Stories from Friday, December 4, 2015

Monett girls basketball coach Alyssa Kennedy feels like a puzzle master as she continues to tinker with the Lady Cubs' lineup this season. Monett is off to a slow start, dropping their first two games of the year, but the Lady Cubs have a chance to crack the win column tonight against McDonald County in the Carl Junction Classic at 6 p.m...

A spirited 59-57, fourth-quarter comeback over Nevada in the Carthage Invitational Tournament opener moved the Monett basketball team within one win of a championship berth. Tonight, the Cubs play Neosho in a semifinal at 7:30 p.m. "Counting the summer, we have faced [Neosho] a lot in the past few years," said Jeremy Land, Monett head coach. "They like to get up and down the floor, and their speed causes teams fits."...

John Breyel, Verona, six months probation for failure to yield at an intersection; $10 for a seat belt violation. Christian Ray Dunegan, Wheaton, six months probation for operating a vehicle in a careless manner/accident. Gary Lee Farsone, six months probation for failure to register a vehicle and a seat belt violation...

Character education medal winners for the month of November have been named at Purdy Elementary School.

The first quarter honor roll has been announced at Purdy High School. Principal Matthew Gower named 35 students to the All-A Honor Roll. Recipients included ninth graders Makenzie Crumpler, Justin McGuirk, Kyler Propps, Hannah Reid, Colby Robbins, Bayleigh Schad and Mason Schallert. ...

Cadets from Scott Regional Technology JROTC program make regular visits to the Monett Elementary campus to promote Junior Achievement, the world's largest organization dedicated to educating students about workforce readiness entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experiential, hands-on programs...

Lisette Vought, a fourth grader at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt, has received a certificate for completing a 24-hour tactical self-help and Buddy Aid training class through the EMS Training Association, provided by paramedic Terry Buffalow and Amy Buffalow, logistics officer...

Christmas parades this week include Exeter at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 5 and Cassville at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5. Deadline to sign up for judging at the Monett Christmas parade is 5 p.m. today. Barry County Retired School Personnel will hold a Christmas meeting at 10:30 a.m. today at Happy House restaurant in Monett, followed by lunch at 11 a.m. Those attending are encouraged to bring canned goods or a boxed item to donate to Crosslines...

An Aurora woman was injured Thursday in a wreck at 7:45 a.m. on Highway 60, one mile east of Monett. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Mandy Schmidt, 41, of Aurora, was driving a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu westbound when while stopped in traffic, her vehicle was struck from behind by a 1997 Ford F350, being driven by Aaron Allen, 35, of Aurora...

A holiday treat has returned in rural Pierce City. Tiffany and Tyler Danley, with help from their children, Shelby and Kortnee, placed close to 5,000 lights on their home on Farm Road 2217, west of Highway 97.

The 16th annual Holiday Toy Drive by the Monett Veterinary Hospital is now underway. New toys are being accepted for distribution to children in need. The Ozarks Area Community Action Corporation, which runs the Head Start program, will distribute the donations to children in need in time for the Christmas holiday...

Hospice Compassus in Monett is again participating in the "Gifting a Gift Christmas Store, an outreach to area nursing home residents sponsored through Community Hospices of America Foundation Dream Team. Hospice is accepting donations of items that will be given free of charge to nursing home residents. The residents, who otherwise do not have an opportunity to shop, will in turn give those gifts to their family members, friends and loved ones...

The third annual Alternative Gift Fair will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Saturday at the Monett Area YMCA. About 20 not-for-profit organizations will have representatives assembled in one place, offering the opportunity for visitors to learn about their efforts and either give a gift for the holidays, or to make a donation for someone else as a gift...

First State Bank of Purdy has planned a major event for its main branch at 106 E. Cleveland in Monett for Wednesday. The bank will host an open house and ribbon cutting for a major remodeling effort that includes a new showcase for historic Monett photos...

On Saturday, Monett High School senior cheerleading captain Kristen Tilley will go where no Monett cheerleader has 
gone before. At 8 p.m., as a part of Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Parties, Tilley will be participating in one of Mickey's Once Upon a Christmastime parades in Disney World's Magic Kingdom in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., which is just outside Orlando, Fla...

Gladys Anderson, 86, of Rogers, Ark., formerly of Cassville, died at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville. Burial will be in King Cemetery, Seligman. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, at Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville...