Stories from Friday, February 26, 2016

WASHBURN -- For the first time since 2008, the Purdy boys basketball team was crowned the champions of the Class 2, District 12 tournament. Purdy avenged two regular-season losses, 74-73 and 62-60, to McAuley Catholic, with a resounding 83-64 thumping...

WASHBURN -- For the third time in the last four seasons, the Purdy girls basketball team experienced the gut-wrenching pain of a loss in the district championship game. The most recent setback could be the most painful of the bunch. On Friday, the Lady Eagles fell to Miller, 49-46, in the Class 2, District 12 title tilt...

The Monett Board of Education has approved having computers for every student, from kindergarten through high school. After introducing computers for every high school student in January 2012, at the middle school in 2013 and at Monett Intermediate in 2014, the district had not yet developed a full plan for grades four and under. Computers first used in the upper grades had been passed down to younger students as classrooms and grades developed individual strategies...

A Rogers, Ark., man has been extradited to Barry County more than a year after he allegedly shot and killed his ex-girlfriend and her grandfather in Washburn. Christopher Paschall, 38, saw his mother, Mary Paschall, post bonds cash bonds of $100,000 and $2,500 on Wednesday in Arkansas. Paschall was then transported to the Barry County Jail and booked at 4:30 p.m...

Members of the Monett Kiwanis Club and their spouses enjoyed the annual Sweetheart Luncheon this week at the Scott Regional Technology Center.

The Verona school district is about to launch a food backpack program, geared to help children who do not have enough food. The program is directed by elementary counselor Julie Rysted and has been dubbed, "Wildcat Packs." Jeannie Abeln, Verona Elementary principal, told school board members Rysted secured a $1,500 grant through the Aurora Community Foundation. Rysted and Shelly Gatton, special services director, attended the foundation's banquet to receive the funds...

Dairy producers are likely to see increased volatility in prices in the coming year, with heavy influences from weather and international markets. Scott Brown, agriculture economist with the University of Missouri, told milk producers at the Monett Dairy Day conferences that forces largely out of their control will dictate how the market will run in 2016, so they would do well to prepare accordingly...

Efforts to line major sewer mains in Monett to prevent leaks occasionally run into problems.

Two teenagers were involved in a wreck at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 90, three miles west of Washburn. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Rebekah McKeever, 17, of Seligman, was driving a 1999 Toyota Solara and pulled her vehicle from the eastbound lane to the westbound lane, where she was struck from behind by a 1990 GMC 1500, being driven by Sean Knighten, 16, of Washburn...

The Monett Ministerial Association will hold its next Lenten Services at noon on March 2 at New Site Baptist Church. Pastor Jimmie Copley from Chapel of Grace will speak. A light lunch will follow the service. Tickets are now available for the Monett Chamber of Commerce's annual membership banquet, which will be held at the Scott Regional Technology Center on Thursday, March 3. ...

The Purdy girls basketball team has been one of the most consistent squads in the bi-county area for the last decade. With one state title, two district championships and five conference crowns in the last six years they have been the picture of post-season success...

The Pierce City girls basketball team's season ended in overtime heartbreak, as the Lady Eagles fell, 51-45, to Purdy in the Class 2, District 12 semifinal at Southwest on Wednesday. Pierce City led by as many as eight points (29-21) in the third quarter, but a deeper Purdy squad rallied to prevail...

With 3:09 remaining in regulation and a tie game, Purdy's lone senior and leading scorer Desirie Ennes committed her fifth personal foul. The infraction disqualified her from further action in the Class 2, District 12 tournament semifinal against Pierce City...

The Monett football team will host a fundraising golf tournament on July 29 at Windmill Ridge Gold Course at 1 p.m. Four-person scramble teams can register for $160, which includes cart, green fee, door prizes and lunch. Hole sponsorships are on sale for $100...

The Pierce City baseball team will host its BBQ Dinner and Trivia Fundraiser on March 5 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Pierce City High School to benefit the team. Tickets for adults are on sale for $10 in advance. The cost at the door is $15. Children 12-and-under are $5...

The Verona girls avenged a regular-season loss Golden City with a 72-25 rout on Wednesday in the Class 1, District 5 semifinal. Verona plays No. 1 seed Walnut Grove at 6 p.m. tonight in Willard. Scoring for Verona: Nicole Stephenson, 23; Tori Pinkly, 13; Madison Shrum, 12; Neva Calhoun, 7; Hannah Hilton, 5; Twilah Carrasquillo, 4; Rita Castilo, 3; Hannah Henson, 3; Danielle Roetto, 2...

Leon Page, 74, of Mt. Vernon, died at 4:22 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 25, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 29, at First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, with burial to follow at the Summit Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon...

The Southwest Missouri Council of Governments (SMCOG) has contracted with State Emergency Management Agency and the Barry County Commission to prepare a five-year update to the Barry County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. A plan update kick-off meeting will be held on Monday at 10 a.m. in the old Barry County Courthouse, located at 700 Main Suite 2 in Cassville...

Rebecca Harris, 43, of Carthage, formerly of Purdy, died Tuesday, February 23, at Mercy Hospital in Joplin. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 29, at White Funeral Home and Crematory in Cassville with Pastor Russ Neill officiating. Burial will follow at the Purdy City Cemetery in Purdy...