Jeff Long, as a former sports writer, would have understood the change in writing a column with new information just prior to deadline. We learned late Tuesday of the untimely death of Jeff Long, of the Fox Valley Park District. He was in the Batavia High School Class of 1982. He was the Park District’s Mid-American Canoe Race director. The race will be held Sunday on the Fox River if a group can fill his shoes to run the event. We receive the news with shock because of his relative youth, in his early 50s, and his zest for life. The reminder is that we must not take life for granted. He always had a good word and was universally well-liked. He kept his battle for cancer the last eight years quiet. Our condolences to his family, friends, and all those he touched in a positive light. He will be missed!
• Herschel Luckinbill was given a proper salute last week at the Chicago White Sox baseball game as Hero of the Game for his past U.S. Navy experience and his work with veterans in many capacities for many years. See the photo here.
• Two weekends remain in high school State play.
