Stories from Saturday, August 13, 2016

Dear Editor, It scares me. Being raised in an industrial area on the east coast, I know only too well the devastating effects of the exposure to asbestos. But, I am here in Missouri, where I moved not only for its beauty, but for the clean air and other environmental pluses the area has to offer...

Much like the rest of the nation, and the world for that matter, Monett youth have been bitten by the Pokémon GO bug pretty hard. I was a child of the 1990s, and Pokémon cartoon debuted in the early 2000s. Much like many my age, the story of 10-year-old Ash Ketchum, traveling across the world catching, training and battling the real life animal-based creatures, was a mainstay of my childhood...

This is festival weekend for the Monett area. There's Ernte-Fest in Freistatt, Howdy Neighbor Days in Pierce City and the Kings Prairie Benefit Concert east of Monett at the historic Kings Prairie school. Sad to say, there will be nothing to remotely compare with these offerings next weekend...

Cross-country in Monett has a proud tradition. For years, the program was used to sending multiple athletes to the state competition. Over the past few seasons, the program dwindled in numbers, area teams improved and the Cubs and Lady Cubs found it more difficult to compete. However, it looks like the winds of change are blowing in Monett again...

Last season was full of close calls and what-ifs for the Eagles of Pierce City. A 4-6 record could have easily been 6-4, according to Coach Brad Hocker, had the ball bounced a different way. "Last year, we lost to Cabool in the first round of the playoffs," Hocker said. ...

The Burbridge Family held its seventh bi-annual family reunion in July at Fairview Church in Shell Knob. At the event, 76 family members enjoyed a slide-show, door prizes, and a catered dinner provided by Zanetta Campbell and Karlton Burbridge. The following family members were in attendance:...

The 43rd annual Ernte-Fest, offered by the Freistatt Lions Club, continues today from 4:30 p.m. to midnight at the Ernte-Fest grounds, north of Freistatt. Live music will include the Johnnie Zibert Band from 5 to 7 p.m., playing traditional German dance music, followed by the PolkaMeisters of Tulsa. On the second stage, Makenna and Brock play...

Jason Hoggett, 37, a Monett native and 1998 Monett High School graduate now living in Clever, is continuing his goal of setting a world record for largest quilt.

While their friends huddled indoors with their video games and computers, three buddies in Purdy hit the road, riding their bikes around town in the evening.

Monett dispatchers have undergone training this week with instructor Barry Bagwell on the new emergency medical dispatching service through Monett's 911 center.

Monett schools were bustling on Thursday night for open house.

One of the major concerns for Monett school officials over the past week has been finishing the parking lots for teachers at the high school and the new lot at Sixth and Park for Central Park Elementary.

This afternoon, the Pierce City Arts Council will open its new gallery and art workshop for public viewing. From 2-5 p.m., during Howdy Neighbor Days, the arts group will show off its new facility at 106 W. Commercial Street, the former location of the Saddle Rock and Sweet Rock restaurants and Poppy's Cafe and Bakery. Refreshments will be offered...

Construction work is moving rapidly on the new Monett animal shelter, south of the Justice Center, targeting completion by the end of September. Glenn Palade, animal control officer, said with the heating and air conditioning installation underway, the next step will be to finish the reception room, then install the epoxy floors throughout the facility. The block walls will be treated, sealed and painted...

Teachers, administrative staff and employees at Pierce City school district started Friday off right, with members of the school board serving employees breakfast.

Principals at the Verona school district report discipline problems have increased, partly due to home conditions, resulting in more supervisory activity required by school officials. Terry Winton, high school principal, noted the number of incidents requiring disciplinary action grew over the past year. Issues involving elementary students have become more serious...