Stories from Wednesday, January 18, 2017

A Mt. Vernon woman died Tuesday in a wreck at 6:10 p.m. on Highway H, five miles north of Monett. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Erin Spradling, 57, of Mt. Vernon, was driving a 2008 Honda CRV northbound when her vehicle went off the roadway, through three fences and overturned...

A request for a new jailer and employee raises are the biggest anticipated changes in the 2017 budget for Barry County, with figures to be finalized by the The Barry County Commission at a public hearing at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 23 at the Historic Courthouse in Cassville...

If a bill filed by State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, passes in this legislative session, no municipal or county candidate for office in Missouri will win any primary election without more than 50 percent of the vote. Senate Bill 140 aims to implement in 2018 a ranked-choice voting system, where votes for candidates in local office primary elections would be counted in rounds until one candidate receives the simple majority...

Lawrence County commissioners face difficult decisions as they head into their annual budget hearing at 10 a.m. today. "We experienced a perfect storm of flat revenues and growing expenditures," said Clerk Gary Emerson. "Sales taxes took a dive in July and stayed down in a manner that we have never experienced. ...

In 2017, Barry County's elected officials will see the first raises some have received in more than 10 years. "The last time the Salary Commission met, they voted to give 5 percent raises to county office holders elected in 2016," said County Clerk Gary Youngblood. "The last time they got raises was in 2004."...

Fritz Implement, located north of Monett on Highway H, has announced the sale of the farm equipment dealership after 37 years of local service. Crown Power and Equipment Company, based in Columbia, takes over ownership in mid-January. Fritz Implement will become the seventh store in the Crown group in Missouri...

The Purdy Police Department is investigating a pair of crimes that took place in the city recently. On Jan. 8, at around 10 p.m., a burgundy colored 1998 Toyota Camry was stolen from a residence located 403 Madison St. Jackie Lowe, Purdy chief, said the owner left the vehicle running to warm it up, and it was stolen...

The 88th annual Barry County Soils and Crops Conference, slated for Monday in Cassville, will focus on managing protecting herds from trichomoniasis, hay quality and use of chicken litter as fertilizer. The conference will be held from 6-9 p.m. at the First Christian Church, located at 905 Old Exeter Road. ...

The Monett City Council appears positioned to raise trash collection rates for the first time in more than 10 years during the monthly council meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday at Monett City Hall. The proposed ordinance calls for raising residential trash rates, including rentals, to $16 a month, or $14 per month for residents age 65 and older. Rates last rose in 2005. The ordinance cites a cash-flow analysis of the city's solid waste revenues and costs as the reason for the increase...

Students at Pierce City Central Elementary used their indoor recess time to dress in costumes and explore careers through play.

A Monett teen placed his car into the fence of the tennis courts at South Park at 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

The SilverTeens seniors singles group will meet for supper at the Bayou restaurant, 864 E Hwy. 60 in Monett at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m. For further information, people may call B.J. McCaulley at 417-393-9212. The next Lawrence County Gospel Sing will be held at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22 at the Church of the Nazarene, 503 Necessity St. in Marionville. Lonnie Lawson will be the master of ceremonies. Singers and musicians are welcome...

A No. 1 seed in the Sarcoxie Tournament this week may be the needed medicine to help the wounded Purdy boys basketball team. As heavy media favorites to claim the crown, the Black and Gold (7-9) enter the tournament field that contains Sarcoxie, Billings, Wheaton, College Heights and Exeter...

The hottest basketball team in Barry County is Class 2 Purdy. The Lady Eagles entered the week 10-1 and ranked No. 7 in the state. On Tuesday, Purdy faced Pleasant Hope in the opening round of the Marionville Lady Comet Classic. Game results were not available at presstime. Purdy entered the tournament on the heels of a hard fought, 54-49 victory over Pierce City on Friday...

The Monett wrestling team heads to Seneca on Thursday with a chance to continue its hot streak on the area mats. The Cubs took fourth in the Branson Invitational on Saturday with 218 points. Neosho won the event with 378.5 points, followed by Seneca, 236.5, and Bentonville (Ark.), 232...

Marion Thomas Millard, 68, of Eagle Rock, died Thursday, Jan. 12. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home, Cassville.