News

The Barry County Commission and the Barry County Health Department, in alignment with Governor Parson’s Show-Me Strong Recovery plan, are announcing the extension of the Phase 1 rules until June 15. The rules allow businesses to remain open, while mitigating the potential spread of COVID-19 in Barry County. The rules include requirements for physical distancing, maximum occupancy limits, and source control masking requirements for some service providers...

County health officials are hoping for continued good news regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) as the local board and state prepare to advance the recovery effort into Phase II. Roger Brock, Barry County Health Department administrator, said how the next step will look depends largely on new guidelines expected from Gov. Mike Parson...

Investigators with the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office were called to a residence located at 23919 Farm Road 2145, north of Marionville, at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, to a report of a deceased person. According to the statement of probable cause, when deputies arrived, they located 53-year-old Patricia L. Urange in a black 1998 Toyota Rav4 on the property. She had apparently been stabbed multiple times...

Continuing tradition, Tom Wolfe Memorial Post No. 4207, Veterans of Foreign Wars, presented its annual Memorial Day service on Monday at the Monett IOOF Cemetery. Post members offered a ceremony led by Danetta Wakefield, past VFW Department of Missouri president. The program described the history of Memorial Day, noting that “where one [soldier] lies, this is hallowed ground.”...

Thoughts of summertime in small towns typically lean toward dropping a line at the local fishin’ hole, picnics by the creek and a fall festival to celebrate a healthy harvest, neighbors, friends and community before the long days and nights of winter set in...

The Barry County government recently received a distribution from the state in the amount of $4,198,764, money from the CARES Act the county will have to distribute to smaller political subdivisions. Gary Youngblood, Barry County presiding commissioner, said the county is in the process of determining a distribution method...

Sales tax disbursements in May, generally reflecting sales from businesses in March that report monthly, showed no economic slowdown. On the contrary, sales tax totals reflected the most robust month in more than half a year, with an overall gain of 13 percent of a year ago, the best monthly gain for recipients since last November...

The full slate of municipal races, school boards and assorted local government positions usually decided in April will be resolved when voters go to the polls on June 2, the new date set by the state because of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. City of Monett...

The Purdy City Council is one step closer to securing railroad crossing improvements. Council members approved paperwork from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to begin railroad crossing improvements on Washington Avenue and Commercial Street. ...

Berean Christian Academy in rural Monett will hold graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 on Thursday in the school's gymnasium/activities center. Principal Mary Blinzler said the ceremony will be an invitation-only event. Each graduate will be limited in the number of family members allowed, and social distancing will be maintained...

The flood-prone road districts of Purdy and Verona appear to have weathered winter better than usual and have modest summer work plans in the queue. “We came through the winter without too much damage to roads,” said Helen Roller, secretary for the Purdy Special Road District...

A Monett woman is dead following a single-vehicle crash on Chapell Drive that took place Monday evening, about a quarter of a mile north of Park Street. According to Lt. Dennis Camp, of the Monett Police Department, the incident occurred at about 10:50 p.m. when a northbound 2014 GMC Sierra pickup ran off the left side of the roadway and traveled more than 150 feet before colliding with a utility pole...

Members of Hobbs-Anderson American Legion Post 91 and volunteers turned out in force on Friday afternoon to help place American flags on the graves of war veterans in honor of Memorial Day.

The Monett Area YMCA opened its indoor swimming pool this week, 6 to 11 a.m. only. The outdoor pool is scheduled to open on June 1. Hours will be 1-6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 1-8 p.m. Saturday. There will be limited occupancy. Chairs will be placed in family pods. Chairs will be sanitized after each use...

The Barry County Health Department has reported an eleventh case of COVID-19. This is an active case of COVID-19, which is a result of community spread. The individual is now under an isolation order, and as part of the disease investigation, close contacts with the individual will be contacted and if appropriate ordered to quarantine...

Testing for COVID-19 (coronavirus) infections will continue for the time being in Monett, reported Steve Edwards, chief executive officer for CoxHealth Systems, in a weekly media briefing on Thursday. Testing at the First United Methodist Church in Monett by Cox Monett and Mercy Hospitals staff through May 18 had tested 133 people, approximately 10 per day...

For the first time in more than 18 years, an individual has been honored by Monett city officials by presenting a key to the city. Mayor Mike Brownsberger presented local journalist Murray Bishoff with a key to the city following the regular meeting of commissioners on Wednesday, along with a certificate of appreciation for Bishoff’s more than 30 years of reporting on city-wide activities and events. ...

Trinity Lutheran School in Freistatt will hold graduation ceremonies for its eighth graders at 7 p.m. on May 30 in the school gym. Principal Amanda Moennig said Ruby Rose Knight, daughter of Jackson and Holly Knight, will be the class valedictorian. She is the first in her family to graduate from Trinity Lutheran. She plans to attend Purdy High School in the fall...

Five people were injured in a four-vehicle crash on Wednesday evening at Highway 60 at Farm Road 1100, about a mile and a half east of Monett. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, the incident occurred at 5:25 p.m., when an eastbound Honda minivan, driven by Santanna V. ...

The Lawrence County Youth fair will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on June 4 and continue through June 7 at the Freistatt Lions Club/Lawrence County Fairgrounds in Freistatt. First up will be the rabbit show, ag mechanics, the market broiler and the poultry, dairy and meat goat shows, taking place at 6:30 p.m. on June 4...

A Memorial Day service will be held at noon on Monday, May 28, by Tom Wolfe Memorial Post No. 4207, Veterans of Foreign Wars, at the ceremonial gravesite of its namesake, at the east end of the Monett IOOF Cemetery, near the standpipe. The public is welcome to attend...

The Barry County Health Department has announced its ninth and 10th cases of COVID-19 in the county, the first new cases since May 7. Administrator Roger Brock said the county was notified by the state after the Barry County resident tested positive in another county...

What will their next milestone bring? Matthew Hall, valedictorian of the 51-member Pierce City High School Class of 2020, gave audience members and his peers some serious food for thought at Sunday’s graduation ceremonies, held at the Don Keebaugh Stadium in Pierce City...

Stocking has resumed at Roaring River State Park and campgrounds are available for reservation, but one change is more noticeable than others — the fish-cleaning station is no more. Joel Topham, Roaring River State Park natural resources manager, said initially, staff were allowing anglers to use the station, so long as six-foot social distancing rules were observed. However, Topham said at times, there were still groups of more than 20 gathering at the small facility...

In the closest vote count ever recorded, Critical Links edged out J&J Floorcovering to win this year’s Drury ad contest — by 23 votes. Out of the 2,803 total votes, Critical Links received 1,413, and J&J Floorcovering received 1,390. The contest ran from May 1 through May 11 on the story about the contest on www.monett-times.com...

A total of 51 Pierce City High School seniors ended their high school careers with commencement ceremonies on Sunday at Don Keebaugh Stadium. Valedictorian for the Class of 2020 was Matthew Hall. He plans on attending Missouri S&T in the fall to study mechanical engineering. His parents are Tim and Lisa Hall...

Voters around the bi-county area will have a number of tax issues on the June 2 ballot to consider, from countywide services to local road districts and school bond issues. For the first time since 2016, the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library will seek a tax levy increase, once again seeking 7 additional cents to the current levy of approximately 15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation, covering both personal and real estate property. Voters in both Barry and Lawrence counties will vote...

The arrival of new pumps for two of Pierce City’s wastewater lift stations has not made much difference in the way the systems are working. Bert Bond, of Clean Stream Enterprises in Clever, reported to aldermen a bad relay and switch had been found and replaced, yet the pump at the Pine Street lift station continues to run only intermittently...

Following a relatively mild winter on local roadways, commissioners with the Monett Special Road District are preparing for road improvements in a number of areas this summer. “We are going to have a seal coat put on Farm Road 1090,” said Bruce Washek, chairman. ...

While the legal paperwork for the Pierce City water system project is moving into the final stages of approval with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), one hold-up on the project continues to be a matter of concern. Officials with the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad have had the project information for several months and have yet to sign off their approval for work to take place in the right-of-way areas near the tracks...

Monett-based Jack Henry and Associates (JHA) has reported another strong quarter, with revenue under generally accepted accounting principles showing a 13 percent increase and operating income seeing a 20 percent hike. The technology solutions and payment processing services company, primarily serving the financial services industry, reported an especially strong performance for the quarter ending on March 31, topping the record performance in the 2018-2019 fiscal year. ...

Crews for BL Construction of Tulsa put the finishing touches Monday on the U.S. Cellular monopole installed at Highway 97 and Farm Road 2220, north of Pierce City.

Tradition continued on Monday as second graders “graduating” from Monett Elementary School had the opportunity to ring the school bell signifying completion of grades at that campus.

A banner hanging outside the Lawrence County Courthouse declares the celebration of the county’s 175th birthday is underway, though no festivities have been announced.

The Monett Museum at Fifth and Broadway will remain closed until June 1. The Pierce City/Harold Bell Wright Museum in Pierce City will be open from 1:30 to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Community Blood Center of the Ozarks will hold blood drives from 1 to 6 p.m. on May 22 at the Mill Street Church of Christ, 1104 Mill St. in Cassville; and from noon to 4:40 p.m. on May 29 at Mercy Hospital, 700 Porter in Aurora...

The Monett City Council has scheduled a short agenda for its monthly meeting on June 20, which is being held at 9:30 a.m. at the Monett City Park Casino. Four resolutions only are up for consideration: Granting an easement to place a mural on the Aggieville silo; refinancing the 2010 Recovery Zone Economic Development bonds; accepting bids for replacing roofs on three city buildings; and appointing Jeff Meredith to the Tax Increment Finance Commission...

After having shuttered their stores in accordance with COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic restrictions on non-essential employment, local merchants are happy to be doing business again. During Phase 1 of the re-opening, employers are required to maintain social distancing, calculate maximum occupancy limits based on square footage and maintain masking requirements for some service providers...

For high school seniors across the nation, 2020 has not been a typical year. While school officials hope to resume classes as normal in the fall, those who are graduating this year are challenged by how to commemorate their milestone events in a non-typical fashion due to social restrictions imposed during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic...

Honor graduates for Monett High School's Class of 2020 has been announced by Principal Stephanie Heman, and preparations have been formalized for the graduation ceremony on June 12. Honor graduates, representing the top 10 percent of their class, are:...

Age: 30 Current Occupation: Clinic Administrator at CoxHealth Past Experience: Clinical Management Education: Bachelor of Arts, May 2018, Missouri Southern State University; MBA, Fall of 2020, Louisiana State University-Shreveport 1. Why do you want to win this position?...

Age: 45 Current Occupation: President Cox Monett Hospital, System Vice President Community Hospital Group Past Experience: Have served three terms on Monett R-1 School Board of Education 2011-2014, 2014-2017, 2017-2020; Served as President of the school board 2017-2020 as Vice President 2016...

Age: 45 Current Occupation: WinTech President Past Experience: Participation on various Advisory and Administrative Boards Education: Bachelor of Arts, May 2018, Missouri Southern State University; MBA, Fall of 2020, Louisiana State University-Shreveport University of Arkansas, B.S. Civil Engineering; Master’s in Business Administration...

Age: 40 Current Occupation: Shelter Insurance Agent Past Experience: I spent most of my early professional career in the juvenile justice field. I started out working for the Missouri Division of Youth Services, as a Youth Specialist, at the Mount Vernon Treatment Center. ...

The Monett City Council has taken action on three resolutions to move the FEMA buyout of property along Kelly Creek forward, projecting a conclusion to the project by the end of July. City Administrator Dennis Pyle said administrators of the Community Development Block Grant program (CDBG) agreed to cover the full 25 percent match needed for the non-federal portion of the buyout. Otherwise, the city would pay the match...

The Verona school board recently addressed personnel issues and discussed graduation options. Board members approved the resignation of Eric Mooneyham as high school science teacher. Also approved was Superintendent Tony Simmons’ recommendation to move Bunnie Warden to the junior high science teacher’s position from the elementary school. ...

The opening of the Pierce City Municipal Pool has been set for June 13. The tentative opening date is a result of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic and the late start to Pierce City School District’s proposed summer school schedule. “The Lawrence County Health Department has advised us to not get in a hurry,” said Julie Johnson, city clerk. “Summer school doesn’t start until July, and that makes up a large part of [the pool’s] income.”...

Monett Main Street is again accepting applications for grants to improve the appearance of downtown businesses by upgrading their façades or other exterior work. According to Bob Berger, with the Main Street's design committee, the organization promoting redevelopment of Monett's historic downtown district has budgeted $10,000 for façades, double the amount from past years...

The breakfast for the 22 seniors at Verona High School was held on Friday morning in the school cafeteria, spaced for social distancing with separate tables for each family.

While responding to a call at McDowell for a water rescue, Daniel Shores, an agent with the Missouri Department of Conservation, was himself involved in an emergency situation.

Following the revelation that seven residents at a Lawrence County long-term residential care facility had tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus), tests of the staff to date have come up negative, relieving anxiety about the largest concentrated outbreak of the pandemic in the bi-county area to date...