WOBURN – During their last meetings of 2025, both the City Council and School Committee observed moments of silence to reflect on the loss of beloved youth sports advocate, educator and family man Joseph Crowley, who served for nearly four decades on the city’s School Committee between 1970 and 2011.

Crowley, a lifelong city resident who ran a flourishing real-estate business until his retirement, passed away peacefully earlier this month at age 86. He leaves behind his wife, Audrey, his two daughters, and five grandchildren who his closest relatives say were showered with the family patriarch’s “unfettered adoration.”

In a particularly moving moment, current School Committee Chair Ellen Crowley, who has followed in her father’s footsteps to become a staunch advocate for the city’s children, led the brief remembrance for her dad at the outset of last week’s meeting in the Joyce Middle School.

“Joe was a teacher at the Kennedy Junior High in the 1960s and served on the Woburn School Committee for 38 years from 1970 to 2011. And through this experience, he became a backbone to the committee in this very room that we’re standing here now,” said the School Committee chair, whose voice crackled with sorrow after getting through all but the last sentence of her statement with a calm poise.

“Good job, Ellen,” School Committee veterans Michael Mulrenan and Patricia Chisholm – both of whom served with her father – would later say encouragingly.

A father-of-two who was married for 51-years to lifelong resident Audrey (Devlin) Crowley at the time of his passing, Crowley became active in youth sports in his 20s, when he coached local Little League and Pop Warner teams. The former middle school educator, who also taught in neighboring Winchester, is also the founder of the city’s flourishing Woburn Youth Hockey program.

Earlier this month, during the City Council’s most recent meeting in City Hall, Ward 7 Councilor Charles Viola noted that many local citizens can attest to the impacts the middle school math teacher had on their early lives while playing sports.

“Today, we pause to remember a community pillar and lifelong resident of Woburn, Joe Crowley,” said Viola. “People often say that Joe was a positive impact in their lives from playing sports for him. Joe was instrumental in organizing Woburn Youth Hockey when the hockey program was just getting started.”

“Joe went on to become an educator and finally ran for School Committee in 1969 and sat on the School Committee for 38 years. One could say that Joe was the backbone of the School Committee,” the West Side official added.

Notably, the veteran School Committee member before stepping down from the education board in 2011 was a major proponent of establishing “school parity” across the district by ensuring that all of the city’s children were learning in modern-day facilities and supported the first wave of school construction projects in the city that resulted in most elementary facilities and a new high school being built.

Named chairman of the local education board on 10 separate occasions during his tenure, the former Woburn Recreation Commission member always treated the business before the School Committee with the utmost seriousness. However, he was never beyond having a good laugh with colleagues.

In one such humorous exchange during his final official meeting on the School Committee back in December of 2011, his peers – known for ribbing the “elder” statesman about his age – carefully positioned a box of tissues in front of Crowley’s microphone in case he got too “choked up.”

“Looking back, it occurred to me that I may never have publicly thanked my family, especially my wife Audrey, for putting up with all the missed dinners and events, phone calls, late meetings, and interrupted vacations and for all the support and encouragement she and my daughters gave me over the years,” the Boston College alumnus would later say before that final meeting adjourned. “Of all the boards that I’ve served on, I consider this present group to be one of the best. We have our debates and different opinions, and sometimes even a snit or two, but we usually reach a consensus and come together as one voice to do what’s best for those 4,000-plus students who depend on us.”

Crowley’s funeral was held at St. Charles Church on Dec. 15 and he was later laid to rest at Woodbrook Cemetery. Those who wish to make a remembrance in his honor are asked to make donations to the Woburn Community Education Foundation or Woburn Historical Society.

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SALINEVILLE – Southern Local Schools will soon implement a campaign in partnership with the Columbiana County Educational Service Center to inform students that “YOU Matter Here.”

District Federal Programs Coordinator Kristy Sampson said plans will begin in January to begin brainstorming strategies which stress students’ importance in both the school and the community. The project stems from a developmental asset survey from the Search Institute conducted by the Columbiana County ESC and involving junior high and high school students countywide who are between the ages of 12 to 18. The developmental assets are building blocks for healthy development to help young people grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.

“Columbiana County ESC partners with the guidance counselors to conduct the asset survey every couple of years with students to determine which of the developmental assets the students have developed and which assets the students need support with. They are going to do a campaign kickoff this year entitled, ‘YOU Matter Here,’ to focus on the main asset categories or pillars identified as areas of need based on student responses, and they are encouraging school districts to review the data and find ways to implement the ‘YOU Matter Here’ concepts with their youth.”

Sampson added that the survey data indicated three main pillars, or categories, where students’ responses indicated a need for support: sense of belonging and self-identity; parental presence and power; and community involvement. The campaign aims to boost awareness and positivity, and she will coordinate a stakeholders’ meeting over the next month to begin planning for implementation at Southern Local.

“We’ll host a meeting with stakeholders to look at our county data and district specific data to move forward in supporting our students. We will work with Melissa Galbreath, the lead for the Columbiana County “YOU Matter Here” campaign to begin our process. This is the first time we’ve done this campaign,” she continued, saying one aspect may be to seek the development of a third space for kids to find enrichment and support. “Research shows that kids who have positive environments outside of home and school possess more of the positive developmental assets.”

But more discussion will be needed before efforts get underway.

“We can plan activities and supports to help our kids here at Southern Local realize they matter here in our buildings, they matter here in our classrooms, and they matter here in our extra-curricular activities as well as in the community,” Sampson said.

Any community member interested in becoming involved with the planning process may contact Sampson at the administrative office by calling 330-679-2343, Ext. 4203, or email kristy.sampson@slindians.org.

According to the latest information shared by Rodra via ESPN, there is a growing belief that Jacobo Ramon is destined to return to Real Madrid sooner rather than later.

The journalist mentions that the former youth team defender’s development in Italy has not gone unnoticed.

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Currently plying his trade with Como, under Cesc Fabregas, Ramon has taken major steps forward this season, both in terms of responsibility and consistency.

In fact, he has grown into a genuine defensive leader despite being just 20 years old.

His composure, reading of the game, and ability to organise the back line have made him a key figure in Como’s defensive structure.

A smart buy-back option

It is said that Real Madird have been closely monitoring their young centre-backs, aware that defensive renewal is an issue that must be addressed carefully over the coming seasons.

While external signings often grab headlines, Madrid remain committed to developing solutions from within, and Ramon is now firmly part of that conversation.

Real Madrid are keeping a close eye on Jacobo Ramon. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

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One of the key factors keeping Madrid relaxed is the contractual control they still hold.

The club included a buy-back option worth around €8 million, which can be activated next summer.

That clause gives Madrid a clear and affordable pathway to bring him back once they feel the timing is right.

Inside Valdebebas, there is a strong sense that this return is not a question of “if”, but “when”.

What makes Ramon’s case particularly compelling is how quickly he has adapted to senior football away from Spain.

Now, with defensive planning already underway, Ramon is increasingly seen as a natural solution, one who knows the club, understands its demands, and is proving himself step by step at the highest level.

Youth athletes looking to improve their technique, mechanics and confidence may find a new home with Pahrump Valley Junior Athletics.

Recently launched by local coach David Wilson, a lead instructor for the Pahrump Valley Junior Golf Association, Wilson’s vision is simple — build strong athletes. Build confident kids. Build a powerful future for Pahrump.

“Our mission is to develop well-rounded, disciplined, confident young athletes who are building the future of our community,” Wilson said. “We train them in a variety of areas, from speed, power, and agility to hand-eye coordination, endurance, and flexibility. The idea is to start younger so that kids have a strong foundation as they move into middle and high school athletics.”

The program comes as part of a broader effort to engage kids in sports early, addressing a common challenge many coaches have seen in Pahrump: students entering middle and high school sports with limited experience and preparation.

Aiming to serve kids in first through twelfth grade, Wilson draws on his years of coaching and playing experience.

From high school and college basketball to local youth programs, Wilson believes starting early is key.

In addition to group sessions, individual training will be available, with plans to work closely with local high school coaches to ensure that kids are prepared for the expectations of middle and high school athletics.

The program will begin this summer at the Pahrump Valley High School track and field, with sessions expected to run three to four times a week.

Fees are still being finalized, but organizers are committed to making the program affordable for all families, with memberships and discounts for multiple sessions.

Wilson’s inspiration comes from a lifelong love of sports and teaching.

Having played basketball at Bakersfield College, Crete Nebraska and coaching for three years at Pahrump Valley High School, Wilson understands the value of positive coaching and mentorship.

“I had coaches who were amazing teachers, and they shaped not just how I approached sports, but how I approached life,” Wilson said. “I want to bring that same experience to the kids here in Pahrump.”

With strong community support, Wilson is optimistic about the program’s impact.

“The community here is awesome — supportive, caring, and invested in their kids. We just want to give back and help kids grow, have fun, and succeed,” he said.

For parents and young athletes eager to get started, the program promises a mix of structured training, skill-building, and, most importantly, enjoyment of sports.

“By the end of the day, it’s about creating a culture where kids want to come, want to play and feel successful,” Wilson said.

To inquire about the program, contact David Wilson at pvjuniorathletics@gmail.com

Contact Jacob Powers at jpowers@pvtimes.com. Follow @jaypowers__ on X.