Stories from Saturday, September 2, 2017

Each year, the Monett Chamber of Commerce hosts its Leadership Monett class to provide training and networking opportunities for people in the business community wanting to know more about taking on an active role in the community. Each, year Jeff Meredith asks me to provide historical background for the class...

It was all set up for the passing of the conference baton. Monett's softball team (3-3) entered Thursday facing an undefeated Cassville (4-1) team that felt ready to take its spot at the top of the conference. Not only did the Lady Wildcats possess a perfect record, but their line-up that was hitting .508 and the starting pitcher Josie Lone had a sub-1 ERA of .300 and had allowed only 14 hits and 1 earned run in 23-1/3 innings...

In honor of Labor Day weekend, The Monett Times asked 12 elementary school students what they want to be when they grow up. Their responses are published here:

The Barry-Lawrence Ambulance District has asked for a territory review between itself and Mercy Hospital in Aurora following the fatal crash on Highway 60 on Aug. 10. Valerie Wilson, operations director, told ambulance district board members that the wreck, which occurred at Farm Road 1140, was not in Mercy’s territory. Three Mercy ambulances responded to the scene...

Contracts and financial matters received the attention of the Monett school district Board of Education recently, including approving bids for vaccinations and selling weight equipment. The opening of school frequently offers sources of concern as attendance numbers bounce, impacting how state funding will run once the first official count is made by Sept. ...

Labor Day weekend offers one more long break for children transitioning into the rigors of the school routine.

Members of the Leadership Monett class on Thursday took a break from an extended tour of Monett for ice cream and yogurt at Bruner’s Pharmacy, reliving the soda fountain experience of Monett’s legendary Corner Pharmacy in the same location with modern accommodations...

The bluegrass band the Farmhands will play at the 9 a.m. service on Sept. 3 at the First United Methodist Church, 621 W. Sloan in Mt. Vernon. A potluck dinner will follow. Purdy Elementary School Grandparents’ Day Celebration for students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade is Friday, Sept. 8, from 9 to 10 a.m...

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates (JHA) has acquired Vanguard Software Group, a Florida-based technology company specializing in the underwriting, spreading, and online decisioning of commercial loans. Vanguard joins JHA as part of the ProfitStars lending solutions group, which continues to have a successful track record of assisting financial institutions with their commercial loan portfolio growth and diversification...

Stella Koenig has retired from Schreiber Foods with 40 years of experience.

Dr. Raymond Lobins, an oncology specialist, will begin seeing patients on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at the Cox Monett Visiting Physicians Clinic at 815 N. Lincoln Ave. Joining the team of doctors visiting Cox Monett Hospital patients, Dr. Lobins will see his first patients at the clinic on Wednesday, Sept. 6...

Glenn Obermann of rural Monett has successfully defended his title as champion hay producer for the state of Missouri. In the hay contest at the Missouri State Fair, Obermann claimed first place in the Class 3 alfalfa competition, third and fourth cutting, taking top honors for all the entries. He had the no. 1 ranking for grass in Class 5. This was Obermann's sixth win in the last eight years...

Representatives from the Cox Monett emergency department presented a check in the amount of $2,115 to Children's Miracle Network Hospitals at CoxHealth for proceeds from their recent bake sale. Last year, the Children's Miracle Network purchased several pieces of pediatric equipment for the hospital, including two specifically for the emergency department: a glide scope and a pediatric scale for the new urgent care clinic...

David and Tracy Hudson and family of rural Aurora in Barry County were named the State Fair Farm Family for Barry County at the 59th annual Missouri Farm Family Day on Aug. 14.

The seventh annual LWML Ladies Aid Salad Supper was held Thursday, Aug. 3, in the Fellowship Hall of Trinity Lutheran School. There were 18 members and 25 guests attending. Karen Kleiboeker presented the worship, “This is the Day That I Have Made,” from the book “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. It was written as Jesus would have spoken to us. Members sang “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me.” Betty Sawyer accompanied on piano...

On Aug. 30, volunteers from Missouri Gas Energy, pictured, worked all day at the Habitat for Humanity house at 119 E. Nellie in Monett.

Gordon Brown, executive director of the Monett Area YMCA, presented a program on recreation in early Monett for the Monett Historical Society.

Character education medalists been announced by Purdy Elementary Principal Julie Dalton

Raymond Vargas “Ray” Portillo, 39, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2017, following a sudden illness. Ray was born on August 16, 1978, in Torrance, Calif., to Larry Gene Portillo and Joann Joseph (LaMastus) Portillo. Ray graduated from Little Rock High School, Little Rock, Calif., with the class of 1996. ...

Francis J. Fenski, 84, of Pierce City, died Thursday, Aug. 31, at his home. Francis Fenski was born in Pierce City on Nov. 17, 1932. He was the son of Frank and Rose (Heeter) Fenski. Francis married Lois Miller on Sept. 26, 1953, and she preceded him in death on April 20, 2016. Francis served his country in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was a contractor and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City...

Bill P. Haynes, 80, of Monett, died Thursday, Aug. 31. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 4, at the First Baptist Church in Monett. Interment will be at the Rocky Comfort Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday at the church...