Stories from Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Lawrence County commissioners face major questions in their financial direction for 2015 heading into the annual budget hearing. In addition to nearly $600,000 more in requests from 2014 for money from the general fund, none of the spending requests have factored in the cost of a new contract that would transfer dispatching of emergency services to Monett...

Fundraising is underway to renovate the historic organ at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Pierce City. According to research by the Dobson Pipe Organ Builders company of Lake City, Iowa, the organ appears to have been built in 1889 by the Felgemaker organ company, based in Buffatlo, N.Y., and installed in Pierce City shortly after new current church building was finished in 1913...

State Rep. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, has received his committee assignments as he begins his second term representing Lawrence County in the 157th District. Moon was named vice chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. Moon has not served on the committee before, noting appointments are at the discretion of the speaker, and that this year, there have been many shifts in committee assignments...

The worst church fire in Monett in 25 years hit the Church of Monett at Park and Eighth streets Monday afternoon.

Two people were injured Friday in a wreck at Highways 60 and 39 in Aurora involving a 2013 Ford Police Interceptor. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Lacey Kubik, 30, of Republic, was driving the Ford Police Interceptor westbound on Highway 60 at about 7:58 p.m. when her vehicle was struck in the rear by a 2009 Ford Crown Victoria, being driven by David Hubert, 24, of Mt. Vernon...

An Aurora man suffered minor injuries in a wreck at about 4 p.m. on Highway ZZ at Farm Road 1200 on Friday. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Daniel Howard, 42, of Aurora, was driving a 1996 Chevrolet 1500 truck and slowed to make a turn. His vehicle was struck from behind by a 2011 Buick Enclave, being driven by Ivas Kerans, 72, of Billings...

Four people were injured Sunday evening in a two-vehicle wreck on Elsie Corn Lane, two miles east of Seligman. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Benjamin Vinson, 16, of Seligman, was driving a 1997 Dodge Ram truck at about 5:10 p.m. Sunday when his vehicle crossed the center line in a curve and struck a 2006 Hummer H3, being driven by Michael Seabolt, 41, of Seligman...

A Washburn man suffered moderate injuries Sunday afternoon when his motorcycle hit a sign on Highway 90, seven miles west of Washburn. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, 65-year-old Phillip Jordan, of Washburn, was a driving a 2014 Harley Davidson westbound on Highway 90 at about 3:30 p.m. when his vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a sign...

Unseasonably warm weather provided any available excuse to get outdoors and enjoy 60-degree temperatures over the last few days. Driver Truman Heider and his brother, Graham, drove their battery-powered Jeep all around their yard and up the sidewalk in front of their home on Central Avenue in Monett on Sunday, with mom Allison Heider tracking their progress. ...

The Monett Historical Society will not meet at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 20 so those interested in history can attend the presentation by Phil Dixon on the Kansas City Monarchs baseball team playing in Monett in 1927, presented at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the Monett City Park Casino...

Pierce City Coach Matt Street looked more like Jerry Tarkanian in the fourth quarter of Friday night's 58-55 win over Purdy. For three quarters, Street's Eagles flew high, ruled both ends of the floor and looked like a dominate team. They lead 37-22 at halftime and led by as many as 17 in the second half...

Post presence of Ennes, Skiles key part of team's recent success Going into Friday night's matchup with Pierce City, the Purdy girls basketball team was a little nervous. It was not because the Lady Eagles were scared or intimidated by their opponent, but because they knew, if they played their game, they would win...