A MAN with local ties has received a prestigious award from NASA.

William Doug Thomas has been awarded the Silver Snoopy Award. It is the highest award given out by NASA’s Astronaut Office. He recently reached his 26th anniversary working with NASA’s Human Spaceflight programs.

The award is given personally by NASA astronauts as it represents the astronauts’ own recognition of excellence for outstanding achievements related to human flight safety or mission success. Less than 1 percent of eligible recipients have ever received this award.

It originated in 1968 during the Apollo Program. The award consists of a sterling “Silver Snoopy” lapel pin flown during a NASA mission. Snoopy, a character from the Peanuts comic strip created by Charles M. Schulz, is depicted in an astronaut suit. Schulz provided the original sketches for which the pin is designed.

“My Snoopy pin accompanied Astronaut Stan Love on Space Shuttle flight STS-122,” Thomas said. “Mr. Love nominated and awarded me the pin on March 23, 2015, at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, by surprising me after I completed a Space Launch System update presentation to the entire Astronaut Office.”

Thomas was born in Bellaire and moved to St. Clairsville at age 5. He is a 1982 St. C. High graduate and a 1987 Ohio State University grad with a BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.

“I have so many memories over the past 26 years, from the highs of being an integral part of over 100 Space Shuttle launches, to the lows of the Columbia accident and spending a month in Texas searching for debris and nearly a year supporting reconstruction activities to aid in the accident investigation, this award caps off a great career doing a job that few people ever experience,” Thomas said. “I never envisioned winning any awards, so this award was a big surprise and one of my proudest moments supporting NASA’s human space flight programs. And receiving the recognition personally from the astronauts whom I now support makes it even more personal and rewarding.”

Thomas is 51. He and his wife Cindi have been married for nearly 30 years. They have two sons, Cody (16) and Jordan (13).

Thomas’s dad, Bill, is a former Bellaire High athletic great, starring in football and as a hurdler. He earned a football scholarship to Mississippi State. He is also a member of the OVAC Hall of Fame.

CRACKDOWN

BELMONT COUNTY was the venue for “Operation Shield’ last week.

The State Highway Patrol was joined by several other local law enforcement agencies, staging a 36-hour blitz on crime.

Officers made nearly 350 stops with 150 involved in arrests. Three stolen vehicles were recovered and nine OVI arrests were made, including two felonies and nine misdemeanor drug arrests. Officers recovered 22 grams of marijuana, along with prescription pills.

The Ohio Investigative Unit also found two violations during Operation Shield involving underage alcohol sale to minors.

VETERANS VISIT

BELMONT COUNTY Council of the American Legion hosted a party at the Chillicothe Veterans Hospital on April 16. Sixty veterans were entertained with a luncheon, dancing and singing.

Each veteran was presented a goodie-snack bag provided by the legion council. The council expresses its thanks and gratitude for all those who contributed to make the visit a success.

Betty Kotson of Bellaire again spearheaded the mission. After decades of such service, Kotson is stepping down from that position. She did the job with great passion and diligence.

BUBBA’S BITS

KEVIN LOVE’S season-ending injury will likely result in the star forward opting to remain in Cleveland. He excelled in the post-season and his teammates rallied around him after his injury via a cheap shot by a Boston Celtic.

THE BELLAIRE Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting donations for the fireworks for the All-American Days Festival scheduled for June 6 at 10:30 p.m. Those donating will have their business name on the back of the newsletter for the whole year and also be listed as a donor on the fireworks page in next years Resource Guide. Please send checks to: The Bellaire Area Chamber of Commerce, 3287 Belmont St., PO Box 428, Bellaire, Ohio 43906.

AS YOU read this piece, the mega-hyped Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight has been decided as it was staged late last night in Las Vegas. I expected Mayweather to prevail but I was rooting for Pacquiao. I have no use for a man who beats up women, as Mayweather has done numerous times.

PETERSON Rehabilitation Hospital will be working with the Belmont County Veterans Service Office on May 12 to provide the public with a blood pressure clinic. The event will take place at the Belmont County Veterans Service Office, 3326 Belmont St., Bellaire, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans and non-veterans alike are encouraged to take advantage of this potentially lifesaving service. Veterans in need of healthcare and meet the eligibility requirements can also apply at the BCVSO for VA Healthcare.

WE WISH the best of luck to Times Leader News Editor Kayla Van Dyne. She has opted to become editor of a weekly newspaper in New Martinsville. She will leave the Times Leader at the close of Tuesday’s work day.

Kapral may be reached at bkapral@timesleaderonline.com