Stories from Saturday, May 21, 2016

After an extended discussion, the Monett City Council voted to change the longstanding policy banning fireworks sales and use in the city. Both ordinances passed unanimously after several people from the audience expressed views. Only one person spoke in opposition...

Outstanding pitching, clutch defense and opportunistic hitting gave the Purdy baseball team a 5-0 victory and a Class 2, District 12 title over McAuley Catholic on Thursday. "I told the guys after the semifinal win that we have Sydney [Birge] on the mound, and let's go take care of business," said Joshua Hughes, Purdy coach. "We hadn't played well in our last two games, especially on defense, but everything seemed to go just right for us tonight."...

The Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District is taking interviews to fill its operations director position, but communication issues have led to recent scheduling conflicts. David Compton, District 1 director, announced he had invited three candidates for the operations director position to attend the board's May meeting for interviews. Compton said he notified Board President Mike Bennett of his action in an email, though Bennett had not read the message...

Ila Geyer, a second-grade teacher at Monett Elementary School, was recently named the May Teacher of the Month. Geyer has been a teacher for eight years. "I graduated from Aurora High School in 1997, and shortly thereafter, I married my husband, Carl, and enjoyed life with just the two of us," she said. "In 2002, we welcomed our daughter, Kelsi, who is now in the seventh grade. Having her in my life motivated me to pursue a career that I enjoyed...

The Monett school board took action on health insurance and contracts recently, approving a health insurance plan for the 2016-2017 school year that included a 3 percent increase in cost. The contribution rate per employee will stay the same at $460, said Superintendent Brad Hanson. Rather than add more to what goes into insurance, board members preferred to add any extra funds into salaries...

The last day of school ritual at Monett Elementary School on Friday offers graduating second-graders a chance to ring the school bell to signify their advancement to the next grade.

Organizers of the annual Barry County Youth Camp have released the bus schedule for transportation to the camp. Monett residents taking part in the camping activities this year are asked to meet at 8:30 a.m. on Monday at the Drury University parking lot, formerly First United Methodist Church, located at 400 Fourth St. in Monett...

For the last day of school on Friday, students at St. Lawrence Catholic School experienced Field Day, offering a wide range of activities in the school gym.

The Barry County Republican Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on May 24 at the home of Jerry and Barbara White in Purdy. Those attending are asked to bring a dessert and salad as the rest of the meal will be provided by the Whites. The Purdy Friends of the Library will hold their big rummage and book sale from 8:30 a.m. ...

Dedre Beckett, of Monett, and Stuart Fitzgerald, of Tulsa, Okla., have announced their engagement and forthcoming marriage.

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office will be joining with statewide law enforcement starting Monday, May 23 and continuing through Sunday, June 5, for an aggressive Click It or Ticket mobilization to crack down on Missouri's seat belt violations. "Six out of 10 people killed in Missouri traffic crashes are unbuckled," said Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay. ...

Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers honored former chairman, John Allred, with a plaque of appreciation for his years of service to the board and efforts in helping keep communities safe

Declaring Lawrence County's participation in the Missouri youth alcohol enforcement crackdown Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over a major success, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office reported that no impaired driving arrests were made. Deputies made two other arrests for outstanding warrants, and issued eight citations for various offenses. A total of 110 warnings were issued for other moving violations. The enforcement period ran from Thursday, May 5 through Monday, May 16...

What was originally slated to be two-day state golf tournaments across Missouri became one-day flashes in the pan for most golfers.
With the rain descending on Tuesday, the Missouri State High School Activities Association made the decision to cancel the second day of tournament action and make the first day's results final...

Monett Middle School hosted an end-of-the-year dodgeball tournament, with all proceeds donated to the American Heart Association.

Monett and its nearby communities have an exceptional opportunity today to tour the new Oak Pointe assisted living and memory care facility on Old Airport Road in the northeast corner of Monett. It's great to see a $7.2 million addition to the resources in Monett. ...