The Year in Review –
Part Two

It was an eventful year around Wood County. These are the highlights of the major news stories that occurred during the second half of 2006.
 

July: A fire broke out at Hawkins’ Blue Bonnet Inn early on the morning of July 9th. Members of the Hawkins Police Department banged on doors to get people out and the Hawkins Fire Department fought the blaze which also consumed a truck. There were no injuries.
 

At a meeting held July 13th, several Work Action Groups presented preliminary recommendations to the HLR B Board and HLRA General Manager Rob James. The groups are made up of volunteer property owners. One major recommendation concerned the permanent guest list. The work group said the current policy is too open-ended and suggested ways it might be amended.
 

The Wood County Commissioners Court, at their July 14th meeting, approved the declaration of a county-wide burn ban. Wood County Judge Don Hightower advised the commissioners that the index for fire danger was approaching the 700 level within Wood County. He said the 700 index level is described as those condition which present extreme danger of fire. The ban was to be effective on July 17th at 12:01 a.m. and stay in effect for 90 days. It banned all outdoor burning in unincorporated areas of the county. The fine for violations is $500. The commissioners also approved the sale of the lake house at Lake Quitman. It was formerly to home of the lake keeper however the lake no longer requires an on-site keeper.
 

At their July 6th meeting, the board of the Wood County Industrial Commission was advised of the amicable settlement of a disputed asphalt plant location. The plant had planned to locate next door to a major bed and breakfast on FM 779. The firm now plans to locate the plant on a site near Hainesville, and expects to sell the land it purchased on 779. It was also reported that Wood County hospitality, tourism and fishing interests have agreed to work with the organizers of a major fishing tournament on Lake Fork. The primary sponsor is Toyota. In other news, applications for new businesses in Wood County bounced up to 37 in June after only 15 were filed in May.
 

At their July 17th regular meeting, the Hawkins City Council tabled consideration of a new ordinance concerning outside burning. The council also named Tom Parker to serve out the council term of Sam Bradley, who was elected mayor in May.
 

In late June the John Hogg, Sr. Chapter National Society – daughters of the American Revolution was organized at Holly Lake Ranch. Ranch resident Kay Sloan was installed as regent. John Hogg, Sr. was the great grandfather of Texas Governor James Stephen Hogg.
 

At their July 28th meeting, the Wood County commissioners approved a10-year 100 percent tax abatement (county) for a planned Best Western Hotel to be built on Highway 69 in Mineola across from the Mineola Nature Preserve. The tax abatement applies to the building. The land will remain in the tax base. The motel will be a two-story structure with 50 units. The estimated construction cost will be $2-million.
 

At the regular meeting of the Harmony School Board held July 24th, trustees accepted the resignation of Jeff Blackstone, the school’s head basketball coach. The board also accepted changes in local policies recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Changes were recommended by TASB following the 2006 special session of the Texas legislature.
 

At the regular meeting of the Hawkins School Board on July 24th, two trustees exchanged heated words during a discussion regarding proposed procedures and personnel to be employed in the district’s professional development appraisal system (PDAS). Heads later cooled and a proposed procedure was passed. Additionally, Superintendent Dan Rose said he received confirmation that HISD would again be a “Chapter 41” school district. This means the district will be required to share its relative tax wealth through the on-going “Robin Hood” financial scheme. Rose estimated the district will be required to submit more than $1-million in the 2006-2007 school year.
 

In other area news, student athletes at Jarvis Christian College were recognized for having the highest grade point average in the Red River Athletic Conference.
 

On July 24th, officers of the Wood County Sheriff’s department executed a search warrant on CR 1600 in Alba. Approximately 600 grams of methamphetamine was found with a street value of about $60,000. Also, $250 in cash was seized. Roger English, 55, and Daphnye Elaine Holt, 38, were arrested and held on a bond of $20,000. Also, a search warrant executed in Mineola led to three arrests when 50 grams of methamphetamine and ten ounces of marijuana were discovered. $8,000 in cash was also seized.
 

August: A their regular meeting on August 11th, Wood County commissioners heard a glowing report about the county’s 4-H program from Michael Moore, a graduating senior who has been involved in 4-H for several years. Moore advised that the local organization was recognized as the outstanding program last year in a 16-county district in East Texas. The traveling trophy has come to Wood County for the first time. He said 250 county 4-H members participated and worked 150,000 hours of public service.

 

Fall registration at Jarvis Christian College took place August 18th.
 

Lake hydrilla is a concern for area residents. Dr. Bob McMahon spoke August 23rd to the Hawkins/Holly Lake Rotary Club on this highly invasive aquatic plant.
 

The Hawkins Chamber of Commerce announced that the annual Hawkins Oil Festival would be held October 14th.
 

Another drug bust took place, this time in the Winnsboro area. The Wood County Criminal Investigations team and Winnsboro police officers. The operation resulted in the arrest of two individuals and the confiscation of 118 grams of crystal methamphetamine. Casey Steven Barclay was charged with delivery of methamphetamine over four grams and under 200 grams, a first degree felony. Jessica Horn was charged with delivery of methamphetamine over four grams and under 200 grams, as well as possession of methamphetamine, a second degree felony.
 

In news from Austin, commissioners of the Texas Department of Transportation held a public hearing on August 21st in Austin. The focus was the Trans Texas Corridor, a proposed “super” transportation system which would eventually include separate lanes for passenger vehicles and large trucks, as well as freight railways and high speed commuter railroads.
 

At their regular session on August 25th the Wood County commissioners set public hearings for September 15th to hear citizens input with regard to the proposed 2006-2007 Wood County budget and the proposed tax rate to support the budget. The budget under consideration is expected to total $15,157,000 with an anticipated tax rate of 46 cents per $100 of property value.
 

Meeting in regular session on August 28th the Hawkins school board approved the 2006 budget for the district and a tax rake to support the budget. The budget is $9,422,425 for 2006-2007.
 

On August 22nd, the Texas department of Transportation held a pre-construction in Mineola. The focus was imminent construction on bridges in the Hawkins area. Three bridge will be replaced – one at Patton Creek, one at Mill Race Creek and the bridge on FM 2869 at Lake Hawkins. The latter, heavily traveled, is due to have work begin in the spring of 2007, possibly in March.
 

Officials on the Hawkins Independent School District announced that the district received a rating of “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ Schools FIRST financial accountability system. The rating is the state’s highest demonstrating the quality of the Hawkins ISD’s financial management and reporting system.
 

September: The U.S. Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns declared Wood, Van Zandt and Kaufman counties as a contiguous disaster area due to drought devastation. The declaration allows funds to be directed to help combat drought conditions in affected areas around the region. It was reported that $14.5 million of the new funding will be made directly available to farmers and producers in Texas.
 

In local business news, it was reported that Fred’s Inc. planned to open a store in Hawkins in January 2007. On September 5th, a contractor from Longview obtained a building permit from the City of Hawkins for the construction of an 18,000 square foot building to house a Fred’s Inc. Store.
 

The Wood County Sheriff’s Department reported September 11th that missing Hawkins resident Thomas Ventura had been located. He was located September 10th in Sherwood, Arkansas. He had decided to leave the Hawkins area and begin a new life. He had been reported missing on August 20th.
 

Holly Lake Ranch residents voted overwhelmingly to reject the addition of another nine holes to the golf course. The addition was estimated to cost approximately $1-million. The vote was 1,076 NO to 22 YES.
 

The September payment of sales tax receipts for the City of Hawkins showed an increase of 27.73 percent versus one year ago during the same period. The returns represent sales taxes collected by local merchants in July.
 

At their regular meeting September 25th, the Hawkins school board heard a report from the architect for the physical pant improvements, Brice Davis. The construction and renovation program is funded by a $15-million bond issue approved by voters in December 2005.  Davis laid out key dates between now and December 19 when selected contractors will begin mobilization and site work. Trustees also reviewed policy changes recommended by the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) as a result of changes initiated by the state legislature.
 

At their regular meeting held September 18th the Hawkins City Council adopted a budget a 2007 budget of $1,391,475, an increase of $11,712 over the 2006 budget. The increased in spending does not, however, require a tax increase. In fact, the tax rate was lowered to 44.91 cents per $100 of property valuation. New properties and higher appraisals provided the extra revenue for the 2007 budget.
 

At their regular session September 22nd, Wood County commissioners approved annual financial reports for the hot check fund and the seizure fund administered by the district attorney’s office.
 

Seven people were arrested on drug charges following the execution of search warrants at locations in Clear Lakes and Winnsboro. Five were arrested September 11th following the execution of a warrant on CR 4260 in Winnsboro. Methamphetamine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia were located A 1977 Chevrolet dually and $250 was also seized. On September 14th, a search warrant was executed on CR 2153 in the Clear Lakes Addition resulting in two arrests. Quantities of marijuana, crack cocaine and prescription pills were located. Also a vehicle and $1,000 were seized. Officers of the sheriff’s department and the Winnsboro police took part in these arrests.
 

October: Early in the month, former Hawkins police officer Richard Wilson admitted to having sex with an 11-year-old girl in March 2001. He pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child. Investigators also discovered that Wilson had been involved the sexual assault of three other minors. Wilson’s ex-wife Eugenia was also charged in several of these cases. Judge Timothy Boswell placed Wilson on probation for ten years and assessed a fine of $5,000. Wilson is on 10 years probation in each case with an exposure of 99 years to life in each of the aggravated assault cases and 20 years in the indecency and sexual assault cases, should his probation be revoked. As a registered sex offender, he has approximately 55 different conditions of probation including random polygraph exams.
 

Early in the month, it was announced that the Investigative Division of the office of the Attorney General of Texas would look into the content of telephone calls to two county commissioners by Wood County Republican Chairman Kay Sloan earlier this year. Sloan left messages for Pct. 1 Commissioner Roy Don Shipp and Pct. 2 Commissioner Jerry Gaskill, urging them to support Charlie Stackhouse, her choice for county judge to replace County Judge Royce McCoy who had resigned. It was reported that the two commissioners felt Sloan’s message threatened their political future. In June the commissioners voted Don Hightower in as interim judge to serve through December.
 

Dates were announced for early voting in Wood County. Voters would have 11 days in which to cast their ballots beginning October 23rd and running through November 3rd.
 

The 26th Annual Hawkins Oil Festival was held October 14th.
 

At their regular session on October 20th, Wood County commissioners selected the Linebarger law firm to provide fine and fee collection services to the four Justice of the Peace courts and to the county clerk. McCrary Velselco also presented credentials and experience to the commissioner. Each pledged to cover the estimated cost of software, from $2,500 to $6,000 to establish the electronic network with the county’s IT system.
 

On October 16th, the Hawkins City Council approved a one-year, 100 percent tax abatement to the proposed new Fred’s retail store. The council also heard preliminary plans from the same developer for the construction/lease of a building to house a Mexican restaurant. JAR Investments received approval for the abatement for a building on North Beulah Street being constructed for the Fred’s store. Richard Henson of JAT also said he has purchased a property immediately south of Family Dollar Store on Beulah and would be constructing a facility to house the Mexican restaurant.
 

In this month, five candidates filed for two seats on the B-Board which represents property owners at Holly Lake Ranch. Incumbent Jim Armstrong and former board member Curtis Allen have filed for the seats along with newcomers Larry Bowman, former board member Jim Ruderer and newcomer Jeanette Sterner.
 

At their regular meeting October 16th, the Harmony School Board heard that their district along with two other Upshur County school districts will be subjected to a reappraisal of their tax base. The state has ordered the reappraisal programs to bring property values into compliance with state appraisal standards.
 

On October 20th, the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, assisted by Mineola police, conducted a search warrant which resulted in two arrests on drug related charges.  Robert Sharp, 46, and Jennifer Kay Sharp were taken into custody for possession of methamphetamine. Over four grams of the drug were found at the Wigley Street resident along with drug paraphernalia, digital scales and $250 in cash. Two vehicles were also seized. This was the second time the sheriff’s department has executed a warrant at this location.  Robert Sharp was held on a $100,000 bond and Jennifer Sharp was released on a $25,000 bond. They were arrested for possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver.
 

On October 21st, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Wood County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrest of a major copper theft suspect. Deputes Randal Lain, Mike Taylor and Sgt. Mark Miller arrested Brian Ross Nichols, 27, of Winnsboro, on a warrant for the offense of criminal mischief over $20K and under $100K. According to the CID, Nichols is charged and has been indicted on the charge as a result of the theft of copper wiring from a Peoples Cell Phone tower in May 2006. The theft resulted in an extended loss of service and a monetary loss of thousands in revenue for Peoples Telephone Cooperative. Great amounts of copper wire were found at the suspect’s residence. The price of copper wire, at a salvage yard, had risen to over $3 per pound during 2006.
 

November 3rd: At their regular session on November 3rd, the Wood County Commissioners approved a request to place a radio repeater device on the radio tower at the Wood County Sheriff’s Office. Don Santa Anna, president of the Wood County Fire Chiefs Association advised the court that the repeater was necessary to establish a separate radio frequency for the county’s 12 volunteer fire departments and other emergency service organizations. With the repeater in place an ambulance or life flight unit would no longer have to search all 12 fire department frequencies.
 

Officers of the Wood County Sheriff’s Department and Winnsboro police officers executed a search warrant at a Winnsboro residence in the Big Wood Springs sub-division. Officers found over a gram of methamphetamine and assorted drug paraphernalia. Two vehicles were also seized along with $229 in cash. Four persons were arrested on various drug-related charges and one person was arrested for burglary.
 

In election news, voters Holly Lake Ranch (Pct. 3-2) and Hawkins (Pct. 3-3) provided more than enough margin to carry Bryan Jeanes to victory in a close race for Wood County Judge in the November 7th general election. In Pct 3-2, Jeanes received 1,129 votes to 364 votes for Democrat opponent Cody Mize. In Hawkins the margin was Jeanes 665 to Mize 480. The vote was much tighter in the county’s other 11 precincts. In statewide lections, Wood County voters mirrored the statewide vote with comfortable margins of up to 80 percent to 20 percent for Republicans. In the governor’s race, Wood County voters gave Governor Rick Perry slightly over 50 percent of their votes. The rest was split among the four other candidates,
 

During their regular session November 17th, Wood County commissioners approved the renewal of a contract with the current manager/operators of the Lake Hawkins RV Park. John and Estaleen Warren were granted approval to continue their management of the county-owned RV park at the lake for 2007. The Warrens will receive a combined salary of $59,400. Commissioners also approved a resolution to join a large coalition of county governments in East Texas to seek $4.5 million in state funding for the purpose of controlling beavers and feral hogs.
 

On the night of November 9th officers of the Wood County Sheriff’s department executed a search warrant on McWhorter Street in Mineola. Three people at the residence were arrested on various drug-related charges ranging from delivery of crack cocaine to possession of marijuana and possession of prescription narcotics.
 

Meeting in regular session November 20th, the Hawkins City Council approved the submission of an application to the state. The grant application would request $250,000 in state funding for utilities improvements. The application would be submitted to the Office of Rural Community Affairs (ORCA) to support improvements to the city’s water and sewer systems.
 

At their regular meeting November 27th, the Hawkins School Board received an update on the $15-million construction and renovation program. Architect Brice Davis advised the board that general contractor bids were due on December 12th. The winning bidder would begin initial construction in January, but the bulk of the work will be done after the students are dismissed in May.
 

December: Jeanette Sterner and Larry Bowman won two-year seats on the Holly Lake Ranch B-Board in a spirited campaign that saw a record number of property owners vote. Sterner garnered 70 percent of the vote with 616 tallies while Bowman received 562 votes (64 percent).
 

Meeting in their regular session December 1st, Wood County Commissioners approved an assistance agreement with the Garland Regional Response Team. It is related to technical, diagnostic and remediation expertise for bomb, chemical agent or radiological emergencies. As a result of $5-million in funding from Homeland Security and the State of Texas, the Garland health Department and the Garland Police department have regional responsibility for emergencies such as nuclear, radiological, chemical, as well as bomb intervention and remediation. The Garland Health Department keeps inventories of antibiotics and other medicines required in such emergencies. There is no cost to Wood County for this service which will be rendered on an as-needed basis.
 

On December 13th, Al and Pat Harris presented a check in the amount of $3,089 to Hawkins High School Vocational Ag teacher Sam Hollingsworth. The check retired a 10-year loan which the Hawkins FFA Alumni had on the Red Harris Ag Pavilion. Al and Pat are the son and daughter-in-law of the late A.H. “Red” and Mabel Harris. Red Harris was a long time supporter of Hawkins youth and had a strong desire to have a modern Vo-Ag pavilion where young people could host county shows and other events.
 

At their regular meeting December 15th, Wood County commissioners approved the purchase by the county of a building on the courthouse square in Quitman. The 2,880 square-foot building is at 108 Bermuda Street at the corner of Bermuda and Main. The county will pay $32,000 for the building which is on the tax rolls at $44,000.
 

Commissioners also approved a resolution to put pressure on the upcoming session of the state legislature to restore funding to the Texas Recreation & Parks account. Through this account, Texas Parks & Wildlife funds grants to local parks, recreational projects and maintenance of historic sites.
 

In December Foster & Sons finally received a massive tire shredding machine for their Hawkins-based business. A further truckload of parts and materials are expected later in the month, then setup and electrical work can begin. At maximum capacity, the operation will handle 1.5 tons of tires per hour. It will ship the shredded material to International Paper plants in Bastrop, Louisiana and Vicksburg, Mississippi, where the material will be used as fuel.
 

Another calendar year has been completed in sales tax collections. The City of Hawkins experienced a volatile up-and-down year in monthly receipts but finished on the plus side for the year 2006 overall with a 1.43 percent increase in collections over 2005. The unincorporated county saw an increase of 8.53 percent in 2006 collections over the previous year.
 

A Happy and Healthy New Year to all our readers and friends.