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Calendar of Events

This column is provided to our readers free of charge to announce upcoming events that are free to the public. Publication of the same announcement will be limited to two insertions. * * * Presentation by Dr. Mary Byrne re: Common Core Curriculum, Oct. 17 at 7:00 p.m. Ava Victory Academy. 02-2t * * *…

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Making Math Enjoyable – Teaching Kids Confidence

By Sue Curry Jones Rhonda Little grew up in Douglas County on a dairy farm, and today, while teaching seventh-grade math at Ava, she is grateful and delighted to live in the farmhouse where she grew up, and to work the same dairy her parents nurtured and cultivated in her childhood. And, with a laugh,…

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What About This . . .? 9.26.2013

By Wayne William Cipriano In a democratic republic like the United States of America, the citi­zens select representatives who operate within the governmental structure carrying with them the power to act by what the Declaration of Independence calls the “consent of the governed”. And so we see the eternal dichot­omy attending all such governments.  Do…

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Ava Victory Academy Middle School Teams Play First Home Game of the 2013-14 Season

Ava Victory’s seventh and eighth grade basketball teams played their first home games against Planview last week.   The Crusader boys, first photo, won their their game against Plainview, and the Crusader girls, second photo, were defeated. The Cheer Team, shown here, l to r, is comprised of Brianna Williams, Addie Denbow, Amelia Emerson, Brenna Rodgers…

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New Teacher Evaluation Tools This Year; High School Graduation Date Approved

By Sue Curry Jones Ava R-1 board members met last Thursday evening for the September business session.  With unanimous votes, the board adopted the professional development program for 2013-14, the testing schedule as presented in the 2013-14 district assessment plan, and policy guidelines for professional staff resignations. The board also accepted Principal Teresa Nash’s advice…

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Local Resident Volunteers Time – For The Love of Dogs

By Sue Curry Jones Vanessa Johnson, of Ava, serves as a volunteer to the City of Ava Pound Shelter, and in many cases, when an abused and abandoned dog needs help, Vanessa gets the call. For Albie, the dog in this incident, the story has a wonderful ending, and as it should be, justice prevailed…

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Vietnam War Veterans To Hold Reunion In Springfield Oct. 10-13

About 150 Vietnam War military police veterans who served the country from 1965-72 and their family members will meet in Springfield Oct. 10-13 for a reunion. The veterans were members of an elite group of soldiers who served the country in Military Police Companies 212, 595 and 981 with sentry dogs that helped patrol and…

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Smith Report 9.26.2013

Defunding ObamaCare This week the House of Representatives voted on a continuing resolution to keep the government open for business, while defunding President Obama’s healthcare mandate. I wholeheartedly supported this plan to defund ObamaCare and keep the government open and working for all Americans. This vote was a victory for my constituents who are adamantly…

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Skyline Board Meets Thursday, Sept. 19

The Skyline R-2 Board met in regular session on Thursday Sept. 19, with six members present.  The consent agenda items consisting of board minutes, bills and financial statement were presented and approved. In old business:  The annual tax rate approved at the last board meeting of $3.0226 was amended to $2.9967.  Also, in old business,…

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Sheriff Says Alcohol Was Factor In Shooting Saturday

A rural Ava man was taken into custody last Saturday night following a domestic disturbance and shooting west of Ava. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office received a call around 8:20 Saturday reporting that a male subject had been shot on DD Highway. Sheriff Chris Degase and deputies responded to the scene, along with officers from…

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