Stories from Saturday, February 7, 2015

According to the Monett School District, more than 90 students have been added to the free and reduced-price meal program, but the rate of students in the program has stayed the same. Officials credited an increase in enrollment, resulting in over 90 more students qualifying for a break on the cost of meals, due to coming from economically-stressed families...

An economic overview and a discussion on the latest technology will provide highlights for the 46th annual Monett Beef Cattlemen's Conference, slated for Feb. 19 at the Monett National Guard Armory. The conference represents the second part of the agriculture presentations offered that day by the Monett Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the University of Missouri Extension Service...

The Monett Fire Department anticipates a busy year of training and activities. Fire Chief Tom Jones reported he, three captains and the department lieutenant recently visited the Cargill Mill in Butterfield. The department helped fight a fire at the nearby George's feed mill in 2014, though the fire was higher than Monett's ladder truck would reach...

Taylor A. Adams, Webb City, six months probation for failure to maintain financial responsibility. Angel Aguilar, Purdy, $20.50 for failure to dim lights when approaching an oncoming vehicle. Scott Allman, Fairview, one year probation and restitution for passing a bad check...

It's been two weeks since the robins flew back into the Monett area. On Thursday morning, if you were standing in just the right place, you would have seen a female Monett High School student running between the high school and Scott Tech, without a coat, wearing her gym shorts. To her credit, the young woman was not dawdling in her passage...

Steven Combs, Drury University's new vice president for academic affairs, made the Monett campus an early stop in his tenure, as he visited students and staff on Friday morning.

Tracy Copening, gifted instructor for the Monett and Central Park elementary schools, has been named Teacher of the Month for December 2014. Copening, who teaches second- through sixth-grade students, received a plaque and a $250 check to be used for her classroom in recognition of the honor...

Verona High School named Seth Hilton, left, and Ashley Rogers 2014-2015 Homecoming King and Queen, respectively, prior to the Wildcats win over Billings.

On Friday morning, Kyle Russell from the Monett Street Department repaired a piece of sidewalk in front of 415 E. Broadway, the last traces of two-day undertaking.

A workshop explaining pain will be offered to the public at noon on Feb. 12 at Cox Monett Hospital. Participants will learn about pain management, coping and how to develop self-management techniques. Any interested person may attend. The conference is free. To register, people may call 417-269-4636...

An 80th birthday celebration for Waunita Witt, of the Pulaskifield area, will be held at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 8 in the parish hall at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Pulaskifield.

Employees at UMB Bank in Monett celebrated National Wear Red Day on Friday in conjunction with the American Heart Association's Go Red for Women campaign

Officials at Drury University have released the list of honor students named to the Fall 2014 Dean's List. Students and their hometowns are listed below: Brooke Dacquisto and Joshua Elkins, of Cassville; Chelsey Abramovitz, Jackson Burnside, Daisy Caez, Jose Caez, Sue Doty, Ana Espinoza, Jesus Espinoza, Desirae Fowler, Toni Fryling, Robyn Hancock, Lindsey Hartwigsen, Samantha Henson, Shelby Long, Brenda Maciel-Ramirez, Joshua McCaffrey, Eirberto median, Luis Medrano, Susana Montelongo, Bucky Morrison, Sergio Munoz, Kaitlyn Nickell, Sarai Rivera, Ryan Saunders, Meghan Shaner, Cheryl Spain and Isaac Weber, all of Monett; Kyle Davidson, Addy Roller and Shelby White, all of Purdy; and Tiggany Faughn, of Cassville.. ...

Benjamen Cooper is proud to announce the graduation of his wife, Makayla Cooper, from Insight School of Colorado on Dec. 18, 2014. Makayla completed her senior year a semester early, she was also inducted into the National Honor Society for Insight School of Colorado her junior year. Makayla will attend college in the fall. Makayla is the daughter of Jeff and Robin Sullivan, of Purdy...

The Purdy High School speech and debate team, coached by Michelle Hilburn, brought home the first place team trophy from the Glenda Ward Speech Tournament at Cassville on Jan. 17

Officials at Monett High School have released the lists of students named to the first semester honor roll for the 2014-15 academic year. Students are listed by achievement and grade level. Seniors: Kendall Bounous, Brooke Burnside, Garrett Craig, James Gustaveson, Zechariah Hammond, Tara Hancock, Kiersten Harper, Haley Henry, Wesley Kilgore, Isaac Long, Brooke Madison, McKenna Mahl, Tarek Masri, Raegan Nolan, Saloni Patel, Erwin Perez, Jessica Perez, Hannah Pitts, Kori Poynter, Collin Randles, Andrew Rausch, Adriel Ridenour, Polet Rodriguez, Katie Rutherford, Janie Salas, Bonnie Upchurch, Nathan Webb, Willow Welters, David Williams and Tallie Williams.. ...

Officials at Monett Elementary selected the following hard working students to be named Student of the Week for Jan. 26.

Brad Stewart may be employed as a history teacher at Verona High School, but his psychological abilities with his basketball team are not to be overlooked, according to his team. Stewart walked into his locker room prior to Tuesday night's win over Purdy and told his squad the number needed to be six...

The last time the Monett girls basketball team tasted victory was 345 days ago, when the Lady Cubs toppled Reeds Spring. This year, the girls are hoping to get a win before the season ends. The Lady Cubs suffered their 16th setback of the season and 17th in a row this week with a 57-30 loss to Mt. Vernon...