Stories from Wednesday, June 17, 2020

The Barry County Health Department has reported 22 cases of COVID-19 in Barry County, and it is offering more information on one of the cases’ locations visited recently. “As a part of our ongoing disease investigations, we have identified locations recently identified COVID-19 positive persons visited,” said Roger Brock, Barry County Health Department Administrator. ...

Richard Lee Neely, 86, of Mt. Vernon, died at 6:29 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, at his home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 17, at Summit Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Summit Cemetery. Arrangements under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon...

Janice E. Meyer, age 86, of Monett, Mo., passed from this life to her eternal home on Sunday evening, June 14, 2020, while at the Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Janice was born on July 19, 1933, in Atwood, Kan., daughter of the late Adolf and Margaret (Frecks) Michel. ...

Bobby Lee Chastain, 64, of Monett, Mo., passed away on Monday morning, June 15, 2020, while at Cox South Hospital in Springfield, Mo. Bobby was born on Aug. 25, 1955, in Joilet, Ill., son of the late Logan Robert and Mary Louise (White) Chastain. Bobby was employed by the City of Monett and retired in 2004. He was a member of the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Monett. He enjoyed bass fishing at the area lakes...

With Missouri moving into Phase II of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) action plan, the summer has become alive with the prospects of activity. One of the area’s biggest summer travel baseball programs The Midwest Nationals will feature a little local flare...

Racing fans are known for their loyalty and love for the sport of racing. On any given weekend during the season, hundreds of thousands of fans fill stadiums to cheer on their favorite drivers. On those weekends, those who listen closely can hear the next generation of race car drivers and fans becoming indoctrinated with the sport in Butterfield...

• Maria F. Ayala Garcia, alcohol consumed while operating vehicle, $225; no driver’s license on person, $225. • Jesse D. Coatney, defective equipment $100. • Damyen L. Dicken, no driver’s license on person, $200. • Jose A. Gonzalez Reyes, minor in possession of alcohol, $177...

CRIMINAL • Bradford W. Daniel, failure to equip vehicle with a horn in working order, infr., fined $500. • Blake Lee Coffer, speeding, infr., fined $180. • Debra Lynn Hyman, speeding, misd. C, fined $125. • Jeremiah D. Johnson, driving with a revoked/suspended license, misd. Unclassified, 30 days in jail; speeding, misd. B, 15 days in jail; credit for time served...

The Barry-Lawrence Chapter of Crime Stoppers will meet at noon on Thursday, June 18 at Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett. The Purdy Alumni Association will hold its annual meeting at the Purdy school cafeteria on Saturday, June 27 beginning at 6 p.m. All Purdy alumni are invited...

Leaving the board of directors after three years of service on the Monett Historical Society were, from left, Thad Hood, Donna Beckett and Dan Conner, right.

After a two-year battle of a lawsuit by landlord Randy Davidson, which was dismissed in April by a U.S. District judge, the Village of Freistatt has voted to hook up water service at the property. “Everyone is tired of the lawsuit,” said Elmer Conway, Board of Trustees chairman. Randy is not filing another appeal, so we can work with him.”...

After dissolving the former Monett School Board and swearing in incumbents Dr. Darren Bass and Dr. Jeff Carr, along with newly elected member Jack Williams, Superintendent Russ Moreland presented Jim Randall, outgoing board member, a token of appreciation for his three years of service to the district...

A position left open for write-ins on the Freistatt Village Board of Trustees found a winner Thursday following a discussion among the board about how to break a recorded tie. Sarah Robinett, who appeared on the ballot for one of the two open positions, received 21 votes and secured a spot. The second spot saw a tie among write-ins between Susan Senninger and Rick Sipes at 2 votes a piece, but 8 more write-in votes were cast...

Officials at Purdy High school have released the names of honor students graduating this year. Earning Cum Laude (with Honor), and having a grade point average of 3.5 to 3.74, were: Ximena Aldava, daughter of Rufino and Patricia Aldava; Kimberly Coyoy, daughter of Rosa Lopez and Angel Flores; Soledad Salas, daughter of Jose and Tomasa Salas; Shana Whisman, daughter of Shane Whisman and Denise Hembree; and Kylie Wood, daughter of Darrin Wood and Lenni Jeffers...

The Barry County Health Department is reporting two additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases to 24. Both cases are believed to be the result of community spread. One of the new cases had been in quarantine due to being a close contact of a previous positive case. Both new cases are now under an isolation order by the Barry County Health Department and will be monitored daily...

Maria C. Miller Carterman, 62, of Granby, died Monday, June 15, at her home. She was born June 30, 1957, in California. Surviving are her brothers, Dirk J. Mille, of Monett, and Jon W. Miller, of Joplin, and two children, Jennifer and Cory. She was preceded in death by her parents, James W. Miller and Dolores Bailey Miller...

Former Pierce City Mayor Mark Peters, 63, died unexpectedly Saturday morning. Peters was a lawyer working in mitigation and estate planning before becoming mayor in 2002, and he continued to serve the community in that capacity until 2006. He is credited for revitalizing Pierce City following the devastating May 4, 2003, tornado that decimated the downtown district and inflicted heavy damage to residences and other businesses throughout the city...

Mary Elaine Wellbaum, 70, of Monett, passed away on Saturday morning, June 13, 2020, while at Cox South Medical Center in Springfield, Mo. Mary was born on April 11, 1950, in Monett, daughter of Ernest Eugene Grass and Betty Lou (Nelson) Grass. She began her education in Tulsa, OK and then graduated from Monett High School with the class of 1968. ...