Home catches fire on Christmas Day
Mineola 12/26 - The Christmas holidays were tarnished yesterday when a family home in Mineola caught fire. Firefighters responded  to a home on University street in Mineola just after 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon. A large column of black smoke could be seen for miles even before crews could arrive. Firefighters from Mineola and Quitman battled the blaze for nearly an hour before finally getting the flames under control. The family was able to get out o the home safely and no one was reportedly injured. Fire investigators are still looking into the exact cause of the blaze. (Click on the photo at right for more pictures)

Hay fire keeps fire fighters busy overnight
Mineola 12/20 - It’s been a busy night for Mineola firefighters. Large columns of smoke were seen rising from a large barn off McDonald Street in Mineola last night. The fire broke out about 2:30 a.m. and brought down a large barn with more than 1,000 bales of hay inside. Fire fighters were still on the scene early Thursday morning putting out hot spots. No one was injured in the blaze.

Mineola Fire Department to get new radios
Mineola 12/19 - The Mineola Fire department is getting an early Christmas present in the form of new radios. More than $19,000 has been awarded to the fire department from Homeland Security to purchase new hand-held radios. The radios will give firefighters the ability to communicate with Smith County emergency services should a regional emergency occur. The Mineola City Council approved the receipt of the grant last night.

Still no identity on man found near Hawkins
Hawkins 12/18 - Wood County Sheriff's deputies say they are still waiting for test results to come back on the body of man found near Lake Hawkins. The body was found in the woods near the lake several weeks ago. Deputies said the body was badly decomposed and had been at the site for at least two weeks. Authorities say there was a truck nearby but they are waiting for results from a forensic lab to positively identify the body.

Woman and boy found dead near Quitman
Quitman 12/11 - Two people were found dead this morning in a home near Quitman. Wood County Sheriff Dwaine Dougherty says a 911 caller reportedly found a woman and a juvenile in a home just north of Quitman. The woman is identified at 35-year-old Nicole Payne. The name of the juvenile has not yet been released. The case is being investigated by the Texas Rangers.

Mineola woman dies in car accident
Mineola 11/29 - A Mineola woman died this morning in a two-car accident on Hwy 69. Fern Turk was turning from Pat street onto US-69 when her car collided with another vehicle. A passenger in Turk’s car as well as the driver of the other car were both transported to the hospital. Turk was pronounced dead on the scene. Hwy 69 was blocked for about an hour and half while crews cleared the scene. (Photo: The firefighters and paramedics help an injured driver our of her vehicle before she is taken to a local hospital.)

Winnsboro woman dies in accident
Lake Fork 11/12 - A Winnsboro woman died this morning near Lake Fork when her vehicle collided with a dump truck. Department of Public Safety Troopers say Lela Fisher was driving to work at the Rains Independent School District in Emory just after 7 a.m. when her pickup truck spun sideways and slid into oncoming traffic. A dump truck driven by John Reid of Alba struck Fisher's truck. Yantis and Quitman fire fighters responded to the collision on the east bridge of Lake Fork on FM-515 in Wood County. Trooper Jeannie Dark said Fisher was pronounced dead on the scene. Reid was treated for minor injuries. The investigation is still underway.

Canton Festival of Trees gala set for Friday night
- Dozens of trees will fill the chamber office as the Canton Chamber of Commerce's Festival of Lights gets underway Friday night. The gala is a free event (tickets are available at the chamber office) which kicks off the three weeks of viewing and bidding on the trees. The trees have been donated and decorated by area chamber members. Each tree is on sale to the highest bidder during the three weeks ending on December 8th. That night, each tree will be awarded to the highest bidder. The event is a fundraiser for the chamber.
 

Hawkins couple dies in single car accident
Smith county 11/9 - A wood county couple is dead after a car accident Wednesday afternoon. Yesterday, Department of Public Service officers released the name of an 83-year-old man who lost control of his 2003 truck and ran off the road. Francis Sharp and his 83-year-old wife, Betty Sharp, died when their truck hit several trees off FM-2015 south of I-20 in Smith County. The DPS said Sharp was driving north on FM-2015 when he ran off the road and then overcorrected. Both husband and wife died at the scene. The couple lived in Hawkins. A joint funeral service is planned for Saturday.

Mineola rate upheld; Lindale's turned down
East Texas 11/7 - Yesterday was election Day and several issue were up for approval including 16 constitutional amendments statewide. All 16 passed last night. Locally, it was a mixed bag as several school districts had tax rates or bond packages on the ballot. Mineola’s tax certification election passed by a margin of just 55 votes. “I’m very pleased with the result,” said Mineola Superintendent Mary Lookadoo. She added that the new rate of 1.17 cents per $100 of value will help bring in additional matching funds contributed by the state.
    A similar Lindale measure did not pass, being defeated by more than 500 votes. Nearly 2,700 votes were cast in the election with slightly more than 1,000 votes in favor of the higher tax rate and close to 1,600 against it.
    The $8 million bond proposal in Big Sandy also failed. The school district wanted to use the funds to build an auditorium and a football stadium. Big Sandy voters cast 117 votes or 39 percent for the bond issue and 181 votes or 60 percent against it.
    Also failing last night, the third proposal for a new Smith County Jail. The bond package failed by more than two to one margin with 6,369 votes in favor of the package and 14,131 votes against it.

Witness: "I couldn't believe she was alive"
Mineola 10/31 - It was a small cavity in among the twisted metal, sheltered by a single post between the driver’s door and the back seat door. It was that hole, that small space, the only space not crushed by the force of the accident that meant the difference between life and death. The accident happened around 11:20 a.m. on FM-1253 east of Mineola.
     Another driver had seen the woman in the light blue Grand Marquee just moments earlier. The driver said the woman passed her going much too fast. The last thing she remembered before the woman disappeared over the hill was seeing a handicapped tag hanging from the marquee's rear-view mirror. Just seconds later the driver saw the car again, this time it was in the ditch, in a mangled mess. The woman inside still alive inside that small cavity.
   Mineola fire fighters made quick work of cutting open what remained of the roof and paramedics sped the injured woman away. The first driver was left standing near the accident shaking her head. Amazed the woman survived.

A scary day at KMOO
KMOO 10/31 - Yes, it is Halloween. You can tell by the radio commercials, the shelves at the grocery store over flowing with candy and last, but not least, the scary things you see at KMOO. Can you guess which of the three people at left are NOT in costume?

One man killed in weekend accident
Emory 10/29 - One person is dead, another in the hospital after an early Sunday morning accident outside Emory. DPS troopers say 36-year-old Shawn Kearny was driving a white pickup truck west on FM-515 about five miles outside of Emory when he drifted across the road. Troopers say he hit a culvert which sent the truck off into a field. Kearny was flown to Parkland Hospital were he remains in stable condition. His passenger, 49-year-old Kirk White of Emory died at the scene. Graveside services for Kirk White are scheduled for 10 a.m. Tuesday at Emory City Cemetery. Troopers says alcohol may have been a possible factor in the accident.

Taco Bell in Mineola burns;
Mineola 10/23 - The Taco Bell in Mineola was on fire this morning and it wasn’t the hot sauce. Employees evacuated the building as gray-brown smoke began pouring from the roof. Firefighters from Mineola and Quitman arrived to find an area near the front door on fire. The flames seemed to be contained mostly to the area near the door. It took firefighters about 30 minutes to knock the flames down and put out the fire. No one was injured and there is no word on when the restaurant will be able to reopen.

Classes cancelled
following break-in
Alba-Golden 10/21 - The tardy bells are ringing to an empty campus in Alba-Golden today after a break in over night left parts of the campus in disarray. Superintendent Larry Tucker said several buildings were broken into including offices in the administration building, the elementary and high schools and the cafeteria.
   Wood County Sheriff’s deputies are slowly moving their way through campus collecting clues and searching for evidence. So far though, money may be the only motive may have been cash kept in some offices but it is still unclear how much, if any, was taken.
   Tucker said cafeteria employees arrived early this morning to find glass broken and papers strewn around the offices. A maintenance employee then discovered other areas of the campus had been hit as well. Tucker said school employees had been on campus as late at Sunday morning and did not see any damage which leaves investigators to believe the break in occurred sometime late Sunday night. Classes are expected to resume tomorrow.

Wood County man killed in shooting
Lake Holbrook 10/19 - One person is dead after a shooting last night near Mineola. Sheriff’s Deputies and Mineola Police officers responded to a shooting on CR-2231, near Lake Holbrook around 8:30 last night. Wood County deputies say a 9-1-1 caller said her husband, using a rifle, shot another man after the man had come onto the property and threatened the couple. When police arrived they found Steve Young on the ground with a single gunshot wound in the chest. Paramedics attempted to care flight Young but then diverted to Quitman where he was pronounced dead. Deputies say no one has been arrested but the investigation is ongoing.

Alba-Golden student flown from stadium
There were some scary moments in Wood County Friday night as Alba-Golden player Billy Hill lay on the field nearly 30 minutes after a hard hit. Witnesses say there was a legal hit and there was nothing unusual about the play. Hill was first loaded into a nearby ambulance and then transferred to a East Texas Medical Center helicopter which landed in the middle of the field. Hill was taken to a Tyler hospital where he was later released that same night. Coach Fry said Hill received an upper body stinger and is expected to return to practice within a few days. Quitman went on to win the game, 35-18. (Right: Paramedics load Alba-Golden football player  into ETMC helicopter. Photo courtesy of Gene Long.)

Mineola Fire Department celebrates 100
Mineola 10/6 - It was a packed house Saturday as Mineola volunteer fire fighters celebrated 100 years of service to the Mineola area. Dozens of friends, family, city council members and other dignitaries gathered for the centennial celebration which began with a moving ceremony honoring every former fire chief.  The Tyler Bagpipe Corps performed as the bell tolled in the background for each former chief not accounted for. Several firefighter moved to tears during the event. KMOO presented a large plaque on behalf of over 100 businesses in the area saying thank you for the department's century of service. (Right: Mineola Community Bank's Freda Madsen serves food during the MVFD celebration.)

Wood County 10/5 - It began early this morning in Hopkins County as 25-year-old. Joseph Meadows was being transported to a hospital by a jailer. Meadows overpowered the jailer, and stole a Hopkins country Sheriff’s truck, driving it to Longview before police caught up with him. Meadows fled from officers reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour, driving through Big Sandy and eventually ending up at FM 778 and FM 3056 near Lake Hawkins, where he wrecked the truck into a fence. Meadows then jumped from the truck and fled on foot into a heavily wooded area. Wood County deputies set up a three to five mile perimeter, brought in dogs and a helicopter and tried to flush Meadows out. Around 9:30 this morning, less than a ¼ mile from the command post, a resident reported seeing meadows. A few minutes later deputies surrounded the area and Meadows walked out of the woods and gave up. Meadows was taken to the Wood County jail and then turned over to Hopkins County authorities.

Man injured as car runs off CR-2297
Quitman  9/12 - One man was taken to the hospital after his car ran off the road near Lake Holbrook. Local residents said they heard a "thump" around 7 am this morning. Moments later they heard a faint call for help. A few minutes later residents found a small gray car in a creek just off Wood County Road 2297. When Mineola fire crews arrive, the man was still trapped in the vehicle. Crews pulled the man from the car.

Quitman investigates shooting
Quitman  9/12 - Quitman police are still trying to sort out exactly what happened in a shooting which sent a Tyler man to the hospital Tuesday morning. 42-year-old Michael Eugene Bruney was shot in the left knee. Police say they found the man after a 9-1-1 call from the scene reported the shooting. Bruney was taken by helicopter to a Tyler hospital. Bruney was reportedly shot by his stepfather although no arrests have been made in the case.

Pay raise for Sheriff not a done deal
Rains County Commissioners must consider a pay increase for the county’s sheriff David Traylor, but they do not have to approve it. That determination came today after Traylor appeared in front of a 9-member Salary Grievance Committee presenting his case for a $6,300 increase in pay. More than 30 people showed up to attend the meeting and many of them offered their support for the Sheriff, calling the proposed pay of $32,000 for next year "a slap in the face." County Judge Joe Dougherty, who chaired the committee, told the group he would present the basic financial information behind the salary number but Traylor protested saying he believe it was his hearing and felt Dougherty should only present the information if the committee specifically asked for it. Texas Ranger Phillip Kemp told the judge he could face open meeting problems if he presented budget information since the topic had not been posted as a part of the agenda. Dougherty said he too felt the sheriff was underpaid and added that most county employees should be paid more. Finally, one committee member proposed accepting the sheriff's request prompting a vote. Eight people voted in favor of the request with none opposed and one person abstaining. Under state law, with only eight votes in favor of the request the request must now go to commissioners. (In the photo above, several members of the committee vote to grant the sheriff his requested pay for 2007-2008.)

Bomb threat found in Como-Pickton HS
Como  9/5 - Como-Pickton students went home early today after a bomb threat was discovered. Hopkins County officials say two notes were discovered in a high school classroom leading officials to evacuate the entire school. Most students waited on the football field until parents could pick up their children. School officials say no one was injured and the proper procedures were followed. The Sheriff’s department remains on the scene at this hour searching the building for any suspicious item.

Storms damage homes near Mineola
Mineola  9/5 - "It sounded like everyone says it does; like a giant freight train." Although the National Weather Service is not able to confirm what blew through the countryside between Mineola and Hainesville, the residents of one neighborhood say they have no doubt; "it was a tornado."
   "I heard the wind and looked out the back door. That's when I say all the limbs and metal blowing around in a circle," said a man who lived in one of several manufactured homes off County Road 2632.
   A line of heavy thunderstorms moved through the area just before noon Wednesday bringing high winds to an already soaked East Texas. Besides downing trees and scattering debris, the storm is also blamed for moving one home about 30 feet off its foundation and ripping insulation from its roof. Two women and a child were inside the home when it was knocked around but none of them were hurt. (In the photo above, a mobile home is moved off its footings. The former front steps are shown lower right.)

Hundreds of customers without power
Wood County  9/4 - Hundreds of customers in Wood County were without power for more than three hours yesterday as storms moved across the area. The storms moved through around 5 pm yesterday bringing high winds and heavy rain. Wood County Electric Cooperative says a downed tree was to blame for an outage that affected nearly 400 customers in the Alba-Golden area beginning around 6 p.m.  A lightening strike just after 7 p.m. knocked another 2,700 customers offline in the Yantis area. Crews restored most of the power by around 9 p.m. last night.

Mineola officer arrests armed robber
Lake Fork  8/24 - Cody Castleberry has been a Mineola Police officer for just five months and has only been on the streets by himself for three weeks. So, when he arrived at a pharmacy in Mineola to investigate a hot check case, he naturally wanted to do everything right and make the department proud.
    As he approached the store, he noticed a strange truck. Thinking the people sitting inside might be involved, he detained them. He soon discovered their crimes were more complex than simple forgery.
    In fact, after it was all said and done, officer Castleberry had nabbed Jason Roe Thompson, an armed robber who had held up a bank in Arkansas three days earlier and was wanted by the FBI. Officers even recovered some of the cash from the heist.
  Mineola Captain Joyce Box said the department is, indeed, very proud of officer Castleberry. (Photo: Thompson is detained along with two passengers on Thursday in Mineola. A D.P.S. Trooper assisting Mineola officers stands nearby.)

Russom and Allen win Summer Challenge
Lake Fork  8/24 - Most of East Texas was still sleeping when Christen and Zach hauled 12 of their friends to Granny's Kitchen in Quitman Saturday morning. Standing in the still dark parking lot, each team member proudly wore a white shirt with the Green Acres Nursing and Rehab logo on front and carried a poster supporting the team. Eight teams stood side by side as the starting signal was sounded. It was the start of a very long day.
    Christen and Zach did not win the egg toss in Quitman. Neither did they win the "Find the Movie" contest in Winnsboro. In fact, most of the nine challenges were won by other teams. However, the white team had one advantage; a huge group of supporters which followed them everywhere they went.
    Thirteen hours later, it came down to two teams; blue and white. And when the totals were announced it was white that pulled it out, scoring Christen and Zach a five-day, four-night Caribbean cruise. For more photos from the day, click here.

New procedures set for Mineola ISD
Mineola 8/23 -Most schools are set to begin next week Monday and while children are excited about new friends and classes, parents may also find a few changed. Mary Lookadoo Superintendent for Mineola I.S.D. says the district is implementing a new system that automatically screens campus visitors and checks them against a national list of registered sex offenders. Lookadoo says starting this year, state law also requires schools to conduct criminal background checks on all school volunteers.
   Grand Saline schools are also preparing for their first day. After donuts and orange juice, teachers were treated to a motivational speaker from California this morning The faculty was encouraged to use each others talents to create a better environment for their students. 

Wood County finds marijuana
Wood County 8/20 - Dallas authorities have found several fields of marijuana plants recently, but now Wood County has discovered its share. Deputy Rusty Owens was responding to an animal call on County Road 3495 when he began checking pens of dogs at the scene. That’s when he stumbled onto several 6-foot-tall marijuana plants. Police arrested 42-year-old Shirley Shaw for possession of marijuana and was transported to the Wood County Jail.

National Night Out huge success
East Texas 8/7 - It was hot but people turned out by the hundreds nonetheless. From small gatherings with a few cookies and fruit to large, barbeques complete with team sports and door prizes, National Night Out brought people together in an effort to prevent crime. Captain Jack Newman from the Mineola Police Department said before the evening began that he was looking forward to another year, "even bigger and better than last year." Grand Saline put on a street fair complete with bicycle parade and first ever "chocolate fight" where participants in white t-shirts tried to douse opponents with cups of chocolate syrup. The Grand Saline Mine Rescue Team also demonstrated their equipment and skills. "We hoping to unite communities through stronger neighborhoods" said Demetrius Boyd, Pastor of St. Paul's Missionary Baptist Church in Mineola which hosted a large event on the lawn of the church. In the photo above, KMOO News Director David Chenault hands out free fans and firemen hats during a visit to one of many National Night Out parties. For more photos from the evening, click here.

New Hope Water Supply hit by fire
New Hope 8/5 - A plea to conserve water, that’s what authorities with New Hope water are asking of customers today. Last night, a fire broke out just before midnight at the water system’s pump house north of Hwy 80. Firefighters arrived to find flames coming from a building near the storage tank. It took crews about an hour to get the blaze under control. Jim Slayton, with New Hope Water said this morning they are already working on repairing the damage and getting the water flowing again, but says it will take some time. He is asking all customers to conserve as much water as possible and especially not to water outdoors until repairs can be made.

Hawkins ISD Board Member faces charges
Mineola 8/2 - A Hawkins school board member has found himself in trouble in two counties. 21-year-old Steen Lamonte Holland reportedly turned himself in to Smith county authorities on Tuesday in connection to a case of theft. Holland told the Tyler Morning Telegraph he was fighting accusations made by a former employer. The company filled charges against Holland claiming he was responsible for missing inventory. But the felony theft charges are not the only trouble Holland is facing. Wood County prosecutors are also perusing misdemeanor chargers against Holland stemming from charges he allegedly wrote a hot check in September 2005. When Holland didn’t show up for a court appearance in July, Wood County District Attorney Jim Wheeler filed a civil case again him forfeiting his bond. Wheeler would not comment further on either case since they are both still pending.  Hawkins Superintendent Dan Rose reported told the Tyler paper the school was aware of the situation but could not comment on it.

City moves forward on rebuilding streets
Mineola 7/31 - It’s a done deal. After some discussion last night, Mineola city council members approved a contract with a Dallas engineering firm to oversee the project of rebuilding streets in the city. The city will spend just over $4.1 million to rebuild Freeman and Bromberg as well as partially reconstruct or overlay several other streets. Mayor Pete Smith said it was a positive step for the city. Listen to audio.

Man trapped in pit for nearly two hours
Mineola 7/24 - A Mineola utility worker was trapped in a pit of mud and dirt for nearly two hours this afternoon. The man was working with a city water crew to install a new water tap when dirt collapsed around him, trapping his legs. The man was able to pull one leg free but could not dislodge his right leg from the slurry. Mineola firefighters worked with a harness to try and pull the man up from the hole. However, it was not until rescuers used a vacuum machine borrowed from Ramey Water, that they could finally dig out the man. Once free, paramedics inspected the man's knee and ankle and treated him for exhaustion. Mineola Fire Chief David Madsen said he was very pleased with the response of fire fighters. (Photo at right: Rescuers use a vacuum to remove mud from around a trapped utility worker)

Truck rolls off road near Jamestown
Jamestown 7/23 - A goose-neck trailer ran off the road near Jamestown loosing its load. No one was hurt in the accident that left two tractors laying in the ditch. Mineola firefighters responded to the scene.

Hopkins County woman found dead
Como 7/23 - A Como woman was found dead a day after she was reported missing. 23-year-old Crystal Vellengas disappeared on Thursday. She had been diagnosed with epilepsy and other medial problems according to the Hopkins County Sheriff’s department. Vellengas was found dead early Friday morning near Como. She apparently had been walking along a road when she died. Her body has been sent to Dallas for an autopsy.

Big Catfish make a splash at Lake Fork
Lake Fork  7/22 - More than 400 people entered the Big Catfish Splash at Lake Fork over the weekend for two-days of some of the best fishing in East Texas. Overall winner, Wes Meares of Springtown said he dropped his line to the bottom and immediately got hung up. He turned to his father, who had not yet cast his line, to tell him he had a problem when his line took off. His hook had gotten tangled up in the mouth of a 30-lb catfish. When it was officially weighed in, it registered 29.94 lbs; enough to take the top slot for the tournament. Other winners included David Messer of Tyler (shown in photo at right) with a 23.63 lb cat, Phil Lasswell of Lufkin, Billy Henry of Vernon and Alex Johnson of Rowlett.

A big finish for the Mineola Fire Department
Mineola 7/13 - The rains that drenched bull riders, barrel racers and spectators on Friday evening had vanished by Saturday leaving a star filled night, perfect for a rodeo. Traffic backed up along Highway 69 as the crowd turned out for the last night of the Mineola Volunteer Fire Department. Because of the rain, organizers honored Friday night's tickets on Saturday as well. Following the Grand Entry, Stormy McBride was crowned  this year's Rodeo Queen.

Oakwood man dies in Mineola accident
Mineola 7/13 - An Oakwood man is dead following a late night accident Saturday. Witnesses say they saw Jerry Kirk Bemus drive past Wal-Mart in Mineola going extremely fast. Just moments later he plowed into a tree just off pacific street. It was just after midnight on Saturday night that fire fighters rushed to scene to cut the 50-year-old man free from his vehicle. The man was not breathing when paramedics arrived on the scene. He was taken from scene by ambulance and later pronounced dead. Although several open beer containers were found inside Bemus’ truck, police say they are waiting for toxicology results to make a final determination on the cause of the accident.

Fire destroys storage units in Canton
Canton 7/12 - Fire fighters have the flames out but continue to pour water on a smoldering building in Canton at this hour. The fire broke out just after 6 am this morning just off Hwy 64, West of downtown Canton. Fire fighters from Wills Point, Van, Grand Saline, South Van Zandt, Whitten and Mabank fire departments assisted Canton fire fighters with the fire. Authorities say the building contains two separate storage units holding items sold by First Monday businesses. It took fire crews nearly four hour before they begin to make entry into the metal structure due to the heat. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.  (Photo at left: Fire fighter directs ladder struck at the scene of a warehouse fire in Canton)

Residents speak out on EMS Service
Grand Saline 7/11 -There was some applause last night in Grand Saline on both sides of an issue that has stirred no little controversy. Last night more than 100 people filed into the Chamber Pavilion for a public hearing to dissolve the area’s newly formed Emergency Services district. Doyal Milliron, chairman of the 5-member board told the crowd the board wanted input on weather or not the election held to form the district was conducted properly. Milliron said that was the basis for the petition to dissolve the district to be filed a week after the election in May. However, Gary Jackson, a Lindale attorney that helped the county form the district told Milliron it was not their job to decide on the election, rather to hear the merits of keeping or dissolving the district. More than 20 people spoke last night, many expressing their support for the local fire and EMS service.

East Texas 7/6 UPDATED 12:43 PM- Overnight rains has turned minor problems into major problems for many East Texas roads. In the photo above (courtesy of listener Jackie Lemon) traffic had to navigate several inches of water on US-69 just north of Loop 323 in Tyler. Here is a list of current road hazards:

Man holds up gas station in Hawkins
Hawkins 6/26 - Authorities in Wood and Upshur counties are on the look out a man who held up a convenience store. A man reportedly robbed the Exxon in Hawkins at gun point around 8:30 p.m. tonight. No one was reportedly hurt. Witnesses described the robber as a white male in his mid 40's, 5'-10" tall, 180 to 190 pounds, salt-and-pepper hair, wearing a black jacket, a brown bandana, a camouflage hat and blue jeans. The man fled the scene in a dark blue Chevy Tahoe.

Winnsboro makes major drug arrest
Winnsboro 6/26 - Police officers say they have made a dent in the drug trafficking business in Winnsboro. Investigator Jerry Hirsch said officers executed a warrant at a home on West Carnegie street shortly before noon today. Police arrested Michael David Drennen arrested for possession of Marijuana and Methamphetamines with intend to deliver.  Hirsch said the department has been working on the case for at least 6 months. Hirsch they will continue to aggressively work narcotic cases. 

Wills Point soldier killed in Iraq
Wills Point 6/26 - The Department of Defense announced this morning the death of four soldiers who were supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom including a Wills Point solider. Sgt. Jimy M. Malone, 23, died along with three other soldiers in Taji, Iraq on Saturday. The Department of Defense says the four men died of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

Horn becomes new Miss Mineola
Mineola 6/25 - Three young ladies took to the stage at the Civic Center Saturday evening to compete for the title of Miss Mineola. In front of a New York cityscape Rebecca Hawkins, Rebekah Epps and Angela Horn performed for the crowd. In the end Angela Horn walked away with the top prize and a $1500 scholarship. Hawkins was First runner up winning $750. scholarship and Epps won a $500 plus honors for best talent for her skills on the oboe as well as Miss Congeniality and Miss Photogenic. Mineola High School's theater teacher, Shannon Seaton, emceed the event.

Hooks returning to stand trial for murder
Quitman 6/18 - Caleb Hooks is headed back to Wood County to stand trial for murder. Hooks had been ruled incompetent earlier this year and sent to Vernon State Hospital for further evaluation. On Friday, Wood County District Attorney Jim Wheeler said the district Judge in Vernon has ruled Hooks competent and ordered him back to Quitman to stand trail. Wheeler said the trial could begin as early as July or August. The 18-year-old Hooks was arrested last year on charges of murdering his stepfather.

Local storms bring lightening and rain
Mineola 6/15 - A series of storms popped up across the KMOO listening area Friday afternoon bringing heavy rains and lightening. A tree (at right) in the back yard of a residence just north of Mineola had nearly eight feet of bark blown off its trunk when the top was struck by lightening just after noon. Pieces of the bark were scattered around the tree forming a ring nearly 40 feet wide.

Leaders discussion city business park
Mineola 6/15 - An Economic Development Summit -- That is what Mineola City Council members and members of the Mineola Foundation called their joint meeting held last night in Mineola. More than 50 people turned out for a discussion of the city and a large area of land off Bromberg  being developed by the city as a city business park. Several business owners as well as representatives from TxDOT, local utilities, the Wood County Industrial Commission, and other organizations were present for the meeting. A variety of speakers presenting the current state of the city and the proposed a city business park. There were considerable discussions concerning the city's plans for streets and highways providing access to the business park.

Missing Winnsboro woman found dead
Winnsboro 6/12 - Tree trimmers discovered the body of Jamie Darby Milner this morning just east of Sulphur Springs. The 89-year-old Winnsboro woman was still in her car. Winnsboro Police Investigator Jerry Hirsch said the car was found about 100 feet from SH-11 in heavy brush. “The brush was so thick we had to use chain saws to cut through it,” Hirsch said. Police believe Milner died on the way home from the Wal-Mart store in Sulphur Springs. Hirsch said he did not suspect foul play but an autopsy had been ordered. Surveillance video from the store showed the Milner shopping in the store around 6 p.m. on May 30^th. Friends and family mounted a campaign to find the woman after she did not return home.

Two vehicles collide on 69 near Golden
Golden 6/12 - Two vehicles collided on highway 69 and Wood County Road 2280 around 4:15 Tuesday afternoon. The impact of the crash was enough to rip the rear axle from a pickup truck involved in the accident. Mineola firefighters responded to the scene. No one was severely injured although one of the passengers of the car was taken to a local hospital.

Three teens injured in morning crash
Mineola 6/11 - Three teenagers are lucky to be alive today after a car accident east of Mineola early this morning. The three teens--two girls and a boy--were in a small sports car that ran off the road and hit a tree on County Road 2700. It happened around 12:40 a.m. Two helicopters were landed in a nearby field to fly two of the victims, an 18-year-old driver, who suffered a broken leg along with other injuries and a 15-year-old girl in the back seat of the car. A second girl was taken to a local hospital by ambulance.

Search for Winnsboro woman continues
Winnsboro 6/6 - It has been almost a week since anyone has seen or heard from Jamie Darby Milner. Winnsboro Police say the 89-year-old woman was last seen on around 3:30 last Wednesday afternoon. They now have surveillance video showing the woman in the Wal-Mart in Sulphur Springs. She was last seen driving away from the store in a 1999 White Grand Marques with license plate number 2XT-XV which is a handicap plate. Family and friends have posted signs around the Winnsboro area and are pleading with anyone with information to contact the Winnsboro Police Department.

Quitman couple dies in car accident
Hawkins 5/28 - Wood County Courthouse employee’s gathered together in prayer this morning struggling with the loss of a colleague and friend in a weekend accident. Tammy Joe Maricle, died on Sunday when the SUV her husband was driving, hydroplaned and was hit by another vehicle. The accident happened on Hwy 14, just north of Hawkins around 5:00 Sunday evening. Texas Department of Public Safety officers say Maricle’s husband, who also died in the accident, was driving south when he lost control of the SUV. Friends say they were headed to church. Maricle's SUV reportedly spun around before moving in front of a pickup driven by a Big Sandy man. Both Miracle and her husband were pronounced dead on the scene. 34-year-old Patrick Jenison is in serious condition in a Tyler hospital. County Judge Bryan Jeanes says Maricle had been with the county for eight years an served as a criminal clerk in the county clerk's office. Funeral services for Maricle have been set for 2 p.m., Thursday at Hubbard Chapel.

Canton murder suspect arrested in Mineola
Mineola 5/21 - The Mineola Police officers arrested the suspect wanted in the case of a homicide yesterday on I-20. Investigator Joyce Box says a motorist picked up Ronald Rosamond walking along Hwy 49 East of Mineola last night. Rosamond told the motorist he was headed to Canton. But when they got to Mineola, the man became disoriented and jumped out of the car. Mineola officers found him a short time later. That’s when they discovered he was wanted in connection to the Canton murder. Canton police officers suspect that Rosamond shot another man and pushed the body out of his van on I-20 yesterday morning.  It happened between Hwy 19 and Hwy 17. The Texas Rangers are now investigating the case.