Stories from Saturday, March 26, 2016

From time to time, we encounter a keen intellect, a person who surprises, understands and provides insights that others may have missed. We lost one of those people this week with the death of Patti Holt. Patti was best known for starting the Monett McDonald's restaurant with her husband, Don, in 1983, and running it for more than 25 years. She spoke with authority about what it takes to run a restaurant in a town the size of Monett, especially in nurturing a workforce and strong management...

Spring's high school sports season presents several challenges that are unique to its competition season. Most notably, it is the only season in which every sports sanctioned by the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) is contested outdoors, meaning if Mother Nature intervenes, nothing is contested...

The Monett golf team improved to 4-0 on the season with wins over Mt. Vernon and Ash Grove on Thursday. The Cubs topped the Mountaineers, 180 to 225, and Ash Grove, 180-231. "I was very pleased with how we competed today," said Dan Janssen, Monett coach. "It was not a nice day for golf, but our boys persevered in very cold conditions. I knew home course would be an advantage, as we were used to how the course played in the wind and could be smart about how we played each shot."...

Six games in the the spring softball season, most teams are just starting to figure out who they are and what they can do. Purdy Coach Lori Videmschek told her players before the season they could settle for being good, or they could strive to be great...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristic of being safe as Students of the Week for March 21.

Monett Knights of Columbus Council No. 1075 has donated $1,000 to the Tri-County Pregnancy Resource Center in Aurora for use in its ultrasound program.

A new family history book makes reference to numerous names from Barry and Lawrence County. "Logan Connections: Genealogy, History and DNA" details the history of the Logan family and allied families in Barry, Lawrence, Newton and Stone counties. According to author Mike Jones, the two-volume, more than 2,500-page compilation details the line of William Logan, of Spotsylvania, County, Va., and his four sons: William, Joseph, John and Thomas. ...

The Tuesday Ladies Golf League will hold its breakfast kickoff for the season at 8:30 a.m. on March 29 at Ziggie's Restaurant on South Highway 37 in Monett. Anyone interested in participating may attend. For additional information, people may call Janie Bates at 235-5917...

Drivers along U.S. Route 60 in Monett will see changes to the way signals operate in an effort to improve traffic flow through town beginning Monday, the Missouri Department of Transportation reported. Beginning with the traffic signals on Highway 60 between Kyler Street and Lowes Lane, MoDOT will re-synchronize signals to keep traffic moving with minimal delays. ...

The Barry-Lawrence Area United Fund received congratulations for 50 years of service from the Monett City Council. The council issued a proclamation honoring the service organization. It stated: "Whereas, the Barry-Lawrence Area United Fund celebrates 50 years of improving the lives of children and families in Monett and the outlying areas. ...

Five candidates are seeking the two open school board seats in Pierce City, which are currently held by Carl Younker and John Vincent. Younker, a one-term incumbent, is the only veteran running. First-time candidates include Michelle Eck, Tiffany Sagehorn, Shelly Wrobleski and Aaron Jones...

Funds are being sought to help improve the playground at St. Lawrence Catholic School in Monett as an Eagle Scout project. John Rausch, a member of Monett Troop 38, which is sponsored by the First United Methodist Church's Men's Group, wants to upgrade the playground at St. ...

The Monett Board of Education approved plans to correct a flooding problem around the south end of Burl Fowler Stadium that has impacted residents on Roosevelt Street. According the Superintendent Brad Hanson, efforts by district maintenance crews to limit the effects of high water from Kelly Creek around Burl Fowler Stadium have somewhat backfired. ...

Voters in Barry and Lawrence counties will be asked on April 5 to consider raising the property tax that supports the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library. The last time the library sought a tax increase was in 1989. A reinterpretation of state law in 2008 reduced the increase back to the pre-election total of 15 cents per $100 of assessed property. The proposal on the current ballot would boost that amount by 7 cents,...