Stories from Friday, March 11, 2016

The Ozark 7 Conference released its All-Conference Teams to honor the top basketball players in the league. Several bi-county players made the list. Purdy's Tyler Keeler and Jonatan Salazar led the way with First Team honors. Luis Cruz earned Second Team accolades, and Sydney Birge found a home on the Honorable Mention squad...

On Wednesday, Mike Garrett wrapped up his legal career with his final duties as Monett municipal judge. Having held his last court session on Tuesday, Garrett signed warrants for those who had not appeared in court as scheduled, cleared some remaining bonds and turned over his keys. J. Edward Sweeney, who took the oath of office as Garrett's successor on Thursday morning...

A fundraising event featuring a power lifting competition will be held on Saturday at the Pierce City First Baptist Church. This event will benefit the family of Kyler Koenig. According to Pastor Ryan McMillian, Koenig is the last of the three brothers, children of Jodie Lynee Koenig, who were born with muscular dystrophy or other degenerative diseases. Kyler Koenig's siblings, twins Brenden and Trevor, died within six months of each other. Koenig also faces difficult health issues...

The Freistatt Village Board of Trustees has approved a new procedure for utility customers who are repeatedly late in paying their bills. Clerk Deborah Schoen said several customers appear to wait until well after the due date to pay their bills. Schoen said the issue does not appear to stem from cash flow, as the customers have funds to pay large amounts at once...

A 26-year educator and current special education instructor at Monett Elementary School and pre-school has been named Teacher of the Month for December 2015. Robin Bucher was chosen from dozens of nominations for the honor. Bucher taught four years at Richland School District and has been in Monett for 22 years...

A special feature at the Trinity Lutheran School Carnival this year will be the all-school quilt.

Judge J. Edward Sweeney took the oath of office on Thursday to become the new municipal judge for the City of Monett.

Daylight Savings Time goes into effect this weekend. People should turn their clocks forward one hour on Saturday night. St. Lawrence Catholic Church will host a "Luck of the Irish" fundraiser, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Saturday March 12 in the parish fellowship hall. More than $1,000 in prizes each up for only a 25-cent bid. Loaded baked potatoes and nachos dinner provided with paid admission. Green beer, 50/50 and raffles will be available...

The Ozark 7 Conference has named its best players with the release of the annual All-Conference teams. Purdy's Desirie Ennes took home the coveted Player of the Year honor, and Lady Eagles Coach Eli Ernst was selected Coach of the Year. Layne Skiles earned First Team accolades for Purdy, with teammates Sami House and Rion Boyd collecting Second Team honors...

Janie L. Beard, 74, of Stark City, died Thursday, March 10, at Cassville Health Care and Rehab in Cassville. Services are pending at this time.

Loleta Mae Kuester, 92, of Kansas City, died Tuesday, March 8, at Rock Hill Manor in Kansas City, following a lengthy illness. Loleta's wishes were to be laid to rest in a private ceremony at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Monett. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett...

David Lynn Manning, 71, of Mt. Vernon, died at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 9, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 12, at First Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon. Burial will follow at Mt. Vernon City Cemetery...

Donald Blaine Rawlins, 86, of Fairview, died Tuesday, March 8. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, March 14, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Granby. Burial will be March 21, at Paradise Cemetery in Paradise, Utah. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Granby...