Stories from Friday, November 3, 2017

PIERCE CITY – Giving it their best efforts, the Eagles of Pierce City came up short in a 14-0 district title loss to Thayer on Friday. In a game where two offenses were the story coming into the contest, it was the defenses of Pierce City (11-1) and Thayer (9-3) that stole the show...

All the sweat, early morning hours and grueling practices paid off in a big way for the Monett swimming and diving team at the 2017 state championships in St. Peters.  The two-day event culminated with the Cubs earning their first ever medals. Monett, behind the efforts of Jude Rosebaugh, Brayden Selvey, Jack Barta and Logan Umfleet, took sixth in the 200-yard medley relay...

Challenges continue for the special education program in the Monett school district as the number of students needing individual education programs (IEPs), alternative intervention strategies and classroom accommodations and modifications continues to grow...

Freistatt Village trustees adopted a new ordinance in October defining a “high risk account” for water and sewer customers, and put standards in place to protect the Village from customers who chronically do not pay their bills. Clerk Deborah Schoen explained that unlike home owners, renters can move more easily. ...

On Oct. 24, the new Homework Hotline for the Monett school district became an active resource, accessible by parents should they have problems helping children with their assignments. Superintendent Brad Hanson said the idea came from Rachel McCabe, an intermediate school teacher who worked on a countywide homework help line in Florida. She asked if the district could create a similar resource. School staff worked with her and building principals to shape a new service...

Nearly 50 entrants competed in the annual Halloween Costume Contest, sponsored by The Monett Times and the Monett Lions Club. More photos from the event may be found in a gallery at: http://www.monett-times.com/gallery/31546.

Tuesday's Ghouls in School event at Pierce City High School proved to provide a trick-or-treat windfall for local youth who roamed the haunted halls from 6-8 p.m. More photos of the event may be found in a gallery at: http://www.monett-times.com/gallery/31545.

One person was hurt and two vehicles received major damage in a collision at Highway 60 and Bridle Lane on Wednesday in Monett. According to Monett Police, Thelma Latshaw, 65, of rural Monett, was driving a 2004 Toyota SUV east on Highway 60 at 9:18 a.m. when she approached the intersection at Bridle Lane...

Monett Police Sergeants Kermit Howell, left, and Dennis Camp helped to distribute bags of candy on Monday at the Oakview State School for Halloween.

Members of the Monett High School swim team received a heroes’ send-off on Wednesday as the athletes prepared to travel to St. Peters for the state finals in swimming and diving.

The Triumphant Gospel Quartet will appear in concert at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, at the Macedonia Free Will Baptist Church, located at 11057 Farm Road 2060 in rural Purdy. The nationally touring ensemble and performers on 17 recordings will stop in Purdy on their way from Fredericktown to Kearney, before heading to Texas, Mississippi and Florida. Tickets are not needed. A love offering will be received...

When a team wins a conference title and finishes the season as a state champion, players can expect many postseason honors are going to come their way. For the Monett softball team, the question is whether or not their letter jackets will be able to hold all of the awards...

Mary “Josephine” Fisher, 99, of Cassville, died Tuesday, Oct. 31. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Corinth Cemetery in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Thomas A. Hutchins, Jr., died Tuesday, Oct. 31. Funeral services were held Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Family Worship Center in Monett. Interment was at Kings Prairie Cemetery. Arrangements were entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Billy Jones, 79, of Cassville, died Sunday, Oct. 29, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Ralph “Verdain” Packwood, 84, of Wheaton, died Monday, Oct. 30. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton.

Kevin Lee Shepherd, 40, of Marionville, died Sunday, Oct. 29, as a result of a motorcycle accident. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, at the Williams Funeral Home in Marionville.