GREENE PRAIRIE PRESS JUNE 11, 2014 – Vol. 145, No. 24 – Carrollton, Illinois 62016
INSIDE LOCALS
Senate honors Powell brothers for their service in World War II By CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press
Anniversaries, birthdays and more. See page A3
NEWS
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The Illinois Senate passed a resolution filed by Senator Sam McCann to honor the service and sacrifice of the seven Powell brothers from Greene County who served in World War II. Senate Resolution 87 would name Route 67 through Greene County as the “Powell Brothers Memorial Highway.” “In times of crisis, heroes take action. During World War II, mothers and fathers across this nation watched their sons and daughters ship out to take a stand against tyranny,” McCann said. “For the Powell family of Greene County, that meant the pride and heartbreak of watching seven of their sons head overseas and put themselves in harm’s way.” George and Addie Powell of rural Hillview watched as one after another
of their sons left their homes and families until seven of their eight sons were serving their country with an eighth son waiting in the wings for his call for induction. The Powells had a total of 13 children, only two of which were girls. Adrian, Arthur, Earl, Everett, Fred, George and Max Powell all served in the United States armed forces during World War II. The seven brothers were scattered throughout the Western European, Russian, and Japanese theaters of combat. “I don’t know of any other way that a family can demonstrate greater love for their country and the cause of freedom,” McCann said. “I hope the courage and sacrifice of the Powell family will continue to inspire us all.” Arthur Powell, the eldest of the Powell brothers, served in the Navy from the time of World War I and on into World War II. Earl Powell was a Sea Bee in New Caladonia, Max
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Powell was an aerial photographer over the Guadalcanal Zone with the Naval Air Force, and Fred Powell followed Arthur’s example by going into the Navy. George, Everett and Adrian Powell chose the Air Force. George was an aerial gunner somewhere in the Pacific while Everett was a fighter pilot stationed somewhere in England. Adrian was in the Air Force and Cloyd (Bud) had already passed his physical and was waiting at home to be called to service when the war ended. The other Powell children kept the home fires burning. Floyd Powell was a farmer helping to keep soldiers overseas fed; Charles Powell was the operator at the Hartwell Pump Stations and helped keep the fields from flooding during heavy rains, and John Powell was a rural mail carrier for Hillview and kept the letters from the boys overseas coming
to the families they left behind. Ruth Powell worked in a defense plant and Sophia Powell taught at the school in Hillview. In March of 1944, the Powells received the dreaded news that every parent of a serviceman dreaded – a telegram saying Everett was missing in action somewhere over Belgium. Everett had gone to Canada and joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 where he attained the rank of second lieutenant. After six months he transferred to the U.S. Air Force to become a fighter pilot. By the age of 25 he had flown 56 missions over enemy territory and had received the Air Medal, three Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Service Cross. Everett was shot down in his P-47 Thunderbolt over Belgium. He was found by the underground and hidden but was eventually discovered by German soldiers and held in a
German prisoner of war camp for 18 months. All seven brothers survived and returned home after the war. On May 21, 1988, a flagpole flying the American flag and plaque in honor of the Powell brothers was dedicated in Hillview Park. The flag was one that had been flown over the United States Capitol in their honor and the plaque honors each member of their immediate family, as well as the parents. The naming of Rt. 67 through Greene County in honor of the Powell family is just one way of keeping their service and dedication to this country alive. “This will ensure that the story of ‘the fighting Powells’ will live on for future generations in Greene County,” McCann said. “We simply can’t thank this family enough for their contributions to the global cause of freedom and democracy.”
COUNTY NEWS
FATHER, LIKE SON
White Hall toddler drowns in pool
White Hall Fire Department gets new ambulance. See page B7
By CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press A three-year-old boy in White Hall has died, apparently as the result of a drowning accident in a neighbor’s pool. White Hall Fire Chief and First
NEWS
said. “The child was found in the pool with only a faint heartbeat.” A neighbor and White Hall police officer performed CPR on the child who was then airlifted to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield where he died later that night.
“in a small town where everybody knows everybody else, a tragedy like this affects the entire community .”
Garry Sheppard
White Hall Fire Chief and First Responder
Scenes from Roodhouse Fishing Derby. See page B1
SPORTS
Carmen Ensinger/Greene Prairie Press
robbie Hawk, right, helps his three-year-old son, Bennett, fish during the 18th annual roodhouse Police Department Fishing Derby held Saturday morning at the roodhouse rez . This year's derby was dedicated to former roodhouse Police Chief Jack Speeks, who started the derby 18 years ago .
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Obituaries in this issue: Chapman, ChristOpher, ClOugh, milner, steinaCher
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Sheppard said the pool had a gate around it but the gate was not locked. Sheppard said a tragedy like this in a small town affects everyone. “It’s just terrible and it affects all my people that were there,” he said. “In a small town where everybody knows everybody else, a tragedy like this affects the entire community.” Sheppard said he was not releasing the name of the child at this time.
Lions Club marks 75th Fourth of July event with changes By CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press
Coonrod drafted by Giants See page B8
Responder Garry Sheppard said the boy was found in a pool at a home located in the 800 block of East Sherman Street Monday night around 7 p.m. Sheppard said the child had been playing with the children across the street, who happened to be relatives of the boy. “His mother called for him to come to supper and when he did not come, she went out looking for him,” Sheppard
This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the White Hall Lions Club Fourth of July celebration and it will be celebrated in style with many changes, including the venue. The parade will be held July 3 at 7 p.m. on Main Street, as usual, but from there everything moves to Custer Park out by the ball diamonds, instead of Lions Park, where it has been held for the past 74 years. “With this being our 75th anniversary, we decided it was time to change things around a little bit,” White Hall Lions Club President Ron Gilmore said. “We are going to add a lot more events this year and we didn’t think we had enough room at Lions Park for everything we had planned.” Some of the new events include a cardboard boat race, car show, fishing tourna-
ment, beauty pageant for the kids, 5K run, softball tournament and volleyball tournaments. There will also be a beverage tent with live entertainment each night including Jon Evans and Flatland Band. There will be a lot more food stands this year. “We are going to open up the refreshments to outside vendors this year,” Gilmore said. “So, I expect we will have a lot more food stands and a lot more variety than we have ever had before.” But the big addition will be on July 5, when Nashville superstar Frankie Ballard will perform on the main stage, which will be located on the back baseball field. Tickets for this concert are $10 in advance or $15 at the gate. Opening for Ballard will be the Devin Clemons Band, who will play at 7 p.m. followed by Ballard at 8:30 p.m. “We also have some VIP packages avail-
able for this concert, which includes special seating and parking along with numerous beverage tickets included,” Gilmore said. “They are for a group of four tickets to the concert and range from $250 to $500.” Tickets for the concert can be purchased at Price’s Country Gardens in Roodhouse, Shepherds Hardware in White Hall, County Market and WJVO in Jacksonville, Carrollton Bank in Carrollton and United Community Bank in Greenfield. Also new this year will be a $3 charge per person for parking. Anyone under the age of 12 will be allowed in for free. “Everyone who comes through the gate will be charged for parking,” Gilmore said. “This is to help with all the additional expenses we are going to have this year. We have a lot of fees this year that we don’t normally have, so we are charging for parking to help us overcome some of these expenses.”
Gilmore said parking will be better than it ever was at Lions Park. “We are going to have a shuttle running to shuttle people from their parked cars to the grounds,” Gilmore said. “We will also have special handicapped parking for those who need it.” The parade will begin at 7 p.m. on July 3, with parade line-up starting at 5:30 p.m. at the high school. There will be a $5 charge to enter the parade. Fireworks will be held at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, and will be shot off at the northwest corner of the park. The carnival will run all three days beginning at 5 p.m. with special afternoon matinees from 2 to 4 p.m. on July 4-5. For the adults there will be bingo, 50/50 drawing and a raffle for a 635I John Deere Gator. The softball tournament will be held on (See, lions club, A2)
Roodhouse begins bike patrols By CArmeN eNSiNger Greene Prairie Press Roodhouse Police Department will soon begin patrolling the streets on bicycles on the weekends as part of an effort to not only save money but give officers a great opportunity to interact with the public it serves. Roodhouse Police Chief Kyle Robison said the bike patrol will be utilized on the weekends during the seasonal street shift on Friday and Saturday evenings and during holiday festivities such as the Fourth of July and Greene County Days. “We have a select group of officers who are interested in patrolling on the bicycle,” Robison said. “The bike unit will be wearing special uniforms, clearly marking them as police officers and the bike unit will be primarily responsible for hitting the side streets in an effort to prevent crime using a stealthy, tactical approach.” The bicycle has several advantages over a vehicle. “Criminals do not expect to see a
police officer on patrol on a bike,” he said. “This allows the officer to sneak up on the criminal. Criminals now pay attention to the sound of a vehicle and/or look for headlights.
“People are more likely to approach an officer on the bike versus an officer in a patrol car .”
Kyle Robison
Roodhouse Police Chief The bike, which has that equipment, will be able to reduce noise and go dark when needed.” It will also allow officers on the bike to conduct more pedestrian checks during late night hours and also conduct curfew checks on juveniles, essentially taking a more pro-
active approach to prevent possible criminal activity. Robison, however, thinks the biggest purpose of the bike patrol will be to interact with the public. “Bike patrol is another example of community-oriented policing,” he said. “People are more likely to approach an officer on the bike versus an officer in a patrol car. Often the patrol car is seen with the windows up and driving around. Bicycles allow officers to speak to people directly, and it is easier for the public to interact with officers because they can literally see the officer.” There are a few other advantages to having an officer on a bike, such as saving on gas consumption and contributing to the overall health of the officer. “I think anytime you can allow someone the opportunity to exercise during their shift it has several health benefits to the officer and/or city in the future,” Robison said. “Having a fit and healthy department may also save the city money in the end and it (See, bike patrols, A2) C
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Carmen Ensinger/Greene Prairie Press
it's a family affair Sisters Angie Hardwick and Andi evans push Andi's children during the St . John's 5k event held recently at the school . Some walked, some ran, while some pushed strollers and rode bikes - all to raise money for St . John's school .