Stories from Saturday, February 18, 2017

It has been three long years since the Monett wrestling team has won an individual state title in Columbia.
Chase Brennan, in 2014, was the last to accomplish the feat. Tonight, the Cubs hope that lady luck shines graciously down upon them, as they send four grapplers to the mat in search of title hardware...

Jimmie Ray Brightwell, 69, of Cassville, died Wednesday, Feb. 15. Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at Clio Cemetery in Jenkins, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Sunday, at Clio Cemetery...

Melvin O. Hutchison, 82, of Wichita, Kan., formerly of Cassville, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 14. Funeral arrangements will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the White Funeral Home and Crematory with Pastor Jamie Smith officiating. Burial will be at Mineral Springs Cemetery in Cassville...

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.

Add Gilbert Merryman, 87, of Washburn, died Thursday, Feb. 16. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Demurl “Blake” Roberts, 30, of Cassville, died Thursday, Feb. 16. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 at Oak Ridge Cemetery at Cassville under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Larry “Scott” Wright, 68, of Shell Knob, died Wednesday, Feb. 15. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob.

Dear Editor, Our county jail is so over-loaded that prisoners must be housed in other counties, and those counties reimbursed. That expense strains the county budget and prompts the county commissioners to propose a “Law and Order” tax, to be voted on in April. But, the commissioners refuse to clearly state that the sheriff will continue to receive his historical percentage of the general revenue budget. Could the commissioners possibly have their eyes on that money?...

Monett lost a friend, an ally and a visionary this week with the death of Sharon Garrett. Many of the community’s leaders gathered on Wednesday to say goodbye. After 35 years in Monett, not as a resident, but as a merchant and a leader, Sharon left more than a mere impression. Over the last 20 years, her contribution was quite significant...

Homecoming at Purdy High School on Feb. 3 featured the third annual Purdy High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Athletic Director Alan Spencer welcomed new member Brenda (Keeling) McNeil to the Hall. McNeil’s parents, Allen and Leona Keeling, members of the Purdy High School Class of 1960, joined her on the floor as she received her plaque, as did husband Dwayne and daughter Callie...

For Class 1, 2 and 3 schools, the basketball season has come down to the district tournament, and for Verona, that means a trip to Galena. The Wildcats and Lady Wildcats have some work to do if they want to come out on top of a loaded field. On the boys side, the Wildcats are the No. 7 seed...

The fifth and sixth grade Math Team from Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt competed at Thomas Jefferson in Joplin on Feb. 11 against other schools including Carl Junction, Joplin, Neosho, Monett, Carthage, Webb City and St. Lawrence Catholic.

The following Barry County natives made the Dean's List for the fall 2016 semester at Missouri State University in Springfield. For undergraduate students, criteria to make the list include enrollment in at least 12 credit hours during the fall semester and at least a 3.50 grade point average on a 4.0 scale...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristics of being hardworking as Students of the Week for Feb. 13.

A total of 22 students of the Scott Regional Technical Center Chapter of Distributive Education Chapters of America (DECA) joined over 300 high school marketing students from southwest Missouri at the annual District Career Development Conference held Feb. 3 at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin...

The following defendants plead guilty or were found guilty of the charge listed. An Alford Plea does not admit guilt but indicates defendant believes there is enough evidence for a conviction, SES is Suspended Execution of Sentence, SIS is Suspended Imposition of Sentence, ITC is Intensive Treatment Center, SATOP is Substance Abuse Traffic Offenders Program, CVCF is Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund, and LERF is Law Enforcement Restitution Fund. ...

Camp Barnabas is excited to announce Innovative Dental as the presenting sponsor of the 5th Annual Big Party Half-Marathon, 5K and Family Stroll events. Our largest community fundraiser, the event will take place on Saturday, April 1, at Jordan Valley Park in Springfield...

The Purdy High School Chapter of Family, Community, and Career Leaders of America (FCCLA) invites all senior citizens in the Purdy School district to the 9th Annual Senior Citizen's Appreciation Luncheon at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 in the Purdy School Cafeteria...

The annual Jenkins Fire Chili Supper will be held 5-7 p.m. on March 4 at Station No. 1, west of the junction of Highways 39 and 248. The menu includes chili, soup, brown beans and ham with cornbread, dessert, and drink all for a donation to the fundraiser. Interested individuals are asked to provide desserts and regular and diet soft drinks...

JOPLIN – Arvest Bank, with branches in Monett, Aurora and Cassville, continued to be a leading Small Business Administration (SBA) lender in 2016, based on loan production. “We know and appreciate how much small business contributes not just to the success of our local communities, but the national economy as well,” said Stuart Puckett, loan manager at Arvest Bank for the Joplin region. ...

The Monett Special Road District commissioners will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, at Monett City Hall. The meeting will be held at day later than a typical Monday due to President’s Day. The Kings Prairie Special Road District commissioners will meet at 7 p.m. on Feb. 21 at the Angus Branch Steakhouse on Chapell Drive in Monett...

People may begin marking their calendars for the second annual Show Off Your Ride car, truck and motorcycle show, set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 6, at Gay Parita, located three miles west of Halltown on Historic Route 66. Gay Parita, a 1930s-era gas station and stone garage formerly owned by Gay and Fred Mason, is the beloved restoration project of Gary Turner and his wife, Lena. ...

By Murray Bishoff times-news@monett-times.com A touring choir from Harding University in Searcy, Ark., will perform at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 18. Monett has been included in the university’s annual touring, which generally includes 43 states. On alternating summers, the choir travels overseas, and has visited 37 countries...

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates announced a 5 percent increase in revenue in the last quarter of 2016, compared to the previous year, in its latest financial report. The technology company focusing on the financial industry disclosed revenue of $348.6 million. Gross profit increased by 6 percent to $150.4 million and income before income taxes increased 5 percent to $88.5 million...

This year, teachers in the Monett school district have explored new technology programs using innovative ways to instruct math and English skills. According to Assistant Superintendent Mike Evans, teachers and classes are using ST Math and Dreambox, supplemental programs enabling students to work at their own pace...

On a bright pleasant day like Friday, children at Monett Elementary School leaped for the opportunity to romp outdoors

Cases in Monett Municipal Court took an upswing in 2016, the first year at J. Edward Sweeney served as judge, though the disposition of cases stayed largely in line with what the court has seen over the past three years. According to the annual court summary, released by Court Clerk Michele James, the court saw 1,461 new cases filed in 2016 and disposal of 1,330. ...

The Monett football team will need to replace its quarterbacks and running backs coach in the upcoming season, as Kellen Hoover was named the head coach at McDonald County. “It was a hard choice,” Hoover said. “I called a couple of coaches that I knew there and asked a few questions, and they said the kids were great and the administration was supportive. Those were two keys that I felt had to be there for me.”...

COLUMBIA — One year after being shut out of the championship round, the Monett wrestling team sent a resounding message that the program is back, earning a fourth-place team finish and two individual champions. Freshman Joseph Semerad gave the opening introduction of the team's resurgence in the form of a third-period pin of Austin Coons of Oak Grove (5:27)...