Stories from Friday, January 9, 2015

As Missouri lawmakers head back to Jefferson City this week, anticipation is high and unclear as to how the new legislative session of the General Assembly, which began on Wednesday, will proceed. "The leadership has set no priorities," said Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, returning incumbent from the 157th District in Lawrence County. "They asked us for our top five."...

Despite a frequently overcast December that made flying for fun much more difficult, the number of flights in and out of the Monett Regional Airport closed 2014 with 21 percent more flights during business hours than a year ago. Airport Superintendent Howard Frazier indicated lower fuel prices should support an upward trend moving into 2015...

Before heading back to Jefferson City on Wednesday for the 98th General Assembly, 158th District State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Cassville, outlined his top legislative goals for the Monett Kiwanis Club. Unsure of what his new committee assignments would be, Fitzpatrick said he planned to remain on the House Budget Committee, which he said the most powerful committee in the body, and he stands in line to serve as the new vice chairman...

One man was taken to Cox Monett Hospital for treatment following a two-vehicle collision around 11:42 a.m. on Wednesday at First Street and East Broadway in Monett. According to Officer Scott Landreth, a 2005 Ford Taurus, driven by Norman Hammond, of Monett, attempted to cross Broadway at First Street heading south when his vehicle drove into the path of a westbound 2007 Lexus SUV, driven by Terre Costley of Monett...

As if the stork took the long way around trying to avoid the polar vortex, the first baby of 2015 arrived on Tuesday at Cox Monett Hospital. Timberley Lynn Nelson arrived at 11:56 a.m. Tuesday to Shane and Racheal Nelson, of Aurora. Timberley weighed six pounds, three ounces and measured 20.5 inches long. She will be welcomed home by her 3-year-old brother, Kaden...

The trivia night fundraiser for the Monett/Barry County Relay for Life has been cancelled due to lack of participation. The event was scheduled for Saturday at the Scott Regional Technology Center. The Mt. Vernon Community Health and Wellness Meeting will offer a program on nutrition at 10 a.m. on Jan. 16 at the Mt. Vernon Library Branch. Refreshments will be served. For more information, people may call Brenda Barger-Saunders at 417-793-9175...

After getting bounced from the Walnut Grove Holiday Tournament, Pierce City Coach Matt Street had a heart to heart meeting with his Eagles squad. "The problem for us was obvious," Street said. "Our defense needed to get better. Defense is about effort and intensity, [and] both were lacking."...

Pierce City Coach Rob Guerin did not say much to his Lady Eagles squad during their 53-18 win over Liberal on Tuesday. Coming into the contest, there a few questions that needed answering, including defensive effort, offensive execution and shaking off the new year's rust...

The Monett boys basketball team earned a 65-51 win over the Owls of Spokane Thursday night. The Cubs raced out to a 37-20 halftime lead, then fought off a late Spokane rally to win. Scoring for Monett: Logan Coones, 20; Colin Randles, 17; Jonah Paszek, 12; Alex Turner, 9; Chad Swanson, 4; and Cameron Witt, 3...

The Monett wresting program improved to 11-2 on the season with dual wins over Republic and McDonald County on Thursday. The Cubs defeated the Tigers, 48-21, before dispatching the Mustangs, 50-27. The Cubs are in action today in the Monett Tournament. Visit www.monett-times.com to see how Monett fared...

The Purdy girls basketball team fell 64-60 to Jasper Thursday night. Purdy led 22-13 after one period and 33-29 at halftime, but could not hold on for the win. Scoring for Purdy: Sami House, 23; Desirie Ennes, 13; Jayse Henderson, 12; Layne Skiles, 8; and Zoe Brown and Ashton Young, 2 each...

The Monett Middle School seventh-grade boys basketball team took third place in the Cassville Shootout with a 33-15 win over East Newton on Thursday. The Cubs were led in scoring by Zack Swoboda with 10 points and Taylor Genzler with 8 points.

The Monett Middle School eighth-grade boys basketball team fell 43-37 to East Newton on Thursday. Scoring for Monett: Jackson Spencer, 14; Clayton Kaiser, 11; Gavin Carr, 6; Jantzen Scott, 6; and Zach Rosebaugh, 1.