Stories from Friday, November 14, 2014

According to Osage superintendent Brent Depée, all of Monett's varsity wins in the last four seasons can be credited to him. Depée claims to have inspired Monett football Coach Chad Depee's coaching philosophy, teaching him the option, and setting his younger brother on the path to success...

Vivian L. Walters, 75, of Pierce City, died at 3:45 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Christine Health Care in Springfield. Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the First Baptist Church in Monett. Burial will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, north of Pierce City...

The future of gay marriage in Missouri has become even more of a hot topic since U.S. District Judge Ortrie Smith ruled that the state's ban ran contrary to the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of due process. Smith's ruling in Western District Court in Kansas City on Nov. 7 has had little effect in Barry and Lawrence counties, as there are different interpretations of the ruling...

Architect Richard Werner, of Verona, received a contract from the city of Monett to design a new public works building. Mayor Jim Orr said council members wanted Werner because they liked his work on the City Park Casino, and his price was favorable...

Mechanics believe the failure of an electrical component caused wiring to catch fire on an unattended school bus was parked on Dunn Street at Highland Avenue in Monett around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday.

Scouting for Food, the major food donation drive spearheaded by Boy Scout Pack No. 140, will be held Saturday in Monett. Fliers were distributed door-to-door last weekend, announcing the drive. Scouts will collect donations of canned goods and boxed food packages that will not spoil for donation to Crosslines...

EFCO Corporation in Monett celebrated its 97 employees who have served in the military in a special Veteran Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday. "On Veterans Day 2014, it is my privilege to be able to thank all of our veterans who are part of our EFCO Corporation team," said Mike Farquhar, EFCO president. "We're thankful that each of you, who at some point in your life demonstrated the willingness, courage and honor to serve this great country we live in."...

The Shoeboxes for Soldiers campaign, which sends gift supplies to Americans serving in the Armed Forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, is now underway. The local drive will continue through the end of November. The boxes used are the large Priority Mail boxes available for free from the United States Post Office...

A Republic woman was seriously injured Wednesday in a wreck on Highway 60, four miles west of Billings, at about 12:10 p.m. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Rhonda Grumadas, 44, of Republic, was driving a 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe when she attempted to stop for a vehicle in front of hers, causing her vehicle to swerve off the roadway, struck a ditch and overturn...

A wreck Tuesday on Route M, half a mile north of Mt. Vernon, led to two people being injured. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Emma Walter, 20, of Mt. Vernon, was driving a 2001 Chevrolet Cavalier at about 6:50 p.m. when she swerved to avoid an animal in the roadway, causing the vehicle to run off the roadway, struck an embankment and overturn...

Four Monett educators received recognition for outstanding professionalism at the annual Celebration of Schools, hosted by the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence and held at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin.

Southern Missouri Beekeepers of Monett will meet at 7 p.m. on Nov. 18 at the First United Methodist Church, 1600 N. Central in Monett. Bob Clark will report on pests and diseases of honey bees. A DVD on honey bees and beekeeping will be shown. The meeting will start with a pot luck dinner. For additional information, people may call John Schmidt at 235-7726 or Bob Clark at 417-229-4217...

Former Monettan, Cristobal Renteria and the Columbia College men's cross-country team won the American Midwest Conference Championship meet on the campus of Hannibal-LaGrange University in Hannibal. The Cougar men dominated the course, earning a first-place finish and received a bid to the NAIA Championships...

Monett senior Joel Diaz braved 40-degree temperatures and 15 mile per hour winds on Saturday at the Missouri Cross-County Championships.

The Monett seventh- and eighth-grade girls basketball teams opened the 2014-2015 season with impressive showings at the East Newton Tournament last week. Monett's seventh-grade won its grade-level championship with a 22-18 decision over Sarcoxie. Kaesha George led the way for Monett with 8 points. Ashley Kurima chipped in 6, Kelsie Dalton added 4 and Abby Patton and Rebecca Pitts scored 2 each...

Nathan P. Candelaria, $94.50 and two days in jail for stealing. Kristian M. Baxter, $125 for affray. Telisha M. Beeson, $100 for failure to register a vehicle. Rogelio Crespo, $100 for failure to register a vehicle. David Guerrero, $24.50 and six months probation for failure to provide proof of insurance...

Brandy H. Aust, Purdy, $200 for defective equipment. Kylan J. Bruton, Cassville, $20.50 and costs for illegally taking wildlife. Harli E. Bruton, Cassville, $300 for speeding. Mack Bryan Davis, Seligman, $125 and seven days in the Barry County Jail with credit for time served for speeding...

Gerald Williams, 75, of Wichita, Kan., passed away November 11, 2014. Visitation will be from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 at Cochran Mortuary, 1411 N. Broadway, Wichita, Kan. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Lakeview Cemetery, 12100 E. 13th St. N., in Wichita, Kan...

Zachery Ryan "Zack" Phillips, 29, of Cassville, died at 12:03 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 11. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial with military honors will be in Russell Cemetery, Butterfield...

Delia Katherine "Kathy" Davis, age 67, of Monett, Mo., passed away to be with her Heavenly Savior on Wednesday morning, Nove. 12, 2014, at her home. Kathy was born on Dec. 28, 1946 in Orange, Calif., daughter of Andrew and Juanita Moreno. On June 28, 1965, Kathy Moreno married Elmer Davis, Sr. ...