January 2011

Raymond Smithey, 78, of England, Ark., died on Dec. 20, 2011.

He was born on April 1, 1933, in Elco.

He was a veteran of the Army and was a member of the IOOF Lodge and VFW Post No. 3455.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Delores Smithey.

He is survived by one daughter, Judy Smithey Dillow (Ted) Richardson; two granddaughters, Jill (Jeston) George and Meagan Hatfield; one great-grandchild, Aidden Hatfield; and brothers Donald Durham, Denny Durham and Charles Durham; and special friends Willie, Lee, Margaret and Lula.

The Illinois state superintendent of education will make the next decision in a proposed reorganization involving four Union County public school districts.

Regional superintendent of schools Janet Ulrich on Friday, Dec. 2, issued a written order denying a petition which had sought to place the issue on the 2012 primary election ballot in Union County.

Ulrich is regional superintendent of schools for Union, Alexander, Johnson, Massac and Pulaski counties.

A petition to consolidate four Union County school districts into a single district has been denied by Regional Superintendent of Schools Janet Ulrich.

The petition sought seeking voter approval to merge Anna-Jonesboro, Anna, Jonesboro and Lick Creek school district into a single district consisting of two, three or four of the districts.

The Cobden Runners Club plans to have its annual walk/run to the Bald Knob Cross of Peace near Alto Pass on New Year's Day, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012.

The annual event sponsored by the club to celebrate the New Year has been a tradition for approximately 20 years and has grown to about 30 participants.

The event is scheduled to start at the Cobden park across from the U.S. Post Office.

Walkers are set to start at 7:30 a.m. Runners start at 9 a.m.

The total distance covered is approximately 10 miles.