Virda May Womacks, died on Saturday, Jan. 31, in her home, surrounded by her family and friends. She was 88. Born on July 20, 1920, in Breathitt County, Ky., a daughter of William and Nancy (Banks) Oliver, Virda was one of the sweetest spirits ever encountered — tremendously selfless and devotedly loving.

The Yellow Springs girls swim team pulled out another strong meet at the Shawnee Invitational on Friday, Jan. 24. With just five swimmers, the Lady Bulldogs placed fourth overall with 58 points out of 17 teams.

Yellow Springs Lady Bulldogs basketball team turned around a losing streak and won the last three of their last five games. The Lady Dogs lost to Dayton Christian, 68–58, on Jan. 12.

Zerlean “Zee” Upshaw of Springfield died on Sunday, Jan. 25, in Springfield Regional Medical Center, High Street Campus. She was 71. She was born March 5, 1937, in Aiken, S.C., to the late Lafayette and Thelma (Smith) Andrews.

Benjamin F. Waterman died at his home in Xenia on Jan. 19. He was 87. He was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Lynn, Mass., to the late Frank L. and Pauline E. Waterman.

With just seven swimmers, the YSHS girls swim team placed fourth out of 10 teams at the County Invitational on Friday and Sunday, Jan. 16 and 18. The Lady Bulldogs won the 200-medley relay with Erika Chick, Maiya Hodge, Elizabeth Malone and Barbara Jewell in 2.06 minutes by five seconds.

Leroy Sanford of Clifton died Monday, Jan. 19. He was 87. He was born Aug. 2, 1921, to Henrietta Sanford. He was the oldest of four children. He went to Mitchell School in Wilberforce, Ohio.

Former Yellow Springs resident Chuck Smart died Dec. 29, 2008, in Bremerton, Washington with his wife, Dawn, and his brother, Sydney, at his side. He was born Feb. 10, 1941.

Recreational youth basketball for girls and boys will begin Saturday, Jan. 17, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Bryan Community Center gym. Parents and guardians must complete a registration form at their child’s first attendance.