Stories from Saturday, June 2, 2018

Monett has a new school superintendent. Board President Darren Bass announced Friday afternoon that Pierce City Superintendent Russ Moreland has accepted the position. Moreland has served as the district's superintendent since 2013. He was the director of Scott Regional Technology Center from 2011 to 2013. Prior to that, he served from 2006 to 2011 as superintendent in Pierce City after previously serving as high school principal for five years...

The third Little Free Library in Monett had a “ribbon cutting” ceremony on Tuesday, provided by Phyllis and Mike Garrett on County Street, west of Lincoln. The dedication ceremony was complete with lemonade, treats and a reading of scripture. Phyllis Garrett explained that she saw a Little Free Library on an out-of-state trip. ...

Monett has a new school superintendent, following a marathon board meeting on Wednesday. Board President Darren Bass declined to name the successful applicant for the school district’s top position, pending finalization of a contract. He planned to meet with Ransom Ellis III, the school district’s attorney, to complete working out contractual details on Thursday so that an announcement could be made on Monday...

It’s getting down to the wire for the summer fun season, and Pierce City workers and volunteers worked until the last minute prepping, painting and filling the Pierce City Municipal Pool, which is set to open Tuesday, June 5. Shelly Yonker, utilities clerk for Pierce City, spoke to aldermen in a special meeting Thursday evening...

Pierce City aldermen reviewed bids to demolish the house at 204 S. Elm, approving a $3,800 proposal from McCullah's Landscaping, of Cassville. The bid was approved based on the contingency that the work be completely finished in 45 days. In other business, the board took action on a property at 502 N. ...

David Wasinger, one of four Republican candidates for Missouri auditor, stopped in Monett to share his views on the election on Tuesday while making a campaign stop in Joplin. Wasinger, a St. Louis attorney, is running against Kevin Roach, of Chesterfield; Paul Curtman, of Washington; and Saundra McDowell, of Jefferson City...

A two vehicle crash that took place at about 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, resulted in one person being taken to a Springfield hospital via helicopter.

embers recently reviewed progress on the new storm shelter and performing arts center, as well as purchased new technology equipment for lower grades. As interior work takes center stage in the new performing arts center, Superintendent Steven Chancellor reviewed how the district separated the audio-visual and lightning components from the general contract to offer more control over the final product. ...

ary Beck Studio of Dance will be held for the first time in the Monett High School Performing Arts Center at 2 p.m. June 3. The recital will feature 34 competition numbers for soloists and ensembles from throughout the year. There will be 17 group numbers, five duo numbers and 11 solos...

Officials at CoxHealth have announced that Cox Monett is now designated as a Level IV STEMI Center by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. The hospital is only one of six in Missouri classified under Level IV designation, and comes in addition to its other Time Critical Diagnosis Level IV designation for stroke. Additionally, Cox Monett is the only hospital in the state of Missouri with the Level IV designation in both STEMI and stroke...

**Field to be brighter at Don Keebaugh stadium in fall

Students of Purdy piano teacher Ruth Burnside held their annual Piano 88's Music Festival on April 22 at Countryside Christian Church in Monett. Recognized for outstanding performance were Jaideon Pointer, Mallie Clifton, Connie Lee and Heidi Sehrbrook. Lisa Lee received the Outstanding Performance Award overall...

Dancers accompanied the Springfield-based Messiah Project in a performance given on April 25 at the First Presbyterian Church in Monett.

Approximately 200 persons turned out recently for the eighth annual Transition and Resource Expo, held at the Scott Regional Technology Center, gathering service providers to make available resources from area agencies to individuals and families facing changing needs...

Babies will soon benefit greatly from local generosity, thanks to a record-breaking year for CoxHealth’s diaper drive. During April, a total of 37,621 diapers were collected at sites throughout the area, around 12,000 more diapers than were donated during the 2017 drive...

Jerry and Becky (Terrell) Tharp of Monett will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on June 7.

For their year-end project, third and fourth graders under teacher Shanna Jelinek at Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt made 3-D renderings of states in the U.S., marking cities and major features, researching and writing a report, then presenting it to the class...

A total of 30 Purdy High School graduates have earned more than $281,167 in scholarships and awards to be applied toward collegiate expenses as they enter the next phases of their lives. A list of students and their scholarships follows: • Casey Ellison, Angie Swadley Memorial Scholarship, Arnhart Baptist Church Scholarship, Purdy Alumni Scholarship, Purdy EagleBackers Scholarship, Crowder Foundation Scholarship, A+ Scholarship and FFA Alumni Scholarship...

A total of 19 Pierce City High School graduates have earned more than $250,000 in scholarships and awards to be applied toward collegiate expenses as they enter the next phases of their lives. A list of students and their scholarships follows. • Ragan Blinzler, University of Missouri Excellence Scholarship, University of Missouri Expected Education Scholarship, Pierce City Athletic Booster Club Scholarship and Ridpath Carver Scholarship...

Character Education Medalists for April have been announced at Purdy Elementary School.

Officials at Monett Elementary School have chosen students demonstrating the characteristic of being safe in their environment as Students of the Week for May 7.

Teresa Beaty, YMCA fitness instructor, will speak at the noon meeting of the Monett Kiwanis Club on Tuesday at the Family Room Steakhouse, located at First and East Broadway in Monett. Monett’s Farmer’s Market is open today from 8 a.m. to noon at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Park on Front Street. The market is also open from 8 a.m. to noon on Tuesdays...

The departure of Eric Greitens as Missouri’s governor leaves Missouri Republicans in a bit of a quandary as to what kind of leadership they want. This isn’t as simple a question as it seems. Greitens did not win either Barry or Lawrence counties in the 2016 primary election. ...

This week the Monett softball team hosted its annual youth camp.

Although she would not say anything before the event, Monett Track Coach Kelly George was a bit nervous as her daughter Kaesha George prepared for the Class 4 state javelin competition. Those nerves were transformed into joy and tears of happiness filled her eyes when Kaesha launched the javelin 138-11 to claim the Class 4 title and set a new record for the class...

Growing up in a 19-foot trailer and learning to play basketball on a dirt court helped Missouri State University basketball coach Dana Ford develop the mental toughness needed to break through the rocky road of life and climb to through the ranks to become a Division 1 basketball coach...

The Missouri Veterans Home Assistance League has announced the third annual Duffers for Veterans Golf Tournament, which will be held on June 16 at the Honey Creek Golf Club north of Aurora. The golf tournament will be a fundraiser to benefit the veteran residents of the Mt. Vernon Missouri Veterans Home. This will be a four-man scramble with registration times of 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The number of flights based on entries. A team must consist of four people...

The Pierce City baseball team is hosting its inaugural men’s and women’s Pierce City Alumni Baseball Tournament on June 2 at 1 p.m. at the high school. The entry fee is $25 and includes a free T-shirt. All proceeds will benefit the Pierce City basketball team. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students and concessions will be available...

The Missouri Department of Conservation will offer Free Fishing Days June 9 and 10 to all persons without having to buy a fishing permit, trout permit or trout park daily tag for fishing at any state run facility. Fishing limitations on fish numbers and size will continue in place...

There will be a youth baseball June 4-7 at Exeter High School. Exeter High School head coach Matt Trip will direct the program in conjunction with U.S. Baseball Academy. Classes are available for players in grades K-9 and are limited to seven players per coach. Sessions are offered in hitting, pitching, fielding and base running...

The 28th Mark Welch Annual Memorial Benefit Golf Tournament will be held June 3 at Honey Creek Golf Club (417-678-3353), located five miles north of Aurora. Tee times are 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. This year’s tournament benefits a family from Crane whose 14-year-old son is going to St Louis for brain surgery because of severe seizures...

The Pierce City baseball team is hosting its inaugural men’s and women’s Pierce City Alumni Baseball Tournament on June 2 at 1 p.m. at the high school. The entry fee is $25 and includes a free T-shirt. All proceeds will benefit the Pierce City basketball team...

Monett tennis coach Jason Smith is offering three tennis camps to all interested school students this summer. From July 9 -13 from 9 to 9:45 a.m., he will host kids from the Central Park and intermediate schools (grades three to six). From July 9-20 from 10 to 11 a.m., high school girls can receive instruction, with boys following from 11 a.m. to noon...

June E. Wilson, 77, of Eagle Rock, died on Sunday, May 27. Funeral services were held Friday, June 1, at the Community Lutheran Church in Eagle Rock. Service arrangements and cremation were under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville...

Leta Ferne Thrasher, 85, of Aurora, died Sunday, May 27, at the Aurora Nursing Center. A funeral service was held Thursday, May 31, at the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home, in Aurora. Burial was at the Maple Park Cemetery in Aurora.

Wallace C. “Bud” Jump, 95, of Purdy, passed away on Saturday, May 19, at his home on Shoal Creek after a six and a half month term with cancer. A memorial celebration for family and friends will be held on July 28, from 5-8 p.m. at the home of Bud and JoeAnn...

Garry Leon Hinson, 61, of Seligman, died Tuesday, May 29. No services are scheduled at this time. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Marzelle Foster, 81, of Exeter, died Saturday, May 26, at her home in Exeter. No services were planned according to her wishes. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Elocin Catherine-Rose Edwards, infant daughter of Charles Joseph Edwards and Nicole Catherine (Pertiller) Otunomo, died on the day of her birth, May 29, at Cox Monett Hospital. Graveside services were held Thursday, May 31, at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Monett...

Betty Lorene Edgar, 76, of Marionville, died Tuesday, May 29 at her home. A graveside service, under the direction of the Williams Funeral Home in Marionville, was held at Friday, June 1, at the Marionville IOOF Cemetery.

Edna Elise Lukon, 95, Monett, entered into rest on May 31, at Granby House, Granby, following an extended illness. Edna was born Oct. 29, 1922, in Viola, the daughter of John W. and Viola (Aubrey) Garrison. She was a lifelong area resident and she enjoyed working in her yard and flowers, country music and dancing. She was a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church. Edna and William ‘Bill’ Lukon were married on Oct. 12, 1938, in Viola and he preceded her in death on Jan. 2, 1998...