Stories from Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Plans to renovate the collector's office at Monett City Hall have been put on hold due to the cost. City Administrator Dennis Pyle said bids for what initially looked like a $100,000 project ranged from $136,820, from Construction Services Group, to $188,620, from Hambey Construction. The two contractors were the only bidders on the project...

The 42nd annual Ernte Fest, the traditional German harvest festival celebrated by the Freistatt Lions Club, will be held Thursday through Saturday on the Ernte Fest grounds on the north edge of Freistatt. Continuing an additional day started last year, the Lions will again hold a family night from 5:30-10 p.m. ...

The Monett school district will expand its entrance into the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Professional Studies (GO CAPS) through a partnership with Jack Henry and Associates and EFCO Corporation. The GO CAPS program provides opportunities for students to discover potential careers with local employers through experiential learning in a workplace setting. Monett joined the program with 10 other school districts, and the program is open to a limited number of juniors and seniors...

Decisions, decisions. Jaydon Breazzeal, 4, finally decided to choose a Mario go-kart folder to hold his school work at the annual school supply distribution hosted by Crosslines Saturday.

A Monett man suffered serious injuries in a wreck at 8:49 p.m. Saturday on Farm Road 1165, eight miles east of Purdy. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Francisco Monjaras, 25, of Monett, was driving a 1977 Chevrolet pickup southbound on Farm Road 1165 when his vehicle left the roadway and struck a building...

A Springfield man suffered moderate injuries in a wreck at 2 p.m. Friday on Interstate 44, five miles east of Mt. Vernon. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Charles Evridge, 57, of Springfield, was driving a 2003 Dodge Dakota westbound on Interstate 44 when his vehicle lost control and ran off the roadway into the median cables...

The Ka-Hen Farms in Monett brought 10 head of cattle to the Ozark Empire Farm this year.

William Ray "Bill" Branum, 83, of Monett, passed away Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, in his home after a lengthy illness. Bill was born on Jan. 8, 1932, in Leslie, Ark., son of James Elbert Branum and Blaine Lee (Harness) Branum. Bill graduated from Buffalo High School in Buffalo. On March 25, 1952, Bill and Bernice Richerson were united in marriage. To this union, three children were born...

Alan Gene Garmer, 86, of Springfield, formerly of Mercer County, Ill., died at 9:20 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at United Methodist Church of Aurora. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home...

Edwin Dean "Andy" Andrews, 85, of Shell Knob, died at 11:42 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at Holy Family Catholic Church, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob.

Charles Edward Leckliter, 64, of Aurora, died Saturday, Aug. 1, at the Veteran's Hospital in Fayetteville, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in the OSA Cemetery southeast of Aurora...

Election is today for Monett's .5 percent sales tax for transportation purposes. Unlike some past elections when Monett has combined polling places, Lawrence County residents will vote at the First Presbyterian Church at 700 Sycamore, and Barry County residents will vote at the City Park Casino...

Last season was a record-setting and unforgettable campaign for the Monett softball program. After knocking on the door for three years, the Lady Cubs finally barreled their way into the final four. A heartbreaking 2-1 loss in the state semifinal was partially tempered by a win in the third place game...

Monett High School will hold its annual Fall Sports Pride Night at the Burl Fowler Stadium on Saturday. Pride Night provides an opportunity for the community to enjoy a football scrimmage and meet the athletes, cheerleaders and marching band representing Monett High School during the 2015-2016 fall sports season...

Alan Evan Bartholomew,69, of Stotts City, died at 4:16 a.m. Monday, July 27, at the Cox South Hospital in Springfield. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Risen Ranch Cowboy Church in Carthage. Local arrangements are under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora...