2023 year in review - part 3

The Texas Department of Public Safety issued a release saying that the Texas Rangers are investigating an officer-involved shooting that that took the life of an Avinger man. John L. Stanford, 39, died Monday after he exchanged gunfire with a DPS trooper. According to a press release from DPS Sgt. Adam Albritton an unidentified DPS trooper pulled over Stanford at approximately 10:30 p.m. on U.S. 259 in Gregg County. - The Texas Secretary of State has accepted Cass County’s application to participate in the county-wide polling place program for the November 7, 2023, constitutional amendment election. Cass County’s application to the Secretary of State followed a six-month-long process of planning, compiling information, conducting public hearings and gathering input from the public. Cass County exceeded the minimum public meeting requirements by holding four public hearings across the county to discuss the potential for countywide voting. Citizens in Hughes Springs will be pleased that the Cass County Commissioners Court also decided to add an additional early voting location in their community and have already purchased the equipment to support that location. - - As Atlanta Rabbit fans prepare to welcome in another football season, they may not be aware that it has been 100 years since the Rabbs were born. Coach Ed Rabb came to Atlanta as a young lawyer after World War I in 1919. Having been a football player at Cumberland University he decided to form a club team in town built around young guys who were both in and out of high school.

9-13-23

It has been more than one year now since three sisters were pulled from a pond off Texas Highway 77. People in the community, and nationality want those responsible for the murders of Zi’Ariel Robinson- Oliver, 9; A’Miyah Hughes, 8; and Te’Mari Robinson- Oliver, 5 to receive justice. Many including those in the media are looking for more answers for this senseless act. The sisters were found side by side on July 30, 2022. At the time there was no official release of foul play but was presumed by some to be an accidental drowning. That changed when on March 23 in a press release County Attorney Courtney Shelton issued a release that the case was being treated as a homicide.

NaturalBuildingOrg is a nonprofit organization that promotes natural building of homes for the purpose of both creating a home, and also creating bonds between veterans and their communities, with other veterans and within themselves. NaturalBuildingOrg hopes to expand their operations in the coming years and invites the community to its annual fundraiser, a masquerade ball and silent auction, to be held from 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at The Legacy Event Center in Hughes Springs.

9-20-23

Hometown attorney Tony Buzbee led a team in the case in defense of Kenneth Paxton, Jr., Attorney General of the State of Texas. On May 27, 2023, the Texas House of Representatives approved 20 articles of impeachment against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The impeachment trial centered around political donor and friend, Austin real estate developer, Nate Paul. On that day the Texas House of Representatives voted 121-23 to impeach Paxton which also resulted in Paxton’s suspension. On September 16, 2023, Paxton was acquitted on all articles of impeachment. “Under the Texas Constitution, the House of Representatives is vested with the power of impeachment and the Senate has the duty to conduct the trial (Article XV, Sections 1 and 2).” - Judge Bill Miller has announced his intention to run again for the 5th District Court. Miller has served for eight years and will be looking to serve another four. He was appointed by then-Governor Rick Perry. - On September 13, 2023, “Governor Greg Abbott today announced nine Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) grants totaling over $1.8 million were awarded to nine East Texas veteran service organizations as part of the Texas Veterans Commission’s (TVC) Big Check Tour. Presented today by TVC, the funding will provide services to more than 1,800 veterans and their families in over 30 counties in the FVA East Texas region.” Of that money, 600k went to two Cass County organizations, 300k to Community Services of Northeast Texas and the County of Cass for their new Veterans Services Office. CSNT though located in Cass County serves 19 counties. - The Journal-Sun is going to be working with Harvest House Food pantry to help provide a need for canned food and other storable goods by providing a drop-off box at the Journal-Sun and donating $5.00 from every mailed-in subscription to the work they provide. With the help of the community the Journal-Sun was able to give a check to the organization. There is still a need for monetary donations for this organization and others in the community.

9-27-23

Voters will have the opportunity to vote on Texas Proposition 4. This proposition will change the Property Tax affecting the State Education Funding Amendment on the ballot in Texas as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 7, 2023. (This proposition did not pass) - A Linden family and an Atlanta business are leading a nationwide effort to gain research into the rare disease Superficial Siderosis. Last week, Wisconsin citizen Kyle Dempsey visited Caffe Crema in Atlanta to publicize the coffee shop’s second annual Trail Grinder run to support this rare disease effort. The run begins this Saturday at Atlanta Sports Park. - A worker at a local grocery store tragically lost his life while placing groceries in a customer’s vehicle. According to reports Larry Lawrence, 39, of Queen City was shot when a loaded rifle discharged in the backseat and killed the employee. The owner of Crumps, Chris Spencer, reported the sad news on Facebook saying that the customer’s dog accidentally stepped on the loaded gun.

10-4-23

OCTOBER

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Atlanta’s second annual Trail Grinder’s run achieved its objective Friday. The event’s purpose is to publicize a littleknown disease Superficial Siderosis. One member of the local race family suffers from this disease. Tony and Greg Beers are owners of Cafe’ Crema in Atlanta which is sponsor of the event now in its second annual occurrence. Some 50 runners paid a $30, $40 or $50 entry fee to run the 5, 10 or 30-K trail with all funds going to the non-profit 501 (C) (3) Superficial Siderosis Research Alliance. This non-profit is registered in Wisconsin but has its research arm here as led by Vice President Rori Daniel of Linden.

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10-11-23

The Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in partnership with Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has been celebrating 100 years of Texas State Parks which started in January 2023. Each state park has participated in the celebration in its own unique way. On October 21 the festivities will start at the Atlanta State Park at 1:00 p.m. with various family activities and at 5:00 p.m. a live band will perform. The theme is a celebration of the calibration of what goes into the workings of a state park.

10-18-23

Lindsay Robbins announced on social media on October 12 that she and a partner will be coming together to open an animal shelter in the old Brooks Hospital in the downtown Atlanta area. --- Jose De Dios from Atlanta utilizes specialized glasses to enjoy the solar eclipse Saturday at Lake Wright Patman Dam. (Note the reflection of the eclipse on his glasses.)“ On October 14, 2023, an annular solar eclipse crossed North, Central, and South America creating a path of annularity.An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth while at its farthest point from Earth. Because the Moon is farther away from Earth, it does not completely block the Sun. This will create a “ring of fire” effect in the sky for those standing in the path of annularity.On April 8,2024,a total solar eclipse will cross North and Central America creating a path of totality. During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely blocks the Sun while it passes between the Sun and Earth.The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk and those standing in the path of totality may see the Sun’s outer atmosphere (the corona) if weather permits.” - NASA Cass County will be in a prime position to experience the total Solar eclipse in 2024.

10-25-23

It has been 42 long years since Karen and Gordon Alexander were found slain in their Texarkana home. According to police reports Weldon Eugene “Hip” Alexander from Bloomburg, Texas called the police to alert the authorities that his two children were stabbed in their home. It turned out years later a cold case was solved after DNA evidence implicated the father of the Alexander siblings. - Downtown Atlanta will have its first dinner theater event Saturday when the coffee shop Cafe Crema presents an in-house dinner and drama event. The 6 p.m. event will offer a three-course meal and a murder mystery entertainment presented by a professional acting group. Coffee shop owners Tanya and Greg Beers say they’ve arranged for the dinner-theater happening just for pleasure of town citizens. - A new development in the decades- long fight over a proposed reservoir in Northeast Texas is offering Texans a chance to speak out in defense of private property and against the use of eminent domain for an unnecessary, outdated water project. The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) is conducting a feasibility review of the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir. This comes after State Representative Gary Van- Deaver requested the review as part of House Bill 1, which passed the Legislature earlier this year. ---

11-1-23 NOVEMBER

‘23

Texas Rangers, with the assistance of the Red River County Sheriff ’s Office, arrested a Cass County man in connection with a July 3 shooting in Clarksville that left 33-year-old Izah Kirryae Runels dead and three other men suspected of murder, according to Lt. Freddy Booker, an investigator with the sheriff ’s office. Harvest Lee Hines III, 26, of Atlanta, Texas, was held Thursday at Red River County Jail on bonds totaling $1,010,000 for charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence with intent and driving with an invalid license, according to jail records. - The Office of the Governor- Criminal Justice Division has awarded the Cass County Sheriffs Office two separate grants totaling over $50,000. Grant funds will provide for the purchase of updated and upgraded body-worn cameras for sheriff deputies. Bodyworn cameras and software that supports them are an important tool in maintaining the latest innovative technology for Cass County deputies to record and preserve evidence. ---

11-8-23

The Greater Texarkana Branch of NAACP had a Banquet to honor exceptional awardees who have been selected for their remarkable achievements and dedication to advancing equality and justice. This year three Cass County residents were honored from the Greater Texarkana branch of the NAACP. The keynote speaker was Reverend Steve Miller. Awards were given to eight participants: Dr. Alford C. Williams, pastor of Enon First Missionary Baptist Church of Atlanta, Texas with the Religious Affairs Award; Ms. Linda Arnold, Mount Zion Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Queen City, Texas with the Dr. Shirley Finn Trailblazer Award; Nuddie P. Jones Chaplain at Wadley Regional Medical Center, and member of St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Atlanta, Texas, with the John J. Jones, Sr. Community Service Award. - Over 200 vendors were present at the beginning of the Cullen Baker Fair Saturday in Bloomburg. And likely 2,000 people were along the 10 a.m. parade path. The weather was fine, food abundant, vendors cordial and crowd orderly.

- With the recent announcement that the Texas Water Development Board will be conducting a feasibility study on the proposed Marvin Nichols Reservoir in the Sulphur River Basin of Northeast Texas, those opposed to the lake’s construction are now calling on landowners and the general public to voice their opinions on the project. The feasibility study was mandated by the Texas Legislature in the spring of this year. Representative Gary VanDeaver, from New Boston, stepped up to ask for the study to be conducted. The study was set to include a 60-day comment period for those who would like their voice heard on the mammoth proposed lake. The comment period is set to run through December 1, 2023. ---

11-15-23

KPYN has ceased broadcasting in the Atlanta Area According to radioinsight. com “the six stations owned by Robert Delgiorno’s Freed AM Corp. and MLS Broadcasting in the Ark-La-Tex have ceased operations.” In a “brief statement on each station’s FCC filing to go silent simply states, “The licensee is suspending operations of this station for financial reasons.” - On November 7 Cass County along with the rest of Texas voted on a number of propositions and local election interests. County-wide, Cass County Assistant District was up for vote allowing an increase in sales tax from unincorporated areas in the County mostly in online purchases. In local elections, Atlanta and Queen City had proposition elections. Linden-Kildare had two board politicians up for a vote.

Cass County Assistant District Election: Proposition A. (Failed) - Proposition A. (Failed) With voter approval, county assistance districts allow the county to receive sales tax revenue from the unincorporated areas of the county where a local entity isn’t already collecting a sales tax.

Linden-Kildare Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees.

Place 1 - Kenneth Rodney Hamilton (260) – Winner Place 2 - Jarred Michael Lemmon (212) – Winner City of Atlanta Proposition A – (Passed) The reduction of the current one-half (1/2) of one percent (1%) local sales and use tax to the type Atlanta economic development corporation by a rate of one-fourth (1/4) of one percent (1%) to one-fourth (1/4) of one p City of Queen City Proposition A (Passed) “Reauthorization of the local sales and use tax in Queen City at the Rate of one-fourth of one percent to continue providing revenue for maintenance and repair of municipal streets.” Passed: 100 to 34ercent (1%) within the city of Atlanta, Texas; and the adoption of a local sales tax.

Several other Texas Propositions were voted on. - Conservative Catholic Bishop Joseph Strickland has been removed from his post by Pope Francis. Strickland who grew up in Atlanta, Texas was an open critic to the pope and his attempt to make the Catholic Church to be more inclusive of women in governance and LGBTQ+ people in regard to practice and rules of the Church. ---

11-22-23

In just 24 hours Pat Fallon went from announcing he would be leaving the US Congress to run for his previous Texas Senate post to deciding he would stay and seek reelection for the congressional seat. Fallon’s Texas’ 4th Congressional District covered Cass County before a controversial redistricting effort put Cass County out of Fallon’s District. While in Cass current Judge Travis Ransom ran against Fallon for that post. - Cass County Judge Travis Ransom has been honored by the Texas Association of Counties’ (TAC) Texas Judicial Academy for going the extra mile. The academy recognizes county judges who attain significant judicial education beyond state requirements as Fellows. The academy inducted several county judges as Fellows during its 2023 Fall Judicial Education Session, held Nov. 15-17 in Boerne.

11-29-23

Atlanta, Texas’ very own Charles “Chaz” Roquemore is competing on the global stage on Netflix-Squid Game: The Challenge for a stunning $4.56 million. Charles graduated from Atlanta High School Class of 2009, he is the son of Bernis James and Deborah James, his grandparents are the Late Joseph Roquemore and Clemmie Roquemore, he went on to obtain a bachelor’s in mass communications u See REVIEW page 3 from Stephen F. Austin State University and a Master in Business Administration concentrating in Project Management.

- Detectives with the Atlanta Police Department arrested Jaylen Juanye Green on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, on the multiple active warrants that had been issued for his arrest. In the Facebook post, the department “added that all subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.” At the time of the arrest the Atlanta Police Department had multiple active arrest warrants for Green of Queen City, Texas: Improper Relationships with a Stu dent and a Child, Warrant: 23-065 (Felony II); Sexual Assault of a Child, Warrant: 23-066 (Felony II); and Sexual Assault of a Child, Warrant: 23-067 (Felony II). Since this is still an active investigation, residents with information are encouraged to contact the Atlanta Police Department at (903) 796-7973 or their local Law Enforcement Agency. - Cass County dancers will be participating in the performance of the Nutcracker again this year for the Community Ballet of Texarkana, “returning for its 56th year of entertaining and educating.” The Nutcracker is a fantasy of childhood, a young girl’s dream of magic, based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s “Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Community Ballet of Texarkana will present four performances of the beloved Nutcracker Ballet on December 1, 2, and 3 at the historic Perot Theatre in downtown Texarkana. --- Santa makes an early visit to the area Leighton Farmer, 6, has the ear of Santa Claus. Santa looks as if he might know Leighton.

12-6-23 DECEMBER

‘2 3 S e ve ral capital proj e c t s are beginning soon in Linden. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) water grant/low-interest loan of $4.25 million kicks off in early January and $1.8 million of the $6 million street bond project kicks off this week. The USDA waterline project will begin in the northwest part of our community at Well Five and replace waterlines to the downtown tower. The next phase will begin in the southeast portion of our community and branch out from there. This project is proposed to last approximately one year. The 2nd phase of the street bond project will begin the residential street portions this week. A high-level overview of the construction route is as follows: Begin at Blalock Street to Vance Street and down south into the residential vicinity.

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12-13-23

Cass County business owner Chris Spencer will seek Republican nomination for Texas House District 1 Seat. Spencer, the Chairman of the Sulphur River Basin Authority, com- munity leader and a Northeast Texas business for a zoom call.

Atlanta’s own Kenisha Webster is now an award-winning artist. Webster placed third in the adult classification of TXK150’s Design Downtown Regional Art Contest out of several submissions from all over Bowie, Cass and Miller Counties. Her award-winning art piece was a watercolor painting titled “Abandoned Beauty – Harrell Building”

12-20-23

owner, which includes Linden grocery store Crumps, has announced his campaign for the Texas House of Representatives in House District 1. Spencer, a conservative Republican, will seek his party’s nomination in the March 5th Republican Primary. Spencer officially filed the necessary documents to be a candidate with Republican Party of Texas officials on Friday. Spencer recently received the endorsement of the Texas Republican Governor Greg Abbott.

- Vada Mickens was born in December of 1917 and will celebrate her 106th birthday on December 16th of this year. Family and friends came together all over the country - Governor Greg Abbott today announced on December 14, that the City of Atlanta, Texas, “having completed the multistep training and certification process, has been designated as a Film Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Film Commission.” In 2022, the Atlanta Tourism Committee, with support from the City of Atlanta, began the certification process to designate Atlanta a Film Friendly Certified Community. The Film Friendly Texas program is a certification and marketing initiative administered by the Texas Film Commission, under the Governor’s Office. The goal of the program is to pair interested Texas suburban and rural communities with media industry professionals to help facilitate mutually beneficial partnerships.

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