WATCHING FOR DAD

WATCHING FOR DAD — Meredith Bird (left), 6, and Camille Bird, 4, daughters of Matthew and Brittnie Bird of Union City, waited with their signs along East Reelfoot Avenue in Union City for their dad to arrive at an angel station set up at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City during the Last Annual Vol State Road Race on Thursday. Runners, who were traveling from Dorena Landing, Mo., to Castle Rock, Ga., could pick up food and drink there to keep them going. Bird, who came in 13th out of 113 finishers in 2022, had to end his trek early this year after beginning the race on the tail end of a bout with food poisoning. Other local race participants include Luke Searcy, Caleb Long and Ryan Lemp.