Stories from Saturday, August 27, 2016

Following months of discussion, members of the Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District board of directors broke an impasse and adopted a new policy manual, resolving several standing issues that have prompted unresolved discussions for months. David Compton walked fellow board members through changes he drafted following discussions with previous operations manager Andy McCaslin and board members...

This was the first year for Latino vendors to have booths at the annual Cox Monett health fair.

The new backpack program at the Verona school district will start at the end of September with a large amount of community support. Julie Rysted, elementary counselor, reported the school will send home a supply of food for the weekend in Wildcat Packs to 44 elementary children, from 20 different families, as the new school year begins. ...

The Ozark Festival Orchestra will begin rehearsals for its 37th season on Tuesday at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. The OFO is a primarily classical music orchestra, with pops and more modern pieces occasionally mixed into the repertory. Players should own their instruments, though the orchestra has its own percussion...

A former employee of Community National Bank in Aurora was sentenced in federal court on Thursday for a $130,000 bank embezzlement scheme. Jo Ann Nickell, 46, of Aurora, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough to 18 months in federal prison without parole. The court also ordered Nickell to pay $130,268 in restitution to Community National Bank and its insurance company. Nickell must self-surrender on Oct. 3 to begin serving her sentence...

As an advance feature for the Repurposed Faire in Monett, Monett Main Street brought in food trucks to stimulate interest and satisfy hungers on Friday.

Want to make friends with the ducks at South Park in Monett? Consider what you feed them. Benito Briones has been feeding the ducks for around four years, stopping regularly after visiting the Monett Area YMCA.

The 58th annual Wheaton Fire Protection District barbecue will be held today in the Wheaton city park. Both craft tents are booked full of vendors for the day. There will be a carnival and live entertainment, a car show and the Spud McCracken Horseshoe Tournament. ...

Criminal Seth William Taylor, burglary; stealing; SIS, five years supervised probation, community service 200 hours, restitution $2,652, CVCF $46, LERF $200 Ernest Anthony Torres, Jr., probation violation, five years prison, to run concurrent, credit for time served, ITC 120 days callback...

ROGERSVILLE -- Coming into the season, most pundits had Monett pegged as a running football team. On Friday, the Cubs proved they were more than just ground-and-pound, with a solid 49-0 win over Logan-Rogersville. Monett, behind two passing touchdowns and 185 first half passing yards from quarterback Ian Meyer, built a 28-0 halftime lead...

After falling to Diamond last week, Pierce City bounced back Friday in a big way with a 27-20 come-from-behind road victory over Liberal. Pierce City fell behind by a touchdown late in the game, but was able to record two unanswered scores as time expired...

With huge games looming over the next five days, the Monett softball team proved it can win in tight spots with a 8-7 win over Webb City on Thursday. Monett (3-1) welcomes Kickapoo to North Park on Monday, and Cassville on Thursday, with a chance to extend its three-game winning streak to five...

It will be an early morning start for the Monett soccer team, as the Cubs kick off at 9 a.m. against Springfield Parkview in the semifinal of the Branson Tournament today. The Cubs scored their first victory of the season with a resounding 10-1 thrashing of Marshfield Thursday night at Burl Fowler Stadium in the opening round...

Pierce City senior Christine Stellwagen serves the ball as the Pierce City student section cheers her on during varsity action on Thursday.

Pierce City football fans and supporters have created a tailgate zone in the upper and lower parking lots next to the Doug Weatherly Field House. There are 32 spots on sale for $50 with all proceeds going to the Eagles football team. The area will open at 4:30 p.m. on home game days and includes a DJ...

Purdy golfer Zoe Brown took fifth place in the Seymour Tournament on Thursday. Brown shot a 13-over par 83. The low score is a Purdy school record.

The Pierce City volleyball team (2-1) lost 12-25, 25-22, 12-25 to Sarcoxie on Thursday. The Lady Eagles were led by Libbey Strickler with 13 digs and 2 aces. Christine Stellwagen recorded 9 kills. Emily Drollinger added 13 digs. Kayla Portillo collected 15 assists and Jonna Brottlund added 2 stuff blocks...

This week, U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt made a campaign stop in Monett that helped to illustrate the political divide in the nation, and the confusion left to the average citizen trying to sort it out. Make no doubt, Blunt has been a friend to Monett over the years. ...

Elda M. (Tiesel) Lucy, 67, of Sun City, Ariz, died Thursday, Aug. 25, while at the Abrazo West Campus Medical Center in Goodyear, Ariz. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett...

Ronald Seydlitz, 84, of Monett, passed away at 10:48 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, at his home following a short illness. Ronald was born January 17, 1932, in Plattsmouth, Nebr. He moved to Monett in 1998, from Eagle Bend, Minn. Ronald was employed as a Farmer, and also had owned a trucking business, prior to his retirement...