Stories from Wednesday, February 14, 2018

The Monett wrestling and swimming teams received tunnel send-offs from their peers this week as they head to state competitions.

Filings open Feb. 27 for county offices, and several incumbents have announced plans to not seek re-election. Presiding Commissioner Sam Goodman has announced he will not run again after serving three terms, taking office in 2006. “I am humbled and grateful to the citizens of Lawrence County for the opportunity to have served you, and for the trust you showed in me,” Goodman said in his announcement...

The Purdy school district is moving closer toward a vote on a Latin honors system, similar to the cum laude, magna cum laude and summa cum laude system used in Monett. Secondary counselor Tiffany Costello reported that most post-secondary colleges and universities are giving scholarships based on ACT college entrance exam scores and a 4.0 grade point average system, assigning points for letter grades. Presently, Purdy uses an 11.0 grade point scale...

On hand for the Mardi Gras parade at Oak Pointe Assisted Living and Memory Care Center in Monett Tuesday morning were members of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and their children, along with pet therapist Kaylynn Harris and her dogs, Jo and Trooper and their 11 offspring...

After learning about two alleged homeless veterans believed to be living in the Mark Twain forest in a tent, a group of Barry Countians expressed concern on social media. According to the Barry County Sheriff's Department, one of the two veterans was picked up in town by the police and taken to jail for a previous traffic citation, then later returned to the woods. The Department declined to comment on the man, other than to state that officers were looking into obtaining assistance for him...

The new Kids First Committee in Pierce City is dedicated to promoting awareness on Proposition 1, a $2.4 million bond proposal by the Pierce City School District, on the upcoming April ballot. Susie Gasser, co-chair of the Kids First Committee, said getting people to the polls was key in the upcoming election...

The Purdy City Council awarded the construction contract for the sewer project to Monett in a special meeting last week, following action by the Monett City Council in another special session. The Monett City Council acted the previous day in response to a new stipulation requested by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development program, which is offering grant and loan money to pay for the $3 million project...

A better-than-expected market for cattlemen in 2017 left speculation open about what will happen in 2018, according to Scott Brown, agriculture and applied economics professor with the University of Missouri. Speaking at the 49th annual Monett Beef Cattlemen’s Conference, Brown said many positive indicators suggest 2018 will be a lot like 2017, with only slightly lower prices for producers. ...

Local dairy producers gathered for the 49th annual Dairy Conference Thursday morning at the National Guard Armory to learn of the latest updates in herd management and what information can be gathered from meticulous record-keeping. Jim Fisher, nutritionist for Midwest Ag Services in Seneca, Kan., spoke of dry cow rations and when to supplement their feed for best herd maintenance and productivity...

Juliauna Indovina, third grade student at Central Park Elementary School in Monett, was the lucky finder of the baby in the King Cake, during a mini Mardi Gras celebration held Friday afternoon in her classroom.

Preschoolers at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt showed off their Valentines boxes made at home that they brought to school on Tuesday in preparation for the big day.

About 30 people braved the weather on Saturday to attend Casino Night at the Monett City Park Casino, a fundraiser hosted by the Monett Chamber of Commerce for the Monett Chamber Foundation.

The long planned demolition of one of the last turn-of-the-century buildings in downtown Purdy took place last week.

The Barry County Genealogical and Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the Barry County Museum in Cassville. The Monett Ministerial Association will begin its annual series of Lenten services and luncheons today, Feb. 14. The first service will be held at the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Fourth and Wishart. ...

The Barry County Health Department divides food service code violations into two categories: priority and core items. Priority items are more likely than other violations to contribute to food contamination, or illness and/or injury. Core items although important to the overall hygiene of the establishment, do not necessarily present an immediate threat to food contamination or illness and/or injury...

In less than 24 hours, seven members will embark on a mission to do something only one other Monett wrestling team has done in history — win a state title. Monett has had its fair share of individual titles and top five finishes in Columbia, but the elusive first place team trophy has been Daryl Bradley’s white whale...

Monett swimming and diving athletes head to St. Peters in hopes of securing more hardware for their trophy case, but in order to do so, they will need to close some ground on the competition. Monett qualified in six events at the state meet: • 100 backstroke: Kelli Sangston...

Hard work and dedication have been rewarded for the Wheaton girls this season in the form of a No. 2 Class 1, District 5 seed. The Lady Bulldogs head to Willard on Saturday in hopes of keeping the hoops season alive and advancing in tourney play. Walnut Grove secured the No. 1 seed, with Wheaton voted the No. 2. Dadeville secured the No. 3 seed followed by Exeter, No. 5; Greenfield, No. 6; and Hurley, No. 7...

The second season for Class 1 through Class 3 area hoops teams is now upon on them. With the regular season completed, the Wheaton and Exeter boys hoops squads reset records and begin post-season play on Saturday in Willard in the Class 1, District 5 tournament...

Beverly Heistand, age 74, of Carl Junction, Mo., passed away on Friday February 9, 2018, at her home, following a courageous battle with cancer. Beverly was born on November 16, 1942, in Lawrence, Kan., the daughter of the late William Joe and Wilma (Hinds) May. She has been a resident of Carl Junction since 1988, moving here from Lamar, Mo. She was a teacher for Head Start in Joplin for over 30 years. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...

Katherine Kay Kahre, age 58, of Aurora, Missouri, passed away at 4:35 p.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri. She was born on July 15, 1959, in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Arnold and Jacqueline (Ogan) Welker...

Lavern H. Tiesel, age 84, of Mt. Vernon, Mo., passed away on Sunday morning, February 11, 2018, in the Aurora Nursing Center, Aurora, Mo., after a lengthy illness. Lavern was born on April 14, 1933, in Mt. Vernon, Mo., son of Henry and Gertrude (Wilkin) Tiesel. Lavern enjoyed spending time on his farm where he raised cattle. He was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Freistatt, Mo...

Moila (Strickler) Bilby, 97, of Washburn, died Friday, Feb. 9. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 17, at Schooler Funeral Home in Fairfax, Mo., with visitation from 1 p.m. until service time. Burial will be at Tharp Grove Cemetery in Fairfax...

Penny Ellen Holmberg, 78, of Cassville, died Monday, Feb. 5, at Mercy Hospital in Rogers, Ark. Memorial services will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville, with Pastor Dallas LaCaze officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home...

Peggy Ann Miller, 79, of Ridgley, died Thursday, Feb. 8. Memorial services will be held at 12:00 noon Saturday, March 10 at SHO-ME Plaza, 202 E. Highway 248, Cassville. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Wilma Sue Noel, 83, of Mt. Vernon, died Monday, Feb. 12. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 17 at Webb Cemetery in Miller, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Jerry Calvin Phillips, 78, of Butler, died Monday, Feb. 12. Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Butler, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Wednesday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Shawna Louise Rainwater, 45, of Seligman, died Friday, Feb. 9. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Wilma Jean Cantrell Snyder, of Miller, 78, died Sunday, Feb. 11, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Visitation, under the direction of Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home, in Miller, will be held at Miller First Baptist Church Thursday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. with funeral services following at 11:00 a.m...

Danette J. Stillwell, 43, of Golden, died Thursday, Feb. 8. Memorial services will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, at Carr Lane Baptist Church in Carr Lane. Burial was at Viney Creek Cemetery, in Golden, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Larry Tracy, 82, of Mt. Vernon, died Thursday, Feb. 8 at his home. A funeral service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, was held Tuesday, Feb. 13 at the Round Grove Baptist Church, west of Miller. Private burial was at the Spring River Cemetery...