Stories from Saturday, October 25, 2014

My mother is my hero for multiple reasons, but one of the biggest reasons is how she has handled -- and continues to handle -- challenges with her children that many moms have never had to deal with.

Lawrence County voters will go to the polls on Nov. 4 to select a new associate circuit court judge for Division 2, replacing the retiring Sam Jones. Republican Bob George, who withstood a four-way race for the Republican nomination with 37 percent of the vote, now faces Democrat Randee Stemmons for the position. Political signs for both candidates recently re-emerged...

By Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com An audience made up largely of cattle ranchers prompted dialogue over the proposed Spring River Watershed Basin Plan during a public meeting held Tuesday at the University of Missouri's Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon...

Leaders of the Monett Rural Fire District have taken successive steps toward consolidating the resources of the Monett Rural Fire Association into the new district structure. Voters approved formation of the fire district in April. Since operations in 2014 relied on memberships, district leaders have moved gradually toward the new structure. The first property tax revenues will begin arriving in the year-end tax cycle...

Frank Washburn, the incoming lieutenant governor for the Kiwanis Club, received the Kiwanian of the Year Award at the local club's annual installation banquet. A past club president, Washburn was recognized for his service in all the club's major projects, taking on a duck race as a personal effort, introducing the circus as a recent fundraiser and actively volunteering for Peanut Day fundraisers...

More than 100 people lined the 300-foot driveway of Vicky and Robert McGuire's home in Monett on Thursday night to welcome the couple home. Vicky, a retired Monett school teacher who underwent a double lung transplant on June 17, returned home for the first time since December. She spent 237 days at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis...

Jack Henry, co-founder of Jack Henry and Associates, based in Monett, has posthumously received the Missourian Award, given for outstanding contributions to the business and the quality of life in the state. Henry was one of 14 recipients receiving the award in special ceremonies held in Jefferson City. Jack Henry and Associates nominated both Henry and Jerry Hall, who started the company, and both were honored at the 2014 presentation on Sept. 27...

B&B Theaters has announce the acquisition of Dickinson Theaters, a midwest theatre chain with 15 locations and 169 screens across seven states. The combined company will retain the B&B Theaters name and brand and has now become the ninth-largest theatre chain in America, with 50 locations and 408 screens across eight states...

An informational meeting on Amendment 3 on the Nov. 4 ballot will be held by the Monett Elementary School Parent/Teacher Organization at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 27 at the school gym. Community Teacher Association president Misty Calhoun will explain the basic tenants proposed in the amendment...

Gardening occasionally provides its own unexpected surprises. Jerry Weber, of rural Monett, got one this week when he dug up his garden and discovered this monster radish, of the regular variety from store-bought seeds.

In appreciation for all of God's creatures, St. Mary's Catholic School in Pierce City had a special Blessing of the Pets at Mass on Monday, October 6. Father Peter Morciniec officiated at this special Mass. Contributed photo

The Crowder Debate team placed 1st in Debate Sweepstakes, 3rd Place in Overall Sweepstakes, and was named Top Community College at the Bob R. Derryberrry Memorial Season Opener in Bolivar.

The Monett sixth grade SEAquest gifted program began working on a curriculum piece titled BIZ World during fifth grade.

Serve 2014, the annual community service undertaking by local United Methodist churches, took place on Oct. 12. Around 100 people from the First United Methodist Church of Monett went out in groups to undertake projects. "We cleaned gutters, trimmed trees, cleaned flowerbeds, washed windows, picked up walnuts, cleaned out window wells, sang at nursing homes and also a variety of other projects," said Michelle Goodson, director of childrens ministries at the church. ...

Chardon's School of Self Defense in Purdy was represented at the Fall Karate Tournament at Crowder College, winning three first-place trophies and one second-place trophy.

Purdy High School senior Katherine Wise, daughter of Kevin and Ginger Wise, heads to Nashville, Tenn. next week to rehearse and perform at the Grand Ole Opry as part of the 2014 All-National Honor Choir. Wise is the first student of Purdy choir director Lauren Lee to achieve this high honor...

Bradley and Shandy Williams, of Columbia, announce the birth of their daughter, Vivienne Ada, at 9:50 a.m. Aug. 28.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Monett softball team experienced both the agony of defeat and the joy of winning at Killian Softball Complex Friday. The Lady Cubs dropped their semifinal contest 2-1 to Platte County, who plays Desoto today at 10 a.m. to decide the Class 3 title...

The other day, there was a Facebook posting circulating that proclaimed someone in Monett had Ebola. A team in hazmat suits had to go in to the residence to move the patient. Click on the photo and the link took you to a laughing picture and someone declaring you had been duped...

Dear Editor, We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to the Monett community. First, we would like to thank everyone who had any part of the recent fund raiser held for our benefit. To the businesses and individuals who donated merchandize or baked goods, thank you. ...