Domino Mayor Arrested
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Band goes to State PAGE 2 Journal-Cass County Citizens Sun Proudly Serving Atlanta, Linden, Queen City & Surrounding Cass County LOCAL NEWS. STAY CONNECTED VOLUME 144 NUMBER 51 FACEBOOK.COM/JOURNAL-SUN YOUR WAY. CASSCOUNTYNOW.COM WEDNESDAY December 16 2020 $1 1 SECTION, 16 PAGES AL CAMPBELL Domino mayor arrested By Lacy Gross City of Domino Mayor Al Campbell was arrested Nov. 18 for alleged Abuse of Official Capacity and Unlawful Use of Funds for Political Advertising. An investigation of a politically charged newsletter authored by Camp- bell and mailed to the city’s water cus- tomers in early September was initiated by the Cass County District Attorney’s The Office and facilitated by the Texas De- partment of Public Safety-Texas Rang- ers. of According to a probable cause affi- davit, on or about Sept. 10, 2020, an investigation of Campbell began upon the request of the Cass County District Attorney’s Office. The Cass County District Attor- ney’s Office received information that Campbell mailed a letter to the citizens Photo by Kate Stow See MAYOR page 5 Jaci Sullivan visits with Santa at CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital - Atlanta and Genesis PrimeCare Ellington Memorial Clinic’s “Cruise through Christmas”. See story and more photos on page 15. Christmas festivities bring joy to locals Story and Photos by Kate Stow The eighth annual Hometown Christmas Celebration was held Saturday night in Atlanta. The event, sponsored by the Atlanta Area Young Professionals Association, began at 4 p.m. and took place all over downtown. Happening at the same time was the Local Makers Market at Woods Park on Hiram Street. Crafters, vendors, chefs and builders set up their booths and sold their wares to a record crowd. Everything from windchimes made of silverware, paintings, repurposed furniture, art, pottery and food were available. Some vendors even sold out of items before the night was over. Downtown businesses and members of the Atlanta Mer-chants Association kept their doors open late to accommodate the shopping crowd. Some of the shops offered refreshments and Christmas specials. Santa Claus sent his helper, Steve Mitchell of Texarkana, to make an appearance at Atlanta Floral on Main Street, sitting inside the window. A bench was set against the glass so children could have their picture made with him for the health safety of all. Snow machines were located at several loca- tions and kids could be seen throwing snow- balls in the not-quite-freezing temperatures. Treats could be found at several shops, a candy cart on Hiram Street, and at the Makers Mar- ket at Woods Park. See FESTIVITIES page 15 Obituaries JOURNAL-SUN JOURNAL-SUN $1.00 Cassandra Kolodzik 306 W. Main St • Atlanta, TX 75551 Gary Pickett Hours: M-Th 8:30-5; F 8:30-4 903 796 7133 [email protected] PAGE 11 SEE DONORS PAGE 3 2 – Journal-Sun Wednesday, December 16, 2020 Wolfe leaves Chamber By Shawn Larson Kendell Wolfe announced that Friday, December 11 was his last day as the Communications Manager for the Atlanta Area Chamber of Commerce. “The chamber of commerce has been a great place to work and it has truly been a bless- ing working with all of you,” said Wolfe. Wolfe went on to say that starting the 14th he will be back full-time as an insurance agent, Kendell Wolfe Insurance Agency, LLC. “I wish Kendell the best in all his future ventures, and I know I’ll still see him in the mix around town,” said Mi- randa Johnson, President of the Atlanta Chamber of Com- merce in response to Wolfe leaving. Wolfe can be reached at [email protected] or by USPS, PO Box 191, Atlanta, Texas 75551. Manhunt ends in The band in death of suspect blue gets a By Lacy Gross royal send off A manhunt in Eastern Cass County, Wednesday, Dec. 9, for the suspect wanted for questioning in relation to several The Roaring Band from burglaries, ended in the shooting death of the suspect by Tigerland set off for the law enforcement officers. legendary home of the Eric Drake Feenstra, a 47-year-old white male who had Alamo on Saturday. ties to both San Antonio and Rockwall and wanted on a pa- Packed and ready role warrant, was at the center of a multi-agency manhunt to go, the students loaded onto charter that ended in his death. busses courtesy of the The Cass County Sheriff’s Office along with several administration and band law-enforcement agencies began searching, Dec. 9, for a boosters and were suspect who was wanted for questioning in relation to sev- roaring and ready to eral burglaries in the Huffines community around 4:00 p.m. rock the roof off of the According to a press release from the Cass County Dis- Alamodome at the UIL trict Attorney’ Office, Thursday, Dec. 10, Feenstra was State Marching Band believed to be armed and dangerous as several witnesses Championship. The indicated the suspect was armed with a gun. Preliminary competition, held on Monday, Dec. 14, will be information indicated the suspect was located at a resi- a historic event for the dence after which he fled into a wooded area on foot. band as no one is aware “During the night and early morning hours, multiple of the band ever going shots were fired at law enforcement officers”, according to to state. With busses the press release, “Two additional warrants were obtained loaded, the students for the subject for aggravated assault-deadly weapon on a were given a police public servant, a first-degree felony.” escort from the parking “The suspect was found in a small maintenance shop and lot of the high school refused to surrender. During negotiations, the individual and cheered on by all of their biggest fans. A presented a weapon and was shot by law enforcement. The sensational send off to suspect died at the scene”, according to the press release. an extraordinary event No officers or civilians were injured. that the students and The Cass County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Texas their band director, Ron Department of Public Safety – Highway Patrol, Texas Rang- Williams, will surely never ers, Texas Department of Public Safety Aircraft, Queen City forget. Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens, their Rural Operations Group Team, Members of the US Marshall’s Joint East Texas Fu- gitive Task Force who included members from the Texas Attorney General’s Office and Smith County Probation Department, Investigators for the District Attorney’s Office and the Telford Unit Canine Department. Courtesy photos A formal investigation is being conducted by the Texas Rangers, and no additional information is available at this On Saturday, December time. 19 Santa will be back at Potato Patch from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.! People from the community are invited to bring their children and take photos with the man himself! They will have refreshments and hot cocoa! Ac- cording to Kayla Hill the Manager, “This is our 3rd year to host Santa. Not only do kids enjoy it, but also the adults join in with taking photos with Santa. It’s just an overall fun-filled day with the people in our commu- nity. We look forward to seeing everyone on Sat- Eric Drake Feenstra, a 47-year-old white male who urday, and on behalf of had ties to both San Antonio and Rockwall and all of us at Potato Patch, wanted on a parole warrant, was at the center of a Merry Christmas!” multi-agency manhunt that ended in his death. Wednesday, December 16, 2020 Journal-Sun – 3 Cass County Treasurer announces early retirement Christmas at the Park By Lacy Gross Cass County Treasurer Donna Early announced to the Commissioners’ Court her plan for early retire- ment during its regular ses- sion Tuesday, Dec. 8. Citing her weeks-long battle last month with COVID-19 and the severity of her symp- toms, Early, an elected offi- cial, said she would retire ef- fective Jan. 31, 2021—nearly two years before her term expires. “Having COVID-19 and being so sick for longer than expected, made me realize that I am ready to retire”, Early said, “Therefore, I am retiring as Cass County Treasurer ef- fective Jan. 31, 2021.” Journal-Sun Photo Early told the court that although she enjoys her position Atlanta State Park will be celebrating their 11th Annual Christmas in the Park. They do not have any spots left as treasurer, she wants to spend more time with her family, to camp but they invite visitors to join them for a drive-thru to look at all the beautiful Christmas decorations volunteer and travel. with the participation of the park guests. Santa, Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Smokey Bear will be here to wel- “No one knows what the Lord has in mind for our future”, come people to the park for free. This year the event will be on December 18 and 19 from dark to 9:00 p.m. Early said, “It has been my honor and privilege to serve the Commissioners’ Court, county employees and citizens of Cass County for the past ten years as County Treasurer, as well as, working as a county employee for six years prior to being elected.” Queen City prepares to adopt Early’s replacement for the remainder of her term will be decided by the Cass County Commissioners’ Court, but ac- cording to Cass County Judge Becky Wilbanks, a specific alcohol zoning ordinance process to fill the position has not yet been determined.