Stories from Tuesday, October 11, 2016

With just one senior on the team, Ty Goetz, Monett softball coach, always wondered about how his team would perform under pressure. Twice in the district tournament, his Lady Cubs were pushed to the limit. Against Aurora, they were down to their final two outs before scoring the equalizing run with a ground out to the short stop...

The Barry-Lawrence Area United Fund has kicked off its campaign for the 2016-2017 year and is seeking donations to support service programs, largely assisting young people in the area. "Since it replaced United Way 50 years ago, the United Fund has allowed charitable organizations to spend more time actually helping the children," said Ken Dudzik, United Fund chairman. "In addition, funds raised do not leave our area, and 99 percent of funds raised are awarded to bi-county organizations."...

For the first time, the Monett Historical Society will host a home tour fundraiser, featuring four historic homes in Monett's city center. The tour will be held on Oct. 16, from 1-5 p.m. Cost is $10 is advance for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. ...

Record-sized crowds packed the square in Mt. Vernon on Saturday for Apple Butter Makin' Days.

Approximately 70 students, parents, volunteers and staffers from Central Elementary School in Pierce City braved the heavily cloud-laden sky to meet at Pierce City's South Park for Walk to School Day.

The final public forum on the future of the Monett swimming pool will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 at the Monett City Park Casino. Cox Monett Hospital will offer a two-hour "Changing Your Course" class designed to help improve cholesterol, triglycerides, high blood pressure and pre-diabetes conditions. The class will take place at Cox Monett on Thursday, Oct. 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. No fee will be charged to attend. Participants are asked to call 417/236-2591 to reserve a spot...

A 28-point outburst in the final 11 minutes of regulation on Friday lifted the Monett football team to a 35-14 win over Seneca. For three quarters, the Cubs (7-1) were given multiple opportunities to take over the game, but they just could not string it all together...

An 18-point loss on Friday was not what the Pierce City football team had in mind. The Eagles (3-3) hit the road looking to build off a solid exhibition performance the week before against the Joplin JV squad, but instead were saddled with a defeat. While Coach Brad Hocker was not pleased with the loss, he chose to make the best of the situation with his team and told them to use the game as a teaching moment...

Sports, like politics, is often a realm where individuals are persuaded and led by emotional posturing rather than facts and logic. Every year, every team believes a championship is within reach. The fans show up, yell, scream and cheer for their team as it tries to achieve victory. When a team doesn't win enough, or fans feel like they were cheated, they look for someone or something to blame...

Frank Duane Woodruff, 84, of Monett, died Friday, Oct. 7 at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at St. John's Lutheran Church in Monett. Interment and military honors will follow at the McCormick-St. John's Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday at the church...

Robert Lewis Crotwell, 45, of Wheaton, died on Friday, Oct. 7, in Cassville. Private services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Rebecca "Becky" Vineyard, 61, of Monett went to be with her Lord in Heaven on Saturday, October 8, 2016, at her home in Monett. She was born on January 13, 1955, the daughter of the late Junior and Shirley (Long) Horton. She was united in marriage on July 9, 1972, in Monett to Daniel Vineyard; he preceded her in death on April 24, 2003...