Stories from Saturday, July 13, 2019

Robert L. Gabriel, 101, formerly of Monett and Michigan, died Tuesday, July 2. No services are planned. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of Ulmer Funeral Home, Carthage.

Patrick McLean, 90, of Cassville, died Sunday, July 7. Graveside services were held Friday, July 12, at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Sarah Gail Rash, 69, of Monett, died on Sunday, June 30. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements have been entrusted to Midwest Cremation and Funeral Services in Springfield.

Randall Lavern Pendergraft, 66, of Washburn, died Tuesday, July 9. Funeral services were held Friday, July 12, at Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville. Burial was at Roller Cemetery in Washburn.

Fireworks in Monett has been a work in progress. Monett police officers stayed very busy last weekend and the preceding days responding to calls about fireworks. Part of the problem was people setting them off in the street, which nobody wants. The proliferation of fireworks prompted one officer to say, “It’s like a war zone out here.”...

The 2019 Monett Youth Baseball and Softball League C&M Fireworks T-ball team.

Monett alumnus and All-State athlete Ian Meyer continues to make headlines in college. The latest accolade for Meyer was not for accomplishments on the field of play, but instead in the field of achievement in the classroom. Meyer earned American Rivers Conference All-Academic Team honors this year at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa...

The Monett football team is looking to return to its winning ways this season as the 2019 campaign nears. While the outcomes of the games are still to be determined, the Cubs do know when and where the games will be contested. The season will kickoff in grand style, as Monett will begin the path to the playoffs at home with an Aug. 30 date with Mt. Vernon...

Lawrence County court news • Forest D. Ernest, operating a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner involving an accident, misd. A, one year in Lawrence County Jail; operating a vehicle on the highway without a valid license, misd. D, fined $75; restitution $2,146 and 40 hours of community service...

• Erik Rodriguez, speeding, $137. • Joanna K. Farmer, stealing, $26.50 and two days in jail. • Jared R. Wormington, failed to register vehicle, $102. • Nancy J. Campos, no valid driver's license, $127; speeding, $137. • Kristjan S. Chaddock, unlawful use of a weapon, $127; assault, $177; discharge gun within city limits, $77...

MO SWITCH has begun its free distribution of meals to kids over summer months. The Super Taco food truck will be located in the parking lot at Unbreakable Fitness, 1308 E. Cleveland in Monett, from 4 p.m. until closing. The First Baptist Church in Pierce City on Highway 97 will offer meals at 6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays...

Several new teachers for the Aurora R-8 School District were on hand for a training workshop Wednesday, June 12, at Aurora High School.

Xander Jarvis gave a high five to Abigail Ray in a relay to bring stuffed dogs from one basket to another, part of the fun at the “Incredible Race”-themed Vacation Bible School, held this week at the First Presbyterian Church, a joint effort with Waldensian Presbyterian, First Christian, St. Stephen’s Episcopal...

Humans bewitched by faeries cross their affections and are transformed into beasts in a comedy of mistaken identifies in Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” the summer production of the Monett Artists’ Guild.

Jamie Williams, an education specialist with Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, brought several friendly critters to the Monett Branch Library Tuesday afternoon to show youngsters participating in the summer reading program.

A month ago, Verona Benefit Special Road District leaders found themselves dumbfounded by the extent of flooding that left their territory — 64 miles of roads, bigger than many districts — battered more than others in the area. By this month, commissioners conceded their funds would only stretch as far as pothole repair. Except for some very specific problems, they expected few if any other improvements would take place in the coming months...

Crosslines will be distributing backpacks and school supplies to students in need residing in the Monett, Pierce City and Purdy school districts on Aug. 3. Crosslines will be distributing backpacks and school supplies to children in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Parents must register their children between now and July 19...

Most of the federal lawsuit against the Village of Freistatt by landlord Randy Davidson has been dismissed by Judge Brian Wimes in Federal District Court. Wimes has allowed Davidson to amend his suit to better argue that he has a right to water and sewer service by due process...

Who can resist a pair of pleading brown eyes, a cold nose and a happily wagging tail, all wrapped up in a wriggling body that contains unlimited amounts of unconditional love and steadfast devotion? The Monett Animal Shelter is currently beyond capacity with the recent spate of young pups dropped off at the facility after business hours, resulting in an overabundance of canine critters looking to share friendship and adventures with a family they can call their own...

The fecal matter is about to hit the oscillating airflow impeller as Pierce City officials take action to end the ongoing run of vandalism taking place at South Park. The July 3 destruction of the public Porta-Potty at the public park has forced aldermen to take a firm stand in an effort to curb the increasing destructive actions taking place in this placid precinct in southwest Missouri...