Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 155, No. 12, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 12, 2004 Page: 6 of 16
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Page 6 - Cljcrokeeaij Herald of Rusk, Texas - Wednesday, May 12, 2004
ETMC
continued from page 1
of $300,000 as financial sup-
port to the medical facility's
construction. During past
months, individuals of the
community led in fundraising
efforts to secure an additional
$219,735 for equipment in the
24,000 square foot medical
complex.
In his remarks, Mr. Ellis
noted the value of helping citi-
zens understand "this is ours."
"We want folks to feel hke this
is theirs. This is asimportant as
Friday night football." In addi-
tion to this feeling of personal
owner ship by citizens, Mr. Ellis
cited three other major factors
in the facility's operation: good
doctor s; expanded services and
technology; referrals--word of
mouth recommendations.
"Our mission is to bring a
spirit of excellence to the art
and science of healthcare," he
said. "Patientgcanexpect to get
a diagnosis here.**
Of the $1.6 billion of medical
services provided annually by
DPS
the ETMC system, approxi-
mately $130 million is free
care.
"We don't pay taxes and don't
begrudge free care, said Mr.
Elhs.
With ETMC's assurance of
continued medical services to
this area, the completion of the
construction also brings a $2.5
million payroll.
"We are the second or third
largest employer in East Texas.
We are a part of the industrial
growth and development in
communities we serve. They
say that dollars turn over
seven times in a community,
therefore our payroll will give
you a $17 million dollar boost,"
said Mr. Ellis.
ETMC has 15 hospitals, 30
clinics, provides more than
300,000 home visits annu-
ally through Home Health
Care, three divisions of EMS
service systems in Texas and
Oklahoma and various levels
of trauma units. The facility
plans to bidin Pernehs County,
Florida, for the contract to pro-
vide EMS services.
The structure to be formally
opened next month is designed
for patient accessibility, comfort
and convenience. Itisa24-hour
Emergency Care Center, with
an EMS station on adjoining
property.
Plans callfor expandedphysi-
cianandchnical services, open-
ing with two physicians and
chnic space for three additional
primary care doctors. Specialty
chnics with visiting physicians
representing medical special-
ties such as cardiology, gastro-
enterology andENT (ear, nose,
throat) are planned.
Outpatient focus includes
permission for physicians from
both in side andoutside Rusk to
order diagnostic studies at the
center for Rusk area patients.
Enhanced imaging services,
including in-house CT Scan-
ner, bone density scanner and
mobile MRI imaging technol-
ETMC
ogy, plus mobile mammography
services will be offered.
Cardial rehabilitation ser-
vices will be a part of the new
rehab program.
A new Olympic Center will
offer medically based fitness
services, new equipment,
a pool for aquatic therapy/
exercise and additional health
enhancement opportunities. As
a not for profit organization, the
ETMC Regional Healthcare
System serves the people and
communities of East Texas.
"0verthepast50years, count-
less East Texans have shared
in our mission of care through
meaningful philanthropic
gifts that support the growth
of health services. Your gift to
the ETMC Rusk Building Fund
' all comes back to yo u' as it help s
complete the new center and
ensures that quality healthcare
is available for you, your family
Elmer Ellis, CEO of
ETMC, presented
a PowerPoint slide
show to members of
the Rusk Industrial
Foundation meeting
on Friday, May 7. The
new Rusk facility will
hold an open house
to honor donors June
3 and a public open
house on June 6.
and the community,'' said Mr.
Ellis. The growth of ETMC Rusk
medical complexis just one more
on the horizon of a bright future
for ETMC overall. "We have five
more locations that need a facil-
ity like this and we own land for
two others,'' he said.
Also attending the meeting
with Mr. and Mrs. Elhs were
staff members. Marty Wiggins,
Christine Rutherford and Amy
Brookshire.
continued from page 1
not intoxicated or on drugs, who
have had bad things happen.
Something silly can cause
something really tragic.''
Tragicisjust the turn several
recent wrecks on the highway
have taken with 10 fatalities
worked in April and early
May on roads in or bordering
Cherokee County.
Troup High School students
Lindsey Aliene Stewart, 16, of
Jacksonville and Stephanie
Carol Hester, 15, of Troup died
April 2 in a wreck on CR 2177
in Smith County near Troup, a
short distance from Cherokee
County.
Lon Morris College students
Clay Austin Franks, 19, of Deer
Park and Chase Eric Westmo-
reland, 18, of Crockett died
April 5 when their late model
car crashed on FM 2138 report-
edly related to speed. DPS at
the Scene Said the car was going
at least 97 mph at the time of
the wreck,
Another student, Joe
Len Woolery, 18, of Rt. 5
Jacksonville, a student at
New Summerfield died April 7
when the van he was driving
struck a tree in a one-vehicle
accident.
A 20-year-old Jacksonville
man died at 5:15 p.m. April
10 in a one-vehicle accident on
Highway 69. The man killed
was Willie Joe Page, of 723
Adams Street, Jacksonville.
A three-year-old child,
Timothy Kraig Bovard, of
Jacksonville died six miles
south of Whitehouse near
Cherokee County in an accident
Easter Sunday, April 11.
AMount Selman woman, Bar-
bara Finch McMichael White,
45, died April 14 from injuries
received in a Jacksonville,
wreck also on April 11.
Keith Bradley, 25, of Rt. 7,
Jacksonville died Thursday
April 29in an accident six miles
north of Rusk on Highway 69 in
a one-vehicle crash on a rain-
soaked highway.
Trisha Bellanger, 12, of
Jacksonville died in a one-
vehicle accident on FM 347,
on May 3.
The average age of the person
killed is 19.1 years old. No
common hnk could be found
to connect the accidents other
than the brief span of time in
which they occurred.
Jackson said, "Some of the
wrecks could have been related
to fatigue. Others are hnked to
speed and road conditions. But
they have had different factors.
I really think people need to talk
more about Safe chiving. Then
they need to practice it.
"Motorist get so preoccupied
with our cell phones and loud
stereos," Jackson continued,
"Driving habits are bad, and
people don't pay attention.
Sometimes a big car and big
road are a bad combination.
Especially if it rains."
Jackson said, "Todays cars
are made to go so fast and so
quietly. I think people don't
even know how fast they are
going. Take 60 mph, today
that feels slow, it doesn't feel
hke 60 mph in an old pickup
truck. People, are going fast and
they want to go faster and keep
up with the other cars."
Some of the cars each day go
too fast on a treacherous stretch
of Highway 69 known as the
" seven mile hill.*' Avertical chop
in the roacl coupled with a curve
and a steep gracle¿
The Texas Department of
Transportation has a $5,5 mil-
lion project beginning soon on
Highway 69 with $1 million
of that money to be spent on
"seven mile hill" specifically.
A 5,800-foot stretch that will
get new pavement, a concrete
barrier and large lights.
The DPS isfamihar with that
stretch of roacl and recently
four troopers, along with Sgt.
Jackson in an unmarked car,
workeclthe area thoroughly for
four hours.
Jackson saicl, "We worked the
hill on Friday, April 16from 3-7
p.m. making 82 stops anclwrit-
ing 20 tickets ancl issuing 75
traffic warnings. "Also the DPS
in that span made one chug
arrest, arrested one person
for outstanding warrants ancl
issued two citations for one
alcoholic container.
"We want to get the people to
slow clown," Jackson saicl. "We'd
hke people to know that if they
see our black ancl white (DPS
units) they had better be going
the speed limit. Our purpose is
not to issue tickets, it is to get
the public to follow the posted
traffic laws."
Jackson saicl, "We support the
changes TxDOT is doing on the
highway 100 percent. We are
behind them, we think some of
the things are very good ideas.
We're committed to working the
area. We might have a special
project planned in the seven-
mile hill area arounclMemorial
Day. We haven't decided yet."
Honor students
continued from pg. 1
ment Program are Echic Brad-
ford, MissMicldleton, Mr. Scott
ancl Miss Thacker. All four have
12 college crecht hours.
Recommended as high school
program graduates are Jacob
Band director
Bailey, Tristan Brown, Clarice
Dearman, Mitch Dominy, Jon-
athan Gonzalez, Tyrus Green,
Karla Guevara, Shemaka
Johnson, Ti mara Lofton, Miss
Marin, Tawonia Mitchell, John
Harvey Parker Jr., Anthony
Robinson, Jamie Rowley,
Jesse Rowley Diane Sevilla,
Larry Sims, Decle Smith, Mr.
Spurger, Johnny Thacker ancl
Mr. Williams.
continued from pg. 1
that Mr. Turrentine abused any
of the children who filed com-
plaints against him. Although
CPS has not issued their find-
ings in an official document
yet. Superintendent Ferguson
ancl Mr. Turrentine confirmed
that CPS is expected to issue
a finding of "inappropriate
behavior."
Superintendent Ferguson
saicl that Mr. Turrentine is
back in the classroom because
there was not enough evidence
of wrongdoing to dismiss him.
"Mr. Turrentine will be given a
letter of reprimand ancl he will
be monitored in his classroom
on a drop-in basis by school
administrators," saicl Mr.
Ferguson.
Teacher contracts specify that
any contract notrenewed by the
school board 45 clays prior to the
end of school is automatically
renewed. In Mr. Turrentine's
case, the investigation was
not finished before the 45-
clay period. Consequently,
Mr. Turrentine's contract for
the 2004-2005 school year
was automatically renewed,
accorchng to superintendent
Ferguson.
One parent, whose child has
left the band program because
of this incident, is not satisfied
with the outcome. "He (Mr. Tur-
rentine) waS not exonerated,"
saicl the parent.
Alto ISD board president.
Randy Sturrock tolcl the
Cherokeean Herald, "No
actions will be taken by the
board. The administration
will handle the matter."
Mr. Turrentine beheve s he is a
pawn being used to discredit the
current school administration
by those hoping to influence
the upcoming school trustee
election.
"People want to smear me,
ruin me in order to get some-
oneelecteclto the school board,"
saicl Mr Turrentine,
"I have been reprimanded,
but I have not lost my job or my
teaching certificate, From what
I can tell, people are happy to
have me back," aclclecl Mr. Tur-
rentine.
Child Protective Services
withhelclcomment on this story
citing privacy concerns.
Jail
continued from pg. 1
Smith County,
Sheriff Campbell was askecl
if the extra jailers understood
that if the county loses contracts
from adjourning counties that
they would be let go.
"Yes, they all understand that
the last hired will be the first to
go," Sheriff Campbell saicl.
Cherokee County is paid by
the day for each inmate ancl the
home county will pay for medi-
cal care for its own inmates.
Sheriff Campbell saicl the
county was going to start
charging cities for housing their
prisoners. Persons arresteclfor
Speeding or public intoxication
are Class C offenders ancl are
city prisoners. Those arrested
for Class B or above offenses are
county prisoners. Cities will be
charged $20 per clay per inmate
for Class C prisoners.
In another matter, four jail-
ers were authorized to attend
jail school in San Antonio May
24-27.
Commissioners approved
a resolution concerning the
implementation of HB 2292
from the 78th Regular Session.
The resolution is in opposition
to problems being ¡eliminated
byHB 2292 including children's
insurance. Medicaid, outpa-
tient care, home health ancl
privatization. Commissioner
Moocly Glass Jr. said, "The bill
will have a tremendous impact
on suffering people, who had
great needs for the services
being eliminated. The bill is
300 pages ancl will make the
Dep artment of Human Services
a call center. Cherokee County
will lose three offices ancl 28
employees. Everyone neechng
services will be required to have
a telephone or computer."
Commissioners approved
the application by Enbriclge
Pipelines (East Texas) L.P to
install natural gas pipelines
under county roads in Precincts
3 ancl 4.
Art Wilson, a senior right-of-
way agent for Mustang Engi-
neering met with the court to
make the request.
"We will notify the weights
ancl measurement officer before
there is any heavyhauling. The
commissioners will be notified
24hours prior to construction,"
Mr. Wilson saicl.
The company will construct
36 inch high pressure gas
lines from Ethelel north of
Palestine to Carthage. The
project will cross the top of
Lookout Mountain, he saicl.
The project is expecl ed to cost
approximately $380 million or
$1.5 million per mile,
The pipes will be laid at a
minimum of 36 inches from
the surface. Those going
through fields will be from 36
to 42 inches from the surface. If
there is ground under irrigation
the pipes will be 48 to 52 inches
from the surface.
Local people will be hired for
the project ancl 50-60 persons
are working out of J acksonville
at the present time.
Employment ancl revenue
from the project will increase
as the project gets underway.
In other matters, CR 4234
in Precinct 4 was approved to
be closed.
Laverne Lusk, county clerk,
and Marlys Mason, district
clerk were authorized to attend
an annual conference June 27-
July 1 in Conroe.
Aresolution to accept an offer
to purchase tax resale property
was approved.
Attending the meeting
were Judge Chris Davis;
Commissioners Bob Johnson,
Kevin Pierce, Glass ancl Billy
McCutcheon; County Clerk
Laverne Lusk; ancl County
Auchtor L.H. Crockett.
Craft Baptist Christian School
— -
Members of the Craft Baptist Christian School graduating class are from left, Kody
Killion valedictorian; Jasmine Whisenant, Riley Trotter, Amanda Chancelor, saluta-
torian; Amanda Strandberg and Hanna Thompson. Class members not pictured are
Mari Lara and Brittney Fernandez. Graduation for the eight students will be at 2 p.m.
May 23 at Buckner Chapel, on the Jacksonville College campus. Dr. Tony Cleaver,
retired Army Lt. Colonel and presently the Development Officer at Jacksonville Col-
lege, will be the guest speaker. A reception will be held in the Jacksonville College
Student Union building following the graduation.
Hot check
continued from pg. 1
In the case of a felony the
suspect can't be released on
a personal recognizance bond,
as is the procedure for misde-
meanors.
Jacksonville Police Depart-
ment made the most arrests
with 21 coming from a hst of
89. Jacksonville also had 18
others. The others are refer-
ring to persons having become
deceased or moved from the
county.
The Cherokee County sher-
iff's office made five arrests
RISD
from a list with 117 names
ancl nine others.
The Rusk Police Depart-
ment had 12 potential cases
ancl made five arrests ancl two
others.
Wells police reported eight
cases with three arrests ancl
four others.
The Alto Police Department
had three potent i;il cases ;ln('
arrested three persons with
two others.
The New Summerfield pohce
had two caseS ancl arrested
two.
Troup had seven cases with
none arrested anclBullarclhacl
one case with no arrest.
The Department of Pubhc
Safety also added one to the
arrest total.
Any one with a question about
the misdemeanor arrests or
felony cases can contact Jackie
Gruber at the Cherokee County
attorney's office at (903) 683-
2423 or Lois Garner at the
District Attorney's office at
(903) 683-2573.
CMYK
continued from page 1
shop. Cost of this project will
be $128,479.50. Simon Traylor
anclSon of Jacksonville waslow
bidder for the project.
The board approved a bid
from TN&S Paving of Tyler to
sweep the high school parking
lot, fill in the holes ancl aclcl a
seal coat. Cost of this project
will be $8.650. Paving will be
completed in June.
A walk-in freezer Was pur-
chased for the primary cafete-
ria from Kirby Chemical ancl
Restaurant Supply at Longview
for $10,476. The freezer will be
delivered ancl installed for the
purchaseprice. F uncls to pay for
the freezer are available in the
current cafeteria budget.
A walk-in freezer for the
elementary School cafeteria
is expected to be purchased in
December.
Following an executive ses-
sion the retirement of Jane
Luptak was accepted.
Resignations accepted
were Andrea Avila, Sancha
McCain, Misty Parker ancl
Molly Thrash.
Employment was approved
for Jennifer Kusch, junior high
teacher anclArthur Sekula, art
teacher for the high school.
Board vice-president Cathy
Newman presided in the
absence of board president
Mike Ross. Attending the meet-
ing were Bryan Selclen, Davicl
Fulton ancl Frances Long.
Not attenchng were board
members Richard Massingill
ancl Dr. Anthony Holcomb.
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Whitehead, Marie. Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 155, No. 12, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 12, 2004, newspaper, May 12, 2004; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth152624/m1/6/?q=EARTH: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.