Stories from Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Everett Harry "Johnsee" Walden, 86, of Cassville, died at 8:55 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Helen Marie Laura Emma (Meyer) Gold, 92 of Joplin, passed away Feb. 20. Helen was born Oct. 30, 1923, in Mt. Vernon, to John Meyer and Anna Marie Hagemeier. Helen was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Joe Ben Gold of Joplin. She is survived by two daughters, Gloria Hefley and her husband Jim, of Joplin, Peggy Cossman and her husband, Robert of Tulsa; two sons, Bob and his wife Connie, of Platte City and Craig and his wife Mary, of Joplin; and a sister, Deloris Edwards, of Joplin; 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.. ...

The Monett Ministerial Association will continue its Lenten Services at noon on Wednesdays followed by a light lunch. The next service will be held on Feb. 24 at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 405 Seventh St., with Pastor Vickie Evans from the Waldensian Presbyterian Church peaking...

Senior Queen Candidate Ginna Verhoff, center, enters the gym for homecoming, escorted by Cameron Witt and Blake Moore. Kyle Troutman editor@monett-times.com

Things get off on the wrong foot quickly for characters in "Leona, Love Thy Neighbor, Too" by Gary Stapp, the production of the Mt. Vernon Rebel's Bluff Troupe held over the weekend at the Mt. Vernon Arts and Recreation Center.

Monett High School Band Director Philip Soule braced to receive a pie in the face from sophomore Hunter Bartelt during Friday's homecoming assembly.

Judge J. Edward Sweeney, of Monett, will succeed Michael Garrett as Monett Municipal Court judge next month. Monett Acting Mayor Mike Brownsberger announced the change will take place in March. Garrett, who will turn 75 on March 10, must step down from a municipal judge post by that birthday under state law. ...

The number of child abuse cases processed and interviewed at the Children's Center office in Monett dropped from 229 in 2014 to 101 in 2015. The drop reflected the lowest case number totals in the past 10 years. In 2006 the office handled 155 cases, 134 in 2007 and 154 in 2008...

The Verona boys basketball team defeated Everton, 60-40, on Saturday in Class 1, District 5 play. The Wildcats play top-seeded Walnut Grove on Thursday at Willard High School. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. Verona was led in scoring by: Kolton Pinkly with 20 points. Caleb Hillhouse added 9 rebounds, 4 blocks and 5 assists...

The Verona girls basketball team defeated Dadeville 62-37, to advance to the Class 1, District 5 semifinal on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Lady Wildcats will face No. 2 seed Golden City.

In sports, very few athletes have reached such a pinnacle of success that they can simply be known by one name. Montana, Bird, Jordan, Magic and Ali are a few. By their actions and accomplishments, those men have solidified their legacies into sporting lore...

A 67-54 loss to East Newton on Friday was not what the Cubs basketball team had in mind as the season winds down. Monett has lost two consecutive games, and three of its last five, and now sits at 16-8 on the season. In the two wins, the Purple and Gold needed to overcome double-digit deficits to earn victories...

Monett senior basketball player Juan Agustin's official stat line reads one start, 10 shots, three rebounds and 2 of the most unforgettable points of his life. Agustin, a special needs student at Monett High School, earned a chance to start on Friday against East Newton...

Charles William "Bill" Branstetter, 61, of Wheaton, died at 4:16 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at Overton Cemetery in Wheaton. Visitation will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Angela Lynn Johnson, 36, of Seligman, died at 3:25 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

For about two hours, heavy snowfall blanketed Monett and surrounding areas, making driving conditions difficult, despite not sticking to the ground much.