Stories from Wednesday, February 15, 2017

The Monett City Council will introduce its budget for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, beginning April 1, at the monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Feb. 21, calling for spending of $43.5 million and a major investment in capital improvements. According to projections, revenues of $44,240,980 in are expected for the year, up $2.5 million from the current budget as city officials eye passage of a sales tax to build a new aquatic center. ...

The Monett City Council has proposed changing its employee manual to provide employees who work on holidays compensation for those days. The move will affect approximately 30 employees, giving them holiday pay for working on holidays. Those affected range from dispatchers to airport staff and sewer department crews whose services are needed on those days...

Among the entertainers at the Wheaton Historical Society’s Valentine’s Dinner was this early rock quartet singing and harmonizing to “In the Still of the Night.”

In the new year, State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, is rolling up his sleeves and setting out to change a few things for the betterment of the state and daily lives of its residents. His goals include things like cutting out red tape, bureaucracy, eliminating inefficiencies, stopping unnecessary spending, and reducing government in order to bring 21st Century innovations to the state, improve lives and keep Missouri’s future bright...

An Aurora man was arrested on Thursday after allegedly breaking into a home on Highway 39 and fleeing when the alarm was tripped. Ronald Willis, 39, of Aurora, is charged with second-degree burglary and is being held in the Barry County jail on a $20,000 bond...

The annual lock-up fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) will be held on Thursday in Monett. The major fundraiser of the year for MDA will be held for the fifth year at the Scott Regional Technology Center, sponsored by the school’s Distributive Education Chapters of America (DECA) Chapter, which has been a national MDA sponsor for 36 years. The lock-up will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m...

Tracy Essary, of Monett, sang “Daydream Believer” as part of the second annual Ozarks Showcase, the Monett Kiwanis Club’s presentation of The Show from Cassville plus Monett-area performers.

All comes out well in the end of the Rebel’s Bluff play, “Aunt Ollie’s Home Away From Home,” when Agatha Trundle, the mousy secretary, placed by Bethany Varberg, right, reveals she is the true realtor and offers to save the day.

The annual Dining for Diabetes fundraiser, held Jan. 21 in Pierce City, raised a total of $60,129.30.

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates’ board of directors increased the quarterly cash dividend by 11 percent to $.31 per share, payable on March 17 to stockholders of record as of March 2. “The increase in our dividend reflects our on-going commitment to provide a good return on their investment for our shareholders,” said Kevin Williams, chief financial officer. ...

Brooklynn Epperson, 3, of Verona, earned the title of Tiny Miss Barry County 2017 at the recent International Girl beauty pageant held in Cassville.

For nearly a year Daryl Bradley, Monett wrestling coach, has lived with the frustration of not having a wrestler compete for a state title. For some, this may seem like a trivial matter, but Bradley has pieced together a resume that will garner strong support for a Missouri Hall of Fame induction one day. Bradley finds himself in charge of one of the winningest programs in the state that is in the top 15 when is comes to the production of individual state champions...

Trying to capture the atmosphere at the St. Peters Rex Plex, where the state swimming and diving championship are held, is difficult to explain to both fans and athletes who have never been there. It is loud, hot and humid in the natatorium. Random beeps can be heard, and you are surrounded by the fastest swimmers in the state...

Glenn Barnard, 91, of Stella, died Saturday, Feb. 11. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15 at McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Burial will be at Macedonia Cemetery at Stella.

Jack McCaffrey, 81, of Monett, died Monday, Feb. 13 at his residence. Funeral services are pending at this time. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home.

Josiah Patterson, 27, of Nixa, died Monday, Feb. 13. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home.

Larry Ray Stanley, 69, of Aurora, died Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A memorial service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora. Burial will be at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora at a later date...

Robbie “June” Tilley, 70, of Cassville, died Saturday, Feb. 11. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.