Stories from Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Despite challenges this year, mostly cause by severe weather, the local economy is continuing an upward pace, as sales tax revenues are still climbing, the cattle market saw a banner year and the house-building market has seen a boom. Sam Goodman, Lawrence County presiding commissioner, said the county is nearly back to where it was financially before the economic downturn...

On Friday, Barry County Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement were privileged to return a special crop of stolen items to their rightful owner. Det. Doug Henry with the sheriff's office said deputies met with Teresa Stark to return seven totes of items belonging to her son, Army Spec. Christopher Stark, a Monett man who was killed in action in COP Tangi, Afghanistan, in February 2011...

The Purdy City Council took no action in November toward raising sewer rates in light of the $4.6 million revenue bond passing to build a sewer pipeline to Monett. Mayor Steve Roden said engineers with Allgeier, Martin and Associates have been in touch with potential funding sources offering grants and loans to the city, letting them know the city met its requirement for consideration. The city could not apply for funding until the bond issue passed...

Unemployment figures released by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) this week showed Missouri jobless rates in October had fallen to 5 percent, the lowest rate since April 2007. Locally, employment levels showed even better numbers, totals not seen since prior to the economic downturn in 2008...

Parking issues around the southeast corner of Washington and Front streets in Purdy prompted an extended discussion at the recent Purdy City Council. Catalyst Company, a rice milling operation run by Pat Mareth, is part of the Project Genesis program. Operations involve regularly receiving shipments of rice and milling contents with other agriculture products, which may be otherwise considered as waste, to create new and 
useable byproducts...

With Thanksgiving approaching, students in Denise Deffendahl's fourth-grade class at Central Park Elementary School in Monett decorated drawings of turkeys as a survival strategy for the holiday.

Staff from the Emergency Flood Response Team at Roaring River State Park recently received an esteemed award from Missouri State Parks for their cleanup efforts this summer. The individuals named on the award included: Park Manager Kerry Hays, Assistant Manager Cheyne Matzenbacher, Leon Mahurin, Mary Melancon, Randal Norman, Elise Buchman, Ranger Steve Jabben and Tim Smith. All eight were recognized and presented with the Masterpiece Award at the park's annual meeting Oct. 28...

Feral hogs are becoming a big problem in several counties in southern Missouri, according to the Missouri Department of Conservation (DOC). Populations of feral hogs typically occur in remote terrain and are established in several Missouri counties, including Barry County...

Along with joy during the holidays, people often experience stress, pressure, sadness and grief for a variety of reasons, causing unwelcome anxiety or depression. Therapist Valerie Yarmouth, licensed clinical social worker at Mercy Senior Life Solutions in Cassville, offered three tips to make the holidays more meaningful and relaxed...

As winter weather approaches and the demand for wood to heat homes rises, Barry County residents will be out cutting wood and trimming trees. Homeowners who use chainsaws should use extreme caution to prevent injuries. "In the hands of a careless, inexperienced or tired operator, a chainsaw can be very hazardous," said Bob Schultheis, southwest region natural resource engineering specialist with the University of Missouri Extension. "Injuries from a chainsaw are usually ragged and traumatic."...

Tom Wolfe Memorial Post 4207, VFW, will host its annual Community Thanksgiving meal on Nov. 26 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This meal is free of charge though contributions will be accepted. The fifth annual Turkey Trot will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, Nov. 26, at the First United Methodist Church in Monett. A free breakfast will be available from the Community Kitchen after the run. Cost is $15 in advance, $20 the day of the race...

There is no team in the bi-county area with a bigger question mark about the basketball season than the Verona boys. Brad Stewart, in his 15th season at the helm of the Wildcats, will lead a team that returns zero starters from last season, forcing him to thrust three freshmen into the starting rotation...

A new broadcasting agreement between the Missouri Valley Conference and ESPN has provided the honor of a lifetime for Mike McClure, Monett sports commentator. On Friday, McClure, along with long-time friend Don West, will provide the commentary for the Missouri State University and Williams Woods University basketball contest at JQH Arena in Springfield on ESPN3 at 2:05 p.m...

The Lamar football team will attempt to win its fifth consecutive state title on Friday. The Tigers (14-0) face Malden (14-0) in the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis. Kickoff is set for 4:15 p.m. Lamar defeated Lafayette County, 45-0, and Malden topped Palmyra, 24-21, in the semifinal games to advance to the title tilt...

The Monett Middle School eighth-grade girls basketball team improved to 8-0 on the season with a 43-18 win over Reeds Spring on Monday. Lopsided wins are becoming the norm for the Lady Cubs. Their last four wins, including Reeds Spring, have been by more than 15 points -- Seneca, 40-25; Mt. Vernon, 33-17; and Cassville, 41-10...

The Monett girls basketball team fell in its season opener to Willard, 64-43. Monett kept the game close in the first half and trailed 26-25 at the intermission. Individual scoring was not available at presstime. Willard won the junior varsity contest 40-6. Monett plays tournament host Carl Junction Monday at 6 p.m...

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of year. Some of my fondest memories involve the smell of turkey and pumpkin pie, the sounds of my loved ones' laughter, and the excitement of gridiron battles on TV. Once the wonderful tryptophan-induced haze wears off, it will be time to think about buying the perfect gifts for the people on your Christmas list. While tradition may compel you to jump in your car and head to the mall, we urge you to shop locally this holiday season...

Herman L. Stringer, 94, of Cassville, died Tuesday, Nov. 24, at Mercy Hospital Cassville. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at White Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will follow at Corinth Cemetery, Cassville. Family will receive friends one hour prior to service time...