Stories from Saturday, June 23, 2018

Monett resident Trauta Helsel recounted her trip from Nazi Germany to Monett for an audience at the Monett Historical Society this week. Helsel, 88, was introduced by her neighbor, Ralph Scott. Scott pointed out that for Helsel, a resident of East Prussia next to the Baltic Sea tucked into the north end of Poland, the Nazi regime, Hitler was largely a non-entity. Her life as a teen in a rural farm town not far from the capital of Konigsberg was barely affected by the war until 1945...

Editor’s note: This is Part 2 of an 11-part series detailing the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy. Members of the inaugural class of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Citizen’s Academy recently learned the personal and financial commitment it takes for an individual to become a peace officer in Missouri...

Since 2012, people who went to bars in the Lawrence County area had a fall back option in case they found themselves in need of a ride home — “Designated Driver” Michael Carter. Carter said on Fridays and Saturdays, he would accept phone calls and Facebook messages for those looking to get home safely, offering free rides to anyone who needed them. ...

Space is being reserved and preparations made for Monett's Fourth of July celebration, landing on a Wednesday this year at Monett's South Park. Festivities begin with the Monett Lions Club offering its barbecued chicken dinners from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until supplies sell out. Meals may be picked up at the Lions barbecue shack, west of the City Park Casino. Dinners include a half of barbecued chicken, baked beans, chips and beverage for $7 in advance or $8 at the door...

Muralist Raine Clotfelter brushed a sealant over his mural at the Fifth and Broadway parking lot in Monett on Wednesday as he finished his month-long project for Monett Main Street.

The Monett Area YMCA received a special visitor this week, giving local officials an opportunity to show off the resources embraced local users of the facility. Tony Fragale, vice president of the YMCA of the United States, oversees small and mid-sized YMCA facilities nationally. He came to Monett as part of a southwest Missouri tour that included stops in Joplin, Neosho, Springfield and Camp Wakonda...

Along with the warmer temperatures of summer comes an increase in local crimes, ranging from vandalism, theft and illegal drug use. Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers heard from several local agencies at the June meeting. "I can't make a traffic stop without finding meth," said Kenen Martinez, police chief at Exeter. "When I find drugs, I request a search warrant for the [suspect's] phone. [Barry County is] in desperate need of a drug dog."...

Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers are currently profiling cases that remain unsolved and seeking information on the whereabouts of local felons. This month, the Barry-Lawrence County Crime Stoppers Facebook page features six cases, one of which is seeking information concerning the disappearance of Gary G. McCullough, of Cassville, in 1999...

Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers are currently profiling cases that remain unsolved and seeking information on the whereabouts of local felons. This month, the Barry-Lawrence County Crime Stoppers Facebook page features six cases, one of which is seeking information concerning whereabouts of Anthony Michael Gennarelli, of Purdy, who is wanted on a felony warrant for probation violation...

Members of the Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers are currently profiling cases that remain unsolved and seeking information on the whereabouts of local felons. This month, the Barry-Lawrence County Crime Stoppers Facebook page features six cases, one of which is seeking information concerning the disappearance of Liehnia (Lena) M. Chapin, of Steelville, in 2006...

The Monett Historical Society presented framed certificates to Rod Anderson, left, and Murray Bishoff, right, in recognition of their service on the society’s board of directors.

The annual ice cream social at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 28. The Ripplin’ Creek bluegrass band will provide entertainment. Pierce City will spray for mosquitoes the evenings of June 27 and 28, weather permitting...

A retirement reception and 80th birthday party for Dr. David Honeycutt will be held from noon to 3 p.m. on Friday, June 29, at the Monett Museum's Events Center, 418 E. Broadway.

On Tuesday, May 15, the Purdy Chapter of the National English Honor Society completed its community-driven book box project.

Monett Middle School’s annual induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society in a spring ceremony at at the MHS Performing Arts Center.

As part of a 33-year effort to protect sensitive lands and improve water quality and wildlife habitat on private lands, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will resume accepting applications for the voluntary Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)...

Local author Paul Adam Herd, who writes under the name Thomas S. Mulvaugh, donated to the Monett Branch of the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library a copy of his latest mystery novel, “Blood Stained City,” which centers on fictional detective Rick Ryder...

The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No. 1023 for Barry County/Southwest Missouri hosted the Missouri Vietnam Veterans of America State Convention on Saturday, June 2 at the White River Conference Center in Springfield.

American Red Cross recently awarded Ronnie Veith of Purdy, left, a plaque for 10 gallons blood donation and also Carol Brown of Monett for 15 gallons, for the Monett Blood drive.

While they might have flown under the radar this season in terms of coverage, the Pierce City softball team had an amazing run. The Lady Eagles won the Class 1, District 11 tournament and as a result landed four players on the Class 1, All-District 11 softball team...

Football is a sport that demands dedication, training and discipline. Only 5 percent of those who play the game in the United States sign national letters of intent to play in colleges. Of those 5 percent, one individual is located in Pierce City. The Eagles’ Trenton Byers recently announced that he will play next year for another set of Eagles, this time at Central Methodist University in Fayette...

The Four States Dental Cal Ripken Rookie League baseball team of the 2018 Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League.

The Schreiber Foods 10-and-under softball team of the 2018 Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League.

It’s been a joy over the past month talking to muralist Raine Clotfelter as he finished the mural at the new parking lot at Fifth and Broadway, commissioned by Monett Main Street. Clotfelter has agreed to come back this fall to offer a primer on how to make a mural for Lynn Morin’s art students at Monett High School...

Charles M. Balmas, 79, of Monett, left this world to be in glory, Thursday morning, June 21, 2018, at his home in Monett with Linda at his side. Charlie was born on March 9, 1939, in Los Angeles, Calif., son of the late Charles Manford and Kathryn Mary (Morris) Balmas...

Lindsey Marie Dieckhoff, 26, of rural Pierce City, Mo., passed from this life on Wednesday evening, June 20, 2018, while at Cox Monett Hospital following a sudden illness. Lindsey was born on January 30, 1992, in Springfield, Mo., daughter of Tim and Barbara Dieckhoff...

Thomas “Tom” Allen Beers, 77, of Eagle Rock, died Monday, June 18. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

William David Berry, Jr., 43, of Monett, died Thursday, June 14. Cremation arrangements are under the direction of the White Funeral Home and Crematory, Cassville.

Robert Harold Mingo, 71, of Shell Knob, died Thursday, June 21. Services will be held at a later date. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob.

Gary Troy Watson, 72, of Rocky Comfort, died Wednesday, June 20. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 26, at Union Cemetery in Stella, under direction of McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton. Visitation will be held from 5-7:00 p.m. Monday, at McQueen Funeral Home in Wheaton...