Stories from Saturday, September 19, 2015

During his visit to the SAPA aluminum plant in Monett this week, Charles Carter, human resources lead person for SAPA's Midwest region, commented, "We do what we can to preserve our industrial jobs." Carter observed that the people in Monett understand that, value having those jobs here and work hard to preserve them. He recognized the work ethic of Monett's industrial labor force...

From the first day of summer camp, Monett softball coach Ty Goetz has preached a very simple message to his team -- do your job. On Thursday, Sarah Childress provided the perfect example for Goetz to use for the remainder of the season. With the game tied at 5-5, the junior came off the bench in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the go-ahead run standing at third base...

Chelsea Rose Ash and Matt Wagner announce their engagement and forthcoming marriage.

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen the following polite and respectful pupils as Students of the Week for Sept. 8.

The Monett City Council has added discussion of the new animal control pound to the agenda of the monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at Monett City Hall. Author Sharon Rushton will speak at 11:30 a.m. today at the Marionville Branch Library, part of the Apple Fest celebration. Rushton's novel "No Paved Road to Freedom" describes the Communist occupation of Romania...

On a clear September night like Thursday, even downtown Monett can experience celestial beauties.

Annual tax sales in Barry and Lawrence counties raised a combined amount of about $60,000, nearly evenly split between the two counties. The annual sale of properties for unpaid taxes in Lawrence County generated more interest than usual. County Collector Kelli McVey said the activity ran about four times as much as usual. In an auction held in the historic courthouse in Mt. Vernon, McVey sold 17 out of 48 properties listed...

For two nights in a row, Monett police have unsuccessfully engaged in pursuits of James Clint Bergesch, 51, of Monett. An active warrant for Bergesch's arrest remains in effect. On Wednesday, Officer Dennis Goss made a traffic stop on Highway 60 of a vehicle for a lane violation. ...

Six officers engaged in a foot pursuit lasting approximately 20 minutes on Friday morning, leading to the arrest of Kevin Whittington, 37, of Monett. Whittington, who has 26 pending cases in Monett Municipal Court and is wanted for failure to appear, exited his vehicle around Fifth and Bond streets at 11:06 a.m. Friday and fled on foot after being seen by an officer...

Field Day, the annual open house at the University of Missouri's Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon, offers the public an inside look at some of the latest techniques and innovations in agriculture. One of the most attended sessions on Sept. 11 focused on the use of drones...

A Joplin man is facing five felonies and two misdemeanors for alleged crimes committed in Cassville and Monett, including eluding authorities in a chase near Cassville. Kyle Stirewalt, 30, of Joplin, is facing charges of possession of a firearm, resisting arrest creating risk of injury or death, resisting arrest, second-degree burglary and theft, all class C felonies. ...