Stories from Friday, October 13, 2017

A video montage of the Eagles journey to their first conference title since 2007...

It was Christmas in October for the Monett defense in a 41-6 over East Newton on Friday. The Cubs (3-6, 1-6) created five first-half turnovers and six in the game to set up short field and easy scores against the Patriots (0-9, 0-7). East Newton got off to a strong start. The Patriots drove to the Monett 15 before the Cubs stopped the momentum. East Newton attempted a 35-yard field goal, but it sailed wide...

SARCOXIE – Big plays, big stops and dodged bullets helped Pierce City (9-0) to claim its first Spring River Valley Conference title since 2007 with a 35-26 win over Sarcoxie on Friday. Pierce City scored touchdowns on two fourth down plays in the second half to earn the victory...

Verona Alderman Michael Haynes continues to push for reforms in city operations, raising issues not otherwise arising out of daily business. Haynes is in the unusual position of being sued by the city for property maintenance issues, cases that remain pending even after Haynes’ election, as he refused to drop the case in an effort to secure vindication. He established two significant precedents in September supporting his contention of selective prosecution...

With the lowest sales tax disbursement since 2012, bi-county cities and counties received 12 percent less income in September than a year ago, though several recipients improved on their comparison with 2016 over the mid-year mark...

Soybean farmers look to be in good shape this year, especially those who planted in the spring. Tim Schnakenberg, regional agronomist for Missouri University Extension, said there is strong potential for a banner soybean year. Most local soybeans are in northern Barry County and spread throughout Lawrence County...

Missouri Gas Energy, which has serviced millions of homes for 150 years, is changing its name, signage and company image to Spire. On its website, the utility company said it is “building customers a better natural gas company and using its new, combined strength to create a better experience,” and that the name change intends to “better reflect the company it is becoming.”...

The Monett High School Marching Pride competed on Tuesday at Mt. Vernon High School’s inaugural Mountaineer Marching Festival in the stadium at the high school.

The Monett/Purdy Habitat for Humanity affiliate board will meet at 5 p.m. pm Tuesday, Oct. 17, at the First Christian Church, Fourth and Wishart in Monett. The Monett Senior Center will hold its next dance on Nov. 6 at the Monett City Park Casino. The November dance will have the bib or overall theme...

The Monett soccer team is not above changing tactics to expose a weakness in an opponent. On Tuesday, Monett did just that and opened up the offense in a 6-1 win over Webb City. Instead of its normal triangle attack, the Cubs chose to streak their forwards down the field and attempt to hit home run balls on the Cardinals...

The Tuesday Ladies League at the Monett Windmill Ridge municipal golf course held its annual club tournament recently and presented awards at the league’s annual banquet. Tournament winners were: • Linda Esparrago, A flight, gross • Dixie Latshaw, B flight, gross...

Joseph William Birkenbach, 62, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, while at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Mo. Joe Bill, as he was called by those who knew him well, was born on November 15, 1954, in Monett, son of the late W.A. ...

Sue Buckner, 73, of Monett, died Monday, Oct. 9, at the Bentonview Nursing and Rehab Center in Monett. Funeral services will be held on Friday, Oct. 13, at 10 a.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Chapel in Monett. Burial will be at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Monett...

Jean Fowler, 84, of Marionville, died Monday, Oct. 2, at the Ozarks Methodist Manor in Marionville. No arrangements are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of the Williams Funeral Home in Marionville.

Mary Louise Nickle, 72, of Cassville, died Wednesday, Oct. 11. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, at Gunter Methodist Church in Butterfield, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be at Gunter Cemetery in Butterfield...