News

Community members have an opportunity to enjoy an evening of musical entertainment while raising money to keep a bit of history alive in Barry County. The annual Kings prairie Schoolhouse Benefit is returning after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Barry County residents in Monett cast their votes Tuesday for a presiding commissioner while Lawrence County residents were tasked with deciding on a new prosecuting attorney and associate judge. Both counties voted for a number of state and federal offices. For live election coverage, visit www.monett-times.com. Mike Gervais/mgervais@cherryroad.com

Nothing is better on a hot August afternoon than ice cream, and the August Calendar Girl, Deleny Rueda, is perusing the frozen, frosty concoctions at Monett’s Dairy Queen in an effort to beat the heat. August hosts several frozen treat observances, including National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, Aug. 2; National Root Beer Float Day, Aug. 6; and National Banana Split Day, Aug. 25, so folks can enjoy their favorite creamy concoction without the calorie guilt. Rueda, who is starting her senior year at Monett High School, is the daughter of Jose Paz Rueda and Maria Reyes Rueda, and sister to Uriel and Jairo Rueda. This busy lady enjoys a variety of hobbies, including soccer, tennis, volunteering, running, driving, reading, and Danza, a form of dance that originated in Puerto Rico. She is a member of National Honor Society, Student Council, Key Club, and plays both soccer and tennis. Currently, she is exploring her options for a career in the medical field and plans to enroll in a community college or a university. Melonie Roberts/mroberts@cherryroad.com

Lawrence County Emergency Services Board members moved one step closer to the completion of a new $5.9 million consolidated Lawrence County 911 Center. Last week, board members breathed a collective sigh of relief after approving a contract with DeWitt and Associates of Springfield for the construction of the new center, which will be located in Mt.

Cox Monett Hospital has achieved a five-star overall quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This rating puts Cox Monett among the top performers of 4,500 hospitals surveyed nationwide.