Stories from Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Richard Bruce Oplinger, 64, of Joplin, died Saturday, Nov. 14. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville.

History was made last season when the Monett girls swimming and diving team broke through the time barrier and qualified a relay team and an individual for the state meet. Head Coach Dan Janssen said he set lofty goals last season for his team because he knew the swimmers could achieve them...

Cox Monett Auxiliary will host a Holiday Book Fair from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Books are Fun provides a large selection of books and gifts. Proceeds to benefit the Auxiliary's fund to purchase flat screen televisions for all patient room and waiting areas in the hospital. For more information, people may call 417/354-1404...

An Arkansas man was injured Saturday in a wreck at 3:05 p.m. on Highway 37, four miles north of Seligman. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Jeremiah Ball, 28, of Fayetteville, Ark., was driving a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee southbound when his vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, went through two fences and off a bluff into a creek bed...

Four people were injured Sunday in a wreck at 7:20 p.m. on Highway 76, one mile south of Longview in McDonald County. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Dana Bland, 57, of Purdy, was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram, attempting to make a left turn onto Highway 76 from a private driveway. When her vehicle pulled out, it struck a southbound 2009 Chevrolet Impala, being driven by Dalton Woods, 18, of Anderson...

Members of the Pierce City High School FFA chapter hit the road in town on Monday morning to offer community service projects around town.

A wandering cow was the cause of a wreck near Purdy Sunday evening. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Michele Hoffman, 39, of Purdy, was driving a 2013 Ford Escape eastbound on Route C at about 7 p.m. when her vehicle struck a cow in the roadway...

Rural Monett entertainer Al Brumley Jr. will have a film project aired on Wednesday on BlueHighways TV, an independent multi-platform network focusing on music projects. The program takes footage Brumley had shot in 2007 for his "Live in Branson" show. ...

The Monett Community Garden has completed its first year of growing. Located south of the Monett Justice Center, the garden has been a project of the Healthy Schools/Healthy Community grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health to Cox Monett Hospital...

As the holiday season approaches, bi-county cities have announced plans for Christmas parades. Mt. Vernon will begin the annual processions, having set their celebration for the first Saturday after Thanksgiving. The Mt. Vernon Chamber of Commerce will host a holiday homes tour from noon to 4 p.m., with up to six locations selected. ...

Things are looking up for the Verona girls basketball team this season. The Lady Wildcats finished last year 10-17 and advanced to the district semifinal in Brenton Hyde's first year at the helm, and year two could be a breakout season for Verona. Hyde has four returning full-time starters, plus a part-time starter at his disposal. Additionally, a talented group of freshmen has now become varsity eligible...

The Monett City Council awarded contracts for the water projects at the Monett Regional Airport, expecting to see the completion of work by next summer. Thirteen companies bid for the contract to lay a 12-inch water main from the west city limits to the airport, running along the south side of Highway 60 for approximately six miles. ...

A Verona man was injured Tuesday morning in a wreck at 6 a.m. on Highway 86, 1.5 miles east of Golden. According to a Missouri State Highway patrol report, William Parker, 58, of Verona, was driving a 2006 Peterbilt eastbound when his vehicle traveled off the left side of the roadway into a ditch and overturned...

Lois Bernice Waggoner, 86, of Mt. Vernon, died at 9:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 22, at Mt. Vernon Place Care Center. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 25,at Summit Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Summit Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, at the church...