Stories from Friday, March 16, 2018

Issues ranging from spending in Missouri to tariffs and gun control generated comment during the Monett Chamber of Commerce's Eggs and Issues forum with area lawmakers and their representatives at the Monett City Park Casino on Friday. State Rep. Scott Fitzpatrick, R-Shell Knob, and representatives for U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill, along with U.S. Rep. Billy Long were the speakers. State Rep. Mike Moon, R-Ash Grove, and State Sen. David Sater, R-Cassville, were absent...

In recent days, Monett Middle School has investigated a pair of perceived threats, neither of which resulted in any danger to students or staff, according to Principal Jay Apostol. Apostol said earlier this week, administration received information about a document concerning to them, and they went through an investigative and disciplinary process according to the school's policy...

Monett High School students held a silent vigil on Wednesday in the gym in memory of the victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting a month ago in Parkland, Fla., an unusual event in the course of typical school activities. Aware of interest in expressing support for the victims, Principal David Williams consulted with Superintendent Brad Hanson and Middle School Principal Jay Apostol about how to respond. ...

Missouri’s municipal courts face new internal challenges that do not pose an imminent threat to Monett, but do impose higher standards on courts in smaller cities. J. Edward Sweeney, Monett municipal court judge and retired circuit court judge, said part of the challenge stemmed from a 17-page order issued by the Missouri Supreme Court in 2016. ...

Three Monett High School students in Jill Fannin’s marketing class at the Scott Regional Technology Center took second place honors in the state and will advance to national competition for their project exploring Hispanics attending attractions in Branson...

For the eighth year, local service agencies will gather at the Scott Regional Technology Center, north of the high school, for the Transition and Resource Expo on Tuesday, March 20. The event will be held from 3:30-6:30 p.m. "There's nothing else like this," said Geneva Blue, work experience coordinator at Scott Tech and one of the event coordinators. "Other areas have resource expos. This has taken on a life of its own."...

Plans are taking shape for the 2018 Barry County Relay for Life, the annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society that has been a Monett tradition since 1996. This year, the event will take place at the Monett Middle School, on both the lawn on Ninth Street and inside the FEMA shelter cafeteria north of the E.E. Camp gymnasium...

The Monett Ministerial Association continues its annual series of Lenten services and luncheons March 21 at the First Presbyterian Church, 700 Sycamore, with Father Hank Grodecki speaking. The service will begin at 12:05 p.m., conclude by 12:30, and be followed by a light luncheon provided by the church. Next week’s service will be held...

Children’s Smile Center of Ozark recently named new board members and officers for 2018, reported Executive Director Jackie Barger. Officers for 2018 are: Angi Stringer, Ozark, president; Melanie Stinnett, Springfield, vice president; Scott Pettit, Aurora, secretary; and Kelly Townsend, Fremont Hills, treasurer...

Forty donors contributed "the gift of life" during the most recent blood drive by the American Red Cross on Feb. 19 at the Church of Christ in Monett. According to Donna Beckett, bloodmobile chairman, Jessica Smith was a first-time donor. Regania Peterson hit the one gallon milestone...

All of the 2017 graduates from the Cassville and Neosho locations of Crowder College hosting the nursing program passed their state exam on their first attempt.

The Kehilat Nahar Zerach River Rising Congregation in Mt. Vernon, led by Rabbi Derf Eukel, invites the public to join in the traditional and kosher meal for Passover on Friday, March 30, at 5 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Arts and Recreation Center (the MARC), at 822 W. Mt. Vernon Blvd...

Ordination for Dustin Ray, the new pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Monett, was held on Sunday, March 4.

Winning entries in Draw Pierce City 2018 contest will be on display at an artist's reception slated for 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 20 at the Pierce City Branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library. This year's theme, the Pride of Pierce City, saw Bryce Garner taking top honors in the adult category...

Staff at Monett High School on Wednesday had a rare opportunity to share in a colleague’s 70th birthday.

A Pierce City family is hosting a medical marijuana table and petition signing today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the gazebo next to Sister’s Home Cooking in Pierce City.

Students in the first and second grade classroom of Sally Heidlage, at St. Mary’s Catholic School in Pierce City, have just finished a science chapter covering light and sound.

Twenty Monett High School band students qualified in solo and ensemble auditions for state competition next month in Columbia. Band director Philip Soule announced successful auditioners will travel to the University of Missouri in Columbia next month for the state solo contest...

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristic of being safe in their environment as Students of the Week for March 12.

Pierce City National Honor Society held induction ceremonies for new members on March 8.

A 21-5 season last year and a No. 3 state ranking was a great indicator that the Monett baseball team is one that is reloading each season and not rebuilding. Two of the team’s losses came to Aurora, which won the Class 4 state championship last season and will be a threat this season. Still, the Cubs won a district title and return a core group of talent that has the potential to beat anyone in the state on any given day...

When Joshua Hughes, Purdy baseball coach, smiles while talking about his baseball team, fans know that he has high expectations. Nobody in the area has higher expectations and demands more from their squad than Hughes. The skipper is fond of saying that he does not want to draw attention to his squad. He would rather flay under the radar to keep teams guessing about the talent he has. Hughes is also fond of under-promising and over-delivering with the product on the field...

The Purdy baseball team will host its inaugural baseball tournament beginning Monday. Traditionally, the Eagles had traveled to Cassville for its tournament, but this year decided to branch out on their own. On Monday, Purdy and Pea Ridge (Ark.) play at 5 p.m., followed by Pierce City and Pea Ridge at 7 p.m...

The Tuesday Ladies Golf League will have its season kick-off breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. On March 27 at Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett. Any area ladies interested in participating are invited to attend. For additional information, people may call Virginia LaVigne at 417-236-0369 or Janie Bates at 417-235-5917...

Missouri is known for different things. In education circles, the state is known for having some of the highest standards for its school assessment, more rigorous than other state tests. In labor circles, Missouri is known for its lack of unions and strict requirements for drawing unemployment compensation...

Jesse Howard Cooper, 92, died Friday, March 9 in Monett. Graveside services will be held on Monday, March 19 at Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colo. Arrangements are under the direction of Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, Mo.

Walker H. Craig, Jr., 91, of Monett, Mo., died Friday, March 16. Services are pending at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Buchanan Funeral Home, Monett, Mo.

A Monett man was injured on Friday in a wreck at 6 a.m. on Highway 97 in Pierce City. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, Billy Skaggs, 65, of Monett, was driving a 2005 GMC truck southbound when his vehicle exited the right edge of the roadway and struck a sign and fence...