(Photo provided by Kathi Carr)
The local emergency squad showed kids at Safetytown what they do to transport individuals to the hospital during emergencies. The squad visited kids at Phillips Elementary on Tuesday.

Hosted by the Marietta Rotary Club, Marietta is holding its 48th Safetytown at the Phillips Elementary School from June 16-26.

The kick-off for the event was held Monday, June 16, and featured deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.

The program seeks to teach kids around the age of 5 about traffic laws and street safety. Incoming kindergarteners also gain the experience of being in a classroom setting for the first time.

The program had morning and afternoon sessions for each group. The morning Safetytown is from 9 a.m. to noon and the afternoon runs from 1 to 4 p.m.

“The volunteers deserve more recognition because some of them stay for the entire day which can be tiring, especially next week with it being so hot,” said Washington Elementary second grade teacher Kathi Carr.

(Photo provided by Kathi Carr)
One of the student volunteers created traffic signs with sidewalk chalk for Safetytown on Friday.

Each day at Safetytown focuses on a different aspect of the community like the fire or police departments.

On Tuesday, June 17, the emergency squad visited the school to show the children a patrol and sheriff’s car. The guest speakers discussed with the kids how to properly cross the street.

With each day focusing on a different part of the community, Carr said that they’re also integrating new programs as times change.

“We’ve adapted to current safety needs and this year we’re incorporating internet safety,” said Carr. “These kids are on YouTube and TikTok and they need to know how to use it safely.”

Despite the rain during the first week of Safetytown, the kids were able to enjoy engaging activities with the guest speakers and spent time both inside and outdoors.

(Photo provided by Kathi Carr)
A student volunteer was strapped into the stretcher brought in by the Marietta Fire Department emergency squad on Tuesday.

“We have a lot of people that come in and present and it wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our community providing those services to us,” said Carr.

Carr has been participating in Safetytown for around 20-30 years and she enjoys getting to spend quality time with the kids.

“We’ll have a different safety rule every day and we’ll be here for nine days,” she said. “Usually the afternoon class has significantly less kids than the groups in the morning.”

The kids are split into four groups; red, blue, orange, and green. Each group rotates through the scheduled activities during their time slot.

On Friday, the kids learned about water safety which featured Coastie the remote controlled boat. The students spent time outdoors at Safetytown and learned how to make proper left-hand turns while some students were indoors with Coastie and learned about water safety.

(Photo provided by Kathi Carr)
The kids at Safetytown learned about water safety and played with Coastie the remote controlled boat on Friday.

“Each day is just totally different, every day is a different concept,” said Carr.

Michael “Mishko” Stuban, 93, of Baden, passed away peacefully on June 19, 2025. Born to the late Ladislau “Lacko” and Catherine (Silla) Stuban, he was also preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mildred “Mickie” (Brkrovich) Stuban; his son, Steven Stuban; his brother, Fred Stolich; and his sister, Barbara Jasinski Yanko. He is survived by his sons, Michael L. Stuban and David C. Stuban, along with many loving nieces and nephews. A proud graduate of Ambridge High School, Michael served as football manager under the legendary Coach Moe Rubenstein. He went on to work for Conrail for many years until his retirement. Deeply committed to his community, Michael held leadership roles throughout his life. He served as past president of the local NARVE (National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees) chapter, chaired the Ambridge 1st Reunion, and was a former president of the Anthony Wayne Housing Association. He was also an active supporter and volunteer in various Ambridge youth sports programs. Michael’s greatest joy came from being with his family and helping others. He was always ready to lend a hand and make a difference where he could. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Michael’s memory, to honor his spirit of generosity. The Stuban family extends heartfelt thanks to Concordia of Wexford and Good Samaritan Hospice for their compassionate care. Friends will be received on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Alvarez-Hahn Funeral Services and Cremation, LLC, 547 8th Street, Ambridge. Interment will be private.

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A beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, great-grandmother, friend and companion, Jo-An Parente, 85, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, surrounded by her family in East Greenwich, RI.

While Jo-An filled all of her roles with great love, if you asked her who she was at her core, she would answer “a dancer.” From age 8 to 84, she entertained and taught hundreds through her talent for ballet and tap. Born on July 25th, 1939, to Wanda and Frank Plaistek, she attended Woonsocket High School, spent summers studying ballet in New York City, and went on to graduate from the University of Rhode Island (URI) with a degree in Business Administration. While in college, she met her future husband, Robert Parente, and together they raised three children in Cranston, RI. Jo-An was heavily involved in supporting youth sports and St. Paul’s parish events, while serving as an elementary school teacher at St. Timothy’s in Warwick, RI, where she received a “Best Teacher” recognition. She passed on her love for dance to her daughter Linda and her granddaughters, and upon retiring to Jupiter, FL, she was an active member of The Coquettes, a renowned tap dance group that entertained seniors throughout the Palm Beach area. Wherever and whenever there was music playing, she could be seen dancing a few steps and inviting others to do the same. She enjoyed traveling, reading, and perusing the Wall Street Journal cover-to-cover every day. Throughout her life, she worked tirelessly to ensure her family and friends were cared for, always offering a helping hand and an ear to listen if someone was in need. She simply loved making people feel good. This was her greatest legacy.

She is preceded in death by her parents and husband of 48 years, Robert A. Parente, Sr.

She is survived by her three children: Linda Parente (Armin Kososki), Robert Parente (Sue), and Peter Parente (Hope); her grandchildren: Laura, Melissa, Ryan, Lucy, Robert, Peter, Georgia, and Henry; her great-grandchildren: Roman, Lucy, Charlotte, and Thomas; her sister-in-law Carolyn King, nephews Kurt King (Lisa) and Jason King, and niece Allison King (Svenja); her caring companion of more than 10 years Bill Pyrczak, and many cherished friends.

Calling hours will be held on Monday, June 23rd from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Jones-Walton-Sheridan Funeral Home, 1895 Broad Street, Cranston, RI. Family and friends are invited to attend Jo-An’s funeral mass on Tuesday, June 24th, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 1 St. Paul Place, Cranston, RI.

The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staff at The Seasons in East Greenwich for their compassion and the wonderful care they provided during Jo-An’s time there. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jo-An’s name may be made to The Seasons East Greenwich, 5 Saint Elizabeth Way, East Greenwich, RI 02818.

By OBA Staff
•
June 19, 2025

Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The City of Gulf Shores will celebrate Make Music Day with a community event at Meyer Park on Saturday, June 21. This free, family-friendly celebration invites everyone to enjoy live music and fun activities. Music lovers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to attend. It’s a chance to enjoy local talent, food trucks, and the longest day of the year.

The Sedona-Oak Creek School District is currently recruiting nine coaching staff.

As of June 6, SOCSD is seeking an assistant track and field coach, head tennis coach, head track and field coach, head varsity boys’ basketball coach, head varsity girls’ soccer coach, head varsity softball coach, head varsity volleyball coach, junior varsity volleyball coach and middle school girls’ basketball coach.

“We have some incredible kids; they’re really eager to play sports, to learn about a new sport,” SRRHS Athletic Director Peter Brock said. “From a potential coach’s perspective a lot of these kids are eager to learn. There might be some growing pains with some of the kids, as they’re learning that a sport is more difficult from the inside versus the outside. But I think a lot of our kids are coachable, and they’re here to improve. If we find the right coach we’re set for success.”

Varsity head coaches are generally compensated at rates varying from $3,528 to $4,189 for the year, and assistant, junior varsity and middle school coaches are paid $2,205.

Superintendent Tom Swaninger, Ph.D., said that the district may move to hire new coaching staff for currently filled positions but did not provide specifics.

“It’s either we either have not secured that [coaching] position, or we feel that we could potentially improve that position by opening up [it] for further interviews,” Swaninger said.

The time commitment for coaches was expected to be around 10 hours per week, not including game and travel time, with high school practices generally being held for two hours a day Monday through Friday, with Saturdays as an option, Brock said.

Middle school sports usually practice Monday through Thursday, but Friday practices can be important early in the season. Assistant coaches can anticipate the same time commitment.

“We have great facilities overall,” Brock said. “Other resources we have, I am a certified athletic trainer, so I’m here to help keep those kids out on the field. I’m here to not just oversee the athletics department, but also to provide immediate care and help treat these kids when they have injuries. That’s something that’s a bit undervalued, because if we can keep kids healthy, then the sky’s the limit getting these teams to perform at their best.”

“Moving forward, there will be weekly meetings with [Brock] with all the coaches, covering specific issues that the coaches may have been dealing with that week,” Swaninger said.

“Coaching is a way to give back to the community,” Swaninger said. “Many people in our community have unique and tremendous experiences and skill sets. Working with our youth is one of the most fulfilling experiences out there.”

“Coaching is unique in that short of my [parents], I have learned more about life and leadership from my coaches than anyone else,” Swaninger said. “Coaches not only grow your skill set in whatever sport that you’re participating in, but they grow [students] into better leaders and better human beings.”