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Susan & John Welch
TUESDAY, January 30, 2018 / Vol. 4 Issue 5 / 75 cents
‘Impossible dream’ The Clinton senior girls basketball team faced a lot of odds in their quest to win a state championship in 1983. The had gotten off to a rocky start and their record was 5-5 on Jan. 4. But then the girls got it together and won 18 straight games. In a 64-50 win over archrival Altheimer, the team brought home Clinton’s first girls state basketball championship in school history. Cheryl
Fancher was named the tournament’s MVP and Myra Smith was named to the AllState team. In the words of Coach Dee Human, “These girls are a classic example of getting the most out of your ability and seeking to become the best person you can be, at whatever you achieve. They are truly amazing.” (Information from the 1983 Clinton High School yearbook was used for this article.)
The Clinton Yellow Jackets senior girls’ basketball team of 1983 was honored last week between ball games. The team was 1982-83 state champs. Those attending Friday’s game were (from left): Cynthia Mathis, Wendy Cassell Gross, Lisa Hogue Manos, Coach Dee Human, Cheryl Fancher Human, Sandra Pryor Doggett, Terry Loven, Katrina Allen Hosman, Myra Smith Crowell and Tammy Hodges Johnson. (Photo by Robert R. Gaut)
A tragic anniversary Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008. It was unseasonably warm and many people were uneasy. It wasn’t even 5 p.m. yet and local restaurants were closing, basketball practices were canThe boat factory was destroyed on Feb. 5, 2008. (National Weather Service photo)
Dinner set to honor responders
The 10th annual Emergency Responders Supper is set for 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, at the Clinton High School cafeteria. Chili, hamburgers, hot dogs, desserts and drinks are offered free to everyone in the community. According to the Independent Order of the Odd Fellows who sponsor the event, it is a “time to remember those who helped us when we needed them most,” law enforcement personnel, emergency response teams and volunteers. Special sponsor this year is the Clinton High School Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), and, as always, the people of Van Buren County.
See Anniversary on page 8
Tornado response night and day A local name who is no stranger to tornadoes wants Van Buren County to know how special it is. He asked not to be identified, but said his experience in being in a tornado in Saline County and here don’t even compare. This is his story.
March 1, 1997 Saline County
This is a tale of two subdivisions. One of them, Royal Oaks, was filled with big brick houses. The other, Pine Ridge, had small modest houses, some manufactured homes and some mobile homes. My wife and I lived in the modest subdivision. I was at work when the tornado hit and it took me an hour to get home. By the time I got there, no help had arrived. Neighbors had dug my wife out of the basement, which
was under our collapsed house. Our neighbor, Becky, was 23. She was pinned under an oak tree. No one came to help her. A man and his wife, covered in blood, walked for as long as they could. They had been blown 150 feet out of their home. Finally, they sat down on the side of a road. People just looked at them as they drove past staring at the damage, wanting to say, “I was the first one to see what a mess it was!” Eventually an elderly man in an old pickup truck stopped for them and carried them to a hospital. No one came to help. Not one first responder or sheriff’s deputy or firefighter. No one came as my neighbors were injured and bloodied. Well, one fire chief came about an hour
later – with an Arkla Gas employee to shut off gas meters. My wife had a CB radio in her car and I put a piece of wire in it and radioed Channel 9. “Mayday, mayday,” I called out. A man answered and I told him where I was. I told him people are dying and we need help. He said they were trying to cut their way into the neighborhood. I told him to tell them to park and walk in, that’s what I did. “We need help, we have people injured,” I told him. “We have people dying. We need help.” Finally, I saw some trucks coming over a hill. Some help had arrived. But it was too late for Becky. Four of my neighbors died that See Tornado on page 8
Alma Wallace still hasn’t gotten all the repairs done on her house in Pee Dee that was hit by the EF-4 tornado in 2008.
Alma’s story By Alma Wallace
I started the day by sending an email to one of my friends saying it was going to be a beautiful sunny day, unusually warm, and how happy I felt working on a sewing project. Dentist appointment in the afternoon, then on to Walmart for groceries. I think it was around 5 p.m. when I got home, my sister-in-law Eva Beavers called and said we were under a tornado warning. I hadn't watched any weather news all day and had no idea what was going on. I turned on the TV but it was already off the air. I called my dad to see if he wanted me to go get him, and he said no he was staying put (his home ended up being the safe place). Then Eva called again and said it was on the ground at Scotland headed our way and to come
JP seat open
The Fireman’s Awards banquet was held Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Little Red restaurant in Fairfield Bay. (Facebook photo from FFB Emergency Medical Services)
If you ever wanted to be a justice of the peace without having to run for office, here’s your chance – well, with a few qualifications. Van Buren County will be taking applications for the appointment to Justice of the Peace District 9. If you are interested in applying, call the county judge’s office at 745-2443 for information on the qualifications needed to
over to her storm cellar. I've never worried about storms before but decided to go on over there, and was driving along at a leisurely pace the couple of miles east to her house, fully expecting to be back home in 30 minutes or so. A small black car passed me on the "Pee Dee stretch" going about 90, he knew he was outrunning a tornado but I didn't. I was only in her cellar for a couple of minutes along with her son Mike and his wife Kathi when the storm hit her house. Traveling 60 mph, which meant by the time I got there my house was already destroyed but I didn't know that until the next day when I finally caught a ride home – Eva's carport had crashed down and toSee Alma on page 8 send to the governor for his consideration. It is an appointed position and ends December 2018. The position previously was held by Rick Sundelin who resigned Dec. 31, 2017.
FFB hotel on way
Contracts have been signed for the construction of a new 63 room, four-story Cobblestone Hotel in Fairfield Bay.