Stories from Saturday, July 22, 2017

Fireworks sales and their use appeared to have raised a minimum amount of problems in the city this year, according to reports by Monett Police Chief George Daoud. Daoud told city council members his office received 47 complaint calls this year, up from 42 last year. He did not view the increase as significant, since two years ago, before the city permitted the sale of fireworks inside the city limits, police received 54 complaints...

Concern has been raised by residents around the Business Highway 60 construction site over motorists driving recklessly on nearby rural roads. Michelle Greenhaw, whose family lives on the east side of Farm Road 2230, one mile north of Business Highway 60, said since the replacement work began on Monday, her road has seen a dramatic uptick in traffic...

Demolition work began this week on the railroad bridge over Business Highway 60 east of Monett and will move into full gear next week as the trusses are removed. According to Brian Todd, senior construction inspector for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) in the southwest district, crews planned to punch out the decking with heavy equipment by the end of the week, placing catch buckets below to capture the falling asphalt. ...

The Monett Chamber of Commerce's license office received a "good" review in its annual audit from the Missouri State Auditor's office, one step below the top grade of "excellent." This was the first time the Monett Chamber's operation has been reviewed by the state auditor. The license office receives an annual audit by the Department of Revenue...

The vote for the Pierce City school tax levy issue is on Aug. 8, and absentee voting is now underway. Those with mobility issues, like walking or standing in lines, may send a written request for a ballot or stop by the Barry County Clerk’s Office and vote absentee...

New enlargements of eight historic photos of Monett have ben added to the walls of the Events Center at the Monett Museum.

The Monett Street Department sprayed the city for mosquitos evenings this week.

The 22nd anniversary of V.B. Hall’s Antiques Warehouse and Flea Market, 201 W. Main in Monett, will be celebrated today. Viga Hall and his family will be present. Free gifts will be available with purchases. Musical entertainment will be provided by Neva Welters...

Camp Barnabas, a summer camp for individuals with special needs and chronic illnesses, is holding a drawing for a 1980 International Scout II valued at over $18,000. All proceeds benefit the Camper Scholarship Fund. This fund provides the means for campers with disabilities to experience the life-changing opportunities within the gates of Camp Barnabas. The winning ticket will be drawn Oct. 28 at the Glamping for Camping fundraising event.  ...

Doris Meyer, who served as clerk for the City of Monett for 28 years, recounted her service for the Monett Historical Society at the organization's July meeting. Meyer, a 1955 Verona High School graduate, began her professional career working for attorney Almon Maus. On light days she also helped out with tax returns at Jarvis Tax Service, also located in the First National Bank building. Meyer has her own tax preparation service today. She left the jobs when her daughter was born in 1959...

Helen Dixon represented Lacoba Homes in Monett at the Missouri Health Care Association District 4 Ms. Missouri Nursing Home Pageant.

Jon Jackson, son of the late Vedas and Edith Jackson of rural Monett, has been inducted into the University of Kansas Medical Center Hall of Fame. A 1970s graduate of Verona High School, where his father served many years as principal, Jackson was a graduate of Southwest Missouri State College and earned his masters degree from Truman State before beginning a career in hospital administration...

Hobbs-Anderson newly elected officers were installed July 6 by Rock Conway, 15th District commander.

Schreiber Foods employee Ernie Jarvis retired May 24.

The Kings Prairie Community Association joined the Monett Chamber of Commerce and received a ribbon cutting ceremony at the historic Kings Prairie School this week.

Steve Roden, right, who serves as foreman for the City of Monett’s water department, retires in August after 33 years of service.

Tom Balmas retired July 13 from Schreiber Foods in Monett.

 Trevor McClintock, of Purdy, was named to the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Dean’s List at the University of Missouri for the spring 2017 semester.  McClintock is majoring in agribusiness management. To be named on the CAFNR dean’s list, students must maintain a term GPA of 3.3, a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credit hours...

It has been said that the only thing that is consistent is that nothing is consistent. Nowhere is this fact any more true than in the coaching ranks in high school sports. This year, the Monett district moved or hired additional coaching staff to fill 14 vacancies...

The 2017 Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League Babe Ruth age 16-18 baseball team sponsored by Arvest.

The 2017 Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League Babe Ruth age 13-15 baseball team sponsored by Arvest.

History, though it may be unpleasant, can’t be changed. It is what it is, and becoming angry or resentful about it won’t change anything. This question comes up occasionally in the aftermath of the 1901 lynching in Pierce City. Even 116 years later, the story is so laden with emotion that reaction is still painful. Occasionally someone expresses outrage that spills over onto today’s residents. It’s a sad but unfortunate reality we’ve seen before...