently received personal letters from commanders overseas recognizing the professionalism and dedication of Missouri National Guard Soldiers and Airmen...

A full range range of activities and entertainment will make up the offerings at the third annual Purdy Festival, slated for Saturday at the school and city park in Purdy. The community gathering offers free rides, a day of tournaments and fun for all ages...

On July 1, new electric rates went into effect for Monett customers. Approval by the Monett City Council on June 20 set new prices for all customers into effect. Bills received in August will carry the new charges. Customers received an explanation of the rate change in bills mailed in June...

The Monett High School football team will be hosting a free youth football camp on July 21 through 25 from 6:30-8 p.m. each night. The camp is open to any player in grades three to six. Attendees are encouraged to wear cleats, shorts and a T-shirt. For more information, people may call Sean Kelley at 417-235-9700...

The summer softball season came to an end for the Monett Lady Cubs on Thursday with a four-team scrimmage at North Park. The Lady Cubs hosted Bolivar, Joplin and Republic in a round-robin scrimmage format as a last huh-rah before the start of the fall practice season on Aug. 4...

Traffic in, and around, Burl Fowler Stadium picked up last week. Not only did crews start the tedious process of laying turf, but the number of gawkers increased. The sound of honking horns is constantly heard at the stadium. Most of the noise is expressing approval of the the progress, but some honks are in disapproval of the slower speed of traffic...

Teresa Kay Davis, 52, of Verona, was sentenced by Stone County Judge Alan Blankinship on Thursday in Barry County Circuit Court to eight years in prison and to pay restitution for stealing from Les Jacobs Ford, a Cassville car dealership where Davis worked as a bookkeeper. Davis pleaded guilty in April to stealing more than $25,000. No trial was held...