News

(StatePoint) This year, the National Park Service celebrates 100 years of encouraging adventure and preserving the great outdoors, making it the perfect time to get out and explore.

The untouched wonders, not to mention the clear skies and sunny days of summer, make a beautiful backdrop for the all- American family road trip. And while grand adventure awaits, so does the unexpected. Before you lace up your hiking boots and pack up the car, take some time to plan ahead.

Prepare for the Unexpected

(StatePoint) Father’s Day and graduation season are the perfect opportunities to beef up your gift recipient’s garage -- and high-quality tools are a must for anyone -- from DIY novices to professional handymen.

“A quality tool goes a long way toward getting a job done quickly and efficiently,” says Jon DeArment, president and COO, Channellock, Inc., a leading manufacturer of tools. “Damaged gear can slow down work and be dangerous to the user.”

Here are a few gifts to consider:

• Every one needs a good set of screwdrivers designed to withstand the rigors of daily use. This is a great gift idea for different budgets, since screwdrivers can typically be purchased individually or in sets. A good-quality option should feature a tube and bits that pull out and reverse easily to configure the driver needed for each job.

(StatePoint) In an age of constant communication and connectivity, it can be difficult to take a break. But drive time is when your phone should take a backseat to safety, say experts.

“You don’t need to be texting to be distracted by your phone,” says Kelly Nantel, vice president of communications and advocacy at the National Safety Council. “Even hands-free talking is a major distraction.” Research indicates drivers using handheld and hands-free phones only see about 50 percent of all the information in their driving environment. This phenomenon is known as “inattention blindness,” similar to tunnel vision.

While multitasking is valued in today’s culture, researchers find that the human brain doesn’t actually perform two tasks at the same time but rather switches attention between tasks. At your desk, this can be an effective and efficient way to work, but behind the wheel, “multitasking” can be deadly.

 The Texas Education Agency has cancelled the June STAAR testing administration for fifth and eighth grades. This decision comes following numerous ongoing reporting issues with the testing vendor.

Commissioner Mike Morath, in a letter to administrators, stated “As a result of ongoing reporting issues with our testing vendor, we will be removing student consequences attached to STAAR testing for grades five and eight for the remainder of the 2015-2016 assessment cycle.”

Due to the issues, and that the STAAR test will not be used for promotion of fifth and eighth grade students, the agency has cancelled the June administration for those exams.

Lightning struck the covered area at the back porch of this home on Walker Drive in Daingerfield on Sunday, June 12.

Crews from the Daingerfield Fire Department were able to extinguish the fire before it spread to the home. There were no injuries from the lightning strike.

Left to right Bobbie, Jimmy, Waldine & Jerry Walker stand in the shadow of sunflowers the brothers raised. The tallest is 7’9”. The Walkers all live in Daingerfield.

Two were transported for precautionary reasons following a two vehicle accident in Daingerfield on Sunday, June 12.

The white Chrevolet vehicle ended up in the woods after the driver clipped the back of a pickup preparing to turn off of Highway 11.

By J. Leslie Riseden

Special contributor to The Steel Country Bee

“Earn this.” In the 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan”, those were the last words spoken by US Army Ranger Captain John Miller (portrayed by Tom Hanks) to Private First Class James Ryan (played by Matt Damon.) “Earn it.” Miller was referring to the heroic measures taken by Miller and his squad to find Ryan during WWII. Ryan had three brothers who were killed in action, and their mother was to receive all three telegrams on the same day. Three days after the unspeakable brutality of the invasion of Normandy, Miller had received orders to find Ryan so that he could be sent home immediately. Miller and his men had suffered great loss in completing their assignment, and he urged Ryan to “earn it.”

The Cass County Sheriff ’s Department has issued their newest list of most wanted offenders. If you have information, contact the sheriff ’s department.

Lataysha Shonta Allen is wanted for probation violation, driving while license invalid.

Edward James Chism is wanted for probation violation, assault.

James Emerson Franklin is wanted for bond forfeiture, fail to identify.

Tammy Lee Hinton is wanted for bond forfeiture, possession of a controlled substance.

Lindsey Dashay Jones is wanted for bond forfeiture, unlawful possession of firearm; bond forfeiture, possession of a controlled substance; and bond forfeiture, prohibited substance in correctional facility.

Robert Leon Keener is wanted for probation violation, possession of a controlled substance.

Jarrod Wayne Morgan is wanted for bond forfeiture, assault.

Brooke Danielle Noble is wanted for probation violation, possession of a controlled substance.

From the original 1976 issue:

“Outstanding athletes in the fields of baseball, tennis, track, golf, basketball and volleyball were honored at the annual Daingerfield High School All-Sports Banquet Saturday night. They are, front row from left, Tolita Rivers, volleyball, track, and girls basketball; and Susie Steely, tennis. Back Row, James Jenkins, basketball; Roy Nail, golf; and Terry Strawn, baseball. Not pictured were Roger Henderson, track, and Mark Young, tennis. Henderson was participating in state track events the evening of the banquet.”