Stories from Saturday, May 6, 2017

The Monett school board hired five new employees for the next school year at a special session held Monday. David Saunders, a Monett High School graduate, was hired to teach graphic design at the Scott Regional Technology Center, the position previous held by Beth Garrett, who resigned at the April regular meeting. Saunders has worked in the private sector in the design field, most recently as assistant art director at Noble Communications in Springfield...

The Monett City Council approved adding a section to the Monett IOOF Cemetery for a columbarium and dedicating space for future mausoleums. No objections were raised by the public. Council members responded unanimously by placing the new ordinance establishing the new options on the books...

Cox Monett collected over 300 items for the Monett Children’s Center during a donation drive held in March. The drive was part of the Charity of the Month program at CoxHealth. During the month, CoxHealth selected agencies that provide services to children who are victims of abuse...

Ribbon cutting ceremonies were held Friday for the new Tee-ball field at Monett's North Park, the latest addition to park resources developed by the Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League, in conjunction with the city and supported by local donors...

Community leaders at all levels participated in the Monett Chamber of Commerce’s Prayer Breakfast, including Mayor Mike Brownsberger.

Public utility workers from across southwest Missouri converged on Monett Tuesday to attend the 2017 Southwest Section meeting of the Missouri Water and Wastewater Conference, held at the City Park Casino.

The Liverpool Legends, the Beatles tribute band, will perform in concert at 7 p.m. today at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $25 at the door. Seating is open so first come, first served. The Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District board meeting on May 9 has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. on May 23 at the district office, 307 Dairy St. in Monett...

Amanda Lynn McKinney and Cody Ray Blalock have announced their plans to be married on May 27 near Pierce City. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Steve and Leanne McKinney of Monett and the granddaughter of Ken and Connie VanNattan of Monett and Charles and Betty McKinney of Wheaton, Ill. ...

Adult piano students of Ruth Burnside recently held their recital at their teacher's studio in Monett. Performances included Kecia Robbins on "Lean On Me" and a duet with Mrs. Burnside on "Morning Is Broken." Kami Renkoseki played "My Heart Will Go On." Lindsay LaCase played "The Chocolate Song" and a duet with the teacher...

Graduation season for area high schools got underway Thursdays night with ceremonies at the Berean Christian Academy in Monett. This was a special occasion for the school. It was the first time graduation had been held on campus, in the gym completed in 2016. Those attending parked cars all over the grounds and back to Highway 60 the length of the driveway. It was also the first time that students who began at the school as kindergarteners when it opened graduated as high school seniors...

As the school year draws to a close, students in the Monett High School lifetime sports class made their annual outing to the shooting range run by the Monet Sportsmen’s League southeast of town.

Cadets in the Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at the Scott Regional Technology Center received awards for the year during the Awards Night ceremony on April 27. Cadets received Leadership Education Training (LET) certificates, good conduct ribbons, commendation ribbons and ribbon for Excellent Staff Performance and JROTC Proficiency Awards...

The Wheaton school district announced its March Students of the Month recipients.

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristics of being safe as Students of the Week for April 24.

The Lester R. Bryant Scholars Pre-Admission Program at the University of Missouri School of Medicine encourages young people from rural backgrounds to pursue a medical education. Students are eligible for admission to the program after completing their sophomore year in college at a Missouri public or independent four-year college or university...

Monett student Jessica Terry, in Auto Collision Repair at Scott Regional Technology Center, Monett, won the Secondary Spirit Award as part of the 2017 Breaking Traditions Awards.

A three-year district title drought for the Pierce City softball team (20-4) ended when a soft fly ball hit by Ali Raley landed in left field on Thursday. The single allowed Christine Stellwagen to cross home plate safely and propelled the Lady Eagles to a 6-5 win and claim the District 11 Championship...

Josh Hughes, Purdy baseball coach, may like to fly under the radar with his team, but this week his Eagles showed what they are capable of at district tourney time. On Thursday, Purdy defeated No. 6 ranked Pierce City, 6-4, behind a complete game effort from Hunter Cook...

I stopped in Lamar last Sunday for lunch, a sunny day after endless rain. All the nearby streams were draining into town and street crews were out closing streets as the water rose. I knew that sinking feeling watching the water rise and knowing there’s nothing that can be done about it...

The Purdy softball team won its third consecutive district softball title with a 11-1 victory over Southwest on Thursday. The Lady Eagles played both the semifinal and championship game in the same evening and topped Exeter 10-0. Purdy outscored their opponents 36-1 in the district tourney and will travel to the District 9 winner...

The Kiwanis benefit golf tournament for the Barry County Youth Camp has been rescheduled for 8:30 a.m. on May 13. The three-person scramble will be held at the Windmill Ridge municipal course in Monett. Cost is $50 per person or $150 per team without a golf cart. There will be one or two flights, depending on the number of teams...

Jimmie Wayne Terry, 81, of Monett went to be with his Lord in Heaven on Thursday May 4, 2017, at his home outside of Monett. He was born in Butterfield, Missouri on October 1, 1935; the son of the late Manford and Dorothy (Moudy) Terry. Jim was blessed with two wonderful loving wives. ...

Marlin Clarence Gray, 74, of Aurora, died Tuesday, May 2, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 6, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora with burial to follow at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 6–8:00 p.m. on Friday in the funeral home chapel...

Bonita G. Masterson, 62, of Eagle Rock, died Wednesday, May 3. Memorial services will be held at a later date in Stuttgart, Ark. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Virgil L. McMeley, 73, of Branson, died Thursday, May 4, at the Springfield Rehab Health Care Center. A private committal will be held at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Pulaskifield. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett...

Aricele Reyes, 36, of Verona, died Tuesday, May 2, at her home. A funeral service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, at the Verona Baptist Church. Burial will follow at the Youngberg Memorial Gardens in Verona...