Stories from Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The city of Monett is in line to save about $42,000 in interest costs after it buying back bonds on the second tax increment financing (TIF) project, the only TIF debt left outstanding. City Administrator Dennis Pyle said sales within the TIF district generate enough money to pay off the bonds due. Last year, sales left more money from sales tax than the debt consumes. That presented the option of paying down more of the debt...

A Verona man is being held in the Barry County jail after an alleged domestic assault took place in front of two children at a home on West Cale in Monett. Lance Breeding, 24, of Verona, is charged with second-degree domestic assault in relation to an incident at a home in Monett on Sunday...

Eleven Monett High School students who have completed their junior years will head to Warrensburg to participate in the 76th session of Missouri Boys State, a model government program sponsored by the American Legion. The session will be held from June 18 through June 25 at the University of Central Missouri. Participants have completed their junior years so that the experience can boost their leadership skills during their senior year in high school...

With the potential resolution in sight for Purdy's sewer problem, the city has begun receiving requests for new utilities customers. John Morlan has asked the city what he would need to do to secure water service if he built a house on Farm Road 1080, south of town...

The Purdy School Board hired one teacher and released a prospective hire from a contract obligation recently. Board members hired Frieda Wolf as the new elementary art teacher. Wolf has taught for 13 years in the Southwest school district in Washburn, then left teaching. She decided to return to the field and received a strong recommendation from Janet Boys, elementary and middle school principal...

Eight Monett High School juniors are among the delegates named to attend Girls State, the model government program hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary. Held since 1940, Girls State enables approximately 760 girls who have completed their junior year in high school to learn leadership skills through hands-on experience in forming and running city, county and state government. The 2016 session will be held from June 26 to July 2 at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg...

A Florida man was arrested Monday afternoon following a golf cart wreck at 1:10 p.m. that injured three minors on Farm Road 2265, one mile east of Arrow Point in Golden. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Thomas Firestone, 39, of Titusville, Fla., was driving a golf cart westbound when the vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway and overturned, ejecting all occupants...

A Purdy man was injured Monday in a wreck at 7:55 p.m. on Farm Road 2140, 4.5 miles north of Cassville. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Brett Meek, 20, of Purdy, was driving a 2005 Ford Explorer southbound when he tried to light a cigarette and his vehicle traveled off the roadway and struck a tree...

A Monett woman was injured Monday in a wreck at 2:50 p.m. on Route EE, two miles east of Jenkins. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Crystal Austin, 22, of Monett, was driving a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix eastbound when her vehicle traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned...

An Aurora man was injured Monday in a wreck at 6 p.m. on Highway 39, four miles north of Shell Knob. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Robert Mattingly, 56, of Aurora, was driving a 2003 Buick Century northbound when his vehicle ran off the roadway and overturned...

The American Cancer Society's Barry County Festival of Life, the successor to the Relay for Life, will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on June 3 at Monett's South Park. A remembrance ceremony will be held around 9 p.m. Luminaria that will provide lighting around the walking track in honor of those who have fought cancer may be purchased for $5 by contacting Roxane Hill at 3D Corporate Solutions, 601 N. 13th St. in Monett...

A trio of Cubs football players have been invited to strap on the pads and play one final gridiron match on Friday at the 15th annual Sertoma Grin Iron Football Classic at JFK Stadium at Parkview High School in Springfield. For Monett's John Saunders, Cameron Witt and Jonah Paszek, the game serves as a reward for their outstanding play during their final prep season...

The Spring River Valley Conference released its 2016 postseason baseball honors, with five Pierce City baseball players landing in six spots on the recently-released All-Conference baseball teams. Hunter Hatfield and Mason Moreland earned First Team distinction. Hunter Tindell earned a Second Team infielder nod and Honorable Mention pitcher spot. Dallas Kleiboeker collected Second Team honors, and Bill Ashley was an Honorable Mention selection...