C o n t i n u i n g To P r o u d l y S e r v e C a r r o l l C o u n t y S i n c e 1 8 3 1 $1.00
12 Pages
Thursday, February 21, 2019
ONE LAST SHOT
freepressstandard.com
Carrollton Community celebrates CHS gym By JORDAN MILLER FPS Sports Editor CARROLLTON – The Carrollton Exempted Village School District had no idea the gymnasium they built in 1957 would be filled with so many memories 62 years later. Nearly 50 former boys and girls basketball players returned one last time to take in a basketball game in the CHS gym, as the last game was played there Friday night against Salem. Following the Warriors 63-50 victory, each former player in attendance was recognized. People as young as Jacob Roberts, a 2018 graduate, to Dale Howell, a 1958 graduate, who played the first-ever game in the then-new gym, were honored. “It means a lot [to be back in the gym],” Howell said. “A lot of good kids went through here.” As for his favorite memory in the CHS gym, he said, “Playing with the guys, you know? Running around with them. I enjoyed it. I’ve always enjoyed it, for 60 years.” The floor was open to fans and former players after the game to make one last shot in one of the hoops. Howell couldn’t pass on the opportunity. He may have missed on his first two attempts, but the third time was the charm.
Dale Howell, a former Carrollton High School basketball player pictured in 1958 (left), who played in the first game in the gym, prepares to shoot one last shot in the now-old CHS gym during a celebration ceremony Friday night.
“That was nice,” the 78-year-old said as he walked away from the free-throw
line after making his shot. He added that Carrollton deserves the new
good to a lot of kids. A lot of them graduated and had good times and got good jobs. I hope to see that kind of success in the next school.” It’s been a place where celebrations have taken place; like when the Warriors celebrated their first wrestling state champion, Aidan Pasiuk, in 2017. “In wrestling, with the most knowledgeable and supportive fans in the state, we constantly packed the house to have the loudest matches in the area,” Carrollton Athletic Director Jason Eddy said following the conclusion of Friday night’s basketball game during a ceremony to recognize former boys and girls basketball players. “In basketball, every opponent dreads playing in our small gym to face not only our team, but The Black Hole as well.” The gym has seen the likes of Ali Poole and Kevin Merrick become the all-time scoring leaders for the boys and girls basketball teams. As Eddy continued, he spoke about non-athletic events that have taken place in the CHS gym. “This gym has seen countless homecoming dances, proms and awards ceremonies,” he said. “The Browns and Steelers have played basketball here, and unfortunately, so have a bunch of donkeys,” Eddy said,
school they’ll be in next season. “They deserve it. This school has been
See SHOT, PG. 3
ONE LAST CALL
Final tones sounded for Carroll County VFD By NANCY SCHAAR FPS Correspondent On Saturday, Feb. 16, at 12:10 p.m. the Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department received its last call out as a department. Carroll County Sheriff’s office dispatcher Mike Ruby read a message from Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams and his deputies and staff. The message read: “Carroll County Fire control to Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department Station 12, these are your final tones. Today we say thank you to the Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department. This department was founded in 1953 and has served Carroll County for 66 years. To the firefighters and their families, past and present, may God bless you and keep you safe. Thank you for your dedication and service to our community. Carroll County Volunteer Fire De-
partment (CCVFD), the time of your final tones is 12:10 on February 16, 2019. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you all for 66 years of unwavering dedication and service.” Station 12 responded by saying they acknowledged their final tone. Dispatch wished the firefighters good luck on their next adventure. Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department firefighters joined together on the engines and service vehicles and rode from the department building on North Lisbon Street, Carrollton, through the square and on to their new home at the Carrollton Village Safety Building on Second Street where the village fire department is housed. The county fire department has struggled in recent years with income to keep the department going, to purchase new equipment and to keep answering calls from all over the county. They responded to all departments who were in need of assistance. CCVFD Station 12 began in 1953 as the Civil Defense, led by Robert Tasker until 1968, when the state disbanded FPS Photo / Nancy Schaar
Carroll County Fire Department Fire Chief Jack Swinehart (center) was thanked by members of the fire department for his many years of service.
FPS Photo / Kimberly Lewis
Carroll County firefighters responded to one last call Saturday, Feb. 16, as their Fire Station 12 closed. The firefighters drove their vehicles to the Carrollton Village Fire Department where they will continue to serve the community.
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the Civil Defense. At that time, the state then allowed individual counties to acquire the equipment being used and formed the Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department, Inc. under the direction of the Carroll County Commissioners until 2005. In 2005, CCVFD became a privately run entity and remained independent until Feb. 16, 2019. On Saturday, CCVFD made their last journey and joined with the Carrollton Village fire department. Members of the village fire department lined up across the top of the square as the county department made their journey. Village firefighters waved and gave them thumbs up and warmly welcomed the county men to the new department. Village Fire Department Chief Shane Thomas said the merger is a big win for the village and the county. “This gives us a strong roster of 44 firefighters. This group brings with it so many years of experience. Plus this will give us three engines, two tankers, with 8,000 gallons of water capacity plus 1,000 gallons on each engine. We have firefighters from 20 to 70 years of
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age. They are well trained, prepared, experienced and ready to go,” said Thomas. The combined equipment will give the village department multiple sets of Jaws of Life, two utility vehicles, a brush truck and a rescue truck. “We will need some new gear in the near future but this team is ready to take care of our people,” said Thomas. Carrollton Mayor William Stoneman said he was proud of all the firefighters for their many years of service. “They’ve always been ready to assist the village and take care of the county. Combining departments gives the village a very strong, well equipped group of firefighters. We are in good hands,” said Stoneman. Long-time county fire Chief Jack Swinehart worked together with Thomas and village officials to make the merger a smooth one. Swinehart will serve on the Carrollton department as captain. More photos may be found on Page 3. Thank you Carroll County Volunteer Fire Department and all the area firefighters for your service.
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