Stories from Saturday, April 28, 2018

The Monett Times, in partnership with Drury University and two local businesses, is hosting an online contest that highlights the culmination of an advertising and public relations course offered at Drury's Monett campus. Readers are invited to vote for their favorite ad out of two choices: Mo Wings restaurant in Monett and Hungry Hollow Brewing Company in rural Cassville...

The announcement this week that Brad Hanson was stepping down as Monett school superintendent triggers that most dreaded process of finding a successor. It’s dreaded for good reason, as in Monett, the school superintendent is a very pivotal figure in the community...

Brad Hanson, who has served as superintendent of the Monett school district since the 2012-2013 school year, has announced his retirement from teaching in Missouri, effective at the end of the current school year. Hanson turned in his letter of retirement this week after the Pittsburg, Kan., school district named him as its new assistant superintendent...

Friday morning offered an ideal opportunity for students in Dean Ferguson’s kindergarten class at Monett Elementary School to learn about gardening.

The Monett school board looked at summer projects and facility plans as preparations continue for the 2018-2019 school year. Reviewing the summer project list, board members decided to buy eight heating and air conditioning units to complete the west hallway. ...

A Monett man is in stable condition after being pinned by his big rig's cab for 45 minutes following a wreck Wednesday about half a mile north of Crowder, Okla., on U.S. Highway 69. David Bee, 50, of Monett, Missouri, suffered injuries to the head, arm, leg, and internal/external trunk after the cab of his 2007 Kenworth semitrailer detached from the frame of the truck and pinned him for approximately 45 minutes, according to an Oklahoma Highway Patrol accident report...

With the first pick in the May 2, 1978, NFL draft, the Houston Oilers selected Earl Campbell, then second overall, the Kansas City Chiefs then picked up Art Still. Over the next two days at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York, 28 National Football League teams selected 334 names in 12 rounds...

With its first regular meeting in the new fiscal year, the Monett City Council introduced regulations for food trucks and outlined a range of public works projects through resolutions. Public input will be heard on May 21 for a new ordinance regulating food trucks. City Administrator Dennis Pyle said up to now, the city has had no specific regulation on food trucks other than allowing them to operate in publicly owned areas, a regulation only passed in March...

Except for some notable exceptions, members of the Verona City Council found consensus and moved forward on a variety of issues on Tuesday, their first regular monthly meeting following the April 3 election. Aldermen agreed to meet at 7 p.m. on May 8 to formally review the budget following passage of the merger of the city's fire department into the Aurora Rural Fire District. ...

Monett police have recommendations to offer for neighborhoods interested in improving safety through adding Neighborhood Watch programs. Monett Officer Jay Jastal recently spoke to residents living in the Sunset Villa community, west of Eisenhower, about steps they can take to help police keep their neighborhoods safe...

Central Park Elementary third and fourth grade Odyssey of the Mind structure team showcased their balsa wood structure, which withstood 45 pounds of pressure.

The Monett school board accepted three resignations and hired five teachers for the coming year at its meeting Tuesday. Leaving the school district are Matt Anderson, high school math, and Deborah Breon, middle school and high school choir. Former technology director Melody Paige, who has been working part-time as an instructional coach, will continue helping on distance learning and E-rate paperwork. However, Paige said she could not guarantee her time to stay on as a part-time staffer...

A benefit concert to help longtime local musician Wayne Clevenger, who is facing health issues, will be held at the May 5 installment of the McDowell Gold Jubilee. Clevenger is leader of the Flyin' Buzzards band and has frequently played at the Kings Prairie benefit concert and the Purdy Festival...

Scott Regional Technology Center student chapter of the American Welding Society is sponsoring a raffle of a bench to help a local family in need.

Monett’s South Park offers plenty of places to explore. Maxx Smith, 5, visiting from Arkansas, checked out the Frisco caboose, similar to one in his hometown park.

After days of rain and cold and combinations thereof, Ethan and Paige Fair got out with Murph, their golden doodle, for their first walk of the year Thursday night.

The Monett Chamber of Commerce is helping to coordinate the Monett citywide garage sale on Saturday, April 28 by distributing a list of participants. Monett High School senior Alyssa Kelley won second place in humorous interpretation in state speech competition last week. Drama teacher Annie Smith reports others heading to state did well but did not advance to the finals...

President Doris Meyer called the February meeting of the Freistatt Trinity Lutheran LWML Ladies Aid to order, welcoming 16 members and one guest, Karen Schmedeke. Gloria Krueger, secretary, read the January minutes and Connie Prater, treasurer, delivered the financial statement. Correspondance was also read...

Purdy Elementary Principal Julie Dalton and Purdy Elementary Counselor Gary Jurgensen awarded Character Education medals in March for perseverance.

Not to be outdone by their female counterparts, the Cubs track team made Tuesday’s Monett Invitational a clean sweep for the hometown Purple And Gold with a first-place showing. “We are extremely proud of our team and how they are starting to compete,” said Kyle Wood, Monett coach. “I think we are peaking at the right time and that is proven with the 11 different personal records at Tuesday’s meet.”...

Slick greens and odd pin placement proved to be no obstacle for the Monett golf team as the Cubs claimed their fourth consecutive Big 8 Conference golf tournament title on Tuesday. “The boys just played amazing golf,” said Brian Cox, Monett coach. “I spent 16 years coaching Aurora before coming over to coach this team, and I have never seen a run like this for any Big 8 school.”...

The stress and guesswork of who would win the Monett Invitational track meet on Tuesday was put to bed early with a dominating performance by the Lady Cubs. Monett topped the 13-team meet by recording 158 points, 83 more than second place College Heights with 75...

Norman L. Shepard, 80, of Monett, Mo., passed from this life peacefully on Friday morning, April 27, 2018, in the comfort of his home. Norman was born on April 17, 1938 in Kenwood, Mo., son of the late Virgil and Zelma (Richards) Shepard. Being raised in Kirksville, Mo., on a dairy farm, Norman was taught the value of hard work and responsibility. ...

Jeannette L. Brandt, 58, of Monett, died Tuesday, April 24. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at Ennis Cemetery in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Cecil Burl Brattin, 89, of Wheaton, died Tuesday, April 24. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, April 27, at Wheaton Southern Baptist Church, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Burial was at Dice Cemetery in Fairview.

Kenneth Dean Dickens, 81, of Ash Grove, died Sunday, April 22, at the Mt. Vernon Place Care Center. A memorial service, under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, in Mt. Vernon, will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, at the Halltown Baptist Church. A private family burial will be at the Rock Prairie Cemetery in Halltown...

R.P. Michael, 69, of Monett died Thursday, April 26, at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Memorial services and visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 1, from 6-8 p.m. at the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Chapel in Monett. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett...

Lois Butler Mynatt, 93, of Fayetteville, Ark., formerly of Mt. Vernon, died Monday, April 23. Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home, Mt. Vernon. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 a.m. at the Mt. Vernon IOOF Cemetery...

Bonnie Yvonne Sartin, 78, of Golden, died at her home on Wednesday, April 25. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.