Stories from Saturday, November 4, 2017

Pierce City Alderman Joe Portillo is fed up and wanting to take action against thieves that have targeted several businesses and residents in the past several months, including his own business, Joe's Tree Service. "We finished up a job and put up our equipment about 6:30 p.m. ...

A 7-hour manhunt led to the capture of two Mt. Vernon men who allegedly stole multiple vehicles and set one on fire before fleeing into the woods. Justin Silverheels, 27, of Mt. Vernon, and Timothy Silverheels, 31, of Aurora, are likely to face tampering with a motor vehicle charges and possible burglary charges stemming from the spree...

Monett school board members have approved a locally funded strategy to encourage students taking the ACT college entrance exam, even though the state dropped funding. Assistant Superintendent Mike Evans and David Williams, high school principal, presented a plan to school board members on how to proceed. ...

For a treat to end their week, kindergarten teacher Summer Enlow at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt concluded the week’s study of the letter “I” with an exercise in making ice cream.

The Monett City Council has approved renewing its health insurance policy and lease of city property for agriculture use. City Administrator Dennis Pyle reported the city asked its insurance broker, Barker Phillips Jackson, to secure bids for renewing the city’s health insurance for employees for the coming calendar year. ...

No silverware? No problem. Rhys Wignall, 3, dived right into his pumpkin roll dessert at the 14th annual Festival of Flavors, held Thursday evening in Monett.

Monett High School cross-country runner Santiago Granados received a hearty salute on Friday morning.

For the sixth year, Drury University’s Principles of Leadership class will host three outstanding persons from business and public service, sharing their experiences at Drury’s Leadership Summit. The 2017 summit will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the Monett City Park Casino...

With creepy stuff from Halloween still on everyone’s mind, leaders in the Monett Area YMCA’s after-school program at Central Park Elementary School this week tried to make slime like the Ghostbusters encountered.

The Purdy High School Music Department will present the musical “Annie!” at 7 p.m. today, Nov. 4, in the Elementary Gym. Admission is $5 per person (under age 5, free). Tickets may be purchased in advance at the superintendent’s office or at the door on performance nights...

JEFFERSON CITY—The Empire District Electric Company has filed an application with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking approval of its proposed plan to achieve customer savings through the development of wind generation using federal tax incentives in conjunction with a tax equity partner and the retirement of a coal-fired unit...

Dream Team volunteers for Hospice Compassus are collecting new items for their Christmas Store. The annual effort will be used for a mobile Christmas Store that will be taken to area nursing homes in December. New items are being accepted for all ages, from infants to seniors...

A wide range of activities to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces are planned in Mt. Vernon on Saturday, Nov. 11. A ceremony is planned in the city square next to the Veterans Way Mural on the south side of the square at noon. People will gather at the First Baptist Church, 602 S. Hickory, and walk to the square at 11:45 a.m. The program will begin at 12:05 p.m...

The Freedom Foundation, founded earlier this year by longtime Aurora resident Clarence Lechner, recognized two Aurora-area businesses for supporting area charities that do not receive strong financial assistance from well-known organizations.

A former Monettan has entered the competition for Mrs. Arkansas America. Melanie Gray Towers, who worked at UMB Bank in Monett from 2000 to 2005 as branch manager, will appear in the pageant on Nov. 11 at the Hot Springs, Ark.,, Convention Center. Melanie is the daughter of Clarence and Berneice Koenig of Monett. She married Jon Gray, who died in 2007. She presently works as a marketing and admissions director for a long-term care facility in Little Rock...

Monett Lion Karin Hamer recently assumed the position of chairperson of Zone Seven for District Six. Hamer's primary duties will involve serving as a liason between Zone Seven clubs and higher levels of Lions Clubs International. Throughout the coming year, Hamer will visit Zone clubs to stay closely informed on their activities and progress. She will also be instrumental in providing clubs with increased education in areas such a membership...

The annual Veteran's Memorial Park Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11, at Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora. The ceremony will include a presentation of flags by Tom Wolfe Memorial Post No. 4207, Veterans of Foreign Wars in Monett, as well as bagpipe playing by Joel Wren from Boy Scout Troop No. 48 in Aurora. Kaye Kahre will sing the National Anthem...

From now through Dec. 24, Shoe Sensation, a regional chain of name brand family shoe stores, is sponsoring Socks For Troops company-wide. Each store, including the one on Highway 60 in Monett will be collecting socks for active duty military or local veterans in or around the community. Shoe Sensation will have military approved socks in store and customers will be able to receive 20 percent off the socks donated. Customers will also be able to bring in new socks to be donated...

The Monett High School Marching Pride concluded its competition season at the Carthage Maple Leaf Festival. Director Philip Soule reported the band placed second in the preliminary round and took eighth overall out of 23 bands participating. Soule noted this year the band competed against many larger ensembles and some programs that included four directors. While competition has risen to a higher level, he said the Monett musicians grew with the season and represented their school well...

Monett High School art students of Lynn Morin and Olyvia Behnke have had their work accepted in a state-wide juried art exhibition at Missouri State University, which will be displayed at the Student Exhibition Center, 833 E. Walnut St. in Springfield...

Walk to School Week last week had 326 students walking to school, including 92 on the final day.

Second through eighth grade students at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt made an abbreviated reprised presentation of the musical “Echoes of the Hammer,” telling the story of Martin Luther and the Protestant reformation for its 500th anniversary, during a special show on Thursday in the school gym...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristic of being responsible as Students of the Week for Oct. 23 and 30.

These students were awarded Students of the Quarter at the Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett from morning classes.

These students were awarded Students of the Quarter at the Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett from the afternoon classes.

One of the praises heaped on Monett from the recent healthy community summit, funded by the Environmental Protection Agency, came over the willingness of people to be engaged in a community discussion. Around 45 people spent at least part of two days itemizing, assessing, prioritizing and envisioning ways to promote health in Monett, and to build a support network that encourages active living. That would make Monett the kind of place where people want to live...

Rachel G. Shepherd Brown was born Aug. 22, 1934, in Monett, the daughter of Hubert and Evangeline (Mosher) Shepherd. She entered into rest on Nov. 1, at her home in Joplin at the age of 83. Rachel was a lifelong area resident and a homemaker. She was a member of the Forest Park Baptist Church. Rachel is survived by three children, Vickie L. Brown, Bruce L. Brown and wife, Jill E. Brown...

Carolyn Masur, 85, of Carl Junction, Missouri, formerly of Monett, Missouri, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on Wednesday, November 1, 2017. Carolyn was born on August 15, 1932, in Arp, Texas, to Floyd and Gladys (Barber) Moore. She was a graduate of Mt. Vernon High School. She was united in marriage to Mark Masur on September 16, 1954, in Verona, Missouri...

Roma Lynn Thomas, 64, of Wichita, Kan., died Monday, Oct. 30, in Wichita, Kan. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7, at Leann Cemetery, Jenkins. Visitation will be held from 7-8 p.m. on Monday evening at the funeral home. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home...