Stories from Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Testing fire hydrants in Purdy has led to revelations about serious issues in the town's water system. Bo Prock, mayor pro tem, asked for a hold on plans to color code the 52 fire hydrants as firefighters test them for water production. Marking the hydrants will cost $9.45 each...

Preparations are underway for the fifth annual Purdy Festival, which will be held on July 16 in the city park and on the school district property. According to Renae Neill, festival spokesperson, many of the same features from past years will return to offer a full day of interactive entertainment and events for all ages...

The 74th Annual Rotary Rodeo was held Friday and Saturday at Bill Hailey Arena in Cassville.

Manhunts for Monett residents with disabilities that lasted for several hours on both Saturday and Monday had happy resolutions. Police Chief George Daoud said on Monday, a Monett man checked on his father, who has Alzheimer's disease, after work and found him missing from his apartment in the 400 block of Dairy Street. After searching for an hour, he called police for help. A neighbor reported last seeing the missing man at 5 p.m...

A Wheaton man has been charged with four felonies after allegedly being caught on a surveillance camera stealing wire from Preferred Poultry near Cassville. Justin Todd Taylor, 42, of Wheaton, is charged with two counts of theft and two counts of burglary...

Storage units used by 15 renters were damaged in a fire fought by five fire departments at the Krueger Storage facility at Farm Road 1070 at Highway 37 on Monday. Firefighters responded to a call at 5:06 p.m. to the center storage unit, where the fire developed in the southeast corner. Firefighters gained access to five units on the south side and four on the north to contain the blaze, which traveled across the ceiling...

Publisher's note: The following Q&As represent the candidates' views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. Age: 42 Current Occupation: Detective with the Barry County Sheriff's Office Past Experience: 13 years with Barry County Sheriff's Office...

Mick Wayne Ozbun, 58, of McDowell, Missouri, went to be with the Lord in Heaven on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at his home. He was born on October 14, 1957 in Monett, Missouri, the son of L. J. and Virginia (Patton) Ozbun. He was a 1975 graduate of Purdy High School and retired from the City of Monett where he worked in the Electric Department...

The annual Tour de Monett organized ride, hosted by The Flat Tire Gang, a Monett-based bicycling enthusiast group, is slated for Saturday. The ride serves a dual purpose, according to Gang President Larry Eden. "We have a beautiful area of Missouri that we can showcase on the ride," he said. "But, more importantly, this event serves as our annual fundraiser to help fight multiple sclerosis."...

Publisher's note: The following Q&As represent the candidates' views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. Age: 34 Current occupation: Police Officer for the City of Cassville Past experience: Police Officer for the City of Cassville and the City of Exeter. Reserve Deputy for the Barry County Sheriff's Office. Director of Barry County Search and Rescue...

Publisher's note: The following Q&As represent the candidates' views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. Age: 38 Current Occupation: Barry County Sheriffs Department Past Experience: 6 years Education: Missouri Sheriffs Association Training Academy, Reeds Spring, MO...

Publisher's note: The following Q&As represent the candidates' views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. Age: 68 Current Occupation: Farm Owner/Consultant, Retired FBI Special Agent Past Experience: I am a retired Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent with over 32 years Law Enforcement Experience. ...

Publisher's note: The following Q&As represent the candidates' views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. Age: 48 Current Occupation: Investigator for the City of Cassville Police Department Past Experience: Computer Voice Stress Analysis (CVSA), Field Training Officer, Stalker Radar Certified, B.A.C. ...

Publisher's note: The following Q&As represent the candidates' views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. Age: 49 Current Occupation: Captain, Cassville Police Department Past experience: I have held a peace officer commission in Barry County since 1993. ...

Publisher's note: The following Q&As represent the candidates' views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and have not been edited. Age: 43 Current Occupation: Self-employed Past Experience: 17 years military, 14-1/2 years Missouri Highway Patrol...

Delilah "Dee" Angeline Widmeyer Gray passed away on the 17th of June 2016, at age 87. Dee was born on the 12th of January 1929, in Springfield, Missouri to Frank Alfred Widmeyer and Ann Marie Pruitt Lusk Widmeyer. She grew up in a large family of three boys and three girls. She was the oldest daughter and the second oldest child...

Lt. Gary Allen, evidence and transport officer with the Barry County Sheriff's Department, was recognized recently for 20 years of service to the Barry County Sheriff's Department, and he was presented with a special plaque by Sheriff Mick Epperly. Epperly said over the years, Allen has worked in just about every area of law enforcement possible during his years with the county, and his service is greatly appreciated...

Jenkins native Prix Gautney will soon fulfill a lifelong dream by becoming a published author. Her book, entitled "Season of Crows," an Evershade series, will be the first in a series of five in the middle fantasy category for young adults, scheduled to be released July 15. In addition, her western novel, entitled "The Cochetopa Kid," will be released in December 2017...

State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, was presented with an award and recently from Barry County Presiding Commissioner Cherry Warren on behalf of the County Commission Association of Missouri for his contributions to the county.

The Monett High School Class of 1996 will hold its reunion at 6 p.m. on June 25 at the Monett City Park Casino. For additional information, people may call Jaci Sigrist at 417-393-9192. The Purdy Alumni Association will meet at 6 p.m. on June 25 at the Purdy school cafeteria...

Purdy High School senior Kaden Propps, son of Kevin and Mica Propps, recently received his acceptance letter from the prestigious National Association for Music Education (NAfME) All-National Honor Choir. Propps, who performs under the direction of Purdy's vocal music instructor Lauren Lee, will travel to Dallas, Texas and attend master classes, educational sessions and rigorous rehearsals Nov. ...

OACAC Head Start at Butterfield recently received a $750 donation from Barry-Lawrence County Area United Fund. The funds will be used to purchase a new computer and upgrade classroom materials and toys.

Patrick Gorman of Monett was awarded the Outstanding Graduate Award for the spring 2016 semester by Crowder College Monett.

Multiple youth were awarded scholarships by the Crowder College Foundation for the 2016-2017 school year. Included in the list were, Kallie Bowman and Margo Schlessman of Purdy; Kaylor Rogers, Marenda Henson and Melissa Leech of Pierce City; Maddison Brown, Mary Donceel, Linda Sparkman and Linda Sparkman of Mt. ...

Cherie Allan Chitwood, Shell Knob, $67.50 for defective equipment Haston Thomas David, Wheaton, six months probation for driving with a revoked license; six months probation for a financial responsibility violation. Michelle R. Johnson, Shell Knob, $101 for defective equipment...

Postseason honors continue to flow in for the Monett baseball team. The Class 4, All-District 12 baseball team was released and six Cubs claimed spots on the prestigious roster. Cameron Witt, Zack Burgherr and Ian Meyer claimed First Team accolades...

The 2016 Monett Youth T-ball team sponsored by Check Cashers is coached by David Madrid.

The 2016 Monett Youth T-ball team sponsored by Community National Bank is coached by Aaron Owens.