Stories from Friday, October 9, 2015

As his retirement approaches, Monett Police Chief Tim Schweder is reflecting on his nine years at the helm of the department and the successes and changes during his tenure. Looking back on his 40 years in law enforcement, Schweder regards his service as Monett's police chief since 2006 as the second highest point in his professional career. The high point was leading a 12-year investigation that ultimately led to the arrest and conviction of a serial killer in St. Joseph...

According to Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly, brother Theodore Peterson, 42, of Cameron, and Charles Peterson, 44, of Rocky Comfort, were arrested in McDonald County on Monday, about three hours apart. "We received information they were living in a home in McDonald County, so we asked McDonald County deputies to go to the house," he said. "The picked up Charlie first and later found Teddy in the attic."...

For the first time on Tuesday, the Ozarks Food Harvest brought its mobile food pantry to Monett, in coordination with the Monett Community Kitchen. Ninety families who had registered lined up at the First United Methodist Church to receive fresh and packaged food brought in by a big Ozarks Food Harvest tractor trailer...

Administrators at each campus in the Pierce City School District recently met with teaching staff to develop a set of building goals geared toward promoting student achievement. Gayla DeGraffenreid, middle school principal, said her staffers were looking to implement high quality student work posted with a scoring guide. The guide would allow instructors and students to see what progress is being made in the subject matter...

A formal ceremony was held on Tuesday for the $7.2 million Oak Pointe assisted living and memory care facility under construction on Old Airport Road in Monett. Jim Eisenhart, co-founder of ClearPath Senior Holdings, the developer of the project, reported that groundbreaking for the project took place in July. Crews for ARCO construction have dug footings for the two buildings and placed utilities...

Drury University students in Monett got to enjoy a demonstration of Dutch oven cooking by Ozarks culture and folklore instructor Larry Quinalty on Wednesday at Monett's South Park.

An overheated oven was blamed for smoke that filled the home at 111 E. Nellie Street shortly before 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

A Republic man was injured Wednesday in a wreck at 3:20 p.m. on Route TT, four miles south of Halltown. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Gilbert Marsh, 32, of Republic, was driving a 2007 Ford F-750 flatbed truck westbound when his vehicle traveled off the left side of the road and overturned...

Apple Butter Makin' Days runs through Sunday in downtown Mt. Vernon. More than 400 crafts vendors are expected. Live music today will include Show Me Talent Show contest winners, beginning at 2 p.m. Entertainment Saturday includes the Mt. Vernon Show Choir at 10:40 a.m., the Flayin' Buzzards at 10:50 a.m., Southern Green at noon, Riff Raff at 1:15 p.m.; and Sister Lucille at 2:30 p.m. Local church groups will perform on Sunday...

Licenses issued at the Lawrence County Courthouse James Robert Hutton, 23, Miller, to Ashley Dawn Moore, 23, Miller, Aug. 29. Michael Anthony Dean, 20, Mt. Vernon, to Charrel Elizabeth Justice, 22, Mt. Vernon, Aug. 29. Christopher Howard Goodwin, 34, Cassville, to Susan Kathleen Ray, 21, Cassville, Aug. 29...

Roger Dale Balch, Cassville, one year probation for careless driving/accident; $10 for a seat belt violation. Shawn Bender, Webb City, one year probation and court costs for increasing speed while being passed. James W. Blakeney, Pierce City, $82.50 for defective equipment...

The Monett soccer team has quietly put together a more-than-respectable 14-4 record this season on the pitch. With one more victory, the Cubs will tie the school's all-time win total and should establish a new record before the season's end. Team chemistry, according to Head Coach Cristobal Villa, is the main reason for this year's outstanding achievements...

A decision by the Purdy School Board to split the Eagles and Lady Eagles golf teams has paid off for the district. In Purdy's inaugural year of competition, senior golfer Breanna Keeler punched her ticket to the state tournament for the Lady Eagles...

The Monett volleyball team is heading into the district tournament Monday, faced with a tall task as it searches for a title. The Lady Cubs, 0-20, earned the No. 7 seed in the Class 3, District 10 tournament. Monett's basketball gym will host the event this season...