NEWS MAKERS
As 2007 ends, Texas State Railroad will continue to roll in '08
BY GLORIA JENNINGS
Santa Claus came in the nick of time for members of the Texas State Railroad Authority. The

authority for Rusk and Palestine received a check for $2 million from the State Comptroller. The state's intentions to close the railroad and turn it into a static display were announced in late December 2005. Local

citizens began work to save the railroad soon after the announcement was made. The authority named American Heritage Railways to operate the train and that organization took over the management of the railroad Sept. 1.

Christmas also came early for the entire town of Alto when the Yellowjacket won their second consecutive state championship. The championship game was played the week before Christmas.

Rusk State Hospital was named in the top tier of medical facilities in the nation following a three-day inspection in January by four surveyors.

Rusk ISD trustees began work in May on a new high school gym. The gym is expected to cost in the neighborhood of $4 million. Seating will be provided for 1,208 persons. This will include 1,045 fixed stadium seats.

The gym will be constructed with existing building funds and will be paid for when completed.

Cherokee County veterans were honored at a celebration June 29 at Toyland Combat Vehicles Museum on CR 2407 out of Rusk.

Texas Forest Service announced its plans to close the Indian Mound Nursery at Alto in September 2008. Currently the nursery invests more than $600,000 annually into the local economy.

January

Frank Davis was named recipient of the Rusk Fireman of the Year Award at the Jan. 8 annual banquet at The Legacy of Harvey Collins restaurant. Earlier in the program Mr. Davis was honored for his retirement from the department with 20 years of service.

The Fireman of the Year Award was presented to Mr. Davis by Chief Wayne Morgan. The previous year's recipient, Holcomb, was unable to attend the banquet due to a meeting of the Rusk ISD Board of which he is a member.

Chief Morgan praised Mr. Davis for his devotion to the department. "He has served for 12 years as treasurer and is always ready to do whatever is needed. He just doesn't refuse a request," Chief Morgan said.

Mr. Davis came to the department during his mid to late-30s. Assistant Chief Jack White said "He is very capable and did everything he was asked to do from firefighting to running the generator. He always seemed happy to do what he was asked. During his time as a volunteer fireman he made 65-70 percent of the fire calls. If he could go he would."

Amid the celebration in Alto over the Yellowjackets' undefeated state championship season, several team members were named to the District 21-A All District Team.

Quarterback Julian Willis and receiver Tyson Mitchell shared the district Most Valuable Player award. Senior running back Jeremy Lofton was co-offensive Most Valuable Player with Tarrence Faulk, senior quarterback from Grapeland.

Most Valuable Defensive Player awards went to junior linebacker Clayton Scott of Alto and Tony Taylor, junior defensive back from Grapeland.

Jackets who made first offensive team Ben Johnson (who was also first team Academic All- State), Josh Hudson and Chase Berryhill. Derek Mumphrey was kicker.

Jackets who made all district first defensive team were linemen Tarcellus Mitchell, Trevor Hagerty and David Sturrock; Lance Low, linebacker; and cornerbacks Devon Patton and Tarlandus Mitchell.

Second team all district Jackets were running backs Marcuse Gaseway and Demarcus Griffin; wide receivers Jacob Wade and Myron Lofton, linemen Derek Mumphrey, Makio Houston and Jonathan Simpson; cornerback Michael Parker and safety Jacob Wade.

The Alto Yellowjackets had 13 all-district players returning to last fall's team. Alto went 14-0, won the District 21-A Championship and the Class 1A Division I State Championship. The Jackets outscored their opponents 744-58.

Despite the summer drought that led to disaster declarations and skyrocketing hay prices, 2006 turned out to be an average year as far as rainfall was concerned. With additional rains in October and December, the 2006 total rainfall was 44.65 inches.

"The rainfall total from 2006 was almost right on the 100-year average," said Cherokee County Extension Agent Jack White. "The average is between 44-45 inches per year."

A Gallatin man who is accustomed to making things disappear in magic acts found himself with a winning lotto ticket that will make money magically appear in his bank account for the next 20 years.

Curtis Hanson became Texas' newest multi-millionaire Jan. 7 when he purchased a lottery ticket in Jacksonville that will pay him $10,000 each month for the next 20 years. That's a $2.5 million jackpot.

The realtor, who worked at Silverleaf Resorts on Lake Palestine, was on his way home Jan. 7 when he noticed he needed fuel.

"I pulled into Thompson's Oil on Highway 79 in Jacksonville and decided to buy scratch-off lottery ticket."

He plopped down $25 on a new game called Monthly Bonus, and he was an instant winner with $25.

Mr. Hanson decided to press his luck with five tickets costing $5 each, and he saw the "magic dollar bill" he was hoping to see on a winning ticket. "I looked at it - and then looked off for a second - and looked at it again."

No sorcery or magic had changed the icons on the card - they remained the same when he dared to look again. So he asked the clerk for a second opinion.

"Hey, Tiger, look at this. Does it say what I think it does?"

He then went to his car and called his wife of 43 years, Darnell.

"Darnell, are you sitting down or can you hold on to something," he asked her from his cell phone.

"Are you leaving me?" she joked.

As an habitual funny-man and magician, Mr. Hanson had trouble delivering news that would be taken seriously - even by his wife.

"I just won a scratch off. Guess how much?"

Darnell's first guess was $100, then $500, followed by $1,000 and $5,000.

Finally he said, "Would you believe it's $10,000 per month for the next 20 years?"

The windfall came at a great time for the 62-yearold. "This is perfect for retirement."

However, the couple said they don't want the money to change their lives too much.

"I'm thinking about going to the barber shop," he quipped. "Darnell has cut my hair for 30 years."

He said that the first $2,000 of each monthly paycheck will be earmarked for his favorite uncle - Uncle

Sam. A big chunk of the remainder will be invested in trust funds to help secure the future for his children and grandchildren.

At the exact instant that he scratched his winning ticket, his fellow church members at Gallatin Baptist Church were scratching their heads and wondering how they would pay for some major capitol improvements.

"I have a feeling our church will get what it needs," he chuckled.

Kris Morgan was appointed to the Rusk City Council to fill the position formerly held by the late Ruth Ross.

Following his appointment Mayor Suzann McCarty administered the oath of office to Mr. Morgan and he was seated for the remainder of the meeting.

Mr. Morgan filled the position until the next city election in May, when he was elected for two years.

Rusk State Hospital Superintendent Ted Debbs was named Rusk Citizen of the Year Jan. 20 at the 66th annual chamber of commerce banquet. The award was presented by last year's recipient TDCJ Warden Todd Foxworth.

A husband-wife team, Roy and Penny Reynolds, was named businessman and businesswoman of the year. Those awards were presented by Ike Frazer and Wendy Wiley.

Approximately 150 persons attended a Town Hall meeting at the Norman Activity Center in Jacksonville Jan. 26. The event was hosted by State Sen. Robert Nichols, District 3 and State Rep. Chuck Hopson, District 11. State Rep. Byron Cook was unable to attend the meeting.

Persons came from Rusk, Jacksonville and Palestine, as well as from throughout East Texas to attend the meeting.

"We want to let everyone know what is happening and bring you up to speed on activities concerning the Texas State Railroad," said Sen. Nichols.

Alto employed a new city administrator, Debra Dannelly, when Ashley Judd announced her resignation during the Jan. 24 meeting of the Alto City Council. Ms. Judd said she had accepted a position with Computer Software Development Corporation of Lake Charles, La. Ms. Judd has been employed with the city since August 2006.

In her letter of resignation, Ms. Judd recommended the city eliminate the position of city administrator and hire Ms. Dannelly as city secretary. The council interviewed Ms. Dannelly in executive session, then voted in open session to hire her as city administrator at a salary of $28,000 per year. Ms. Dannelly was previously employed at the Alto city hall.

Mayor Debbie White told the council that Ms. Judd would still be available to serve the city as a consultant.

February-

The "official railroad of Texas" received a dubious honor when it was named one of the 14 most endangered historic places in Texas.

The award was made in Austin on the steps of the State Capitol by Preservation Texas, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving state historic places.

Texas State Railroad employees Mark Price and Janet Roach, accompanied by Palestine Main Street Manager Neely Plumb, were present for the announcement.

"This list represents some of the imminent needs for positive action," said Libby Buuck, president of the organization. "The purpose of this listing is to save historic structures by building public awareness and mobilizing community resources.

Preservation Texas began its "list making" of endangered sites in 2004. One of the organization's biggest success stories includes the revitalization of many of Texas' courthouses.

Other sites on the 2007 list with the Texas State Railroad include: the Palace Theater, Brady; Wise Estate/ Grand Theater, Paris; River Oaks and Alabama theaters, Houston; Capitan Theater, Pasadena; views of the State Capitol; Broad Street Bridge, Mason; River Oaks Shopping Center, 1937; James and Jessie West Mansion; Galveston's unprotected historic neighborhoods; Old Arlington High School, Arlington; Old Denison High School, Denison; Comanche St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company Depot, Comanche; Mercer House, Port Aransas and the Keller Building, Spur.

President Donald Woodard of the Rusk High School Alumni Association presented a plaque of appreciation to outgoing and founding president Jim Lovelady at the organization's Feb. 3 meeting.

New officers included Mr.Woodard, president; Lela Ann Russell, first vicepresident; Judy Fay Garner, second vice-president; Ann Doggett, corresponding secretary; Mary Madden, secretary; Don Jones, treasurer and Linda Derrington, publicity.

American Heritage Railways emerged as the frontrunner among four bidders for the operation of the Texas State Railroad (TSR) at the end of an all day meeting Feb. 22 in Palestine.

Members of the operating agency for the TSR heard presentations from three of the interested companies and participated in a teleconference call from a fourth.

Steve Presley, operating agency president, stated, "We listened to proposals from four qualified companies to run the Texas State Railroad. After much discussion and deliberation, American Heritage has been selected as the operator with whom we will first negotiate."

The other three companies, all of whom submitted extensive proposals, are Sierra Railroad Company, Patriot Rail, LLC and Rio Grande Pacific Corporation.

March

An unannounced survey by the Joint Commission revealed that Rusk State Hospital is in the top tier of medical facilities in the nation.

Following a three-day inspection in January by four surveyors, Rusk State Hospital received accolades and a punch list of five minor issues to correct.

No other facility has had less than 12 issues to correct, beamed Ted Debbs, Rusk State Hospital superintendent.

The good news arrived just in time for Dr. David L. Lakey, commissioner of the Department of State Health Services in Austin. He was about to present testimony at the State Capitol, and he was able to work the inspection results into his speech.

One of the inspectors told Mr. Debbs at the conclusion of the survey that a small handful of facilities stand out in the inspectors' minds for setting a high standard. Rusk State Hospital is now added to the short list.

A tragedy in Tyler Feb. 28 touched home in Cherokee County as Ronnie Norton, 60 of Alto, was wounded in the ankle during a shooting at East Texas Medical Center in Tyler.

Richard Lynn White, 43 of Tyler, allegedly went to ETMC to confront his wife, Luccendia. Mr. White told Tyler police after his arrest that his wife was leaving him.

Mr. and Mrs. White were seen arguing inside the hospital before going out the front entrance.

Once outside, Mr. White allegedly took a gun from the front of his pants and fired at least five rounds at his wife, said Don Martin, public information officer at the Tyler Police Department.

One of the rounds missed, passed through the front entrance and hit Mr. Norton in the ankle. Mr. Norton, an employee at the Cherokee County Appraisal District (CCAD), was at ETMC visiting his wife who was a patient at the hospital.

The Texas Rangers were involved in an investigation at Rusk City Hall. One employee was terminated as the investigation progressed.

City Attorney Forrest Phifer confirmed that the investigation was underway and documents have been handed over to the district attorney for review.

"It is a personnel issue," said Mr. Phifer. "We (the city) investigated it and thought it appropriate to call in the Texas Rangers. They completed (their part of) the investigation and the employee has been terminated."

Mr. Phifer called the investigation "extensive" and said that it generated a lot of paperwork. "It has taken several months to investigate," he said.

District Attorney Elmer Beckworth is reviewing the case, confirmed Mr. Phifer. "I understand he has had a lot of violent crimes to deal with lately. I believe he is also trying to get a few more documents."

Directors of the Cherokee County Mental Retardation Association, Inc. met March 9 for a regular meeting and the celebration of progress for the workshop program and to celebrate the service of retiring president Woody Frazier. Mr. Frazier was presented a plaque by new president Jim Cromwell in recognition of his service from 1982 to the present.

"Mr. Frazier is moving back to his home state of Washington and has submitted his resignation. He was among the group of citizens who met in 1978, leading to the formation of the CCMRA. He was elected board chairman in 1982 and has overseen the building of the Jacksonville facility and growth of this program since," said Mr. Cromwell. During a ceremony of commemoration, one of the CCMRA leaders Paul Mayberry of Lufkin reviewed his memories of the early beginning of service to this area's mentally challenged citizens.

"Mr. (W.W.) Beaver was our superintendent at Lufkin State School where I worked, and one day Rep. Whitehead (Emmett) called him and said, 'I would like for you to help us get something to serve the mentally retarded of this area,' and that was the beginning," Mr. Mayberry stated. "I remember our meeting in Rusk with Rep. Whitehead and the beginning plans."

Initially, the program began at the former National Guard Armory, now owned by the City of Rusk. In subsequent years, what began as a work/study program, was expanded to include living facilities.

Cherokee County Judge Chris Davis was appointed as a member of the governing board of the East Texas Regional Water Planning Group (Region I).

The group met in Nacogdoches March 21 and approved new board appointments.

"I think the people in Cherokee County need to be represented," said Judge Davis.

He said that water issues are complex and that he anticipates a learning curve.

"We have to protect our ground water and take care of our area," he said.

Besides Judge Davis, the group also appointed Jeff Branick of Beaumont.

The two are filling the vacancies of Houston County Judge Chris Von Doenhoff of Crockett and Jefferson County Judge Carl Griffith Jr. Both resigned before conclusion of their terms.

Terry Guinn of Lake Stryker, received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the field of social work at a meeting of the East Texas branch of the National Association of Social Workers. Mr. Guinn was chosen for his service to the SFA community and the wisdom he has imparted to students as a retired social worker, adjunct faculty member and field training liaison. Mr. Guinn's knowledge and experience make him a tremendous asset to the field of social work and at SFA," said James Montoya, chairman of the East Texas branch of the National Association of Social Workers.

Mr. Guinn, a Rusk native, is a Stephen F. Austin graduate. He received his Master of Social Work degree from Our Lady of the Lake in San Antonio. He was among those who worked to get the graduate program instigated at Stephen F. Austin State University.

He received the Social Worker of the Year in the 1990s. Mr. Guinn is an active member of the Rusk First United Methodist Church.

Prior to his retirement, Mr. Guinn has been employed at Rusk State Hospital, Summit Oaks Achievement Center, Crockett State School and Cherokee County Health Department.

In addition to the award presented to Mr. Guinn honored were District Judge Campbell Cox, elected official of the year; Reggie Hudson of Nacogdoches ISD, media specialist of the year; Diane VanLier, social worker of the year, and Linda Moore Johnson, student social worker of the year.

Shelbie Kirkpatrick, a member of Lookout 4-H Club, was crowned Cherokee County Junior Livestock Show queen. Placing her crown was last year's queen, Jennifer Hill, Rusk FFA. Miss Kirkpatrick raised a total of $3,151, which will be used for upkeep at the show barn.

Derek Crisp of Alto FFA sold his market steer medium class for a total of $6,808.50, including addons, getting the highest price ever paid for a livestock project. He also won the previous year, making this his second year to win that honor.

Historically, market steers in the heavy class draw the highest dollar amounts, making this year's sell a unique event. Alto FFA had several winners in this year's livestock show.

The first Bridal Show March 24, was, in the words of Chamber President Penny Reynolds, "Outstanding. It's the first time Rusk had anything like this - an outstanding turnout."

Karen Loden, the event's chairperson said, "People who were not even getting married were coming in. All vendors were excited."

There were virtually no parking spaces left anywhere on or near the courthouse square during the event.

Bob Goldsberry, the chamber's executive director, marvelled at how many different local businesses were available to do these kinds of services.

April

Members of Rusk/Alto Girl Scout Troop 139 had a great Girl Scout Cookie sale and many people outside the troop benefitted from it as well.

During the sale, scouts collected donations of cookies to be given away as a "Gift of Sharing."

When more than 100 boxes of cookies were collected, the girls voted to split the donations between their adopted troop in Iraq and local people in need.

Libby Berry, Moira O'Heaney Debbs and Myles Inglish led the troop's donation collections so they visited the Good Samaritan food bank to deliver more than two dozen boxes of cookies. On hand to accept the cookies were Kay Epperson and Dolly Lofton.

A crowd of more than 600 persons set up tents and rallied a battle cry against cancer April 30 at Mauldin Field in Jacksonville. Relay for Life raised more than $83,000 on behalf of the American Cancer Society.

Approximately 170 persons attended the annual Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation Banquet April 27 at the Norman Activity Center in Jacksonville.

Awards were presented to outstanding conservationists, Johnathon Guinn, Byron Underwood; Outstanding service awards to Morris Dixon for 20 years and David Powell for 33 years; Outstanding County Support to the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce; and Outstanding Student Awards to Brandon Phillips of New Summerfield as the outstanding FFA student; and Sarah Remfer of the Footbridge 4-H for the Outstanding 4-H member.

Rusk and New Summerfield FFA were recognized for their land judging, wildlife and woodland clinic participation during the year.

Coming next week: May through December, 2007