News

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Mothers Against Drunk Driving—full of passion and compassion for our mission. Join our army of ordinary citizens who’ve become extraordinary activists in saving lives and preventing injuries. MADD East Texas is looking for volunteer speakers in the following areas: Lamar, Delta, Hopkins, Red River, Franklin, Titus, Camp, Morris, Cass, and Bowie counties. Speakers educate the community about the impaired driving, underage drinking and victim services and represent MADD at local churches, school and civic organizations and at Victim Impact Panels. Training is provided at no cost to the volunteer. The purpose of a Victim Impact Panel is not to judge, but give DWI offenders a personal experience through hearing from victims whose lives have been changed forever by an impaired driver, to change attitudes and behaviors, and to deter substance impaired driving recidivism.

The Hughes Springs Mustang Band had two students who made the
All-Region Band. The clinic and concert was January 22-23 at
White Oak High School. Daughton Singletary, left, was sixth chair
Tuba in the Symphonic Band, while Troy Beam was fifth chair
Euphonium in the Symphonic Band.

Employees at the Lone Star plant were advised on Jan. 8 that Lone Star Tubular Operations may be adjusting operations, according to US Steel External Communications and Community Affairs contact Jessica Franklin. The possibility of adjusted operations is part of an ongoing adjustment to operations due to challenging market conditions, including fluctuating oil prices, reduced rig counts, depressed steel prices and unfairly traded imports. All of these factors continue to reduce demand for tubular goods. Any operating adjustment could potentially affect 677 employees in the area. Franklin said “All employees, including management and represented employees, were issued WARN notices.” WARN stands for “Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification,” and is used to alert employees for the potential of operational or employment adjustments. According to Franklin, any adjustment to operations would be temporary.

Two men have been sentenced to prison for their roles a February 2015 bank robbery. Latarious Hughes and Kenneth Hooks were both arrested on the afternoon Feb. 27, 2015, following a morning robbery at the Daingerfield branch of the First National Bank of Hughes Springs. The pair pled guilty to charges related to the robbery on Oct. 6, 2015, after having been indicted by a federal grand jury on March 18, 2015. On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Hughes was sentenced to six years in prison by Judge Rodney Gilstrap. Hooks had been sentenced on Tuesday by Gilstrap to three years in prison for his role in the robbery. Hughes had been facing up to 25 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, while Hooks could have been 12 and a half years in prison and a $125,000 fine.

The Avinger Area Chamber of Commerce recently named First State Bank as their Featured Business for January.
First State Bank has been a staple in Avinger for many years, having been established downtown in 1909. The bank moved to its current location at the corner of Main and Highway 155 in May of 1977. The bank is a branch of Community Bank in Longview, according to President Kathy Tittle. “We have been affiliated with First State Bank in Avinger for over 20 years. We merged with both them and Lone Star in April of 2013,” said Tittle.
On hand to help recognize the bank, from left, were Tittle, along with Chamber treasurer Wanda Bailey, Jim Trimble, bank employees Virginia Kennon, Dorothy Webster, and Marie Loyd, Chamber vice-president Shelby Trimble, member Ronnie Politi, and Chamber President Elaine Moulton.

Warrants have been issued for the following in Cass County.

Brooks, James Daniel FTA/Theft Carter, Veronica Eloise Bond Forf/Theft Clemenson, Colton Laverne DWI Davis, Luther Wayne Jr Prob Viol/Burglary Davlin, Chandon Dakota Criminal Nonsupport Evans, Johnny Carl Bond Forf/Theft Floyd, William Earl Bond Forf/Evading Arrest Detention with Vehicle Gardner, Phenice Orlando Bond Forf/Poss Marij Hale, Jessica Scarlett Theft Heard, Jason Lewis Bond Forf/Theft; Bond Forf/Deadly conduct; Bond Forf/Engage in Org Crim Activity Hilliard, Kyle Heath Agg Assault w/Deadly Weapon; Unlawful Possession of Firearm by Felon Hinton, Tammy Lee Bond Forf/Poss C/S Horton, Stanley William Bond Forf/Assault; Bail Jumping/FTA Koehn, Lisa Michelle Prob Viol/Poss C/S Marsh, Michael E Prob Viol/DWI Mitchell, Roy Lee Prob Viol/Agg Assault Romans, Leah Michelle Bond Forf/UUV Scott, Curtis Damian Prob Viol/Theft Stout, Justin Lee Bond Forf/DWLI

With January being School Board Appreciation Month, Daingerfield-Lone Star ISD planned a reception for school board members and their families. After hearing that Daingerfield Junior High had been chosen as a “Best Practices Case Study,” the board members chose to use the reception, which was held prior to the regularly scheduled school board meeting on Jan. 19, to honor the teachers, staff, and students from the Junior High. D-LS ISD staff from all levels, parents, students, and community members attended the special recognition for the Junior High, which was one of only seven schools throughout Texas chosen to be honored as a Best Practice Case Study. Superintendent Sandra Quarles explained the honor the junior high received, and applauded hard work, before presenting each board member with a Certificate of Appreciation in honor of School Board Appreciation Month. Quarles made special mention of board member Maurice Tigert, who is serving his 32 year on the board.

As Texas steps into the second year of the “Two Steps, One Sticker” program for vehicle inspection and registration, vehicle owners can look forward to a simpler process for these two important annual vehicle requirements. Beginning on March 1, 2016, the transition year ends, and vehicles will have one convenient expiration date for inspection and registration. Here is what Texans need to do from that point forward: Take a look at the date on your vehicle registration sticker and then follow the two steps. Step 1: Pass a vehicle inspection no earlier than 90 days prior to your registration expiration and retain your vehicle inspection report. To find your nearest inspection station, visit the Texas Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) website. Step 2: After your vehicle passes inspection, renew your registration online, by mail or in person at your county tax office, and your inspection status will be verified electronically.

The Northeast Texas Coalition Against Substance Abuse held a parent information meeting on Jan. 21. The purpose of the meeting was to inform parents of the dangers of underage drinking, and to provide them with resources for discussing underage drinking with their students. The meeting, which was held at Daingerfield High School, brought speakers who discussed different aspects of underage drinking with the parents. After a welcome by high school Principal Ryan Carroll, Lieutenant Steven Blythe, of the Lone Star Police Department, spoke to the parents on the physical effects of alcohol use on young bodies, as well as some of the legal ramifications of Underage use. Lieutenant Blythe was followed by Brandon Davidson, who is the program director for Next Step Community Solutions, which is the parent organization for NETCASA. Davidson gave those in attendance some interesting facts concerning underage drinking.

The Daingerfield High School class of 1955 recently met for their Sixtieth Class Reunion. The group of 23, including 15 class members, who met at the Rear of the Steer Restaurant in Omaha on Oct. 17, 2015. Eugene Terry was the male classmate who traveled the farthest to attend the reunion with his wife, Billie. Aletha Lambert traveled the farthest of the female classmates, along her husband Veo. A good time was had by all, and the class voted to meet on Oct. 15 of this year for their next reunion, again at Rear of the Steer. Information was submitted by Reita Clayton.