Sunday, October 10, 2010
Monitor Staff Reports
KEMP–A 12-year-old Kemp Junior High student was struck by a car near the school Wednesday.
He was riding his bike to school when the 16-year-old driver of an older model Dodge pickup truck collided with him, knocking him off his bike, prior to the start of school.
At presstime, police were not releasing any names of those involved, including the victim, who was airlifted to East Texas Medical Center in Athens around 8:10 a.m. with a leg broken in several places. Shortly after the accident took place, the school nurse was on the scene giving aid until emergency personnel could arrive.
Late Thursday, the boy was still hospitalized, but due to be released over the weekend.
The Kemp officer who was called to the scene was also the boy’s grandfather, according to those close to the family.
The incident is still under investigation, Kemp Police Chief Richard Clemmo said. No citations have been issued.
Kemp school superintendent Dr. Peter Running said this is the first time an accident of this type has ever occurred at a Kemp school campus.
He also asked that drivers traveling in and around school campuses use extra caution.
“It’s up to all of us to keep these children safe from harm,” he said.
Make A Difference Day prep underway
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
GUN BARREL CITY–The annual Make-A-difference Day is just around the corner, set for
Saturday, Oct. 23, folks are making ready for the largest volunteer oriented day in the
nation, as well as locally.
The event is overseen in this area by the Rotary Club of Cedar Creek Lake and its annual
kick-off is a luncheon attended by representatives of charitable groups from the three
counties.
Rotarian Andrea Pickens emceed the group, inviting both those who are seeking help, and
those who are providing services, to speak.
Environmental Co-op director Marilyn May said the Co-op is furnishing a truck for
electronic disposal. Also a cardboard disposal service and a shredding truck to shred
documents on-site.
There will be a charge for TVs and monitors. For information about times and location call
Pickens at (903) 887-2121.
Several canned and non-perishable food drives will take place to help fill the area’s
food pantries.
The Cedar Creek Lake Women’s Club will once again collect food for local pantries,
project co-chair Jo-Ann Kaikkonen said.
Students at Mabank Independent School District plan to outdo their “Fill the
Bus” drive of last year when students collected more than 13,000 canned and
non-perishable items.
Assistant superintendent Linda McKee said they gave up counting the donations last year.
“It was just unbelievable. Students worked hard to fill a very large, 72-passenger
school bus to help supply several area food banks,” McKee explained.
About 40 charitable entities were represented and listed.
Representatives and those attending were reminded to keep up with the volunteer hours.
Individuals can volunteer carpenter skills for such needs as building wheelchair ramps,
repairing porches and steps, painting, plumbing work and yard work.
No service is too small. Help by reading to someone, visiting, doing house cleaning,
visiting nursing homes and bring pets by to visit all counts.
“Just don’t forget to write down and turn in those hours,” members were
told.
Homeless animals receive a blessing
Photo by Pearl Cantrell
Carroll and Father Jerry Morriss stand with St. James on the Lake Episcopal Church member
Jolyne McGregor and greyhound “Duchess” at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek
Lake Monday for a Blessing of the Animals in honor of St. Francis of Assisi. The church
collected about 2,500 pounds of pet food and supplies for the animal shelter.