Stories from Friday, March 4, 2016

Journalists get used to asking questions that they know coaches will answer with a cliché. We understand that your team has to play hard and that athletes need to give 100 percent if they want to win. I may have to ask the same question three different ways to get a coach or player to break out of the, "It is what it is," rut in order to get something substantial enough to print...

The first steps in adding a storm shelter at Central Park Elementary School in Monett have been taken. Superintendent Brad Hanson met with John Carr, the job superintendent with R.E. Smith Construction, whose workers appeared on site the week for preliminary exploration...

The Purdy Board of Education will have a member change prior to the April 5 election. Three-term incumbent Mike Bennett announced his resignation at the end of the February meeting, effective immediately. Bennett, who also serves as chairman of the Purdy Fire District board and the Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District board, said he had too many commitments...

Olen Morris and Son Ditching Service won two demolition contracts for houses damaged by fire in Monett. Morris had the low bid on both projects that came before the Monett City Council in February. The houses in question are located at 512 W. Dunn and 603 Fifth St. Wade Ennes, Monett building inspector, said neither house was insured, and the owners left the city to clean up the mess...

To mark the birthday of Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, numerous activities took place in Monett area schools. Kristi Chapman, portrayed Geisel's best known character, the Cat in the Hat, in visits to schools in Monett, Pierce City and Verona.

Under new Police Chief George Daoud, the Monett Police Department has taken steps to position itself for the coming year. The Monett City Council approved a grant application for $1,234.80 to the Missouri Department of Transportation Highway Safety Division for overtime as part of the DWI enforcement campaign. Daoud said the grant will help for the 2017. The application deadline for funds for 2016 was missed, but he believed he could still apply for extra funds...

Monett Rural Fire District firefighters responded to a timber fire at Farm Road 2040 in Barry County near Farm Road 1040, southwest of Monett, around 6:30 p.m.

An arrest for suspicion of driving while intoxicated resulted after Samuel Paternostro, 34, of Monett, passed out while driving on East Cleveland Avenue in Monett around 7:45 p.m.

The Monett Ministerial Association will hold its next Lenten Services at noon on March 9 at the First United Methodist Church, 1600 N. Central, with Father Hank Grodecki from St. Lawrence Catholic Church speaking. A light lunch will follow the service...

Tommy Egan, Purdy hoops coach, uses several words to describe his senior players -- hyper, erratic, spastic, fun and great. This year, the Eagles (20-8) have flown to heights last reached in 1985, when they graced the quarterfinal playoff round. "As a coach, you love all your teams, but this one is special," Egan said. "You see it in the way they play. The best words to describe them are pure fun and energy. They don't know how to quit."...

The Purdy boys basketball team advanced in the Class 2 playoffs Wednesday with a 66-61 victory over Marionville in Nixa. The Eagles (20-8) will now travel to the campus of Drury University in Springfield on Saturday for a 2:45 p.m. quarterfinal match up with the state's No. 1 team -- Hartville...

A Washburn man died in a wreck Thursday night on Highway 23 in Carroll County, Ark., one mile from the Missouri border. According to Arkansas Stet Police, Joshua Hilton, 27, of Washburn, was driving a 2000 Jaguar when his vehicle lost control and went off the roadway, striking a fence and a tree...

Two people were injured in a four-vehicle wreck Thursday at 7:55 a.m. on Highway 37, one mile north of Purdy. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Larry McLeod, 66, of Purdy, was driving a 1999 Dodge Ram northbound when he attempted to avoid a collision and struck a 2007 Hyundai Accent, being driven by Brittany Sanchez, 19, of Cassville. ...

John S. Cunningham, 83, of Golden, died at 1:37 p.m. Wednesday, March 2. Memorial services and burial will be held at a later date in Blythedale Cemetery in Bethany. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, in Cassville.

Ernie M. Bronson, 40, of Stella, died at 7:13 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 27, near Santa Rosa, N.M. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, at First Baptist Church of Newtonia. Burial will be at Newtonia IOOF Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 6, at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City...

Justin Arnold Bradley, 69, of Mt. Vernon, died at 11:25 a.m. Tuesday, March 1, at the Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. Burial will follow at Goss Cemetery...

Carl Burton Anderson,m Jr., age 55, of Newton, Kan., died at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, at the home of his son in Lebanon. Graveside services were held Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Mars Hill Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora...