Columbus
Atlanta Citizens Journal (Cass County)
Granddaughter of Local Family named 2023 Dallas Prosecutor of the Year
Mrs. Shawnkeedra Houston-Martin, the granddaughter of the late Verbe and Joyce Pruitt Norman of Linden, TX and the late Horace L. (Sr.) and Lurlie Watkins of Hallsville, TX and was named as PROSECUTOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2023, for Dallas County, TX. She has been a prosecutor in Dallas for over 16 years, worked on many high-profile cases and has enjoyed every minute of her tenure there. She was hired by the late Craig Watkins, the first Black District Attorney in the state of Texas. Shawnkeedra attended St. Anthony Catholic School in elementary and middle school and graduated from Lincoln High...
Refuse to Lose
Have you ever watched a sporting event where someone who was overpowered somehow fought their way back to win? Have you ever known someone who wouldn’t give up, give in or quit? Have you ever seen someone defy the odds and get victory when everything was stacked against them? In those occurrences they refused to lose! How many people do you know, Christians even, who feel like they have already lost? They’ve given up. They’ve quit. They’re done. It’s no secret that the devil wants us to fail, fall, give in, quit, walk away, accept defeat, lose. If we submit or give way to the...
Basketball
McLeod’s basketball program met up with county and district foe Linden-Kildare on Dec. 19. Longhorns The varsity boys team ran its record to a clean 19-0 after demolishing the Tigers 66-9. The ’Horns shut out L-K in the first half as they built a 21-0 lead after quarter one and a 37-0 lead at halftime. McLeod went on a 28-9 run to finish off the contest in the second half. Everyone on the roster scored in this game. Grayson Owens had 16 points with seven boards, Colton Spence added 13 points, Kannon Dempsey posted 10 points with eight rebounds, Jaxon Smith and Trey Gant each scored eight points, Kason Cook put up four points, Clay Hartsell three, Jase Deaton two and Austin McGray two. Lady Longhorns The varsity girls’ team battled the Lady Tigers and won the contest 37-26. Kenslee Cross went off for 31 points and nine boards, Lila McKnight and Madison grabbed six rebounds apiece, Gracey Vick pulled down five boards, Emmalyn Owens had two points and Samantha Ramos had two points. J.B. Birmingham had nine points for the Lady Tigers, Roberst added eight, Maggee Winters three, Lynlee LeJeune two, Carley Hays two and Charis Minson two.
Leaving it behind in 2023
A few months ago, I started a series on using the metaphor of pollution. It was in this article I talked about how the Michigan Flint Water catastrophe caused long-term damage that the damage will probably carry on through several generations. In the same way, I compared it to the damage or blessing our tongue could have and encouraged people using scripture in the book of James to use their tongues for good not evil. Now as 2023 closes maybe it is also time to put to bed some of those other things that cause pollution in our life and give...
A Christmas Story
Our relationship was, how shall I say it, wheels within wheels – complex. I first met Sally Sue as a nursing colleague. During the first year of working together, we became friends and within a couple years, she was as good as family. Suffice it to say, the flight of friends to family is a cultural thing we hold dear in the Deep South. Sally Sue was a kindhearted, compassionate nurse. Her ability to connect with others and truly “see” them registered ten on every empathy scale. I marveled at her understanding and comprehension of the human condition, especially those areas...
Judge Ransom looks back at 2023
As we approach the end of 2023, it is appropriate to pause and reflect on what we’ve accomplished and where we are going. Cass County has a rich heritage and a bright future! The year 2023 will soon be part of that history. This year saw several key accomplishments for our county. Cass County participated in the Northeast Texas Regional Alliance where representatives from Northeast Texas traveled to Austin in February to speak with legislators about a myriad of issues during Texas’ 88th Legislative Session. One key issue being proposed is Marvin Nichols Reservoir which Cass County Judge and Commissioners Court formally...
Could a legal decision help save Marvin Nichols?
Earlier this week Texas Conservation Alliance sent a press release informing people that there was a hearing that stopped the build of a potential lake that like this area’s situation would have flooded their area to introduce a large body of water. The TCA has been at the forefront of informing the greater community of Northeast Texas about the dangers of the Marvin Nichols Project. If successful as the Texas Living Waters website puts it, “the project would result in one of the largest reservoirs in Texas, flooding over 72,000 acres of land adjacent to the Sulphur River in rural Northeast...
Let’s Shop
, Christmas is just a few weeks away. Time is waning for holiday shoppers who may still be hunting and fishing for ideas for the perfect present for sportsmen and women on their shopping lists. Buying a gift for a the hook-and-bullet type can be risky business, especially when it involves a novice buying for someone who is really passionate about their game. My best advice to anyone facing this dilemma is to ask lots of questions before you pull the trigger on a gift. Otherwise, you could wind up wasting money on an item that may not see daylight after it...
Faces of Cass County
, , , , Parade faces certainly are unique. They don’t happen often, but when they do, one remembers. Most of the time, when in a crowd, one diverts the eye, doesn’t look at any one. Not at a parade. At a parade, everyone looks directly at one another. “Who is this? Am I going to have to remember a name? If I don’t speak, will they think I’m uppity?” And so one goes to a parade ready to smile. What’s best is when someone has gone to the effort of wearing something attractive or funny. Maybe a blanket too hot or short-sleeves too...
McLeod named‘Blue Ribbon School’
, , , Two leaders of the McLeod public school told students, staff and parents they were about to make history as they tossed confetti high in the air Friday afternoon in the school’s gym. The occasion was that the elementary school’s program had been named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023, one of 26 in Texas. The superintendent and principal had gone to Washington, D. C., to accept the award for the school. And so, on this school day, students Pre-K through K4 in blue and white school t-shirts, threw blue confetti and received blue cupcakes — all to commend...
AMS Boys Sweep Red Lick
, , On Nov. 27, Atlanta Middle Schools boys’ basketball swept Red Lick. Deondrae Simmons scorched the nets for 20 points as the eighth grade Rabbs improved to 2-0 on the season, defeating Red Lick 40-24. Jaylen Henderson added nine, Noah Sheffield six, Hayes Highland three and TJ Rainey two. The seventh grade Rabbits evened their record at 1-1, beating Red Lick 35-18. Kelvin Roberson led the way for the Rabbits with 14 points, Aiden Shields scored nine and Ayden Washington had six. In a combined B game, twenty-one Rabbits saw action in a victorious effort, 18-8. Braylon Cook netted four points. Queen...
Texting 911 is available
A recent incident in New Boston has brought the ability to text 911 back to the forefront with a renewed interest in spreading the word about its availability. The Ark-Tex Council of Governments introduced Text 911 in Bowie, Cass, Morris, Red River, and Titus Counties back in 2018. From that time, mobile phone users in the area have had the ability to simply send a text when they are in an emergency situation and might not be able to make a call. The incident in New Boston involved a local official who found herself face to face with a dangerous individual and...
Recollection of the Battle
While lying on the shore on a load of cotton, I thought I would improve the time by writing to you to inform you that I am well and enjoying myself all right. We left Pilot Knob on the 3rd of June and landed at Young’s Point six miles above Vicksburg on the La. side and marched across the peninsula and crossed the river to Warrenton and marched to the rear of Vicksburg. We lay in the rifle pits 22 days. On the 3rd of July, we received orders not to shoot unless the rebels shot first. On the 4th, at...
Middle East War monument set up downtown
The first steps to honor veterans who served in the Middle East Wars have been taken by members of the JE Manning American Legion Post 258 and other veterans. A central white granite spire of honor is now placed at the VFW memorial in downtown Atlanta. At the foot of the spire is an inscribed headstone, black with white writing. “The progress from concept to reality for this project has been marvelous,” said Legionnaire Mike Lee. “We want the veteran who served in the Middle East Wars — a period of 31 years — to say, ‘I was there. I was involved....
Basketball
McLeod at Avery On Nov. 20, McLeod’s basketball program visited Avery. In the boys’ game, the Longhorns rolled out to a 34-16 lead at the break and finished the contest with a 61-41 win. Colton Spence went off for 19 points and nine boards, Kannon Dempsey added 14 points with nine rebounds, Grayson Owens had 10 points with five rebounds, Trey Gant posted eight points and Jase Deaton had eight assists. In the JV game, McLeod toasted Avery 58-6 with Jacob Foster scoring 14 points and Brayden Bascombe 13. In the girls’ game, the Lady Longhorns had a 20-5 halftime lead and won the game...
New Colony Baptist Church
, , , , , New Colony Baptist Church is almost at the center of Cass County, and recently the church put on a major effort to be the center. It brought Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus to church. The adults were about as tickled as the youth. Everyone had their pictures made with the couple. Several members of the youth group put on reindeer and elf clothing to be Santa’s helpers. Musicians performed in the sanctuary. Some youth went outside to wave down U. S. Highway 59 travellers and get them to stop, come inside and speak to Santa. Members of...
Kirkland Memorial Veterans Monument takes shape
, , , , , The final remains of some 73 veterans are being watched over by a new lighted U. S. flag and monument at the gate of the Center Gove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery near Linden. The flag is the contribution of the family and church of Dr. Billy Royce Kirkland. Dr. Kirkland was given an affectionate name for his love of, and respect for, veterans. He was called “Kirk.” When Kirk died Saturday, July 3, 2021, at age 86, his almost lifelong attention to veterans melted away. But not of those who followed Kirk’s example. They wanted to do...
Honor Roll
Atlanta ISD - First Six Weeks A Honor Roll A’Shori Barfield, Darron Blizzard, Kamden Boatman, Aiden Boyce, Kirby Brooks, Kylie Brown, Madden Buckley, Wilson Carter, Andrew Clemenson, Maggie Coats, Alec Coleman, Alex Coleman, Ni’cyla Collins, Gabriella Conejo, William Cornett, Kayleigh Davis, Cora Elmore, Rory Fielder, Wade Franks, Emanuel Garcia Mendez, Ashley Garrett, Khrysalee Gray, Kynadi Gray, Mathias Guevara, Braxton Hall, Thomas Holloway, Steele Hooten, Kelvin Horsley, Khingston Horsley, Huck Huddleston, Atlie Huffman, Mabel Hunt, Janelle Hunter, Wyatt Hynds, Ian Johnson, Ledger Johnson, Cullen Jones, Cyrus Jones, Mackenzie Jones, Remington Kennedy, Kaydence Kerns, Harmony Kilgore, Ava Lawson, Kingston Loden, Kylee Lummus, Isaiah...
Remembering Sgt. Major Joseph Roquemore
Joseph Adan Roquemore was born in Bivins, Texas, a small east Texas town and graduated from high school at Booker T. Washington High in Atlanta, Texas in 1961. He worked in the woods for a week and worked at a service station until he took a hot radiator cap off and got burned. And he said, “this is not for me”. He joined the United States Marine Corp in August 1961. After boot camp he came back to Atlanta and married his high school sweetheart, Clemmie Jane Edwards in June of 1963. Joseph is the only African American in Texas to become a...
Atlanta Citizens Journal (Cass County)
429+
Posts
699K+
Views
Atlanta Citizens Journal (Cass County)
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.