Stories from Wednesday, January 24, 2018

The burn ban in Monett is still in effect, Fire Chief Tom Jones said. While firemen have taken cases of burning on a case by case basis, allowing some limited activity, Jones said no one should be burning during gusty wind conditions.

Though acknowledging the risk of relying on sales tax for income, the Barry County Commissioners approved a $4,821,971.90 budget for 2018 with no objections raised by office holders. The final number represented a reduction of $87,159 from requests made for the year...

Filings for the Barry County primaries open on Feb. 27, and with just more than a month to go, two local residents have announced their candidacy for county positions. John Hendricks, local businessman, has announced he intends to file for the presiding commissioner post, and Jill LeCompte, assistant superintendent at Cassville schools, has announced her retirement from the district and plans to run for county clerk...

Greater transparency in public communication has remained a priority for the Monett Police Department, Chief George Daoud said while maing an annual visit to the Monett Kiwanis Club to provide insight into daily operations. Daoud said during 2017, Monett officers responded to almost 17,000 calls. ...

The American Bald Eagle is one of the few birds that can inspire awe in spectators due to its massive wingspan, size and majestic bearing. Area residents will have the opportunity to view these birds of prey in one of their winter habitats, beginning at 10 a.m. ...

Formal groundbreaking ceremonies for the new storm shelter, early childhood and performing arts center at the Purdy school district will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. The date is a rescheduling of the Jan. 16 event changed due to snow. Residents in the Purdy community are encouraged to attend the groundbreaking ceremony and be part of a group photo...

The Monet City Council approved the first major change in rates for renting the City Park Casino since the new facility opened in 2013. The rate for renting the smaller lounge room will move from $25 to $40 an hour, with a minimum of two hours. The hall moves from $35 an hour to $50 an hour. Both rooms together will be $70 an hour, up from $50...

Changes will come to the Verona school district leadership in the coming year, following the acceptance of resignations from two of the four administrators at the January board meeting. Terry Winton, high school principal, submitted his resignation, effective at the end of the current school year...

Mark Chapman, left, and Taylor Dodson, right, entertained guests at the 16th annual Dining for Diabetes fundraiser, held Saturday in the multipurpose room at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Pierce City.

A break in the weather gave Monett Street Department crews a chance at the end of last week to power wash all their plows and heavy trucks.

To further protect sensitive computer equipment, library staff cover the front desk during ceiling drips, requiring a grand uncovering to check out a book.

Monett fans looking for something to do on Thursday night might want to head to the high school gym to catch a glimpse of the 8-5 Lady Cubs basketball team against Lamar. On Monday, Monett rode a gritty team performance to a 58-47 victory over Joplin to earn its fourth straight win and also remain undefeated in 2018...

There are several signs that the Monett basketball team is growing this season. For starters, the Cubs are 6-10 and have doubled the win total from last season. Secondly, of Monett’s 10 losses, six have been by 5 points or less. While those still sting, it points to the fact that the Cubs were just one or two plays from pulling out a win...

The Pierce City girls basketball team won the the Lady Lancer Classic in Southeast (Kan.) with a 39-28 win over St. Paul (Kan.). The Lady Eagles were the No. 6 seed heading into the tourney. Kendyl Hayward led the way with 16 points. Ragan Blinzler scored 8, and Libby Strickler recorded 4...

It was nothing but net for Purdy’s Zoe Brown as she sank this foul shot in the final seconds of Purdy Lady Eagles’ game against East Newton on Monday, a game Purdy won 55-37.

Clistine Bartkoski, 78, of Stella, Mo, formerly of Pulaskifield, Mo., passed away Saturday, January 20, 2018, at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin, Mo. Clistine was born on March 3, 1939, in Stella, Mo., daughter of the late Cliss Henry Smith and Mavis Louise (Townsend) Smith...

Wanell Douthitt of Monett went to be with her Lord in Heaven on January 14, 2018. She was born in Purdy, Missouri, the daughter of the late Horace and Thelma (Daugherty) Smith. She was united in marriage in Monett on August 11, 1952, to Troy Douthitt; he preceded her in death on February 16, 1992...

L. Marlene Karichner, 80, of the Oak Pointe Assisted Living Center, Monett, Mo., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, January 21, 2018, while at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Marlene was born on December 13, 1937, in Patoka, Ill, daughter of the late Luke and Gladys Perrine...

Maxine Marie (McMillan) Korte was born in the plains of Kansas, city of La Crosse, on September 5, 1919, to Amos and Mamie Fritts. She passed from this life on January 15, 2018. Maxine graduated from Bethany Hospital School of Nursing, Kansas City, Kansas, in 1940 and was active in the nursing field for 38 years. She was a Certified Occupational Health Nurse and retired from Bendix Corp in 1981...

Bobby D. Myers, 58, of Long Beach, California (formerly of Monett) entered into eternal rest on December 29, 2017, in Long Beach. He was born on October 27, 1959, the son of Mary Jones-Daniels of Monett and Leroy Myers. Bobby is survived by his father, Leroy and his wife Mollie of Monett; mother, Mary Jones-Daniels of Monett; four sisters, Brenda Chandler, Crystal Myers-Smith, both of Monett, Diane Daniels and Brenda Daniels; one son, Michael Myers of Monett; one daughter, Casey Myers of Monett; and several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.. ...

Josephine Blair, 85, of Cassville, died Saturday, Jan. 20. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Shell Knob, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob. Visitation will be held from 10-11:00 a.m. Wednesday at Holy Family Catholic Church in Shell Knob...

Genevieve “Genny” Cahalan, 84, of Pierce City, died Friday, Jan. 19, at Lawrence County Manor in Mt. Vernon. Rosary was held on Monday, Jan. 22, at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Funeral Mass was Tuesday Jan. 23, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pierce City...

Jerry Dale Fry, 65, of Rocky Comfort, died Saturday, Jan. 20. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, at Newtonia IOOF Cemetery in Newtonia, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton.

Billy G. Moore, 70, of Cassville, died Thursday, Jan. 11. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Floyd Charles Smith, 76, of Marionville, passed died Sunday, Jan. 21, at his home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Burial will follow at the Marionville IOOF Cemetery...

Denver Lee Wilson Jr., 54, of Monett, died on Sunday, Jan. 21, at his home in Monett. Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 25, from 12-1:00 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett. Graveside services are being held on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 2:30 p.m. at the Maplewood Cemetery in Exeter...