Stories from Friday, December 5, 2014

Monett's and Nevada's basketball teams seem to always play against each other to open the basketball season. In fact, the Tigers have been the Cubs' opponent in season openers in three of the last four years. The two teams are usually balanced, and the game serves as a litmus test for Monett's offseason progress...

Though the Lady Cubs are few in number, they are big in heart, effort and doing things the right way, according to Kelly George, Monett girls basketball coach. The Lady Cubs' season is off to an 0-2 start, with the latest setback coming Tuesday, a 59-34 decision to McDonald County...

Monett upsets Nevada in tourney opener The No. 6 seed Monett boys basketball team upped No. 3 seed Nevada, 70-66, to open play in the Carthage Tournament on Tuesday. The Cubs erased a 37-30 halftime deficit and outscored Nevada 19-13 in the third period and 21-16 in the fourth period...

After months of deliberation, the Monett Board of Education has voted to impose a tobacco-free standard on all Monett school properties. The ban will extend not only to school buildings, but to the surrounding grounds outside of the buildings. "As I see it, this is a big change," said Superintendent Brad Hanson. ...

For those looking for unique gift ideas this holiday season, the Alternative Gift Fair in Monett is offering a chance to do something different. The second annual Alternative Gift Fair will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the Monett Area YMCA. Twenty-two not-for-profit organizations will have representatives assembled in one place, offering the opportunity for visitors to learn about their efforts and either give a gift for the holidays, or make a donation for someone else as a gift...

Monettans and many out-of-town visitors are making their way to Monett's South Park to view the 11th annual Festival of Lights, provided by the Monett Chamber of Commerce. On duty as elves counting cars, accepting donations and distributing candy canes to visitors on Wednesday night, were Deanna Vincent, right middle, and the Lynn family, including Emilie Lynn, back, and daughters Olivia, Zoey and Eleas, with the car counter at right. ...

A Stotts City man was sentenced in federal court in Springfield on Tuesday for attempting to manufacture child pornography by secretly videotaping a child victim in the shower. Christopher L. Modglin, 45, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years in federal prison without parole...

Crews for Visu-Sewer are back in Monett concentrating on the northwest corner of town, where Ace Pipe Cleaning conducted smoke testing last spring. Dan Addis, a CCTV technician for Visu-Sewer, viewed the alley between Central and Third Street, which had previously been lined by Insituform. ...

Holiday programs have been scheduled at the Monett R-1 schools. Monett Elementary second graders will present their program at 6 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the school gym. Monett High School will hold its Miss Merrie Christmas assembly at 9:45 a.m. in the school gym. The Monett Intermediate School Cubpella Choir will present a concert at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 11 in the school auditorium. The Monett High School Choir will perform at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 at New Site Baptist Church...

Billie Lee Holloway, 59, of Purdy, Missouri entered into eternal rest on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at his home in Purdy, surrounded by his family. He was born in Purdy, Missouri, on July 22, 1955, the son of Betty Ruth (Henderson) Holloway and the late Morris Lee Holloway...

Susan Ray Morgan, 62, of Monett died Sunday, Nov. 30,at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday Dec. 10, at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Chapel in Monett. Arrangements are under the care of Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...