Stories from Saturday, September 5, 2015

This week, the U.S. Justice Department released its report on the police response to the shooting death of Michael Brown and the management of the public protests in Ferguson. With more than 50 law enforcement agencies responding, the Justice Department found no lack of poor communication between agencies...

The Monett softball team earned a 16-7 victory over Cassville on Thursday night. Every Lady Cubs batter collected at least one hit in the contest. Haley Williams earned the victory on the mound. Monett hosts Lamar on Tuesday at 5 p.m.

The Monett soccer team improved to 5-1 on the season with a 9-0 victory over Logan-Rogersville on Thursday. Monett freshman Jason Puente scored two goals for the Cubs. Monett travels to Carl Junction on Tuesday. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

The Monett volleyball team fell, 25-19 and 25-20, to Reeds Spring on Thursday. The Lady cubs were led by Kalene Shanks with two service aces, four kills and one block. Monett lost the junior varsity match, 25-8, 25-11, but won the freshmen match, 25-19, 29-15...

The Monett tennis team fell to Clever on Tuesday, 7-2. Monett's Lauren Bass won 9-7 in the No. 2 singles event, and the doubles duo of Katie Tinklepaugh and Brooke Ogle prevailed 8-6 for the Lady Cubs' lone victories. Monett travels to Bolivar on Tuesday...

The Purdy girls volleyball team topped Verona, 25-16 and 25-20, in Ozark 7 Conference volleyball action on Thursday. Purdy was led by Layne Skiles with seven kills and four service aces. Verona was led by Nicole Stephenson with six kills. On Tuesday, Purdy hosts Thomas Jefferson and Verona travels to Marionville...

The Pierce City volleyball team dropped two sets, 25-13 and 27-25, to Lamar on Thursday. The Lady Eagles fell to 0-4 on the year. Pierce City travels to East Newton on Tuesday.

Sunday night will mark the final night of racing in Monett as the season concludes. Randy Mooneyham, track owner, has spent all week making preparations for the final event. "We are ready for a great night of racing," He said. "We have the best drivers here to conclude the season."...

Monett (2-1, 2-1) came up short, 29-12, in a slugfest with Lamar (3-0, 3-0) on Friday in their football home opener. Monett's defense was tested early and often by the four-time defending Class 2 state champions, including on the first drive of the game. Lamar returned the opening kickoff to the Cubs' 20-yard line...

Monett Elementary honored "polite and respectful" as Students of the Week Aug. 24.

Officials at Monett Intermediate School have announced the sixth grade students named as August Cubs of the Month.

Karen Kleiboeker welcomed members and guests to the fifth annual Lutheran Women's Missionary League Ladies Aid Salad Supper, held Aug. 6, in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity Lutheran Church. A total of 15 members and 18 guests attended. Connie Prater led guests in singing the worship/table prayer to the tune...

Joe and Nancy Grissom, of Purdy, were among the 110 families honored during the Missouri State Fair's Farm Family Day Aug. 17.

The Purdy High School Class of 1985 recently celebrated its 30-year reunion.

Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, has announced the results of a driving while intoxicated saturation in Barry County held Aug. 29 and 30. "The goal of these enforcement operations was to detect intoxicated drivers and other violations that contribute to traffic crashes," Villanueva said. "The enforcement location was selected based on its high number of drinking and impairment-related traffic crashes."...

Residents of Pierce City and the surrounding church fellowships are invited to enjoy Pierce City First Baptist Church in observing its 175th anniversary Sunday, Sept. 20. Festivities will start with the Sunday worship service at 10:15 a.m. A free luncheon, provided by the church and cooked by the Decatur Lodge of Pierce City, will follow at noon. ...

Anessa Lynnette Alexander and William Mason Roller have announced their engagement and forthcoming marriage.

Scott and Teri Shorter, of Monett, announce the birth of their first child, Hope Elizabeth Shorter, born July 31, weighing 7 pounds and measuring 20 ½ inches.

The Monett Senior Center will host a dance at 7 p.m. on Sept. 7 at 405 Dairy St. Volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity house in Monett will concentrate on painting today. Work begins at 8 a.m. at 117 E. Nellie. Anyone interested in volunteering may call Ron Overeem at 235-7710...

In a drawing held by the Wheaton Historical Society, in conjunction with the Wheaton Barbecue on Saturday, Jim Chadd, middle, of Cassville won the Henry commemorative rifle.

Members of the Monett High School marching band warm up the crowd before the Cubs' home opener against Lamar Friday night.

Monett High School will celebrate its football homecoming celebration on Friday, as the Cubs will take on Mt. Vernon at Burl Fowler Stadium. The theme for homecoming is "Get Your Cray On," using the urban slang expression for "crazy." The cheerleaders selected activities for the week remotely connected to the theme. ...

Street signs may appear clear and simple to motorists, but sometimes, putting them together is like getting furniture from IKEA.

The Pierce City school district has implemented a policy involving several methods of notifying students and parents when classes are cancelled or delayed due to inclement weather. "Sometimes, it's difficult to know when to call off classes," said Superintendent Russ Moreland. "At 5:30 a.m., when the decision has to be made, the roads might be dangerous. But at 10 a.m., weather conditions and road conditions may have improved, making it safer for students to travel."...

A familiar face will leave the Monett school district at the end of this school year. Patty Leach, who has served the district for 26 years, most of that as the secretary of the Board of Education, has submitted her letter of retirement. Leach began her tenure under Superintendent Thomas Kurucz...

A Springfield man suffered minor injuries Saturday in a wreck at 11:45 a.m. on Highway 248 in Jenkins. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Dennis Tindell, 55, of Springfield, was driving a 2007 Victory motorcycle westbound on Highway 248 when his bike traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned...

The injury bug continued to bite Pierce City Friday night, as the Eagles came out on the losing end of a 27-14 decision in Jasper. Pierce City, who lost starting quarterback Gage Brown to a MCL strain last week, saw other stars leave the game with injuries Friday, including junior wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist Brian Parra-Navarro and junior running back/linebacker Jordan Cruz. Pierce City also lost the services of starting center David Cruz, a senior...