Stories from Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Charles Jesse Brown, 80, of Eagle Rock, died Tuesday, Dec. 26. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Edward (Eddie) John Craft, 59, of Verona, Mo., died at 4:55 p.m. on Monday, December 25, 2017, while at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Eddie was born on April 14, 1958, in Monett, son of the late Johnnie and Virginia (Sperandio) Craft. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Terri (Domerese) Craft...

For the 33rd annual Linn Thornton Memorial Christmas Dinner, Earnie Thornton reported 430 plates of food were served at the First United Methodist Church on Monday, and 375 go boxes were either delivered or those attending took additional meals to deliver to neighbors. ...

The 89th annual Barry County Soils and Crops Conference has been scheduled for Jan. 9 in Cassville, and will focus on herbicides, taxes and beef in school lunch programs. Presented by the University of Missouri Extension, the program will be held at the First Christian Church, Old Exeter Road and Highway 37. ...

The Barry County Assessor’s Office now has a website for online access. Assessor Sherry Smith said online viewing can be accessed at barrygis.countyportal.net. “There are two options available for using the portal,” Smith said. “Active now, as a guest, you’re able to view the mapping and limited information such as the owner’s names, mailing address and parcel numbers at no cost. ...

Officials at the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library have announced a change in hours for four locations in the 10-branch system beginning Jan. 2, 2018. In Monett, the library will be open extended hours on Monday, from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. New Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m...

Construction on the new storm shelter, preschool and performing arts center at the Purdy school district started at a slower pace than expected. By mid-December, general contractor R.E. Smith had fenced off the former playground west of the high school and removed most of the trees. ...

While much of Monett appeared to stay undercover and out of sight on Tuesday morning, Elizabeth Keegan-Garrett, wife of Kelly Garrett, Monett High School Class of 1988, was at the Monett Area YMCA “working off sugar cookies” from her holiday.

In recent months, 17 people have pleaded guilty to felony charges in Barry County courts. Of the 17, five were sentenced to time in prison and 12 received probation. Michael Beatty, 52, of Golden, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and armed criminal action after allegedly shooting Golden man Ed Smith in June 2015 and attempting to burn down the mobile home where the incident occurred at 26511 Farm Road 1255...

A word of warning about sales tax disbursements from the Missouri Department of Revenue was issued during an audit report at the city of Purdy. Dawnata Hopkins, longtime auditor with the CPA Group in Monett, reported sales tax revenue received by the city from the Department of Revenue for its general fund had fallen $24,892 for the fiscal year, down about 20 percent, while revenue from the half-percent sales tax for transportation showed growth of $7,000...

For nearly three quarters, the Pierce City basketball team kept Hurley at bay, resulting in an 84-59 win on Saturday. In the opening round game at the Walnut Grove Holiday Tournament, the Eagles salted the contest away with a 37-point explosion in the fourth quarter...

When Daryl Bradley, Monett wrestling coach, told people in the preseason that he had high expectations for his team, it was not just mere hyperbole. The Cubs are no longer a secret dark horse, as their cover was blown with the release of the first Missouri wrestling state rankings poll...