Stories from Friday, February 5, 2016

The Monett school board extended its contract with Superintendent Brad Hanson and addressed other personnel changes recently. Hanson, who has served as the district's superintendent since 2012, had his contract extended to the 2018-2019 school year. Monett school boards for approximately 20 years have preferred to keep its superintendents under contract for a three-year period...

Improvements of facilities in the Verona school district continue to progress. Superintendent Tony Simmons reported renovations on the gym expanding the concession area had been completed. For the Jan. 25 basketball game, visitors could begin using the north entrance...

Firefighters practically disappeared in a swirl of smoke as they put out a fire that consumed a barn on a repossessed property on Farm Road 1107, south of Highway BB, on Wednesday.

A Cassville man was injured and subsequently arrested following a wreck Tuesday at 11:12 p.m. on Highway 76, one mile south of Cassville. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Kyle Friend, 23, of Cassville, was driving a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am southbound when his vehicle ran off the right side of the roadway and overturned...

Nominations are now being accepted for the Monett Chamber of Commerce's top awards, which will be presented at the Chamber's annual membership meeting on March 3. The Community Service Award honors long-term activity, often in a variety of capacities. The Pride and Progress Award recognizes a specific contribution, such as beautification efforts or service in a specific area...

The annual lock-up fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will be held on Tuesday in Monett. The major fundraiser of the year for MDA will be held for the fourth year from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Scott Regional Technology Center, sponsored by the school's DECA Chapter...

Though the sun seemed to break through the clouds on Wednesday afternoon for a brief period, ducks at Monett's South Park made the most of it as they swam a lap around the park lake in the glistening shower of light off the water.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 2013 will meet at 4 p.m. on Feb. 7 at Angus Branch Steakhouse on Chapell Drive in Monett. Cox Monett Hospital will host a Love Your Heart Breakfast and screening from 8 to 10 a.m. pm Feb. 26. Participants can receive a stroke and cardiac assessment, labs measuring blood sugar, kidney and thyroid function, general health information and breakfast. Seating is limited. Reservations are available by calling 354-1448...

It has been eight years since the Monett boys basketball team has tasted a varsity victory over Mt. Vernon. The Cubs enter tonight's Big 8 tilt 14-6 on the season and still feeling the sting of a 63-46 loss to Webb City on Tuesday. The game against the Mountaineers looms large for Monett, as the Cubs are seeking to gain momentum before the district tournament...

A 58-12 dual victory over Bolivar was exactly what Daryl Bradley, Monett wrestling coach, wanted to see from his team on Tuesday. Bradley knew the Cubs were capable of a dominating effort against the Liberators, but it is one thing to know your team's capabilities, and another for them to demonstrate those capabilities on the mat...

Douglas Craig Summers, 65, of Wagoner, Okla., died at 1:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.