Stories from Friday, September 1, 2017

It was a happy bus ride home for the Eagles of Pierce City as they rolled to a 47-0 victory over Jasper Friday night. “I tell you what, we have had three straight weeks where teams have just loaded the box on us,” said Brad Hocker, Pierce City head coach. “That has caused us to spread things out and open what we do offensively with our formations. Credit our line and our players for making plays and getting us rolling.”...

Field position, big plays, momentum and Mt. Vernon (3-0) finally tipped the scales against Monett in a 25-20 loss for the Cubs (2-1) on Friday. The Mountaineers never sustained a lengthy drive against the Cubs defense, but scored on plays of 39, 86, 42 and 23 yards...

Field position, big plays, momentum and Mt. Vernon (3-0) finally tipped the scales against Monett in a 25-20 loss for the Cubs (2-1) on Friday. The Mountaineers never sustained a lengthy drive against the Cubs defense, but scored on plays of 39, 86, 42 and 23 yards...

A Monett man has pleaded guilty to a federal charge involving child pornography and will serve at least 15 years in prison. In the culmination of an investigation by the Southwest Missouri Cybercrimes Task Force, detectives...

James and Dixie Latshaw went to the Monett Police Department this week to pick up a member of the family, George the concrete goose. George had been stolen off their porch the morning of Aug. 20. Dixie heard him dropped into the bed of a pickup truck, which she reported immediately to police...

September brings out the last blooms of summer.

The Ozark Festival Orchestra has announced plans for its 38th season, and will begin rehearsals on Sept. 12 at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center (PAC). Music Director Todd Borgmann said the season will offer some variations on performance locations and the return of favorite features...

Monett area residents now have a way to directly help with the relief effort in Texas from Hurricane Harvey. First State Bank of Purdy has made arrangements with Tyson Foods to have a Tyson semi at the Monett branch of the bank, located at 106 E. Cleveland, to fill with supplies...

Residents of Pierce City will receive a rollback on the city's real and personal property tax levies. Aldermen approved dropping the 2017 proposed general revenue levy from 0.467 in 2016 to 0.453 in 2017, and the park levy from 0.1192 in 2016 to 0.1157 in 2017...

The good news for the Monett soccer team continues to roll in this season. On Friday, the Missouri High School Soccer Coaches Association released its initial state-wide poll. The Cubs check in at No. 8 and are only one of three Class 2 public school teams in the Top 10. John Burroughs received all 11 first places votes and are the defending state champions after beating Monett 3-0 in the state title game...

Live old-time music will be offered at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 1 at the Clio Community Center, Highways 37 and 248, next to the Clio Cemetery. Music is offered on an open mike basis so performers are welcome. Monett High School senior Karmen DePriest performs today at the Hughes Brothers Theatre, 3425 W. 76 Country Blvd. in Branson...

A simple word of advice for fans planning to attending Monett softball games this season — do not leave early. The Lady Cubs (2-3) ended a three-game losing skid on Wednesday with a 6-4 victory over Branson. After jumping out to a 3-1 lead, Monett allowed the Lady Pirates to take a 4-3 advantage in the second inning. It would take the Lady Cubs three more innings to scratch the go-ahead runs across the plate, and then some phenomenal defense to hold on to the victory...

For the majority of colleges, the football season officially begins on Saturday. Mizzou and Missouri State will open their seasons against one another on Saturday at Farout Field in Columbia. The teams have met just once in the long and storied histories of both programs, in 1923 before the blueprints for what is currently Memorial Stadium were even drawn. Mizzou defeated Missouri State, which was then called Springfield Teacher’s College, 10-0...

Anchored behind three Jason Puente goals, the Monett soccer team improved to 4-1 on the season with a 5-2 victory over Aurora on Tuesday. Adrian Moncivaiz and Andres Cecenas also were credited with goals. Cecenas dished out three assists and one each for Freddy Ramirez and Puente...

For the first time in 1,255 days, the Monett volleyball team has won back-to-back matches. On Tuesday, the Lady Cubs defeated Sarcoxie, 25-19, 25-21, to mark their second win of the week. The last time the team won back-to-back matches was Oct. 4 and Oct. 6 in 2011...

The Purdy volleyball team dropped to 2-4-2 on the season with a 25-18, 25-16 loss on Tuesday. The Lady Eagles were led by Cailyn Spears with 8 digs and 4 kills; Casey Ellison, 2 blocks; MaKenzie Crumpler, 2 aces; and Hallie Henderson, 7 assists.

The following defendants plead guilty or were found guilty of the charge listed. An Alford Plea does not admit guilt but indicates defendant believes there is enough evidence for a conviction, SES is Suspended Execution of Sentence, SIS is Suspended Imposition of Sentence, ITC is Intensive Treatment Center, SATOP is Substance Abuse Traffic Offender Program, CVCF is Crime Victim’s Compensation Fund, LERF is Law Enforcement Restitution Fund. ...

Bill P. Haynes, age 80, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2017. He was born on June 9, 1937 in Stella, Mo., son of Argyle and Geneva (Smith) Haynes. Bill graduated from Wheaton High School in 1955. He attended Joplin Junior College and graduated from John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Ark. He received his Master’s Degree from Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla...

Kara Lynn Fly, 37, of Crane, Mo., died on Saturday, August 26, 2017, at Springfield Villa, in Springfield, Mo. Kara was born on January 18, 1980 in Gillette, Wyo., daughter of the late David Lyndon Fly and Jo Lynn (Dacy) Ford. Kara attended high school in Pierce City and Calvary Chapel in Monett...

Freddie Eugene Ridenour, 68, of Springfield, died Tuesday, Aug. 29 at his home in Springfield. Graveside services will be held on Monday, Sept. 4, at 10:30 a.m. at the Rocky Comfort Cemetery in Rocky Comfort. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...