Stories from Wednesday, May 17, 2017

White's Insurance Agency of Purdy, along with Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company of Grinnell, Iowa, named Purdy senior Megan Thomas as recipient of a 2017 Road to Success Scholarship in the amount of $1,500. "We're happy to recognize Megan's academic accomplishments and safe driving record through a Road to Success Scholarship," said Lea White, of White's Insurance Agency. "We wish Megan the best in future endeavors."...

Cardinal Health is honored to recognize Dr. Belinda Presley as a finalist for its 2017 urEssential Award. Her talents and accomplishments make her notable among laboratory professionals. Dr. Belinda D. Presley, PhD, MHA, MSc MT/HT (ASCP) a veteran of the healthcare industry for more than 30 years, began her career as a laboratory analyst at Kraft General Foods. She transitioned to the clinical laboratory at Cox Health where she rose through the ranks to become supervisor of the Toxicology Section, then eventually the Pathology/Histology Assistant Section Head/Immunology Coordinator. ...

The city of Purdy has opted to reduce the speed limit on Kay Avenue from 25 miles per hour to 15, holding open the option to reduce speeds on other streets with similar problems. Action followed a request by Al Perez, a resident on Kay Avenue who brought his two small children to the council meeting to illustrate his concern...

After a bruising exchange last year over salaries, Verona school administrators, teachers and the school board reached a mutually acceptable plan for the coming school year, addressing both the wage and benefits packages. Speaking for the faculty salary committee, Crista Witt offered a concessionary tone from the teachers to start the discussion. ...

Urged to stay grounded and excel in uniquely personal ways, Purdy High School seniors received diplomas in commencement exercises held Saturday in the school gym. The 42 members of the Class of 2017 heard amusing anecdotes of their time in school from the introduction by Brittany Bricker and Chris Ramos. ...

Two possible games are all that remain on the Purdy softball team’s schedule. The first, a semifinal battle with undefeated Lincoln on Friday with a berth to the spring championship game on the line. “They have a good pitcher, speed on the bases and play solid defense,” said Lori Videmschek, Purdy coach. “Our goal is just to approach Friday like any other game and just go have fun.”...

Leading 3-2 and heading to the home half of the fifth inning, Monett (20-4) was looking for some insurance against a pesky Seneca squad that would not go away in Monday’s district semifinal. By the time the frame ended, the Cubs led 8-2 and held on to win by that score and advance to the district championship game against Carl Junction on Tuesday...

For the fourth time in the last seven seasons, Monett High School is in the market for a new volleyball coach after Julie Dalton resigned. Dalton announced via her Facebook page that she is the new Pre-K to sixth grade principal at Purdy. Dalton took over the helm of the Lady Cubs in 2014 and guided the rebuilding effort to a 4-73-1 record...

Between 400-500 students from Monett High School will roll up their sleeves and pitch in for the seventh annual Community Service Day on Thursday. “Students and staff members will head to 22 locations this year,” said Amy Sampson, activity organizer for all of the Community Service Days. ...

Julie Dalton has accepted the position of principal for pre-kindergarten through sixth grade at the Purdy School District for the 2017-2018 school year. She succeeds Janet McCormick, who has stepped down, due to health reasons, after 12 years of service...

The Monett City Council will introduce revisions to its ordinances on noise and fireworks during its regular monthly meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday. Council members will introduce an amendment to the ordinance on excessive noise that states no prohibition will be imposed on noise that a reasonable person could consider normal coming from a zoning district...

Wheaton High School took home a first place individual award and a third place team award at the 89th Missouri FFA Convention in Columbia. Lia Boa Yang was named top individual in the dairy foods evaluation career development event. There were 171 individuals from 45 teams in the competition. Yang’s FFA advisor is David Bolton...

Brandon Ellison, lead project manager for the special projects group at EFCO, speaks to attendees at the Monett Young Professionals Network meeting at EFCO South Tuesday.

Monett High School will hold graduation ceremonies at 8 p.m. on May 19 in the high school gym. The Southwest Chapter of Missouri Pet Breeders Association will hold its spring garage sale on May 20 at the Crowder College Community Building in Cassville. Vendor tables are available for $10. To reserve space,, people may call Kara Crass at 417-574-6470...

The Verona baseball team (1-15) picked the perfect time to earn its first win of the season. On Monday, the Wildcats, a No. 6 seed in their district tournament, upset No. 3 seed Exeter, 6-0. Kolton Pinkly earned the win. He allowed just one hit in six innings and struck out 13...

For the second consecutive year, Pierce City (20-5) saw its baseball season end in the district semifinal to McAuley. On Monday, the Warriors pushed across three runs, with two outs, in the top of the seventh inning to earn a 4-1 victory.

The Purdy baseball team kept its district title hopes alive with a 6-2 win over College Heights on Monday. The Cougars led 2-1 after two innings of play, only to watch the Eagles score five times over the last three innings to pull out the victory. Adam Humphrey earned the win, allowing two runs on three hits and striking out three...

J.C. Breidenstein, 84, of Marionville, Mo., passed away at 9:20 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at the Lacoba Nursing Home in Monett. He was born June 5, 1932, in Lawrence County, the son of the late Leo Roy and Mildred Ava (Norris) Breidenstein. J. ...

Marty Dorn, 58, of Monett, died Tuesday, May 9, at his home. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 20, at Buchanan Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m.