Stories from Friday, June 16, 2017

A Golden man and Eureka Springs, Ark., woman were arrested Wednesday when a nearly two-week search for the couple, wanted for a tri-state string of burglaries and auto thefts, ended with a short manhunt north of Shell Knob. Christopher Blevins, 32, of Golden, and Mercedes Splichal, 24, of Eureka Springs, Ark., are each charged with first degree tampering with a motor vehicle and stealing of a firearm...

Monett Metals has improved operations in Monett by utilizing a unique grant opportunity to improve safety at its local foundry. According to Mike Renfrow, president of Monett Metals, the company applied for a grant made available by Missouri Employers Mutual (MEM), the company’s worker’s compensation insurance provider. ...

Monett has a new library option, thanks to Mike and Mandy Whannell family, who have introduced a Little Free Library on their lawn, next to the Greenways Trail. The Little Free Library is a national program offering people a way to enhance reading opportunities. The repository of books in a public place gives users the chance to borrow books they can return or keep, inviting others to add to the offerings...

Five Monett High School students who have completed their junior years will held to Warrensburg to participate in the 77th session of Missouri Boys State, a model government program sponsored by the American Legion. The session starts Saturday and runs through June 24 at the University of Central Missouri. Participants have completed their junior year so that the experience can boost their leadership skills during their senior year in high school...

The Walking School Bus program has been underway this week as part of Summer School in Monett and an encouragement to children to live active lifestyles.

A Monett woman was injured in a wreck on Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. on Highway 60, 12 miles west of Pierce City. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Brooke Ogle, 18, of Monett, was driving a 2006 Ford Freestar southbound when her vehicle failed to yield at a stop sign and struck a westbound 2008 Dodge Ram, being driven by Robin Fowler, 22, of Fruitvale, Texas...

The Barry County Youth Fair will be held June 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Exeter Corn Maze, located four miles south of Exeter on MM Highway. The fair will offer a full day of fun, food, and vendor booths to shop. Activities will include the pumpkin jump, shoot-out shack, zip line, cow train and much more. Unlimited armbands are available to purchase for $7...

On Tuesday, kindergarten students from Summer School in Pierce City visited the Pierce City Senior Center to sing songs for Flag Day.

A benefit auction will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 at the McDowell School, featuring live music. A pie supper and auction will be included, as well as burgers, brauts and hot dogs. Donations are welcome. For additional information, people may call 417-461-4697...

The Missouri High School Baseball Coaches Association has released its most prestigious Academic All-State team, listing top academics. While most fans only want to discuss the play on the field, the association realizes that its players are students first and athletes second...

Ralph Wendell Shomer, 83, of Aurora, died on Tuesday, June 13, at his home. A graveside service under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, June 16 at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora with full military honors...

Franklin “John” I. Plummer, 80, of Monett, died Monday, June 12 at Mercy Hospital in Aurora. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 17, at Monett Church of Christ. No visitation is planned. Arrangements are under the direction of Lakin Funeral Home in Pierce City...

Mark T. Koblack, 61, of Wheaton, died Tuesday, June 13, at his home. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Margaret D. Kirby, 73, of Cassville, died Monday, June 12, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Bailey “Pat” Forrester, 87, of Aurora, died Tuesday, June 13, at the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mt. Vernon. A graveside service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 21, at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. A celebration of life will follow the graveside at the First Presbyterian Church in Aurora...

Lori Diane Connell-Snider, 60, of Purdy died Monday June 12, at her home in Purdy. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday June 15, from 4-7 p.m. at her daughter Erika’s house located at 9877 Farm Road 1084 in Purdy. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...

Jan. 19, 1923 - June 7, 2017 On June 7, 2017, this area lost an irreplaceable spirit and lady, Marilyn Ruth Carlson Nelson. Some will remember her for her cinnamon rolls, Swedish rusks, and the world’s best angel food cake, that as a child she learned to make from her grandmother. ...

Linda Kay Clark, 67 of Springdale, Ark., passed away Saturday, June 10, in Fayetteville, Ark. She was born May 29, 1950, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Lawrence G. Stoddard and Erma Jean (Allen) Stoddard. She was a tax preparer as well as a former employee of Harp’s Food...