Stories from Friday, January 20, 2017

Several contested races developed as filings closed for the April 4 election on Tuesday, though in a number of cases, the number of candidates filing matched the vacancies open. Monett: There will be at least one face changing on the Monett school board, as four-term incumbent David Beckett opted against running for another term. ...

Facing emphatic protests from law enforcement over a tight 2017 budget, Lawrence County commissioners concluded their budget hearing, returned to their offices, and acted immediately to place a half-cent sales tax for law enforcement on the April 4 ballot...

The annual budget hearing for Lawrence County turned from a generally dull number review and isolated griping into a passionate plea for help on Tuesday as officials in charge of public safety declared the county commissioners' plan threatened officers and operations of the court...

Art students of Olyvia Behnke at Monett High School painted pottery this week that they created last semester studying Sgraffito, a native art form inspired by Acoma, N.M., pottery.

Here's to Sweet Potato Pie, a southern tradition and holiday staple.

St. John's Lutheran Church-Stones Prairie will host its annual chili supper at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the church, located on Farm Road 1057 northwest of Purdy. The menu will include homemade chili, potato soup and homemade dessert. Donations for the meal will go toward constructing a new pavilion for the picnic grounds. For additional information, people may call 417-442-3836...

With a makeup game slated for Saturday at McAuley Catholic, the Wildcats hoops team at Verona believes it has found the defensive intensity and scheme it has lacked most of the season. Yes, it still counted as a loss, and yes, no coach likes losing. But, for Brad Stewart, Verona coach, a 62-47 contest against Reeds Spring Tuesday in the Spokane Invitational was a huge step forward for his squad...

The Eagles of Pierce City rallied past Columbus (Kan.), 58-40, to advance to the semifinal round tonight in the Lancer Classic in Southeast (Kan.). The Eagles trailed 22-18 at halftime before using a 22-12 surge in the third quarter to finally pull away...

The Pierce City girls basketball team eased into the semifinal of the Lady Lancer Classic in Southeast (Kan.) with a 47-17 win over Southeast. Scoring for the Lady Eagles was: Libbey Strickler, 13; Kendyl Hayward, 10; Belle Golubski, 9; Ragan Blinzler, 8; Emily Drollinger, 3; and Christine Stellwagen and Kayla Portillo, 2 each. Pierce City played in the semifinal on Thursday...

The Purdy girls basketball team opened the Marionville Lady Comet Classic with a 60-34 win over Pleasant Hope on Tuesday. The Lady Eagles were led in scoring by Layne Skiles, with 18 points; Sami House, 12; Rion Boyd, 8; Zoe Brown, 7; Devyn Callahan, 6; Ryle Moller, Hallie Henderson, Emma Harkey, and Betty Berry, 2 each; and Isbell Ibarra, 1. Purdy played Ash Grove in the semifinal Thursday...

Lawrence Edward Barnes, 60, of Mt. Vernon, died Monday, Jan. 16 at the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A funeral service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Summit Baptist Church, northeast of Mt. Vernon. Burial will be at the Summit Cemetery...

Florine "Toots" Anna Garner, 80, of Monett died Thursday, Jan. 12 at Lacoba Home in Monett. Visitation will be held Friday Jan. 20 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Mass will be held on Saturday Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Monett...