Stories from Wednesday, April 20, 2016

Thelma Edith Hendrickson, of Purdy, passed away Monday, April 11, at her residence with loved ones at her side. Thelma was born in Leicester, England, to Reginald and Edith "Robinson" Franks on Sept. 20. When it came to Thelma's age she would say, "It's none of your bloody business how old I am, but if you must know, I'm as old as my tongue and a bit older than my teeth." She married Wayne Norman Hendrickson in 1956, and became an Air Force wife. ...

The Monett Lawrence County 911 Advisory Board is looking for ways to further improve dispatching for Lawrence County emergency responses and handling incoming 911 calls. Several recent calls presented problems. Sheriff Brad DeLay, who also serves as the Mt. Vernon fire chief, said Mt. Vernon firefighters were called out to a fire reported to be in downtown Mt. Vernon at "174 Main Street" that turned out to be in downtown Republic. The 911 service had reportedly "pinpointed" the location...

The Purdy City Council received some welcomed help at its April meeting in collecting the income surveys needed to secure the $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program. Mayor Steve Roden reported the city now has until May 9 to compile the remaining 70 surveys needed to total 250 examples to document the median income of the community...

Two new faces joined Purdy City Council recently, as Brad Bunnell took the Ward 1 seat and Brian Bowers assumed the job of Ward 2 alderman. Bunnell, 46, is the son for former alderman Launce Bunnell and the late Sue Bunnell. A lifelong city resident, Bunnell is a partner with his father in the local car sales business and owns 37 Tire and Auto Center. He and his wife, Melissa, have three boys, ages 12, 16 and 20...

A two-vehicle collision shortly after 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday resulted in injuries to two people approximately one-half mile east of Pierce City on Highway 37. According to Pierce City Police Chief Mike Abramovitz, Harry Clanton, 89, of rural Wentworth, was driving west on Highway 37 in a 2004 Toyota and attempted to turn into the east driveway for Velten Implement. ...

Several strategic contracts approved by the Purdy Board of Education moved to improve the district's technology and facility resources. Superintendent Steven Chancellor said the student information system purchased from the STI company has become bloated with a massive volume of information. Conversion of the district's financial package opened an opportunity to address the student data...

Monett, Purdy and Verona high schools will have their proms on Saturday, with red carpet entries and the crowning of royalty taking center stage. Monett's theme will be "Around the World." Activities will be held at the Monett City Park Casino. As a special feature this year, the prom will start with a formal red carpet spread down the Casino sidewalk. ...

The Purdy Board of Education made several major personnel moves recently, rehiring certified teachers and moving three faculty members to tenured positions. Prior to taking action, the board accepted resignations from high school math teacher Molly Strickland and agriculture teachers Amanda Neely and Payden Emmett...

Ridgetop Bible Camp will be hosting two fundraisers to raise money for the camp's operations, along with an informational meeting about the camp. On April 29 at 7 p.m., a game of donkey basketball will be held at the Wheaton school gymnasium, and on May 14, a yard sale will be held at Ferman Prewitt's home at 530 E. Davidson St. in Wheaton, during the town's city-wide garage sale...

Adam Barker, one of two senior division Young Artist winners, will perform the first movement of Max Bruch's popular Violin Concerto No. 1 with the Ozark Festival Orchestra at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center.

Those watching the reconstruction work on the old Monett State Bank building, 418 to 422 E. Broadway, may have wondered why crews for Kelmar Construction took down bricks across the top of the 1905 structure in an effort to restore the original look...

Without a quorum last week, the Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District board rescheduled its monthly meeting to this week. The board took the opportunity, however, to swear in Andy Hogenmiller, who won election to the District 5 board seat.

The Monett City Council meets at 9:30 a.m. today at Monett City Hall council chambers. The Ozark Festival Orchestra presents its Young Artists concert, at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. Three soloists will play with the orchestra. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for seniors...

market indicatorFARMINGTON -- Prices stayed strong this year for beef heifers at the Show-Me Select Replacement Heifer sale, Farmington Auction Market, April 15. The 168 heifers for fall-calving herds average $2,070. Prices ranged from $1,800 to $2,500...

Joshua Hughes, Purdy baseball coach, used an old saying to address his squad after an 8-2 win over Miller on Tuesday. "A win is a win, and that is what we got tonight," Hughes told his team. The Eagles, 8-4, are still finding their stride this season, but Hughes said he sees a light at the end of the tunnel...

A beloved annual tradition by the Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League (MYBSL) has been brought back after a one-year hiatus. On Friday, the MYBSL will host opening ceremonies for the 2016 youth T-ball, baseball and softball seasons. The event begins at 6 p.m. with the introduction of the T-ball players by team...

The Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League will host an umpiring clinic today from 6-8 p.m. at the Monett North Park for anyone interested in umpiring for the league this summer. For more information, people may contact Haley Williams at williamshaley@g-apps.monett.k12.mo.us...

The Monett seventh-grade girls track team won its 10-team home track meet on Thursday. The Lady Cubs had eight second place finishes and were led by Kim Parris, who scored 15 individual points, and Caitlyn Calhoun, who had 14 individual points.

St. Lawrence Catholic School in Monett will host a benefit charity golf tournament at 1 p.m. on May 15 at the Windmill Ridge Golf Course. Interested persons are asked to mail registrations to the school, 405 S. Lincoln, Monett, MO 65708, attention Matt Batson...

The Mt. Vernon Missouri Veterans Home Assistance League will host an inaugural Armed Forces Day Golf Tournament to benefit the home on May 21 at Honey Creek Golf Club in Aurora. Tee-off times will be at 8 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. Cost is $200 for a team of four...