Stories from Saturday, May 30, 2015

Monett has been very fortunate with its image in the national media as shaped in documentaries. ABC's "Extreme Weight Loss" program airing this week provided an exceptionally positive picture. Trainer Chris Powell focused in on the slogan "Pride and Progress" on his first meeting with show subjects Raymond and Robert Delgado. ...

There will be a hunter education course held at the Pierce City Agricultural Building June 16-18 from noon until 4 p.m. each day. The class is open to anybody 11-years old to a senior in high school. This course is designed to do all the hands on activities as well as take the test...

Cox Health Systems in Monett will host two Athletic Advantage Performance camps. The goal of the camps is to help individuals with proper running footwork and proper running and lifting techniques. The first camp is June 15-19, and the second is July 13-17. The cost is $50...

After two rainouts, the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) Dirtcar Series returns to action this weekend for the 15th annual Tony Roper Memorial at the Monett Speedway on Sunday. Pit passes for the event are $35. Grandstand admission is $20 for adults, $5 for children ages 12-15. Children 11 and under get free admission...

Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. There are several reasons to get excited: the weather warms up, days are longer and area youth fairs fill the calendars. I have long advocated that the results from county fairs should run on the sports page. Although I have lost this argument with my editors, I believe my reasoning is sound...

The American Legion baseball season for Hobbs-Anderson Post 91 got underway Tuesday at Monett's North Park. Monett dropped a pair of games to Cassville to open the season, 5-2 and 3-2, but the season is still young. "I'm not worried about today," said Michael Calhoun, Post 91 coach. "Some of these guys were still playing for their high school teams [this week], and we haven't had a chance to gel at all."...

Dennis and Theo Turner will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary with a family dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at the home of Amy and Chad Haddock in Pierce City.

James and Frances Thomas recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a private family event.

April Welch, a 1994 graduate of Exeter High School, has earned a master of ministry degree in church leadership from Bethel University, St. Paul, Minn

Amber Marie Hinton-Dampf, Ph.D., granddaughter of Monettans Ronald Bruce and Alice Bounds and great-granddaughter of Bruce Alvin and Catherine Bounds, recently obtained licensure as an independent clinical psychologist in the state of Missouri. Hinton-Dampf graduated with honors from Helias High School in Jefferson City in 2001. ...

The 15th annual Piano 88's Music Festival, held by teacher Ruth Burnside, was held on April 12 at Countryside Christian Church in Monett. A total of 28 students performed their piano selections. Anna Hill from Carl Junction served as judge. Students who played selections included: Zoe LaCaze, Wayland Cha, Jianna Cha, Susan Cha, Heidi Sehrbrock, Chelsea Henderson, Oliver Bowman, Grace Gardner, Lexee Johnson, Violet Rillstone, Brandon Lee, Connie Lee, Lisa Lee, Lindee Mitchell, Taylynn Banks, Matthew Heatley, Avery Thomas, Donovan Thomas, Myka Masters, Ely Key, Jerimiah Hall, Abbie Wormington, Karina Rubi, Kaleb Salazar, Tatum Burt, Carson Burt and Amarie Burt.. ...

Eight piano students of Ruth Burnside performed at the Jopln Piano Teachers' Association annual Williamson-Bellm Honors Recital on May 3. The recital, which honors Lois Williamson-Bellm, was held at Forest Park Baptist Church in Joplin. Performers and their pieces included: Lexee Johnson, the third movement of "My First Sonatina;" Trlynn Banks, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight;" Matthew Heatley, "Stately Procession;" Myka Masters, "Sonata in C Major;" Wyland Cha, "Star Wars;" Chelsea Henderson, "Lean On Me," Lindee Mitchell, "On A Funny Sunny Day;" and Susan Cha, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame.". ...

Crosslines in Monett had a stock trailer pull up to its dock on Thursday night and spend much of an hour tossing boxes and material onto the ground. Director MaLinda King said all the items were broken and destroyed. She asked that no one deposit unresellable material at the charity's thrift store. Money from store sales will have to be used to send the unloaded material to the dump...

Glynn Bennion, a communication arts instructor at Monett High School, was named Teacher of the Month for April.

June brings out the glories of nature with the beginning of summer. Calendar girl Emily Miller fit into the natural setting at Monett's South Park.

MT. VERNON -- The 32nd Show-Me-Select Bred Heifer Sale, held on May 15 at the Joplin Regional Stockyards, can best be described as solid, according to Eldon Cole, livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension. "We've had a sale that beat the average of $2,861, and we've had higher prices, but from start to finish, it was just a good, solid sale," Cole said...

A total of 69 seniors at Monett High School received local scholarships during the annual Senior Honors Assembly held. The number represented a similar total to those presented a year ago. Scholarships and their recipients include: First State Bank of Purdy: Jennifer Rueda...

A 13-year-old Pierce City boy was injured Thursday afternoon in an ATV wreck on private property, six miles south of Pierce City. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Draven Wallace, 13, of Pierce City, was driving a Yamaha Big Bear 400 when his vehicle, traveling too fast for conditions, slid into a trailer...

Monett will soon have a new cell phone tower installed by the Market Fresh property at East Cleveland and 17th Street, south of Monett High School. According to city officials, the city has no ability to restrict the location of such structures. Building Inspector Wade Ennes issued a permit for the tower. A similar tower was built by AT&T earlier this year behind the motel on Highway 60, west of Eisenhower...

The city of Monett honored Pete Rauch, retired utilities superintendent, at the formal open house for the new water treatment plant on Wednesday. Rauch started planning for the water plant more than 20 years ago and retired during its construction. In recognition of Rauch's efforts, Mayor Jim Orr invited him to cut the ribbon at the facility. Following the ceremony, Orr presented Rauch with a resolution recognizing his contributions to the city...

The longest-serving childcare provider in the state of Missouri, Monett's Charlotte Cloud, 85, will retire from her duties on Monday. According to the area fire marshal who inspects licensed daycare facilities, Cloud provided daycare longer than anyone else still active in the state, always working out of her home...

Twenty-one teachers were hired to the Monett school district faculty in May. Ten of the teachers hired are recent college graduates and will start their teaching careers in Monett. "All our resignations and retirements came late this year," said Superintendent Brad Hanson. "The later you go, the new teachers become the ones who are available."...

A line of storms Friday evening brought flooding, wind gusts and hail to the Barry and Lawrence County area. According to reports from the National Weather Service, quarter-sized hail fell three miles northwest of Cassville at about 5:05 p.m. The hail report was relayed by broadcast media, and the time was estimated by radar...