News

From Staff Reports

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

After a couple of months of closure, Atlanta State Park is open again.
Rebecca Allen, customer service representative at the park,  reports that park is almost back to normal after damage from heavy flooding forced its closure in early May. 
“The Wilkins Creek boat ramp is closed indefinitely due to road damage,” Allen said. “But everything else is in pretty good shape. All the trails should be back to normal by the end of the month. They are still a little mushy in spots.”
The park reopened on July 11, and visitors have steadily returned for summer activities. The park, situated on the shores of Wright Patman Lake, features camping, boating fishing, waterskiing, hiking and other outdoor activities.
“It’s been good,” Allen said. “People are swimming, and the fishing is good. Crappie and catfish are tearing it up.”

By Randy Grider
randy@casscountynow.com

Being a journalist has afforded me the chance to meet a great deal of people from all walks of life. 
They range from the famous and the infamous. Among the most memorable was a breakfast interview with NFL Hall-of-Famer Walter Payton.
But no encounter has had more of an impact on me personally than meeting Henry “Red” Erwin almost two decades ago. 
Often when I’m asked to speak to a civic organization, Erwin has been the topic. After meeting him for the first time, I knew I would share his story whenever I’m given the chance.
When I first meet him in his living room in Leeds, Ala., I wasn’t totally prepared for what I saw. Despite numerous surgeries, Erwin’s face still carried the scars of the signature event that shaped his life. 

Our children are taught from a young age how to call for help: dial 9-1-1, but that doesn’t always work.
In December of 2013, Kari Dunn’s 9-year-old daughter tried to call for help multiple times from a hotel room in Marshall as her mother was attacked. All three of her children, under the age of 11, were just outside the bathroom, while their father brutally stabbed Kari Dunn 21 times
Tragically, Dunn’s young daughter did not know that she had to dial “9” to make a call outside the hotel before dialing 9-1-1. Unfortunately, emergency personnel did not arrive in time to save her life. 
According to the Federal Communications Commissioner, all hotels owned or managed by Carlson, Hyatt, Motel 6, InterContinental, La Quinta, Marriott, Starwood and Wyndham now have direct 911 dialing. 

By Bobby Horn Jr.
news@casscountynow.com

By Bobby Horn Jr.
news@casscountynow.com

From Staff Reports

Photo by Bobby Horn Jr.
Children greet Smokey Bear, “The living symbol of wildfire prevention” during a July 11 storytime at the Atlanta Public Library. The Texas A&M Forestry Service brought Smokey to the library to teach the children ways to prevent wildfires. Smokey has served as “spokesbear” for the forestry service for the past 71 years

Surrounded by city and police officers, Linden Police Chief Alton McWaters prepares to cut the ribbon to officially open the new police station. The department held the ribbon cutting and reception July 7.