Stories from Saturday, August 15, 2020

Mary Joanne “Joni” Elam, 83, of Shell Knob, died Thursday, July 20. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at First Christian Church in Shell Knob, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Shell Knob. Burial will be at McCullough Cemetery in Viola...

The MHS Pizzazz Poms Dance team participated in a Universal Dance Association home camp on Aug. 5-8.

Dear Editor: We used to sing with delight, “Have you ever, ever in your long legged life, seen a long-legged sailor and his long-legged wife?” Keeping the tune in mind, teachers and the public are asking about this opening year for schools. Having been in a classroom as a student or teacher, we have never seen anything close to what is going on and the mysteries facing our children this Fall...

In 10 days, if they have not already, local schools will be thrust into an experiment of epic proportions. Thousands of students in the bi-county area will enter the doors of their places of learning they vacated five months ago, and in more uncertain circumstances since when they left...

The Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) Board of Directors met virtually on Thursday and took action to approve alternate seasons if a school has a sport or sports that cannot continue in the traditional season. “The traditional seasons are still being offered at this time for those schools able to participate,” said MSHSAA Executive Director Dr. ...

High praise was awarded to Monett’s Kaesha George this week, as she was named the top female athlete in southwest Missouri by the Springfield Sports Commission. A total of 135 student athletes and 26 teams representing southwest Missouri high schools were honored during the Sports Commission Awards, sponsored by Elliott Lodging and presented by Blevins Asphalt, on Monday night at the Oasis Hotel and Convention Center in Springfield...

The Kings Prairie Special Road District commissioners will hold their regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett. Knights of Columbus will host a beer garden Friday, Aug. 14 and Saturday, Aug. 15, at Pierce City’s South Park from 5 p.m. to midnight. On the creek at St. Mary’s/Pierce City Park...

Some people, especially children, love to spin themselves in circles until they are fall-down dizzy.

Demolition has been completed on the former VFW property along Kelly Creek at Fifth and Front Streets, and cleanup is all that remains of the former structure.

Coronavirus relief funds will be helping Lawrence County schools navigate the precarious waters of the pandemic as they launch the new school year. The Lawrence County Commission was able to fully fund all the grant requests that met qualifications in the second round of Coronavirus Relief Fund grants. Those awards total nearly $1.3 million, the bulk of which will go for schools’ health and safety needs, and technology for distance learning...

A former Mt. Vernon resident has been sentenced to five years supervised probation following a guilty plea to first-degree sodomy for acts that began in 2015, when he and his victim, who was under the age of 14, both lived in El Dorado Springs, and in 2016 when the family moved to Mt. Vernon...

Protestant Christian schools around Monett have announced plans for their school openings. Berean Christian Academy, located east of Monett off Highway 60, has canceled its open house for Monday and will begin classes on Wednesday. Principal Mary Blinzler has been joined this year by Administrator Jason Hutsell. The faculty has 25 full-time and part-time members...

Band camp got underway at Monett High School this week. Unlike past years, with this year’s COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, nothing has proceeded in the usual way, and the start of both the instrumental and vocal music programs in the Monett schools will see changes...

Shane Anderson started his firefighting career in Monett 22 years ago. Today it ended, with fond farewells, memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. “There isn’t a lot of turnover here in Monett,” Anderson said. “At 46, I realized I was the youngest member of the department.”...