Stories from Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Mount Vernon Community Theater is having a Christmas show called “To Drive the Cold Winter Away: Christmas Songbook 2”, at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the First Baptist Church in Aurora, 7 p.m. Friday at the Monett Community Church, and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Covenant Baptist in Mount Vernon...

Multiple city projects are moving forward this month, including the new aquatic center, changes at the Highway 37 and Highway 60 intersection, and a new city street. Monett City Administrator Dennis Pyle reviewed a wide range of municipal projects moving forward while addressing the Monett Kiwanis Club last week...

For the sixth year, EFCO Corporation has formally celebrated the completion of citizenship requirements by its employees in a formal ceremony at the Monett main plant. According to Doug Dieleman, vice president of operations, 62 employees have completed their citizenship requirements in the past year, receiving encouragement from the company. This was the biggest year of all, as 21 production workers were recognized for their efforts...

Pierce City residents will be facing a new question at the April poll — whether or not to keep the city's use tax. "This is a tax imposed on Missouri customers who purchase goods from out-of-state vendors," said Darlene Parrigon, city attorney. Sales tax rates are based on the point of sale, but a use tax rate is determined by the point of delivery. Local use taxes are distributed in the same manner as sales taxes...

The Monett City Council will advance its plan for a power pool and transportation projects during the December monthly meeting, slated for 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Monett City Hall. Council members plan to approve a contract with the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission that will advance the new pool for buying wholesale electricity formed jointly by the city and Mt. ...

The Scott Tech Christmas party for parents in the preschool came complete with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Ozark Festival Orchestra Director Todd Borgmann is pictured leading the OFO through the overture to Handel’s “Messiah” on Sunday at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center.

Speed, depth and hot shooting sent the Purdy boys basketball team (4-2) to an 80-61 win over Cassville on Friday. After back-to-back losses to East Newton and Perryville (Ark.), the Eagles had refocused in practice in anticipation of the big game. “Coming into the game, I knew that we had not had our best shooting night or reached our potential,” said Jeremy Dresslaer, Purdy coach. “Tonight was by far the best we had played for four quarters. We came out and never stopped.”...

The Monett wrestling team will load the bus on Dec. 28 at head to Arkansas for the Diamond State Duals with the feeling like they are turning the corner. Pitted against the state’s best on Saturday in Harrisonville, the Cubs took sixth and had three individual champions...

Josh Bowling, from the Wheaton team, showed the form that created furious action in Friday’s dodgeball tournament.

Annabel Lee Walker, 96, of Cassville, died Saturday, Dec. 16. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Graveside services will be at Wheeless Cemetery in Wheeless, Okla. Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 a.m. Wednesday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Bobby Wayne “Bob” Lombard, 80, of Wheaton, died Friday, Dec. 15. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, at the New Fire Station on Highway W in Wheaton, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Burial will be at Muncie Chapel Cemetery in Wheaton...

Dakota Blue Ball, 21, of Golden, died Thursday, Dec. 14. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, at Golden Baptist Church in Golden, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.