Stories from Tuesday, September 1, 2015

For the second year, Visu-Sewer will clean, line and photograph sewer mains in Monett. The Monett City Council approved renewing its contract with the rehabilitation firm for a modest rate increase. Visu-Sewer successfully bid for the city's business last year, based on price and the firm's pressure grouting strategy...

Work has nearly reached completion on the two FEMA shelters built for the Monett school district. Superintendent Brad Hanson reviewed the final steps and adjacent changes in facilities for the Board of Education last week. The projects have come down to a final punch list. ...

Monett city elections will no longer need a primary once the city adopts a new ordinance advanced last week. Following the passage of House Bill 163 and its signing by Gov. Jay Nixon in 2013, the groundwork was laid to eliminate Monett's primary altogether. The legislation was originally proposed to offer relief to Monett and West Plains, the only cities in the state with the commission form of government...

Cooler weather brings a change in foliage that heralds the closing of the year.

Winners have been announced at the 27th annual Pierce City Car Show, held Saturday at the South Park at Pierce City. The show attracted 27 stock cars, 12 modified vehicles and six unfinished restorations. Organizers counted 70 spectators enjoying the show and received $1,444.08 in entry fees...

Two Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance District ambulances received damage in a three-vehicle collision at 4:08 p.m. on Friday on Highway 60, three miles east of Neosho at Highway 59. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the ambulances were eastbound on Highway 60 and approached a 2001 Ford Windstar SUV, driven by Joshua Gose, 30, of Springfield, that had stopped in traffic to make a left turn onto Highway 59. ...

Shoppers turned out but had many fewer sales to stop at in the Monett and Pierce City area for the annual 100-mile yard sale on Saturday.

Cox Monett Hospital will offer a leaner life class to help people lose weight, continue a healthy lifestyle and maintain weight loss. Classes will be offered on Wednesdays for eight weeks, from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. on Sept. 2 in Conference Room A. The class provides week-to-week accountability. A physician referral is needed to participate. Cost is $186. For additional information, people may call 236-2591...

JoAnn Abramovitz, 70, of Pierce City, died at 1:30 p.m., Aug. 31, at her home. Survivors include her husband, Julius Abramovitz, of the home; a son, Gary Abramovitz, of Springfield; three daughters, Cheryl Cox, of Pierce City, Lisa Cameron, of Purdy, and Amanda Jenkins, of Aurora; and one brother, Raymond Krueger, of Springfield...

Raymond Worth Upchurch, 55, of Seligman, died at 6:10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. Services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville.

Myron Eugene Moore, 87, of Miller, died at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, at Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Maple Grove Cemetery, southwest of Mt. Vernon. Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday, prior to the service, at the funeral home chapel...

Bernadine M. Beeson, 78, of Granby, died at 6:32 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28. Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 31, at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial was at Ennis Cemetery, Cassville. Arrangements were under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...

For the majority of the first half of Monett's football game at East Newton Friday, the Patriots gave the Cubs a battle. Monett had only managed one touchdown and two punts on its first three drives. East Newton had twice driven into Cubs territory and frustrated the aggressive Monett defense...

O ne simple lesson Pierce City Football Coach Brad Hocker learned about coaching Class 1 football was that a team needs to have players ready to step up when injuries occur. "When you only have 25 or 30 players, you have to plan for injury replacements," he said. "We preach a simple message of next man up, and Friday, we saw it pay off. You don't want to think about your kids getting hurt, but you have to be prepared for that possibility."...

On Thursday, the Monett soccer team welcomes Logan-Rogersville to Burl Fowler Stadium as the Cubs continue their march toward a top seed in the district tournament. Monett Coach Cristobal Villa admits he does not know too much about the Wildcats, but he does know that his team will be tested...

The Monett girls tennis team fell to Lamar 7-2 on Thursday, with only the No. 1 singles player and the No. 1 doubles team coming away with wins. Katie Tinklepaugh, No. 1 singles player, overcame a 3-6 defecit to take away an 8-6 win. In doubles action, the team of Tinklepaugh and Lauren Bass earned a win, 8-2...