News

By Debbie A. Knox

Publisher/Editor

dknox@campcountynow.com

A seasoned banker in Pittsburg since 1987, and with Cypress Bank since early 1998, B Gooding has now been named as president of the bank. Replacing Gary Y. Bicknell who has retired, but will remain as the chairman of the board, Mr. Gooding will run the day to day operations of the bank in Pittsburg and be at the helm of all four locations.

“Having worked with B Gooding for almost 20 years, I can confidently say B has proven himself as an exceptional, strong, capable banker with the vision and skills to continue Cypress Bank’s growth and traditions of superior service to our customers and community,” Mr. Bicknell said.

About a year ago, Mr. Bicknell told Mr. Gooding he would be retiring in 2016 during one of their daily 7:15 a.m. meetings. Mr. Gooding talked about how important those early meetings were.

First Grade “A”

Rylee Andrews, Maddison Babcock, Noxx Bond, Nayeli Bravo, Alexander Dorris, David Duke, Michael Figueroa, Sherlyn Garcia, Kavion Green, Isaiah James, Jayla Jones, Aiden Langford, Kaidence Mason, Jordin Mitchell, Genesis Peel, Mattie Phillips, Tessa Pollan, Kingston Reeves, Kaden Rook, Amber Shappy, Jaelyn Wallace, Emma Wilkins, Chloe Wilson, and Amara Yaw.

“AB”

Blaze Anderson, Lizeth Bello, De’Marcus Booker, Cordarious Elkins, Keyton Emory, Janne’ George- Garrett, Nathan Gibson, Shelbee Helms, JaMiya Hendrix, Emanuel Hernandez, Tyson Hughes, Londyn Johnson, Carter Lamkin, Reiko Linwood, Caytlyn Martin, Justice Perdue, Caslyn Precise, Ja’Miziah Rawls, Neta Remsing, Jaleel Rivera, Libertee Roberson, Shawn Robinson, Ethan Shappy, Sithlaly Suastegui, Emma Walker, Rachel Walker, Auh’brie Wells, and Kaylee Wilbanks.

Second Grade “A”

Several members of the Hughes Springs UIL Academic team attended an Academic meet in Sulphur Springs on Saturday, Feb. 27.

Cypress Wright earned a first place medal for number sense, calculator, and general math. Gabe Dubose placed sixth in number sense, and Shelby Shaddix placed sixth in ooetry. Cameron Priddy placed sixth in calculator and third in general math, while Chandler Priddy placed fourth in general math.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding Texans to drive responsibly and to take extra precautions as they make travel plans during Spring Break.

“Each year during the weeks of Spring Break - with children out of school and families taking vacation - there’s a good chance that traffic will increase on our roadways,“ said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “DPS is encouraging drivers to help keep the roads safe for all travelers by adhering to safe driving practices and always driving sober.”

DPS offers the following tips for safe travel during the Spring Break holiday:

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

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

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

* Don’t drive fatigued, and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.

By Lauren Barnes

Northeast Texas Coalition Against Substance Abuse

Spring break is a time for teens to experience freedom from school and spend time with friends and family. However, extra free time and lenient rules can also increase underage drinking, specifically binge drinking.

Whether you stay in Daingerfield with your teens over the break, go on a family trip or send your kids on a trip with friends, the dangers of binge drinking and the other risky behaviors associated with it are very real.

It is our job as parents and other caring adults to understand the importance of keeping Daingerfield teens safe during a week where they are at a high risk to experiment with alcohol and engage in other risky behaviors.

The Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD has scheduled a Trustee Election for the purpose of electing candidates to the D-LS ISD Board of Trustees. The election will be held on May 7.

The election will be to fill three positions on the board: District 4 and At Large Positions 3 and 4. Incumbent Miguel Larsen was the only candidate who signed to run for the District 4 position. For the At Large, Place 3 position, incumbent Marie Skipper will be challenged by Ben Terry and Dwayne Staples. At Large position 5 will see incumbent Mike Alcorn face Cody Wommack. Early coting will take place at the J.D. Parrish Administration Building every weekday beginning April 25 and ending May 3.

Early voting will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applications for Ballot by mail will be accepted no later than the close of business on April 26. Requests for ballots by mail will need to mailed to Rona Elwell, 200 Tiger Drive, Daingerfield.

The Northeast Texas Community College Board of Trustees met for their regular meeting on Feb. 23. All members were present, except Dr. Dan P. McCauley, DDS.

Following the President’s Report and Items of Information, the board prepared for items to be discussed or on which formal action would be taken, beginning with the Consent Agenda Items, which were approved, with the knowledge that items three, four and five, pertaining to the Joint Election Agreement, would be cancelled.

Cass County issues County Court sentences Randal Lee, Criminal District Attorney, recently released the following information on cases disposed of in the County Court at Law for February, 2016. Donald Dowd was the presiding Judge.

Dennis Oliver DOB: 11/24/1971 Bloomburg, TX Offense: Driving while intoxicated 3rd or more. Sentence: 2/18/2016; Fifteen (15) years Institutional Division, TDCJ, with credit for any time served.

David Glenn Johnson DOB: 7/3/1974 Linden, TX Offense: Possession of controlled substance. Sentence: 2/18/2016; Nine (9) months State jail, with credit for time already served.

Kirsten Elise Dunn DOB: 7/21/1982 Garland, TX Offense: Fraud Count 1. Sentence: 2/11/2016; Nine (9) months State jail, with credit for time already served. To run concurrent with count 2. Offense: Fraud Count 2. Sentence: 2/11/2016; Nine (9) months State jail, with credit for time already served. To run concurrent with count 1.

The Daingerfield Junior High Math-Science Team competed at the State qualifying meet held in Ore City on Saturday, Feb. 20. The team placed second overall in division II. Students placing in the top ten in each event are as follows.

In eighth grade Number Sense: Justice Dorman placed second, Victor Gonzalez placed fifth, and Ryan Lewis placed seventh. On the seventh grade: Laura Carter placed first, Natalie Beasley placed second, and Riley Scholl placed sixth. For the sixth grade: Jazmin Mendez placed seventh, Julissa Chavez placed eighth, and Sanaa Fields placed ninth.

By: Toni Walker

Editor of The Steel Country Bee

news@steelcountrybee.com

The Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD School Board met in a special called meeting on Friday, Feb. 19. The purpose of the meeting was to consider approval of election judges, alternate judges, and early voting clerk, and to consider hiring an athletic director.

Expecting a standing room-only crowd, the district set up a speaker outside the J.D. Parrish Administration Building. When the meeting opened at 12:30 p.m., the board room was full, and many more gathered outside. The board voted unanimously to approve the election judges, alternate judges, and early voting clerk, and then immediately entered into closed session, to “consider hiring of Athletic Director-Texas Government Code 551.074.”