A year of hardships

At the beginning of last year many of us thought 2020 was going to be a special year.

Instead of becoming famous for prosperity and growth, 2020 became infamous for all sorts of crazy things including a national pandemic, the death of Kobe Bryant, social unrest over the killing of George Floyd, various earthquakes and natural disasters and other newsworthy items.

Here locally we didn’t experience the riots and looting that happened to other communities in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

We did have people here that hosted peaceful protests over social injustice. Some of the area businesses did close down during the protests but the events remained peaceful.

COVID, on the other hand, did affect our community in a variety of ways, many restaurants and businesses had to shut down, some temporary others permanently. Hours and operations are still being affected by the pandemic.

At the end of the year in 2020, we did see vaccines that were beginning to be approved and administered. Sales tax for our local communities continued to remain strong even amid the Corona Virus. Many businesses figured out how to adapt and change. Some of our local manufactures began to build things like facemasks to help assist in the COVID efforts.

We, here at the newspaper, were forced to combine the Citizens Journal and the Cass County Sun because of the challenges with COVID. It was sad to see two of our local businesses having to become one. That said we have seen some really good things with the change. For instance, we have been able to bring our large county together in a time when we need to come together.

JANUARY

January 9, a one-vehicle crash on US Hwy 59, approximately 0.1 miles east of CR 1159, in Cass County. A 2007 blue Peterbilt truck tractor towing a 2016 white semi-trailer was traveling south on US Hwy 59 when the vehicle drove off the west side of the roadway striking a guardrail and coming to rest in a pond. 68-year-old Terry Stolba was rescued by good samaritan Ian Parrish when he swam and rescued the driver from the crash. Stolba didn’t know how to swim.

Paul Hale began his column to highlight his fishing expeditions of all 50 states.

Jim Loomis was appointed county auditor by District Judge, Bill Miller, and took his oath of office Thursday morning at the Cass County Justice Center in Linden. Loomis has been the acting interim auditor since Tammy Wells retired on December 31st of last year after 39 years of service to the county.

Lacy Gross welcomed as a reporter for the Atlanta Citizens Journal.

Sister paper publisher, Kenny Mitchell laid out the opposition and dangers of Marvin Nichols reservoir in a several part series that ran in both the Journal and the Sun.

Linden resident Susanne Kreklow continued on her popular weekly column in the Cass County Sun.

The Cass County Commissioners’ Court presented a resolution on Tuesday in support of the Second Amendment which was initiated by Sheriff Larry Rowe and jointly authored with District Attorney, Courtney Shelton and County Judge, and County Judge, Becky Wilbanks. Commissioner Paul Cothren presided over the court as Wilbanks was attending a meeting regarding the Sulphur River Basin Authority.

The Cass County appraisal board welcomed two new directors Scotty Bates of Atlanta and Jack Salmon of Avinger, who served before the election in 2018, returned after being dismissed the year before.

FEBRUARY

The Linden tower that was built in 1934 after a fire nearly destroyed the now also historic courthouse, was slated to be demolished in 2015. However, the Linden Heritage Foundation, the citizens of Linden, and Don Henley stepped in to save the water tower. Early February the restoration was complete and Linden citizens got their first look at what a lighted water tower would look like.

Nevada woman Vanessa Lucille Alexander, 36, who previously resided in Cass County was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14 and sentenced to 60 years in prison. Alexander will not be eligible for parole.

Youth minister/teacher Robert Dale Barkman, 67, pleaded guilty to child pornography charges sentenced to 30 years.

LEDC hosts its first small business workshop on Feb. 26.

Hickory Hill, Purple Hulls performed at Music City Theater.

Swift Water Rescue Team rescues an unidentified lady from flooding heading to Linden.

The Linden Economic Development Corporation implemented its Grant Program to benefit existing businesses located in the city limits of Linden.

The Atlanta Education Foundation held its annual Blue Jeans and Bling event on Saturday at Texas Music City in Linden. Atlanta.

Downtown buildings are demolished from the fire.

Atlanta varsity cheerleaders placed first in the state of Texas for the UIL SPIRIT Crowd Leading Division.

Larry Rolin Jurek, 64, was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday after a Cass County jury returned a guilty verdict on the felony charge of arson and assessed a $10,000 fine.

The Cass County jail recently employed new technology that will allow its staff to better track inmates.

MARCH

Atlanta. Kremy Donuts on US Hwy 59, sustained smoke and fire damage on the evening of Feb. 16.

Atlanta Fire Department welcomed Tyler Rutledge to the department gaining a qualified firefighter and EMT-Paramedic.

Cobblestone celebrates re-grand opening after the downtown fire.

Judge Bill Miller, Brett Fitts and Chris Paddie were reelected in the Republican primary over their challengers for Fifth District Court Judge, Texas State Representative of District 9, and Cass County Commissioner of Precinct 1. They all later won unopposed in the November election.

Cass County school districts and agencies have announced closures and restrictions this week after state and national declarations of emergency were made to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Anita White, Chief Appraiser of Cass County Appraisal District, resigned at last Monday’s board meeting. White was hired as Chief Appraiser in Apr. 2019 and had previously worked as an appraiser for Bowie County Appraisal District for 29 years.

March 20 County Judge Becky Wilbanks confirmed that Cass County had its first confirmed case of COVID-19.

Crump’s Food Store in Linden celebrates 20th anniversary

Schools begin to provide free lunch delivery to students having to stay at home because of COVID closures.

APRIL

Atlanta Citizens Journal Contes Cupid’s Cuties winners are announced, Parker Hayes Felice and Brooklyn Coats.

Abbott restricts entry at Louisiana border

Atlanta Citizens Journal publishes April Fools Edition of the newspaper that featured “Fake news stories – Satire” including stories like Joe Exotic being transferred to Cass County Jail and Dallas Cowboys moving training camp to Cass County. Received several phone calls and emails.

Local manufactures like Stanco Safety Products, Guardline, and Grief (March) began production of COVID-related productions.

Area nursing home employee tests positive for COVID-19.

Cass County ordered to shelter in place, allowing only essential business.

The train stopped for six hours after hitting downed trees leaving traffic to find alternative routes around town.

Giesler distributed facemasks downtown to combat CORONA.

Queen City ISD officials broke ground on the construction of a new concession area Atlanta ISD appoints Jason Harris as the new Assistant Superintendent.

Atlanta State Park reopens after being closed due to the virus.

Decision made for schools to be closed for the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year.

Microburst causes damage throughout the county with the worst happening to Linden.

Hall-Miller Municipal Airport to receive $30K in Coronavirus Relief Funds.

Stay-at-home order ends April 30.

Wildflower Trails event canceled for 2020

Christopher Allen Wooding, 44, a former employee of the Federal Correctional Institution, Texarkana, pleaded guilty to the charge of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child on Apr. 6.

Former Linden coach and educator Kelly Kalinec loses life after tree falls.

LifeNet EMS service comes to Linden

MAY

Cass County Sun, Atlanta Citizens Journal to merge to become Cass County Citizens Journal-Sun

Cass County Judge allows shelter-in-place of residence order to expire

Shopping returns and dine-in reopens after Governer Abbott starts Phase 1 of the opening process. Starting May 1, retail shops, restaurants, and many other places can open their doors to a max of 25% occupancy.

Barbershops, salons, and tanning beds were given the green light from Governor Greg Abbott to reopen with guidelines by the governor’s task force.

Tornado at Lake Wright Patman, Texas Game Wardens captured the water spout at Lake Wright Patman near Cass County.

COVID-19 Antibody testing available in Atlanta

Because of the virus schools offer alternatives for school activities, such as a parade instead of Senior Skip Day.

JUNE

Mayor Travis Ransom announces campaign for Congress

Area schools offer unusual graduation alternatives including social distancing because of the pandemic.

Queen City Police looking for a gunman who attacked a homeless man

Journal-Sun begins to offer coverage of Hughes Springs news.

Atlanta City Council votes for airport improvement.

Steven Smith Cruise Night deemed a success

Peaceful protesters gather for Black Lives Matter rally to protest police brutality on black individuals in other cities in the United States.

On June 10, churches from around the area and Atlanta come together in solidarity of love.

The Atlanta City Council approved last Monday the purchase of an in-car and body-worn camera system for the Atlanta Police Department.

Gunfire erupts at the Juneteenth celebration.

JULY

Atlanta announces Independence Day Community Firework Show is STILL ON for Friday, July 3, 2020!

Gov. Abbott Friday issued an executive order limiting certain businesses, shutting down bars and limiting restaurant seating to 50%, mandating masks and social distancing.

Fire District 3 breaks ground on a new station

Meeting held with county officials to discuss racism because of national attention on the issue.

Nathan Johns, 20, of Cass County was arrested Thursday and charged with the murder of his mother, Melissa Johns.

Whataburger coming to Atlanta

Appraisal board approves new director, Rebecca Wells of Linden.

Pizza on Main opens near Brookshire grocery store.

Cass County Commissioner Paul Cothren was elected president of the North & East Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association on July 15.

Journal-Sun welcomes home writer Kate Stow to the team.

AUGUST

Bryan Lee Simmons, 49, of Cass County was indicted March 18 by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and using a firearm in relation to drug trafficking.

The Cass County Commissioners’ Court presents the Distinguished Service Award to the Cass County Historical Commission.

Atlanta native and 1991 graduate of Atlanta High School, Carla Granberry Dupree named top Principal.

Travis Ransom finishes third in executive vote to become GOP nominee to replace Ratcliff ’s house seat. Pat Fallon wins.

Misty Williams, Assistant Principal of Atlanta Middle School, has been selected to represent the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals as a Region 8 Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year.

SEPTEMBER

Whataburger opens.

An emergency session of the Cass County Commissioners’ Court was called last Tuesday afternoon regarding the proposed tax rate which was approved early Tuesday morning during its regular session.

Second-ever Amber Alert in Atlanta has a happy ending. Alex Arwood, 11, and one-year-old Tru Speratos found safe.

Appraisal Board Chairman Byron Terry announced that director Scotty Bates had given his resignation.

Atlanta Police Department vehicles were outfitted with new WatchGuard Video dash-cams.

Journal-Sun announce Linden candidate forum

Connor Alexander and Maddy Parker named Queen City homecoming king and queen

OCTOBER

Whitney Goebel and Tiffany Whorton participate in the Linden candidate forum.

Atlanta’s Daimion Collins and Jennifer Easter were crowned Homecoming King and Queen last Friday.

Atlanta passes the panhandling ordinance.

Governor opens Texas to 75%; bars to 50%.

Cass County grand jury indicted Kevin Shepard, 29, of Atlanta and Gary Shepard, 50, of Bivins for murder.

Atlanta mayor Travis Ransom deploying to Afghanistan

Linden-Kildare Vincent Peters and Nancy Pena Castillo named homecoming queen and king.

Pat Fallon spoke twice in Atlanta in hopes of gathering support for the upcoming election.

Journal-Sun announces Veteran’s Day Celebration

Atlanta Chamber 8th Annual 5K Glow happens.

Queen City announce an initiative to legally sell alcohol

NOVEMBER

Atlanta Airport hosts Fall Fly-In

Collins commits to University of Kentucky

Journal-Sun hosts Veteran’s Day Celebration

Linden elects new council members Mary Dowd, James Johnson, and incumbent Chuck Evans.

Queen City voters approve all-alcohol sales

Bryan Lee Simmons, 50, of Cass County has been sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine.

McLeod ISD earns the state’s highest fiscal accountability rating

DECEMBER

Hope Thompson ropes in another world title

Linden-Kildare’s Roaring Band from Tigerland goes to state.

Atlanta celebrates their annual Christmas parade.

Hughes Springs man, Timothy Jan Leftwich, 59, arrested on sexual assault charge.

CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital - Atlanta and Genesis PrimeCare Ellington Memorial Clinic’s celebrate “Cruise through Christmas.

Atlanta celebrates eighth annual Hometown Christmas Celebration

City of Domino Mayor Al Campbell was arrested on November 18 for alleged Abuse of Official Capacity and Unlawful Use of Funds for Political Advertising.

Atlanta State Park hosts their annual Christmas drivethrough.

Wylie Jo Hodges places eight in the world at Junior world Finals in Ft. Worth.

Atlanta to repair streets approves loan for gym

Atlanta hospital receives COVID-19 vaccine