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Reklaw Man Murdered Tuesday - Arrest Made - 03/10/10

Rusk County, TX - A 76-year-old Reklaw man was found beaten in his home Tuesday evening and was taken to a Nacogdoches hospital, where he was pronounced dead. KPXI's Alexa Duke has the story.

Grand Jury Hands Down Forty-Three Indictments - 3/5/2010

Henderson, TX - The March session of the Rusk County Grand Jury was presented with fifty-six cases.  Of those, forty-three indictments were handed down, thirteen cases were no-billed, meaning the Grand Jury declined to indict based on the evidence presented.  There were seventeen secret indictments, meaning the person charged has not yet been arrested.

Included in the indictments was Jason Terell Hunt and Drake Bario Blanton, both charged with Capital Murder.  Investigator, William Brown with the District Attorney’s office comments.

Other cases included a sixty-eight year old Overton man accused of Indecency with a Child, a thirty-nine year old Henderson man who allegedly ran over his wife during an argument, two men charged with using small denomination bills and turning them into hundred dollar bills.

One man got caught by not paying close attention to what was going on around him.

Sheriff’s Department Utilizing New Resources - 3/11/2010

Henderson, TX - The Rusk County Sheriff’s Office has upgraded the video system in their patrol vehicles from the old type VCR Tape, to a sophisticated digital system.  Chief Deputy, Ron Duncan explains.

The Sheriff’s Department has also added a Mobile Command Center to their arsenal.  

When circumstances warrant, Duncan says, they can call on other agencies for assistance. 

Chief Deputy, Ron Duncan has been with the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office since 1993.

Country Music Legend To Perform In East Texas - 3/11/2010

Marshall, TX - The Marshall Conventions and Visitors Bureau is working with an area entertainment group to bring a Country Music Legend to East Texas.  Marshall CVB Director, Geraldine Mauthe, says this show, featuring Johnny Lee, is going to be a great time.

Tickets are available at the Marshall Chamber of Commerce.  For information call 903.935.7868 or go to the website www.visitmarshalltexas.org.

Rusk County Unemployment Rate Higher Than State Average  - 3/10/2010

Austin, TX - The Texas seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for January remained unchanged from December 2009. Tom Pauken is the Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission in Austin.

In Rusk County the unemployment rate is slightly higher than the state average at 8.9 percent, but well below the national average of 9.7 percent.

Rusk County Sheriff's Office To Offer H.E.A.T. Program - 3/10/2010

Henderson, TX -  The Rusk County Sheriff's Office will sponsor registration in the H.E.A.T program this Friday.  Participation in H.E.A.T., or Help End Auto Theft could lead to the prompt recovery of a stolen vehicle and act as a deterrent to those considering stealing a car.   Sgt. Shane Whisenhunt explains.

The H.E.A.T. registration and V.I.N. Etching will be provided on Friday, March 19th from 10am - 2pm at the Walmart Supercenter in Henderson.

Sgt. Whisenhunt is currently assigned to the Texas Auto Theft Task Force out of Tyler.

Garrison Man Charged with Arson - 3/11/2010

Rusk County, TX - A 21-year-old Garrison man has been charged with arson causing bodily injury.  According to the Probable Cause Affidavit filed by Rusk County Deputy Ken Logan, David Lawrence Davis II set fire to a residence located on County Road 3284 by using gasoline and igniting it on the front porch.  Davis’ grandmother was reported to have suffered injuries in the incident, but the extent of those injuries is not currently available.  Davis was arraigned before Judge Bob Richardson and bond was set at $50,000.

Henderson Area Chamber celebrates 84 years with annual banquet - 03/05/2010

 The Henderson Area Chamber of Commerce marked 84 years at Thursday night's annual banquet, capped off with the presentation of the yearly volunteer awards.

Michael Marshall, the winner of the John Alford Young Man of the Year Award last year, presented this year's award.

 Amy is the principal at Henderson High School. He says his work with children at the Boys & Girls Club is at the top of his favorite volunteer activities.

Peggy McAllister, the winner of the Louise Jacks Young Woman of the Year award two years ago, named this year's winner.

 Price is sales manager here at KPXI 100.7 FM. Price has no plans to slow down on her community activities, she said.

Evelyn Craig, Lifetime Achievement Award recipient last year, named this year's winner.

 Cross currently serves as Tourism Director for the City of Henderson. After the banquet, Cross said she plans to stay involved with the city after her retirement.

Jury Selection Underway In Capital Murder Trial of Blaine Keith Milam

On Tuesday, December 2, 2008, at about ten-thirty in the morning, Rusk County Dispatchers received a 911 call from a house on County Road 2125 in Rusk County. Officers arrived to find 13-month-old Amora Bain Carson deceased at the scene.

The child's mother, Jesseca Bain Carson, 18 years of age at the time, and her fiance', Blaine Keith Milam, 19 at the time, had multiple stories they went through before they told police that they had beaten the child to death while trying to rid her of demons. An arrest affidavit states Milam performed the exorcism with Carson looking on.

Shortly after the two were arraigned, Judge Bob Richardson issued a gag order in the case, preventing anyone involved from talking to the news media.

Judge J. Clay Gossett ordered a change of venue due to concerns about pre-trial publicity.

The trial of Blaine Keith Milam will be held at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Conroe. Judge J. Clay Gossett will preside with the State being represented by Micheal E. Jimmerson, County/District Attorney for Rusk County.  Jury selection got underway Wednesday and could last up to six weeks.

The Courier of Montgomery County Newspaper is covering the trial. Click Here for details.

Jessica Carson & Blaine Milam At Their Arraignment In December, 2008

BEV BROWN  COMMENTARY

Rusk County Man Sentenced for Federal Gun Crimes - 2/25/2010

TYLER, Texas – A 41-year-old Overton man has been sentenced to federal prison for firearms violations stemming from a drug related arrest.

In September, Gary Don Mumphrey pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.  This week, he was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Leonard E. Davis.  Mumphrey was also ordered to surrender all interest in his firearms and all associated ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Rusk County Sheriff's Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard L. Moore.

 Kilgore College students to build Habitat homes on spring break - 02/25/2010

 Several students from Kilgore College are taking part in the College Challenge, and will be traveling to New Orleans over Spring Break to help build houses with Habitat for Humanity. The trip is being organized by Nastashia Stokes, an Americorps Vista volunteer who is originally from New Orleans but has taken a year off for volunteer service.

 Many of the students are also involved in a new program at Kilgore College called “service learning” which takes them out of the classroom for volunteer service in the community that applies to their course work. Students at other colleges that are not yet offering service learning just need to ask their instructor or board members, while those who wish to take a year off from college can investigate becoming a VISTA volunteer like Nastashia Stokes.

ETBU To Host Band Perforance - 2/24/2010

Marshall, TX - ETBU's Department of Fine Arts is preparing to host a band performance.  LaDarius has more.

Veteran's Service Office plans new monument - 2/23/10

 Leo Gonzales is the Veteran's Service Officer for Rusk County and is spearheading the effort to construct a new monument honoring all area veterans.

Although the county commissioners approved the placement of the monument, area veterans' groups are trying to raise the money to construct it. One fundraising idea is to sell red brick pavers inscribed with the names of local veterans.

For more information about the monument or about how you can purchase a paver, contact Gonzales at (903) 657-0313. 

 RCSO arrests three on drug charges - 2/25/2010

Around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, the Rusk County Sheriff’s Office Tact Team ran a search warrant in the Garrison area.  The search warrant, at a location on County Road 3286, resulted in the seizure of more than 3 grams of suspected crack cocaine, U.S. currency, and a substantial amount of illicit alcoholic beverages.  Due to an ongoing investigation the seized amounts cannot be disclosed at this time.

There were three felony arrests at the scene:

* Riggie Caraway, 45 years of age, was arrested and charged with Manufacture/Delivery of a controlled substance. His bond was set at $50,000 on the second degree felony.

* Yolanda Caraway, 33 years of age, was arrested and charged with manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance. Her bond was also set at $50,000.

* The third subject, Terry Daniel, 48 years of age, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.  His bond was set at $10,000 on the fourth degree felony.

Additional charges may be filed as the investigation continues. Yolanda and Riggie Caraway are spouses. All three suspects live in southeast Rusk County.

Kiwanis Club Serving The Community and Beyond - 2/24/2010

Henderson, TX - The 57th annual Henderson Kiwanis Club Pancake Supper is slated for this Friday evening at the Henderson Middle School Cafeteria.  Money raised at this event will be used for the club’s youth-oriented projects.  John Neill explains.

The Kiwanis Club is a worldwide organization with memberships in ninety-six countries.



Friday evening‘s pancake supper will be held at the Henderson Middle School Cafeteria with sausage, coffee, juice, and as Michael Carey explains, it’s all you can eat.

The Kiwanis Club was founded in Detroit, Michigan in 1915.  Membership is open to men and women interested in community service with a focus on children.

 Henderson Area Chamber of Commerce Holds Ribbon  Cutting - 2/23/2010

Henderson, TX - The Henderson Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning.  KPXI's Sherry Price was there.

You can contact Linda at 903.655.6470  

 Chamber Volunteers Promote Henderson Area - 2/15/2010

Henderson, TX - If you’ve attended a ribbon cutting ceremony at a new business or attended a special event in the Henderson area, you probably noticed a group of friendly individuals in red coats.  Judy Sewell is the Executive Director of the Henderson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Another group of volunteers that support the chamber is the Silver Ambassadors.

The next big event for the Chamber will be the annual banquet at the new civic center on March 4th.

Tickets to the annual banquet are available at the Henderson Area Chamber of Commerce while they last.

Friends Helping Friends Offers Prescription Assistance For Rusk County Residents – 2/19/20

Henderson, TX – The ability of modern medicine to treat many diseases and physical ailments is truly amazing. But that medicine doesn't always come cheap; and with the tough economic times, people sometimes must choose between taking their medicine and putting food on the table. Roberta Vallantyne is the director of the Rusk County Friends Helping Friends Program.

The need requirements are fairly generous, but vary depending on the policies set forth by individual drug companies.

For many people in need, Friends Helping Friends is their last hope for being able to get the medicines they need.

For more information on the Friends Helping Friends program, you can call or visit their location near the hospital.

City Accepts Responsibility for Civic Center – 2/10/2010

Henderson, TX – The work on the new civic center has reached the construction stage of “substantially complete”. While work is continuing on some final modifications, the building is ready to be used.

At Monday's Henderson City Council meeting, City Attorney, David Brown recommended that, since the building is now in use, the city accept responsibility for the facility.

A motion was made and carried stating that the city assumes responsibility for security, maintenance, heat, utilities, insurance, and damage to the work. 

First section of Lake Forest Park Roadway Completed – 2/10/2010

Henderson, TX - The first three hundred feet of the new roadway at Lake Forest Park has been completed. Neal Holland, President of the consultant engineering company, Stokes & Associates, addressed the Henderson City Council Monday.

The Council accepted this section of roadway as complete and initiated a twelve month warranty period.

Funds Available In Main Street Program - 02/02/2010

Henderson, TX - In 1988, the City of Henderson joined The Texas Main Street Program in hopes of revitalizing the downtown area.  Since that time almost nine million dollars has been invested in the local program.  Cyndi Walker is the Main Street Coordinator with the Main Street Advisory Board.



Downtown member merchants wanting to improve their building's appearance and historical accuracy have the resources of the Texas Historical Commission, and Cyndi says, the City of Henderson has funded a facade grant program.

For more information on Henderson's Main Street Program, call Cyndi Walker  at 903.646.3989 or Kelly Poovey at City Hall.

CANDIDATES FILE FOR COUNTY, STATE RACES - Filing has closed for March primary election races, with five Republicans filing to replace Rusk County Judge Sandra Hodges and three Republicans filing to fight for Pct. 5 Justice of the Peace Bob Richardson's office. 

Entering the fray for the county judge's job are John Cloutier, Joel Hale and Carolyn Williford of Henderson, Tom Brown of Overton and David Powell of Mount Enterprise.  Competing for the Justice of the Peace job are Nancy J. Lebeck, Michael Rand Cates and Joe Harvey Sorrels.  The only other contested race at the county level is for Commissioner, Pct. 4, where incumbent Harold Howell, a Republican, will be challenged by Democrat John D. Rockey.

Other county officials filing to retain their seats with no competition are County Clerk Joyce Lewis-Kugle, Court at Law Judge Chad Wes Dean, Pct. 2 Commissioner Mike Pepper, District Clerk Jean Hodges, and Justices of the Peace Jerdy Wolverton in Pct. 1, Bonnie Miller in Pct. 2, Seth Stein in Pct. 3 and Darlene Childress in Pct. 4. County Treasurer Karen Dobbs Vaughn also did not draw a challenger.

Rusk County's state representative, Chuck Hopson of Jacksonville, has drawn two opponents in the Republican primary after recently switching over from the Democrats. Allan Cain of Carthage and Michael Banks of Jacksonville hope to unseat the five-term Congressman. State Senator Kevin Eltife did not draw a challenge in the primary and no Democrat filed to challenge him in November, so he will automatically return to office.

Early voting for the March 2 primaries begins Feb. 15 and prospective voters must submit their registration no later than Feb. 10 in order to vote on county races in the primary.