|
|
Boy, 6, dies in wreck Friday on U.S. 271
By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent
A 6-year-old boy who was a first-grader at Union Grove Elementary School
was killed and two persons were injured when a commercial van struck
their auto from behind in that city Friday afternoon, said the
Texas Department of Public Safety.
Nathan Connor Croley was pronounced dead at the scene at the intersection
of U.S. 271 and North Point Pleasant Road, said investigating DPS Trooper
Wayne Cavanaugh.
Injured were the auto driver, Jerry Don Croley, 39, and a passenger, Clinton
Ritchey, 16, both of Union Grove, said Cavanaugh. They were the father and
brother of the victim.
Jerry Croley was taken to Good Shepherd Medical Center with non life-threatening
injuries, while Ritchey was taken to Longview Regional Medical
Center, and had reportedly been released by Saturday, Cavanaugh said. The
trooper said Monday he didn't know if Croley had been released from Good
Shepherd.
Driver of the van, Judson Maurer, 28, of Longview, escaped injury in the
crash, which occurred in light rain, Cavanaugh said. Maurer received a citation
for failure to control speed in the accident, which was reported to the trooper at
4:52 p.m. and believed to have occurred at 4:50, the officer said.
The Croleys and Ritchey occupied a southbound 2000 Toyota Camry which
had stopped or slowed down to turn left onto N. Point Pleasant when the van
struck it, the trooper said.
The auto "kind of did a 180" degree turn and partially ended
up in the outside lane of northbound traffic on 271 when it had been
in the inside lane of southbound traffic, Cavanaugh said.
He said Nathan Croley was in the back seat of the auto, and its back end
was "just devastated." The boy, who was pronounced dead by Upshur
County Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Wyone Manes, was apparently killed
instantly...
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
|
Spending Hike
Friends trudge cross-country to condemn government excess
By Aaron May
Staff Writer
How many roads must a man walk down until he can see real change in Washington
D.C.? The answer to this something Matthew Perdie, of New York City, is hoping
to find out the hard way.
Perdie, along with his friend Mick Jacob, from Westfield, N.J., passed
through Gladewater Monday afternoon as they make their way across the nation
to “bring awareness to the dangers of massive government growth and
massive government spending by both the previous and the current administrations.”
 |
| THEY WOULD WALK 500 MILES (AND MANY MORE) – Matthew Perdie,
of New York, and Mick Jacob, of New Jersey, passed through Gladewater
Monday afternoon on their way to California. The two men are walking
across the nation to raise awareness of “massive government growth
and spending by the current and previous administrations.” Aaron
May/Mirror photo |
“I believe what really inspired this trip was the government overstepping
its bounds,” Perdie said. “They’re doing a lot of things
unconstitutional, doing a lot of things to destroy the capitalist system
in this country that made it so powerful, so great, so generous by our own
will, and I felt like I had to do something.”
Perdie, a freelance film maker and director, started his walk in June and
has traveled down the east coast to South Carolina, and then west through
Texas on his way to his final destination in Santa Monica, Calif. Jacob joined
Perdie in Monroe, La. and plans to walk the rest of the way.
“I’ve known him for about 10 years. It seemed like a once in
a lifetime opportunity to see the world and have an adventure,” Jacob
said.
Using his film experience, Perdie is documenting his journey on his Web
site, creating episodes on a semi-weekly basis which cover his experiences
and interviews with average Americans he meets along the way.
In addition to raising awareness to his political cause, Perdie said a
personal benefit to his journey is the ability to improve his directing skills
and expand on his experiences as he walks across the country. He also said
he enjoys meeting the people along the way.
“One of the good things is how helpful people have been on this walk,” Perdie
said. “People will give us free lunch, dinner, breakfast; all the time,
we never ask. People will stop on the side of the road and give us donations
and that’s primarily how we live. We never really ask anyone for it,
but people find out what we’re doing and they support the cause so
much that we’re able to make it all the way across.
“I guess it proves that the capitalist system would not prevent people
from being generous in they could keep their own money,” he continued. “They
don’t have to be forced to be generous through a government system.
People do it on their own.”
Though Jacob only joined Perdie three weeks ago, the two have encountered wild
weather, loose dogs and the constant threat of being hit by passing cars. And
while most encounters have been pleasant, Perdie said there are some people
who disagreed with his mission...
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
|
Bears will face tough foes after realignment of District 16-3A
Changes for 2010-2012 pit Gladewater against two recent state champions
By Ellis Hayden
Sports Correspondent
The 2010-2012 UIL District Alignments were released on Monday, and Gladewater
will have it’s work cut out for them in all sports (girls and boys)
in the new District 16-3A.
District 16-3A includes Gilmer, Carthage, Gladewater, Henderson, Spring
Hill and Pittsburgh. In 2009, Gilmer won the Division I-3A state championship
and Carthage won the Division II-3A state championship in football. Henderson
dropped from he 4A Division finishing 5-5 on the season. Pittsburg advanced
to the playoff semi-finals posting a 12-2 record last season. Spring Hill
finished at 3-6, while Gladewater made the playoffs before losing to Carthage
in the first round.
“It is what it is,” said athletic director and head football
coach, Scott Callaway, “We definitely face a tough schedule, and will
have step up to meet the challenge. One thing for sure if you make the playoffs
out of our district, you will be ready for the playoffs.”
When asked about how the realignment will effect sports other than football,
Callaway responded, “It will be a tough district in all our sports,
both boys and girls. There are some good all-around athletic programs in
the new district 16-3A.”
Union Grove was relocated into the new Division II, District 9-2A. They
will find that their road trips to be longer over the next two years. Union
Grove will compete with Arp, Frankston, Joaquin, West Rusk, and Winona for
district titles in 2010-2012. During the 2009 football season, Arp (12-1)
lost in state 2A quarter-finals and Joaquin (11-3) lost in the state 1A semi-finals.
West Rusk went 8-3 and made the playoffs, while Frankston went 5-5, Winona
was 2-8, and Union Grove finished 6-4.
Throughout East Texas there were many districts that were impacted by realignment.
Longview returned to 5A...
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
|
City slates public hearing on Main Street operations
By Aaron May
Staff Writer
Gladewater city officials plan to hold a public hearing regarding a possible
contract with the Chamber of Commerce to take over the operation of the Main
Street Project. The hearing will be conducted prior to a vote on the item
during the Feb. 18 regular meeting of the City Council.
The search for a new Main Street manager began after Lon Welton stepped
down from the position Dec. 31.
During January’s meeting, Mayor Pro-Tem John Ussery suggested the
chamber take over the Main Street services because the program’s responsibilities
overlap in many ways with the chamber’s responsibilities.
Ussery said the chamber already has staff in place that would be willing
to do the job Main Street requires.
While Councilman Scott Owens agreed the option was worth considering, he
said the council should not rush into a decision, but should appoint an interim
main street manager and take the time to weigh out the options.
Owens suggested the goals of Main Street, the Chamber of Commerce and economic
development overlapped and some cities have combined all three into one function.
He said the option should at least be explored to see if it could save the
city some money.
HISTORY OF MAIN STREET
According to the Chamber Web site, “The goal of the Gladewater Main
Street Project is to recapture the beauty and vitality of downtown as the
hub of commerce, tourism and socialization while retaining the historic significance
of the area.”
This is accomplished through “physical revitalization of the properties
and by the refocusing of the local citizenship's commitment and pride in
the city.”
Welton said the city receives grants and other funding from the State – only
available to Main Street cities – for the purpose of assisting new
businesses with façade, awning and signage costs. The program also
provided funding for recent downtown construction projects, including a $2.8
Million project to level the sidewalks and add wheelchair ramps along Main
Street.
Other projects Main Street grants funded include repairing the downtown
brick streets, leveling the parking lot of the Lee Public Library and allowing
for wheelchair accessibility for the Gladewater Museum.
Welton described the program as a “boot strap program” for local
businesses...
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
|
Hutchison underscores education during weekend whistle stop in Upshur
County
By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent
PRITCHETT – U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison told a rural Upshur County
audience here Saturday afternoon that education will be her main
priority if elected governor.
Hutchison, who is challenging Gov. Rick Perry and businesswoman Debra
Medina in the March 2 Republican gubernatorial primary, addressed a crowd
estimated at 225-250 by Upshur County Sheriff Anthony Betterton. She spoke
at the Pritchett Community Center, located on FM Road 1404 in an
unincorporated community between Gilmer and Big Sandy.
The senator named four main issues of concern to her – education,
transportation, private property rights, and "cronyism." She also
cited several disagreements with Perry on various issues.
 |
| Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison waltzed across Texas on the campaign trail
for governor and stopped for a few hours in Pritchett Saturday. Seria
Dassing/ETCN Photo |
"My number one priority will be education," Sen. Hutchison pledged. "Thirty
percent of our young people go into high school and do not graduate," she
said, adding she would "fix" that situation.
She additionally expressed support for community colleges, technical training,
and asserted Texans "need to revere our teachers." Sen. Hutchison
said Perry had vetoed a bill to put a retired teacher on the state's teacher
retirement board, but "I will sign that bill."
In discussing transportation, she blasted the Texas Department of
Transporatation (TxDOT), pledging to reform it and arguing that re-electing
Perry wouldn't result in reform.
"TxDOT is the most arrogant state agency," Sen. Hutchison said,
praising its workers, but adding that "it is the leadership at
TxDOT that is failing."
She also said Perry "thinks that tollways are the right way to go.
I don't."
In addition, Sen. Hutchison said she wanted to allow the state
highway commission to make policy.
Concerning private property rights, she said the Texas Farm Bureau had
endorsed her after "Rick Perry failed them" by vetoing a bill which
would protect private property owners.
She additionally assailed "cronyism," which she said involved
lobbyists who had gone into the governor's office before "making sweetheart
deals."
Sen. Hutchison also said during the 12-minute address that "the
first thing I will ask the legislature to do" is approve a proposed
Constitutional amendment for term limits.
Perry, who has served longer as governor of Texas than any of his predecessors,
is seeking a 4-year term that would give him 14 years in office. Sen. Hutchison argued
that "Fourteen years is too long for any person..."
...Continued in this week's edition of The Gladewater Mirror.
|
2010 Spotlight set Saturday
The annual Spotlight on GHS will be held on Saturday, Feb. 6, at Gladewater
High School.
The evening begins with a formal photography session of all the participants
at 6:15 p.m. and continues with the presentation of awards in the auditorium
at 7:30 p.m.
Class favorites, academic standouts, Who’s Who, and outstanding
students will be honored during the special event, hosted by the administration
of GHS.
The evening will conclude with refreshments.
Tickets are on sale for $3 through Feb. 5 in the high school office.
Contact Jill Jones. If available, tickets will be sold at the door the
night of the event.
Everyone is invited to purchase a ticket and enjoy a night of celebrating
the outstanding students of GHS.
|
Upshur Co. Sheriff reports on absence of racial profiling
By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent
GILMER – Upshur County Commissioners Court on Friday authorized the
final payment on expanding the county jail, and accepted for recording Sheriff
Anthony Betterton's report showing his office has not engaged in
racial profiling.
In paying bills, the court approved a $514,250 payment which County Treasurer
Myra Harris said will be the last installment on certificates of
obligation issued on the jail expansion in December 1997.
Of the total amount, to be paid Feb. 12, $14,250 is interest, Mrs. Harris
told The Mirror. She added that Gilmer banks had assumed the debt.
As for Betterton's report, County Judge Dean Fowler said it showed the
county has not engaged in racial profiling. Betterton told the court the
report is sent to the state, which provides it to the federal government,
and that it is available for public inspection in the Upshur County Clerk's
office.
The court accepted the document under an item on the agenda in which it
accepted various other documents for recording.
In addition to approving routine items, the court also Friday authorized advertising
for bids on seven items for the Road and Bridge Department. They included such
matters as oil and grease supply; rental of various types of equipment; seal
coat materials; gasoline/diesel fuel, etc. Bids are due by 5 p.m. Feb. 25,
to be opened Feb. 26. |
Local youth sent to facility after felony burglary case
By Phillip Williams
Mirror Correspondent
GILMER – A 16-year-old Upshur County youth was placed on probation
for felony burglary of a habitation, and ordered to a juvenile facility
for at least six months as a term of probation on Jan. 15, said the Upshur
County Juvenile Probation Office.
115th District Judge Lauren Parish sentenced the boy, who was transported
that day to a facility in Walker County, south of Huntsville, the office
said.
The youth had been placed on probation in November for misdemeanor
probation of a vehicle and committed the burglary of the habitation within
three weeks afterward, the office said.
He pled "true" to the felony charge "and the court's disposition
of the case came immediately upon that pleading," the office said
in a news release.
"This particular juvenile had failed to follow the original conditions
of probation on the misdemeanor charge from the beginning, almost item
by item, prior to becoming a suspect in the felony burglary," said
Juvenile Probation Officer Richard Tucker in the news release.
|
|
