Stories from Saturday, April 2, 2016

On Tuesday, voters in Verona will be asked to consider a new sales tax for transportation needs, specifically for street maintenance. Verona presently has a 1-percent sales tax supporting the city's general fund, and a half-percent tax for public safety, covering police and fire expenses. Unlike those, the proposed tax has a three-year sunset, dropping it from the tax rolls after 36 months without another public vote. A half-percent sales tax would generate approximately $17,000 a year...

Zoning regulations in Verona appear much less clear and standardized than the public may have thought following a recent complaint to the city. Longtime property owner and frequent city council critic Michael Haynes brought forward a complaint about the four tickets he received in one month over failure to mow at one of his properties around 355 Old Aurora Road. ...

Lawrence Ridenour, 5, peers over the shoulder of his mother, Kayleigh Ridenour, of Monett, as she pulls updated tax information from the Internal Revenue Service website.

The team from the popular History Channel series "American Pickers" has planned a summer trip to southwest Missouri and is looking for prospects to appear on the show. The production company for "American Pickers" has asked collectors to contact them for consideration to appear on the show. ...

Now in its 51st year, the Barry County out Camp will take place May 23- 26, at Camp Smokey at Roaring River State Park near Cassville. The theme of this year's celebration is "Creative Minds at Work," and Barry County children ages 7-10, recommended by their school counselors, will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of crafts, field trips, educational programs, swimming, games and more. ...

Two Barry County cities and five Lawrence County cities will see races in Tuesday's municipal elections. The Monett City Council will see one new face with no opposition filed. Businessman Al Dohmen will officially take the commissioner's seat held by one-term incumbent Mike Brownsberger, who will take over as mayor, the job he has held since the death of Jim Orr. Contractor Jerry Dierker will begin his sixth term in the other commissioner's seat...

MU Extension is hosting an informational session with Agriculture employment services, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 6 at Southwest Center, for grant funding employee options. Daily farming keeps producers running, feeding, milking, caring for livestock, getting the crops in the ground, putting up hay and spending some time with family. ...

Bill and June Leonard, formerly of Cassville, will celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, April 10, at Lacoba Villa #2, located to the east of Lacoba Homes on Hwy. 60 in Monett.

Some fans might scoff when they see a soccer team with a record of 2-5 and then are told the team is making huge strides. However, when you are talking Monett girls soccer, it is the truth. On Thursday, the Lady Cubs lost a 2-1 heartbreaker at Burl Fowler Stadium to Fair Grove, a team that beat them twice last year by three goals each time.
"Our girls should be proud of how they played today," said Neil Bluel, Monett coach. ...

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) received six responses in its search for a host for the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 state football championships. According to Media Director Jason West, the board hopes to select the site this week and present the information as soon as possible...

Owner expects 47th season to be the best yet The sounds of engines screaming and the sight of cars circling the three-eighths of a mile dirt track at the Monett Speedway signaled the unofficial start of the 2016 racing season on Friday. The Grand Ole' Lady will officially open its 47th season on Friday with six classes, but held a soft opening to get the drivers and track ready with a free play day...

Monett senior Cameron Witt improved to 3-0 as a pitcher with a 5-0 victory over Webb City on Thursday.

The Monett baseball team moved to 6-0 on the season with a 5-0 win over Webb City on Thursday. Cameron Witt allowed one hit and struck out 10 in seven innings of work. Brett Gollhofer collected 2 RBI, and Jonathan Hawkins drove in another run for the Cubs...

The Monett golf team finished sixth at the 12-team Birddog Tournament in Carl Junction on Thursday. The Cubs combined to shoot a 376. Nevada won the event with a 316. Monett's Clayton Kaiser was fifth overall individually with an 11-over-par 83. Caleb Long finished 22nd overall with a 92, and Lane Witt was 25th with a 95...

The Monett football team will host a fundraising golf tournament on July 29 at the Windmill Ridge Golf Course at 1 p.m. Four-person scramble teams can register for $160, which includes cart, green fee, door prizes and lunch. Hole sponsorships are on sale for $100...

In case you didn't notice, Monett did not have an Easter egg hunt this year. This is not a big deal in the big scope of things. Easter egg hunts take an enormous amount of work to prepare and they are over in minutes. You don't even dare close your eyes at one of these events. Children zoom into action and haul off themselves faster than adults at a midnight Black Friday sale before Christmas. The small ones hardly even know what's happening, unless they're scared of a giant Easter Bunny...

Dear Editor: Just a note of appreciation to say thank you for the wonderful insert on March 16 giving the meaning of Easter. We appreciate your using the King James version scripture, rather than what most use today. Even the advertisers were showing the religious meaning of Easter -- not the secular side we see so much...