Stories from Wednesday, February 18, 2015

The Purdy boys basketball team is best described by its coach Tommy Egan as a scrappy bunch. The Eagles earned the No. 6 seed in the eight-team Class 2, District 12 basketball tournament when begins next Tuesday at Pierce City. Pierce City (15-7) earned the No. 1 seed, with Miller (10-14) claiming the No. 2 spot...

Echo the Eagle is as visible as any player at Purdy High School basketball games. Standing over 6-5, with a nearly 6-foot wing-span, Echo prides himself in striking fear into opposing mascots and rallying the fans to stand up and cheer. Before every game, Echo saunters through the crowd as the loyal Purdy fans filter into the gymnasium. He constantly pauses for autographs, high-fives from young children and a long line of hugs and pictures from those in attendance...

The VFW Post. No. 4207 Ladies Auxiliary has cancelled its luncheon for today, Feb. 18 due to weather conditions. The luncheon will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The 85th annual Stone County Livestock and Forage Conference has been rescheduled from Feb. 17 to Thursday, March 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the First Baptist Church on Crane, south of the city on Highway 413. A small fee is required to cover meal costs...

By Tuesday morning, Monett city crews had gained the advantage over Sunday and Monday's snowfall. Pictured is the team from the park department, clearing the sidewalk around Monett City Hall with shovels, ice melt and a snow blower. Street Department Superintendent Russ Balmas said the crew next headed to the Centennial Overpass to use the snowblower to clear the sidewalk there. ...

Despite arriving after a snowstorm, the family-operated Ticolini Circus performed Monday night before a light audience at the Monett National Guard Armory. In a blaze of colored lights, Yoya Ticolini performed juggling feats with metal rings and acrobatics on a trapeze wire. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com...

The Monett City Council will unveil its budget for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, beginning April 1, at its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at Monett City Hall. Public comment on the proposal will likely be set for March 20. The contract with civil engineering firm TranSystems, for planning services on a long-range transportation improvement plan, will receive public contact and possible passage. ...

A new Missouri State House bill plans to ease restrictions for boat liquor license applications by reducing the required number of passengers from 100 to 30. If the proposed legislation becomes law, State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, who sponsored the bill, said it would not only make the playing field more level, but it could create more outlets for people to consume alcohol on boats...

The Purdy Renewal Project is placing and order with Miracle Recreation Equipment/Playpower in Monett this week for new playground equipment for the city park in Purdy. Fundraising for an additional section continues this weekend in a warm-up concert Friday at the Utopian Bean coffee shop in Purdy...

Streaking through a shower of sprayed snow, Bo Stephens of Monett enjoyed the blast of winter coldness as he shot down the sledding hill at South Park on Monday. Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com

A variety of new resources are planned for branches of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library. Director Gina Milburn reported that use of wireless Internet service has almost tripled over last year at this time. Computer use has also increased. The district will see significant savings on its local and long distance telephone service for branches in Monett, Pierce City, Aurora and Marionville. ...

The mother of murdered Washburn woman Casey Brace is speaking out about difficulties she has had in seeing her grandchildren, two of whom have been put in temporary custody of the parents of Brace's accused killer. According to Washington County (Ark.) Circuit Court documents, Springdale residents John and Mary Paschall filed temporary custody paperwork in Arkansas for Alli Paschall, 2, and Braxton Paschall, 4. ...

Gerita J. "Geri" Duree, 72, of Shell Knob, died at 8:17 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15. Arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob.

9th-place finish The Monett Athletic Center was jumping with action on Tuesday as the Cubs' top 10 wrestlers worked up a sweat in preparation of this week's state championship tournament in Columbia. "We've watched at these kids mature over the season," said Daryl Bradley, Monett coach. "I thought we hit our stride at district and are ready to carry the momentum into this week's championships."...

Snow- and ice-covered roads led to a single-vehicle wreck Wednesday on Farm Road 1110, three miles south of Mt. Vernon. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Melissa Abernathy, 57, of Verona, was driving a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe northbound on Farm Road 1110 at about 12:45 p.m. when her vehicle lost control on the slick road, went off the roadway and overturned...