Stories from Wednesday, July 5, 2017

President Donald Trump has formed a commission to investigate voter fraud in the United States, and local lawmakers believe information the commission is asking for should be turned over, so long as it is legal for the state to do so. In a June 28 letter from the Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity, states were asked to provide publicly available voter roll data. ...

The city of Monett has approved a revision to its noise ordinance, though it offered assurances that no specific parties were the target of the change. Police Chief George Daoud requested the change, which stated no prohibition would be imposed on noise that a reasonable person could consider normal coming from a zoning district. Daoud said the old language did not draw a distinction between use areas...

No party is complete without food, and the Purdy celebration of the nation’s birthday on Monday had hot dogs, beans, chips and drinks for anyone who wanted to eat at the evening’s gathering.

Monett Special Road District commissioners plan to place an asphalt overlay on three miles of roads and chip and seal another two miles during summer projects in 2017, provided funds will stretch that far. Bruce Washeck, commission chairman, said winter treated Monett's roads well, without hard freezes or an abundance of moisture. ...

Open season on bullfrogs and green frogs began at sunset on Friday. For anyone who hasn’t tried the sport, or fried frog legs for dinner, it’s worth the experience, local Barry County conservation agent Daniel Shores said. The Missouri Department of Conservation and Shores shared the latest guidelines and tips on hunting the plentiful frogs, which are making their distinct, throaty voices heard in backyards near water sources...

Most people know of someone who is always counting down to Christmas. Jokingly, they remind their friends months in advance of this traditionally Christian Holiday season, and for those of who have lost track, early July marks the midway point in the year until Christmas...

The Summer Reading Club at the Monett Branch Library will have a program on the history of the Monett Historical Society Museum at 1:30 p.m. on July 14 at the museum at Fifth and Broadway. A tour of the museum will follow. The SilverTeens seniors singles group will meet at 6 p.m. on July 6 at Happy House restaurant, 840 E. Highway 60 in Monett...

The defense of a state title for the Monett football team is just around the corner. The first sign that the season is closing in is the release of the 2017 schedule by Monett High School. This year, Cubs fans will need to travel a bit to watch their team, as the Purple and Gold only have four regular season home dates slated...

More often than not, officials are usually on the negative end of fans’ conversations. When a team is struggling to win, it is easy to criticize the men and women whose job is simply to try to ensure fair play. For one area official, Mike Vining, that chatter falls on deaf ears. His involvement is for the youth and keeping things fair...

Central Methodist University student Tyler Musick, a business major from Purdy, was one of more than 300 CMU student athletes recognized for athletic achievements during the 2016-17 school year. Central held its annual All-Sport Awards Ceremony on April 27, during which many of the student athletes were honored...

The 2017 Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League 8-and-under softball team sponsored by Everlast Construction.

The 2017 Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League Minor League team sponsored by State Farm.

Kelly Randy Evans, age 62, of Monett, Missouri, passed away at 8:08 a.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2017, at his home. Our hearts were broken by the loss of our father, husband, papa and friend. Kelly was born August 22, 1954, to Lester and Adine (Seitz) Evans who preceded him in death, as well as his sister Lora Jean Wilson...

Michael Eugene “Mikey” Davis, age 60, of Aurora, Mo., passed away on Sunday morning, June 25, 2017, while at his home. Mikey was born on August 4, 1956, in Waynesville, Mo., son of the late Harold and Juanita (Medley) Davis. Mikey graduated from Newburg High School in Newburg, Mo. He had attended the First Free Will Baptist Church. For over twenty-two years, Mikey worked for Tyson Foods in Monett...

Janice R. Brasel, 80, of Cassville, died Thursday, June 29. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, July 7 at the White Funeral Home and Crematory. Rosary will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 8, at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Cassville with Mass to follow at 10 a.m...

Dalton Taylor Horn, 18, of Exeter, died Sunday, July. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, July 7, at Crow Pond Cemetery in Exeter, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton.

Shirley Ann Johnson, 77, of Verona, died Friday, June 30, at the Aurora Nursing Center. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 6, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will be at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday in the funeral home chapel...

Nancy B. Goodman, 73, of Shell Knob, died Sunday, July 2. Graveside services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.