Stories from Saturday, January 14, 2017

Marcia Lee Hutchens, 81, of Cassville, died Wednesday, Jan. 11. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15 at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville.

Dear Editor: As I look back on 2016, I can't help but grin. I reflect back on the highs and lows of the past year, and I picture what I saw, felt and heard at Camp Barnabas. I see campers smiling from ear to ear as they eagerly enter our gates. I feel the tears rush down my cheek as I watch parents of a new camper experience the joy that comes when they see their child is unconditionally loved and accepted. ...

The Monett swimming and diving team heads to Central High School in Springfield on Tuesday in hopes of continuing its run of success in area pools. Though small in numbers, the team continues to put up fast times against much larger foes, exemplified by a seventh place finish in the 25-team Ozark Invitational...

Perhaps it's just reflex, but just the idea of an ice storm sends me shivering. I've seen quite a few in the 30 years I've lived in southwest Missouri, and huddled more times than I care to remember around a limited heat source while the world went snap, crackle and crash outside. For reasons that defy explanation, the run-up to this weekend has seemed out of character...

Wheaton graduate Mariah Kochell, a junior studying management at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, has been named to the fall 2016 Dean's List. The requirements for the list are a 3.3 or higher grade point average; at least 12 graded hours for the semester and no 'D,' 'F,' or 'Incomplete' grades for the semester...

The Scott Regional Technology Center named Students of the Month for December.

Warrensburg --Central Missouri State University has released its Dean's List for the fall semester, which includes two bi-county students. Christopher Dunaway of Monett and Dylan Ellis of Mt. Vernon earned recognition for achieving a grade point average between 3.5 and 3.99 on a 4.0 scale...

Crowder College in Neosho recognized 673 students in its fall 2016 Dean's List, including 144 from Barry and Lawrence counties. Students achieving the honor completed at least 12 credit hours of classes and earned a grade point average of 3.5 or higher out of a 4.0 scale...

The Wheaton school district announced its December Students of the Month.

A total of 41 donors gave blood at the latest American Red Cross blood drive, held at the Monett Community Church. The Red Cross provided umbrellas to the donors. The church served gumbo, soup and chili. Schreiber Foods donated cheese and Ramey Supermarket provided soda pop as refreshments...

As cold weather set in this week, the danger of chimney fires also spiked.

Monett Street Department crews saddled up their armored horses and prepared to hit the road on Friday morning, geared up to battle the winter elements.

With so much of today's economy based on the movement of products from one part of the nation to the other, maintaining railroad tracks, despite weather conditions, remains a priority for Burlington Northern-Santa Fe work crews.

Verda Brown took a break from her busy schedule to stop in at the Monett Branch Library to participate in the bi-monthly adult coloring get together.

The Monett Regional Airport reported a slight reduction in the number of flights in and out of the facility in 2016, along with a record percentage of business flights. Totals for the last quarter of 2016, taken only during weekday business hours, showed planes flown by Jack Henry and Associates and EFCO Corporation made 288 flights, the same number as a year ago. ...

Many area residents are familiar with J.J Goulbourne, a Lawrence County deputy who also worked as the information technology specialist for the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library System and given multiple presentations about children and Internet safety...

When the Monett City Council meets on Jan. 20, council members are positioned to repeal the city's existing ordinance that bans begging and panhandling. For years, Monett police officers have responded to complaints by citizens about panhandlers, stating city ordinance does not permit such activity in the city limits. One individual in particular, who locates himself near the Monett Walmart and Burger King restaurants, has been the frequent target of such calls...

Oak leaves and branches alike found themselves swallowed in ice on Friday morning.

Cattlemen can expect lower prices, but less volatility, in the coming year, according to Scott Brown, agriculture and applied economics specialist with with University of Missouri Extension Service. Speaking at the Lawrence County Soils and Crops Conference, Brown said the "long-term normal" in cattle prices comes after a steep decline. Expenses may also not adjust as rapidly as the change in receipts...

Lawrence County Presiding Commissioner Sam Goodman provided a gloomy outlook for budget discussions moving into the 2017 fiscal year. Goodman cited a drop in revenues as biggest source of concern. Sales tax income for general operations and roads and bridges fell by 2 percent, or more than $50,000, for the year. ...

Growth is not always measured in wins and losses. Such was the case in a 51-44 setback for the Monett girls hoops team in a tilt Thursday with Aurora. For four quarters, the Lady Cubs (3-9) battled, fought and clawed the Lady Houn' Dawgs, something that their coach said was missing from last season...

The Monett Historical Society will meet Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the new Monett Museum, fifth and Broadway, at 7 p.m. Members and interested persons should enter the Museum on Fifth Street across from the Fire Department. Mark Henderson will be presenting a program on his memories from working at the Gillioz Theater and Drive In. Members can tour the Museum following the meeting. For more information, people may call 235-5908.