News

Property owners in Lone Star will see a two-cent increase in their 2016 city property tax rate. Following a public hearing on the city budget Aug. 18, the city council held its regular meeting and formally approved the tax rate increase from .505414 to .523583. This means, for example, on a property appraised at $100,000, the city property tax would increase from $505.41 to $523.58. “However, it’s important to point out,“ said Mayor Karl Stoermer, “that this doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone’s taxes will go up. In some cases, a property might be appraised for less than it was last year. So, while the rate has gone up, the actual amount of tax could still go down.” For example, if that same $100,000 property was appraised at $96,000 for 2016, the tax would actually be lower than last year, even with the rate increase.

Teachers and staff were welcomed back to Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD on Wednesday, Aug. 17 for the district’s annual Welcome Back Breakfast. Teachers, administrators, support staff, and all district employees were invited to meet at the High School cafeteria for breakfast and a time of fellowship to begin their year.

After a welcome from Superintendent Sandra Quarles, staff were treated to a breakfast that included biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, and eggs, all of which were made by D-LS ISD cafeteria staff. Following breakfast, the district was treated to surprises and prizes from area banking establishments.

Teachers and staff were welcomed back to Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD on Wednesday, Aug. 17 for the district’s annual Welcome Back Breakfast. Teachers, administrators, support staff, and all district employees were invited to meet at the High School cafeteria for breakfast and a time of fellowship to begin their year.

After a welcome from Superintendent Sandra Quarles, staff were treated to a breakfast that included biscuits, gravy, sausage, bacon, and eggs, all of which were made by D-LS ISD cafeteria staff. Following breakfast, the district was treated to surprises and prizes from area banking establishments.

Cass County has issued their newest Most Wanted list.

Candice Nicole Bainbridge, wanted on probation violation, for abandonment or endangerment of a child.

Claudius Bull, wanted on probation violation, for failure to identify.

Joseph Andrew Clark, wanted for failure to appear, for criminal nonsupport.

Asa Jake Ford, wanted on probation violation, for criminal mischief.

Donnie Shawn Harkrider, wanted on probation violation, driving with license invalid.

Alvin Joe Hatley, wanted on probation violation, for failure to identify.

William David Hunter, wanted for bond forfeiture, for theft.

Kayla Nichole Latham, wanted on probation violation, for forgery; and on probation violation, credit card abuse.

Billy Ray McCauley, wanted for burglary.

Caroline Marie Minnieweather, wanted on probation violation, theft.

Bonnie Sue Momjian, wanted on probation violation, theft.

Tables and chairs were organized, and rooms were decorated. Pencils were sharpened, and supplies were put away. No, it wasn’t the first day of school, but something probably of equal importance. This was “Meet the Teacher.”

Teachers in area schools were waiting in their classrooms as children and their parents would come filtering in. Over a span of a mere couple of hours, most elementary teachers in the area had met most, if not all, of the children who would be in their charge once the bells rang on Aug. 22.

Parents filled out paperwork, saving themselves the hassle of completing it on Monday night, and students visited with friends, read books, and got to know their teachers.

Many supplies were dropped off, saving the students from lugging the mounds crayons, folders, tissues, wipes, and pencils they would need during the upcoming year. Some left their backpacks hanging on their nicely labeled hooks, and put their pencil boxes in their labeled cubbies.

From the Marion County Sheriff's Department:

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested two area school teachers and their daughter  on Monday, August 22.  Tim K. Davis, 42, his wife, Amber E. Davis, 37, and their daughter, Drew A. Davis,  were all arrested for Burglary of a Habitation, a 2nd degree felony.  All three subjects are charged with entering a home on Reeves Lane, north of Jefferson, and removing numerous items without the owner’s permission.  The home was owned by Patti Ann Henderson, widow of Bugs Henderson, a very successful musician who passed away in 2012.  Personal and household items, musical instruments, amplifiers, speakers, and numerous books, photographs, and personal documents were taken.  The suspects’ home was searched, and many of the stolen items were recovered. Efforts are underway to locate and recover many more missing items.

Rain and road conditions played havoc with the northbound section of US Hwy 259 just south of Lone Star last week. In a span of a little over 24 hours, according to Police Chief Larry Fleet, two tractor-trailers jackknifed, and an RV flipped over. One truck even crossed all the way over into south-bound lanes. “Over time, the surface of the road gets worn down, and some drivers come around that curve too fast.” said Chief Fleet. “Add heavy rain to that, and hydroplaning is a problem.” Hydroplaning happens when a vehicle’s tires hit a thin layer of water, lose traction and skid out of control. The best way to avoid hydroplaning, according to most experts, is to slow down in heavy rain, avoid driving through standing water on the highway, and keep tires inflated and in good condition. Some sources also advise turning off cruise control when driving in rain, because it will maintain a vehicle’s speed even when it starts to hydroplane, which could be dangerous.

Many families find the rush is on to make it to school and work on time each morning. Feeling rushed in the morning is a recipe for added stress. Rushing through things is a poor way to begin a day, and those feelings of uneasiness can put a damper on the rest of the day ahead. Making mornings less hectic involves a few different strategies that parents and kids can easily incorporate into their daily routines. * Wake up slightly earlier. Getting up earlier than normal, even if it’s just 15 to 20 minutes before you’re accustomed to getting out of bed, can help reduce morning stress. Resist the temptation to hit the snooze button over and over again. A few extra minutes each morning can make you feel more relaxed and make for a smooth, stress-free start to the day. * Get some work done the night before. Prepare lunches the night before and have them ready in the refrigerator. In addition, lay your clothes for the following day out each night.

For the ninth consecutive year, Cypress Bank has presented a MacBook laptop for the use of Northeast Texas Community College honors students. This year’s recipient, Chesney Michael Davis, graduated third in his class from Pittsburg High School. He won a number of accolades in math and science and plans to become an engineer.

Cypress, the oldest Camp-County based bank, has three other branches in Mount Pleasant, Commerce and Lone Star.

Honors Northeast constitutes 20 top students at the college who have secured over 25 national awards since 2010, including seven exclusive Jack- Kent-Cooke scholarships. Questions about the program may be directed to Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director at ayox@ntcc.edu.

Scouts from the local Troop/Pack 220 have had an eventful summer. In June, both groups attended summer camps and earned a plethora of awards and badges. The Troop attended Camp Pioneer in Eagle Township, Arkansas. Cub Scouts entering fourth and fifth grades attended summer camp at Camp Dierks in Wright City, Oklahoma. Cub Scouts of all ages attended Day Camp in Mount Pleasant.