The Leonard Graphic (Leonard, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 15, 2003 Page: 1 of 12
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Reeve’s
Printing
celebrates 100
years
Covering Fannin County and the surrounding area
Thursday, May 15,2003
P.O. Box 1108 Leonard, Texas 75452 (903) 587-3303 LeonardGraphic@netexas.net
Fans of the year
Felmets, athletes honored for their Tiger pride at banquet
By Beth Anderson
Assistant Editor
Leonard Tiger fan Pee Wee
Felmet’s spot in the stands may be
empty since his death in March, but
the Leonard Athletic Club demon-
strated that he still has a place in many
Tiearts’ when the group chose Felmet
and, his wife, Bonnie, as their first
“Fans of the Year.” The club hosted the
annual Leonard High School Athletic
Banquet Monday evening.
“If you ’ve been to very many foot-
ball or basketball games,” club presi-
dent Larry Horton said of the Felmets,
“you’ve seen them there.”
Horton said that the club chose the
Felmets for their inaugural award be-
cause they embodied the spirit of the
award.
“They were always there, and they
always found someone to support at
those games,” he said.
In addition to the Fan of the Year
award, Athletic Director Gerald James
outlined several new awards to honor the
high school athlete, including Outstand-
ing Female Athlete and Outstanding
Male Athlete.
“We’ve got some very special ath-
letes,” James said. “We appreciate you,
and we love you.”
James said that athletes were not
Missing one
Beth Anderson staff photos
The Felmet family gathers around Bonnie Felmet as she holds her Fan of the Year plaque Monday
night Missing, however, is her co-winner. Felmet's husband, Pee Wee, passed away in March. Below,
Leonard Athletic Director Gerald James, standing, takes time to crack a joke during one of the
award presentations while Larry and Belinda Horton, seated, look on.
-Page 7
Continuous publication since 1890 50€
1048-0013 Vol. 113 No. 20
Children’s Advocacy Center
Breaking the cycle of
abuse, one child at a time
When child abuse was suspected in Child Protective Services, police depart-
Fannin County, it used to mean that the ments (including Leonard, Bonham, Ector,
child would be subjected to multiple in- Honey Grove, Trenton and Savoy), Fannin
terviews with different people at several County Sheriff’s Office, Texoma Medi-
different places. Professionals trying to cal Center’s Sexual Assault Nurse Exam-
protect children from abuse, particularly iner (SANE) Program, Fannin County
sexual abuse, routinely had a difficult time Family Crisis Center, Juvenile Probation,
building a case against offenders. Com- CASA, Northeast Medical Center and
munication and coordination among agen- therapists John Kasper, Linda LeClair, Jan
cies was often difficult and training op- Snow and Faye Wedell.
portunities were not readily available. In
The Center also provides many train-
Fannin County, if a sexual offender re- ing opportunities for team members. Last
ceived any punishment, it was usually pro- year, for example, the center paid most of
bation. the costs for four investigators to attend
Butin 1999, things began to change specialized training about interrogating
for victims of child abuse and the people sexual offenders. Each year several team
who commit these types of offenses in members attend the nationally recognized
Fannin County.. It was in that year that Crimes Against Children Conference.
CAS A of Fannin County added the Child
Recently, the center began a quarterly
Advocacy Center (CAC) in order to im- in-service training program. Griffith, Ball
prove the community response to child and Fannin County Attorney Myles Por-
abuse.
ter led the training session entitled "The
The mission of the CAC is to provide Forensic Interview: An Investigative Tool.”
a neutral, child-friendly agency that facili-
In addition to forensic interviews, the
tates a multidisciplinary approach in the Center offers counseling and other victim
prevention, detection, investigation and services. Staff and/or volunteers are avail-
treatment of child abuse.
able to provide family support during the
the only ones who dedicated much of Leonard this •summer, made it all the
their time to high school sports. “We’re way to the regional level in golf as well
very fortunate to have this coaching - something coach John Kent hopes
staff,” he said, going on to also ac- bodes well for his fledgling golf pro-
knowledge the part their families play gram. “Nobody tries harder than Scot-
aswell. tie,” Kent said of Leonard.
The football coach and athletic di- For James, the decision of who to
rector also took the opportunity to rib choose as the department’s first Out-
assistant coach Demetrius Rector standing Male and Female Athletes
about his imminent departure to play was made by the entire coaching staff,
professional football in the Canadian “These two are truly outstanding ath-
Football League. When James was letes,” James said before naming
alerted to the fact that he forgot to in- Leslie Leatherwood and Rex Butler
troduce Rector with the other coaches, the winners, adding that he believed
he grinned and said, “Coach Rector, that both were destined for great
are you still coaching with us?” things.
As the laughter died down, James “Years from now, when people see
said with obvious pride that “we’re your names on this on the wall, they ‘
gonna see him play pro football.” will know who you are,” he said. “You
Awards were given for most valuable will go far.”
Now when child abuse is suspected interview process and any court hearings,
in Fannin County, the child can be brought Families can also get assistance with fil-
to a neutral, child-friendly location for one ing for Crime Victims Compensation, in-
interview. Investigators from Child Pro- formation and referrals and updates on the
tective Services (CPS) and law enforce- progress of the base from center staff,
ment observe the interviews to make sure In the most recent fiscal year, the CAC
all of their questions are asked at one time, received 79 new referrals and provided 67
The interviews are videotaped to preserve forensic interviews. In the first 15 months
the child’s statement and are conducted the center has offered counseling on-site,
by specially trained professionals. 229 sessions have been provided at no cost
Michelle Griffith and Bethany Ball are to victims and their non-offending family
employees of the center who have attended members. Community volunteers contrib-
many hours of specialized training in how uted nearly 300 hours of time last year,
to conduct forensic interviews with chil- . To learn more about child advocacy
dren. Forensic interviews are one investi- centers, www.cactx.org and www.nca-
gative tool and are “fact-finding” inter- online.org are two websites to check out.
views to determine what, if any, abuse has For more information about the local pro-
occurred.
gram, call (903) 583-4339. To report a
The CAC’s multidisciplinary team suspicion of child abuse, call toll free, 24
includes Fannin County District Attorney, hours a day to 1-800-252-5400.
players, and highlights of each sport’s
For Leatherwood, it was one of
seasons were related as well. The girl’s many honors she’s received this year,
basketball team celebrated their success- including being named to the state Aca-
ful season, which included the Team Free demic All State team and receiving All
Throw Award from the Texas Associa- District honors. She’s also signed a let- stand for “Effort” - is given to the stu-
tion of Basketball Coaches after the team ter of intent to play basketball at the dent who may not always be the best
averaged 68 percent, from the charity University of Texas at Dallas.
player, but makes up for it in sheer de-
stripe. Kelsie Graves garnered the TABC
Individual Free Throw Award by shoot-
ing 85 percent.
Freshman Kail Krider was chosen termination and effort, the coaches said.
to receive the “Fighting Heart Award.”
Krider, the coaches determined,
The girls track team made four new earned the distinction in part for his
school records, including long jumps commitment to Leonard athletics, let-
and triple jumps by Charmaine Ross, tering in three sports this year alone.
who qualified to compete at the state
Amanda Mears won the “E”
level. Scott Leonard, who will leave Award. The award - which, yes, does
Winners were:
Cara Gentry - Most Valuable Drill Team
Member
Megan McCord - Most Spirited Cheer-
leader
Martin Harris - Football MVP
Kacie Weaver - Volleyball MVP
Hollie Driscoll - Cross Country MVP
Kelsie Graves - Girls Basketball MVP
Carlton Fulton - Boys Basketball MVP
Matthew McCullough - Power Lifting MVP
Charmaine Ross - Girls Track MVP
Trustin Hibdon - Boys Track MVP
Emily Burris - Tennis MVP
Scott Leonard - Golf MVP
Rebecca Harvey - Softball MVP
Jeremy Diviney - Baseball MVP
Related pictures, Page 4
The Honorable Judge Ray Grisham (center) recently administered
an oath to four new CASA volunteers: Carmen Caldwell of
Leonard, and Charlene Dalton, Gib Field and Michael Keene of
Bonham.
Crisis Center outpost provides support for local police, families
Inside...
By Beth Anderson
Assistant Editor
situation is emotionally charged.
Clark had a 10-foot by 10-foot of-
fice and the rest of the officers
The assistance Leonard officers shared a 10-foot by 15-foot space;
need to diffuse and help families deal there was minimal extra room for
with domestic abuse and other crisis even storing evidence, let alone in-
situations is now right next door — terview a victim of domestic abuse,
literally. . • "Privacy is not an issue here,"
When the department made the Clark said, adding that the spacious |
move earlier this year to the old new building provided enough of- |
American Legion building, more fice space for himself, his officers, |
space was available - including an interview room, and the crisis
enough’to provide for an office for the center. The latter was a priority, |
Fannin County Family Crisis Center Clark said. “I made sure these la- |
I FCFCC when they respond to domes-
I tic disturbances, Clark said, adding
that the volunteers at the center have
J been trained to discuss what sort of
I help they can provide.
“We just want to let the public
know we’re here in Leonard,” Debbie
Freeman of the FCFCC said, adding
that while their main office is in
| Bonham, a grant allowed for them to
open outposts in Leonard and Honey
Grove.
According to crisis center litera-
ture, the FCFCC is designed to help
| individuals and their families as they
Opinions
...2
Town & Neighbors
Obituaries..............
Sports & Education.
Farm & Garden.....
Police news
Focus on Bonham
, 3
.3
. 4
. 5
. 6
, 7
to counsel crime victims, including dies had an office to work in.’
those emotionally or physically Clark said that in Leonard,in do- Members of the Fannin County Crisis Center gathered with work through abuse and assault, help-
abused. mestic situations where an iniurv oc- T r ing “clients take control of their lives,
. term . , * 1 . Leonard law enforcement officials Friday for a press conference . 61
They 11 come in at that person s curs, the offender will go to jail. . . . . • • know what options are available to
convenience,” Leonard Police Chief Rex “There is no waiver for that,” he said, intended to bring attention to the availability of family crisis them and assist them in making their
Clark said Friday. "It's not just 8 to 5." Sometimes, he acknowledged, services in Leonard. own choices.”
While the department has always the victim will report the crime, only The FCFCC also provides inter-
Variety
Crossword
Celeste News
Religion
taken advantage of the help the to later attempt to take back the emotions that come with the situation. “We feel it does. The more support, vention and support services and pro-
FCFCC offers, its previous location at charges after the abuser apologizes. When asked if support from counse- the stronger they are about it.’
vides referrals to other services. For
the Leonard City Hall wasn ’t private The FCFCC cCounselors help those lors helps avoid circumstances where Leonard officers wi 11 often provide information or assistance, contact the
#- something often necessary when the victims work through the various victims decide to recant, Clark said, pamphlets and information about the 24-hour hotline at 903-583-7000.
.8
9
10-11
Calendar of Events.......11
Classifieds..
...12
1
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The Leonard Graphic (Leonard, Tex.), Vol. 113, No. 20, Ed. 1 Thursday, May 15, 2003, newspaper, May 15, 2003; Leonard, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1660200/m1/1/?q=wichita+falls: accessed June 4, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Leonard Public Library.