Stories from Tuesday, September 8, 2015

An apology by Bert Bond, who is contracted to oversee sewer operations in Verona, preceded an extended explanation of activities in recent months. Bond apologized to Mayor Willis Hutson, who complained at a recent council meeting about Bond's performance. Bond said he had not made the extra effort to inform the mayor about what had occurred, leaving the mayor to draw his own conclusions...

Youngsters enjoyed the thrill of the roller-coaster ride at the 65th annual Miller Fall Festival. The ride was one of several family-friendly attractions offered by Bluff City Shows. Melonie Roberts reporter@monett-times.com

The Freistatt Community Service Award for 2014 has been awarded to Pete and Grace Doss. Mayor Mike Ortwein made the presentation to Grace Doss on behalf of the trustees. The award has traditionally been given in the first half of the year. The award stated the commendation came "For contributing to community betterment over 63 years, through Pete's 12 years of service on the village board of trustees and through commitment and artistic efforts in property maintenance as an exemplary example of community beautification.". ...

The New Monett High School Performing Arts Center will open with a gala concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, an event that is free and open to the public. "We would love to see the place full," said Superintendent Brad Hanson. "We have invited our past superintendents, Dr. Ralph Scott, Dr. Charles Cudney and Dr. John Jungmann to attend. We'll have reserved seating for guests, dignitaries and families of the performers. We'll have lots of seating for the public...

Pierce City High School students, administrators and alumni are gearing up for Friday's football homecoming game, which kicks off at 7 p.m., with the Eagles taking on Diamond. Spirit Week activities get underway today, when students are encouraged to dress up as their favorite circus animal or character. There will be face-painting during the lunch hour. Cost is $1...

The Monett City Council will meet at 9 a.m. on Sept. 9 at Monett City Hall. In emergency action, council members will authorize issuing $1,895,000 in bonds for extending and improving the city's sewage system, which includes wastewater treatment plant upgrades. Council members will also consider a proposal from the Missouri Police Chiefs' Association to assist in finding a new Monett police chief, and vacating property at Sixth and Park streets...

Dorothy Ann Standlee, 77, of Aurora, died Monday, Sept. 7, at her home in Aurora. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Diamond Cemetery in Diamond. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...

A Mt. Vernon woman suffered minor injuries Sunday in a wreck at 2:46 p.m. on Farm Road 2040, three quarters of a mile west of Miller. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Lucinda Morris, 18, of Mt. Vernon, was driving a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 westbound on Farm Road 2040 when her vehicle ran off the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned...

A Jenks, Okla., couple suffered injuries in a wreck Monday at 9:25 a.m. on Highway 76, four miles north of Shell Knob. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Stanley Scheilz, 57, of Jenks, Okla., was driving a 2013 Harley Davidson motorcycle westbound on Highway 76 when his vehicle overturned while negotiating a right turn in the roadway...

On the south side of the Burl Fowler Stadium press box hangs a banner proudly displaying the simple phrase, "Purple Haze." While the words have taken on a different meaning in popular culture, to the Cubs football team, they are a source of pride. "Purple Haze means play fast and play aggressive," said John Saunders, Monett senior linebacker. "When we hit someone, we want them to see a fuzzy purple haze just swarming them. When we play Purple Haze style, it means no mercy."...

Pierce City wide receiver Ian Burt knew his role Friday at Jasper could be huge. In fact, Pierce City coach Brad Hocker even came to him earlier in the week to tell him that he might need to step his game up, both as a player and as a leader, if the team suffered any more injuries...

It's every coach, player and fan's worse nightmare at any football game. The whistle blows to signal the end of play and bodies begin to unravel, except one. Everyone's attention is immediately drawn to the player who did not get up, who lays there writhing in pain after suffering an injury...

Mary Bell Hall Cross, 83, of Palm Desert, Calif., formerly of Monett, died Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Anna Ruth Heath,71, of Washburn, died at 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Visitation will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, at Fohn Funeral Home.