Stories from Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District Board Of Directors issued a reprimand to Operations Director Andy McCaslin for moving forward on establishing a 12-hour shift to run a third vehicle. McCaslin was also criticized for finding a new medical director without alerting the board that the previous director resigned, effective at the beginning of the year...

Exploratory talks have started between firefighters in Purdy and other departments, including Monett, about expanding water rescue capacities. The Purdy Fire District played an instrumental role in water rescues in Monett on Dec. 26 using a recently-acquired light medium tactical vehicle, a former National Guard truck, which replaced the department's two-and-a-half ton truck. ...

Even preschoolers learn technology through their earliest classroom experiences these days.

An Arkansas man is facing 15 charges, spanning six cases, stemming from multiple alleged thefts and property damage at homes in Eagle Rock. In total, Joseph Bass, 24, of Berryville, Ark., is charged with five counts of burglary, five counts of theft, four counts of property damage and one count of tampering with a motor vehicle...

The Purdy City Council raised no objections during its January meeting to moving the town''s post office. Mayor Steve Roden reported the postmaster general inquired if the city had any problems with the post office moving from 203 Washington to a new building that has been erected on the northwest corner of Front and Washington...

The University of Missouri Extension has announced the Barry County Extension's 87th Annual Soils and Crops Conference has been scheduled for the Feb. 2 in Cassville, from 6-9 p.m. The confirmed line-up of speakers for the night include Dr. Scott Poock, Extension veterinarian from Columbia, and Lynn Andrews, regional director of the Missouri Crop Improvement Association...

Even preschoolers learn technology through their earliest classroom experiences these days. Children in the preschool class at Trinity Lutheran School picked arms for a snowman on a Smartboard.

Verona crowned its Homecoming King and Queen on Friday.

Monett Rural Fire District board will meet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 26 at the fire station on County Road in the Industrial Park. The annual volunteer appreciation luncheon for Loaves and Fishes will be held at noon on Jan. 21 at the First United Methodist Church in Monett...

Described as "a working club," members of the Monett Lions Club offered a public presentation on how their organization works and the ways the group contributed to the community. "Lion Oren Fritz said it best years ago: 'The Lions Club is a working club, not a social club,'" said longtime member Eldred Holle. "We work very hard, but we enjoy it."...

Monett Community Kitchen, a member agency of Ozarks Food Harvest, received a donation of a two-door freezer and two-door cooler thanks to a grant provided to Ozarks Food Harvest by Feeding America, the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization...

Charles Agans, $100 for failure to register a vehicle; $24.50 and six months probation for no proof of insurance. Shane W. Click, $24.50 and six months probation for no proof of insurance. Michael S. Coones, $125 for domestic assault. Glenda K. Denno, $24.50 and six months probation for affray...

Remodeling has been completed on the library at Pierce City High School, offering a new look more in line with the comfortable atmosphere of a contemporary book store.

Aiden Kleinman, an eighth grade student at St. Mary's Catholic School in Pierce City, was named the winner of the school's Geography Bee competition and now had the opportunity to advance to the state competition on April 1 at University of Missouri Columbia...

Trinity Lutheran School held its annual Geography Bee for fourth through eighth grades on Dec. 16.

Officials at Purdy Middle School have released the names of students listed to the second quarter honor roll for the 2015-16 academic year. Students are listed by grade level and achievement. Fifth grade: Monserat Alvarez, Destiny Clevenger, Carlee Deditius, Ezequiel Garcia, Bosten Goetz, Lizbeth Gonzalez, Alli Hayes, Daxon Henry, Lisa Lee, Makayla Mazza, Destry Patton and Alexa Paxtor...

Students of the Month for December have been announced by Purdy principals Janet Boys and Matt Gower.

"We're going to beat them," is how Monett Wrestling Coach Daryl Bradley responded to a question about Thursday's wrestling dual with Seneca. The Cubs welcome the Indians to Monett High School Gymnasium in a battle of two of the top wrestling programs in the state...

The Verona boys basketball team travels back to the Spokane Invitational Tournament on Friday to face the host Owls in the consolation semifinal. Verona fell to Reeds Spring, 73-47, to open tourney play, and Spokane lost, 77-61. Wildcats Coach Brad Stewart said his team played better in the paint on Monday against a bigger Wolves team, but struggled to get back out on their perimeter shooters...