February 3, 2010

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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.

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