Stories from Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Sales tax revenue in the bi-county area continues to show strange trends. In April, receipts to towns, compared in a year ago, rose 23 percent for Barry County and fell by 3 percent for Lawrence County. In May, the opposite occurred, as Lawrence County receipts rose by 26 percent and Barry County fell by 1 percent, comparing the same taxes. On balance, revenues to all recipients rose by 8 percent in May...

Monett police are looking to educate youth on the dangers of teenage sexting, a not entirely new problem brought on by greater technology access and a shift in cultural norms, according to Monett School Resource Officer Jay Jastal. Jastal said he investigates about 15 cases of sexting per year, with each case involving as many as 20 or more students at times...

June brings the beginning of summer, and the full bloom of summer flowers.

Purdy city council members took the unusual step of reviewing job descriptions for full-time city employees in May. Mayor Bo Prock presented aldermen and employees with proposed descriptions, seeking to update records and match duties actually done with written summaries. Prock said he expected to find some unlisted duties, which surfaced in discussion...

The Cox Monett Auxiliary will hold its 13th annual salad luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 2 at the First United Methodist Church, 1600 N. Central in Monett. Over 40 salads will be offered, along with a drink and dessert. Tickets are $7 each. ...

CRIMINAL 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 Offender Program, CVCF is Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund, LERF is Law Enforcement Restitution Fund. ...

The date Oct. 28, 2016, has not been forgotten by Pierce City’s Jordan Cruz. That was the last time he wore a football uniform, and it is a feeling that he will get to relive on Friday. Cruz, along with nearly 90 other players from southwest Missouri, will play in the 16th annual Grin Iron Classic in Springfield...

Windmill Ridge Golf Course will host a Junior Golf League beginning June 4 and ending Aug. 3. The league is open to golfers age 8-15, with league play every Thursday morning. Players will need their own bags and clubs, should have a basic knowledge of golf and should have the ability to put the ball in play...

Esther Louise Holle, 91, of Pierce City, passed away May 29, at Lacoba Nursing Home in Monett, following a long illness. She was born July 23, 1925, to Hugo F. Jung and Matilda Koeneman Jung, in rural Pierce City. She had a town brother, Ervin Louis Jung...

Jimmie Von Meeks, 72, of Monett, passed peacefully in his home surrounded by his loved ones on May 29, 2017. He was born March 31, 1945, in Eureka Springs, Ark., and moved to Monett in 1958. He was the son of Evelyn Sadie Hawkins and Art Meeks. He was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Rose Witt on August 7, 1965...

Robert A. Karr 79, of Monett, was called home to his eternal father, on Monday, May 29, 2017, surrounded by family at his home, following an extended illness. Robert was a resident of Monett. He retired from Efco in 2004, and continued to raise Red Angus cattle with his wife Cheryl. He was a member of the church of the Nazarene of Monett...

Norma Lee Chambers, 83, of Monett died May 29, at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Memorial services for Norma are pending and will be announced upon completion. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett.