News

Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.

If not handled properly, fireworks can cause burn and eye injuries in children and adults. The best way to protect your family is not to use any fireworks at home — period. Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals. Lighting fireworks at home is not legal in many areas, so if you still want to use them, be sure to check with your local police department first. If they're legal where you live, keep these safety tips in mind:

On Wednesday, May 25, Deputy Stephanie Smith was patrolling in the Naples, area, and observed a traffic violation. Deputy Smith conducted a traffic stop and made contact with driver Christopher Lee Morgan, 40, of Marietta. As part of Deputy Smith’s traffic stop, she checked Morgan for outstanding warrants, and determined that Morgan was wanted on charges from another county. Deputy Smith then detained Morgan, and subsequently determined Morgan to be in possession of illegal narcotics. In addition to the outstanding warrants, Morgan was charged with Possession of a Controlled Substance, Penalty Group One, more than Four Grams, less than 200 Grams. This charge is a Felony of the Second Degree, and carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in Prison and up to a $10,000 fine.

Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

During the summer activity program sponsored by the Friends of the Daingerfield Public Library, children have met a professional Yo-Yo artist, rescued animals from Zooniversity, and a balloon artist clown. On June 23, the experience was “hands-on” for those in attendance, as Rancho Condarca brought their petting zoo animals.

With two pens set up, 18 children at a time were able to enter and get to know some of Rancho Condarco’s animals. Children were able to brush goats, a donkey, a miniature horse, and pet a potbelly pig.

In the small animal pen, children held ducklings, chicks, and rabbits. Each child had the opportunity to go into both pens, and meet each of the different animals. Most children were amazed that the horse and donkey wore shoes, which helped keep them from sliding on the annex floor.

 The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging Texans to make safe driving practices a priority during the July Fourth holiday weekend. From July 1 - July 4, DPS Troopers will join law enforcement from across the state in looking for drunk drivers, and speeding, seat belt and other traffic violators.

DPS offers the following tips for a safe July Fourth holiday:

* Do not drink and drive.

* Slow down - especially in bad weather, construction areas, traffic and unfamiliar areas.

* Monitor weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, avoid high water and use extra caution on roadways.

* Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices.

* Buckle up everyone in the vehicle - it’s the law.

* Be careful when driving off road since hot catalytic converters can ignite dry vegetation.

* Do not use personal fireworks - attend sanctioned, professional displays instead.

 Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

In February of 1950, at 18 years of age, Donald Schumacher, with his parent’s permission, joined the Marine Reserves. In June, all Marine reserves were activated and sent into the Korean Conflict. Schumacher was one of those activated. On May 30, Schumacher, along with 29 other veterans from the Korean Conflict and World War II were treated to a trip to Washington, D.C. in their honor.

Through a program known as “Heroes Flight,” veterans of World War II and the Korean War are given an opportunity to be nominated for a trip to the nation’s capital. The veteran’s visit numerous memorials and monuments, all at no cost to them. The trip was completely funded coordinated and organized by Brookshire Grocery Company.

Brookshire Grocery Co. announced the pending acquisition of 25 former Walmart Express stores on June 15. The stores will open this summer as the company’s new Spring Market brand. The acquisition is scheduled to close in July.

The name “Spring Market” represents and honors the company’s great history which began in 1928 with the opening of its first store on Spring Avenue in Tyler.

The stores will offer hometown convenience in an easy to shop format with a surprising assortment of products at highly competitive prices.

The Cass County Sheriff ’s office has issued their newest most wanted list.

Walter Lara Bardales: bond forfeiture, driving while intoxicated.

Carl Franks: bond forfeiture, driving while intoxicated. Alicia Nicole Garcia: bond forfeiture, driving while intoxicated.

Channon Elize Grimes: probation violation, criminal nonsupport.

Jessie Lane Hitchcock: probation violation, burglary; probation violation, possession of a controlled substance.

Demarcus Tyrell Jones: bond forfeiture, credit card abuse.

Ralph Guajardo Lopez: probation violation, purchase or furnish alcohol to a minor.

Jarrod Wayne Morgan: bail jumping, assault, family violence.

Christopher Stefan Wallace: probation violation, criminal nonsupport.

Shannon Darty Wells: probation violation, the manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance; probation violation, theft; probation violation, forgery.

Toni Walker

Editor

news@steelcountrybee.com

On Tuesday, June 14, Hughes Springs Police Chief Randy Kennedy informed neighboring law enforcement agencies of a defendant passing counterfeit twenty dollar bills.

That defendant, Brendan Huggins, 29 of Hughes Springs, was arrested by Chief Kennedy after passing the counterfeit bills at the Corner Mart Exxon in Hughes Springs. Huggins also was seen attempting to pass counterfeit bills at the Dollar General store in Daingerfield.

“The bills are pretty good,’ said Kennedy, “except they are too dark, and missing some obvious signs, like the watermark, and the metallic stripe was not there, either.” Kennedy also stated that the paper was too thick and was not the correct texture.

A young Scott Pollan shows off two four-pound bass caught at his grandfather’s pond.

On your mark, get set, read is the theme of the nationwide summer reading program. The Friends of the Daingerfield Public Library sponsored a special visitor on June 16, who taught the children about the importance of reading and exercising.

Kornpop the Clown visited the Morris County Annex on Thursday, making balloon creations and performing magic tricks that left old and young alike curious as to how he did them. In keeping with the sports-related theme for the summer program, Kornpop, dressed as Larry the Lifeguard, used his tricks and balloon skills to teach the children about the Olympics, which will be happening in August.

Kornpop used his magic skills to pull out his favorite summer Olympic events from his “Great Big Book of Olympic Stuff.” He also worked to impress on the children that reading and playing outside during the summer are each very important.