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Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
The Good Stuff: Bella Vista veteran commemorates 100th birthday week at D-Day remembrance
BELLA VISTA, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — One Bella Vista veteran marks not only a milestone birthday, but the legacy of the shipmates and heroes he'll never forget. There are not many days that 100-year-old World War II veteran K.B. Smith finds himself just sitting at home, but when he does you will often find him sitting at his desk in his office. 'It's like going through a photo album over the years,' said K.B. while pointing toward all of the photos on the wall. Some of the frame photographs include one with an airplane he used to own when he was a pilot with the civil air patrol. Another is a horseback photo taken many years ago when he once served as a deputy. There were also a number of photos from through the years of K.B. and his wife of 73 years, Sue. 'We met on a blind date on December 1, 1950,' he said with a smile, adding, 'She took good care of me.' Like she did a year ago when the two traveled to France to attend the 80th D-Day Remembrance event in Normandy. For K.B., it truly is a full-circle moment for him. On June 6, 1944, he was a crewmember of the U.S.S. Satterlee. 'We were the first warship to fire on the French coast, up close,' shared K.B. about their role providing support to the Army's 2nd Ranger Battalion that was faced with the near impossible mission of scaling the 100-foot cliffs at Omaha Beach. 'The real heroes are the ones who went up the cliff,' added K.B. The Good Stuff: Parent on the Run It is an historic role he and his shipmates have proudly shared through the years, including fellow Navyman John Seiwart, from Wisconsin, who he reconnected with in 2015. 'Over the years we narrowed it down to just two,' K.B. said when he and John realized they were the only two known survivors from the Satterlee from D-Day. When John passed away in August, it left K.B. as the lone remaining voice of the Satterlee. Without question, K.B. wanted to return to Normandy for the 81st annual remembrance. But this trip would be without his wife, Sue, who passed away just months ago. So, on May 31st, K.B. boarded an international flight to France with his good friend and fellow veteran Chuck Hammake. And to K.B.'s surprise, there was a surprise birthday party awaiting him on June 1, his 100th birthday. The party was hosted at the home of John Seiwart's son, Patrick, who just happens to now call Paris, home. K.B. added, the only thing that could top being treated to a surprise celebration is honoring those who lost their lives in the fight to liberate France from Nazi-Germany. 'It gave me a warm feeling to be a part of that. I tell you; tears came down my cheek and I'm not ashamed to admit it.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
23-05-2025
- CBS News
2 people dead, 1 seriously hurt after fire tears through South Philadelphia apartment building
An early morning apartment fire in Philadelphia's Bella Vista neighborhood has claimed the lives of two people and seriously hurt another. According to Philadelphia Deputy Fire Commissioner Gustav Baumann, fire crews were called out to the 900 block of South 8th Street just after 2 a.m. Friday. When they arrived, they saw heavy smoke and flames from the apartment building. Baumann says in total, three people were rescued from the second floor of the building by fire crews. They were then transported by medics to Jefferson Health, where two were pronounced dead and the other was listed in critical condition. The fire was placed under control around 3 a.m. The Philadelphia Fire Marshal and investigators are working to determine what caused the blaze to break out. This is a developing story and will be updated.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
13% of registered voters turn out for uneventful May 6 election in Tuscarawas County
NEW PHILADELPHIA ‒ The May 6 special election in Tuscarawas County was relatively uneventful and went off without any problems. Brian Schwartzwelder "It went great. It went off without a hitch. Things were smooth. Some places were busier than others," said elections Director Brian Swartzwelder. This was his first election as director of the Tuscarawas County Board of Elections. More on board of elections: Gail Garbrandt out as county elections director; Brian Swartzwelder named to position New Philadelphia had a decent turnout because of a bond issue to build new schools in the city, he said. At other polling places around the county, "it was kind of quiet." At some polling places, the only issue on the ballot was State Issue 2, which will renew the State Capital Improvement Program (SCIP) for road and bridge repairs. There were no contested primaries. Overall, there were no problems with the election. "That's what we like," Swartzwelder said. According to unofficial results, 7,797 residents cast ballots on May 6, or 13.22% of registered voters in Tuscarawas County. Issues on the ballot ● Bolivar ‒ 1.5-mill renewal for police protection passes 67 to 20. ● Dover Township (including Parral) ‒ 1.5-mill additional for fire protection and emergency medical services failed 180 to 198. ● Dover Township Precinct 40 (local option) ‒ Sunset Meadows doing business as Bella Vista, on and off premises sale of alcohol and Sunday sales of wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquors, passes 86 to 32. ● Gnadenhutten Library ‒ 1 mill renewal for current expenses passes 154 to 28. ● Lawrence Township ‒ 3-mill renewal for fire and EMS passes 258 to 126. ● Mineral City ‒ 0.75% increase in the village income tax failed 17 to 45. ● Sugar Creek Township (excluding village of Sugarcreek) ‒ 1.8-mill replacement for fire and EMS failed 18 to 10. ● Uhrichsville ‒ 2-mill renewal for fire protection; 2.85-mill renewal for ambulance and EMS service passes 140 to 42. ● Union Cemetery (Uhrichsville, Dennison and Mill Township) ‒ 0.48-mill renewal for operating expenses passes 249 to 60. ● Warwick Township (including village of Tuscarawas) ‒ 1.5-mill replacement for ambulance and emergency medical services passes 68 to 42. Reach Jon at 330-364-8415 or at This article originally appeared on The Times-Reporter: May 6 special election goes off without a hitch in Tuscarawas County
