Stories from Wednesday, January 21, 2015

A settlement has been announced between Tyson Foods and Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, on behalf of the state, over the toxic amino acid spill in Monett on May 16. The food giant has agreed to pay nearly $540,000 in compensatory fines, and it pledged to take additional corrective action to improve water flow for wildlife in Clear Creek, west of Monett, where the spill occurred after traversing through the Monett Wastewater Treatment Plant...

Because of state fund withholdings by Gov. Jay Nixon, Barry County may soon lose its member of the Southwest Missouri Cyber Crimes Task Force, which specializes in tracking down criminals who use the Internet as a way to engage in illicit sexual activity...

State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, is taking aim at one of the most powerful positions in the State House of Representatives -- chairman of the Budget Committee in the Missouri House of Representatives. Named vice chairman of the committee last week, Fitzpatrick said if all goes as planned, he hopes to become chairman of the committee in two years, which could set him up for a rare two-term chairmanship...

The trial of a Cassville man, charged with three federal counts involving illicit sexual activity with children, is now on hold after his counsel requested he undergo a mental evaluation. Chase Norman, 24, of Cassville, is charged with two counts of using a means of interstate commerce to entice a minor to engage in illicit sexual activity, and one count of enticement of a minor to produce child pornography...

A Wheaton woman has pleaded guilty to two felony charges stemming from a meth bust in October 2014. Carrie Intessimone, 35, of Wheaton, pleaded guilty to charges of possession of methamphetamine and first-degree child endangerment, both class C felonies...

Investigators are continuing their search into the cause of the fire at the Church of Monett at Park and Eighth streets on Monday. The fire caused extensive damage to the 60-year-old building, originally built to house St. John's Lutheran Church. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 12:54 p.m. on Monday on reports of fire coming through the front door. Initial reports came from one of the nearby schools and passing motorists...

Marissa Woodruff, left. holds her newborn son, Tristan Bicksler, next to father, Brandon Bicksler. Tristan Bicksler, who was born on Jan. 8 at 9:40 a.m. at Cox Monett Hospital, was the first Barry County baby of 2015. He weighed in at 7 pounds and was 21 inches long. Kyle Troutman editor@monett-times.com...

The Monett School district will soon be on the lookout for a new head football coach, as the Chad Depee has moved on to be the head coach at Ozark. Depee will finish his contract at Monett, which ends on June 30. In addition to football, Depee also served as Monett's track coach...

An explosion Monday afternoon leveled a building behind the home of Eleanor Stephens, approximately three miles west of Monett on Farm Road 2001. Neighbors reported the explosion at 2:39 p.m. on Monday. Propane and acetylene tanks in the building continued to explode after firefighters arrived, sending a large plume of smoke into the air...

Barry County Retired School Personnel will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 23 at St. John's Lutheran Church, Ninth Street in Monett. Monett High School graduate Melisa Thomas Bush, who taught in Brazil through the International Schools, will be the guest speaker at 10:30 a.m...

In three tournaments this season, the Monett wrestling team has earned three Top-5 finishes, including two second place trophies. While Coach Daryl Bradley has said he is pleased with his team's progression, he also has a nagging concern. "We are having too many wrestlers finish second and fourth in tournaments," he said. "We have got to get over in those matches and start winning some individual titles."...

Facing a 17-point deficit with less than two quarters to play, the Purdy boys basketball team faced a decision Friday night against Pierce City. The Eagles could roll over, go through the motions and get blown out, or they could gather their pride and battle...

David L. Schell, 63, of Pierce City, died at 6:20 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 20, at his home in Pierce City. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 24, at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City. Visitation will take place after funeral services at the funeral home...

Katherine E. Marble, 76, of Shell Knob, died at 6:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob.

Frankie Edward Parnell, 75, of Verona, died at 5:53 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Cox Hospital in Monett. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home in Miller. Burial will follow in the Misemer Cemetery, east of Miller...