Stories from Wednesday, January 4, 2017

The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office is investigating a pair of alleged homicides called in at 7 and 7:45 p.m. Monday night in Aurora and Mt. Vernon. According to the Sheriff's Office, Nolan Karch, 82, of Aurora, and Rhonda Hood, 44, of Mt. Vernon, were each found dead of apparent gunshot wounds in their respective homes...

Patrons of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library are being asked to fill out a survey through January to give managers a better idea of what the public wants while considering funding options. According to Gina Milburn, library director, the library board is still considering going back to voters with a funding initiative. The 15-cent increase in the property tax levy last April only won 44 percent support. The board subsequently approved suspending Saturday service...

Barry County Sheriff Mick Epperly attended a retirement reception at the Barry County Judicial Center on Dec. 28.

Monett police are continuing their investigation into a shooting incident in Monett on Friday. According to reports, the incident took place at 902 E. Cale around 4:10 p.m. A man was reportedly shot in the face with a BB gun by a female subject, described as the victim's girlfriend. The man initially declined medical treatment. Firiefighters on the scene cleaned and bandaged the injury...

The Nov. 8 general election has raised concern over school funding due to outcome of the vote. In reviewing the situation, Monett School Superintendent Brad Hanson noted in recent years the governor has been from a different party than the majority of the General Assembly. Governor Jay Nixon, a Democrat, frequently vetoed propositions floated by the Republican-dominated legislature, especially proposals that he viewed as having a negative impact on public education...

A plethora of people danced in the New Year at the Monett Historical Society's gala on Saturday night at the new Monett Museum.

The University of Missouri Extension reports that consumers are warming up to the idea of serving goat meat for dinner as a protein choice, compared to the typical American protein staples of beef, pork and poultry. Like venison, goat meat is leaner than beef, with a comparable amount of grams of protein per serving, lower in saturated fat than chicken, and has more iron per serving than beef, pork, lamb, or chicken. ...

County officials elected on Nov. 8, 2016, were sworn into their offices on Thursday at the Barry County Courthouse.

A quilting class with Cheryl and Joni at the Monett Branch Library, Sixth and Bond will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 4. The session will focus on crazy quilt with ribbon embroidery embellishment. The 93rd annual Lawrence County Soils and Crops Conference will be held on Jan. ...

A dismal team finish at the Diamond State Duels at Springdale Har-Ber High School (Ark.) overshadowed great individual performances for the Monett wrestling team on Thursday and Friday. The Cubs surrendered four open classes the first day of the meet and five the second day. As a result, the team won only four of its 10 duels...

Mary Alice Sater, 88, of Miller, died Thursday, Dec. 29 at her home. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5 at the Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home, in Miller. Burial will follow at the Miller Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 5 in the funeral home chapel...

Charlotte Rosalea Lawson, 76, of Marionville, died Thursday, Dec. 29 at the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will follow at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. on Tuesday, prior to the service, in the funeral home chapel...

Virginia Chapman, 82, of Holiday Island, Ark., died Friday, Dec. 30 at Mercy Hospital in Roger Ark. A private burial will be held at a later date for the immediate family at the Holy Sepulcher Cemetery in Cudahy, Wis. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville...

Even the most casual football fan understands that the gridiron distain between Monett and Cassville runs deep. A simple glimpse of the fans in the stadium, many of whom played in the rivalry game, displays a passion that only those who played under the lights of Friday night can understand...