Stories from Friday, July 31, 2015

Monett's South Park will be busy with action on Saturday and Sunday, as the Tri-State Conference contests its "A" Flight Championship at the Monett Area YMCA. The conference name is a misnomer, as the event features 381 athletes from 13 member programs in Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Kansas...

An Aurora woman died in a wreck Thursday at 5:10 a.m. when her vehicle overturned on Highway 39, eight miles south of Aurora. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Chelsey Davis, 26, of Exeter, was driving a 1994 Ford Explorer northbound on Highway 39 when her vehicle ran off the roadway and overturned...

The city of Monett's transportation tax proposal would only address 56 percent of the city's needs, and if the tax passes, officials hope accountable spending would encourage voters to extend the tax to complete all projects proposed. According to the study by the civil engineering firm TranSystems, which created a long-term transportation plan for the city, the public identified the ingredients to 11 candidate projects and programs through nearly 500 surveys responses, 220 open ended comments to the survey and observations made in public meetings. ...

Several personnel changes will rearrange some of the assignments at the Verona school district for the coming year. Sixth grade teacher Jason Kramer and English language learners teacher Allison Tilley both resigned. Martha Faucett retired as the high school special education teacher...

A total of 69 students participated in Monett High School Band Camp this week, doing marching routines around campus and in the new performing arts center, overseen by Assistant Director Todd Borgmann, left.

The proposed sales tax for transportation corridor improvements in Monett offers an avenue for city officials to address a number of concerns relating to convenience and movement across town. All funds raised by the half-percent sales tax will be spent over the seven-year life of the tax on specific projects, such as sidewalks and intersection enhancements...

A Barry County jailer is being charged with a felony for allegedly smuggling marijuana to two inmates being held in the Barry County jail. Matthew Hernandez, 24, of Butterfield, was charged Friday with delivery of a controlled substance at a county jail, allegedly admitting to law enforcement he picked up marijuana at the Cassville Walmart, packaged it in sealed latex and delivered the substance to two inmates. ...

A Carthage woman suffered moderate injuries Wednesday in a wreck at 3:50 p.m. on Interstate 44, six miles east of Sarcoxie. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Deborah Swarens, 58, of Carthage, was driving a 2007 Toyota Sienna westbound in Interstate 44 when her vehicle traveled into the median, returned to the roadway, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and overturned...

Two Wentworth residents suffered minor injuries in a wreck on Farm Road 1020, four miles north of Pierce City. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Melissa Golubski, 20, of Wentworth, was driving a 2014 Ford Focus westbound when in an intersection, her vehicle struck a 2004 Ford F250, being driven by Jonathan Katzsey, 26, also of Wentworth. Katzsey's vehicle then traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a fence...

A Seligman man suffered moderate injuries in a motorcycle wreck on Highway 112, one mile south of Roaring River, and the driver of the bike was arrested following the wreck. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Tommy Canada, 30, address unknown, was driving a 2015 Honda Reckus southbound on Highway 112 at 9:20 p.m. Tuesday when his vehicle drove off the left side of the roadway and overturned, ejecting the passenger...

Dr. John F. Duncan, 67, of Cassville, died Thursday, July 30. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3, at Arnhart Baptist Church, Purdy. Burial will be in Greenlawn Cemetery, Mountain View. Visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, at Arnhart Baptist Church, Purdy...

One of Monett's most enduring traditions, the Jaycees' carnival, is underway, running through Saturday on the South Park soccer fields on Waldensian Road. Activities and entertainment will run from 6-10 p.m. nightly. The carnival was rescheduled this year from two weeks ago due to heavy rains...

The long trek back to school started for Monett High School students on Wednesday as seniors arrived to pick up their schedules and their laptop computers.

Absentee voting for the Monett City Special election, containing the proposed half-percent transportation tax, continues through Aug. 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Barry County Circuit Clerk's Office in Cassville. Voters must present one form of identification, like a driver's license or voter registration card. On Aug. 4, polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. For more information, people may call Clerk Gary Youngblood's office at 417-847-2762, or email barrycountyclerk@centurytel.net...

On Saturday, Monett schools and property will officially become tobacco-free institutions. The policy change is effective on Aug. 1 and bans tobacco use on all school properties. Appropriate signage designating the policy change will be displayed on the campuses and at Burl Fowler Stadium...

The Purdy Eagle Backer BBQ and kickoff meeting will be Aug. 7 at the Cassville Aquatic Center. The event is slated to begin at 6 p.m. For more information, people may call 417-442-3215.

Purdy High School will host its annual athlete-parent meeting on Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. in the high school gym. All athletes entering the 9th through 12th grades, and their parents, are required to attend. For more information, people may call 417-442-3215...

The Purdy fall baseball team will practice at 3 p.m. on Monday at the baseball field. Each athlete must have a physical on file with the school or must bring one from a doctor before becoming eligible to participate.