Stories from Friday, February 24, 2017

SARCOXIE — A huge second-half swing in Lady Momentum propelled the No. 2 Pierce City boys basketball team to the Class 2, District 12 title over No. 1 seed McAuley Catholic, 77-63. “I’m just so proud of these boys,” said Matt Street, Pierce City coach. “We talked about winning the third quarter, and the boys did it and it carried over into the fourth. Just, wow. I can’t find the words to describe this feeling and how special and unselfish this team is.”...

SARCOXIE — The Class 2, District 12 girls basketball championship game lived up to the hype. In the end, it was the No. 2 seed Pierce City that stunned No. 1 Purdy, 57-48. The fourth quarter featured one tie and three leads changes, but in the end, boiled down to one key stat — free throws...

The Monett City Council has struck a deal with the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission to obtain one acre of land west of the Monett city limits as a site for a future water tower and possibly a well. According to City Administrator Dennis Pyle, completion of the water pipeline between the west city limits and the airport provided water service access to property owners along the 12-inch water main. The pipeline brings water from a well at the airport to the city...

Tickets are now on sale for the Monett Chamber of Commerce annual membership meeting at 6 p.m. on March 9 at the Scott Regional Technology Center. Arguably the biggest night of the year for the Monett business community, the banquet offers an opportunity to recognize leaders through the Community Service Award, recognizing long-term commitment and involvement in Monett, and the Pride and Progress Award, honoring a specific project or contribution to community betterment. ...

One of the surest barometers for the arrival of spring in central Monett is the star magnolia in the yard of 309 Euclid Ave., owned by Max and Carolyn Easley, which burst into flowers this week.

Sydney Sebastian and Addison McColloch are hoping to help a number of children in the pediatric oncology ward at St. Jude's Hospital in Kansas City. The Monett High School seniors are accepting donations to make care packages for children undergoing cancer treatment as part of their Passion Project, "Kids with Cancer." They will be making fleece blankets and compiling assorted items to help make patients' hospital stays more comfortable. ...

Volunteers are needed to help in sorting items at the recycling trailer for Pierce City residents, located at 306 E. Washington St. John Archer, Pierce City alderman and Southwest Missouri Solid Waste District N liaison for the council, said the scope of recyclable materials, while extensive, does not accept cardboard, plastic shopping bags or appliances, electronic devices, chemicals or paints...

With temperatures soaring into the 70s this week, the opportunity to start spring lawn care and landscaping became a strong attraction.

St. Lawrence Catholic School, 407 Seventh St. in Monett, will host a Daddy-Daughter Dance at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25 in the school fellowship hall. The theme is “Candy Land.” There will be a candy table, a hot chocolate bar and a photo booth. Marty Probstfield will provide the music. Cost is $25 for a Daddy and up to two princesses...

What is guaranteed is that a Lady Eagles mascot will celebrate a district championship tonight on the floor in Sarcoxie. What has yet to be decided is whether it will be the Lady Eagles of Purdy (25-1) or the Lady Eagles of Pierce City (23-4). The Black and Gold squad of Purdy carries into tonight’s tilt the No. 1 district seed, a No. 7 state ranking, a 23-game winning streak and a 5-point regular season win over Pierce City...

For the fourth time in the last five years, the Pierce City girls basketball team will vie for a district title. The Lady Eagles advanced to the title game with a 57-37 win over Sarcoxie in the Class 2, District 12 semifinal on Wednesday. Pierce City controlled the game from the opening tip, racing out to a 16-4 lead at the end of the first quarter...

A district title game awaits the Purdy girls basketball team tonight after defeating McAuley, 61-50, in the Class 2, District 12 semifinal on Wednesday. “We’ve trained all year for this moment,” said Eli Ernst, Purdy coach. “We’ve approached how we coached and how we handle the girls. ...

Ruth Nadine (Douthitt) Williams, 94, closed her eyes in this earthly life surrounded by the love of her family and opened them in heaven in the presence of her beloved Savior on Tuesday, February 21, 2017. Ruth was born on March 4, 1922, in Stotts City to Loren Douthitt and Millie (Stotts) Douthitt...

Kathy Ann Curry, 56, of Eagle Rock, died Tuesday, Feb. 21. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 at Truelove Cemetery in Wayne, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Carroll John Jarvis Jr., 50, of Seligman, died Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Visitation is being held on Monday Feb. 27, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Funeral services are being held on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Chapel in Monett. Burial will follow services at the Monett I.O.O.F. Cemetery...

Mary “Lorene” Licklider, 87, of Cassville, formerly of Ridgley, died Sunday, Feb. 19. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24 at McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Burial will be at Muncie Chapel Cemetery at Wheaton. Visitation will be held from 9:30 until 11:00 a.m. Friday at McQueen Funeral Home...

Iris June Marbut, 90, of Monett, died Feb. 19 at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 26 at the Monett Church of Christ, 1107 N. Ninth Street, Monett. Interment will follow at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Monett...