Man Receives 20 Years in Prison for Domestic Violence

Marc Jamison Woodcock
Marc Jamison Woodcock

Press release

Marc Jamison Woodcock, 45, of Waxahachie, was sentenced to the maximum of 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice by Judge Carter Tarrance on January 26 after a punishment hearing in the 392nd District Court.

Woodcock plead guilty to assaulting his wife in July 2013 and opted to have the court assess his punishment. Woodcock was indicted by a Henderson County Grand Jury last year after police were dispatched to his home after his wife, Karen Woodcock, went to a neighbor’s home asking for help. When the neighbor answered the door, Ms. Woodcock was badly beaten, bleeding and covered in bruises. She had also been strangled around the neck. Ms. Woodcock was taken to the hospital and released later that night.

During the punishment hearing, which was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Jenny Huckle and Danny Cox of Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s office, the court heard testimony that while out on bond for assaulting his wife, Woodcock attacked his wife again in Ellis County, hitting her in the face and shoving dog feces down her throat. Continue reading “Man Receives 20 Years in Prison for Domestic Violence”

ACPA Gets Donation of 25 Chromebooks from Virtual

From left to right Paschall Wilson, Caysea Clark, BreeAnna Abney and Alexa Koerth(all freshman) use their Chromebooks in Mrs. Brooke Mcelroy's World History class
From left to right Paschall Wilson, Caysea Clark, BreeAnna Abney and Alexa Koerth(all freshman) use their Chromebooks in Mrs. Brooke Mcelroy’s World History class

Press release

Athens Christian Preparatory Academy recently received a donation of 25 Chromebook laptops for its current freshman class. The donation came from Virtual Communication Specialists, a local information technology management company.

The Chromebooks have quickly become a favorite tool for students and teachers. English Instructor Virgil Feinsod is one of the teachers using the new technology. According to Feinsod, “The Chromebooks have increased my ability to assign research for various assignments. They also help by allowing us to share, edit and finalize documents in class with little fear of losing them or wasting lots of paper.”

Feinsod says that the students were quick to adapt to the new technology, “ I was trying to explain how to use them and before I was done talking I heard, ‘Got it’ from almost all of them.” ACPA administration has blocked social media websites like Facebook in order to ensure that the laptops are used for learning and not socializing or gaming. Continue reading “ACPA Gets Donation of 25 Chromebooks from Virtual”

Truant AISD Students Answer to JP Daniel

AISD logoBy Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Randy Daniel is no pushover. Twice a month, the former Athens mayor becomes the stern face of the law to truant Athens ISD students and their parents who find themselves in his court.

“Clearly, the law says you have to go to school until you’re 18,” said Daniel. “There are no exceptions for ‘I don’t feel like going today.’ … Because if you miss enough school, you’re behind everybody else. It makes it hard on you to catch up, hard on the teachers who have to catch you up, and hard on the administrators who have to keep track of you. It creates a big problem for everybody.”

The state’s compulsory attendance law requires a school district to enforce attendance requirements, which may lead to the assessment of fines and other penalties by a court of law against both a truant student and the student’s parents or guardians. Continue reading “Truant AISD Students Answer to JP Daniel”

Help Wanted

JOBS – JOBS – JOBS – JOBS

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CONSTRUCTION

— PURSELLEY CABINETS & CONSTRUCTION At this time we have 2 positions available. One is a field position for someone with remodeling experience and the 2nd position is for a cabinet maker or someone with cabinet making experience. Please apply in person at 3601 State Hwy. 31 East, Athens or call 903-677-9420 to set up time for interview.

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DRIVERS

— JH Sanitation is looking for a CDL driver. Must be able to pass a drug test. Please call for details 903-593-1964 or 903-849-3426.

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MANAGEMENT

— Applications are being accepted for Director of Outreach Services for the East Texas Crisis Center in Henderson County. Requires Bachelor’s degree in a field related to human services; excellent public relations, personnel management, supervisory, and administration skills; and proficiency in Word and Excel. Applications only accepted by mail at Director of Outreach Services, P. O. Box 7060, Tyler, TX 75711. Continue reading “Help Wanted”

‘The 39 Steps’ Set to Open at HCPAC

HCPAC logoPress release

Alfred Hitchcock took the ‘everyman’ and put him in perilous, unanticipated circumstances in his 1935 movie The 39 Steps. HCPAC has taken the Tony Award Winning adaptation of this classic spy, mystery thriller and put it onstage with hilarious results.

Opening Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m., and sponsored by Arabella of Athens, The 39 Steps combines the suspense of the Hitchcock movie with uproarious situations, and 150 characters performed by four extremely talented actors. There is an onstage airplane crash, spies chasing spies, murder and, of course, an on-again-off-again love story. Continue reading “‘The 39 Steps’ Set to Open at HCPAC”