Stories from Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Area weather forecasters issued more warnings on Wednesday afternoon about the impending arrival of Tropical Storm Bill on Thursday to southwest Missouri. Monett remains in a swathe that may receive between 4 and 7 inches of rain through Friday. During a conference call with the National Weather Service at 3:30 p.m. ...

The Community Teachers Association has made its annual pitch to the Monett school district for raises for the coming school year, and the Monett School Board will likely act on the request on June 30 Decisions about pay take place at the in June, after Gov. Jay Nixon finishes his review of the state budget for the coming year...

The Monett school district is nearing full certified staff for next school year, as only two positions within the district remain open. The district hired Nathaneal Luper as a high school math teacher. A recent graduate from Missouri State University, the teaching position is Luper's first...

The Southwest Missouri Drug Task Force in Barry in Lawrence counties is hopeful it will be merging with Jasper county this month. "McDonald and Barry County is merging with Jasper County," said Mick Epperly, Barry County Sheriff. "The department of public safety has been wanting the smaller drug task forces to join as one. We'll still have our people here, but it will be more of a multi-task force. We've always had one and it has been effective."...

At the New Liberty Methodist Church's 19th annual ice cream social on Saturday, there were treats for everyone.

Barry County Sheriff Deputy Mike Moore has been selected and sent to Houston, Texas to receive drug abuse resistance education (D.A.R.E.) training. "There is a training site in Little Rock, Ark., and Jefferson City once a year in September, but we were able to get him in down there, with no charge or tuition," said Mick Epperly, Barry County sheriff. "They allow so many from out of state. The only thing he has to pay for is his room and meals."...

Monett High School students taking driver's education this summer began hitting the road this week.

A total of 17 young people turned out for the Monett Sportsmen's League's annual fishing derby at the Monett South Park lake on Saturday.

The retirement reception for Wayne Sooter at City Hall in Pierce City on June 19 and will be rescheduled at a later date. The Summer Reading Club at the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library branches will continue next week. At the Monett Branch, a program on community heroes, featuring the Monett fire and police departments, will take place at 3:30 p.m. ...

Despite the season's conclusion, postseason baseball awards continue to roll in for the Pierce City High School baseball team. The green and white secured seven spots with the release of the Spring River Valley All-Conference teams, and Chris Mettlach secured Coach of the Year honors...

The Monett Speedway, in conjunction with the Midwest Auto Racing Series (MARS) and Acts Media Group, will host a Racing For Autism night on Friday at the Speedway. Randy Mooneyham, track owner, and the MARS Racing Series, is giving free tickets to the evening's race for any child with autism and their parents or guardians...

Jean Elizabeth "Jeannie" Wyatt, 81, of Cassville, died at 4:22 a.m. Tuesday, June 16. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Private family burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Exeter. Arrangements are under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

Margaret Elinor Aldridge, 83, of Washburn, died at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 16. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Exeter. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 19, at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...