Stories from Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Monett police are seeking a male subject in connection with a burglary that resulted in a brief lockdown of Central Park Elementary School on Wednesday. According to Monett Detective Jeff Martinson, Monett police received a report of a burglary in progress at 610 E. ...

Monett Police are seeking assistance in locating a suspect who has been identified in an alleged armed robbery in Monett on Feb. 24. Through the course of the investigation a suspect was identified as Jason Michael Withnell, 36, of Monett. He is described as being 5 feet, 9 inches in height, 165 pounds, with brown hair. Withnell has not been located. A warrant for first-degree robbery has been issued by the Barry County Court with a $75,000 bond...

A pair of Monett teenagers have been charged in the alleged burglary of a Cassville home last week. Justin Michael Willhite, 19, of Monett, is charged with burglary, misdemeanor property damage and misdemeanor resisting arrest; and Austin Hash-Baxter, 18, of Monett, is charged with burglary...

Students in Mary Beck’s School of Dance are deep into rehearsals for the Chapter 27 Dance Masters of America competition, which will be held April 1-2 in Owasso, Okla.

The Monett High School Pizzazz Poms Dance Team completed this year’s competition season with several successes. The weekend before state competition, the team competed in the Missouri State University Sugar Bears Invitational and earned second place in the 1A/2A division for its pom routine. Five dancers also participated in the solo competition at MSU...

Jason Mackey, youth pastor at First Baptist Church of Cassville for more than 16 years, was recently named as the new pastor of Arnhart Baptist Church in Purdy. The church, which was established in 1877, is more than 200 members strong and growing each week, Mackey said...

Publisher’s note: The following Q&A represents the candidate's views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and has not been edited. The election will be held April 4, with voters allowed to select three of the five candidates. The top three vote-getters will be elected. - JB...

Publisher’s note: The following Q&A represents the candidate's views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and has not been edited. The election will be held April 4, with voters allowed to select three of the five candidates. The top three vote-getters will be elected. - JB...

Publisher’s note: The following Q&A represents the candidate's views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and has not been edited. The election will be held April 4, with voters allowed to select three of the five candidates. The top three vote-getters will be elected. - JB...

Publisher’s note: The following Q&A represents the candidate's views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and has not been edited. The election will be held April 4, with voters allowed to select three of the five candidates. The top three vote-getters will be elected. - JB...

Publisher’s note: The following Q&A represents the candidate's views verbatim, as submitted via email in response to our questions, and has not been edited. The election will be held April 4, with voters allowed to select three of the five candidates. The top three vote-getters will be elected. - JB...

The Monett Ministerial Association will host a weekly series of seven Lenten services at noon on Wednesdays. The next service will be held today at the First Presbyterian Church, 700 Sycamore. Paula Lively will be the speaker. A light lunch will follow the services, around 12:30 p.m., at the host church. All are welcome...

Every year, Purdy Coach Joshua Hughes gives the same story about his baseball team. Hughes says that the team needs to grow. He has holes that need to be filled, and he plays a tough schedule. Last year, his Eagles soared to a 23-6 record, winning the most single-season games in school history and advancing to the state quarterfinal...

The spring softball season officially kicks off on Monday for the Purdy softball team with the Mt. Vernon Tournament. Last season, the Lady Eagles flew to their second consecutive district title under Lori Videmschek (110-24) before losing a heartbreaking 7-6 decision to eventual state champion Mt. Vernon in the sectional round...

The Monett Youth Wrestling program will send 10 wrestlers to the MOUSA (Missouri USA) State Wrestling Tournament, which will be held at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis on March 25-26. Monett sent 18 wrestlers to compete in a pool of more than 500 wrestlers, from across southwest Missouri, at the MOUSA Wrestling Regional qualifying tournament in Seneca Saturday...

On Saturday, the Monett Soccer Club will host its inaugural youth invitational soccer tournament. This event will feature U14 and U12 age divisions with a total of 10 teams traveling to Monett to compete and help stimulate the local economy while visiting restaurants, gas stations and stores...

Aurora Schools has promoted Craig Weldy to be its next head football coach, according to a press release by the school district. Weldy assisted the football program since 2002 and was most recently as the junior high head football coach. The position became open with the resignation of Kale Kilgo. The Houn’ Dawgs went 2-8 this season on the gridiron...

A “Turkey Hunting Basics” classes will be March 25 at MDC’s Andy Dalton Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center in Lawrence County west of Springfield. This program is from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and is for hunters of all ages. To register or to get more information on this program, people may call the Andy Dalton Range at 417-742-4361 or e-mail daltonrange@mdc.mo.gov...

John Daniel Washburn, 37, of Verona, died Thursday, March 9, at a friend’s home in Springfield. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, March 15, at Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City. Following the visitation, John will be cremates at his request...

Jeremy JoeDon Rains, 36, of Springfield, formerly of Cassville, died Saturday, March 11. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, March 16, at Cassville First Baptist Church under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery at Cassville...

Carolyn L. Harper, 76, of Rogers, Ark., and most recently, Nixa, died on Friday, March 10. A Celebration of Life will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the White Funeral Home and Crematory with graveside services to follow at 3:30 p.m. at Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter, with Pastor Robert Teegarden officiating...

Bill Corn, 75, of Seligman, died Sunday, March 12. Memorial services will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17 at the White Funeral Home and Crematory. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville...