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Constable seeks information
Destruction of roadsides; theft over $2,200
Monitor Staff Reports
VAN ZANDT–Precinct 2 Constable C.B. Wiley is seeking information leading
to the arrest of persons stealing road signs and traffic devices on Van
Zandt County roads 2708, 2712, 2713, and 2721.
Damage to ditches along these roads in the Elm Grove area is also
evident.
“After most rains in the area, local hoodlums think it real smart to
tear up the drainage ditches,” Wiley said.
“This damage costs the tax payers hundreds of dollars every year.
“Damage is done to entry ways to pastures and homes and the damage opens
the way for erosion and roads to wash out,” Wiley added.
Local property owners have reported a few descriptions of people along
with license plate numbers.
Tracks left by all-terrain vehicles were also found at the criminal
mischief sites.
The fine for criminal mischief is subject to the amount of damage done.
Thousands of dollars worth of judgments could be entered against the
subjects or their families to pay for any damage, Wiley added.
Theft
A resident just off State Highway 243 near the Van Zandt and Kaufman
county line reported a theft of equipment worth $2,200.
Charles Poston reported items missing between Jan. 8-14.
Poston reports unknown persons entering his garage and removing a gray
100-gallon stand-up twin compressor. The unit was a 220 volt unit with
“America” painted in red,white and blue paint. It was valued at $1,500.
Also taken in the theft was $700 worth of truck tire changing tools with
large truck wrenches and other items.
The suspects backed up a vehicle to a low ditch area and loaded it out.
The compressor weighed nearly 350 pounds, so it is believed that more
than one person was involved. Evidence left at the scene is being
studied.
If anyone has seen these items or knows something about the roadside
damage is asked to call Wiley’s office t (903) 848-HELP (4357).
Area youth
participate in leadership program
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–Members of the first Henderson County Toastmasters met for their
final meeting of the school year Tuesday, Jan. 16, at the Henderson
Extension Office in Athens.
Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to
helping people develop communication and leadership skills.
Area students participated in Toastmasters’ Youth Leadership Program and
completed an informal course in the arts of communication and
leadership.
The first Henderson County Toastmasters was organized by Dana Wise of
Mabank and convened for its first meeting in October.
Students met twice a month and learned to organize and prepare effective
speeches, evaluate speeches, apply good listening skills, practice
impromptu speeches, and learned how to participate in group discussion.
Students gained leadership skills by serving as club officers and by
conducting meetings according to parliamentary procedure.
Students were given plenty of opportunities to practice speeches in a
friendly, positive atmosphere.
Students presented speeches of their choice on a range of topics
including: how to throw an eventful party, the cognitive benefits of
chess, the cause and treatment of leukemia, cause and effect of the
Great Depression, and the qualities of a responsible babysitter.
At their final meeting Toastmasters participated in an extremely
thoughtful panel discussion debating and addressing the issues
surrounding illegal immigration.
Current officers are Presley Sanderson, president, a seventh grade
homeschooler from Brownsboro; Maria Murry, vice-president, a ninth grade
homeschooler from Athens; Olivia Wise, secretary, a ninth grade
homeschooler from Mabank; and Caleb Wise, sergeant at arms, a seventh
grade homeschooler from Mabank.
Pinnacle
women donate to the Library at Cedar Creek Lake
Special to The Monitor
PAYNE SPRINGS–The Library at Cedar Creek is the largest library serving
the lake area with more than 100,000 visits each year.
More than one-half of the operational expenses come from individual
contributions and the Pinnacle Women’s Club is pleased to donate $1,500
to this worthwhile cause.
The Library not only offers the tools to enhance the love of reading and
foster developmental learning, but also offers GED classes, free
internet use, free tax assessments provided by AARP, kid’s reading
programs, childhood crafts, and meeting places for various organizations
within the community.
As its major fund-raiser this year, the Library Endowment Board has put
together a classical music concert series featuring a quartet from the
Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
The concerts will be February 3 and March 24, at the Main Place Cinema
in Seven Points with the pre-concert entertainment provided by a group
of singers from Mabank High School.
“This is a major event for the Library as well as the lake area
community and having the opportunity to provide a cultural outlet the
magnitude of the DSO is very exciting and rewarding,” endowment board
chairman Karen Kennedy said.
For more information call the library at (903) 432-4185. |