Stories from Friday, April 29, 2016

The Monett boys track and field team took fourth place at its home meet on Tuesday. Placing in 12 of the 18 events was a needed lift for the young Cubs as they prepare for Thursday's Big 8 Conference Meet in East Newton. "It was a good meet for us," said Tyler Ricard, Monett coach. ...

The Monett girls track team heads into Thursday's Big 8 Conference meet on the heels of a fifth-place finish at the team's home met on Tuesday. The Lady Cubs, dominated by underclassmen, continue to improve in every meet. "We are finishing up our season with personal records and strong performances," said Kelly George, Monett coach. ...

It all started at mile marker 53 on Interstate 44 early Monday morning. About 42 hours later, Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay reported capturing the 21-year-old wanted in connection to a Fordland murder on Sunday. The pursuit for Yovanny Mendivil Balderrama, 21, a Mexican national, began in Webster County and found its way into Lawrence County at about 1 a.m. ...

A line of heavy storms moved through the Barry County area Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, causing some damage in the local area. David Compton, Barry County Emergency Management director, said he and Deputy Director Russ Nichols called out storm spotters at about midnight Tuesday, just as the line of storms crossed from Oklahoma and Kansas into Missouri...

Richard Daniel Felton, 52, of Aurora, died at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, at his home. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 30, at Osa Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora...

The Church of the Nazarene in Monett will celebrate its 75th anniversary with special activities this weekend. Events will kick off with Youth Night today, including a concert by Kingdom Hearts at 7 p.m. Rick Pearson, with Fun in the Sun Ministries at Camp Table Rock, will be the guest speaker. Games will be organized and a bonfire gathering planned...

John Brunner, Republican candidate for Missouri governor, will be in Monett on Saturday for the Seventh District Republican Caucus, and he will make several additional bi-county stops. The caucus will be held at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center...

The Spring Book Fair at Monett Elementary School runs through 4 p.m. today in the school library.

The Monett Police Department will be taking part in the National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, slated to take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday at the Monett Police Department, located at 1901 E. Cleveland. Items not accepted include syringes, topical creams or ointments and items in glass containers which will not burn...

Two people were injured Wednesday in a wreck at 1:20 p.m. on Highway H, three miles south of Mt. Vernon. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Michael Harmon, 22, of Monett, was driving a 2007 Ford Fusion southbound when his vehicle crossed the center line and struck head-on a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox, being driven by Teresa Wells, 53, of Springfield...

Two people were injured Tuesday morning in a wreck at 9 :30 a.m. at the intersection of Business 60 at Highway 60. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Glory Sullivan, 39, of Pierce City, was driving a 1999 Infinity eastbound and attempted to make a left turn onto Hwy. 60 when her vehicle pulled into the path of and struck a 2007 Kia Sportage, bing driven by Lisa Harding, 49, of Rogers, Ark...

The Verona City Council will meet in special session at 7 p.m. on May 4 to discuss a railroad quiet zone with a representative of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. The meeting will be held at Verona City Hall. Crowder College will host its inaugural Roughrider Car Show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 30 on the Crowder campus in Neosho. Proceeds from the show will benefit the Crowder College Foundation...

James Huglett went 4-for-5 at the plate, drove in two runs and scored four times as Purdy defeated rival Southwest, 14-3, on Wednesday. The Eagles have two conference games left with Wheaton and Exeter.

The Purdy softball team improved to 22-2 on the season with an 8-3 win over Pierce City on Wednesday. Zoe Brown went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored for Purdy. On Tuesday, the Lady Eagles claimed the Ozark 7 Conference crown with a win over Southwest...

The Monett baseball team rallied from 3-0 and 4-2 deficits to top Lamar on Tuesday. The Cubs (18-2, 5-0) used a Cameron Witt RBI single in the sixth inning to take the lead for good, and a strike out by pitcher Jonathan Hawkins with the go-ahead runners at second and third to end the game...

Helen Jean Arivett, 82, of Purdy, died Wednesday, April 27, at Cox Monett Hospital in Monett. Visitation will be held from 3 to 4 p.m., Sunday, May 1, at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett with funeral services to immediately follow. Burial will be held Tuesday, May 3, at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Springfield...