Stories from Friday, November 7, 2014

REEDS SPRING -- For the second time in three years, Monett is the Class 3, District 4 champion. The Cubs secured the feat with a hard-fought 21-0 win over Reeds Spring on Friday. "We had played this team in the fifth grade super bowl and beat them 6-0," said Levi Pfitzner, Monett defensive back. "We wanted to make sure that trend continued. It was hard, but we got it done."...

Edwinna L. White, 101, of De Soto died Oct. 24, 2014, at the Villas Nursing Center in De Soto. Mrs. White was a bookkeeper and secretary for Sinclair Oil. She was a lifetime member of the First Methodist Church of Monett and a founding member of the Monett Garden Club. ...

Jay Lee Ferguson, 78, of Newton, Kan., formerly of Monett, was killed on Oct. 30 when a plane crashed into the Flight Safety International building at the Wichita airport. Cremation has taken place. Visitation with the family will be at the St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Newton from 6:30 to 8 p.m. ...

Donald William Cupp, 85, of Monett, died Friday Oct. 31, at Cox South in Springfield. Military graveside memorial services are being held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Crane Community Cemetery in Crane. Arrangements are under the care of Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Mo...

The city of Monett is considering a new city sales tax, and a proposal will likely go to voters sometime in late 2015. According to City Administrator Dennis Pyle, the quarter-cent sales tax collected to pay for the Justice Center will end in January 2016, when the debt is paid off. The option of seeking a no-tax-increase renewal of the tax may provide a vehicle to handle unaddressed projects...

A Cassville man arrested on Oct. 10 was indicted on three counts by a federal grand jury in Springfield Tuesday. The indictment, which replaces a federal criminal complaint filed Oct. 15, alleges Chase Trevor Norman, 24, of Cassville, used a minor to produce child pornography between Sept. 21 and Oct. 10. The indictment also charges Norman with two counts of using the Internet and a cell phone to induce a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity...

At the end of September, all public school districts in Missouri report their student enrollment numbers to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The September totals, unlike the first day of classes or pre-Labor Day numbers, represent more closely the final figures for the school year, and provide the source for state funding, set on a per student basis...

Close to 300 people turned out at St. Lawrence Catholic Church on Sunday for the annual Fall Feast, hosted by the Parish Council of Catholic Women. Ann Caraway, right, received her choices from the bountiful supply of turkey or pork loin dinner from Sara Schad, left, and Patricia Randall. Attendees enjoyed salads, desserts and companionship in the church's fellowship hall. Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com...

While sunbirds are preparing to fly south for the winter, those of us who remain in the area for work, school and family are urged to feather our nests with emergency supplies for the snappy weather to come. David Compton, director of the Barry County Office of Emergency Management, said now is the time area residents should check their 72-hour kits for both home and car and renew any outdated supplies...

A retirement reception for Barbara Foster will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 9 at the First Baptist Church in Monett. She has worked for the Monett School District for 42 years. The church is located at 2581 Highway 37, south of Monett. Monett/Purdy Habitat for Humanity will hold its monthly meeting Tuesday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at the First Christian Church, Fourth and Wishart in Monett...

Even though Halloween was a week ago, the Monett soccer team will be haunted for weeks to come after a 2-0 loss to Springfield Catholic in the Class 2 sectional on Tuesday. Monett coach Cristobal Villa tried to lessen the emotional blow to his players with a simple message...

Monett senior cross-country runner Joel Diaz is a coach's dream. He's quiet, takes instruction, works hard and gives his best effort whether it is in practice or on the race course. Diaz's effort and drive has led to marked improvement this season. Last week, Diaz set a personal record at the district meet with a 17:04 performance and an eighth-place finish, giving him a spot in the state meet as one of the district's top 15...