Stories from Saturday, January 24, 2015

A budget of $4,714,126 has been approved by Lawrence County Commission, boosting spending by $200,000 over 2014, but cutting proposals by officeholders by $232,000. County employees will received a 3 percent raise, representing the major change in budgets for several departments. ...

Several candidates filed in the finals days for city, school board and road district races around Monett for the April 7 ballot. Filings closed on Tuesday. Two more candidates added their names to those running for the two open seats on the Monett school board. Bill Willis, who has run for the last two years, and Sean Kelley, who ran in 2013, filed in the final days. They join Andrew Bahl, a one-term incumbent, and J.D. Roberts, a three-term incumbent, on the ballot...

PIERCE CITY -- After weeks of research, discussion and community surveys, members of the Pierce City School Board appear to be moving toward approval of a four-day school week. "We have started parent surveys and gotten about 64 back so far," Superintendent Russ Moreland told board members. ...

The thrill of a hometown baseball game taking on big-time players came to life on Tuesday as author Phil S. Dixon described visits by the Kansas City Monarchs to Monett. Rod Anderson, speaking for the Monett Historical Society, said the host organization has a responsibility to reach out to the community to share historical discoveries. ...

Nominations will be accepted until Feb. 16 for awards that will be announced at the Monett Chamber of Commerce's biggest night of the year, the annual membership meeting. This year's banquet will be held on March 12 at the Scott Regional Technology Center...

Patrons of the Pierce City School District attended an informational meeting on the district's proposal to move from a five-day school week to a four-day schedule.

The Lawrence County Emergency Preparedness Committee will meet at noon on Jan. 28 at Angus Branch restaurant in Monett. Master's Voice, the contemporary Christian gospel ensemble and evangelism team, will present a full concert at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. ...

Whitney D. Ast, $24.50 and 12 months probation for careless and reckless driving/accident. Linda G. Brisco,$110 for speeding. David D. Brooks, $100 for failure to register a vehicle. Sarah E. Cheslik, $135 for speeding. Kiley J. Finkbiner, $110 for speeding...

A birthday celebration open house to honor Helen Marie Mettlach, 90, will be held from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 8, at the Pierce City Senior Center, located at 104 North Locust St. in Pierce City.

Jimmy Grimes-Drake and Maggie Lawson have announced their engagement and forthcoming wedding.

Private First Class Nicolas James completed eight weeks of culinary schooling, earning honor graduate, as a Culinary Specialist.

Monett Intermediate School officials selected the following sixth grade students to be named Cubs of the Month for December.

Monett Elementary selected the following students to be named Student of the Week for January 20.

Officials at Verona School District have released the list of students named to the second quarter honor roll. Students are listed by grade level and achievement. Seventh grade: Ashley Freiburger, Rachael Leitz, Alisa Moua and Jeremiah Ruiz Diaz. Eighth grade: Twilah Carrasquillo, Rita Castillo, Jorge Lara, Brooklynn Lechner and Austin Valdez...

Daryl Bradley does not sugar coat his assessments when he talks to his wrestlers. When they wrestle hard and compete well, he tells them. When they are struggling or not giving him the effort they are capable of, he tells them. Bradley's Cubs entered this week knowing they had huge test at Seneca on Thursday. Bradley met with his team on Monday and laid out his concerns...

Ann Landers once wrote, "You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." For me, the character of Chad Depee began to be judged almost five years ago. Aug. 9, 2010 is a day I'll never forget. It was a Monday, and my first official day at The Monett Times...

In 1942, Monett had air raid drills and black-out night drills. These were greeted with a certain degree of skepticism. After all, what enemy would be stupid enough to waste ammunition bombing a totally non-strategic spot on the map like Monett? Yes, it might inspire terror, but there were so many better places for the Axis powers to bomb between Berlin and Toyko that it seemed laughable for local people to worry...

Dear Editor: The South-West Missouri Tea Party started in Shell Knob more than five years ago. The leadership group is made up of five people -- four from Shell Knob and one from Golden. We are all senior citizens, some a little more senior than others. ...