Stories from Saturday, December 23, 2017

After leading Southwest Missouri State University to a basketball conference title, Charlie Spoonhour, Bears coach, was asked by the media if the win and conference title was the biggest accomplishment in his life. To the media, the question seemed logical, one which they figured was a lead in to the next and would fill the time they needed — only Spoonhour didn’t give the response they anticipated. ...

A public election appears to have been triggered to merge property owners inside the city limits of Verona into the Aurora Rural Fire District, though many questions remain, according to the chief election official in Lawrence County. Verona Mayor Joseph Heck declared Tuesday the process calling for a public election under state laws governing fire districts has been completed. ...

After months of wrangling, Verona City Council members have authorized repairs on two fire trucks. Council members meeting in special session on Thursday reviewed three bids and authorized Jon’s Mid America Fire Apparatus of Rogersville to make repairs on the city’s main fire pumper, which has been out of commission since August after failing a pressure test. Jon’s submitted an estimate of $10,967.85. Mayor Joseph Heck said the final cost may be less. The truck will be picked up on Tuesday...

Overnight rain turned to snow in the early hours of Dec. 23, leaving the Monett area with its closest experience with a white Christmas in years. More photos from Saturday's snow may be found at: http://www.monett-times.com/gallery/31927

Santa Claus dropped in to visit students, staffers and guests at Pierce City Middle School’s first Christmas dinner, held Tuesday evening in the high school cafeteria.

The 94th annual Lawrence County Soils and Crops Conference will be held from 6-8:45 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Southwest Research Center. located at 14548 Hwy. H, southwest of Mt. Vernon. “This long-running conference will look at solutions to address common production and farm management issues on area farms,” said Tim Schnakenberg, an agronomy specialist with University of Missouri Extension in Galena. ...

For the second year, the Monett Historical Society is planning a gala event to bring in the New Year with “A Night at the Museum Part 2,” slated for Dec. 31 at the Monett Museum Events Center at Fifth and Broadway. Last year’s party, with a theme of “Roaring Twenties,” packed the new museum and provided the first good public viewing of the remodeled facility. ...

Pierce City School Board officials approved placing a question before voters on the April 3, 2018, ballot, requesting to borrow $2.4 million for the debt service fund to address some short term facility needs. The monies would be used to demolish the 95-year-old former middle school building, complete security improvements, acquire facilities under lease obligation and complete other repairs and improvements to the existing facilities of the district...

Kristi Marion, Central Elementary School principal, left, was the “silly human” Santa introduced to his elves in “Elflandia.”

Part of the fun at the Big Event is the class group photo, posing with inflated guitars and other props appropriate for “rock stars.”

On Friday morning, crews put final touched on the barrier walls on the sides of the bridge.

All branches of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library will be closed Dec. 25 and 26. The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 603 Fourth St. in Monett, will hold a candle light service at 6 p.m. on Dec. 24. The public is invited and encouraged to use the Wishart Street entrance...

Stockton — The annual black walnut harvest has officially come to an end, exceeding the goal of purchasing 30 million pounds. According to an announcement from Hammons Product Company, which buys black walnuts through its Monett hulling station at FarmPro, the harvest lasted from late September through late November in some states. In the end, Hammons Products Company surpassed their goal with over 31 million pounds of black walnuts collected from 235+ hulling stations across 14 states...

Monett piano teacher Ruth Burnside presented her annual Christmas recital on Dec. 3 at Countryside Christian Church in Monett.

The traditional gathering of the descendants of Ferdinand and Mary (Ptach) Witt was held on Saturday, July 15, at the St. Mary Church Activity Center in Pierce City, with approximately 420 family members in attendance. Registration began at 11 a.m. Family members gathered in the gymnasium which was decorated in a “Together We Make a Family” puzzle piece theme using puzzle pieces to decorate the tables. ...

Apogee Enterprises, Inc., owner of Monett-based EFCO Corporation, announced fiscal 2018 third-quarter results this week, with a generally positive assessment of market performance by the Monett commercial window manufacturer. Overall, the company reported revenues of $356.5 million. ...

Employees at the Monett Area Sheltered Workshop received a surprise visit from Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus during the annual Christmas party held Friday afternoon.

The holidays are known for the giving spirit and a hectic pace. This holiday season, the American Red Cross is sharing three ways to give the gift of life in less time. At this time of year many regular blood donors delay giving due to busy schedules– but the need for blood remains...

A near capacity crowd was on hand Sunday for the annual Christmas candlelight service at the Congregational Church in Pierce City.

Four students of Monett piano teacher Ruth Burnside participated in the Christmas piano recital hosted by the Joplin Piano Teachers’ Association on Dec. 10.

Employees who had worked for the city of Monett were recognized for years of service at the December council meeting.

Luke Perry, a Pierce City Middle School student, also chose the Massachusetts colony for his project, which was recently presented to member of the school board.

Verona Elementary School recognized children for generosity as the character education word for December.

Top readers have been named at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt for the month of November.

Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt held their all school geography bee competition on Tuesday, December 5.

Ozark 7 Conference members were notified this week that they lost one member and will soon lose a second for the 2018-2019 school year. On Monday, the Purdy school board voted unanimously to leave the Ozark 7 Conference and accepted a long-standing invitation to the Southwest Central League (SWCL)...

The last time a league of schools wore the name Southwest Conference was in 2008, when it consisted of Carthage, McDonald County, Neosho, Nevada and Webb City. With those schools disbanding, the name sat idle until Wednesday, when the moniker was rebranded with eight new schools...

This week, the Verona school district Board of Education took a deep breath and hesitated from diving into the ever-inviting pool of water known as the four-day school week. There seems to be a real divide developing between advocates and traditionalists on this topic. ...

Ruby Adela Snider, 98, of Aurora, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, at the Mercy Hospital in Aurora. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora, with burial to follow at the Maple Park Cemetery...

Jeston Lynn Fulton, 77, of Cassville, died Monday, Dec. 18. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at Eastside Assembly of God Church in Bentonville, Ark. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...