Stories from Saturday, October 24, 2015

Tim Renkoski and Chen Li, of San Jose, Calif., announce the birth of their first child, Annalise Jade, Aug. 3, weighing eight pounds, three ounces and measuring 20-1/2 inches.

Purdy city officials are not excited about the upcoming election on Nov. 3. Nobody likes being backed into a corner to make one of two distasteful choices. The sad truth is that the city and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been sparring for 20 years over the city's sewer system. Now, in the light of raised sewer permit standards, the city can no longer sidestep the issue...

The City of Monett is seeking bids to extend a water main from the city limits to the Monett Regional Airport, six miles west of town. The design and secondary purpose of the project has changed since it was first proposed by former utilities superintendent Pete Rauch, but the project will continue in its primary purpose of supporting the city's water system...

The Monett City Council has taken steps to retrieve potential lost franchise tax revenue from cell phone carrier AT&T. "I review the cash receipts journal on a daily basis, as well as reviewing monthly financial reports," said City Administrator Dennis Pyle. "I monitor revenues from the various cell phone companies that owe a city gross receipts tax. The revenues that we receive from AT&T Mobility/New Cingular Wireless had decreased significantly over the past three to four years...

On what may have been the last day of summer-like weather on Thursday, cross country athletes ran at Monett's South Park and children romped at the Kiwanis Club's Kiddie Playground in hopes that the good times would never end.

Four members of the 2014-2015 forestry team from Verona High School head to Louisville, Ky., next week to compete at the National FFA Convention. The team won first at the Missouri FFA Convention on April 17. Aaron Crosby, the new FFA teacher at Verona, said it has been impossible to get all four team members together prior to their departure. Two members of the team graduated in 2015. Dillon Freiburger is now a student at College of the Ozarks and Austin Reid is in the Navy...

Walnut season is underway, but running significantly under expectations. "It's kind of small this year," said Lonnie Lowery, manager for Farm Pro in Monett, which buys for Hammonds Product Company in Stockton, the nation's largest walnut marketer. "We're way behind where we usually are."...

As part of the 125th anniversary celebration of Monett Lodge No. 129, AF&AM, the Lodge held an open house at its Temple at 501 13th St. in Monett recently.

Monett's Trunk or Treat celebration will be held 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24 in the Monett Area YMCA parking lot, moving indoors in case of inclement weather. Dedication services for the new Monett/Purdy Habitat for Humanity house at 117 E. Nellie in Monett will be held at 10 a.m. today, Oct. 24. Those attending can meet the Courtney Shaw family and tour the home...

Eder Aguirre, Cassville, $130 for passing a vehicle and interfering with traffic. Glen M. Bise, Rogers, Ark., $55 for operating a vehicle in a careless manner/accident. Robert Andrew Cook, Exeter, six months probation for no motorcycle endorsement...

Brittany A. Garver, $100 for failure to stop at a stop sign. David E. Moore, $10 for a seat belt violation. Charles A. Agans, $24.50 and six months probation for no proof of insurance. Megan K. Brauer, $110 for speeding. Tyler W. Campbell, $100 for failure to register a vehicle...

The Purdy FFA has contributed $500 to the annual year-end Shoeboxes for Soldiers drive.

The Purdy High School speech and debate team began its season at the McDonald County Tournament, finishing in third place as a team and bringing home multiple individual trophies. Head Coach Michelle Hilburn was well pleased with her team's performance in their first tournament of the year. ...

Several students in the Monett High School FFA Chapter attended the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia this summer.

September Students of the Month have been announced for Purdy Middle School.

Monett advanced to the semifinals of the Class 3, District 4 tournament with a convincing 51-6 win over Seneca Friday. The Cubs scored touchdowns on six of their seven first-half possessions, including a 16-point spurt in just 26-clock seconds. Monett's first score was set up by a Mason Swearingen interception. The Cubs set up shop at the Indians' 35-yard line and needed just five plays for Cameron Witt to find the end zone from 3 yards out...

PIERCE CITY --The Eagles saw their season end in heartbreaking fashion Friday night, as Pierce City fell in the first round of the playoffs on a last-minute touchdown, 27-26. Pierce City -- playing in its first home playoff game in several years -- opened up the scoring on a quarterback sneak by Avrey Freeman. However, Cabool responded with a touchdown of its own to take a 8-7 lead...

The National Football League is often mocked as the No Fun League for its crackdown of player celebrations. Had the NFL been the governing body at Thursday night's Class 2, District 12, Monett freshman Jason Puente might have found himself on the receiving end of a Roger Goodell fine...