S. Illinois man will lead Civil Air Patrol

BELLEVILLE (AP) – The Civil Air Patrol has named a southern Illinois man as its new leader in the state.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports that Ricky Oeth of Mascoutah will serve a four-year term at the head of the search-and-rescue group. Oeth had been vice commander of the state wing of the CAP.

Oeth works as a technology coordinator for the Sparta Community School District and has been a member of the Civil Air Patrol since 1976.