News

The probation officers of the 76th and 276th Judicial District Adult Probation Department (Morris, Camp, and Titus counties) have all qualified to carry firearms. The probation officers qualified at Northeast Texas Community College Texas and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to carry firearms in the discharge of their duties. 

Local judges and law enforcement officials have backed the decision by Director John Kelley that will allow probation officers to carry firearms to enhance courthouse security as well as officers’ security in the field.
The training was the first of its kind at NTCC and was organized and conducted by Richard Jones, Boake Slape and Leonard Newman at the Criminal Justice Center.
 

The Northeast Texas Community College Emergency Medical Services program will hold an introductory course in emergency care, called Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) from March 16 to May 25.
The EMR course is the first level for emergency medical personnel.  The EMR class provides the student with basic skills and knowledge necessary to assess and care for ill or injured people until professional advanced care arrives.  Those currently working or volunteering in daycares, youth camps, schools, industries, fire departments and law enforcement agencies can benefit with this training.
Upon successful completion of the EMR course, participants will be eligible to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) EMR examination.  When NREMT certified, the participant will be eligible for Texas EMR certification.

The 19th Annual School for Successful Ranching will take place March 21-23 during the Cattle Raisers Convention in Fort Worth.
The school will offer practical, hands-on training in the various business facets of ranching including live demonstrations on resource management and animal handling at a local ranch, as well as classroom sessions on numerous topics including tax implications of the drought; herd rebuilding; making the transition from the workplace to full-time ranching; estate planning and more.
“The Texas cattle industry has managed to stay strong in large part because Texas ranchers work to stay informed and up-to-date on practices that help their business,” said Joe Parker Jr., rancher and TSCRA president. “TSCRA’s School for Successful Ranching is another opportunity for ranchers to access valuable education and resources they will need to secure their operations for generations to come.”

Pleas, hearings, and sentencing for the month of December in the Fifth District Court of Cass County, Ralph K. Burgess, presiding judge and Criminal District Attorney Clint E. Allen, are as follows:
Trenton Tanario Washington, 27, Linden, five years prison for possession of a controlled substance, community supervision revoked, and 12 months State jail for delivery of a controlled substance, sentences to run concurrently.
Gary Lee Moore II, 26, Atlanta, five years prison for engaging in organized criminal activity, theft, community supervision revoked, and five years prison for burglary of a habitation, community supervision revoked, sentences to run concurrently.
Amber Star Perkins Williams, 29, Hughes Springs, four years prison for burglary of a habitation, community supervision revoked.
Amy Deanna Monrreal, 36, Emmerson, Ark., three years prison for possession of a controlled substance, community supervision revoked.         

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
Amidst a standing ovation, Tony Hall made his way to the front of the room to receive the prestigious Citizen of the Yard award Saturday night. This award was presented at the annual Daingerfield Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Mr. Hall is a retired SWEPCO employee and has served on the Daingerfield Volunteer Fire Department for 33 years. Mr. Hall spends countless hours working at his church, the First United Methodist Church in Daingerfield. Presenters were Bret McCoy and Brenda Howard.
Scott West accepted the Business of the Year award for Texas Tire & Brake, presented by Mike Alcorn and Tolita Teddleton.
“Doing business with this company reminds me of the type of hometown service that you would get back in the 1950s and 1960s,” Mr. Alcorn said.

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com

 A large machine carried on a fifth wheel flatbed trailer was pulled by a 2006 Peterbilt when it slammed into the Highway 11/49 overpass on William-Watson Boulvard Feb. 18. The truck was driven by Larry Bullard, 48, of Mount Pleasant, according to Daingerfield Police Chief Tracey Climer.
“Mr. Bullard was issued three citations,” Chief Climer said. “Citations included striking a fixed object, over-height load, and no trailer registration.
“Surratt Kennington Wrecker Service was notified and assisted. Kansas City Southern was also notified due to damage to the bridge.”
The Daingerfield Volunteer Fire Department also responded to the  scene.

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
Possession of controlled substance charges have landed three people in jail facing state jail felony charges.
“On Feb. 8, Deputy Hershel Stroman observed a vehicle parked at a boat ramp off of Highway 259 north of Omaha,” Morris County Sheriff Jack Martin said. “Deputy Stroman identified Douglas Demasters, 32, of Hughes Springs, and obtained consent to search his vehicle. When suspected methamphetamines were located inside the vehicle, Mr. Demasters claimed possession of the contraband. Deputy Stroman placed Mr. Demasters under arrest for possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group One, less than 1 gram, which is a state jail felony.”
Later the same day Deputy Stroman arrested Janice Jordan, 32, of Texarkana.

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
In a two-day period, Morris County Deputy Hershel Stroman arrested three people in three different incidents for possession of controlled substances, according to Morris County Sheriff Jack Martin.
 “On Jan. 29, Deputy Stroman was patrolling the area of County Road 3201 and observed a minor traffic violation,” Sheriff Martin said. “Deputy Stroman stopped the vehicle and identified the driver as Reed Allen Wood, 40, of Daingerfield. Deputy Stroman received consent to search the vehicle and recovered suspected methamphetamines. Mr. Reed admitted to possession of the narcotics and was placed under arrest for possession of a controlled substance, Penalty Group One, less than 1 gram, a state jail felony.

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
Graci Runk won fourth place in her age group in a writing contest, but when she read her story to the members of the Daingerfield-Lone Star Independent School District, she was a first place winner in everyone’s hearts.
Graci, age 14, and an eighth grader at Daingerfield Junior High, is now published. Her story was chosen to be among others in the book called “Dream Catchers” which is a collection of stories inspired by St. Jude’s Research Hospital by aspiring young authors.
“Tammy Thompson is a writer that lives in Texarkana, and we heard about the writing contest from her grandparents who live in Texarkana,” Kristy Runk, Graci’s mother said. “We heard about it last summer and Graci submitted her story.”
Graci said in the contest rules, it was suggested that you write about something or someone who made you what you are now.

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
Ever mindful of the safety of children, the Daingerfield-Lone Star Independent School District unanimously approved a resolution for a mutual agreement between the city of Daingerfield and the school district to share the cost of a school resource officer. This action was taken at the Feb. 18 meeting of the board. The resolution is contingent on the approval of a school resource officer grant.
Daingerfield Police Chief Tracey Climer explained the grant to the board.
“The city has asked me to fill out a grant for a resource officer,” Chief Climer said. “It is a three-tier grant. We may or may not get the grant.  It is for $43,336 which includes benefits, supplies, travel, and training, plus salary. I applied for another grant to get a patrol car for this officer.