U.S. Air Force honors local business

By Jennifer Jean Miller NEWTON — U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Ryan Smith, from the Air Force Recruiting Office in Newton, recently presented a certificate of appreciation to the Villa Capri II Restaurant & Pizzeria. Smith said he asked the restaurant if they could attach flyers to their pizza boxes about the benefits of joining the Air Force. Smith has often stopped in for a meal there, and met with potential recruits, some of whom learned of the Air Force recruiting effort from the Villa Capri campaign. Pete Bovee, the restaurant's manager, accepted the certificate on behalf of owner Bill Elig. "He really appreciates it," Bovee said. "Bill is all about helping the community." Elig was not available to receive the award that day because he was lending a hand to his church at the time.Villa Capri II Pizzeria & Restaurant is located on Newton-Sparta Road in the Upper Lake Plaza in Sparta.