A HERO’S WELCOME

STAFF REPORT

Lucas Oakes was welcomed home Sunday afternoon outside of the Greene County High School.

The 14-year old was injured in a New Year’s Day cabin fire five miles north of Scranton. A group of roughly 50 supporters welcomed him back from a week-long stint at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City. The supporters donned hand made signs and broke out in applause as the youngster came through the parking lot in a white GMC Yukon around 3:30 p.m.

Oakes was one of two youths caught in a fire in the early morning of Jan. 1. The two were asleep when the blaze broke out, but managed to escape. The other person in the cabin passed away recently.

Several of Oakes’ friends helped welcome him back with a number of burnouts in the parking lot, which brought out a look of curiosity from Oakes, who peered out the window of his vehicle in astonishment.  
Eric White with Barrel Smoke BBQ is hosting a fundraiser at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19 with 100 percent of proceeds going to the Oakes and McDonald families. Two hundred pulled pork sandwiches will be available at 710 US Highway 30 in Carroll.
A free-will donation spaghetti dinner is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Scranton Community Center, with proceeds going to the Oakes and McDonald families as well. The dinner will take place from 4:30-7 p.m.
PHOTOS BY BRANDON HURLEY | JEFFERSON HERALD