Stories from Saturday, January 16, 2021

Charles Dennis Marsh, age 79, of Mount Vernon, died Jan. 12, due to complications of COVID-19. Memorial services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of the Fossett-Mosher Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon.

Carl “Dean” Harris, 47, of Purdy, died Monday, Jan. 11. Graveside services were held Friday, Jan. 15, at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Cassville, under direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville.

Pearl Ann Gwin, 84, of Springfield, died Tuesday, Jan. 12, at the Ash Grove Health Care Facility in Ash A graveside service, under the direction of the Morris-Leiman-Mosher Funeral Home, in Miller, will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Miller Memorial Gardens Cemetery...

Dorothy June Sims of Monett, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at her home in Monett. Mrs. Sims, daughter of Elburn Moore and Margaret Sisco, both deceased, was born April 4, 1927, in Cassville. She attended grade school and graduated High School in Cassville. She married Verlyn “Soad” Sims on February 20, 1956, in Cassville. Mr. Sims passed away on November 28, 2020...

Ronald R. Herd, 70, died on Jan. 8, 2021, in his home surrounded by family. He was born Jan. 2, 1951, at St. Vincent’s hospital in Monett, Missouri, the son of Johnnie Ray Herd and Delores (Wilmoth) Herd. Ron joined his father in the oil business in 1968, his junior year. ...

Charlotte Lee (Frost) Cloud, 93, of Monett, Mo., passed peacefully from this life on Thursday morning, January 14, 2021, in the comfort of her home. Charlotte was born on December 4, 1927, in the family home north of Carthage, Mo., in the Mt. Moriah Community of Jasper County. She was the first child born to the late Aaron Jackson Frost and Edna R. (Melugin) Frost. Charlotte graduated from Jasper High School with the class of 1946. She then furthered her education at Joplin Junior College...

Dear Editor: I am very disturbed that some Republicans and the conservative media are once again shifting the blame to other groups, instead acknowledging that Republicans stormed the U.S. Capital in an act of insurrection. Their silence is endorsing the  unhinged president in the White House. Trump urged his supporters to come to Washington, D.C., and rallied his base of terrorists on before they attacked the Capitol and democracy. Then he said he loved them...

This last year has been a tough one for all, but it has undoubtedly been exponentially tougher for our men and women who dedicated their livelihoods as first responders. From our law enforcement to our firefighters, our linemen to our ambulance district staff, and especially for our healthcare workers, 2020 was unlike anything they had ever seen...

The Monett girls wrestling team is looking to make some noise today in Willard, as six varsity grapplers will hit the mats at the 18-team Lady Tiger Pride Tournament. Justin Semerad, Monett girls wrestling coach, said although placing as a team with so few competitors is not as realistic, he is hoping for strong individual finishes from his squad...

The Verona boys basketball team is looking to rebound from a pair of recent losses as conference play is underway. The Wildcats (6-11), stuck with Southwest on Thursday through the first half, but the Trojans pulled away after the break and handed Verona a 72-49 loss at home...

The Monett boys wrestling team split contests Thursday in dual action at Logan-Rogersville High School. The Cubs were victorious over the home team, 48-36, but fell in action against Lebanon, 61-15. Ben Bluel won both of his matches at 132, defeating Logan-Rogersville’s Daniel Christian by fall in 0:33 and Lebanon’s Cole Patton by fall in 3:21...

A fast start from Pierce City allowed the team to hang on to a late lead and pick up a road win Thursday at Purdy. The Lady Eagles, 6-9, led 29-15 at halftime, and while Purdy turned up the heat in the final quarter, the lead never dipped into single-digits and the Lady Eagles ruled the nest, 52-37...

Pierce City Senior Center will be closed in January and February due to COVID. The center will evaluate the situation at the end of February to consider opening for March. The Freedom Dream Center, 17044 Hwy. 39, north of Aurora, offers a support group for persons or families struggling with addiction. The support group meets at 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. every first and third Wednesday of the month. Additional information is available by calling 417-678-6909...

Dr. Mark Costley has been part of rural health care since before he was born – literally. Costley, CoxHealth’s Medical Director of Regional Services, was born at Cox Monett Hospital – back when it was St. Vincent’s Hospital – in 1954. That day led to a childhood spent in the rural Missouri community, a career as a physician leader, and ultimately, helping other medical students follow similar paths as Associate Dean of the Springfield Clinical Campus of the University of Missouri School of Medicine.. ...

December’s absence of Salvation Army volunteers ringing those cheery bells in front of their iconic red kettles has impacted at least one local charitable organization. MaLinda King, director of Crosslines of Monett, reported receiving approximately $1,000 in mailed-in donations, since local donors were instructed to mail their offerings directly to the organization...

Feral hogs and black vultures have been named by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) as two of the state’s most pervasive pest species. MDC Agent Andy Barnes recently discussed what they are and how to deter them. “Black vultures are different than turkey vultures,” he said. “They can be identified by their black heads, distinctive white or light feathers on their wingtips and their short tails.”...

Area residents can see progress being made in the first phase of Pierce City’s water system improvements, as workers with Goins Enterprises, of Joplin, continue working northward along Walnut Street digging out lines and installing new water valves...

The Monett Police Department has two new tools in its enforcement arsenal that will help motorists be more aware of their speed and collect traffic data for officers to evaluate in an effort to enhance driver safety. “We purchased two EVOLIS Radar Speed Signs from Elan City in Long Island City, N.Y.,” said Lt. Dennis Camp. “The signs, which cost $5,829, were purchased and paid in full through a Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety’s Blueprint Grant. They cost the city nothing.”...