Stories from Friday, October 28, 2016

A Verona woman died Friday morning after a wreck in Christian County at 6:59 a.m. on Highway 65 in Saddlebrook at the 24 mile marker. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Verlane Godfrey, 51, of Verona, was driving a 2003 Ford F150 southbound when her vehicle veered off the right side of the roadway and struck a rock bluff...

A change in leadership will come to Monett Elementary School next year. Susie Gasser, who has served as principal for the past nine years, has announced her retirement at the end of the present school year. Prior to that, Gasser served as assistant principal under Robin Jones, beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, prior to the district moving the intermediate school to its own campus and Jones becoming principal of what is now Central Park Elementary. ...

The Monett communications department has begun seeing benefits from upgraded equipment and work routines. Bonnie Witt-Schulte, communications director, reported that in the past month, Jeannie Hall was hired as a 911 dispatcher, returning the staff to full strength. Replacing a dispatcher who left, Hall comes to Monett from the Aurora Police. where she had eight years of experience and worked as a supervisor...

The staff at Cox Monett Hospital are running a pumpkin decorating contest for the Halloween season for the first time.

Formal dedication ceremonies for Mt. Vernon's newly completed Veterans Way mural will be held at 2 p.m. on Nov. 5 in the Mt. Vernon square. Located at the intersection of East Dallas and South Hickory streets, the mural is 120 feet by 20 feet and depicts the history of Mt. Vernon with local veterans from the Civil War to present day conflict. A reading of the biographies of each member on the mural, as well as donors to the project, will be included in the ceremony...

Changes in the OATS bus transportation system this year have increased donation amounts requested but maintained services available to help area residents with transportation needs. Jeff Robinson, director of OATS for the southwest region, reported costs for rides on the OATS buses rose 50 cents earlier this year to help meet expenses. Thanks to support from tax boards and agencies, extensive service remains available...

The Monett City Council has changed its procedure for passing ordinances, speeding up from a three-step process to a little over a month. City Administrator Dennis Pyle reported the Missouri statutes only require two readings for an ordinance. Since the Jerry Fulp administration, ordinances generally have three readings, unless classified as "emergency" business, allowing immediate passage. Some proposals have gone straight to a vote on second reading if no public comment was offered...

Around 1,300 people attended the trunk-or-treat style Halloween celebration at New Site Baptist Church west of Monett on Wednesday.

The annual Monett community Halloween costume contest, sponsored by the Monett Lions and The Monett Times, will begin at 5 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Monett High School commons. Competition will start with groups, and continue with the age categories of 1-and-under, ages 2-3, ages 4-5, ages 6-8, ages 9-12 and ages 13-and-older. Prizes will be awarded to the top three in each division, selected by a panel of judges, and photos will be taken for The Monett Times...

For the second consecutive year, the Monett soccer team finds itself hosting a quarterfinal playoff game with a chance to advance to the Class 2 Final Four. On Saturday at noon, Monett (17-6-1) welcomes Boonville (8-14) to Burl Fowler Stadium. At first glance the Pirates' record may seem a bit misleading, however, according to Jason West, Missouri State High School Activities Association communications director, Boonville was required to forfeit 11 wins this season due to the use of an ineligible player.. ...

The Big 8 All-Conference volleyball team was announced this week. Despite breaking into the win column this season, the Lady Cubs were unable to secure a spot on this year's squad. The complete list it as follows: Player of the Year: Koty Cooper, East Newton...

Elizabeth "Bette" Clem, 73, of Monett, went to be with her Lord in Heaven on Wednesday October 26, 2016 at her home in Monett. She was born in New Port, Rhode Island on July 16, 1943; the daughter of the late Harold and Doris (Groves) Shoesmith. She was united in marriage on July 1, 1972 in Homestead, Florida, to Ray Clem; he preceded her in death on September 27, 2010...

David Edward Michael Harris, 80, of Cassville, died Sunday, Oct. 23. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Cassville, with Rosary prior to the service. Arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be at Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter...

Lonnie Manning, 72, of Cassville, died Thursday, Oct. 27 at Mercy Hospital Joplin. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements are with White Funeral Home & Crematory, Cassville.

Victor Max Rapp, 86 of Orange City, Fla., died Monday, Oct. 24. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at the Aurora United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora, under the direction of the Crafton Cantrell Funeral Home of Aurora...

Steven Roy Sanders, 30, of Aurora, died Tuesday, October 25 as the result of an automobile accident. Visitation will be held from 2--3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29 with funeral services to follow at 3 p.m. at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora. Burial will follow at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora...