Stories from Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Norma Dean Bowman, 88, of Freistatt, Mo., passed away on Monday morning, March 23, 2020, while at Lacoba Homes in Monett. Norma was born on April 28, 1931, in Monett, Mo., daughter of the late Eli and Lola Jane (Jackson) Balmas. Growing up in Monett, Norma attended and graduated from Monett High School with the Class of 1949. ...

Out of an abundance of caution and in reaction to the presence of COVID-19 in Missouri, Missouri State Parks will temporarily close all campgrounds and lodging through April 30. This includes campgrounds, park-run lodging and concessionaire-run lodging. Missouri State Parks will remain open to the public, including day-use areas, boat ramps and trails...

During the wellness break, the Monett school district is offering its devices to students to be used at home for access to educational resources. Student device pick-up is on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Device pick-up will be handled in a drive-thru format to help with the effectiveness of distribution...

The Monett school district will launch a number of unprecedented initiatives in response to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic that has closed school at least into April. During Thursday's meeting of the school board, Superintendent Russ Moreland reported teachers were gearing up to provide education services for the coming months, even if classes do not resume. ...

Local school districts on wellness break through April 3 do not have students in the buildings, and they are limiting the number of staff on-site, as well. Russ Moreland, Monett superintendent, said for now, building offices are taking calls from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with administration and assistants reporting...