Stories from Saturday, December 17, 2016

Hazardous road conditions are developing in the bi-county area, as freezing temperatures and precipitation are leading to slick roads. The National Weather Service has placed Barry and Lawrence counties under winter weather advisories until midnight, and a wind chill advisory until noon on Sunday...

It was not pretty, but the Monett wrestling team squeezed out a 39-25 win over Bolivar on Thursday to improve to 3-0 on the season. "We still have a long ways to go, but we looked better than we did last week," said Daryl Bradley, Monett coach. "I feel that we are doing some things very well technique-wise. ...

Lawrence County received an overall review of "poor" by the Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway's office at the conclusion of the review of county business and record keeping for 2015. Auditors found reason for concern with the bidding process used by the county commission, and with record keeping in the offices of the collector, the prosecutor and the sheriff. ...

Ramey supermarket, located at 2150 E. Cleveland St. in Monett, is undergoing multiple changes, from its name to the services it offers to local customers. On Friday, the store officially changed its name to Price Cutter, and on Monday, a full-service Starbucks coffee shop will begin serving hot and cold drinks. Other departments aded are Lilly's Floral and Ace Hardware...

The weather outside may be frightful, but there are plenty of warm smiles as Pierce City Central Elementary pre-school classes performed several Christmas songs.

Expanded reading strategies to help students in the Verona school district offer better help this year, according to Leanne Calhoun, Title 1 reading specialist. Calhoun said because Verona qualifies as a Title 1 school, due to a high number of pupils qualifying for free and reduced cost meals, all students are eligible for services. ...

A new organization, the Monett Young Professionals Network (MYPN), has organized in Monett and begun taking on projects to help network and pursue community betterment. The organization's policies and procedures manual describes the organization as "a group of young community and business leaders dedicated to improving our community by connecting and developing your professionals. ...

The Monett City Council will hear public comment on plans for a new swimming pool at the December monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, along with presenting annual awards to city employees recognizing years of service. Council members will hear input on plans to send a quarter-cent sales tax to the voters on April 4, 2017, to fund construction of a new, $3.1 million swimming pool connected to the Monett Area YMCA at South Park. Action on the plan is expected following the public hearing...

Flags went into place yesterday morning on Highway C in Purdy in preparation for today's Christmas parade, the first since 1986.

With the placing of the dome onto the future Monett Museum building at Fifth and Broadway this week, and the placing of the pointed finial on top, the nighttime view of downtown Monett returned to its look of 100 years ago.

Members of Countryside Christian Church will present a Living Nativity program on today and Sunday at 6:30 and again at 7:30 each evening. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served upstairs both nights. There will be parking available at the bottom of the hill, where people can watch the program from their vehicles. The Living Nativity is a longstanding tradition at Countryside Christian Church, 1200 N Eisenhower in Monett...

The final phase of repair work on the Habitat for Humanity house at Sixth and Bond in Monett began last weekend.

President Doris Meyer called the November Dorcas Ladies Aid meeting to order with 13 members, Pastor Jacob Sletten and one guest, Courtney Sletten,attending. Sletten was welcomed as a new member. The worship and program, Blessings, Thanksgiving and Creation, were presented by Darlene Lampe. Members read corresponding Bible verses and sang, "Now Thank We All Our God." Betty Sawyer was the accompanist...

Students of Monett piano teacher Ruth Burnside recently participated in two recitals. On Dec. 4, six students performed in a Christmas recital for the Joplin Piano Teachers Association. Myka Masters played "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear." Taylynn Banks plays "O Come, O Come Emmanuel." Connie Lee played "O Come All Ye Faithful." Donovan Thomas played "Holly Jolly Christmas." Karsen Rhea performed "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear." Avery Thomas played "Little Drummer Boy."...

The Shell Knob Alliance of Churches held its Silver Bell Tea on Dec. 6 at Central Crossing United Methodist Church in Shell Knob. Ladies of CCUMC organized the popular event as a community outreach and fundraiser for the Alliance of Churches Food Pantry. Ticket sales for the formal event generated more than $1,000. The pantry provides food for hundreds of families in the Barry and Stone County area. So far in 2016, the Food Pantry has served 292 families and 1,021 people...

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates (JHA) announced a strategic alliance with Early Warning to resell Early Warning's ZelleSM Network to partner financial institutions. Zelle, a new faster payments network, will enable financial institution customers to send faster person-to-person (P2P) payments to nearly anyone with a U.S. bank or credit union account...

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates (JHA) has found growing demand for its jhaCall Center, a comprehensive telephone support and customer service solution for banks' evolving operating environments and digital initiatives. The role of call centers has expanded to accommodate a society with 24/7 banking expectations and plenty of self-service channels. ...

The Monett High School Class of 1961 held its 55th reunion on Sept. 23 and 24. The classmates scheduled two days of activities. On Friday the 23rd, classmates met at Dairy Queen at 5 p.m. then together attended the Monett-Cassville football game. On the following day, the group met at noon for tours of the new City Park Casino, Monett Area YMCA and the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. At 5 p.m. classmates gathered at Angus Branch Steakhouse for visiting, a class photo and dinner...

Four Purdy High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members traveled to Dallas, Texas for the National Fall Leadership Conference, Nov. 17-19. Attending were Morgan Grissom, Carly England, Hannah White and Colby Boyd. Purdy delegates attended motivational, professional development and career planning workshops and sessions. White offered a rave review of the opening session, featuring motivational speaker Michael McGill, Jr...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students of the week.

There is a new attitude on the hardwood for this season for the Monett girls basketball team -- they want to fight. The aggression the Lady Cubs are showing is not one that results in the exchange of shoves and punches, but one that is based in grit and resolve to dig in and not give up...

The Verona and Pierce City boys basketball teams open play in the 16-team Walnut Grove Holiday Tournament on Wednesday. Pierce City earned the No. 4 seed and plays No. 13 seed Hurley at noon. Verona earned the No. 10 seed and plays No. 7 seed Fair Play at 4:30 p.m...

Issues that surfaced this week in the Purdy Special Road District were nothing really new -- one patron wanting his road fixed and questions over whether the road district can appropriately do that. The situation raises the question about road districts in general that really doesn't seem to have a good answer...

Martha F. Allen, 100, of Cassville, died Wednesday, Dec. 14. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19 at First Baptist Church in Helena, Okla., under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville, with visitation from 9:30 until services time Monday in the church. Burial will be at Good Hope Cemetery in Helena, Okla...

Oren Cecil Henderson, 89, of Monett, died Wednesday Dec. 14. Visitation will be held on Monday, Dec. 19 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Graveside Military services will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at the Missouri Veteran's Cemetery in Springfield...