Stories from Saturday, June 6, 2015

There is an old saying that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. Nowhere is this statement more correct than in the world of sports. In the 1990s, the Buffalo Bills took the idea of the hurry-up offense and applied it to the whole game. That style of offense gave birth to the shotgun strategy, using five-receiver sets on what used to be considered running downs...

After two months of deliberation, the city of Monett has passed a clarification to the alcohol sales ordinance that now bans the delivery of alcohol. Council members voted without comment to ban home delivery of alcohol after Mauricio Fernandez, owner of The Beer Cave, requested a clarification in the city's alcohol sales ordinance, arguing his delivery would keep impaired drivers off the street...

Three new teachers and one staff member will join the staff at the Verona school district this fall after the district hired employees and adjusted benefits. Resignations were approved from sixth-grade teacher Jason Kramer and paraprofessional Lisa Hefner, who took a job as a certified teacher at another district...

The pool is open from 1-5 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and 1 to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $3, or free to Monett Area YMCA members. Pool rental is available. Swim lessons will be offered indoors at the YMCA. For more information, people may call 417-235-8213 or www.monettymca.org...

Several state regulations on water systems have changed, resulting in some ease in operations for cities with smaller systems. Jacques Martineau, water specialist from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) updated those attending the Missouri Water and Wastewater Conference for the southwest section in Monett...

A Pierce City man suffered moderate injuries Thursday in a wreck at about 3:14 p.m. at the corner of Commercial and Gibbs in Pierce City. According to Mike Abramovitz, Pierce City police chief, Terry Carroll, 55, of Pierce City was driving a 2012 Puma Valentine Scooter eastbound on Commercial Street. Carroll attempted to turn north onto Gibbs, failed to negotiate the curve and ran into a ditch on the northeast corner of the intersection...

A Pierce City woman will be leaving on a mission trip in July, and she is looking for assistance in making her trip possible. Dusti Nabors, a mass communication student at Missouri Southern State University, said she recently became involved with Cru, formerly Campus Crusade for Christ, on the campus and has learned about digging deeper into the bible and how to apply it in her life...

The Monett FFA will have a table at Walmart in Monett from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 to collect donations for Shoeboxes for Soldiers. They will be sent and soldiers will receive them just in time for the July 4. The Monett Municipal Swimming Pool at South Park is open through July 31. ...

Ray and Juanita Langford, of Monett, will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary with a family celebration at their home Saturday, June 6. Ray Langford and Juanita Nichols were united in marriage June 4, 1950, at Waldensian Presbyterian Church with Rev. L.N. Bartlesmeyer officiating...

Daniel S. Pritchett, Berryville, Ark., five days with the Barry County Jail for DWI; $30.50 for failure to drive on right half of roadway. Chance Ward Route, Rocky Comfort, one year probation and obtain license within a year for driving with a revoked license; $10 for a seat belt violation; $55.50 for speeding...

Baylea Gilmartin, of Pierce City, won the Missouri FFA Agricultural Sales Placement Proficiency Award at the 87th Missouri FFA Convention. Gilmartin, a graduate of Pierce City R-VI High School, is the daughter of Greggory Gilmartin and Stephanie Russell. Her FFA advisors are Kristy Sivils and Duane Kaiser...

Character education medal winners for May at Purdy Elementary School. Kindergarten through fourth grade teachers working in partnership with counselor Gary Jurgensen present a different character trait each month then nominate one student who best exemplifies the trait presented...

Officials at Purdy Elementary School have released the names of students listed to the fourth quarter honor roll for the 2014-15 academic year. Students are listed by achievement and grade level. Third grade: Carson Burt, Deisy Gonzalez, Audra Mahurin, Bryce Ozbun, Tegan Patterson, Sophia Ramirez, Hilary Yang, Lily Anfinson, Selah Bowers, Trenton Breazzeal, Jimmy Felipe, Raeley Henderson, Preston Hibbard, Julia McDonald, Selena Mendez, Eduardo Meza, Jazmine Paxtor, Riley Rupp, Cadence Simmons, Caleb Sanford, Rylee Sanford, Cynthia Villa an Alexis Wagner.. ...

Officials at Purdy HIgh School have released the list of students named to the fourth quarter honor roll for the 2014-15 academic year. Students are listed by achievement and grade level. Freshmen: Zoe Brown, Jose Perez, Mikey Schad, Layne Skiles and Cailyn Spears...

In its first year three years ago, the Monett girls soccer program struggled to find its legs. The dream of any postseason accolades was farfetched. Dan Janssen was tabbed to lay the framework for a program that the school had started from scratch. In year two, the team improved and won its first game in program history. For their efforts, the Lady Cubs secured one place on the all-district soccer squad...

On Monday in the early afternoon, a wheelchair-bound Monett resident and two small children, possibly grandchildren, headed south on Central Avenue, south of Nellie. This is one of the busiest stretches of highway in town. The trio climbed the slope leading to Sycamore Street without the aid of shoulders on the road or a sidewalk...

Dear Editor: As Tyler's release is drawing near, I implore you to offer support and suggestions instead of a curse or condemnation. My son has only seen injustice in his life. He was abused by multiple people in his life who he believed he could look up to and trust...