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DON’T MISS A GAME! GREEN WAVE GIRLS SOFTBALL

THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER

WEEKEND EDITION - APRIL 15, 2018

THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE GREAT DARKE COUNTY FAIR!

Stretch of highway named for Byrum LINDA MOODY

CORRESPONDENT

ANSONIA – The stretch of highway from AnsoniaElroy Road to Union CityBeamsville Road on State Route 118 has been named in memory of Donald Edward Byrum, who was killed at the age of 19 in Vietnam on June 28, 1966, a little more than four months after his arrival in that southeast Asian nation. His death came on his brother Bob’s birthday and the dedication of the sign took place on sister Marge’s birthday. The unveiling of the sign took place this past Thursday morning, and despite

the wind, a small group showed up to witness the event. Those attending included family, friends and classmates. Byrum’s siblings Joyce Walters and Marge Class, both of Greenville, and Larry Byrum of Union City, Ind., welcomed and thanked all who came to the event. Brother Robert of Arizona was unable to attend. Also there were Ben Thaeler, deputy district director for the eighth congressional district in Ohio, who made a presentation and the Rev. Derek Specht, pastor of the Ansonia First Church of God. The roadway has been named PFC Donald D. By-

rum Memorial Highway. Byrum was a member of the U.S. Army, serving in A Co. 1st Bn. 27th Infantry, 25th Inf. Div. On June 28, 1966, Byrum was serving with his company in South Vietnam, and on that day was killed in action with 11 others. He sustained multiple fragmentation wounds. Walters said her brother was out on a search and destroy mission on the day of his death. “The leader had been up 24 hours and was tired,” she said. “He took his bunch out and they followed him. They cut through a rice patty field and were mowed down by the Viet Cong.” Byrum was posthumous-

ly awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Byrum, in his junior year of high school, wanted to serve his country according to sister Joyce. “He got turned down in Cincinnati, so he went to Wooster and they accepted him,” she said. Byrum is buried in Union City Cemetery with his parents, Herschel and Pauline (Brooks) Byrum. “Donnie would really be proud,” said Marge. “This was a long time coming.” “Our mother would really be happy,” Joyce added. “Donnie was a good kid

Don Byrum’s siblings are shown in front of the highway sign dedicated to him. They are, from left to right, Joyce Walters, Margie Class and Larry Byrum. Brother, Bob lives in Arizona and was unable to attend. (Linda Moody photo)

and we all hung on after our parents’ divorce. We had a good family.” The installation of the sign was a brainstorm of Marge.

“I decided one day to get a road sign, so I went to the VA and they told me to contact Jim Buchy,” she said. “It has taken a year and a half but it worked.”

Ribbon cutting officially opens Jennings Center Track & Field Complex GAYLEN BLOSSER

SPORTS WRITER gblosser@earlybirdpaper.com

GREENVILLE – Brad Jennings and the Jennings Family cut the ribbon on the new Jennings Center Track & Field Complex to a large crowd of government dignitaries, business leaders, Friends of Harmon committee members, donors, fans and Greenville City Schools employees and

coaches. “It is a wonderful that the Jennings family stepped up, and of course Brad,” said Greenville Mayor Steve Willman. “The conditions of the track were so poor that he wanted to help makes sure it was safe for the kids and Greenville being his home town where he grew up, and The Friends of Harmon Field – without their help it wasn’t going to get done.”

Erin Frederick is shown with her dad Neil and her mom Valerie.

Winners named in coloring contest GREENVILLE – The Early Bird and Bluebag Media is pleased to announce its winners of the Easter Coloring Contest. Hundreds of entrees were received and The Early Bird thanks all participants. The winner of the 5-8year-old category is Lily Selhorst, of North Star. Erin Frederick, of Versailles, earned the top prize in the 9-12-year-old category. In the 65 and older category, Donna Schultz was the winner. Each winner received

Jennings, a 1994 GHS graduate anchored the project with an $800,000 donation to make the new facility a reality. “It’s really nice,” said Jennings. “I just drove by our house over there – kind of cool seeing all this.” “It has been long awaited,” stated Greenville City Schools Superintendent Doug Fries. “This facility will serve Greenville, our track team and all our students and community for years to come.” GHS alum, Jon McGreevey and Matt Light had the vision more than three years ago to improve the Greenville athletics facilities. “What a great day,” said McGreevey. “We have the Jennings family, a lot of community support and a lot of community members that donated a lot of time and money to make this happen. It’s a great day for the city, the students and community overall.” “The Jennings Center is an incredible example of how a private and public partnership is supposed to work,” Matt Light stated. “The Jennings Family generosity was the catalyst of what will be a completely new and exciting era in GHS sports history. I’m extremely proud of the Friends of Harmon Field Committee

STAFF WRITER shartley@earlybirdpaper.com

Lily Selhorst

and all of the school board members for their commitment on this project.” A Friends of Harmon Field committee of 15 was formed and more than three years later a large crowd was on hand to celebrate the long awaited opening and ribbon cutting of the new complex. “We’re excited that we are having the ribbon cutting today,” said Dave Ernst, one of the original steering committee members along with Dustin Leis and Mike Henderson. “Today we have the Jennings family back in Greenville. It’s always exciting to have Brad and his family back in town.” Jennings family members on hand for the ceremony included; Brad Jennings and his family: Alex, Madeline, Gavin, Steve, Beth, Emma, Christian and Collin. Phase one and two are

now complete but the total sports complex is only half way to completion. Remaining phases include an athletic complex located between both facilities and a new stadium with new lights for Harmon Field. Following the ribbon cutting, the Greenville junior high and high school track and field team hosted the Piqua Indians in the first high school meet on the new track. “What a great facility,” said Piqua Athletic Director and former UD standout basketball player Chip Hare. “This represents the community and the commitment for what they feel for the schools. It’s refreshing to walk in here and see a new track and field facility. I look behind me and the brand new turf facility and I know three miles down the road you have a new middle school. The commitment

this community has made to education and athletics is very special.” “It is a great time for kids to come to school in Greenville, for a staff to work at Greenville,” Fries said. “It’s just a great upgrade for the overall community.” “Very special,” Fries, the former Green Wave head varsity basketball and baseball coach said of his return to GHS as Superintendent. “I really wanted to upgrade the facilities – one of the big reasons I wanted to come back.” Brad Jennings noted he does realize what the new facility means to the people of Greenville as many have reached out to him. “It is very special, it is very cool,” said the softspoken Jennings. “My wife is not big into pictures and she just stopped and made sure she got a picture – it’s kind of cool.”

Commission opens bids for upcoming road work; accepts SVG bid SUSAN HARTLEY

a beautiful candy bouquet from The Candy Bouquet, 523 S. Broadway, Greenville.

The Jennings Center Track & Field Complex ribbon cutting at Greenville City Schools. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

DARKE COUNTY – Darke County Commissioners met in regular session Wednesday and opened bids for both resurfacing and striping of selected county and township roads. The bids will be reviewed by Jim Surber, county engineer, before being brought

to commission for final approval. Surber said he estimated the county road resurfacing work to be approximately $1,960,603.09. Surber’s township road resurfacing estimate is $269,848.30. Estimates for center lane and side road striping also were opened for five townships who are working with the county, including Wayne, Neaves, Franklin, Liberty and Brown.

Surber estimated the road striping should not exceed $96,938. Companies bidding on the projects include Walls Brothers Asphalt, Aero Mark Inc., Oglesby Construction, and A&A Safety. According to Surber, 27.08 miles of portions of county and township roads will receive new asphalt, with 268 miles slated to receive middle lane and no passing zone striping and

81 miles to receive white edge line striping. Also this week, commissioners approved a bid by SVG Motors for two Malibu vehicles for the county’s children’s services workers to use to transport children as well as other job-related trips. The bid for both vehicles total $41,967.02 Both Hittle’s and Troutwine’s were contacted to enter bids, but declined.


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