Stories from Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Surrounded by his family, Wheaton Fire Protection District Chief Bob Lombard, 80, died on Friday peacefully at his home, and an outpouring of love for the Lombard family is being expressed countywide. "It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Chief Bob Lombard," the district's Facebook page said on Friday. ...

City councils in the cities of Verona and Purdy have voted to place a use tax on the ballot for the April 3, 2018, municipal elections, at the request of the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). Darlene Parrigon, who serves as city attorney for both towns, told the Verona City Council the step would respond directly to merchants such as Amazon selling to local customers and thus circumventing sales tax payments...

Efforts are continuing for the annual Thornton toy drive and community Christmas dinner, as final efforts conclude in building up to the big event on Dec. 25. Earnie Thornton, who has picked up the mantle of Santa from event from his late father, Linn Thornton, said this week he picked up more toy donations from Lowe’s, having received other toys collected by International Dehydrated Foods employees last week. ...

Gray, cloudy skies did not dampen the spirits of area residents taking the opportunity to make some new Christmas memories Sunday afternoon as they embarked on an hour-long train journey from Monett to Exeter and back. Officials with the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad brought their decorated passenger train to Monett so people could have the opportunity to enjoy a trip on the Santa Train. ...

Camp Barnabas recently received a major donation from the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation. The generous gift will allow 100 campers with special needs and chronic illnesses the ability to experience a life-changing week at camp. “The gift from the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation is absolutely incredible,” says Krystal Simon, Chief Development Officer. ...

The Christmas season just got a whole lot sweeter thanks to Texas Rangers Major League Baseball pitcher Cole Hamels and his wife, Heidi, gifting their 32,000-square-foot home, including more than 100 acres on Table Rock Lake, to Camp Barnabas. “There are tons of amazing charities in Southwest Missouri. ...

The First Presbyterian Church, 700 Sycamore in Monett, will host a Christmas eve service at 7 p.m. on Dec. 24. The Aurora Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly Breakfast with the Chamber gathering at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 21 at the Madison Avenue Bistro...

The 2017 class of the Monett Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Program has concluded with a graduation ceremony.

With high seeds, expectations for the Verona and Pierce City basketball teams are elevated as they invade Walnut Grove on Saturday for holiday hoops action. The Wildcats earned the No. 3 seed and play No. 14 seed Miller at 6 p.m. Saturday. The Eagles enter the tournament at the No. 4 seed and play No. 13 seed Hurley at 3 p.m. on Saturday...

Ready or not, the holiday basketball tournament season is upon sports fans and area teams. On Friday, the Pierce City and Verona girls basketball teams open play in the annual Walnut Grove Holiday Tournament. This year’s field includes 16 teams and plays out over seven days. The Walnut Grove tournament has earned the reputation of being the best small-school holiday tournament in the state...

Purdy sophomore Scotty Henry (No. 34) sank a layup for the Eagles’ last score of the first half against Crane in action on Monday in Purdy.

April 1, 1941 - December 17, 2017 Mr. Burtram Eugene “Gene” Wilson, age 76, a resident of Washington, N.C., died Sunday, Dec. 17, 2017. He was born April 1, 1941 to the late Mildred (Eddingfield) Wilson and Bertram Woodrow Wilson in Lebanon, Missouri. He retired from the Navy and later retired from WTKR-TV, Norfolk, Va...