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Wednesday, Wood County July 18, 2018 Vol. 3 No. 29 One section MONITOR 50 cents www.woodcountymonitor.com Don Hightower is pictured Hightower here with an eight and half foot gets his gator alligator he caught while By LARRY TUCKER damage and making a working on [email protected] part of the property in- a property accessible. damage Don Hightower was “I was able to remove complaint simply working a beaver the beaver from the af- where a property damage com- fected area in a couple beaver had plaint June 21 when he of days, then went back dammed came face to face with a a flowing for a fi nal check and to stream. The problem of another kind, remove my equipment,” gator was an eight-and-a-half-foot Hightower explained. released alligator. “The last trap I was go- south of Hightower, a former ing to remove, a lethal Hawkins in Wood County judge, device for quickly dis- the Sabine was working the proper- patching beaver under River. ty damage complaint on water, had caught the (courtesy a tributary of Big Sandy gator.” photo) Creek in eastern Wood Hightower said a lot County where beaver of people don’t realize had dammed a fl owing stream causing timber See GATOR, Page 4 Mineola parent and former student Jeff White speaks at the Town Hall. White is a former active duty Marine and his daughter represents the family’s fourth generation attending Mineola schools. (Staff photo) YANTIS ISD Board readies for coming school year The Yantis School Board approved a number of measures to support the up- coming 2018-2019 school year at the July 9 regular scheduled board meeting. Most importantly, Superintendent Tracey Hilff erich reported the school has fi lled all teacher positions for the upcoming year. Hilff erich also noted the school has received six applications for the newly created School Resource Offi - cer position. The board unanimously approved the school Code of Conduct, enacted the lo- cal measures necessary to function as a District of Innovation and approved the service agreement with Region 7 Edu- cation Service Center. The state Educa- Town Hall tackles school security tion Service Center provides a variety of services including teacher training, testing support, nurse administration Parents and caregivers expressed a The emotional investment experi- munications improvements. She and supply support for school districts. wide range of community concerns at enced in protecting children was evi- discussed hosting last year’s active The approved service agreement cost the the Mineola school security town hall dent throughout the evening, at times shooter training which has resulted district $50,705 for the upcoming school conducted last Tuesday evening at rendering those addressing the town in security drills and teacher training year. Mineola Primary School. Twenty-two hall to tears. In a respectful manner, using the school’s own certifi ed in- The Crisis Management Plan which citizens addressed the board, while att endees queried the board on nu- structors. includes a security plan will yet be more than 60 local residents att ended. merous security related issues while The most recent state security audit forthcoming. According to Hilff erich, Board President John Abbott opened the board briefed the gathering re- called for a number of improvements administrators would like the School Re- the session by proclaiming, “Tonight garding the most recent security mea- such as installing an additional 45 source Offi cer to go over the plan before is your night,” and expressing the sures placed in force. Mineola Police security cameras, removing under- it’s submitt ed approval. She anticipates board’s desire to receive community Chief Chuck Bitt ner, Community Re- brush around school property, and a number of meetings in support of the input before taking further school se- lations Offi cer Dusty Cook and Con- fencing off the back parking lot to plan before presentation to the board. curity decisions. An hour and a half stable Kelly Smith supported Tunnell prevent open access to the school Yantis schools received a competitive later, MISD Superintendent Kim Tun- in addressing many of the issues. grounds. grant from the Federal Communications nell praised the involvement of those Tunnell briefed the group on recent Additional physical security mea- present and promised further such physical security improvements, vi- See YISD Page 4 town hall sessions. olence prevention eff orts and com- See SECURITY, Page 6 Alex This Week in Your Daggett Neighborhood came Youth Army invades Wood County from the Houston By LARRY TUCKER between $200 and $300 for the • Saint Peter Catholic area [email protected] privilege. They get to spend a Church will host a Wom- town of week on the road, sometimes en’s Peace and Unity Spring to When most teenagers think in another state, doing manual Luncheon Saturday July be part about summer camp, visions labor as a group helping meet 21 at 11 a.m. Att endees of the of swimming, canoes, camp home repair and maintenance should take a covered UM Army fi res, horseback riding and needs for low income, elder- dish and lunch will be working other “fun” activities come to ly and disabled homeowners served after the pro- in Mine- mind. An “army” of teenagers who are unable to physically gram. For more informa- ola last and their sponsors invaded or fi nancially make needed tion call Evangelist Bett ie Friday Wood County last week and repairs to their homes. Morgan at 903-262-0959 on this based their operation out of FUMC Mineola has sent or call Shelly Self at 903- porch First United Methodist Church their youth and sponsors to 705-5301. project. of Mineola (FUMC Mineola). sites in Texas as well as Gulf- • The Lake Fork High (Monitor UM ARMY is an acronym port and Jackson, Mississippi. School Open bass fi shing photo for United Methodist Action Now a nationwide mission, tournament is this week- by Larry Reach-out Ministry by Youth. UM Army began some 40 Tucker) end at Oak Ridge Mari- Young people who sign up na. for this inspiring mission pay See ARMY, Page 3 Church Directory .............................10 Obituaries ......................................11 Community Calendar.........................2 Opinion ............................................2 Page 3 Page 6 Classifieds ....................................8-9 Police/Fire Reports ..........................5 Personnel moves made County teams www.facebook.com/WoodCountyMonitor Meals on Wheels ............................11 Sports ..............................................6 at Sheriff’s Offi ce in DCTF 2 Wood County Monitor • Wednesday, July 18, 2018 Letter to the Editor Hollen replaces Newman Dear Editor: siasm of the departing editor/report- As I write this, I feel the sadness of er who recently moved on. Doris has knowing that Doris Newman will not been a “liaison” between Mineola and on Mineola council be at the Monitor’s offi ce, alongside “Mineolans” for many years, and has Joyce Hathcock, to edit and correct done so much with utmost truthful- By LARRY TUCKER with the mayor, city council and city the spelling and grammar of what ness and integrity. The “silver lining” [email protected] employees,” Hollen stated. I wrote. There is no doubt that the is that the City of Mineola has gained Hollen served Quitman as City Secre- Wood County Monitor will continue a wonderful person who will contin- Greg Hollen is the new Mineola City tary/Administrator, and was responsi- to fl ourish with Larry Tucker who is ue to work hard for the bett erment of Alderman representing Ward 2, replac- ble for managing all aspects of the city’s a distinguished reporter/editor; yet this community. ing Jack Newman. administration, including two budget those of us who have known her, will George Assaf Hollen and Allene Doggett were each submissions (2016 & 2017), all adminis- miss the gentle guidance and enthu- Mineola nominated for the position and Mayor trative hiring in fi nance, court and utili- Kevin White had to break a tie vote at ty departments. His role included water the June city council meeting. and waste treatment plant Correction Hollen and his wife, Carol, construction project over- had been weekend residents sight (w/KSA Engineerings), in Mineola (Lake Holbrook) IT and security upgrades, and The Cub Scout from Mineola Pack Scout is Sam Arcand. We regret the beginning in 2002, and implementation of employee 385 shown in a photo on page 12 in mix-up on the names. We are proud moved to Mineola full time payroll and benefi ts enhance- the July 4 edition of the wood Coun- of all the Cub Scouts and appreciate in 2015. Hollen is a member ments. He also recruited for ty Monitor is captioned as Corey their work in the community. of the First United Methodist and re-launched the city’s Barnes. That particular Tiger Cub Church of Mineola, and is ac- Planning and Zoning Com- tive in the United Methodist mission, and had a role in Men and choir. Current com- Greg Hollen returning Carroll Green Civic Letters Policy munity roles include Min- Center to profi tability. eola’s Landmark Commission Board, He served 10 years on the University Letters to the editor are tion and be no more than Letters should not be per- Wood County Crimestopper’s Board, of North Texas Business School Adviso- the Friends of Lake Holbrook Board, ry Board and as a mentor for the Pro- opinions expressed by the 350 words long. One letter sonal attacks and must not the APET-SPCA Board and the Bread of fessional Leadership Program (PLP) writers and in no way re- per writer per topic will be be libelous. The newspaper Life Food Pantry Ministry Board. He is and was recognized with the business fl ect opinions or policies of accepted.