Stories from Tuesday, July 22, 2014

As the summer begins to wind down, for some, the action just heats up. This week, 47 teams from across the United States will play over 120 games in Joplin to decide the Premier Junior World Series champions. In the mix are two players from Monett -- Brett Gollhofer and Cameron Witt...

With a senior laden team and the goal of a final four appearance, the Monett Lady Cubs have beefed up their fall softball schedule. Some teams were removed because they switched to the spring season. Their absence gave Monett an opportunity to load the schedule down...

Cody Parson recorded a coveted hole-in-one at Monett's Windmill Ridge Golf Course on Wednesday. Parson recorded the ace with a wedge, on the par 3, 165-yard No. 17 hole during Jack Henry Golf League play. The rare feat was witnessed by Kendall Bates, Brandt Callaway and Tim Fitzpatrick...

Warm and dry weather has offered ideal conditions for construction crews to make rapid progress on building projects for the Monett school district. Superintendent Brad Hanson said patrons can expect to see a number of changes in the coming week. Vaughn Construction crews finished excavating the subsoil at the site of the FEMA-funded storm safe from north of the E.E. ...

New details have been announced for upcoming activities sponsored by the Monett Chamber of Commerce. The new teacher breakfast, an annual introduction to the community for educators, will take place at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5 at the Scott Regional Technology Center. A total of 32 new teachers working in the Monett R-1 School District, St. Lawrence Catholic School, Berean Christian Academy and Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt are expected to attend...

This week, the Mt. Vernon Community Theatre and Rebel's Bluff Troupe will present the Broadway musical, "Shenandoah," at the Mt. Vernon Arts and Recreation Center, located at 822 W. Mt. Vernon Blvd. Shows will be at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday. The musical is adapted from the 1965 film starring Jimmy Stewart and ran for 1,050 performances on Broadway, winning two Tony Awards...

Transformation efforts to support weight loss among Monett school children will continue, as the Missouri Foundation for Health has renewed its grant with the Monett School District for a second year. For school leaders, renewal validated a wide range of efforts implemented during the past year...

The Purdy Festival was held Saturday in Purdy, with many different games and attractions for visitors.

Many children were present at the Stones Prairie Picnic, held Friday northwest of Purdy.

Drury University's College of Continuing Professional Studies and Cox College are offering a new dual degree program in Monett for students interested in a career in healthcare. Drury University will hold a free informational session about this program from 5:30 to 7 p.m. ...

Ronald Burke, 67, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, MO, with his wife and son at his side. Ronald was born on August 11, 1946, in Baltimore, MD, son of Franklin and Frances (Webb) Burke. Ronald was a retired computer programmer for Jack Henry and Associates. ...

Cuma Vaughan, 90, of Bartlesville, Okla., died at 2:20 a.m., Wednesday, July 16. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26, at the Church of Christ, Shell Knob, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in Painter Cemetery, Shell Knob...

Maria Miranda, 63, of Monett, died July 19. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home of Monett.

Lewis Dwayne Henson, 77, of Verona, Missouri, died at 7:20 p.m., Thursday, July 17, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Funeral services were at 2 p.m., Monday, July 21, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, with burial at Spring River Cemetery near Verona...