Ector Tennis Boys Win Tournament

The Ector Varsity boy doubles tennis team of Justin Rhudy and Justin White win the Campell Invitational tennis tournament held at A&M Commerce on March 4th and 5th. Ector’s second boys doubles team of Weston Bush and Justin Earl won the consolation side of the bracket.

Ector also competed in the Bland tennis tournament on March 18th, 19th, and 20th held at Greenville H.S. Justin Rhudy and Justin White won 3rd in this tournament behind two very strong teams from Bland and Edgewood. The Ector Varsity Tennis team will compete in the district tournament on April the 7th and 8th.

Support The American Dream: Celebrate National Fair Housing Month During April

AUSTIN — A place to call home is a big part of the American dream, and fair-housing laws help make that dream come true.

Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, the federal Fair Housing Act, prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status or disability.

The law covers most types of housing and prohibits:

• Refusing to rent or sell housing.

• Refusing to negotiate for housing.

• Making housing unavailable.

• Denying a dwelling.

• Setting different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling.

• Providing different housing services or facilities.

• Falsely denying that housing is available for inspection, sale or rental.

• Denying access to — or membership in — a facility or service (such as a multiple listing service) related to the sale or rental of housing.

It’s also illegal for anyone to threaten, coerce, intimidate or interfere with anyone exercising a fair-housing right or assisting others who exercise that right.

April is national Fair Housing Month, and Texas REALTORS® are gearing up for it.

"The 60,000 members of the Texas Association of REALTORS® and our partnering 91 local REALTOR® organizations encourage all Texans to join us in celebrating the diversity of our great state," said Dave Dalzell, chairman, Texas Association of REALTORS®. "Together, we can embrace our differences and protect the American dream for everyone."

All real estate brokers and agents must follow the fair-housing law, which covers specific classes of people. Those who choose to be REALTORS® pledge to abide by a code of ethics, keeping issues of fairness to everyone at the forefront of their business.

What if there’s a problem?
Those who think their fair-housing rights have been violated should contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and complete a Housing Discrimination Complaint Form (HUD-903.1). It’s available for download on HUD’s Web site (www.hud.gov), or contact the HUD office nearest you. Consumers have one year to file.For more information on fair housing and other issues, visit the Texas Association of REALTORS® Web site at (www.TexasRealEstate.com)

The Texas Association of REALTORS®, headquartered in Austin, represents more than 60,000 members involved in all aspects of the real estate industry. Members of the association adhere to the REALTOR® Code of Ethics and are entitled to use the word REALTOR®.

Options Expanded For Financing State Transportation Projects

Austin- The list of options for financing state transportation projects continues to grow as the Texas Transportation Commission today approved rules concerning "pass-through tolls".

A "pass-through toll" is not a traditional toll. It is a fee the state pays on behalf of individual motorists to public or private entities that have taken on the burden of financing road improvements.

The commission views the mechanism as a way to deliver needed projects sooner.

In other action, the commission approved final rules regarding selection criteria for projects funded by state highway bonds.

TxDOT can now issue up to $3 billion in debt backed by the state highway fund to accelerate highway improvements. At least $600 million will be dedicated for safety construction projects.

The commission discussed, but took no action, on how to distribute millions of dollars in funds for transportation providers in small urban and rural regions of the state. In coming months, TxDOT staff will propose a formula to allocate funds to individual eligible public transportation providers.

TxDOT held listening sessions around the state in February to get public input and will get a recommendation from a public transportation advisory committee. More public input will be sought after a recommendation is developed.

"We simply cannot continue to distribute money based on the way it was distributed last year," said Williamson. "We have a limited amount of money. And the only way I know to do it fairly is to define the performance and the results that we think the Legislature expects."

Commissioners also discussed paying owners of property needed for a future transportation project to keep the land undeveloped. The advance acquisition option would only be used when landowners agree.

"By compensating willing landowners to keep their property free of development, we can save millions in Texas tax dollars," said Mike Behrens, TxDOT executive director.

TxDOT staff briefed the commission on a plan to provide information to the public sooner regarding transportation issues being considered by the department. In addition to seeking public input before rules and major policy initiatives are even drafted, the department plans to post proposals on the Internet three days before they will be considered for even preliminary approval by the commission. The public outreach will be offered in addition to the formal public input opportunities prior to consideration of final action by the commission.

"Earlier public involvement is critical in the successful development of transportation policies that will benefit Texas and be embraced by citizens," said Steve Simmons, TxDOT deputy executive director. "We have always sought public input, but opening up the decision-making process to the public even more will make it easier for citizens to share with us their ideas to make transportation better."

Seven Oaks Nursing Home Visits The Circus

The Residents of Seven Oaks went to the Carson and Barnes 5 Ring Circus held at the Red River Valley Fair Grounds on Saturday, March 20, 2004. Seven Oaks would like to thank Barry Diamond of the K95.5 Radio Station serving Northeast Texas and Southeast Oklahoma, for donating the ten tickets to us. We also want to thank Janie Friberg, Wayne Underwood, and JR Matlock Jr. for volunteering their time to help us fulfill this day with excitement. The residents got full on the hot dogs, cotton candy, peanuts, popcorn, snow cones, and Coca Cola. We enjoyed getting to see the lions, elephants, tigers, giraffes, horses, dogs, and many more animals. The clowns and other crew members done an excellent performance. We really enjoyed the entire show and look forward to seeing it next year. Thanks again to everyone who helped us enjoy a wonderful day.

Seven Oaks Activity Director  Doris Matlock

Bonham State Bank Artist Of The Month

Betty Wood is a native of Fannin County and graduated from Bonham High School. She is a self taught artist who started painting only about 15 years ago, taking art classes for her own enjoyment at Paris Junior College, East Texas State, and Grayson County College, and attending several workshops on watercolor.

Betty was a founding member and frequent contributor to The Red River Valley Art Association, the Gallery formerly in the Fannin County History Museum. A profile artist, Betty paints subjects near and dear to her, landscapes, flowers, and wildlife. Her quiet, self-assured demeanor and bright smile and talent are an inspiration to everyone.

DPS Releases New List Of Most Wanted Fugitives

The Texas Department of Public Safety has released the new Top 10 Most Wanted list. The fugitives are wanted for a wide range of crimes, including murder, sexual assault of a child, kidnapping and failure to register as a sex offender.

Texas Crime Stoppers will give a $1,000 cash reward to any person who provides information that leads to the arrest of one of these fugitives.

Anyone with information about these fugitives should call 1-800-252-TIPS (8477). The Crime Stoppers hotline is open 24 hours a day. You do not have to give your name when calling. The public should not try to apprehend these fugitives, who are considered armed and dangerous.

"Thanks to the efforts of law enforcement, the public and the media, this program of spotlighting fugitives is immensely successful in getting dangerous criminals off the streets," said Col. Thomas A. Davis, Jr., director of the DPS. "To get a fresh perspective, a DPS Special Crimes investigator will be assigned to each suspect’s case."

Here is a list of the Top 10 Fugitives: * Anthony Dewayne Harper, DOB 11-16-67, last known address: Dallas. Wanted for aggravated kidnapping and parole violation.

* Flavio Segueda, DOB 11-2-72, last known address: Laredo. Wanted for kidnapping, murder and parole violation. Segueda is a member of the Mexican Mafia gang.

* Robert Glenn Brown Jr., DOB 9-27-73, last known address: West (McLennan County). Wanted for murder, aggravated assault and probation violation in Tennessee. Also wanted by the U.S. Marshal’s Service for unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

* Jeffery Adam Sanner, DOB 11-12-66, last known address: Amarillo. Wanted for obstructing police and parole violation. He is a registered sex offender with violent tendencies. His criminal history includes sexual assault of a child and resisting arrest.

* Juan Jesus Rodriguez, DOB 4-9-65, last known address: Dallas. Wanted on 14 counts of aggravated sexual assault and parole violation. His criminal history includes aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault and resisting arrest.

* Juan Pablo Hinojosa, DOB 10-18-73, last known address: Weslaco (Hidalgo County). Wanted for murder, aggravated assault and parole violation. Associate of the Texas Syndicate gang.

* (APPREHENDED) Stanley Eugene Clark, DOB 6-20-1970, last known address: Texas City. Wanted for aggravated sexual assault and parole violation. Criminal history includes injury to a child.

* Guadalupe Velazco, DOB 11-8-73, last known address: Dallas. Wanted for murder and parole violation.

* Rebecca Renee Sterling, DOB 10-8-66, last known address: San Antonio. Wanted for burglary and parole violation. Criminal history includes aggravated robbery.

* Victor M. Delgado, DOB 7-13-59, last known address: El Paso. Wanted for parole violation. Criminal history includes indecency with a child and murder. Delgado is a member of the Barrio Azteca gang.

You can find the list--with photos--on the DPS website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/wanted/. The list will be updated as needed.

Fannin County Resource Fair News

By JACQUELINE WHITE

The gymnasium will be the location for children’s activities. Youth Activity Chairman, Linda Horton announced that a Basketball Shoot Off is scheduled again this year, as well as the ever popular Barrel Train rides and the Bounce Around. Storytellers will be on hand, as well as a possible visit from the Cat-in-the Hat. For the littlest children there will be a Duck Pond game, Bean Bag Toss and lots of art activities, including sand art. "There will be lots of fun things for kids of all ages," said Horton.

Debbie Freeman, Entertainment Chairman, announced that a band will set up on the parking lot across from the entrance to Bailey Inglish and will play throughout the fair. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the show. The line dancers will be back as well as square dancers, several singers, and other special entertainment. The committee is also trying to get the magician back that performed at last year’s fair. Hot dogs, nachos, chips and drinks will be available. Door prizes will be given away throughout the day. Plenty of parking will be available.

All exhibitors booths will be set up in the Cafeteria, and a few places are still available if you act by April 8^th. If you are interested in having a booth at this year’s Resource Fair you can pick up a form at Northeast Medical Center or at the Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce. Also needed are nominees for the following awards. Youth (ages 11-17); Young Adult (ages 18-25) and the Citizen Volunteer (ages 26 and up). This form is also available at the Chamber office and Northeast Medical Center. The committee is looking for volunteers whose contributions have made Fannin County a better place to live, due to their efforts. The winner will be honored by the committee and receive a beautiful plaque. Each nominee will also be recognized and receive a certificate for their volunteer services.

Special activities have been planned for senior citizens and there will be a variety of health information, health screenings and immunizations. A bridge tournament is planned for the day, as well as a 42 tournament. Prizes will be given to the winners. If you are interested in playing in the bridge tournament please call Mildred Welch at 903-640-2228 or Marjorie Humpres at 903-640-0871.

"We want the people who attend this year’s fair to know they have resources in Fannin County," said Fannin County 2004 Resource Fair Co-Chairman, Linda Horton. "They don’t have to drive to Dallas, Fort Worth, Sherman or Denison. We have a lot of good resources in Fannin County. They can stay, ‘Home where the heart is,’" she added. "We hope to get a good crowd, as we have a lot of fun planned for the day."

Ector High School Employee Of The Week

Ector High School Employee of the Week of December 15-19 is Roger Morris. Mr. Morris has been with Ector ISD for 27 years. He currently teaches Jr. High and High School Math, Algebra II, Geometry. He is bus driver, teacher, and companion. Mr. Morris has also served as principal. Mr. Morris missed the classroom and went back to teaching students. He states that the best thing about his job is that the students are willing to work for you. Mr. Morris’ has three very special people in his life. They are his wonderful wife Joyce, his great son, Jeff and his loving mother Nema. Mr. Morris is a very special part of Ector ISD. He is a great teacher, co-worker and inspiration to all who know him. Mr. Roger Morris thank you for all that you have done and for all that you continue to do. Thank you for being a part of Ector ISD and for helping to make our school continue to be the best.

Ector High School Employee of the Week for January 19-23 is LeAnn Sellers. We would like to congratulate Mrs. Sellers as our employee of the week. Mrs. Sellers currently teaches Junior High and High School Resource/CMC. She has been with Ector ISD for 9 years. She has taught in both elementary and high school. Mrs. Sellers has two very special people in her life. They are her wonderful husband, Chris and her beautiful daughter, Tiffany. When not at school she enjoys reading, camping and playing softball. She states," That the best thing about working at Ector ISD is being able to touch a student’s life in a positive way." Mrs. Sellers thank you for being such a special person and for helping to make a difference at Ector ISD. We truly appreciate all that you do.

Bonham Nursing Rehabilitation Center News

Remembering Miss Allie Hopper

Few people have roots that run as deep through Fannin County as Allie Hopper.

Her grandfather, Captain James Bourland, was the commander of confederate forces of North Texas during the Civil War and later a Texas Senator. Her great-grandfather, Joel Fuller, arrived with the first white settlers and married Fannin County founder’s, Bailey Inglish’s daughter.

"Miss Allie," as she was called by her students during her 40 years of teaching, will be celebrating her 100th birthday with friends and relatives at the Bonham Nursing Center on April 14th at 2:00 pm.

"Miss Allie" is still mentally alert and, with a little help, able to take care of herself.

Examining Mrs. Hopper’s life is like reading a textbook on the hardships and realities of life around the Red River during the 20th century.

Her mother died when she was only four. A twin sister was only two when she was lost to diphtheria. Miss Allie and another sister, former Bonham teacher Lillian Creekmore, moved in with a maiden Aunt, Cora Fuller, and she raised them.

Miss Allie went to college at East Texas Normal in Commerce before she started her teaching career. She married Elbert Hopper of Elwood in 1937 because before 1936 teachers who got married were not allowed to work anymore!

"Hop" was the nickname of Miss Allie’s husband and he was the popular owner of the Elwood store in the little north Fannin County Community. She traveled with him to World Series Baseball games in St. Louis and other places and saw great ballplayers like Babe Ruth.

"We never rooted for the Yankees, though" Miss Allie adds, "Because Elbert didn’t like them."

Miss Allie still doesn’t pull for the New York team, but she is an avid Texas Ranger fan and either listens to, or watches every game.

One of the incredible thins about Miss Allie is her memory of students and how they were in the third grade. She has fond memories of Fannin County Sheriff Talmadge Moore and how he behaved in grade school; "He was always so eager to help and very polite. There was no doubt in my mind he would turn out to be a good man."

Miss Allie still enjoys reading about former pupils of hers and accomplishments credited to them.

Hop and Miss Allie were never blessed with any children, and her only relatives are the children of Rena Creekmore London, her sister Lillian’s only child.

Rena London Graduated from Bonham High School in 1948 and married 1944 BHS graduate, Bryce London. The couple have been married for 48 years and live ner Allen.

"I love Bonham, its history and people," Miss Allie says. "And I have hope that it will prosper well enough that our young people can stay here, work, and raise their families instead of having to move away as many ahve had to do."

Even though she hasn’t taught school in thirty years, Miss Allie still has concerns for Fannin County’s youth-- a trait we wish everyone had!

Virgie Kelton, Activities Director

Bonham JR High Track Results

Boys Results

400 M. Relay- 4th Dylan Garza, Trey Wheeler, Jimmie Allred, Ricky Perdue

1600 M Relay- 6th Ricky Perdue, Noah Gabel, Trey Wheeler, Dylan Garza

800 M Relay- 6th Anthony Quirk, Chris Jones, Kendall Stevenson, Jimmie Allred

2400 M Run Bradley Salinas- 1st-8:47 Guillermo Martinez-2nd-9:20

1600 M Run Guillermo Martinez-2nd-4:06 Jesus Perez-3rd-4:17

200 M Dash Anthony Quirk-5th-26.9

100 M Dash Dylan Garza-2nd-12.20

800 M Run Jesus Perez-3rd-2:32

300 M Hurdles Jonathan Jones-5th-51.4

Discus Jimmy Allred-1st-124’0" Cole Lackey-5th-92’8"

Long Jump Ricky Perdue-5th-15’11"

400 M Relay-3rd-53.04 Dustin Stewart, Jose Fuentes, Eli Walker, Myran Roundtree

1600 M Relay- 2nd- 4:28 Jose Fuentes, Josh Lawson, Eli Walker, Myran Roundtree

800 M Relay- 5th- 1:59 Todd Shields, Josh Lawson, Jordan Hill, Dustin Stewart

2400 M Run Myran Roundtree-1st-9:13

1600 M Run Stephen Jackson-3rd-4:29

800 M Run Stephen Jackson-4th-2:42

100 M Dash Jose Fuentex-5th-13.1

High Jump Raymond Theobald-T5- 4’4" Jose Fuentes-T5-4’4"

Pole Vault Slaytr Hunnicutt-1st-7’6"

Triple Jump Myran Roundtree-2nd-31’8"

Discus Keynon Jones-3rd-89’2" Dakota Roberts 6th-78’4"

Girls Results

400 M Relay-4th Place-56.00 Sarah Briggs, Jessica Duvall, Michelle Griffis, Lindsey Hilger

800 M Relay-4th-2:01 Sarah Briggs, Jessica Blain, Jessica Duvall, Lindsey Hilger

200 M Sarah Briggs-1st-27.93 Jessica Duvall-6th-29.62

High Jump Jessica Duvall-5th-4’6"

Discuss Naomi Heredia-5th-65’5"

400 M Relay- 3rd- 57.36 Logan Cunningham, Ashley Leeks, Mara Tomlinson, Amber White

800 M Callie Caylor-6th-2:59 Jana Wiggins-3rd-2:51

110 M Hurdles Kristina Gunn-4th-19.77

100 M Dash Ashley Leeks-1st-12.47

800 M Relay-2nd-2:02.73 Logan Cunningham, Ashley Leeks, Mara Tomlinson, Amber White

400 M Jana WIggins 2nd- 1:12.97

300 M Hurdles April Hunt-5th-61.06

200 M Amber White-3rd-29.63

1200 M  Callie Caylor-2nd-4:55.15

1600 M Relay-4th-5:12.52 April Hunt, Rocio Martinez, Holli Tedder, Jana Wiggins

1200 M ELizabeth Bursell-6th-5:11.88

1600 M Relay-6th-5:21.38 Jessica Blain, VIviana Cruz, Tiffeny Hightower, Shannon Montgomery

Long Jump Amber-1st-13’11.25"

High Jump Amber White-1st-4’10"

Triple Jump Ashley Leeks-3rd-26’2"

Shotput Ashley Verner-1st-23’7" Abigail Arfman-5th-21’2.5"

Discuss Kristina Gunn-1st-70’1" Rikki Reedy-2nd-65’1" Abigail Arfman-5th-60’4"

Pole Vault  April Hunt-2nd-5’0"

Bonham ISD Menu For April

Breakfast- Cheese Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Toast, Juice- Variety, Milk- Variety

Lunch- Hoagie Sandwich, Chef Salad, Burger Salad, Pickle Spears, Tator Tots, Salad Dressing, Assorted, Milk- Variety, Brownies High School

Breakfast- French Toast Sticks, Syrup, Breakfast Cereal, Toast, Juice-variety, Milk- Variety

Lunch- Pizza Corn, Coleslaw, Cheesy Bread Sticks, Milk- Variety, Frozen Juice Bar, Marinara Sauce

Breakfast- Cheese Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Fresh Pears

Lunch- Corn Dog, Fish Nuggets, Pinto Beans, Cornbread High School, Macaroni And Cheese, Chilled Pears, Wacky Cake Bonham High

April 6th

Breakfast- Blueberry Muffin, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Orange Smiles

Lunch- Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Steak On Bun, Taco Soup, Pickle Spears, Peaches, Burger Salad, Crackers

Breakfast- Ham, Egg, Cheese, Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Steak Fingers, Breaded Chicken, Yummy Hot Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Country Gravy, Green Beans, Gelatin Desserts

Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Rosy Applesauce

Lunch- Sausage Pizza, Yogurt Combo, Tossed Salad, Corn, Green Peas, Apple Wedges, Assorted Ice Cream

HOLIDAY

Breakfast- Blueberry Muffin, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Sausage Pizza, Tossed Salad, Chilled Peaches, Pears, Carrot Sticks, Yogurt Combo, Garlic/ Cheese Toast, Marinara Sauce

Breakfast- Biscuits, Country Gravy, Scrambled Eggs, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Bananas

Lunch- Chicken Sandwich, Nachos With Ground Beef, Tossed Salad, Pinto Beans, Orange Smiles, Fruit Crisp, Picante Sauce, Burger Salad

Breakfast- Cheese Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Fresh Pears

Lunch- Hamburger, Fish Sandwich, Burger Salad, French Fries, Rosey Applesauce, Milk-variety, Ranger Cookie

Breakfast- Cinnamon Roll, Breakfast Cereal, Juice- Variety, Milk- Variety

Lunch- Beef Taco, Bbq Beef, Refried Beans, Tossed Salad, Shredded Cheese, Milk- Variety, Rosy Applesauce, Tortillas, Hamburger Bun

Breakfast- Sausage On Stick, Syrup, Pancake, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Fruit Cocktail, Canned

Lunch- Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Turkey And Cheese Sandwich, Chicken Noodle Soup, Potato Chips, Pickle Spears, Burger Salad, Assorted Ice Cream, Milk Variety, Crackers

Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Corn Dog, Fish Nuggets, Pinto Beans, Macaroni And Cheese, Chilled Pears, Cornbread High School

Breakfast- Biscuit And Sausage, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Apple Wedges

Lunch- Chicken Sandwich, Turkey Club Wrap, Burger Salad, French Fries, Assorted Fresh Fruit, Pickle Spears Peanut Butter Cookies

Breakfast- Waffle W/ Syrup, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Apple Wedges

Lunch- Hamburger, Frito Pie, Burger Salad, French Fries, Frozen Juice Bar, Apple Wedges, Milk- Variety

Breakfast- Ham, Egg, Cheese Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Chicken Sandwich, Spaghetti And Meat Sauce, Tossed Salad, French Fries, Assorted Fresh Fruit, Green Peas, Garlic/ Cheese Toast, Peanut Butter Cookies

Breakfast- Sausage On Stick, Syrup, Pancake, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast Fruit Cocktail, Canned

Lunch- Sliced Turkey/ Gravy, Chicken Strips, Yummy Hot Rolls, Mashed Potatoes, Country Gravy, Green Beans, Salad Mix, Apple Wedges

Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Pineapple Chunks

Lunch- Chicken Fried Steak, Fish Nuggets, Yummy Hot Rolls, French Fries, Country Gravy, Pears, Fruited Jello

Breakfast- Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Rosy Applesauce

Lunch- Hoagie Sandwich, Chef Salad, Burger Salad, Pickle Spears, Tater Tots, Salad Dressing, Assorted, Milk- Variety, Assorted Ice Cream

Breakfast- Breakfast Bagel, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Peaches

Lunch- Hamburger, Chili Cheese Dog, Pork And Beans, Tater Tots, Burger Salad, Milk- Variety, Wacky Cake Bonham High

Residents At Fairview Enjoy Country Jamboree

The residents of Fairview Nursing & Rehab. enjoyed a great outing at the Country Jamboree at the family life center in Bonham on March 27th A great time was had by all who attended. The residents got to have their picture made with Steve Fortner and the Texas Rhythm Band. The residents enjoyed the program so much. The residents were also able to get autographs from most of the band members. This will be an event that will be remembered for a long time. I would like to say a special Thanks to the employee’s who helped make this trip possible.

CAC Gets New Equipment

Video equipment at the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) in Fannin County was recently upgraded thanks to generous community donations. Fannin County Attorney Myles Porter contributed half of the funds needed for the new equipment from the Hot Check Fund. The other half came from other community donations to the CAC.

When sexual abuse and serious physical abuse is suspected in Fannin County, suspected child victims are usually taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center for a forensic interview. The center can only accept referrals for interviews from Child Protective Services, law enforcement or the district attorney. The interview is conducted by specially trained staff and recorded to preserve the child’s statement.

The new equipment includes a smaller camera in order to be less distracting to the children. Better microphones have improved the sound quality of the recordings, which is especially important when victims begin to talk softly while discussing the details of their trauma. The interviews will also now be recorded onto DVD in addition to video. The quality of sound and picture will be better with the new equipment and DVD’s will require less storage space than videos.

Michelle Griffith and Bethany Arie have each attended extensive training to learn how to properly interview children about suspected abuse without being leading or suggestive. Investigators from Child Protective Services and law enforcement use the interviews as one tool in their investigations. They observe the interviews and have opportunities for input to ensure all of their questions are asked of the child at one time. Since the creation of the CAC in 1999, the investigative process has improved in being more sensitive to the child victims by minimizing the number of times a child has to tell what happened. In the agency’s most recent fiscal year, Griffith and Arie collectively conducted 71 forensic interviews.

The CAC is a program of the Fannin County Children’s Center which facilitates a multidisciplinary team approach to the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child abuse. Partner agencies include investigators, caseworkers, prosecutors, medical personnel, counselors and other professionals with special skills in working with victims of abuse. To report suspected abuse, call the 24 hour toll free CPS hotline at 1-800-252-5400. If the situation is an emergency, call 911 for local law enforcement. For more information about the CAC, visit www.fanninccc.org or call (903) 583-4339.

April Proclaimed Child Abuse Awareness Month

In Fannin County And The City Of Bonham

PROCLAMATION

By the County Judge

WHEREAS: The county of Fannin prides itself on giving back to the community, contributing to the quality of life among our citizens; and

WHEREAS: The Fannin County Children’s Center, in association with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association and Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas and in collaboration with the Department of Family and Protective Services (Child Protective Services) works for the best interests of abused and neglected children of our community; and

WHEREAS: Through a national effort, Fannin County community members are encouraged to join together to raise awareness for those children fallen victim to abuse and neglect throughout the month of April; and

WHEREAS: Communities must make every effort to promote programs that benefit children and their families; and

WHEREAS: This effort will give abused and neglected children in our community, and around the country, a chance for a safe and positive future.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, The Fannin County Commissioners do hereby proclaim the month of April, 2004, to be Child Abuse Prevention Month in Fannin County, Texas, and urge all citizens to join in a national effort to raise awareness and help reduce child abuse and neglect significantly in years to come.

County Judge Derrell Hall

Ector FCCLA

The Ector High School FCCLA Organization traveled to Dallas, March 10th, to volunteer their services at the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen. All of the members found the experience to be rewarding and fun. Those attending were.Mrs. Cox sponsor, Kayla Harbison, Samatha Coldiron, Logan Criss, Michelle Proctor, Heather McKoy, Brittany Ivins, Erica Williams, Heather Alford, Chris Croft, Sarah Boney, Amanda Johnson, Heather Johnson, Emily Reynolds, Kayal Redden, Kayla Hopkins, Cassie Glaser, and Ashley Pampuch.

Trip To Copenhagen Learning Opportunity For Van Alstyne Teen

By JACQUELINE WHITE

Gavrila, better known as Gav or Gavy, is named for the angel Gabriel. Born in Romania, he was the fifth child in a family of six boys, each born a year apart. During the time that he was born, there was a government edict that married couples couldn’t stop having babies until they had five healthy children. The idea was to try and double Romania’s population. A poor country, most of the families couldn’t support five children, so they would leave them at the door of orphanages, or asylums, and the state would raise them.

When the children were two or three they were sent to a switching center and doctors and nurses reviewed them. Those that were mentally and physically fit were sent to the orphanages, where they got good food and clothes. The handicapped children went to the asylums, and were poorly taken care of. If they lived to be 18, which was rare, they were moved into an old folk’s home.

Gav had a severe brain injury, caused by his mother or stepfather, when he was 12-18 months old. No one knows exactly what happened. What is known is that he was in a coma for three to six months. After he regained consciousness, and had progressed enough to be sent home, his mother was notified to pick him up at the hospital in Bucharest. She apparently didn’t want him and put him in an asylum in the village they lived in, close to the Russian border. The Asylum for Irrecoverable Children, at Sighetu-Marmatiei, was three-year-old Gav’s home until the television show 20/20 did a series of stories called The Forgotten Children of Romania, in the early 1990’s.

In 1990 there were approximately 100,000 orphans in the country. One orphanage alone had 800 children under the age of five, with babies arriving every day. The stories, narrated by Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters, caused a lot of interest in the children’s welfare. They were photographed in rows of metal cribs and beds with urine soaked mattresses and blankets, two to a bed, some abused, and all neglected. Some of the children had only a blanket and no clothes. The rooms were cold and the children were shivering. Horrified American viewers wanted to help.

After seeing the program, John Upton, a California filmmaker, decided to become an advocate for the children. Romania had allowed some of the orphans to be adopted for a time but had stopped the adoptions. Upton found a loophole in that children could leave Romania for medical treatment, so he and his crew made a mercy mission to try and save some of the children. Before any of the children could leave, the family member who had abandoned the child had to give his or her written permission. Three-year-old Gabriela’s mother signed the paper for medical treatment, and two weeks before his fourth birthday he arrived in the United States.

A beautiful little boy, Gav became the foster child of the Richard Mays family of Van Alstyne. After less than two months, the family decided to legally adopt him. "At that time they had pretty much stopped adoptions in Romania," said Mays, Associate Executive Director of Business Services for MHMR Services of Texoma. "When they started back up, I had a local lawyer draw up the papers, and he found a Romanian doctor in Florida to translate them. I personally took the papers to Romania, got Gav’s mother to sign them, came back and did the adoption. The good part is we had him the whole time.

"Gav was 15 years old on March 1^st. He is developmentally delayed and challenged because of his brain injury. In his short life he’s endured six surgeries to repair the damage that was done to him as a toddler," said Mays. He has attended school since Pre-K in Van Alstyne. A special education student he is mainstreamed in several classes. He enjoys working on the computer and finds his science class ‘very interesting.’

"He has trouble reading," added Mays, "and the doctors have figured out that his eyesight is limited from his brain injury. He can only see from the middle of his eyes to the right. He can’t see anything from the left and has been declared legally blind because of this. He can do simple math, but money is kind of a foreign thing to him. Right now, he is learning more vocational stuff, so that when he gets out of school we’ll be able to place him in a job somewhere.

"Traveling is great for Gav because he can see something and remember it. To this day you can show him a picture of the Eiffel Tower, and he can tell you that it’s the Eiffel Tower, and it’s in Paris. He’s stood under it and looked at it. He is a visual learner, and once he sees something, he remembers it much, much better."

According to MHMRST staff psychologist, Annette Helmcamp, for individuals to learn, with or without handicaps, you have to motivate them by presenting things in a way that interests them. "You have to make the topic meaningful and relevant in their everyday life," stated Helmcamp. "People with mental handicaps need more repetition to learn. We all learn by repetition," she concluded.

Richard Mays has accomplished this by travelling with his son. "We’ve been all over Europe, and visited Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, England, Scotland and this year Denmark. Gav loves to fly and he’s a pro at it. He is very well behaved and a great traveler. Once we get on the plane he does his thing and I do mine," said Mays. "He knows how to operate the seat, where the restrooms are, and all that stuff. He’s just in his own world. We flew First Class on Air France this year and we’d never experienced that before. Now I don’t think he’ll ever want to fly anything but First Class. When he was ready to rest, they brought him a pair of pajamas and a down comforter. Everytime the stewardess walked by, she’d fill his coke up again, and she brought us chocolates. We were the only ones in First Class going and coming and they spoiled us. Two hours out of Houston, on the way home, he looked at me and said, ‘Dad we need a maid.’"

What did Gav enjoy the most on the trip? According to his father the food. "The street vendors grilled hot dogs wrapped in bacon. They had about 15 different kinds, and we’d be walking down the street, see a vendor, and stop to get a hot dog or a sausage. I don’t think we passed one of those hot dog stands without Gav getting a hot dog! They were delicious. Another thing we liked was the Chinese food to go. You could get any three things for $5.00, and they put it in little paper cartons and gave you a fork. It was very good. One day we found a Slovakian Restaurant and had goulash. Gavy loves goulash, and he was very happy with that meal."

Another favorite part of Gav’s trip was visiting Tivoli Gardens, the oldest amusement park in the world. Situated in downtown Copenhagen, the park was built in 1843. "They decorate it for Christmas," continued Mays, "and it was beautiful. We bought Gav a wristband for the rides so he could ride as much as he wanted. He rode the bumper cars, the merry-go-round, the roller coaster and many other rides. He loved it, and we spent two days there."

An interesting feature of the park is that it had no fast food. It features 30 to 40 really nice restaurants. They are very nice with white tablecloths, crystal, and silverware. "I had the best steak I’ve ever had in my life in Tivoli Gardens," said Mays.

"Christmas is very big in Denmark. Everything is geared around Christmas. In Denmark the 24, 25, and 26^th are all official holidays and everything is closed. It was a wonderful time to visit. We had no language problems as everyone spoke English. The people of Copenhagen were very friendly and like Americans.

"Since we’ve come home, Gav has taken the pictures I took in Copenhagen to school with him to show his friends, and gifts to give to his teachers and classmates. He took an extra pair of pajama’s the airline gave him, a Danish flag that he bought, Danish coins for the children in his class, and hand carved Santas for his teachers. All of the other kids were going, ‘Wow,’ and he was so happy and proud," said Mays.

What did Mays like the best. "Just walking around. The hotel we stayed at was about a block and a half from the Stroget. No cars. Just people walking. I’ll bet it’s a good mile and half. Just shops and stores and packed with people. It was fun just getting out and seeing the people. Over here people use those umbrella strollers. Not so there, the old fashioned ones with the big wheels are still popular. Their Salvation Army doesn’t use bell ringers. They have a Salvation Army Band that performs in the street to raise money for charity. It’s a different atmosphere. Everyone is walking. It was in the high 30’s and 40’s and some of the restaurants had outdoor seating with people sitting outside eating. People were window shopping. Americans don’t do that much anymore. All of the teenagers were wearing these Laplander type hats with ear flaps and braided things that come down to the shoulder. Gav had to have one of those, so we bought it and he wore it everywhere.

How has Gav changed your life? "Drastically. As a single parent, I feel like I’m the luckiest person in the world to have him. I think his name is so appropriate. Gavrila means Angel, and that’s what he is."

MHMRST serves persons with mental and developmental disabilities in Cooke, Grayson and Fannin counties. Services include mental health, mental retardation and Early Childhood Intervention. For more information call Paula Cawthon, Community Relations Director, at 903-337-4865.

Families Need the Arc

By Paula Cawthon

"The Arc of Texas and the Arc of Texoma are two very well kept secrets. Rather than the secrets that they are, the information on the Arc should be shouted from the rooftop to help individuals with mental and developmental disabilities and their families,:" states Lonnie Basinger, President of the Arc of Texoma. The Arc of Texas was founded in 1950 by a group of concerned parents of children with mental retardation and is the state’s oldest and largest volunteer non-profit organization committed to expanding opportunities and community inclusion for these individuals.

Over 600,000 Texans have mental retardation and each year more than 100,000 babies are born with mental retardation or developmental disabilities. Over fifty percent of mental retardation is one hundred percent preventable. Mental retardation is nine times more common than cerebral palsy and fifteen times more common than total blindness. All individuals with mental retardation have the capacity to learn, develop, and grow.

The Arc provides a variety of services and information to families, educators, professionals and the community. Workshop training is available on topics that will help a family care for their child, integrate the child into regular classroom or childcare settings, provide information on legislative updates and information that affect the disability community, and promote self advocacy issues and information.

The Arc of Texoma meets monthly on the second Monday at noon at Texoma Council of Governments. Lonnie Basinger is the president of the local chapter. Professionals, parents, and advocates are encouraged to join for a membership of $15.

"Parents who have infants or children with mental or developmental disabilities can learn from other parents who have older children with these disabilities. One of the major functions is the support given younger parents from more experienced parents. These more mature parents can share their insight and resources they have discovered through the years. These parents are a wealth of information, and they know the difficulties and have experienced the emotions that accompany parenting a child with a mental and developmental disability," continues Basinger.

To gain more information on the Texoma Arc contact Lonnie Basinger at 903-816-3560. The Arc of Texas may be contacted at 1-800-252-9729.

Bonham SNAP Center Menu

Oven Fried Fish, Macaroni & Tomatoes, Pea Salad, Sunny Mixed Vegetables, Bread, Plums, Milk

Country Fried Steak/gravy, Whipped Potatoes, Savory Tomatoes, Bread, Bread Pudding/ Lemon Sauce, Milk

Wieners, Pinto Beans, Sauerkraut Salad, Cornbread, Apple Crisp, Milk

Baked Spaghetti, Hot Spiced Beets, Tossed Salad/ Dressing, Garlic Bread, Pears, Milk

Baked Ham, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Marinated Green Beans, Rolls, Lime Jello/ Pineapple/ Whip Topping, Milk

The Women’s Health Research News Service specializes in content and resources on the latest research findings on sex differences. The articles cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from Parkinson’s disease to skin cancer to AIDS.
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Hometown Military News

Army Pfc. Duanallen Niemeyer has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Knox, Ky.

During the nine-week training, the trainee received instruction in drill and ceremony, weapons, rifle marksmanship and bayonet training, chemical warfare, field training and tactical exercises, armed and unarmed combat, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid, and Army history, traditions, and core values.

Niemeyer’s wife, Stacey, is the daughter of Jim McIntire of Leonard, Texas, and Glenda Colburn of Wilkes Drive, Fort Worth, Texas.

He is a 1993 graduate of Newman Smith High School, Carrolton, Texas.

(FHTNC)--Navy Hospital man Latena T. Carter, whose husband, Dustin, is the son of Linda Jones of Wolfe City, Texas, recently reported for duty at Naval Hospital, Jacksonville, Fla.

Ector Elementary Employee Of The Week

The faculty of Ector Elementary is proud to recognize Gary Bohannon as our "Employee of the Week". Mr. Bohannon is a graduate of Lampassas High School in Lampassas, Texas. Following graduation he received an agricultural science scholarship to East Texas State University. After completing his course of study and earning his teacher certification, he taught agriculture at Trenton High School. Mr. Bohannon then received his mid management certification and masters degree in education from East Texas State University. He then went on to be the secondary school principal in Trenton. Currently Mr. Bohannon is the superintendent of schools for Ector ISD. While holding this position for the last eight years, he has helped to make Ector ISD a wonderful environment for both its students and faculty. Mr. Bohannon and his wife Dawn, the business teacher at Ector High School, have two children, Derek and Scott. According to Mr. Bohannon the best thing about working at Ector ISD is helping to have a positive impact on the education of the students that attend our schools. Once again, we are proud to honor Gary Bohannon as the "Employee of the Week."

Tuberculosis as a disease is scientific simplicity. We know what causes it, we know how it is spread, and we know how to cure it - permanently.

But far from becoming a footnote in public health history, this ancient infection continues to cause illness and death in Texas, the United States and the world. It survives because of a complex blend of complacency and misunderstanding.

TB once was the leading cause of death in the United States. That statistic fell as science, medicine and public health advanced. What followed the fall were beliefs - myths really - that tuberculosis was wiped out or at least conquered in this country, that it had become a disease in poorer parts of the world only and that it was of no concern to anyone here anymore.

For many people in Texas, tuberculosis has come to be viewed as nothing more than an annoyance that can be solved with a few doses of antibiotics now and then. For others, TB is viewed as something that just happens from generation to generation - a fact of life about which nothing can be done. Neither view helps the situation.

In general, statistics show a decline in TB cases in Texas over the past decade.

Last year 1,594 TB cases were reported in Texas, about 1,000 fewer than the 2,542 cases reported in 1994. But the number of cases in 2003 was up just slightly from the 1,550 cases reported in 2002 and a 3 percent drop from the 1,643 cases reported in 2001. This statistical seesaw is typical of tuberculosis. One driver to the equation is that as people become complacent, resources diminish, and TB cases rise.

Human and financial resources available on a consistent basis certainly are required to maintain consistent control of TB. Trying to control this disease is where we are in Texas. As a physician, I know that medically we can cure TB. That would lead us to hope to eliminate tuberculosis. But as Commissioner of Health, with the opportunity to see the larger picture across the state, I know that health care providers and public health workers are doing all they can just to keep this disease in check. One person with untreated active TB will infect on average as many as 15 people every year.

Look at the risk factors for tuberculosis in Texas. At the top of the list is being foreign born. About 45 percent of all TB cases in Texas occur in those born in another country. The risk factor list also includes alcohol abuse, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and being a prison or jail inmate. Members of minority groups in Texas are more likely to develop TB than are whites. For African Americans the risk is eight times greater, and for Hispanics the risk is five times greater. None of these factors is easily addressed.

Most, but not all, tuberculosis in Texas occurs in the major metropolitan areas and along our border with Mexico. More than 50 percent of all TB cases in Texas occur in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio. Houston, for example, has a rate of 19.5 cases per 100,000 population. Dallas has a rate of 15.2. The four border counties that serve as main Texas points of entry to the United States have a rate of 13.2 cases per 100,000 population, almost twice that of the statewide rate of 7.3.

We in Texas are not alone in our fight against this infection. TB is one of the earth’s deadliest diseases and the leading single-agent infectious disease killer. More than 2 billion people - nearly one-third of the world’s population - are infected with TB bacteria, and 2 million people worldwide die each year from tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is the leading killer of people who are HIV-infected, accounting for one-third of the world’s AIDS deaths.

Yes, tuberculosis is understandable, treatable and curable. But we must end the neglect, complacency and misunderstanding that increases the occurrence of tuberculosis in the United States and the rest of the world.

Wal-Mart Donates Computer To Local High School

On March 31, Aaron Williams, Assistant Manager at Wal-Mart presented Glynn Walker, BHS Principal, with the computers donated by Wal-Mart of Bonham and Frito/Lay. They were donated to the Bonham High School’s Tech. Class.

Thanks From Sam Rayburn FFA Booster Club

The Sam Rayburn FFA Booster Club would like to say thank you to the following for your donations and help to make our Donkey Basketball game a success.

Bonham State Bank, Brookshires, Wal-Mart, Ivanhoe Store, Radio Shack, S & E Western Wear, Pat Amlin, and Patty Foreman

Leonard FFA Takes Top Spots In TJLA

During the 2004 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo this year the Texas Junior Livestock association held its twenty-second annual awards banquet on Friday March 12. Leonard FFA was represented with two young men, Spencer Roberts & John Davis. Both taking top honors.

Spencer Roberts finished second in the state in the Hereford division, only missing the topspot by just a few points. Roberts was awarded a jacket and a patch for this elite finish. He competed against other exhibitors all across the State of Texas to receive this honor.

John Davis finished tenth in the State in the Charolais Heifer division. For his efforts he also received a jacket and a patch. John competed with numerous other Charolais exhibitors around the state to culminate his top ten finish.

These young men attended shows in their region and across the state that were sanctioned by the TJLA as they gathered points for each place they received. These points accumulate throughout the year as they travel to each of these events. A lot of time and effort are put into these animals to make this possible. Early mornings, late nights, and all types of weather condition are common to these young men.

The Texas Junior Livestock Association is a non-profit organization that provides an awards program for the junior exhibitors who show steers, heifers, lambs, hogs, and meat goats. This year the organization awarded more than 850 Top Ten Awards, 85 TJLA Champion Buckles, and 540 scholarships to many deserving young men and women across the state.

Help support your local FFA chapters they are building our leaders of tomorrow.

The New Medicare Beneficiaries

The ink on Mr. Bush’s signature was barely dry before opponents and proponents of the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 realized it will be unaffordable. With the President’s latest giveaway to private health plans, no doubt remains that Medicare will be unaffordable because it gives more money to insurance companies and pharmaceuticals (the new Medicare beneficiaries).

The Administration gives the false impression that Medicare can provide prescription drug coverage with a 10-year budget of $400 billion. Last year, we spent $141 billion on prescription drugs alone. Is it hard to multiply by 10?

Budgeting a portion of the costs was the first mistake. Unfortunately, more mistakes followed. For instance, the Medicare plan explicitly prohibits the federal government from negotiating prescription drug discounts on behalf of seniors and the disabled, even though this is how the government keeps costs down for its federal employees, the Veteran’s Administration, the Armed Forces and Congress. Prescription drug costs increased 17 percent last year (10 times the inflation rate). These costs will continue to increase at this rate because pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to keep prices down, and a purchaser large enough to demand lower costs does not exist.

The Medicare plan also heavily subsidizes private insurance companies and overpays and induces them to enter the Medicare market without requiring enhanced benefits, reduced premiums or increased payments to doctors and hospitals. Privatization of Medicare is costly, inefficient and does not ensure quality. Without public oversight or accountability, private insurance plans will pocket the subsidies and fire off generations of lobbyists to Washington, threatening to cut benefits unless the companies they represent get greater subsidies. This is privatization: a long-term, fat giveaway with no strings attached.

Under the new plan, a "crisis" would trigger the second time the general revenue fund for Medicare exceeds 45 percent. When this occurs, as it will by 2010, certain events will trigger to shift financing away from general revenue taxes. These shifts will most likely result in a greater reliance on payroll taxes, reduced provider reimbursements, increased Part B premiums, deductibles, co-pays, and quite possibly, increased age of eligibility for Medicare.

Another problem is the creation of Health Savings Accounts (HSA). HSA combine high deductible health insurance with tax-deductible savings accounts for health spending. This insurance does not apply to seniors, the disabled or anyone on Medicare. Instead, HSA apply to those who can afford the high deductible policy. The people who can afford this policy will benefit from the tax-advantaged savings accounts. HSA will not only divide the healthy from the sick and the rich from the poor, but will eventually ensure high deductible plans for all and cost billions of federal revenue dollars.

Short of scrapping the plan, there are ways of fixing the problems. We can first start with a more realistic budget; something closer to $800 billion over 10 years will let Medicare, and not seniors, pay for prescription drug coverage. We could also give Congress the power to rein in drug expenditures to keep the overall cost of Medicare down instead of accepting meek substitutes for the right to negotiate low, affordable prices with pharmaceutical companies.

We should not subsidize private insurance companies and run costs up. If we must treat health care like a commodity, let private insurance companies compete with traditional Medicare without undo advantage. Health Savings Accounts should not be created at the expense of the poor and taxpayers; this money should be saved on tax breaks to help pay for prescription drugs instead. We should also get rid of the general budget cap and keep Medicare financing fair.

If we were to think of our country’s health, and not the health of pharmaceutical companies, our health care system would not look like the system we have today, nor would it look like anything Mr. Bush signed into law. Without major revisions, the new Medicare plan will reduce the only universal health insurance we have to ashes. Do we need to remind our politicians that Medicare was intended for people, not corporations?

Everyone Wins: Why A Cigarette Tax Increase Is Good For Texas

Each year, one in five Americans – or an estimated 440,000 people – will die from tobacco-related illnesses. Smoking is still the nation’s leading cause of preventable death, as well as a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In Texas alone, 24,000 adults die each year from smoking, while an estimated 56,000 children under the age of 18 become daily smokers.

The human cost of smoking has been well documented. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), adult smokers die an average of 13 to 14 years earlier than non-smokers. And the harmful effects of tobacco do not discriminate – smoking kills men and women, old people and young people, regardless of race or ethnicity.

The economic cost of smoking is also abhorrent – smoking costs Texans $10 billion each year in healthcare and lost productivity.

The CDC recommends that Texas spend a minimum amount of $103 million annually on tobacco prevention programs. Texas, however, only spends around $7 million on tobacco prevention – or roughly 35 cents per person – ranking 40^th of the 50 states on efforts to reduce tobacco use among children.

The American Heart Association is part of the Texans Investing in Healthy Families coalition, which has called on legislators to increase the state cigarette tax by $1.00 per pack to help reduce smoking in children and teens while encouraging current smokers to quit. The current cigarette tax in Texas is only 41 cents per pack and has not been increased in over a decade.

Members of the Legislature have been given the difficult task of revamping the way public schools in Texas receive funding, and are currently reviewing revenue options. A $1.00 per pack cigarette tax increase would generate up to $1.5 billion in new state revenue over two years – money that could help fund public schools. According to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, a $1.00 increase would convince 179,000 adult smokers to quit, decrease youth smoking by close to 20 percent, save 135,600 Texans from smoking-related deaths and prevent 301,000 Texas children from ever starting to smoke.

If legislators were to dedicate just one nickel of each dollar to expanding statewide tobacco prevention and education programs, smoking among children would drop even more. Comprehensive tobacco prevention pilot programs have already demonstrated their effectiveness. One such program operated in Port Arthur resulted in a 40 percent drop in smoking rates of sixth graders, according to the Texas Department of Health. A later pilot program provided in four other counties (including Harris County) showed similar positive results.

Based on current cigarette smoking patterns, the CDC estimates that 25 million Americans alive today will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses, including 5 million people younger than 18. The cigarette tax increase is one way to fight this statistic.

Myles Porter Fannin County Attorney

Fannin County Attorney Myles Porter announced that on Wednesday, March 31, Jared Lee Ramer, age 24 of Honey Grove, was indicted by a Fannin County Grand Jury for the capital murder of Bill Williamson, a 63 year old resident of Ladonia.

Williamson’s body was discovered at his home on March 20 and he appeared to have been dead for several weeks. The Dallas County Medical Examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Ramer, who had done work for Williamson in the past, fled Fannin County after evidence linked him to the murder. Ramer returned to Bonham on March 23 and turned himself in to the sheriff’s department.

Attorney Steve Miears of Bonham was appointed by the court to represent Ramer. Bond was set at $300,000 by Justice of the Peace Joe Dale.

Finley-Oates Elementary Accelerated Reader

Bryan Martin

Bryan Martin is a Second Grade student at Finley-Oates Elementary School. He has earned 150.0 points by reading and passing 313 computer-based tests in the Accelerated Reader (AR) supplementary reading program at his school.

Congratulations, Bryan!

Tevin Rushing is a Second Grade student at Finley-Oates Elementary School. He has earned 150.0 points by reading and passing 317 computer-based tests in the Accelerated Reader (AR) supplementary reading program at his school.

Congratulations, Tevin!

Golf Tournament

Sponsored by: Ashley Lodge # 681  A.F. & A.M. 4 Man Best Ball Scramble

May 8th, 2004 Legacy Ridge Golf Course

Cash Prizes awarded to: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Tee times begin 1:00 pm Collar Shirts Must Be Worn

Entry Fee: $240.00 per team For Information  903-583-9280

Work Zone Fatalities Still On The Rise In Texas

AUSTIN -An increase seen in the number of highway work zone fatalities in Texas is prompting state transportation officials to ask motorists to use caution and heed warning signs in construction areas.

Texas reported 192 highway work zone fatalities in 2002, up from 140 in 2001.

The release of the figures comes on the eve of National work zone Awareness Week, April 4 - 10, during which transportation officials an opportunity to get the message out about the increase in highway work zone fatalities.

"We are striving to lower this troubling statistic by developing additional safety measures and supporting research dealing with work zones," said Mike Behrens, TxDOT executive director. "We hope motorists will do their part to increase safety."

In recent years, highway work zones have been improved through the use of plastic construction barrels, signs and barricades, which are designed to reduce both vehicle damage and potential driver injury when hit by a vehicle. The use of portable concrete barriers and crash cushions also protect drivers from dangers such as steep drop-offs and construction equipment, as well as protect workers from traffic.

TxDOT workers are wearing new safety vests with fluorescent reflective material all the way around, rather than just the front and back. The vests increase the visibility of the flaggers and maintenance crews.

TxDOT has begun using prismatic fluorescent orange coloring on all work zone signs and safety devices in all new highway work zones in Texas. The fluorescent nature of the orange coloring makes work zone signs much more visible during dawn, dusk and nighttime hours as well as in foggy conditions.

Texas, which has lead the nation in work zone fatalities since 1994, was followed in 2002 by California (119), Georgia (118), Florida (87), New York (60), North Carolina (47), Arkansas (40), Tennessee (38), Pennsylvania (33) and Alabama (33).

Roadway construction zone-related fatalities have increased 70 percent since 1997, according to federal data recently posted at the National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse. The data, compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), show that 1,181 people died in roadway construction zones in 2002-an increase of 102 deaths compared to 2001 figures.

Motorists can increase safety in work zones by; Staying alert and giving full attention to the roadway, signs and work zone workers; turning on headlights to make vehicle more visible; never tailgating or speed; always slowing to the posted limits, even if workers are not visible; never changing lanes in work zones. Motorists should minimize distractions in vehicles such as cellular phones and onboard navigation systems; always expect the unexpected in a roadway work zone; and be patient.

Litter Prevention And Community Beautification Programs Supported By Specialty License Plate

AUSTIN - As spring cleaning gets off to a start the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and local tax assessor-collector offices want you to know you can promote the beautification of Texas right on the back of your bumper, This month TxDOT and local tax offices are featuring the Keep Texas Beautiful specialty plate,

"The wildflowers blooming along our roads and highways are a great reminder this season that we should work to Keep Texas Beautiful," said Senator Jon Lindsay who sponsored the plate. "These specialty plates are a great idea for anyone who is interested in promoting a clean environment as the proceeds are used for litter prevention."

The Keep Texas Beautiful specialty plate includes the Don’t Mess with Texas motto on the left side of the plate with the phrase, "Keep Texas Beautiful" running along the bottom.

This license plate is available to motorists for a $30 annual fee, plus $40 if personalized, in addition to regular vehicle registration fees. Of the $30 annual fee for the Keep Texas Beautiful specialty plate, $22 is deposited into an account for litter prevention and community beautification programs.

Applications for the Keep Texas Beautiful specialty plate are available at county tax offices, on TxDOT’s web site (www.dot.state.tx.us), by calling the TxDOT Help Desk at (512) 465-7611, or TxDOT’s Fax-On-Demand forms line at (888) 232-7033. Customers requesting orders for specialty license plates through the fax service should enter the code 0999 to receive the form for the license plate they are ordering,

TxDOT started its specialty license plate program in 1965. Today, there is a wide variety of different plate designs, many of them benefiting a particular group, organization, college or university. Since 1994, more than $10 million has been raised for sponsoring organizations, colleges or universities.

New Research Reveals Texans Mistakenly Believe Convicts Keep Our Roadways Clean

(AUSTIN) - New research by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reveals 40 percent of Texans believe prisoners are most responsible for cleaning litter off state highways, when the truth is paid contractors and volunteers are doing the dirty work.

As many as 100,000 volunteers could help change this misperception April 3 when they participate in the 19st Annual Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off, one of the nation’s largest single-day cleanup events.

"Every year about 1 billion pieces of litter accumulate on Texas highways, and taxpayers are footing the bill to clean it up," said TxDOT Travel Division Director Doris Howdeshell. "The state spent about $32 million in cleanup costs last year, and contrary to what many people believe, we’re not using convicts to get it done. Ninety percent of our roadways are cleaned by paid contractors, and we rely on dedicated volunteers to do the rest."

The Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off Is co-sponsored by TxDOT and Keep Texas Beautiful (KTB). Volunteers include the members of more than 1,400 Adopt-a-Highway groups and more than 100 KTB communities. Adopt-a-Highway groups are In charge of highway cleanup, while KTB volunteers focus on neighborhoods, city streets and parks.

Last year, 70,000 Adapt-a-Highway and KTB volunteers picked up 1 million pounds of trash across Texas, making it one of the most successful years In Trash-Off history.

"This is one of the largest cleanups In the country, and it all begins at the local level," said KTB President Kyle Frazier. "Our grassroots organizations and volunteers make this event a success. It’s their passlon and dedication that help the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off grow every year. We believe this year will be the biggest and best yet"

A new Litter Attitudes and Behaviors Study released by TxDOT shows there’s much work to be done. While Texans’ habit of tossing larger items like cans or bottles dropped 18 percent in the past three years, one out of every five residents still admit to littering small things like cigarette butts or candy wrappers. Only 6 percent correctly answered paid contractors and volunteers are responsible for cleaning up the roadside trash.

TxDOT’s Don’t Mess with Texas public education campaign began In 1986 and has helped decrease the state’s roadside litter by 52 percent since 1995.

For more information about the Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off and Adopt-a-Highway, visit www.texasaah.org.

For a complete list of community events or volunteer information, contact KTB at 1-800-CLEAN-TX or visit www.ktb.org.

TMC Welcomes Pathologist

Texoma Medical Center is pleased to welcome Pathologist, Larry R. Miller, M.D. to the medical staff. Dr. Miller comes to Texoma from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Pathology is the study of the essential nature of diseases and especially the structural and functional changes produced by them. Dr. Miller will practice independently with the physicians at Texoma Pathology Associates, as well as at TMC’s Laboratory to study tissue samples to diagnose illness and disease. Dr. Miller earned his medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. He served an internship and completed his residency in Pathology at the Bowman-Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University/North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Dr. Miller is Board Certified in Anatomic & Clinical Pathology by the American Board of Pathology.

For more information on physicians affiliated with Texoma Medical Center, visit the Texoma HealthCare System website at www.thcs.org <http://www.thcs.org>.

State Working To Control Golden Alga

Congratulations To Fairview Nursing & Rehab

Jeanette Bowen Administrator of Fairview and Belinda Reynolds Act. Director of Fairview recently took a trip to Commerce to accept a award for having the best activity program in the Daybreak Ventures contest that was held in February. The activity department received $400.00 and a plaque to display in their facility. Belinda and Jeanette would like to say a special thanks to everyone who helped provide the residents with an outstanding array of events that enhance the quality of life for the residents. This was an honor to be able to accept this award considering Fairview won the contest out of 42 entries and 80 facility’s Pictured is left to right David Byer’s President & Chief Operating Officer Jeanette Bowen, Belinda Reynolds and Bill Powers Way to go Fairview !!!!!!

Finley-Oates Elementary Accelerated Reader

Asha Bynum

Asha Bynum is a Third Grade student at Finley-Oates Elementary School. She has earned 155.9 points by reading and passing 48 computer-based tests in the Accelerated Reader (AR) supplementary reading program at her school.

Congratulations, Asha!