Viewpoint

A growing movement has been developing online that aims to bring attention to an ongoing issue in the country — child sex trafficking. The hashtag #SaveTheChildren has been gaining steam, bolstered by the death of Jeffrey Epstein and the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell on accusations of high-level child sex trafficking...

As much as I try to avoid it, here I go again discussing the topic of the year — COVID-19. Frankly, I’m tired of talking about it, hearing about it, thinking about it, writing about it and any other “-ing” about it that you can come up with. But, no matter how much I want to ignore it, COVID is a daily topic of conversation...

A bit of news — which may seem unexciting to some — hit my desk this week, making me pause and think. Spurred by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Monett Mayor Mike Brownsberger signed a proclamation naming Sept. 17-23 as Constitution Week in Monett. It urges residents to “reaffirm the ideals of the Framers of the Constitution had in 1787 by vigilantly protecting the freedoms guaranteed to us through this guardian of our liberties, remembering that lost rights may never be regained.”...

We have made it a practice to keep the subjects of our columns local. We will probably continue to do that, with some exceptions, and this will be one of those. We all began Jan. 1, 2020, with our normal optimism and with a chance at a new lease on life. ...

In case you missed it, break out your leash, open the treat bag and deliver some past due belly rubs in celebration of National Dog Day. The observance on Wednesday provided an opportunity to talk about something other than the latest stress-inducers (looking at your back-to-school week and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic), but rather, a stress-reliever...

These past five months have been a whirlwind of news, facts, figures, developments, rules and lifestyle changes, all thanks to COVID-19 (coronavirus). Disagreements about virtually every aspect of the virus, from its viability to mask effectiveness and so on, can leave a bad taste in the mouths of family and friends who all just want life to return back to normal...

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...

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...

I love election day. Whether it’s municipal, primary or general elections, there’s nothing quite like the anticipation in the news room waiting for results to begin rolling in. From the time polls close at 7 p.m. to the time we get results, usually between 8:30-9 p.m., it’s usually a waiting game — but not on Tuesday...

The two largest school districts in Barry County released their back-to-school plans on Thursday, and unlike how all districts in March did the exact same wellness break, this fall will look different depending on the district. Monett released a 10-page document detailing the most pertinent questions, such as the options for seated or virtual instruction, masking for students and staff, transportation protocols, the triggers for a change to out-of-school instruction, and a whole host of other details people may or may not have considered.. ...