Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 163, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 27, 2012 Page: 6 of 19
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6A
■ Wednesday, June 27, 2012
■ Cljerokeeaij Herald ■ thecherokeean.com
Rusk RD. responds to 106 calls in first 2 weeks of June
By Cristin Parker
Rusk PIO
The Rusk Police Department
responded to 106 calls between
Friday, June 1 and Friday,
June 15.
Reports included one high-
way obstruction; two juvenile
complaints; one traffic colli-
sion; three reports of suspicious
persons, noises or vehicles; five
incidents; one disturbance;
and five ordinance violations.
Law enforcement officials
continue to investigate one
case of forgery and one of cred-
it/debit card abuse; two reports
of illegal dumping; four thefts
and one burglary of a building;
two instances of criminal tres-
passing or criminal mischief;
one report of harassment and
one of terroristic threat; one
case of deadly conduct; and two
instances of criminal mischief
or trespass.
Rusk officers also performed
one escort, one welfare check
and three public services;
assisted in an emergency
commitment to Rusk State
Hospital; assisted other agen-
cies, including the Rusk State
Hospital, Rusk Fire Depart-
ment and Adult Protective
Services, in 30 incidents; as-
sisted one motorist; responded
to four false alarms; served
six warrants; and received
information on 21 ongoing
investigations.
Eighteen people were also
arrested during the same time
period. They include:
• Curtis Trevar Simmons,
25, for possession of a con-
trolled substance-less than
1 gram, possession of drug
paraphernalia and passenger
not wearing a seat belt;
• Cayenne Reasonover, 33,
for driving with an invalid
license and failure to maintain
financial responsibility (no
auto insurance);
• Jeremy Spenser Ranniger,
26, for public intoxication and
passenger not wearing a seat
belt;
• Tristin Rashele Hoffman,
25, for public intoxication;
• Cody Lee Morris, 23, for
public intoxication;
• Lex Raymond Copeland III,
25, for public intoxication;
• Jesse Lee Mims, 24, on two
local warrants;
• Lance Allan Jennings,
32, for failure to maintain
financial responsibility (no
auto insurance) and no driver’s
license;
• Jose Catalino Benavidez,
46, for failure to control speed,
failure to maintain financial
responsibility (no auto insur-
ance) and no driver’s license;
• Annabell Maria Bulnes,
51, on a local warrant;
• Micah Jared Staley, 31,
for disorderly conduct-abusive
language in a public place and
public intoxication;
• Timothy Tyrone Pearson,
17, on a local warrant and on
another agency’s warrant;
• Matthew Aaron Lavender,
24, for disorderly conduct-
exposure in a public place;
• Brandy Lee Mayes, 37, for
disorderly conduct-abusive
language in a public place;
• Isauro Miranda Santiago,
24, on two local warrants;
• Eric Lamonte McDuff, 33,
on four local warrants; and
• Sammie JoAbdelqader, 23,
for disorderly conduct-abusive
language in a public place.
One mi nor was also arrested
for assault-family violence
during the same two week
period.
RPD officers also wrote 131
traffic citations and 50 warn-
ings to motorists during the
same time period.
ET offers July 4 celebrations
By Becky Whisenant
Staff Writer
Across East Texas this Indepen-
dence Day, a plethora of festivities is
planned from which to choose from for
enjoying a memorable holiday.
Besides the activities scheduled in
Rusk, one does not have to drive very
far to enjoy a variety of fireworks and
free entertainment.
Jacksonville will kick off at 10 a.m.
July 4 with the Flotilla on the Lake. The
flotilla is open to anyone who wants to
putin a boat-whether lake residents,
area citizens or visitors. There is no
fee, and interested parties are wel-
come to show up and join in.
Thisevent is sponsored by the Lake
Jacksonville Association, and police
escorts will be provided.
The swimming area and concession
will be open all day butthe exciting stuff
happens when the sun goes down. A
brilliant fireworks display begins over
the lake about 9:15 p.m.
Organizers recommend arriving
early to get a good parking place.
Recommended viewing spots are
at the end of Byrd Road, off College
Avenue near the swimming area, or
near the ballpark off College Avenue.
There is no admission.
For more information, call the Jack-
sonville Public Works Department at
(903)586-3510.
Justsouth of the county line, the City
of Lufkin’s Parks & Recreation Depart-
ment will provide food and specialty
booths, along with live entertainment,
beginning at 1 p.m. at the Ellen Trout
Zoo on Loop 287. No admission is
required, and their light show begins
at 9:15 p.m. Call (936) 633-0250 for
more information.
Tyler Jaycees’ “cornucopia of
combustibles” will commence at 9
p.m. at Lindsey Park in Tyler on spur
364 off the northwest loop. Parking
is $5 per car from 4-5 p.m. and $10
after 5 p.m.
There will be food and vendor
booths, games and live entertain-
ment by the Friendly Baptist Church
youth group. For details, call (903)
592-1661 or contact Tyler Jaycees at
tylerjaycees@yahoo.com.
Yetanotherchoice is the Brookshire
Brothers Freedom Fest, beginning at
5 p.m. at the Festival Plaza in down-
town Nacogdoches. All the sights,
sounds and tastes of an old fashioned
Independence Day celebration will
culminate in their fireworks display
which begins with a bang 30 minutes
after dark.
All events are free to the public.
For more info, call 1-888-OLDEST-
TOWN.
Everyone loves a parade and a birthday party. Rusk citizens will go all out in promoting
the red, white and blue as they celebrate the 236th birthday of the United States. Theme
for the day will be “Patriotism on Parade.” Sponsored by the Rusk Rotary Club, the
event will be a tribute to America’s war heroes from a grateful nation.
PARADE_
continued from pg. 1A
The Cross of Saint
Andrew, Camp #2009, Sons
of Confederate Veterans of
Cherokee County will provide
the honor salute—a rifle volley,
signalling the start of the
parade.
The Color Guard/Honor
Guard from Vietnam Veterans
chapter 991 of Palestine will
post the colors and lead the
parade.
After an honorary rifle volley
by the Cross of St. Andrew
Camp 2009 Sons of Confederate
Veterans of Cherokee County,
“Patriotism on Parade” willstep
off to the sounds of marching
bands.
Honored as this year’s parade
marshal will be 99-year-old
Houston White, a World War
II veteran who served in the
U.S. Naval Air Corps from
1942-January 1946.
The parade will include
Cherokee County emergency
vehicles, military vehicles
provided by Tom and Jan
Townsend’s “Toyland,” floats
of all descriptions, scouts,
youngsters of all ages and
veterans from all eras.
New this year will be trophies
awarded to the most patriotic
float, most patriotic ATV, most
patriotic cycle, most patriotic
bicycle and most patriotic
group.
To add to this outpouring of
love and patriotism, the Rotary
Club of Rusk will have the
town’s square adorned with
American and Texas flags.
Members of Rusk Rotary and
Rusk Lions will distribute small
American flags to everyone
who attends, and to all who
participate.
At the conclusion of the
parade, military vehicles filled
with veterans will stop in
front of the reviewing stand
while people from around the
entire square sing “God Bless
America.”
Following the parade,
“outdoor prizes” will be drawn
from free tickets given out to all
who attend.
Then, at 10:30 a.m., families
will enjoy watching area
firefighting companies compete
for first and second place
trophies during the annual
Gauge Lankford Memorial
Firemen’s competition.
The July 4th celebration is
presented by the Rotary Club of
Rusk, and co-sponsored by Bill
McRaeFordofJacksonville; the
Cherokeean Herald; KWRW-
FM; Birmingham Health Care
Center and Rusk Rehab and
Health Center.
Veterans, groups and families
who would like to be a part of
the parade are asked to meet
at Austin Bank parking lot no
later than 8:30 a.m.
Persons with questions, may
contact Roy Reynolds, event
chairman, at (214) 380-5047.
BIOMASS_
continued from pg. 1A
we’ve seen a major impact on
hotels, apartment rentals and
restaurants as far as our local
economies in the area, and it
was obviously wonderful for
us. It’s not going away; it’s just
moving to a long-term commit-
ment from Southern Power to
this area.”
Mr. King said that there
are approximately 35-40 full-
time workers employed at the
biomass plant that can make
almost $75,000 per year, plus
benefits.
“These are good paying jobs,
and the people who hold them
will five wherever is convenient
for them, whether in Nacog-
doches County or Cherokee
County,” Mr. Kingsaid. “They’ll
five in our communities, buy
from our stores and attend
our schools and churches. The
benefit to the local tax base has
been significant.”
Mr. King said the construc-
tion of the plant has added
nearly half a billion dollars to
the area and has already ben-
efitted Cushing ISD. When the
biomass plant was announced,
Southern Power entered into
a payment in lieu of taxes
(PILOT) agreement with the
RISD_
continued from pg. 1A
and a half years.
Lamesa ISD serves 1,800
students, compared to Rusk’s
2,200 students.
Dr. Largent accepted the
superintendent’s position for
the Granbury ISD near Fort
Worth.
Mr. Davis is currently a doc-
toral candidate in educational
leadership at Texas Tech Uni-
versity in Lubbock.
He obtained a superinten-
dent’s certification in 2006, a
principal’s certification in 2004
and a master’s degree in educa-
tion in 2004 from Texas Tech.
He obtained a Bachelor of
Arts degree in physical educa-
tion in 1991.
In addition to serving as
superintendent and assistant
school district.
“That agreement enabled
Cushing ISD to leverage the
money coming from Southern
Power to build their new el-
ementary school, upgrade their
high school campus as well as
their athletic facilities,” he said.
“These were fairly significant
construction projects that
were badly needed and long
overdue.
“Under the agreement, ap-
proximately 3/4 of the construc-
tion costs for those projects
were picked up by Southern
Power and only 1/4 came from
taxpayers. That’s animmediate
benefit that everyone can see
and from which the community
can benefit.”
While the plant is located in
Nacogdoches County, Mr. King
said he could see benefits for
surrounding counties as well.
“Some of the workers will live
in Cherokee County, especially
since the plant is about as close
to Jacksonville as it is to Nacog-
doches,” he said. “Additionally,
you have the fuel supplies, such
as the wood chips that will be
used to fuel the plant. Around
150-160 truck loads will come in
per day, and by definition, the
superintendent he also served
as high school principal and
assistant principal at Lamesa.
Prior to that, he taught and
coached at Lockhart from
1993-2002.
Mr. Davis’ wife, Kriste, has
spent 19 years in education.
Their children are Quade, who
will be a tenth grader at Rusk
High School and Kyhe, who will
be a seventh grader at Rusk
Junior High this fall.
The family attended the First
Baptist Church in Lamesa,
where he was an ordained
deacon, chair of personnel and
taught an adult class.
He was a member of the Ki-
wanis Club, chair of the United
Way and served on the Boys/
Girls Club board of directors.
majority will come from local
businesses.
“Additionally, a lot of the
housekeeping and maintenance
atthe plant will be outsourcedto
localbusinesses. These workers
will need to travel to the plant
and will stop to fill their tanks,
to eat in our restaurants and
for other reasons. This will be a
benefit to the entire area.”
Southern Power’s 20-year
power purchasing agreement
with the City of Austin is also a
sign that the comp any is willing
to stay in the area and make the
plant work, Mr. King said.
“Optimistically, with the
power purchasing agreement
with Austin, the plant should
run 24/7 for at least 20 years,
and probably 30-40,” he said.
“The tax value from the plant is
higher than it would be if it was
still just farmland, and South-
ern Power so far is showing
they are committed to making
it work here in Nacogdoches
County, Cherokee County and
the surrounding area.
“They’ve made an enormous
investment in the community,
and I feel like they are going to
be here a while. They are here
to stay.”
In other matters coming
before the school board was
the approval of a retirement,
resignation and employment
of new staff members.
Retiring is Osborne Brines II,
a high school teacher. Tammy
Rasberry, third grade teacher,
resigned to accept a position at
Alto ISD.
Employed were Zachery
Allison, high school teacher/
coach to teach PE and serve
as head basketball coach and
assistant football coach; Mrs.
Davis as an intermediate school
counselor; Michelle Kearney,
a district-wide English as a
second language teacher; Dawn
Lee, second grade teacher; and
Molly Miller, intermediate spe-
cial education teacher.
ARREST_
continued from pg. 1A
community to pick up her 17-year-old son and
take him to work because he needed a ride. Ms.
Chambers said she was driving the vehicle and
Mr. Watts was in the passenger’s seat.
According to reports, when Ms. Chambers
and Mr. Watts’ vehicle pulled up in front of
the residence, Mr. Skinner came out of the
house with a pump shotgun, walked in front
of the truck, pointed the gun at the passenger
side front windshield and fired, hitting the
windshield.
Ms. Chambers said Mr. Skinner walked to
the driver’s side window and began yelling at
her. Several family members ran out of the
residence and pulled Mr. Skinner back into
the house.
Ms. Chambers drove away from the house
and to the Alto Police Department, where they
called the sheriffs office.
Mr. Watts was transported to a local hospital
for treatment, and was reported to have birdshot
pellets in his face and chest.
Lt. Gina Battley and Deputy Robin Parsons
obtained arrest warrants for Mr. Skinner, who
was apprehended without incident just after 2
p.m. Saturday.
Mr. Skinner was transported to the Chero-
kee County Jail and was arraigned Sunday
morning by Justice of the Peace Precinct #4
Vera Foreman.
Bond was set at $25,000 for the aggravated
assault charge and $20,000 for the deadly
conduct charge.
Mr. Skinner made bond Sunday afternoon.
FREEDOM_
continued from pg. 1A
Bullard
• SP4 Willard Thurman Bateman, 26, of Bul-
lard, who was born Dec. 31, 1940, and killed in
action on Nov. 21, 1967. He first served in the
Marine Corps and later the Army. He was a
medical corpsman.
Jacksonville
Those killed from Jacksonville include:
• Sgt. William Preston Armstrong, 19, who
was born Aug. 1, 1949, and was killed in action
on Aug. 2, 1968. He was a parachutist in the
infantry.
• PFC Thomas Lee Jordan, 25, was a member
of the U.S. Army Selective Service. He was born
Sept. 16, 1942, and was killed in action on Feb.
21, 1968.
• Corporal Henry Lon Turn, 21, was born on
Dec. 4, 1945, and was killed in action on May
4, 1967. He was a rifleman in the U.S. Marine
Corps.
• Ronald S. Athanasiou, 21, was a Boatswain
3rd Class in the U.S. Navy. He drowned or suf-
focated as a result of hostile fire. He was born on
Jan. 21, 1949, and died on Jan. 21, 1970.
• Charhe Ray McDonald, 20, was a Specialist
F our in the U.S. Army Infantry. He was born July
9, 1948, and died as a result of artillery, rocket
or mortar ground fire on April 4, 1969.
• George L. (Lincoln) Barber, 25, a captain
the U.S. Army, was killed in action on March
4, 1968. He was born March 2, 1943. He was in
the Seventh Cavalry Division.
• PFC Lee Roy Nolley, 20, was an E3 in the
U.S. Army Selective Service. He was born Nov.
21, 1948, and was killed on April 5, 1969. He
served in the 28th Infantry.
Rusk
Killed from Rusk:
• Sgt. Loel Floyd Largent, 19, was a radio
operator in the First Cavalry Division. He was
born March 13,1950, and was killed on April 10,
1969. He was promoted posthumously.
• Capt. Francis Wayne Townsend was a
weapon system officer. He was born on April 24,
1948, and was declared dead on Aug. 1, 1979,
at the age of 31 while listed as missing in action
from an air loss or crash over land. The incident
occurred on Aug. 13, 1972. He was promoted
while missing in action.
• Capt. Donald Henry Mabry, 32, who served
in the U. S. Army, was killed in action on Aug. 7,
1967. He was born on Sept. 17, 1935. Informa-
tion on Capt. Mabry said he either drowned or
suffocated and was a ground casualty. He was
a commander of an infantry airborne unit.
• Sgt. William Edward Smith, 35, was a pla-
toon sergeant and was listed as an infantryman
in the U. S. Army. He was killed in action on May
29, 1968. He was born on May 31, 1932.
Notification that the wall information is avail-
able on the web was forwarded from retired Air
Force Col. William T. Mayall to his wife, Dixie
Guinn Mayall, who sent it to the Cherokeean
Herald. The monument rubbings (featured
on front page) were collected by Col. and Mrs.
Mayall.
The mission of www.VirtualWall.org Ltd. is
to help relatives and friends of the Vietnam
War fallen ensure those persons are honored
and remembered.
“ www. VirtualWall. org ® does not charge a fee
or accept donations for publishing remembrances
or photographs and does not have subscription
fees or advertising.
“We feel the women and men who died or are
missing and their relatives have already paid
the full measure,” according to the website.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washing-
ton, DC is maintained by the US National Park
Service using tax dollars.
The website, www.VirtualWall.org, is oper-
ated by a handful of volunteers from all over the
country who communicate electronically.
Most have never met each other face-to-face.
All are relatives or friends of the fallen and/
or Vietnam War veterans. Kenneth J. Davis,
retired Commander, U.S. Navy is president.
Vietnam War veteran Jim Schueckler founded
and opened the web site The Virtual Wall on
March 23, 1997.
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Gonzalez, Terrie. Cherokeean Herald (Rusk, Tex.), Vol. 163, No. 18, Ed. 1 Wednesday, June 27, 2012, newspaper, June 27, 2012; Rusk, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth614708/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Singletary Memorial Library.