Stories from Tuesday, November 22, 2016

James R. Thomas, 90, Monett, Missouri, entered into rest on Nov. 19, 2016, at his home following an extended illness with his family by his side. Jim was born June 21, 1926 in Jenkins, Missouri, the son of George Q. and Zena E. (Ellis) Thomas. He was a lifelong area resident and Jim had served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked for MoDot and retired in 1989...

Viola V. Ash, 92, of Cassville, died Thursday, Nov. 17. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Monday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Merril David Spellman, 69, of Mt. Vernon, died Friday, Nov. 18 at his home. A graveside service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23 at the Pilant Cemetery in Cassville.

Richard Maurice "Dick" Steele, 81, of Shell Knob, died Thursday, Nov. 17. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, at Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob. Burial with military honors will be at Lake Park Memorial Gardens in Shell Knob.

It was 5:58 p.m. Saturday. After the Cubs defeated McCluer South-Berkeley in the Class 3 semifinal, I was traveling west on I-44 toward home when my phone notified me I had a private message on Facebook. I opened up the notice and saw it was from a player's mother asking for help to spread the word about a welcome home parade later that evening, an event to allow those who couldn't make it to Ferguson to still celebrate in the victory with the team...

On Monday, Monett High School released several important details to help answer the massive amount of questions about Saturday's state title game against Maryville. The Cubs and Spoofhounds are slated for an 11 a.m. kickoff at Plaster Stadium, located on the campus of Missouri State University...

FERGUSON -- With a 27-0 lead at halftime of the state semifinal on Saturday, the Monett football team took the field to stretch and warm up for the final 24 minutes of play. A smile started to creep onto the normally stoic face of Kyle Wood, Monett defensive coordinator, but it quickly disappeared when a player noticed...

Father Hank Grodecki from St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett will deliver a Thanksgiving message for the Nov. 22 meeting of the Monett Kiwanis Club, which will be held at noon at the Family Room Steakhouse, First and East Broadway in Monett. An Old Fashioned Christmas Open House is planned on Nov. ...

Classes in the Monett school district will not be held on Monday, allowing teachers to undergo professional development training. Teachers at all campuses will focus on preparations for the district-wide health fair. Every campus but Monett Elementary will work on proficiency scales and essential learning outcomes. In addition, other specific topics will be reviewed at different campuses...

Many interesting and creative craft items were available at the Berean Christian Academy's inaugural crafts fair.

Dear Editor, Earlier this month, an overwhelming majority of citizens in Barry County and Lawrence County cast their votes for Donald J. Trump. As a Christian and a long-time resident of rural Missouri, I find this fact profoundly distressing. I have experienced first-hand the kind and welcoming spirit of rural Missourians, but now we have reinforced the stereotyped image of ourselves as ignorant and hateful racists...

A Monett man was arrested on Thursday afternoon for distributing methamphetamine after law enforcement allegedly made two controlled buys from the suspect. Bobby Smith, 34, of Monett, is charged with three counts of possession with intent to distribute...