News

HUGHES SPRINGS – Tickets are on sale now for the Community Theatre of East Texas’ production of “Singin’ in the Rain,” Aug. 4-14.
Set in 1927, the iconic production follows the silent film couple of Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, as their production company
transitions from the silent film to the world of talking motion pictures. Lockwood’s relationship with Kathy Selden, as well as
Lamont’s vocal ineptitude threatens to derail Monumental Pictures’ talking film debut.
Filled with local cast members, “Singin’ the Rain” will feature many actors new to the CTET stage, alongside some familiar faces, as well.
As well as the stage production, the cast and crew filmed various movie clips with the help of Shane Sibley.Those movie clips will be shown
during the stage performances of “Singin’ in the Rain.”
CTET will bring the iconic production to the stage at their new Performing Arts Centre, located at 114 East First Street in Hughes Springs.

By Toni Walker
news@steelcountrybee.com
DAINGERFIELD—In 1967, the Daingerfield Public Library moved into its current building. On Aug. 3, they are inviting the public to come join them as they celebrate 50 years in the location.
The earliest history of the Daingerfield Public library has it being formed in 1953 by a local civic club. Club members canvassed the town to collect donated books, and also served as librarians. That earliest library made its home in a small room inside the Morris County Jail.
It was in 1967 that the library moved into its current home. Local Civic clubs, including the Lion’s Club, Pandora Study Club, and Maia study Club, were instrumental in raising funds for the new facilities. The building’s dedication was official attended and conducted by former resident Marvin Watson, who served as Postmaster General under President Lyndon B. Johnson.

By Toni Walker
news@steelcountrybee.com
DAINGERFIELD—Suspects in a rash of recent car burglaries have been identified, with four juveniles having been detained in the case.
“We have identified five juveniles who were responsible for the recent car burglaries in Hughes Springs and Daingerfield. We have detained four, and are still waiting to detain the fifth,” said Daingerfield Police Chief Tracey Climer.
Police had been investigating burglaries to vehicles in Daingerfield and Hughes Springs that seemed to have been done by the same group of individuals. A gun was taken during one of the Hughes Springs incidents.
According to Climer, none of the juveniles lived in Daingerfield city limits.
“I believe one was from Mount Pleasant, one from Lone Star, and the other three were from this area,” said Climer.

LONE STAR – A Lone Star volunteer fireman has
died from injuries suffered in a wreck in Marion
County July 18. Shane Terrell was airlifted to LSU
Hospital in Shreveport after his vehicle collided
with an 18-wheeler. Terrell passed died July 23.
“I got a call from my assistant chief, and he told
me that Shane had been in a real serious accident,”
said Lone Star Fire Chief Jerry Stoermer.
Terrell, 37, was cut from the vehicle following
the accident, which occurred on Highway 59 near
Jefferson. Terrell sustained massive injuries in the
accident.
“It takes a whole new dimension when it’s one
of your own firefighter members,” says firefighter
Karl Stoermer.
Lone Star and the surrounding communities
had offered support of Terrell, offering prayers for
him and his family. Terrell, an air force veteran and
longtime volunteer firefighter, was described by
those who know

By Toni Walker
news@steelcountrybee.com
HUGHES SPRINGS – Police in Daingerfield and Hughes Springs are reminded residents to lock their vehicles after a string of car burglaries occurred over the past week.
Both towns had numerous vehicles broken into, and authorities believe the acts could be carried out by the same group that has hit other towns. In the recent cases, firearms were targeted, as in other cases.
Jay Cates, with the Hughes Springs Police Department, said “"These folks only entered unlocked vehicles looking for things of value. No damage was done to get into anything."
Video footage from a Hughes Springs homeowner shows at least four people roaming the neighborhood, searching for unlocked cars.
Footage from earlier in the week in Daingerfield shows a man with a t-shirt on his head, similarly to the Hughes Springs video.

By Toni Walker
news@steelcountrybee.com
HUGHES SPRINGS – Local libraries are continuing their summer programs centered on the theme “Build a Better World.” Part of building a better world is knowing more about the world outside, which is what Park Rangers from the Daingerfield State Park worked towards when they brought their presentation to children at the Hughes Springs Library on July 6.
Rangers Onlie McGee and Tammie Posey brought a variety of animal skins, skulls, and other items to help children learn about wildlife at the park. As Posey read the children a book about a turtle who gave up his shell in an effort to be faster, McGee supervised as multiple turtles made their way around the group of children. Children had the opportunity to pet and hold various types of turtles, including box turtles and red-eared sliders.

NAPLES – A Naples man is in custody following the stabbing death of Rocky Harper on Sunday, July 2.
Naples police were called to the 100 block of Cypress Avenue at approximately 8:30 a.m. where police say Harper, 26, and Kenneth Whetstone Jr., 33, had been out together in the early hours of the morning and had returned to the residence when heated words were exchanged.
Whetstone then allegedly drew a knife and stabbed Harper in the chest, according to Naples Police Chief Tommy Hunt.
According to Hunt, the longtime friends had a disagreement that turned deadly.
“Emotions got high, feelings got involved,” said Chief Hunt, “and an individual lost control over those emotions. It wasn’t over a drug deal, it wasn’t over money.”
Harper later died from his wounds.
Whetstone did not leave the residence and was arrested by police. He was charged with murder and is currently being held in the Morris County Jail.

HUGHES SPRINGS – After a little over two years of looking for venues, moving sets from practice locations to performance locations, and sharing space, the Community Theatre of East Texas now has a home of their own. They gathered the community together to celebrate the grand opening of their new location on July 7 with “A Night on Broadway.”
Through the generous donation of a community member, the CTET Centre for the Performing Arts is now located in a historic downtown building. Originally built in 1912, the building housed a mercantile, a grocery store, and a clothing store at different times prior to sitting empty for the last several years. During CTET’s renovation of the building, the original brickwork was uncovered in the back portion, a feature that will be kept as the company continues to renovate the space to fit their needs.
On July 7, after their official ribbon cutting, the CTET stage played host to its first performance, “A Night on Broadway.”

Are you interested in a career in healthcare? If so, the Health Sciences Department at Northeast Texas Community College invites you to attend their open house on Tuesday, June 27. This is a free event for the entire family that will allow visitors to explore all of the health science offerings at NTCC.

The event is from 4-8 p.m. in the University Health Science (UHS) building. The first 10 visitors will receive a free Roku Express (one per family) and there will be a drawing later in the evening for an Acer Chromebook laptop. Faculty and staff will also provide free food, drinks, music and there will be a bouncy house for the kids.

AUSTIN -- Governor
Greg Abbott signed Senate
Bill 16, which reduces the
fee for a license to carry a
handgun in the state of Texas.
The bill was signed on
May 24.
This legislation will decrease
the financial burden
on law-abiding Texans that
are seeking to obtain or renew
the proper licensing to
legally carry a handgun.
Additionally, the bill
waives the license fee required
for peace officers
and members of the Texas
military forces.