Stories from Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Lila “Molly” Jean Wilks, 92, of Verona, died Monday, March 30, at her home in Verona. Graveside services are being held on Friday, April 3, at the Spring River Cemetery in Verona. Friends may stop by the funeral home to sign the book and pay respects on Thursday, April 2, between 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m...

Donna Maria Wilkins, 59, of Washburn, died Thursday, March 26. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

William H. “Bill” Swartz, 83, formerly of Aurora, passed away March 29, 2020, in Springfield. In light of the concerns and restrictions placed on group gatherings due to COVID-19, the immediate family will hold a graveside service under the direction of the Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora...

Lawrence Dale Newman, 62, of Wheaton, died Sunday, March 29. Services will be held at a later date in Wichita, Kan. Cremation arrangements are under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Sara Ann Robb, 45, of Kansas City, Mo., formerly of Monett, Mo., was welcomed home by her Heavenly Father on Thursday, March 26, 2020. Sara was born March 12, 1975, in Boonville, Mo., daughter of Robert Carl “Bob” Markworth and Janet Ann (Stelzer) Markworth. ...

Roberta Imogene Clay, 90, of Odessa, Texas, passed from this life on Monday, March 23, 2020. She was born Thursday, Sept. 5, 1929, in Monett, Mo., to the late Asa George and Bessie May (Doty) Steele. Roberta was a homemaker. She married Henry Ray Clay on Dec. 23, 1950, in Monett, and they moved to Odessa on March 17, 2012...

While the season is still a few months away a few area schools are just now but the finishing touches on football schedules. Pierce City found itself in the boat when Forsyth and St. Michaels the Archangel declined to play the Eagles in 2020. According to Matt Street, Athletic Director at Pierce City, Forsyth needed to open a space on its schedule for a conference game and St. Michaels chose not to renew the contract...

As a result of economic disruptions during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the Barry-Lawrence Midweek Edition is being postponed indefinitely after March 31. To keep people updated and informed, The Monett Times has created a special page online (www.monett-times.com/coronavirus) containing all local COVID-19 coverage. These articles are all free and there is no limit on views...

A brush fire that got out of control claimed an out building at 21956 Farm Road 1030, approximately a half mile north of Pierce City on Monday shortly before 3 p.m.

Several Pierce City residents took the opportunity Friday morning to get some exercise at the high school track.

A rural Verona man is facing two felonies after allegedly striking a victim with a liquor bottle and attempting to stab the victim multiple times. Jacob Short, 22, of rural Verona, is charged with first-degree assault and first-degree property damage...

The American Red Cross will host a blood drive from 1-6 p.m. on April 13 at the American Legion Building, located at 717 E. Broadway in Monett. “So many drives have canceled, and Red Cross is at a severe shortage and we need to have our drive,” said Donna Beckett, event organizer. “Red Cross will be observing all the rules necessary and safe distance protocols. Beds will be spaced apart as well as the waiting areas.”...

After determining a savings could be realized on the expense of operating the office telephone, the Freistatt Board of Trustees opted to switch carriers to Verizon mobile. Richard Knight, the trustee looking into the options offered by Verizon, said with the expenditure of $50 for a receiving unit, and $20 per month for billing, the village could realize a savings of approximately $600 per year by the second year. He had previously offered his 3G receiver to the city for its use...

Communities standing together during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak are essential to beating the unforeseen consequences of the event. At this time, many families are left without paychecks, or limited income, people at risk are isolated from the public, and being there for each other can show immense strength...

The Monett Police Department is struggling to fill three full-time positions and three reserve positions at a time when Peace Officer’s Standards and Training-certified (POST) law enforcement applicants are dwindling in numbers. “It’s not a regional problem or a local problem,” said George Daoud, Monett Police Chief. “It’s nationwide...

Even in a time of crisis, Americans know how to get most of their basic needs met. During this COVID-19 pandemic, local eateries are helping out by making sure people have access to their favorite comfort foods. In Monett, those who have a hankerin’ for a fajita plate or some carne asada can relax and know Acambaro is open for carry-out through the drive through window or free delivery, Mexico 2000 offers drive through service and La Michoacana offers carry-out and meat purchases only...

While the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic has impacted even agriculture markets, cattlemen have been impacted in other ways, but not through the closing of the livestock yards. Eldon Cole, livestock specialist for the University of Missouri Extension, said the Joplin Livestock Yard was open for business on March 25. The Springfield Stockyard was also open, but with the restrictions on gatherings of 10 people or less, conditions were more difficult...

During the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, schools have closed their doors, and many businesses have cut employee hours or shifts altogether in order to help fight the spread of the virus. As a consequence of families spending more time at home, another pandemic is on the rise — food insecurity.

As the United States faces the worst public health crisis in a generation, we want you to know we are here for you — and with you. Whatever happens, whenever it happens, your newspaper will be there for you. We’ll be there to let you know how our community is managing through this crisis — from business to government to the health care system and schools to the drastic impact on individuals and families...

The last time that I addressed the public, we had no cases of COVID-19 reported in the Barry and Lawrence counties, but now, we have one in Barry County. By the time this hits the streets, that status could change as this virus delivers us new statistics daily...

Education is still moving forward, even if COVID-19 (coronavirus) has slowed the rest of the world. Administrators at Pierce City’s Central Elementary School are looking into the possibility of replacing the elementary reading curriculum. “Emily [Scott, elementary principal], is looking into three new curriculums,” said Kelli Alumbaugh, superintendent of schools. ...

The economy on a local level is not exempt from issues created by COVID-19 (coronavirus). In the bi-county area, people have seen businesses closed down completely or change their operating status to curbside, and some have decided to push through the pandemic...

Despite the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, professional health care providers have been continuing to see patients at both the CoxHealth and Mercy clinics in Monett as usual, though some changes are expected in the coming weeks. During a news briefing on Thursday, Steve Edwards, president and CEO of CoxHealth, said clinics were running “at full speed.” Staffing levels have been normal, but were likely to decline as a greater emphasis is placed on taking advantage of Cox’s telemedicine services.. ...

Filings have closed for county elections in 2020, and three positions will see races in August, and one of those will also have a race in November. For Barry County sheriff, incumbent Gary Davis filed to keep his post. Challenging him are former state trooper Travis Hilburn and current Cassville Police Department Det. Danny Boyd. All three filed as Republicans and will square off in the Aug. 4 primary...

There were too many “what if” or “what could have been” for the Monett girls soccer program last season. At first glance a 5-18-2 record is not the glamour teams like to tout. But numbers sometimes do lie. Of the Lady Cubs 18 losses, 10 were by a single goal and eight of them came in overtime. Monett was so close in so many games only to have its proverbial heart broken...