year in review - part 2

5-3-2023

On April 29 at 11:57 a.m. it was reported that Larry Bob Ballard, Jr., 56 yrs old, white male, 5’8”, 200 lbs. was reported missing. He was last seen wearing blue jeans, a t-shirt, and long sleeve blue denim shirt. He was last seen at 11:00 p.m. Thursday on CR 2116 at CR 2118 where his truck had been stuck. He was last seen on foot walking towards the area north of Douglassville around Hwy 8 and CR 2122. At the time of the release, he was listed as a diabetic and had not reported to his residence for three days. As of 1-7-2024 Ballard is still missing. If you know something please contact the Cass County Sheriff ’s Office immediately.

- - On Wednesday, April 26 at 3:29 Superintendent of Atlanta ISD, Jason Harris, sent out a letter to parents informing them that a teacher and coach that worked for the district had been arrested. The following morning the Cass County Sheriff ’s Department released a statement and a mugshot listing the suspect as 30-year-old Taureaus Alvaro Maxwell Jr.

The press release from the Sheriff ’s Department said that “on Wednesday, April 26, 2023, Taureaus Alvaro Maxwell Jr. (DOB: 11/25/1992) was arrested by the Cass County Sheriff ’s Office on multiple warrants for Indecency with a Child (Second Degree Felony), Online Solicitation of a Child (Third Degree Felony}, and Improper Relationship Between Educator and Student (Second Degree Felony)

5-10-2024

Bloomburg Elementary Principal Sylvia Stroman has been named a finalist for Principal of the Year. The Texas Rural Education Association (TREA) named Stroman one of just five finalists in the entire state. The next week Stroman was named Principal of the year. - Students, faculty and community members gathered Friday, May 5, at Atlanta Middle School to celebrate the campus being named a Texas School to Watch. Schools to Watch is part of a national recognition program sponsored by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. ---

Atlanta ISD election results

The Atlanta ISD Board of Trustees will stay the same again this year. Election Results as follows: Antwyn Falls - 507 / 21%; Keri Richardson 620 / 26.69%; Randall Thomason 678 / 29.19%; Lauren Giesler 518 / 22.30%, Totals 2323 / 100% - Thirty-one-year-old Karlton Rashad Davis, now former boys’ basketball coach for Linden-Kildare High School, is being investigated for an improper relationship win a minor. Davis was arrested in Titus County on Wednesday and is being held on a collective $100,000 bond. Davis was the second area teacher/ coach accused of an improper relationship with a minor, however, Davis’s accusation came from someone outside the district.

5-17-23

On Friday, May 12, 2023, a Cass County jury sentenced Timothy Brian Kirkpatrick, a 31-year-old resident of Gilmer, TX, to 99 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Institutional Division for committing the first-degree felony offense of aggravated sexual assault of a child. - The Cass County Commissioners Court has received grant funding for a pilot program to assist in the disposal of used tires. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has authority per Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) Chapter 361 to remediate unauthorized disposal sites but no appropriations to fund cleanups. To that end, Cass County has partnered with the Ark-Tex Council of Government (ATCOG), and Arklatex Tire Processing to provide for disposal of up to four tires per citizen during the cleanup period which is scheduled to run until the end of June. --- ---

5-31-24

Could Cass County see the next big windfall? Highest Grade Lithium Brine Found in Cass County - As the world turns to batteries for powering electric vehicles and storage for renewable energy the search for an essential element needed in production, lithium, is on. Cass County may be sitting on the richest lithium deposit in North America. Now, on February 27, the Governor just signed into law SB 1186 which will allow for the Texas Railroad Commission to issue permits for lithium mining. - A man with multiple felony warrants was arrested on May 22 in Arkansas after fleeing Cass County Sheriff ’s Office—first in a vehicle and then on foot, according to local authorities. According to officials, CCSO notified the Arkansas sheriff ’s department in Miller County that they were requesting assistance with capturing Anthony Harris, who had fled in a vehicle and eventually on foot before crossing the state line into Miller County. ---

6-7-23

JUNE

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A brand-new type of property is opening in Cass County. The Silo Studios in Queen City, the former OYO hotel, has been completely remodeled to become a single-family rental property. However, these units are different. Each unit’s price includes all of the utilities and has strenuous background checks to make sure the facility is a safe, affordable community. - Kevin Dewayne Shepard’s hope for a new trial came to a close when the Sixth Court of Appeals in Texarkana rejected his argument. Shepard had insisted that the eyewitness was an accomplice whose testimony must be corroborated. Instead, the court found the eyewitness credible and that the witness was not involved in the crime. According to court records of the appeal, a witness “testified that she witnessed Kevin DeWayne Shepard, Jr., kill Cynthia Renae Arnold and Donnie Monroe Combs and dispose of their bodies by fire. After hearing Thomas’s testimony, a Cass County jury convicted Shepard of capital murder. Following a bench trial on punishment, the trial court sentenced Shepard to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, and ordered him to pay $562.00 in court costs. ---

6-14-23

Tony Buzbee has been tapped to be the lead attorney to represent Attorney General Ken Paxton in an upcoming impeachment trial before the state Senate. ---

6-21-23

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) awarded a 2022 Distinguished Service Award (DSA) to the Cass County Historical Commission (CHC). This annual award affirms Cass County CHC appointees for managing well-rounded history and preservation- related programs that enrich Texas communities. - Ray Harp Jewelers celebrated its 70 years in business through an Appreciation reception from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on June 24, 2023. The Head family, owners of Haps Jewler, says that “it is an honor to be a part of this business. I am humbled by the support our family has received.” The Open House will have complimentary refreshments from Wisdom’s Bakery. There will be several drawings for prizes throughout the day. “We would love to personally say “Thank you” to everyone for 70 years of support.” The reception will be at their store at 108 N East St, Atlanta, TX - Linden held a ceremony for Juneteenth on Saturday, June 17, 2023, at noon. It began with the invocation by Evelyn Richardson, with remarks by Marvin Kelly, the chairman of the Cass County Historical Commission. Also included was an Underground Railroad Performance by the Pleasant Hill Quilters with closing remarks by Linden Mayor Lynn Reynolds. Juneteenth short for “June Nineteenth” marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston Texas, in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. ---

JULY

‘23

7-5-23

The Atlanta City Development Corporation held its second public meeting to discuss a reimagining of Louise Street Park last Thursday at Mattie Lanier Richey Center at 6:00 p.m. Three design concepts presented for park design. ---

7-12-23

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service hired a hometown agent for Cass County after a round of hiring new county agents across the state, as well as transfers within the agency, according to the publication AgriLife Today. Cass County is part of District Four, which is headed up in Dallas, Texas. This July, it was announced Lindsay Hergert, of Atlanta, Texas, will work in Cass County in family and community health, according to the online publication. ---

7-19-23

Former Cass County Sun Editor Bobby Horn, Jr., passed away on July 8. Horn was also a reporter, columnist and production worker for the Citizens Journal, he was managing editor for a chain of weekly newspapers in Houston and was pastor of both the Douglassville United Methodist Church and Union Chapel United Methodist Church. - Statistics gathered from the CDC showed that Cass County was ranked 31 out of 256 counties in Texas with the highest cancer rates in Texas. They also showed that the county was ranked 49 for new cancer cases. Statistically, Cass continues to stay where it is at, not necessarily getting any worse, but not getting any better in contrast to the other counties around the state of Texas. ---

7-26-23

Linden introduces CodeRed - “Public safety, transparency, and outreach are viewed as key attributes our city leadership desires,” says Linden City Manager, Lee Elliott. After a recent decision by the mayor and council members, it has been decided that the City of Linden will bring a new way of achieving the three attributes CodeRed! CodeRed is a system in which citizens can sign up for cell phone calls, texts, landline calls, and e-mail notifications for emergencies or community events. - An Avinger man has been sentenced to more than 24 years in federal prison for drug trafficking violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs today. Joshua Adam Tolar, 41, pleaded guilty on Jan. 26, 2023, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 292 months in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Judge J. Rodney Gilstrap on July 17, 2023. - No News for Cass County on 69 - During the latest update for I-69, the Alliance gave no news directly affecting Cass County. In the publication sent out, they noted that there is momentum in 2024 for Unified Transportation Program. TxDOT’s annual draft Unified Transportation Program (UTP) list of future projects that have been allocated funding is out for public comment. It includes 61 projects on the I-69 System with an estimated combined total cost of $8.6 billion.

AUGUST

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8-2-23

Broadband internet is the next essential utility. It has quickly become an expected part of our modern daily life. We take for granted things like electricity, clean drinking water, and telephone service but these utilities took a long time to plan and build out. Someday soon we will feel the same way about broadband internet. U.S. Census Bureau data indicate almost 2.8 million Texas households and 7 million people lack broadband access. The National Association of Counties (NACo) annual conference was held in Austin, Texas last week. Cass County, as a first-year member of NACo, was able to attend the conference without a registration fee. Cass County made the decision to join NACo for several reasons, not the least of which is to learn how to leverage state and federal funds for broadband expansion. NACo provides helpful guidance to navigate through national policy regarding rural broadband and infrastructure funding. In my time as County Judge, I have had more meetings to discuss broadband expansion than perhaps anything else. It remains one of the top three priorities of the county along with having a clean financial audit and improving economic development in the county. Cass County strives to be the example rural Texas county for innovation, transparency, and accessibility. Broadband development plays a critical role in that vision. – Judge Travis Ransom ---

8-9-23

Longtime news reporter Neil Abeles will be returning to the Journal after about 30 years. Abeles has been covering Cass County news for the Texarkana Gazette but has re- u See REVIEW page 3 cently decided to come back to the newspaper he got started with. Abeles has been a gentle voice in the community that blends in to capture this community’s special moments. - A 39-year-old Linden, Texas man was sentenced by a jury of his peers Thursday to 100 years in prison, according to Cass County District Attorney Courtney Shelton’s office. Aaron Michael Marshall was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child, two counts of sexual assault of a child, and six counts of indecency with a child by contact.

8-16-23

Brooks Jr. gets 40 years - Dallas, Texas - A 31-year-old man pled guilty Friday in Dallas County court to receive 40 years in a Texas prison for the severe beating of a local two-year-old in 2021, according to Dallas County officials. As a result of his actions, the victim, Blake Sampson lives with a range of lifelong medical issues. Charles Brooks Jr. and the court were preparing to hear victim impact statements from Blake’s family Monday, according to Media & Community Relations Manager Claire Crouch, with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. Crouch told Journal-Sun staff on Monday that Brooks pled guilty to injury to a child with serious bodily harm, as well as a charge stemming from an aggravated robbery.

8-23-23

Governor Greg Abbott today announced that the City of Linden, having completed the multi-step certification process, has been designated a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO). The Music Friendly Texas program, the first in the nation since introduced by TMO in 2016, seeks to foster music business-related economic development and job creation in Texas cities and communities. - The Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame will welcome three new members for induction into the Class of 2023 this fall. Two long-time Rabbit coaches and an outstanding fullback from the mid-1940s will be honored. Long-serving Girls Coach Donna Walker, Athletic Director/Head Football Coach Ben Scharnberg and Coulter “Mule” Kennamer will be inducted at a pre-game ceremony at the Atlanta-White Oak game on Friday, October 20.

- Nathan Moran Announces Re-Election Campaign for U.S. Representative of Texas Congressional District 1.

8-30-23

Two military contractors were sentenced today in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division, for their roles in a bid-rigging scheme involving the maintenance and repair of military tactical vehicles in Texas. The multi-year scheme secured more than $17 million in taxpayer dollars. Aaron Stephens, of Queen City, Texas, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay a criminal fine of $50,000. According to a plea agreement filed on Jan. 12, Stephens and his co-conspirators rigged bids on certain government contracts from May 2013 to January 2018 to give the false impression of competition and secure government payments. The conspirators submitted coordinated, higher-priced and non-competitive bids to ensure a designated company won each contract. Stephens and his co-conspirators rigged six different contracts for work performed for the Red River Army Depot in Texarkana, Texas. The projects included heavy military equipment work like refurbishing armor kits for military trucks and turrets for Humvees. - State Representative Gary VanDeaver has announced his intention to run for a sixth term representing Texas House District 1, which includes Bowie, Lamar, Red River, Morris, and Cass Counties.