News

The cast of the Monett Artists’ Guild production of “Godspell” will perform at the Monett High School Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. tonight and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Construction crews moved in Monday to begin the $633,000 expansion project at the Highways 37 and 60 intersection in Monett that will reconfigure the eastbound traffic flow. The undertaking is a cost sharing project between the City of Monett and the Missouri Department of Transportation. The city is paying half the cost, drawing on its federal disbursement through the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program and the transportation sales tax...

Continuing an effort to reshape regulations in Verona, this week Mayor Joseph Heck announced a crackdown on all nuisance and building violations in the city. Heck said letters would be mailed to all property owners detailing violations and describing needed corrections. ...

The Monett Police Department is seeking help for the 2018 National Night Out, slated for 6-10 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion in the Glen and Sharon Garrett Park in Front Street. “We will have live music, door prizes, bounce houses, other inflatables, and free food which has been graciously provided by Tyson Foods and Steel Tech of Monett,” said Sgt. ...

A few changes around a person’s home could serve as a deterrent to would-be thieves. Students at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy were told some inexpensive hints to make their homes less attractive to thieves, including installation of motion sensor lighting, placement of alarm service signage, and the simple addition of a food-filled dog dish on the front porch...

On Monday, Russ Moreland completed his first official week on the job as the Monett school district's new superintendent. “I've been taking the rounds, trying to visit every building,” Moreland said. “It helps so much to know so many people, particularly administrators. I'm seeing things that are going on and getting caught up on summer facilities projects.”...

The Monett Police Department has a new ram door for training, fabricated by Architectural Systems Inc. in Monett. According to Sgt. John Ferguson, the door will be used by Special Response Teams and new recruits, as well as for testing and physical fitness testing...

Uninsured and under-insured women can get a free screening mammogram at an event being held at Cox Monett Hospital, 801 N. Lincoln Ave. in Monett. The free screening will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, July 21, inside the hospital’s north patient registration entrance. Mammograms will be available for women ages 40 and older, and younger women at high risk for breast cancer...

On Thursday, Cox Monett Hospital celebrated being named to Modern Healthcare's 2018 list of Best Places to Work in Healthcare. The administration served lunch of pulled pork and hot dogs to the employees on Benton Street, in front of the hospital's main entrance to employees, physicians, volunteers and visitors. Blue Bunny ice cream treats were also available, all free of charge. Staff members also received pullover garments with writing celebrating the achievement...

Kasen Bartkoski, 2, at left, takes aim at his father, Jory Bartkoski, far right, while learning how to throw a ball at the Pierce City Municipal Pool Tuesday afternoon.

Maintenance crews for Fiberglass Specialties of Henderson, Texas, manufacturer of the fiberglass dome atop the Monett Museum, were on the roof on Friday.

An adult program on job search and resume writing will be offered by Stephanie Roberts from the Missouri Career Center at 1 p.m. on July 18 at the Monett Branch Library, Sixth and Bond. The Monett Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, at the Monett Museum Events Center, 418 E. Broadway. Pat and Jim Randall will present a program on the Randall family history. All interested persons are welcome...

The Barry County Commission and city of Monett have issued burn bans, as drought conditions have elevated the risk of fire. By order of the Barry County Commission, a county wide burn ban has been put in effect until further notice. This ban also includes the ignition of some types of fireworks and may carry a penalty of up to a class A misdemeanor...

The 1922 Pierce City High School demolished this week replaced the Baptist Bible College building, which served as the high school until it burned on Jan. 21, 1918. That fire could not be fought due to a frozen fire hydrant. George W. Palmer, from the Class of 1911, wrote a poem at the loss of the school, published in the Pierce City newspaper. ...

A Purdy man was injured Saturday in a wreck at 10:25 a.m. on Highway 37, one mile north of Butterfield. According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol report, William Burch, 46, of Purdy, was riding a 2017 Triumph motorcycle northbound and was slowing due to traffic when his vehicle was struck in the rear by a 2016 Nissan Versa, being driven by Daniel Henry, 59, of Washburn...

Purdy school board members have made plans for the coming school year, including setting salaries and reviewing construction project on the new storm shelter and performing arts center. Superintendent Steven Chancellor reported the district completed the 2017-2018 school year largely on target, except for paying down the district’s debt faster by $419,900, an extra payment not planned for the coming year. ...

With enthusiastic fans hugging the stage, the Black Moods closed the show on the 2018 First on Front concert series.

Registration is underway for events at the seventh annual Purdy Festival, slated for Saturday, July 21, at the city park and school campus. This will be the biggest community gathering of the year in Purdy, offering free carnival rides throughout the day, live music, a softball and livestock show, a vintage vehicle show, concessions and activities...

Amanda Burkdoll is the new executive assistant at the Monett Chamber of Commerce office. A Cassville resident, Burkdoll is originally from Ava. She worked for the state prison system, earning promotions up to investigator, before switching to work as an adult mental health case manager for Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield. She is presently halfway through her studies to complete a master's degree in clinical social work...

A Monett actress will appear in her first Branson show this week. Kaitlyn Schumacher, who sang the lead in the Rebel's Bluff Troupe's 2016 production of "Oklahoma," is a member of the chorus in the Branson Regional Arts Council's production of "Legally Blonde." The show runs at 7 p.m. ...

1. Do you believe the county road districts need to be consolidated? If not, why not? If so, how would you facilitate the change? We had road districts that wanted to consolidate and couldn’t. State law prevented it. We instigated a bill in the State Legislature and got the law passed to enable local road districts to decide for themselves whether or not it was in the best interest of the taxpayers and road districts to consolidate. ...

1. Do you believe the county road districts need to be consolidated? If not, why not? If so, how would you facilitate the change? I would take the first ninety-days to gather information from road commissioners and citizens to get their input on consolidation before making any decisions. I personally believe that we can reduce cost through better communication. We can work together to form a countywide plan that addresses all districts, so all citizens will have safe roads and bridges...

1. Do you believe the county road districts need to be consolidated? If not, why not? If so, how would you facilitate the change? I believe anything that will benefit the taxpayer and improve the roads in Barry County is a great idea. For smaller districts that are struggling with a limited assessed valuation which means fewer tax dollars to purchase equipment and maintain roads, this may be a good plan to consider. ...

Age: 25 Political Party: Republican Current Occupation: Wastewaster Specialist, Efco Past Experience: Retail Management Education: High School Graduate Website: N/A 1. Why do you want to be Recorder of Deeds? I have a strong desire to serve my community. I think that my strengths would be best suited for the office of Recorder of Deeds...

Age: 53 Political Party: Republican Current Occupation: Current Chief Deputy Recorder for Barry County Past Experience: In 1996-2006, I was hired by Senator Emory Melton to work at his title company, Barry County Abstract and Title, beginning as searcher and later moving into the closing side of title. ...

Age: 36 Political Party: Republican Current Occupation: Stay-at-home mom and assist my husband on our three-generation family farm Past Experience: Employee and manager at Cassville License Office Education: High school and Crowder College Website: stillforbcr.com...

Age: 64 Political Party: Republican Current Occupation: Semi-Retired/J.B. Hunt Past Experience: 25+ years in the Consumer Finance and Banking Industry; Management of up to 10 people; Management of the institutions assets, which includes but not necessarily limited to the institutions overall portfolio of loans, making and approving loans such as Mortgage loans, Consumer loans and Business loans; Securities purchased; Performing inside audits of the institution for safety and soundness and reporting the same to the Board of Directors; Performing Compliance Audits and reporting the same to the Board of Directors; Preparation of the Institutions quarterly Call Reports and submitting the same to the regulatory agencies; I have worked closely with the Regulatory Agencies within the Consumer Finance and Banking Industry,those being Missouri Division of Finance, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. ...

Demolition of the last wall of the 1922 Pierce City High School took place on Tuesday morning. The Gator Industrial trackhoe resembles a hungry “Jusassic Park” dinosaur as it closes in on the last vestige of humanity in this apocalyptic setting, tackling the west wall entrance. Photos by Murray Bishoff/times-news@monett-times.com...

Tyson Goetz eyed a hot dog on the plate of his mom, Elizabeth Goetz, during the picnic that preceded the annual fireworks show Ken and Julie Terry provided for the Purdy community on July 3.

Preparations are underway for the annual picnic on July 20 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church at Stones Prairie, northeast of Purdy.

The Monett High School Class of 1978 will hold its 40th reunion Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14. Classmates and spouses will meet at 6 p.m. on July 13 for dinner at the Angus Branch Steakhouse in Monett. On Saturday, the reunion moves to the home of Bruce Glaser for a pool party and evening meal, beginning at 1 p.m. For additional information, people may call Ingrid Schelin at 620-779-1340, Lynn Burton Schad at 417-489-0480, or Jana Martin Parsons at 312-301-3469...

Stephen Schwartz's musical "Godspell" will be the summer production of the Monett Artists' Guild, coming to the Monett High School Performing Arts Center next weekend. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 13 and 14, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 15. Cost is $10 at the door...

More photos from Wednesday’s event may be found at http://www.monett-times.com/gallery/33124 Cooler weather and a last minute heroic effort made Monett's July 4 celebration a memorable and successful party for the community. Despite additional preparations, the party ultimately hinged on the fireworks show, which came in jeopardy on Tuesday when the A.M. ...

More photos from Wednesday’s event may be found at http://www.monett-times.com/gallery/33124 It was like one of those legendary calls when the star becomes ill and the understudy has to step in at the last minute. Dereck Morrison, Dalton Burton and Zach Blevins, all 2018 Monett High School graduates, started shooting off fireworks as a team when they were age 8. ...

Editor’s note: This is Part 4 of an 11-part series detailing the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy. Lawrence County Sheriff Brad DeLay spoke to students at the Lawrence County Citizens Academy about how the department operates and some of the practices law enforcement officials undertake...

New Pierce City School Superintendent Kelli Alumbaugh has hit the ground running, tackling a number of ongoing projects on campus and looking for a new home for herself and her husband, Zach. "I did a walk through [of the campus] with Russ Moreland, the architects overseeing the remodel and maintenance workers to review progress made so far," she said. "We are in great shape and moving forward with the master plan."...

The Verona school board voted to boost the base salary of teachers and made additional hires in preparation for the new school year. At the recommendation of Superintendent Tony Simmons, the board raised base pay by $1,000, putting the starting salary for a new teacher at $31,000. Simmons noted other area districts were raising pay by $250 to $500...

To help celebrate the Fourth of July holiday, Hailey Grace Davis, 2 1/2, decorated the yard of her aunt, Cathy Lewis, in rural Pierce City and offered a salute.

The Aurora Historical Society Museum in the depot Chamber office will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 7. The Verona City Council will hold a work session on a wide range of topic at 7 p.m. on July 10 at city hall. The Purdy Special Road District commissioners will meet at 10 a.m. on July 9 at the road district barn at 200 S. Ninth St., east of the ball fields in Purdy...

Monett's fireworks show at the city's South Park on July 4 will go on, but the event will be different than in the past. Jeff Meredith, executive director for the Monett Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that the explosion and fire at the A.M. Pyrotechnics warehouse in Pleasant Hope on July 3 has impacted the supply planned for Monett's show. ...

A public meeting meeting has been scheduled by the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) from 4:30 to 6 p.m. on July 10 to discuss major improvements on Highway 37 between Monett and the Arkansas state line. The meeting is scheduled for 4:30 to 6 p.m. ...

The Monett school board formulated its financial strategy for the coming school year at its June meeting, including giving raises to teachers and administrators. Retiring Superintendent Brad Hanson reported the district ended the year on June 30 in far better shape financially than expected. Revenue topped expectations by close to $500,000 and spending ran under budget by around $500,000 as well...

The five-year Healthy Schools/Healthy Communities grant program made possible through grant money from the Missouri Foundation for Health concluded last Saturday with a final celebration held at the Glen and Sharon Garrett Park. “We had a great turnout at our Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC) Celebration,” said Alex Severs, wellness coordinator for the Monett school district. ...

The final First on Front Street concert, hosted by First State Bank of Purdy, will be held at the Jerry D. Hall Memorial Pavilion in the Glen and Sharon Garrett Park in downtown Monett on Friday. The final concert will start almost an hour earlier than its two predecessors, as music by the acoustic duo Screen Door Serenade will begin shortly after 5 p.m...

Age: 79 Political Party: Republican Current Occupation: Presiding Commission and farmer Past Experience: Incumbent presiding commissioner, Banker, Farmer Education: Bachelor of Science Missouri State University Website: N/A 1. Why do you want to be presiding commissioner?...

Age: 66 Political Party: Republican Current Occupation: Barry County Clerk Past Experience: Served 8 years Missouri Army National Guard in the 203rd, Company B, at Carthage; 14 years employment with MFA Plant Food Division as plant lead man at the Carytown Plant north of Carthage; Promoted to plant Manager of the Exeter Fertilizer Plant in 1978 and moved to Cassville; 10 years at Cassville schools as director of maintenance and building grounds; Barry County Clerk since winning election in November 1994. ...

Age: 60 Political Party: Republican Current Occupation: Consultant and Farmer Past Experience: Business Owner, Manufacturing, Contractor Education: Life Experience Website: https://www.facebook.com/johnhendricks4allcitizens/ 1. Why do you want to be presiding commissioner?...

Plans moved forward with the new Shell Knob library branch and for another date to seek a tax levy increase have been made by the Barry-Lawrence Regional Library System board. After hiring Paragon Architecture in May, board members looked over four possible designs prepared for consideration. ...

The Roaring River State Park’s spring pool will offer a different scenery this fall, as a $1.9 million project at the Roaring River Hatchery will replace flood gates and the pipeline into the hatchery. Paul Spurgeon, manager of the Roaring River Hatchery, which is under the umbrella of the Missouri Department of Conservation, said the project will replace all flood gates in the spring pool, the pipeline into the hatchery and a traveling screen will be installed to catch debris from the pool before it enters the hatchery.. ...

About 20,000 area military veterans may have been surprised, and then concerned, when they received a letter informing them that a pathologist at the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center in Fayetteville, Ark., was found to be “impaired,” and had misdiagnosed some patients, resulting in at least one death...