Featured Story
‘Only a Matter of Time’: Douglas County Health Department Reports First Two Cases of COVID-19
by Michael Boyink / [email protected] We all hoped that, like a nasty thunderstorm, it would go around us. But deep down, we knew better. This week COVID-19 found Douglas County. “We knew it was only a matter of time before the virus came into our community,” said Douglas County Health Department Administrator Valerie Reese. “Now we…
Read MoreWashington Street Building Vacated Due to Flood Damage
by Michael Boyink / [email protected] A foot. 12.02 inches to be exact. According to Accuweather.com, that’s how much rain Ava had in May of 2020. On May 22nd alone we received over three inches. Usually May brings just under five inches. While most of the focus locally is how the rains have damaged Douglas County’s extensive…
Read MoreSigns of the Times
Michael Boyink/Herald Each Ava R-1 High School 2020 Graduate is featured on a sign placed in front of the high school gym on South Jefferson Street. The signs were provided by Ava’s “Project Graduation” and funded by various individuals and businesses in the area.
Read MoreAva R-1 High School Graduation Details
Where: Silvey Field at Harlan Stadium When: Friday, June 12th, 7:00 PM While the event is open to the public, please consider the following COVID-19 considerations: Maintain social distancing with others not of your household. Masks recommended (but not required). Additional seating areas will be designated in the end zones and other areas to help…
Read MoreLife at the Old Drive-In: Classic Cars, Muscle Cars, Street Trucks, and Rat-Rods Cruise Into the Former Sonic
by Michael Boyink / [email protected] It pays to have friends. With a holiday weekend fast approaching, local gearhead Kristina Richards threw an idea at her friend, Delena Olson. Olson had recently acquired the former Sonic Drive-in building on North Jefferson street, next door to the Cedar Chandelier restaurant she already owned. But she’d been too busy…
Read MoreThat They May Not Have Died in Vain: Ava Residents Honor United States Veterans with Ceremony
by Michael Boyink / [email protected] “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God such men lived.” – George S. Patton On Monday, May 25th, 2020, the United States commemorated Memorial Day, which according to Wikipedia, is a “federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military…
Read MoreWhy We Asked About Busing
by Michael Boyink / [email protected] After our School Board Candidate Q&A ran last week, some readers wanted to know why we asked the questions we did. Let me back up. We weren’t even 100% sure we were going to do another candidate Q&A. Why? Because, historically, it doesn’t matter what questions we ask. There are always…
Read MoreA Little Douglas County History
Submitted by Ron Fleetwood, grandson of Franklin Luther Thomas Not a lot of folks can remember back in the late 50s when Luther Thomas had a fabrication shop setup in the back of his furniture store on South Jefferson Street, just off the square in Ava. In those days, Thomas Furniture was located in the…
Read MoreAva School Board Candidates Interview
Questions for School Board Candidate Vernard (Vern) Deatherage Question #1: What’s your take on the current relationship between the Ava School Board and Bus Drivers, and how will you work to improve it? My take on the current relationship between the Ava School Board and the Bus Drivers — Sad! It is a result of…
Read MoreMcFarlin Youth Award Goes To….McFarlin
Submitted Photo The Will McFarlin Youth Award was established in 1995 by Ava community members who witnessed the ongoing actions of a young man who had a heart to help where needed and selflessly serve those around him. Since then, this award has been given in his honor each year, by the Ava Chamber of Commerce,…
Read More