News

For the first time in their history, Texas Game Wardens have a full-time, statewide canine team.
The first five canine handlers and dogs have graduated from an intense eight-week training program located at the world famous Utah POST canine facility in Salt Lake City. The second wave of canine handlers and dogs will attend the course in January 2014.
 “The K-9 program has been a long time coming, and we are extremely proud of our handlers for their hard work – an effort which resulted in a 100 percent pass rate,” said Grahame Jones, chief of special operations for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Law Enforcement Division. “In addition to excellent support from the department and the Parks and Wildlife Commission, we would like to thank the Travis County Sheriff’s Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation for assisting during the planning phase.”

Will McWhorter received Northeast Texas Community College’s Fittest Employee of the Month for December.

Jerry and Susan Massey, formerly of Pittsburg, present a $1,300 check to Dr. Jonathan McCullough, left, vice president for advancement at Northeast Texas Community College.  The funds are designated for the Campaign for the Whatley and will be matched dollar for dollar with a newly-announced matching grant for the Campaign.  The $1,300 year-end gift of the Massey’s will result in $2,600 toward the campaign.  For more information on this, or if you are interested in making a matching gift to the Campaign for the Whatley, contact Dr. McCullough at 903-434-8115.

My grandson, Jayden Scott Dyer.
Kimberly Collins
Hughes Springs

I got my son back.
Jashen Attaway
Hughes Springs

I got a divorce.
Julie Glass
Pittsburg

Full name: Dustin Mitchell Albert Thomas.
I have lived in: Dallas and Daingerfield.
Family: Mother, Candy Thomas; father, Johnny Thomas; and sister, Samantha Thomas.
Pets: Midnight, a Chaweenie; Chico, and chow/pit; and Abby, a tabby cat.
Occupation: Pharmacy technician at Brookshire’s Pharmacy.
One of the best things about my job is: Making lifelong friendships with my coworkers.
My ideal vacation is: A winter in New York.
My hero is: My best friend, Jeremy Gressman. He has always been there for me and will be there until the very end.
My favorite TV show is: Glee.
My favorite healthy snack is: Peaches.
A cause I most believe in is: Amnisty for migrants and their families.
If I could change one thing about East Texas, it would be: Arts in school.

10 YEARS AGO
Ether Blaylock retires from 31 years of teaching at Hughes Springs Independent School District.
The Avinger Indians hold off a determined McLeod Longhorn club in a non-district basketball contest with a 53-47 win.
The Hughes Springs Lady Mustangs run District 18-2A slate to a perfect 3-0 win over Paul Pewitt.
20 YEARS AGO
Daingerfield Tigers football standout Greg Evans signs with the Scott Easterline Agency of Dallas. Easterline will represent Evans in the National Football League draft.
Lyle and Betsy Schindler of Hughes Springs present a $1,500 check to the Christian Service Center.
The Pickin’ Place in Lone Star will feature several bluegrass bands at its next show.
30 YEARS AGO
Area merchants report December sales were up for the month and sales for the latter half of the year also showed improvement over the first half.

Baseball Association
Hughes Springs Baseball Association will be having a board meeting Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Wildflower Inn. For any questions call Paul at 903-918-4026.

 Music City Texas
Music City Texas Theater will host Travis Tritt on Jan. 25. For information, call 903-756-9934 or go to www.musiccitytexas.org.

New Library Hours
New hours for the Daingerfield Public Library start Jan. 6. The library will be open Mondays from 1 to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ad closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Cemetery Association
The Hughes Springs Cemetery Association will meet on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 9 a.m. at the Hughes Springs City Hall. The public is invited. For further information, call 903-639-3002.

Dear Editor:
Nine times of out 10, when you meet a stranger, the first question you are asked is “where are you from?”
Have you ever noticed that no matter how many miles, accomplishments, or defining moments in life that you place between yourself and home that you always remember exactly where your roots are?  You learn everything you need to know about life and its faults right here, regardless of where you might end up. You are supplied with a Social Security number, a State ID card or a driver’s license number along with a name and a date of birth. Yet somehow this place provides you with more identity than any document ever will.  In away, this smear on a Texas state Road map has more insight as to who you truly are. It’s as if, by all opposing forces, your dreams and nightmares combine to bring you back to one originating locale.  

Pleas, hearings, and sentencing for the month of October in the Fifth District Court of Cass County, Ralph K. Burgess, presiding judge and Cass County Criminal District Attorney Clint E. Allen are as follows:

The following persons were booked into the Morris County Jail during the month of November 2013:
Joshua Aaron Gicker, 20, Waskom, failure to appear, failure to provide proof of financial responsibility, speeding in a school zone, and failure to maintain financial responsibility.
Courtland Marcell Bradford, 19, Omaha, failure to appear/ burglary of habitation and evading arrest.
Roy Harold Hawthorn, 69, Hughes Springs, DWI, third or more.
Crystal Dawn Johnson, 22, Hughes Springs, theft property over $50 and under $500.
Jamesmen Dremaine Allen, 19, Pittsburg, failure to identify, fugitive from justice, failure to appear for unnecessary noise and failure to provide proof of financial responsibility.
Corey Petrell Grant, 38, Tyler, public intoxication.
Frank Stephen Ruiz, 23, Mount Pleasant, public intoxication.
Isian Demon Curtis, 23, Pittsburg, 45-day court commitment.