News

Making progress

Work is underway on the Verona Community Center. Since its official groundbreaking in November, the property adjacent to City Hall has been graded, a foundation has been laid and now walls and a roof are up. Once complete, the community center will be a hub of activity for residents, providing after-school programs and opportunities for students and other community members. A nonprofit organization, the Verona Community Center, was formed in late 2019 to develop the property and continues to raise money for the center. Mike Gervais/mgervais@cherryroad.com
Read MoreMaking progress

Time to shine

Purdy residents Brennan Hawkin, Sophee Hawkins and Jackson Lee brows some of the fireworks that are available in Monett. Fireworks booths have popped up throughout the area and as residents stock up on their annual Independence Day pyrotechnics, the City of Monett is reminding residents that fireworks should only be set off from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 and from 10 a.m. to midnight Monday, July 4. Mike Gervais/mgervais@cherryroad.com
Read MoreTime to shine

News in brief

The Pierce City Senior Center will be serving lunch from noon to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Everyone is welcome and lunch is $5 for those ages 55 and older, and $6 for those under 55. Carry-out meals will be available to those who contact the center at 417- 476-5006 before 10:30 a.m. Also, Nell’s Nails will be serving seniors for a nominal fee at 9 a.m. the first Thursday of each month.
Read MoreNews in brief

No hall pass needed

Who said summer school can’t be fun? Students attending second grade summer school courses at Central Elementary took a happy break from 1, 2, 3’s and A, B, C’s as they headed to the Pierce City Municipal Pool for a welcome splash break on Thursday afternoon. Melonie Roberts/mroberts@cherryroad.com
Read MoreNo hall pass needed

Verona man accepts plea deal for November 2019 murder

A Marionville man has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars for the murder of a Miller man in November 2019. Matthew Abney, 39, one of two people charged in connection with the death of Coy Cole, 52, of MiIler, was set to appear at trial next week. But on June 21 Abney entered an Alford plea to second-degree murder under an agreement with the Lawrence County Prosecutor Attorney’s Office. 
Read MoreVerona man accepts plea deal for November 2019 murder

Dog park delayed

Officials with Monett Main Street may have hit a “ruff” patch with the proposed dog park on Front Street. “During the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) buy-out, they purchased the land where the dog park is slated to be located,” said Jeff Meredith, secretary of Monett Main Street.
Read MoreDog park delayed