Stories from Saturday, March 19, 2016

There's been a disturbing practice in recent years around the country of legislators attempting to gut sunshine laws. The practice has not been limited to either party, but has more frequently come from Republicans. In the name of limiting "regulations," lawmakers have been all too eager to keep the public at arm's length, taking the position that "This is our business, not yours," when in fact, the public has every reason to know...

Scott Regional Technology Center hosted the District SkillsUSA contest Feb. 11, for students studying graphic design, auto technology, auto collision, diesel, construction and welding.

Pre-school students Charlotte Owens and Sloane Hohensee were recently recognized for the number of miles they have completed in The Morning Mile, where students keep track of the number of laps they have walked around the gym or track.

Monett Elementary School Principal Susie Gasser has been named the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals' Outstanding Principal of the Year for the Southwest District. The Missouri Distinguished Principals program honors outstanding elementary and middle-level administrators who ensure that Missouri's children acquire a sound foundation for lifelong learning and achievement. Each year, MAESP honors 12 distinguished principals from around the state...

Homecoming royalty at Wheaton High School were recently named.

Students of the Month for February have been named by Monett High School.

Miriam Holloway has been named the Employee of the Month for February at Monett High School.

It has been awhile since Monett has seen this much interest in track and field competition. With just five returning lettermen, the Cubs' coaches were not sure what the season held as far as numbers. But now, they have welcomed 31 new faces into the fold, and the goal has become to find places where they can maximize their collective talent...

The baseball season officially gets underway today for the Pierce City boys. The Eagles travel to Crane for a doubleheader with the Pirates and Conway. The 2015-2016 season brings a chance for the Eagles to forge their identity not just this season, but to look to the future in taking on the identity of new head coach B.J. Curry...

The Monett tennis heads into the 2015-2016 season with more questions than answers. The squad returns three starters from last season and has a whole new crop of faces for Coach Bob Crain to mold into a new starting roster. "Losing four varsity players from last year is going to make it interesting to develop a strong core group for this year," Crain said. ...

Ask former Monett High School standout Angela (Beckett) Johnson about the secrets to her successes in sports -- specifically cross-country, basketball and track -- and she is quick to say, "So many others made it all possible." Still, Johnson was the one who put in the work, and now, her career is being remembered by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame. ...

The sixth annual Transition and Resource Expo will be held from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on March 22 at the Scott Regional Technology Center. Between 45 and 50 exhibitors offering services for people going through life changing physical issues or dealing with developmental disabilities will be present. The event is the largest of its kind in the area, offering opportunities to network with area service agencies. For additional information, people may call Geneva Blue at Scott Tech at 235-7022...

A two-vehicle collision in downtown Pierce City resulted in disabling damage to one vehicle at 10 a.m. on Friday.

A large crowd turned out Thursday at the Scott Regional Technology Center for the Monett Kiwanis Club's pancake supper fundraiser.

The Monett City Council will take major financial action for the year at its monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Monday at Monett City Hall. Council members plan to accept public comment and pass their $41.3 million budget for the 2016-2017 fiscal year, which begins on April 1. They will also adjust the current year's budget to match actual spending...

Pierce City Middle School students recently attended a cyber safety class to learn about the dangers of online predators, identity theft and their digital reputations. "That 'enter' button on your phone or computer is your reputation button," said J.J. ...

A crime has been committed. Monett Middle School seventh-graders had to solve the crime, using evidence-based argument as part of their Susie Kinlock's communication arts class. Here's the scene: Teacher Fossy Bear lies dead on the classroom floor, an apparent shooting victim, found by custodian Buffy DeHall. She is a suspect, accused of stealing money from vending machines. She also owns a handgun...

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between the City of Monett and Monett Marketplace LLC, the business building a new 26,400-square-foot shopping center between Community National Bank and Lowe's. Monett Marketplace LLC has established a new Community Improvement District (CID) that will have a 1-percent sales tax applicable only to its property to pay for infrastructure improvements. ...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristic of being hard-working as Students of the Week for Feb. 29.

Sister Mary Clement Pavlik, past administrator at St. Vincent's Hospital in Monett, marked her 100th birthday on March 7. Sister Mary Clement served as a member of the Vincentian Sisters of Charity in Monett from 1959 to 1975. She worked as a registered nurse, anesthetist and hospital administrator. She was instrumental in bringing doctors from the Philippines to serve at Monett's hospital...

People interested in pursuing careers in law enforcement have the opportunity to attend a basic law enforcement academy in Mt. Vernon. The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office will host its third academy at the sheriff's office in Mt. Vernon, starting Thursday, Aug. 18...

Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers made seven arrests and issued 52 warnings for various offenses during a recent enforcement campaign in Lawrence, Newton and Greene counties. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program enforcement operations were conducted Thursday, March 10 in Lawrence Count and Friday, March 11 in Newton County. The enforcement areas were selected due to a history of criminal activity within these counties as well as a high propensity for commercial vehicle violations...