Cherokeean/Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 149, No. 21, Ed. 1 Thursday, July 16, 1998 Page: 1 of 12

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2627 E YANDELL DR
EL PASO TX 79903-3743
Cljerobeeaij/Herald
Texas' Oldest, Continuously Published Weekly Newspaper - Established Feb. 27, 1850 as the Cherokee Sentinel
Crossing
'The Bridge'
the Cherokee Civic Theatre's
newest production debuts July 31
see page 7
Vol. 149, No. 21-12 Pages
Thursday, July 16, 1998
Rusk, Texas 75785
25 cents
Haskins will
stand trial
Kathy Haskins is competent to stand
trial on charges of attempted capital
murder for hire.
A five man, seven woman jury, which
was convened to determine whether Mrs.
Haskins was mentally competent, re-
turned the verdict at approximately 3
p.m. Tuesday.
A trial date has not yet been set. Mrs.
Haskins, 45, of Mt. Selman, is accused of
hiring two men to murder her husband,
John Haskins.
Mrs. Haskins has been returned to the
Cherokee County jail after spending 17
days in Rusk State Hospital. She was
hospitalized after she reportedly experi-
enced "frequent auditory hallucinations
and frequent thoughts of suicide," ac-
cording to reports filed in the 2nd Judi-
cial District Court.
Mrs. Haskins was hospitalized for
evaluation at the request of her attorney,
Craig Caldwell. She was returned to the
jail on July 2 and is being treated on an
out-patient basis.
In addition to the attempted capital
murder charge, Mrs. Haskins is also
charged with capital murder in the inci-
dent.
Two alleged hit men, Billy Shoemaker
and Will Stephens, were killed by Mr.
Haskins in the incident. A third person
involved, Josh Mangrum, was sentenced
to life in connection with the shooting.
The three men had allegedly gone to
the Haskins' home with the intention of
killing Mr. Haskins. He managed to take
the gun from one of the three and shot at
them, killing two.
Roofing job estimtated at $500,000
By Marie Whitehead
Cherokeean/Herald
Roof replacement cost on five buildings
at Rusk State Hospital is expected to
exceed $500,000. The proposed improve-
ment project is expected to begin in Octo-
ber or November.
The Texas Department of Mental
Health/Mental Retardation authorized the
news media to publish a notice to bidders
this week.
The five structures include Buildings
512 and 605 which are designated as the
Neches Psychiatric Rehabilitation facil-
ity; Building 513, Brazos-Angelina office
facilities; Building 514, Brazos-Angelina
patient housing and Building 563, Sabine
Psychiatric Rehabilitation patient hous-
ing.
Sealed bids will be received at 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 11 at Central Office in
Austin. Between 15 and 20 bids are antici-
pated.
Bidders, however, are required to at-
tend a pre-bid conference at 9 a.m. Thurs-
day, July 23 in Plant Maintenance Man-
ager Mike Crysup's office, Building 615,
RSH, U.S. 69 North in Rusk. Bids will not
be accepted from any person or company
failing to attend the pre-bid meeting.
Plans and specifications are now avail-
able from Amtech Roofing Consultants,
Inc., 13706 Research, Suite 109, Austin,
Texas 78750, or by calling 512/258-1661.
A $50 refundable deposit is required.
Another major improvement at Rusk
State Hospital is being coordinated by the
Texas Department of Transportation.
Paving of the travel/parking areas on the
campus of the facility is expected to en-
hance the property's value by $250,000.
Work is to begin within 30 days.
New RHS
principal
named
Ricky Hassell will replace Dean Evans
as the new Rusk High School principal.
Evans resigned earlier this month to ac-
cept the superintendent's position in the
Gary ISD.
The school board met Monday night to
finalize personnel changes for the 1998-
99 school year. They also discussed utili-
zation of school property, heard reports
on construction, considered cafeteria bids,
reviewed quarterly investment reports
and reviewed preliminary budget materi-
als.
Discussion of the fourth item regarded
¡utilization of school property and whether
br not certain properties should be sold or
¡returned to the tax role.
"I am alarmed at the number of proper-
ties that are exempt from the tax role,"
said John Rosser, real estate appraiser.
"Could some properties acquired by the
school be put back on the tax role, because
this is a loss of county revenue," he said.
Superintendent Tony Murray responded
to Mr. Rosser by disagreeing and saying
there is no surplus of properties and all
purchases made by the school board were
discussed and considered an important
buy.
Resignations that were considered by
the school board were:
• John Canfield, band director
• Patti Eden, choir teacher
• Dean Evans, high school principal
Please see RISD, page 12
Flights of Fancy
KHfl
■idUii
Using his computer Jimmy Long designed a plane that has a seven and
one half foot wingspan and twin tale sections. The motor is a rear'
mounted engine which allows room in the nose of the plane for a still
camera or tiny video camera.
ik.T •! a t l •
No pilot's license
for ultra-cool ultralights
By Dee Caveness
The Cherokeean/Herald
Flying without a pilot's license is not
illegal. At least not when the plane
weighs from three to 30 pounds and
the wings are between 30 and 100
inches.
Remote controlled airplanes are a
big hit all over the world, but like many
other trends, it has not hit Cherokee
County.
"I'm kinda ashamed that there are
not as many enthusiasts." said Jimmy
Long, one of the local flyers.
The group that flies at Nelson Field
in Mt. Selman consists of nearly 30
hobbyists whose professions range
from doctors to pilots and ex-pilots.
Many modelers order kits from shops
and magazines that have plans to put
together a variety of different types of
styles, but serious hobbyists tend to
build to their own specifications.
Jimmy put together a number of
planes before he acquired a computer
program called Model CAD that allows
him to design his own planes down to
the curve of the wings.
Of the nine planes that were hanging
Please see JIMMY LONG, page 12
Rusk, Alto football teams
get noticed in magazine
By Dee Caveness
The Cherokeean/Herald
Alto and Rusk have something to cheer
about this football season. Dave
Campbell's Texas Football has ranked Alto
as first in their district and Rusk is ranked
second in theirs.
The Yellowjackets were 1997's District
2A semifinalists and are ranked 8th in
Texas Football's Class 2A preseason Top
25 in the state.
"Rankings are for people who read the
newspapers and magazines," said Head
Coach Lucky Gamble, "But it's nice to be
recognized."
Returning this year from a 14-1 season
are eight lettermén, five offensive and
'Clip and Save' season
schedules on pg. 12
five defensive starters. All-State player,
Brian Gamble was lost, but Lance Gamble
could move into the open position, accord-
ing to Texas Football.
Players to watch, as listed in Texas
Football, are All State wide receiver-
defensive back Andrew Poole, linebacker
Eric Robinson, defensive tackle Casey
Hamilton, running back-defensive back
Joel Finley and linebacker Quincy
Hamilton.
Please see TEAMS, page 12
Commissioners delete
EMS late-run penalties
Cherokee County Commissioners gave
a unanimous vote to delete late-run pen-
alties in the proposed contract with Emer-
gency Medical Services (EMS).
Jack White, who serves as the county's
emergency management coordinator, out-
lined the pros and cons of deleting this
portion of the contract.
Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Linda
Ratliff told the court that increased activ-
ity in her department had almost de-
pleted her available funds.
She gave a break-down of money bud-
geted for detention transactions that
showed $60,018 available at the begin-
ning of the fiscal year.
Sizable expenditures to neighboring
counties with detention facilities
amounted to $49,837. June and July ex-
penses prior to July 7 totaled $5,160.
The probation officer stated that she
believes she can get through this fiscal
year, which is Sept. 30, if the court ap-
proves her agency for an additional
$10,000.
Commissioner E. R. (Bob) Gregg asked
County Auditor L. H. Crockett if the money
was available and was assured it is. Gregg
moved that the sum be approved for the
Juvenile Probation office. It passed unani-
mously.
Billy Lovelady's bid of $1,000 was high
for a dump truck bed for sale in Precinct
One.
Other routine business included these
items.
• Approved a request from the Rusk
Chamber of Commerce to use the court-
house and grounds Oct. 9-10 for the an-
nual Indian Summer Festival's Arts and
Crafts Fair.
• Took no action following a detailed
discussion with Cecil Verdell regarding
improvements on County Roads 2416 and
Please see COMMISSIONERS, page 12
Health clinic offers free immunizations
Through the end of July, free immuni-
zations are available through the Chero-
kee County Health Department to all
persons, regardless of age.
Only the Hepatitis B vaccination is ex-
cluded, and is availablde for a $35 fee.
In addition to immunizations, other ser-
vices include well child exams, pregnancy
tests, family planning and pregnancy pre-
vention clinics.
The offices are located at 1209 N. Main
in Rusk and 466 S. Bonner in Jackson-
ville. Calls are received at 683-4688, Rusk,
and 586-6191, Jacksonville. Medicaid is
accepted with fees based on the
individual's income.
The following is the schedule for specific
services to be obtained from the Cherokee
County Health Department offices:
RUSK
Ü Tuberculosis testing, 1-4 p.m.
Wednesday, walk-in.
U Immunizations, 1-4 Wednesday,
walk-in.
Ü Family Planning/Birth Control, first
and third Thursday 12:30 p.m. by
appointment, also second Tuesday at 9-
12 a.m. by appointment.
I—I Well Child exams, Thursday 9 a.m.
by appointment.
D HIV testing and counseling, Monday-
Friday by appointment.
□ Pregnancy testing, Monday-Friday
by appointment.
CJ CIDC, Monday-Friday by appoint-
ment.
CJ Blood pressure check, Monday-
Friday, walk-in.
JACKSONVILLE
t-1 Well Child exams, Tuesday morning
by appointment.
Li Tuberculosis testing, 1-4 p.m.
Tuesday, walk-in.
□ Immunizations, 1-4 p.m. Tuesday,
walk-in.
1—i Family Planning/Birth Control,
Wednesday morning by appointment.
D Prenatal, Wednesday afternoon by
appointment.
LJ HIV testing and counseling, 9-11
a.m. Friday, or by appointment.
Sexually transmitted disease, 9-11
a.m. Friday.
□ Pregnancy testing, all day, Thursday.
Rusk council begins annual budget workshops
The Rusk City Council will meet at 4:30 p.m.
Thursday for a continuation of its budget workshops.
A workshop on the 1998-99 city budget followed
Thursday night's regular council meeting.
During the regular business session, the council
approved Antonio's Lawn & Landscape's bid for
$21,840 for maintenance of Cedar Hill Cemetery and
Rusk Memorial Cemetery. The bid is for a year and
has an option for two one-year extensions.
Antonio Enriquez, owner of the lawn service, said
he had been in the business for the past 12 years. "I
stay with my workers and see that the job is done
right,"he said. Heemployes three persons and they
do maintenance fbr 4f> commercial businesses, in-
cluding East Texas M Mica\ Center and an apart-
ment unit at Troup.
Other bidders were TJ Tinsley of .Jacksonville,
$19,800 and Mark Jacobs of Rusk for $24,000.
Mr. Tinsley is employed in the maintenance de-
partment at Rusk State Hospital and does the main-
tenance for several rural cemeteries including
Bullard, Earle's Chapel, Meador and Mixon. He said
he does the same kind of work for the state and is
responsible for a third of the mowing there.
Mr. Jacobs is a lifelong Rusk citizen and his family
has lived here since the civil war. "I have family
members buried there and would take a special
interest in the cemetery," he said. He works as
control manager for the K-Mart Corporation in Tyler.
In another matter, Stan Chapman asked that the
council write a letter to Friendship Cable Co. asking
them to add the History Channel to its service.
"I have 130 signatures and sent 100 of those to the
cable company. Initially they told me that there
would be no additional change but Mary Ann Bogy
said they would have to charge something ." Mr.
Chapman told the council.
The council authorized Mayor Emmett Whitehead
to write a letter to Friendship Cable stating that Mr.
Chapman has obtained almost 200 signatures before
he stopped due to the heat. He will ask that the
History Channel be added to the basic service at no
charge to the customer.
Notice was given to the council that Olympic Waste
Service, owner of Laidlaw Waste Systems, will in-
crease its rate to the city 1.7 percent, effective Dec. 1.
With the increase, the rate for residential customers
will be increased 11 cents.
The police report presented to the council shows
that 19 arrests were made during the month of June.
There were 12 accidents and 251 tickets issued.
Arrests included one for failure to maintain single
lane, three public intoxication, one organized crime,
five assault/family violencetinp aggravated assault,
one driving while intoxicated, four Hunk warrants,
One Jacksonville warrant, one DPS warrant and one
refusal to sign a ticket.
Please see RUSK COUNCIL, page 12
Thursday
workshop set
Rusk City Council will meet for a budget
workshop Thursday afternoon at 4:30 p.m..
"We are getting as much of next year's
budget behind us as we possibly can due to
the resignation of our city manager Mike
Murray," explained Mayor Emmett White-
Rusk Chamber of Commerce president
Connie Guy asked to meet with the council
prior to the workshop. She will seek finan-
cial assistance from the city due to lack of
operating funds.