Stories from Wednesday, April 11, 2018

Crowder College in Neosho has announced plans to close its class offerings out of the Scott Regional Technology Center in Monett at the close of the present school year. The Crowder board of trustees voted to make the change on March 27 due to a 10 percent reduction in core funding from the state for the current fiscal year...

With voter turn-out of 14.4 percent in Barry County and a 14.3 percent vote in Lawrence County, the April 3 election held a few surprises but generally favored incumbents, though there were several notable exceptions. Barry County In Purdy, one-term incumbent Brian Bowers and challenger Raymond Stapleton faced off for a second time. Bowers received 17 votes, two less than two years ago, but enough to keep his seat. Stapleton received 9 votes, after claiming 16 in 2016...

Models prepared to walk the runway wearing clothes from local merchants for the fourth annual Monett High School Fashion Show, held Friday at the school’s performing arts center.

As the City of Monett moves into a new fiscal year, city council members reviewed plans for the Monett Regional Airport as part of the ongoing expansion project under the city's airport master plan. Under the budget adopted on March 20, council members projected rental revenues of $98,050 for the coming year, beginning on April 1, and fuel sales of $110,000...

In a 17-day period in March, the Barry County Sheriff’s Office and the Ozark Drug Enforcement Team (ODET) were busy in the local area serving warrants, making arrests and seizing drugs. From March 5-22, the Sheriff's Office and ODET made 16 arrests for narcotics and weapons violations, cleared 12 fugitive arrest warrants that were active from Hawaii, Alaska, Arkansas and Missouri, and served eight search warrants in Barry County. ...

The Purdy school board has adjusted staffing for the coming year and received an update on construction of its new storm shelter and performing arts center. Resignations approved included high school science teacher Lisa Reid, and two from extra duty assignments: science teacher Clint Dillow from the recycling program, and Tabitha Farris as the Student Council advisor...

Seventeen different dishes, most painted by Pierce City artist Jo Moore, are on display at the Pierce City Senior Center if a fundraiser silent auction.

Children attending Parent Involvement Night at the Purdy schools on Monday had a chance to participate in a book swap, hosted by the National English Honor Society.

PlayPower’s sophisticated paint room brings electrically charged metal parts, where they are sprayed with powered paint that clings to the charge, after which the parts are baked traveling through an oven.

Line dancing offered Verona prom participants plenty of fun, whether or not they came with a partner.

Josh Bowling, left, and Kayla Vang were crowned Prom King and Queen Saturday at Wheaton’s prom.

Verona Police will join statewide law enforcement on April 12 for an aggressive “Click It or Ticket” mobilization to encouragement more motorists to use safety belts and save lives. Verona Police Chief Levi Neely reprted only 16 percent of Missouri motorists still do not regularly use safety belts. In addition, 61 percent of vehicle occupants killed in Missouri crashes were unrestrained...

The 18th annual Monett Lions Club Steak Dinner will be held at Scott Tech on Saturday, April 14. Dinner will be served from 5:00-7:00 pm and consists of steak, baked potato, slaw, beans, roll, dessert, coffee, tea, lemonade. Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased from any Monett Lion or by phoning Barb Carroll at 417- 236-0968...

The Monett boys track athletes let it be known Thursday that they, too, are capable of racking up awards. On Thursday, the Cubs won the five-team Ice Box Relays in Aurora. “We are proud of the boys team results,” said Kyle Wood, Monett coach. “It has been a trying week because of the weather. ...

They are often one of the most visible, but less discussed, aspects of almost any sporting event — the cheerleaders. Nevertheless, no game is complete without their ability to make fans stand up and cheer their team on to victory. For four years, Purdy senior Emma Mareth has poured her efforts and talent into leading the cheer squad at Purdy High School. ...

The Purdy baseball team is starting to get hot. After a slow start to the season, the Eagles have ripped of four-straight victories, including a 7-2 statement win over Cassville on Thursday. “We’re not anywhere near where we are capable of playing,” said Joshua Hughes, Purdy coach. ...

The Monett Youth Wrestling Club brought home two state individual champions from the 2018 Missouri USA State Folkstyle Wrestling Championship Tournament, held in St. Louis at the Chaifetz Arena. The venue featured the best-of-the-best, more than 100 wrestlers from 140 youth wrestling clubs across the state...

Michael A. Adams, 69, of Monett, died Saturday, April 7, at his residence. Visitation was held from 10-11:00 a.m. today (Wednesday) April 11, at Buchanan Funeral Home in Monett. Inurnment and military honors will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 16, at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield...

Timothy Patrick Frisinger, 60, of Exeter, died Sunday, April 8. Services with military honors will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial will be at a later date at Clio Cemetery in Jenkins.

Paul Anthony Kral, Jr., 77, of Mt. Vernon, died Friday, April 6, at his home. A rosary was held from 6-6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon. A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. today (Wednesday) April 11, at the St. Susanne Catholic Church in Mt. Vernon. Burial will follow at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery...

Jimmy L. O’Dell, 79, of Golden, died Friday, April 6. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 12, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 12-1:00 p.m. Thursday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.