Stories from Saturday, April 9, 2016

This week, two of our local school boards demonstrated an interesting civics lesson -- votes matter. Every April, some local election or other is resolved by the narrowest of margins. Usually, it's a small-town alderman's race, a road district commissioner's seat or a write-in. ...

The Monett girls track and field team heads to Nixa on Tuesday with the confidence that they can compete and score points. A sixth-place showing at Aurora on Thursday reinforced to the coaches the team is on the right path. "We are scoring points in almost every event right now," said Kelly George, Monett head coach. "We just need to keep improving and fine-tuning for the last half of our season."...

Joshua Hughes, Purdy baseball coach, said his team has done a pretty good Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde impression this season. "When we've been on, we've looked like a really good team," Hughes said. "But then, we've had games where it looked more like soccer practice, because we are just kicking the ball around."...

Andrew Brown, Raigan Ratliff and David Thomas were named to the Southwest Baptist University's Fall 2015 honor roll. To be eligible for the honors list, students must carry at least 12 hours of college work at Southwest Baptist University and earn at least a B. ...

Faith Lorhan, manager of fan interaction with the Springfield Cardinals recently led a tour of their facilities for a group of Purdy High School business students interested in pursuing careers in sports and entertainment marketing. Students Morgan Schilly, Layne Skiles, Rion Boyd and Kyler Propps and business adviser Kay Wright visited all areas of the Cardinals stadium, from the announcers' booth and the video production room to the suites, indoor training facility, clubhouse and offices. ...

The Monett High School band program qualified 12 students to advance to state competition in 14 categories during district auditions on April 2. Students who advance to state follow: Alex Ragsdale: 1 rating (Alto Clarinet) Sarah Thomas: 1 rating (Trombone)...

For the noon April 12 Kiwanis Club meeting, members will skip a meal to tour the new addition at Lacoba Homes in Monett. A question-and-answer session will follow the tour. Walk to School Days in the Monett R-1 district begin April 11 and run through April 14. Students may gather at four locations: Cox Monett Hospital at Benton and Euclid, North Park, the Arc of the Ozarks office at 1010 Old Airport Road, and Ninth and Broadway. Bicycle police will help escort the children...

A new outreach effort by the Monett Middle School Student Council culminated in a donation collection drive at the intersection of Fifth and Cleveland on Thursday.

The Compassus hospice program serving Monett and the surrounding areas will recognize Nadean Davis and all hospice volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 10 through 16, for providing companionship, support and dignity to hospice patients and their loved ones...

Along with six adult entries, the Draw Pierce City 2016 contest saw 145 student entries from Central Elementary School, Pierce City Middle School, and Pierce City High School. "I was very impressed by the varied subject matter with this year's entries," said Kristin Nama, event organizer...

The murder trial of Robert Campbell, of Willard, the last defendant in the 2011 homicide of Rebecca and Rusty Porter, has been postponed until July in Joplin. According to notice from Forsyth County Prosecutor Jeffrey Merrell, Campbell was scheduled for trial on two counts of first degree murder on April 6, but has hired a new attorney and had his case rescheduled. No exact date has been posted by the court. Joplin Judge Gayle Lee Crane on request of a change of judge...

The 14-member Happy Plunkers Ukulele Band made a return appearance to the Monett Senior Citizens Center on Friday.

County clerks have announced the results of write-in balloting for Tuesday's municipal elections. A number of government entities will now have to contact the candidates who received the top votes to determine eligibility and willingness to serve. Two city council seats in Pierce City were open for write-in votes. ...

Plans for the future of the Monett swimming pool moved into a new phase this week after the city's aquatics facilities committee received the final conceptual drawings for three different possible directions. City Administrator Dennis Pyle said the Monett City Council will not decide which pool option to pursue. ...

Monett's baseball team opens Big 8 Conference play on Tuesday against Seneca at North Park.
The game will mark the third time in 10 days the Cubs and the Indians have tangled, with Monett earning 14-0 and 12-2 victories in the two previous meetings...