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VZ sheriff’s
office and DPS bust organized crime ring
Special to The Monitor
CANTON–The Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, along with
the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Special Crimes, has busted a
major organized crime ring and recovered more than $250,000 in stolen
property.
Seven suspects have been arrested, and Van Zandt County Sheriff R. P.
“Pat” Burnett said there are other suspects at large and warrants yet to
be served.
“This has been a major investigative operation involving the patrol,
criminal investigations and narcotics divisions of the Van Zandt County
Sheriff’s Office, as well as DPS Special Crimes. Many man-hours and much
hard work as been put into this case,” Burnett said.
Burnett said this was a multi-county theft ring.
Property stolen out of Van Zandt, Smith, Rains and Dallas counties has
been recovered.
Burnett said property recovered includes a bulldozer, tractor, vehicles,
four-wheelers, dirt bikes and other miscellaneous property.
Burnett said he wanted to once again stress to citizens the importance
of recording serial numbers and marking items, so that if they are
stolen, they can be identified and returned.
Burnett said he believed the arrests would have a major impact on the
thefts and burglaries in the county.
Those suspects arrested include:
• Thomas Ray Brown, 38, of Wills Point is being held in the Van Zandt
County Jail on a $245,000 bond.
• Donnie Ray Edwards, 27, of Edgewood is being held in the Van Zandt
County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
• Gregory Scott Patterson, 39, of Dallas is being held in the Van Zandt
County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
• Ronnie Elmer McRoy, 21, of Van is being held in the Van Zandt County
Jail on a $20,000 bond.
• Erin Nicole McRoy, 23, of Canton is being held in the Van Zandt County
Jail on a $30,000 bond.
• Kenneth Keith Kines, 35, of Canton was released on an $180,000 bond.
• Erin Renee Sams, 31, of Canton was released on a $1,000 bond..
Burnett said these suspects could also have additional charges pending.
Burnett also stated anyone with information regarding these subjects
should call one of the criminal investigators at the Sheriff’s Office,
including Investigators Jeff Woodard, Kenneth Martin and S. D. Henson or
call the Narcotics Investigator, Rusty Grimes, at (903) 567-4133.
Library at Cedar Creek Lake runs
on monetary donations
Special to The Monitor
SEVEN POINTS–The Library at Cedar Creek Lake board of directors want to
make area residents aware of the importance of community support,
especially in the way of donations.
So they have sent out flyers with the water bills and to chamber of
commerce members, soliciting funds.
Did you know that 66 percent of the library’s operational expenses are
covered by individual contributions?
The nonprofit organization now counts more than 100,000 visits a year at
its modern facility.
The Library positively impacts the lives of those it serves, from young
to old, in many ways. Participants have improved their educations,
attracted jobs to help support their families, and even hurricane
victims have benefited from its resources.
Besides an astounding collection of books, tapes, videos, and
periodicals, the library offers programs: such as,
• literacy classes and training to take the GED
• on-line free Internet use for students and adults
• free tax assistance
• reading programs for kids
• children’s crafts, including Breakfast with Santa, and as a meeting
place for civic and club gatherings.
But with the growth in visits and services a corresponding growth in
expenses has also transpired.
“The Library is not a government-sponsored entity. It is staffed by
volunteers and wholly depends on community support to operate,” Hatcher
said.
One way to benefit the Library is to donate not just cash but valuable
items that can be raffled off, such as a working vehicle, vacation
timeshares, or even real property, Hatcher suggested.
Individuals might also consider designating the Library as a beneficiary
to their estate, she added.
Cash and in-kind contributions are eligible for tax deduction within IRS
guidelines, Hatcher said.
Those more than 70½ years old may designate a part of their IRA assets
to a qualifying charity, such as the Library, without tax obligation.
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 has designated 2006 and 2007 only,
for tax-free donation to charitable organizations up to $100,000, as
long as the distribution is paid directly to a qualifying charity.
To take advantage of this window of opportunity the Library recommends
you consult your tax advisor.
“Our goal, as a board, is to stabilize the operating budget and
strengten operating reserves to insure the financial health of the
Library for many years to come,” Hatcher said.
Community participation as library volunteers or board members is also
welcome. See first hand the valuable contribution your Library at Cedar
Creek Lake is making to the community.
Free tax assistance provided by AARP for area
residents
Special to The Monitor
CEDAR CREEK LAKE AREA–Free income tax assistance will be available to
area citizens by AARP volunteers from Friday Feb. 2 through Friday April
13, at the following times and places:
• Mondays 8 a.m. to noon in Seven Points at The Library at Cedar Creek
Lake, 400 West Cedar Creek Parkway.
• Wednesdays 8 a.m. to noon in Malakoff at the Senior Citizens Center,
503 North Terry Street.
• Fridays 8 a.m. to noon in Athens at the Henderson County Senior
Center, 3344 State Highway 31 East.
Important things taxpayers should know:
• Services are completely free and include electronic filing.
• All eligible returns are completed with computer software, except
amended returns.
• Taxpayers do not have to be elderly or AARP members to use this
service.
• This service is busiest the first weeks of February. If you are
patient and come in later the wait will probably be shorter.
• Married taxpayers should both come to the site unless one is
incapacitated.
• We do not prepare extremely complicated returns, however, taxpayers
with such returns will be advised what steps they should take.
• Counselors may not be present for the entire posted hours if no
taxpayers are present for assistance.
• On the other hand, if counselors are extremely busy, they will stay
longer.
• This service is provided by the AARP Foundation in cooperation with
the IRS.
• Taxpayers unable to travel may phone Gil Betts at (903) 778-2423, to
request tax assistance in their home.
• Taxpayers should bring with them a copy of the prior year’s return (if
filed), all tax related documents received in the mail, Social Security
cards for all taxpayers and all dependents and date of birth for all
dependents.
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