Stories from Friday, January 5, 2018

Today is the final day on the job for Verona Police Chief Tim Jones, and this week the Verona City Council named Wayne Rice as a new fire chief following the retirement of Fire Chief Shane Spears. Jones, the city’s only police officer, was the latest casualty of the political tumult in Verona. ...

Each fall, Monett school board members discuss what buildings are in the most need of physical changes, or where future construction may require action in future years. That conversation extended into the board’s December meeting, where ideas still in development surfaced about how school officials may lean in coming months...

This week seventh- and eighth-grade students at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt have been caring for five-pound bags of flour which have served as examples of newborns.

The Monett school board extended contracts to two teachers for the coming school year and have approved two retirements. With the pending retirement of Col. Chad Sparks as head of the JROTC program at the Scott Regional Technology Center, the board offered a contract to Lt. Col. Brennan Cook as the new teacher, pending approval by the Army Cadet Command, which pays half the salary...

With Christmas over, Monett Electric Department crews began the long job of collecting and disassembling the Festival of Lights and assorted seasonal decorations around town on Tuesday.

At the annual Celebration of Schools, hosted by the Southwest Center for Educational Excellence, a new program was introduced whereby each area school district recognizes a business or industry as a Friend of Education.

The 89th annual Barry County Soils and Crops Conference has been scheduled for Jan. 9 in Cassville. Presentations will focus on herbicides, taxes and beef in school lunch programs. The program, beginning with supper, will run from 6 to 9:15 p.m. Reservations are requested and may be made by calling 417-847-3161 or visit the Extension office on the square in Cassville. Cost is $5 in advance or $7 at the door. For additional information, people may call 417-847-3161...

It had been 15 days since the Purdy boys basketball team had played a competitive game when the Eagles tipped off against Marion C. Early (Morrisville) Tuesday in the opening round of the Miller Tournament. The play on the court was anything but fluid, but the end result was an ugly 48-34 victory...

Twice in the last four games, the defense of Verona has stepped up to lead the Wildcats (9-4) to victory. Against Billings, the Wildcats found themselves down 17 in the third quarter and rallied to a 58-52 win. And on Wednesday, Verona trailed by one point after the first quarter and coasted to a 73-60 victory...

The Monett school board recognized members of the Monett High School swim team at its December meeting for achievement in state competition.

Ernest Carl Arnsmeyer, 86, of Billings, died Thursday, Dec. 28, at his home. A graveside service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora, was held Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora.

Anne Pauline Atwell, 68, of Verona, died Saturday, Dec. 30, at her home. A graveside service, under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora was held Tuesday, Jan. 2, at the Zion Cemetery north of Aurora. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Aurora...

Frank Lee Clapper, 83, of rural Pierce City, died Jan. 3 at his residence. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett.

Anitra Charnelle Erickson, 42, of Springfield, died Monday, Jan. 1. A funeral service was held Thursday, Jan. 4, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial was at the Kings Point Cemetery in Lockwood.

Dossie Lou Gardner, 82, of Aurora, died Saturday, Dec. 30. A funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 3, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial was at the Orange Cemetery.

William Eugene Larecy, 89, of Cassville, died Sunday, Dec. 31. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 6, at Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

James Richard Moesch, 63, of Golden, died Tuesday, Jan. 2. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Iona Mae Smith, 92, of Aurora, died Saturday, Dec. 30, at the Mercy Hospital in Aurora. A funeral service was held Friday, Jan. 5, at the Wilson Funeral Home in Fredericktown. Burial will follow at the Marcus Memorial Cemetery in Fredericktown.