Photo furnished
OVHS Ladies Pitch in
Okaw Valley students helped out with the Corps of Engineers at Lake Shelbyville April 24. The all female team spread 30 cubic yards of mulch, cleaned up the flower beds at the visitor center and Coon Creek, and trimmed back and cleaned the trails at Coon Creek.
Alice N. Durbin
Alice N. Durbin, 103, of Altamont died at 11:34 a.m., Thursday, May 4, 2017 at Lutheran Care Center, Altamont.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 8, 2017 at Gieseking Funeral Home, Altamont with Rev. Marek Kasperczuck officiating. Burial will follow at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, rural St. Elmo. There will be a Rosary at 3:30 p.m., with visitation beginning at 4:00 p.m. and concluding at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 7, 2017 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Alice was born on Tuesday, November 4, 1913 in Altamont to George and Grace (Bailey) Dowds. She was a member of St. Clare Catholic Church, Altamont. She was a cook for Altamont Community Unit School District #10 for 19 years and at Lutheran Care Center for 6 years.
She is survived by: her sister, Avanelle Hooks of Altamont; 7 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, 35 great great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Alice was preceded in death by her 4 children; Ross E. Durbin, Jay F. Durbin, Mary Catherine Apke and Annetta McCoy; sister, Annabelle Shelton, 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.giesekingfh.com
Dorothy Woods Schwartz
Dorothy Woods Schwartz was born on November 18, 1919 in Hays County near Buda, Texas to William and Mattie Woods. She attended Seton Hospital School of Nursing in Austin, Texas and graduated in September 1940, and continued her nursing career as an RN until her retirement in 1976. She married V.E. “Gene” Schwartz in September 9, 1944, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage until his death in March 2000. They raised three children, Joe, Mary, and Jack.
After retirement, she turned to her love of history and began researching the history of both Hays and Johnson County, Texas. Over the years, she has written numerous history articles for various newspapers, assisted in the research and writing of two published books, one of which was made into a TV movie “True Women” about the Woods family, where Angelina Jolie played her great-grandmother Georgia Woods, and is accredited in the researching, writing, and placement of 22 Texas State Historical Markers between the two counties. She served for many years with the Johnson County Historical Commission and was also the local historian for Alvarado, Texas. On August 9, 2010, she was named Johnson County Historian Emeritus by Judge Roger Harmon and the Johnson County Commissioners Court.
Mrs. Schwartz passed away on May 1, 2017 at age 97. She was preceded in death by her husband Gene Schwartz and son Jack Schwartz. She is survived by her son, Joe Schwartz and wife, Roberta of Cleburne, TX; daughter, Mary Percifield and husband, John of Alvarado, TX; grandchildren: Shannon Schwartz of Ft. Worth, TX; Sonja Schwartz of Dallas, TX; Michelle Collins of Southern CA, Marianne Mansour and husband, Dr. Craig Mansour of Southern CA; Michael Percifield of Alvarado, TX; Paul Percifield and wife, Jennifer of Alvarado, TX; Jason Schwartz and wife, Lorelei of Jefferson City, MO; Joshua Schwartz and wife, Autumn of Kyle, TX; Claire Schwartz of San Marcos, TX; great-grandchildren: Emilie Percifield, Paul Percifield, Camden Percifield, Everett Percifield, and Chloe Percifield of Alvarado, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial donation be made to the First United Methodist Church at P.O. Box 364, Alvarado, TX 76009 or the Alvarado Heritage & Preservation Foundation at 509 Doris Court, Alvarado, TX 76009.
Visitation will take place on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at Vaughan Funeral Home at 200 E. Patton Ave. in Alvarado from 6-8pm.
Funeral services will take place on Thursday, May 4, 2017 at the First United Methodist Church at 301 S. Spears St. in Alvarado at 1pm. Interment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Alvarado, TX.
•May 3, 2017•
The Okaw Valley softball team defeated Cerro Gordo/DeLand-Weldon 14-1 in windy weather Monday evening.
The Timberwolves scored three runs in the first inning and three in the second inning to take a 6-1 lead.
OV tacked on two more runs in the fourth, then blew the game open with six runs in the sixth inning. Read More
Lenora Campbell
Lenora Fleming Campbell, 92, of Sullivan, died at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 2017 in Mason Point in Sullivan.
Graveside services were held at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 29 in Greenhill Cemetery with Pastor Charliam Renner officiating. Arrangements were by Reed Funeral Home in Sullivan. Read More
The Crime in Tabor Park
Letter to the Editor,
It was a “holocaust”, thousands died, their beautiful bodies lay where fallen curled in horrible disfigurement, young and vibrant, now ugly and decaying.
It was a crime “against nature”, a vicious chemical attack on the innocent.
If this was Syria, we would have to order a punishing missile attack.
There is nothing to be solved in this case, the evidence is obvious, Sherlock Holmes are Dr. Watson are not needed, chemicals were used. Read More
•May 3, 2017•
Secretary of State Jesse White’s legislation that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to register for the state’s First Person Consent Organ/Tissue Donor Registry when they receive their driver’s license or identification card passed the Illinois Senate today.
SB Bill 868, sponsored by state Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago) passed the Senate 56 to zero. It now goes to the House for consideration.
“Our goal is always to save lives,” White said. “Thousands of Illinoisans are waiting for an organ. Many of those who wait are someone’s mother, father, daughter or son. This legislation, which the vast majority of other states have implemented, is an important step in reducing the number of those on the waiting list.” Read More
•May 3, 2017•
What have you done lately to make a difference in your town? Your county? Here’s your chance. Consider setting aside a block of time to join the work of others and have a positive, local impact you can feel good about.
How? Become a volunteer! Join USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, 2017. This week NRCS is saying “Thank you!” by honoring its Earth Team volunteers for their service to conservation. “I’d also challenge everyone to make a difference right where you are. Look for opportunities—places and organizations near you—where you can direct your time and skills, and truly have an impact,” says State Conservationist Ivan Dozier. Read More
New Members Join Board
•May 3, 2017•
By Ariana Cherry
for the News Progress
Superintendent, Kenny Schwengel told Arthur-Lovington/Atwood-Hammond board membersat the last meeting that the negative balance in the transportation fund will require a transfer from the education fund.
The school district has not received any categorical payments, but the superintendent is hopeful a payment will arrive by June.
He explained the district should get the total owed by the state after July 1 (the beginning of the next fiscal year).
The total of all funds currently is $4,390,299.64. At the May meeting a tentative budget will be presented, and it will be posted for 30 days before it is presented.
Other issues voted upon or discussed: Read More
•May 3, 2017•
By Jason Brown
NP Sports
The Sullivan-Okaw Valley girls’ track and field team competed in two meets despite the rainy weather this week.
Thursday at the 18-team Monticello Lady Sages Invitational, Sullivan had four athletes place in the top six spots.
Alaya Bolin tossed the shot put 32 feet 9.5 inches for fourth place, and Esther Miller high jumped 4 foot 8 inches for fourth place.
Natalie Drury followed with a high jump of 4 foot 4 inches for sixth place, and Laine Cameron placed sixth in the 300-meter hurdles with a time of 52.72.
The Redskins 1,600-meter relay team placed fourth with a time of 4:27.34. Read More