Stories from Friday, August 1, 2014

Over $1 million in renovations to Burl Fowler Stadium will be on full display on Aug. 22 as the Monett Cubs welcome the Seneca Indians to its new gridiron. However, Monett residents can get a sneak peek with an up-close and personal tour of the facility and all of its improvements...

The Pierce City school district did not have to look far to find its third football coach in the last five seasons. The Eagles brought back Brad Hocker, who was already on staff and coached the team for five seasons (2005 to 2010). "I still had a passion for [coaching] football when I quit," Hocker said. "I love the game and love helping kids. Coaching track allowed me to stay connected."...

Countryside Christian Church, 1200 N. Eisenhower in Monett, will hold Vacation Bible School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 6-8 and Aug. 10 for kindergarten through sixth grade. "Odyssey in Outer Space" will be the theme. VBS camp will end with short programs and water games and hot dogs. Those attending are asked to call 235-6438 for planning purposes...

Construction advanced quickly this week at the new Monett water treatment plant. Crews for Crossland Heavy Construction lifted the first "T" for the treatment building into place. The 90-foot-long, 64,000-pound stressed concrete pier lifted quickly into place between the two foundation corners...

The 15th annual Kings Prairie benefit concert will be held on the grounds of the historic Kings Prairie school on Aug. 9 southeast of Monett. An area staple of summer entertainment, the concert raises money to support the upkeep of the Kings Prairie school building as an activity center for the rural Monett community. Organizers will continue the framework of past performances with a selection of classic country, gospel and bluegrass music popular in rural Missouri...

A Springfield man was transported to Mercy Hospital in Springfield Tuesday after being involved in a single-vehicle wreck on Interstate 44. Jordan Brown, 22, of Springfield, was driving a 2007 Hyundai Elantra when the vehicle traveled off the south side of I-44 in Mt. Vernon, striking a guardrail, then crossing back across I-44 and striking several signs...

It's a parent's worst nightmare. What started out as a routine school day on Dec. 14, 2012, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., ended in tragedy, leaving families, and a nation, shocked by senseless violence. There, a single gunman left 20 children and six staff members dead before killing himself as law enforcement officials arrived...

By Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com Voters on Tuesday will decide on candidates for local, state and federal races, and two Barry County races will result in direct elections to office. Very few races developed for party nominations, and most are within the Republican Party...

State issues with local ramifications have provided talking points to distinguish the two Republican candidates seeking the 157th District state representative seat in Lawrence County in the Aug. 5 primary. One-term incumbent and State Rep. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, and first-time candidate and retired educator, Julie Ruzicka, of Mt. Vernon, identified different issues as focal points for their campaigns...

Carl Shelton Sanders, Sr., 78, of Jenkins, died at 12:45 p.m., Thursday, July 31. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, August 4, at First Baptist Church, Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in Clio Cemetery, Jenkins...

Linda Carol Lewsader, 64, of Mt. Vernon, died at 8:55 a.m., Friday, August 1, at her home. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Monday, August 4, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, Miller, with burial at Moore Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Sunday, August 3, at the funeral home...