Stories from Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Russell Fritz, 42, of Monett, died suddenly on Monday, Aug. 29 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Annabelle M. Stellwagen, 85, of Verona, Mo., passed away Sunday, August 28, 2016, in Mercy Hospital in Springfield. She was born to Pleasant (P.A.) and Dorothy Johnson Spencer on September 11, 1930, in Verona, Mo. She was a retired fabric department manager for Walmart...

Monett at Mt. Vernon East Newton at Cassville Aurora at Lamar Seneca at McDonald County Jasper at Pierce City Monett at Logan-Rogersville, 49-0 Reeds Spring at Cassville, 6-27 East Newton at Lamar, 0-55 McDonald County at Marshfield, 6-28 Springfield Catholic at Mt. Vernon, 17-24...

-7: The total number of rushing yards surrendered by the Monett defense. 6: The number of turnovers the Cubs' defense has forced in the first two games of the season -- three fumble recoveries and three interceptions. 195: Number of rushing yards Cassville's River Phelps racked up on Reeds Spring...

While the Monett softball team cannot win the Big 8 Conference crown against Cassville, the Lady Cubs could put themselves in prime position with a win on Thursday. Monett (4-1) welcomes an improved Cassville (3-2) team to North Park for a battle of long-time rivals...

The overall mood of the Pierce City football team was upbeat after a 27-20 win over Liberal in Week 2. As Coach Brad Hocker told his team, the hardest win for a young team is the first one. After two games on the road, the Eagles (1-1) are finally set to open the home portion of their schedule with conference foe Jasper (0-2)...

The Missouri Retired Teachers Association (MRTA) legislative leaders met recently in Jefferson City to prepare the legislative agenda for the 2017 legislative session.

The Miller Fall Festival will be held Sept. 1-3 in downtown Miller. On Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. On Saturday, entertainment will include a baby contest in the morning, the parade at 2 p.m. and a talent show to follow. Scott Garner will return for the sixth consecutive year with his Elvis performance at 8 p.m., built this year around Elvis's 1968 TV special. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The Bluff City Carnival will provide rides and games each evening...

An unusual horizon-to-horizon rainbow coupled with a second rainbow developed after an odd downpour in downtown Monett.

To help celebrate a return to school and herald the arrival of the third annual Repurposed Faire in downtown Monett last weekend.

Saturday offered many opportunities to seek bargains in the Monett area, including the 100-Mile Yard Sale.

It was practically a dead heat when the Monett Kiwanis Club's duck race, held in conjunction with the Repurposed Faire, was held on Sunday on Third Street in Monett.

A Purdy man has been charged with four felonies after allegedly sodomizing two children at a home in Purdy. Daniel Gunter, 21, of Purdy, is charged with two counts of first-degree sodomy and two counts of first-degree endangering the welfare of a child...

The annual Field Day at the University of Missouri's Southwest Research Center near Mt. Vernon will have a different feel in 2016, and a different date. The Field Day has been moved to a Saturday, in an effort to make it a more family-friendly event. There will be numerous activities for children, along with the information-packed presentations on the various research programs at the center...

Retired Monett High School Athletic Director Alan Spencer has been coaxed out of retirement to serve as athletic director for the Purdy school district for the 2016-2017 school year. According to Purdy Superintendent Steven Chancellor, Jennifer Schallert Cornelius stepped down from the athletic director's job after three years as a mutual decision with school administrators...

A Monett man is facing three felony charges in two separate cases after allegedly stealing items from homes and attempting to pawn them. Laane Sneed, 20, of Monett, is charged with receiving stolen property and second-degree burglary in one case, and just receiving stolen property in a second...

Clifton Wells provided a train that offered rides through downtown Wheaton as one of the features available to visitors at the Wheaton BBQ on Saturday.

In the age of technology and social media, the two remaining candidates for Barry County sheriff have worked the internet into their campaigns, and each have plans for the Sheriff's Office concerning its online presence in the future. Justin "Dave" Ruark, D-Cassville, said he has a Facebook account, and although he does not post much, he watches closely the accounts of local media, especially with his campaign for sheriff...

It's always good to get an early start in any career, and for State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, that is what has happened, but not in the career path he originally planned. At just 28 years old, Fitzpatrick, who previously had no prior experience in politics, has successfully served constituents in the 158th District now for nearly two terms in the Missouri House...

The Missouri State Highway Patrol, with assistance from Barry County deputies, is investigating an officer-involved shooting that left a man in critical condition in the early morning hours on Wednesday. According to the Highway Patrol, at about 2:19 a.m., an officer with the Aurora Police Department initiated a pursuit of a red suburban suspected to be stolen...

For the Monett football team, Week 3 signifies a new beginning of sorts. The Cubs completed the first part of their schedule, the non-conference portion, with a perfect 2-0 record. With those two games out of the way, the remaining seven games are against familiar Big 8 Conference foes. The first team up is the Mountaineers of Mt. Vernon on Friday...