Stories from Tuesday, August 29, 2017

The Verona Fire Department may not be able to fight fires and has asked Monett and Aurora for help against blazes until further notice. “Our truck is dead,” said Verona Fire Chief Shane Spears. Spears said the truck would no longer pass a pressure test, nor could firemen store water in the tank. The problem was assessed by an inspection team called in to diagnose the problem. After five hours, they determined the packing had failed...

Monett’s fourth annual Repurposed Faire was viewed as the most successful to date, drawing significant crowds to town both Saturday and Sunday. “It was fantastic,” said Ann Saunders, co-chairman with Cherie Davidson. “There were more people, happy vendors and great eating. Three-fourths of the vendors and all the musical acts signed up to come again next year.”...

A new housing subdivision is being discussed in Monett by Sam and Becky Green, with Re/Max Properties, for land they own between McCormick Drive and Wellington Drive, west of the Monett Walmart. The Monett City Council approved a proposal to building a stormwater retention basin that would serve the entire 30-acre subdivision. No plans have yet been submitted for the housing arrangement...

Students in the Greater Ozarks Center for Advanced Professional Studies (GO CAPS), offered through Monett High School began their year of study that will offer them real life challenges in business and industry through brainstorming sessions this week...

The gospel ensemble Just Us from Marionville were among the performers providing old-fashioned sacred music for the crowd at the Crane Broiler Fest on Friday.

This week at the Monett Senior Citizens Center, 405 Dairy, the lunch menu will feature baked fish or popcorn chicken on Aug. 29, oven fried chicken or brisket on Aug. 30, and “grillin’” on Sept. 1. Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday...

Clinging to a precarious 7-0 lead late in the third quarter and the game very much still hanging in the balance, the Cubs took over at their own 12-yard line. On first down, running back William Murphy took the hand-off, bounced the ball to the outside and used a fantastic block from Cody Thompson to rumble 67 yards...

There were plenty of reasons to celebrate after a 31-16 win for Pierce City on Friday over Liberal. For instance, the Eagles are 2-0 on the season and will maintain their state ranking. Yet, those celebrations were tempted just a bit with the realization that the team and the players need to finish games. Despite jumping out to a 31-0 lead over Liberal, the Eagles both ran out of steam and let up a bit to allow the Bulldogs to score 16 points...

For the fourth consecutive year, the Cubs soccer team (3-1) won the Branson Soccer Tournament, topping the hosts Pirates, 2-1, in Saturday’s title tilt to bring home the trophy. Although the championship was played on the weekend, the tourney’s run was made possible by the squad’s season-opening loss...

The Monett volleyball team got off to a slow start last week with setbacks to Diamond and Central.

Mary V. Black, 97, of Aurora, passed away Sunday, Aug. 27, at James River Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Springfield. She was born to Charles and Ethel Lee King on Nov. 20, 1919, in Verona. Mary worked at the Juvenile Shoe Factory for 28 years, she was a charter member of the Verona Baptist Church and a member of the Toilers and Tillers Garden Club...

Nora A. (Beaver) Ellis, 100, formerly of Neosho, died Aug. 26, 2017, at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Nora was born on Feb. 16, 1917, in Ritchey, the daughter of Oscar L. and Pearl (York) Beaver. She attended Ritchey School and moved to Neosho in 1947, where she was a homemaker and raised her family. She enjoyed raising her four sons and daughter, her family was her life. She resided in Neosho for over 70 years and was a member of the Neosho United Methodist Church...

Kathleen Rose Lavigne, 80, entered into eternal rest on Friday, August 25, 2017, at her home in Pierce City, Missouri. She was born in Gardener, Maine, on August 8, 1937, the daughter of the late Afton and Aurinda (Swain) Bowman. She was united in marriage on September 10, 1954, in Augusta, Maine, to Robert Leo Lavigne Sr; he preceded her in death on August 22, 2017...

Jason Wayne Williams, 40, returned to his heavenly home on Aug. 19, 2017. He died unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident. His devotion to his family and firm belief in God were the foundations of his life. Jason was born on Jan. 8, 1977, in Springfield, Ill. He was a 1995 graduate of Pierce City High School and proudly served his country in the Army Reserve from 1994 to 2002...

Kara Lynn Fly, 37, of Crane, died on Saturday, Aug. 26, at Springfield Villa, in Springfield. Memorial graveside services will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 2, at the Pierce City Cemetery. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett...