Stories from Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Cancer. It's a terrifying word that can shake a patient to the core when they are first diagnosed with the terrible, deadly disease. "The day I was diagnosed with cancer, I was devastated," said Shirley Shreffler, of Aurora, who was recently pronounced cancer-free by Dr. Armin Kamyab, a Mayo Clinic-trained general surgeon now practicing at Cox Monett Hospital. "You're floored when someone tells you something like that. I bawled all the way home."...

Both candidates for Barry County Sheriff have agreed to a debate at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, at the Cassville School District's event center. Nominees are former FBI agent Gary Davis, R-Cassville, and Barry County Deputy Justin "Dave" Ruark, D-Cassville. The debate, sponsored by The Monett Times and Cassville Democrat, will be moderated by Monett attorney James Randall Jr...

For many women, the mammogram is the first line of defense against breast cancer. The radiology technicians who conduct the mammograms are the faces they see, the people who stand at the door when the patient arrives for a procedure that no one likes. ...

Jackie Ryan Witherspoon is a survivor -- a breast cancer survivor. She not only survived, but emerged from the dark tunnel of that experience with a book to help other women dealing with the traumas of the dreaded disease. "It never would've entered my mind I would write a book about breast cancer, because we think, 'That's not going to happen to us,'" Witherspoon said. ...

As difficult as a diagnosis of breast cancer can be, enduring the challenges of treatment and the total disruption to one's life can lead to growth, renewed perspective and beauty within that experience, said Marcie McDaniel, who is currently battling the disease...

Both candidates for Barry County sheriff are in favor of putting computers in the deputies' police cruisers, but one has keyed in on the idea more than the other. Barry County Deputy Justin "Dave" Ruark, D-Cassville, said his plan to put computers in the vehicles is a key part of his platform...

An Aurora man is facing four felonies and two misdemeanors after allegedly fleeing arrest and threatening Barry County deputies with a metal table leg. Dustin Bass, 32, of Aurora, is charged with three counts of second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, felony resisting arrest and two counts of misdemeanor third-degree domestic assault...

Two Seligman residents have made their way to the Barry County jail after being arrested in Aurora in early September when they were pulled over in a vehicle allegedly stolen from Seligman. Brandon Oxford, 40, and Mellisa Junior, 37, both of Seligman, are each facing charges of first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle in Barry County. ...

Distracted driving was the alleged cause of a three-vehicle crash Tuesday on Highway 60 in Monett.

The annual Monett FFA Chili Supper and Auction will be Oct. 8 at the Scott Regional Technology Center. The bluegrass band Rippling Creek will perform. Proceeds help with scholarships and FFA activities and classroom needs throughout the school year...

Every superhero has a weakness. For some, it's inner moral dilemmas, others face thorns in the flesh, such as arch nemeses, and still others have objects that cause them issues. The Cubs' defense this season has been more like Superman. They fly around and cause all sorts of havoc on most opposing offenses. The unit has 23.5 sacks this season and forced four turnovers against McDonald County last week...

Seeking its fourth win of the season, the Pierce City football team (3-2) hits the road Friday to take on El Dorado Springs and the wing-T offense. "Their whole system is built upon an option-deception look," said Brad Hocker, Pierce City coach. "Our defense is going to have to look through the fakes and find the ball carrier. Their offense hasn't changed since last year."...

The playoffs for softball open today around the state, and Monett will once again serve as the host site for the Class 3, District 12 tournament with two games on the docket. Monett takes a load of momentum into this year's action and received a big boost in the form of a 16-1, four-inning domination of Reeds Spring on Senior Night Monday...

The Purdy golf team punched its ticket to the Class 1 state tournament with a second-place showing at the sectional tournament on Monday in Marshfield. The Lady Eagles recorded a 379 on the Par 70 course and finished eight stokes behind first place Greenwood (371) and three strokes better than Logan-Rogersville (382)...

2013: The last time Seneca defeated Monett (27-0). 93: The number of combined points Monett scored against Seneca last year in two meetings. 100: The number of rushing yards Monett running back Michael Branch needs for 1,000 this season. 20: The number of pass break-ups the Cubs' defense has recorded this season -- 9 against McDonald County...

Cassville at Aurora Monett at Seneca
 McDonald County at East Newton Lamar at Mt. Vernon Pierce City at El Dorado Springs McDonald County at Monett, 0-35 Aurora at Mt. Vernon, 42-28 Seneca at Cassville, 26-59 East Newton at El Dorado Springs, 31-30...

The Monett Middle school volleyball teams won just one match against McDonald County on Thursday. The seventh grade B team won 16-25, 25-23, 15-4. Mollie Beeson served 11 points in a row for the Lady Cubs. The seventh grade A team lost 25-22, 16-25, 22-25...

The Monett Middle School seventh-grade football team defeated Mt. Vernon, 41-0, on Thursday. Ethan Umfleet recorded four touchdowns on runs of 82 and 8 yards. He also returned an interception 45 yards for a score and caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Jack Rosebaugh...

The Lady Lions of Berean Christian Academy scored victories over Christian Ministries Academy and Springfield Trinity Pentecostal last week. Kelsey Pederson collected 13 kills in the two matches and Abi Hoenshell recorded 28 assists during the two matches...

The Monett volleyball team fell 25-20, 25-7 to Parkview on Monday. Rosa Fulton led the way for the Lady Cubs with 4 kills and 3 blocks. Natalie Wages added 7 digs and Kaylee Davis finished with 5 assists. Parkview won the junior varsity match, 25-10, 25-18, and the freshmen tilt, 25-9, 25-17...

The Verona volleyball team recorded its fourth straight win with a 25-13, 25-20 decision over Greenfield Monday. The Lady Wildcats were led by Nicole Stephenson with 15 kills and five aces. Madison Shrum added 8 kills and 3 blocks. Jasmine Lechner contributed 17 assists and Rita Castillo finished with 13 digs...

Marcia Ann Nicholls, 72, of Shell Knob, died Sunday, Oct. 2. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 10 in Lakeside Christian Church, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Shell Knob. Visitation will be held from 3-5 p.m. Sunday in Lakeside Christian Church...

Mark Strick, 83, of Springfield, died Oct. 2 at Quail Creek Nursing in Springfield. Services will be held Oct. 8 at St. Mary's Catholic Church at 10 a.m. in Pierce City. Visitation will be Oct. 8 from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at the Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City. Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery...

Shirley M. Price, 92, of Aurora, died Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Aurora Nursing Center. A memorial service was held Sunday, Oct. 2 at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora.