Stories from Saturday, October 15, 2016

The two candidates for the Missouri House of Representatives' 157th District have opposite opinions on how the state should handle Medicaid, with one supporting expansion of the program ands the other opposing it. Medicaid, a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for those with limited income and resources, takes up a majority of the state's $27 billion budget, at about 35 percent. ...

An exhibit of more than 200 pieces of political memorabilia from the collection of Rod Anderson is on display through the Nov. 8 election at the Monett Museum. Anderson, who has collected political pins, posters and assorted items promoting candidates and simply the act of voting, has assembled a wide range of items from both parties. He has samples of the first political buttons, introduced in the 1896 race between Republican William McKinley and Democrat William Jennings Bryan...

Candidates for the State House of Representatives' 157th District are voters just like everyone else, and the two do not plan to vote for the same candidate for president come Nov. 8. Incumbent Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, said while neither of the two major party candidates are his favorite, Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party platform is too out of line with his beliefs to earn his vote...

Management at the Sonic restaurant in Monett changed on Oct. 1, placing Gary VanNote as the new general manager. VanNote is taking over for Rocky Gaston, the restaurant's former general manager, who is retiring. Gaston is continuing part-time in a management capacity, shadowing VanNote during the transition...

On Oct. 20, the Monett City Council will accept public comment on four new ordinances on zoning, plat filing requirements and recoupment of jail costs. The city will consider two zoning changes. Ken Madison, who owns the property west of the Highway 37 viaduct and north of Kelly Creek, has requested having his land rezoned from commercial to industrial. ...

The Tri-County Pregnancy Resource Center in Aurora has received a $1,000 grant from the Barry-Lawrence County United Fund. According to Rebecca Haine, Tri-County Pregnancy Resource Center director, funds will be used to support the newly opened 
sexually transmitted disease testing and treatment program. This program offers testing, treatment and education to residents of Barry, Lawrence and Stone counties...

The second Walk to School Week of the 2016-2017 school year in Monett will kick off on Monday, again beginning from four different locations for the convenience of families. According to Alex Severs, wellness coordinator for the district, students gathered in four locations for their morning trek to school: at Scott and Euclid, North Park, Ninth and Broadway and at the Arc of the Ozarks office at 1010 Old Airport Road. ...

Friday was Awareness Day at Monett Middle School, where students were given a break from their regular studies to tackle some tough issues.

Lacoba Homes in Monett will celebrate 50 years with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 850 Highway 60 East. An open house tour of the new addition to the Animal Clinic of Monett, 687 N Highway 37, will be offered from 8 to 10 a.m. on Oct. 21...

Monett school teachers Amy Sampson and Kristy Berger were among nearly 200 teachers who completed training to teach about the Holocaust by participating in the 23rd annual Arthur and Rochelle Belfer National Conference for Educators, a three-day workshop for teachers hosted by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. over the summer...

The Verona High School Class of 1961 gathered for its 55th reunion on Sept. 3 at the Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett. Eleven of the class's original 26 graduates were on hand for the occasion. Joining them as class members who did not graduate were Mary Edwards McBride, June Carr Fritz and Barbara Shumaker Samuels...

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates (JHA) and its JHA Payment Solutions group has introduced its JHA EPS SmartPay Biller Direct, an electronic bill, invoice and payment solution for the financial industry. According to studies, over half of all bills are paid directly through a biller site. In order to provide comprehensive solutions to commercial clients, financial institutions must provide billers with support for the critical billing and collection cycle...

Monett opens district play on Monday and is seeking its fifth consecutive district soccer title. The Cubs serve as the host for this year's event and earned the No. 1 overall seed. As a reward, they will entertain No. 4 seed Cassville, a team they defeated 6-2 earlier this season. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m...

Monett will play the underdog role in district volleyball tourney play next week in Seneca. The Lady Cubs enter the Class 3, District 12 field as the No. 7 seed and face No. 2 seed Seneca to open tourney play on Monday at 6:30 p.m. Aurora claimed the No. 1 seed, followed by the Lady Indians, No. 3 East Newton, No. 4 Nevada, No. 5 Mt. Vernon and No. 6 Cassville...

Few fights in the public arena become uglier than those in politics. We've seen enough of them around the Monett area to know that all arguments end eventually, a revelation at the end of what feels like the longest presidential race ever. Sore feelings over time will go away...

Ruth Evea (Farmer) Thieman, 86, of Pierce City, died Tuesday, Oct. 11 at Cox South Hospital, Springfield. Visitation will be held on Sunday, Oct. 16 from 5-7 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Funeral services will be held on Monday, Oct. 17 at 10:30 a.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Chapel in Monett. Burial will be at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora...

Bart Owen, 55, of Pierce City, died Sunday, Oct. 9 at his home. Services will be held at 8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Lakin Funeral Home, Pierce City. Visitation will be from 7-8 p.m. prior to the service. The body has been cremated and burial will be at a later date...

Robert "Shorty" Ennes, 88, of Seligman, died at his home on Tuesday, Oct. 11. Graveside services will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 at Ennes Cemetery, Cassville, with Pastor Donnie Spears officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home & Crematory, Cassville...