Stories from Wednesday, August 9, 2017

Several Barry County residents did not receive their mail this week, due to an unusual occurrence. Roger Smith, of McDowell, usually gets his Cassville Democrat newspaper on Thursdays, but it never came. Then a few days later, on Aug. 8, he received a letter from the U.S. Postal service explaining why...

Open house for the Monett R-1 School District will be held at the following times and dates: at Monett Elementary, from 1 to 6 p.m. on Aug. 10; at Central Park Elementary and Monett Intermediate, 5 to 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10, Middle School, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on 10. At the high school, freshman orientation will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 10. Scott Tech will offer orientation for new students from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 10 and from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 11...

Pierce City School District patrons voted against an increase in the district's operating levy at the polls Tuesday, with voters in Barry County the only ones in favor of approving the hike. Board members placed a question on the ballot concerning Proposition K.I.D.S. (Keep Improving District Schools), asking voters to approve a 31-cent increase to the district's operating levy, replacing the $2.75 levy carried by the district since 1994-95, the minimum allowed by Missouri law...

Local school districts’ food service policies change over the years, and one of the biggest changes in recent years has been the use or elimination of alternative lunch programs for students who have incurred food service debts. Of the eight local school districts, Monett, Pierce City, Verona, Wheaton, Purdy, Cassville, Exeter and Southwest, six have eliminated the program, and two still have one in effect...

Watching Mighty Mite football practice of other family members inspired a number of smaller children to mimic the moves of the aspiring athletes.

The U.S. Secret Service assisted the Barry County Sheriff’s Office recently in capturing a Cassville man wanted in Florida for alleged mail fraud. According to an indictment filed in the United State District Court of Southern Florida, Quintin Hymas, 34, of Cassville, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and three counts of mail fraud. He was arrested in his Cassville home with no incident on July 24 and was arraigned on Aug. 2...

Purdy Mayor Bo Prock is looking to improve city services with action next week on stormwater and at the police department. Prock wanted to take a closer look at stormwater drainage issues around town. He suggested making a list of drainage whistles around the city that either need repair or replacement. He asked to have a more detailed discussion on possible targets at the August meeting...

A pleasant summer evening offers a chance to get out with friends and prepare for upcoming social activities.

Earthmoving and compacting has been underway this week resurfacing the parking lot at Burl Fowler Stadium in Monett.

Several Monett teams will display their talents in pre-season jamborees over the next seven days. Softball The Lady Cubs welcome Willard, Seneca and Webb City to North Park on Friday. Monett plays Willard at 4:30 p.m. and Webb City at 6 p.m. The first game will be five innings or 75 minutes, whichever comes first. The second game will last four innings or one hour, whichever comes first...

For the truly enthusiastic football fans, jamborees serve as a chance to whet the appetite. They are more of the dining equivalent of an appetizer, something to take the edge off, before the main course arrives. For the players, jamborees are a chance to finally punish an opponent in a different-colored jersey...

The dream of gridiron glory takes root early in many Mighty Mite players.

Lee Edward Price died August 2, 2017, at his home near Pierce City, Missouri, on the banks of Capps Creek and the mill pond of historic Jolly Mill.  Lee was a lifelong resident of southwest Missouri, including Pierce City, Buffalo, and Springfield.  He was well known as an appraiser of farms, ranches, and businesses throughout the Ozarks, and he counted among his clients many banks throughout the region.  Lee was an avid outdoorsman and a devoted family man.  He was 60 years old...

Nancy McQueen Brown, 84, of Cassville entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, August 2, 2017, while at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. She was born on July 14, 1933, in Hawthorn, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Steve and Chloe (Hyken) McQueen. She was united in marriage on August 24 in Las Vegas, Nevada, to Joseph R. Brown; he preceded her in death...

Helen Oleta Muret, 97, of Monett, died Saturday Aug. 5 at her home in Monett. Graveside services are being held in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Friday, Aug. 11, under the direction of the Chapel Hill Funeral Home in Oklahoma City, Okla. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...