Stories from Saturday, September 12, 2015

There's a special spot in all of the construction at the Monett School District. Mike Cavanaugh, the project manager for general contractor R.E. Smith, called it his favorite in all of the two FEMA projects. Normal traffic by school patrons might never see it...

In the past few years, the Barry-Lawrence County Ambulance District has been in the spotlight for issues concerning its management, but it appears the new board is putting its best foot forward in stepping past the past. In the Sept. 4 Monett football game against Lamar, kicker Cameron Cody was buried in a dog pile after making a touchdown-saving tackle and forcing a fumble. ...

Samantha Atkinson and Kile Killion have announced their engagement and forthcoming marriage.

Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay has announced the results of the national August/Labor Day "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" substance-impaired driving crackdown a major success. DeLay reported the campaign resulted in one substance-impaired driving arrest, four significant arrests and nine citations issued during the enforcement period, which ran from Friday, Aug. 21 through Monday, Sept. 7...

Descendants of the late Joseph Lee Evans and Jessie Earle Melton Evans met in August for their annual family reunion, featuring a pot luck luncheon, photos and visiting. Attending were: Shirley, Robert and Taybra McClelland, Kansas City, Kan.; Pearl Evans and Patricia Krikorian and Teresa Munday, all of Kansas City; Jennifer and Michael Gibbs and son, Green Forest, Ark.; Katie and Richard Galligher and Joe W. ...

Clever resident and Monett graduate Jason Hoggett is heading toward a world record, as he is continuing to work on his state of Missouri quilt, which he hopes will be expanded to 100,000 square feet. Starting the project in 2012 with only 3-inch blocks, Hoggett's quilt is now more than 2,000 square feet and includes pieces of fabric as long as two feet, coming in all different shapes and sizes...

The Ozark Festival Orchestra invites singers to join a community chorus to perform Handel's "Messiah" for the Christmas season. Choir rehearsals will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 13 at the First United Methodist Church, 1600 N. Central in Monett, led by Jerry Ragsdale. ...

Three local companies, SRC Automotive, 3D Corporate Solutions and EFCO Corporation, collaborated on a group donation of $3,776 to benefit the Monett School District's backpack supplemental nutrition program.

Two Monett area hay producers took first and second place in the hay contest at the Missouri State Fair. Glenn and Toni Obermann, who won top honors for the past two years, again claimed top prize in the state's 30th annual hay contest for his alfalfa. Jared Kleiboeker of rural Wentworth, in Lawrence County, won reserve champion honors...

On Labor Day afternoon, Tom Lynch and his children, Calynn, left, and Dayton, right, took their place at the corner of Cleveland and Central in Monett to share a message with passing motorists.

Monett senior Katie Tinklepaugh hugs cheerleader Micheala Trout after being announced as Monett High School homecoming queen Friday night.

Senior Samantha Crow, center, accepts a bouquet of roses from flower girl Elsie Salazar after being named homecoming queen at Pierce City's homecoming festivities on Friday.

Patrons of the Pierce City School District will pay a total of $3.54 per $100 of assessed valuation on real and personal property after members of the school board approved leaving the incidental and debt service levies the same as last year, at $2.75 and 79-cents, respectively...

The Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District board voted to take emergency action on Tuesday to replace two ambulances damaged in a vehicular crash on Aug. 28. The decision came over the vigorous objection of board member David Compton, who challenged the district's practice of gathering quotes instead of advertising for bids...

The Monett volleyball team fell, 25-15 and 25-12, to Neosho on Thursday. Monett was led by Kalene Shanks with two kills, two aces and one block. Monett dropped the junior varsity contest, 25-7 and 25-17. The Lady Cubs travel to Crane on Tuesday.

The Monett girls softball team improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in Big 8 Conference play with a 14-0 win over Lamar on Thursday. Monett pitcher Haley Williams allowed one hit in five innings and struck out six. Monett travels to Ozark today for tournament action...

The Wheaton volleyball team defeated Sarcoxie Thursday in two sets, 25-22 and 25-20. Wheaton hosts Billings on Monday at 6 p.m.

The Monett soccer team needed both halves of overtime to shake McDonald County, 3-2, on Thursday. The Cubs allowed the Mustangs to score in the final minute of regulation to send the game into the extra session. Daniel Salas scored the winning goal. The Cubs travel to Central High School on Tuesday...

The Pierce City volleyball team fell, 25-12 and 25-22, to Mt. Vernon on Thursday. The Lady Eagles were led by Christine Stellwagen with nine kills and eight digs.

I am not an individual that likes change. I am very much a traditionalist. However, change is inevitable, and you can fight it, or you can chose to embrace and help make it acceptable to others. Three years ago, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) introduced a new district football playoff format...

The Pierce City football team was fired up and ready to go for homecoming night Friday against Diamond, but the Eagles' game did not go as planned, as they were held scoreless in a 28-0 loss. After opening the game with two first downs, Eagles quarterback Avrey Freeman was picked off near midfield...

The Monett football team celebrated homecoming in style with a 41-6 victory over Mt. Vernon on Friday. Both teams battled to a scoreless tie in the first period, but the Cubs erupted for 27 points in the second quarter. Ian Meyer opened the scoring with a 1-yard plunge with 9:43 left in the second. The score capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive...