Stories from Friday, May 6, 2011

The Downtown Revitalization and Economic Assistance for Missouri (DREAM) Initiative was officially launched in Monett on Wednesday with a public meeting explaining how the effort will proceed. Patrick Hanlon, project manager from the urban planning firm of Peckham Guyton Albers and Viets (PGAV), led the kick-off meeting and walked the crowd of about 50 people through the different areas of focus in the DREAM effort. ...

Jack Henry and Associates (JHA), based in Monett, has reported third quarter profits that included an 11 percent increase in revenue and a 10 percent increase in gross profits over the third quarter of 2010. A leading provider of integrated technology solutions that performs data processing for financial institutions, Jack Henry and Associates recorded total revenue for the quarter of $240.2 million, compared to $215.5 million in the same quarter a year ago. ...

Ann Hall, who has served as president for First State Bank of Purdy at branches in Pierce City and Monett since 1987, will retire this month. Hall will turn 65 in June. A reception in Hall's honor will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 27 at the Monett branch...

The trial of a former Barry County woman facing federal murder charges is scheduled to begin on Sept. 19 in federal court in St. Louis. Kay Young, 56, of Novinger, and her friend, Katherine Mock, 57, of Cassville, and her friend, Kay Young, 56, of Novinger, are charged with two counts of conspiracy to commit murder and two counts of murder for hire...

Anna Delores Birkenholz, age 80, of Golden, died on Thursday, May 5, at Brighton Ridge in Eureka Springs, Ark. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10 at the Christian Church in Eureka Springs, Ark., under the direction of White Funeral Home in Cassville. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, May 9 at the Christian Church in Eureka Springs, Ark. Burial will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11 at the Meriam Cemetery in Maryville...

Dolly M. Morse, age 80, of Exeter, died at 3:45 p.m., on Wednesday, May 4, in Cox Monett Hospital. Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m., on Monday, May 9, in Maplewood Cemetery, in Exeter, under the direction of Fohn Funeral Home in Cassville...

Alfred James Osterloh, 82, of Verona, Mo., passed away on Thursday, May 5, 2011 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Mt. Vernon, Mo. Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 8, 2011 at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home in Monett, Mo. Services will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 9, 2011 at Bennett-Wormington Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Muncie Chapel Cemetery with Wilbur Claude officiating...

A Purdy woman was hurt in a two-vehicle crash at 4:45 p.m. yesterday three miles north of Purdy. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Roy Cash, 63, of Purdy, was driving south on Farm Road 1090 when his 2001 Cadillac Deville slowed for another vehicle. A 1997 Ford F150 pickup driven by Christina Ingle, 27, of Purdy, rear ended the Cash car...

The Monett High School Speech and Debate team has qualified a record number of students for the National Forensic League's National Tournament, which will be held this June in Dallas, Texas. The annual Forensics Follies and pie auction will be 7 p.m. ...

For most people, baking can be a chore, but for Monett High School senior Dedre Beckett, baking is an adventure, a challenge and her avenue to a creative career. Beckett, a two-year culinary arts student at Southwest Area Career Center (SWACC) in Monett, recently won first place in culinary commercial baking at the Skills USA state competition held in Jefferson City. She also received second place in the commercial baking written competition...

Pierce City R-6 School Board members have approved naming the districts new storm shelter for the late Doug Weatherly, the girls basketball coach who died Dec. 13, 2010, just prior to a game at East Newton. The facility will be called the Doug Weatherly Field-house, and an official ceremony will take place next fall before the first home football game of the season...

Monett Babe Ruth baseball highlights...

The Monett Cubs tennis team (5-2) picked up a 9-0 victory over Carl Junction on Wednesday. "The boys are really playing good tennis at the right time of the year," said Monett Tennis Coach Bob Crain. "We have a shot to win a district title if we continue our high level of play."...

In a little building on Broadway, Monett resident Scott Wright invests over 20 hours of his time to help develop the baseball youth in the Monett area. Wright's mornings begin at 5 a.m. as he gets ready for his full-time job at EFCO. At 4 p.m. four days a week, Wright begins his other job as a United State Speciality Sports Association baseball coach and hitting and pitching instructor at The Bull Pen...