Stories from Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Gary Dean Fletcher, 68, of Aurora, died at 4:34 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Talihina, Okla. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will follow at Spring River Cemetery...

Jerry Gariepy, 72, of Mt. Vernon, died at 9:17 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 27, at Lawrence County Manor Residential Care Center in Mt. Vernon. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, March 4, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with burial to follow at the Crane Community Cemetery...

The Monett Youth Wrestling Club (MYWC) hosted its 30th annual Monett Youth Wrestling Tournament on Saturday. More than 400 wrestlers representing 30 clubs from across Missouri and Kansas took part in this open tournament, with 57 MYWC participants in the large field...

As the final 90 seconds ticked off the game clock, Purdy Coach Tommy Egan was not even looking at the action on the floor. He was too busy walking down his bench giving each and every player a hug and personalized message. "I was just telling them how much I loved them and how proud I was of them," Egan said. "They played their hearts out, and I could not have been prouder of a group of players."...

The Ladies Auxiliary for Tom Wolfe Memorial Post No. 4207, VFW, will host a luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 2. Menu will be pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, rolls, salad, dessert and beverage. Cost is $6.50. Carry-outs are available...

When temperatures begin hanging around 70 degrees, as they have this past weekend, gardeners begin thinking of planting season.

A beautiful day like Sunday at Monett's South Park just lends itself outdoor fun and sharing the joy with those nearby, especially the friendly ducks who enjoy a gift or two.

For the sixth year, local service agencies will gather at the Scott Regional Technology Center for Transition and Resource Expo on Tuesday, March 22. The event will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. According to Geneva Blue, work experience coordinator at Scott Tech, the expo focuses on resources available to people going through changing experiences. ...

Plans advance to enclose canopy area There is a bird problem at Monett High School. It is not the "School is for the birds" running gag, though that one might have relevance in this situation. The canopy leading to the entrance at the school has, for more than 20 years, become home to a great many bird nests. During nesting season, the birds view intruders less tolerantly and have been known to dive bomb visitors...

The Verona City Council has agreed to review its dog ordinance following a request by a resident to keep her pit bull. Georgina Repert asked city council members to make an exception to their ban on pit bulls. Repert said dogs should be evaluated on a dog-by-dog basis. Her 6-year-old dog, Ellie Mae, is a family pet and a companion to her six children, especially her disabled child...

March brings thoughts of water, fishing and return to the outdoors.

Several rural fire departments have initiated collaboration efforts to secure a watercraft to share as a future resource for water rescues during flood events. Fire Chief Rick Mercer, with the Pierce City Fire Protection District, said the Monett Rural; Purdy; Midway; which serves the residents inn the Stark City and Stella areas; and Pierce City districts have started discussions for funding for the boat, and for training crew members in boat rescues...

Lois Alberta Blades, 82, of Verona, died at 5:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 29, at Ozark Methodist Manor in Marionville. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, March 4, at First Baptist Church of Aurora, with burial to follow at Maple Park Cemetery...

Trout season kicked off with a bang on Tuesday at 6:30 a.m., when Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon fired a full magazine from the Opening Day gun to allow anglers to reel in the treasured trout at Roaring River State Park. Nixon spent Monday night in a cabin at the park, then made his way to the gazebo to fire the gun and then trekked just below it to the banks to fish for some trout on his own...

Lloyd L. Sanders, 90, died Saturday, Feb. 27, at his home in Miller. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Burial will follow at the Red Oak Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10 -- 11 a.m., prior to the service at the funeral home...

A single-vehicle crash on Farm Road 1085, north of Farm Road 2220 in Lawrence County, resulted in a Honda CR-V ending up on its top.