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Chandler man gets 35 years for Child Sexual Assault

District Attorney’s Office press release

Jason Hood, 37, formerly of Chandler, was sentenced by Judge Dan Moore of the 173rd Judicial District Court to 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under 14 years of age and 5 years for the Indecency of a Child by Contact.

Assistant District Attorney Nancy Rumar prosecuted the case on behalf of District Attorney Scott McKee’s Office. The investigation, led by Henderson County Sheriff’s Investigator Jessica Halbert, revealed that Hood had been having sexual contact with a family member since she was 9 years old. The victim was 15 at the time the allegations came forth. The Henderson County Child Advocacy Center provided victim services and a forensic interview in support of the case.

District Attorney Scott McKee credited the work of Henderson County Sheriff’s investigator Jessica Halbert and Sheila Durden of the Child Advocacy Center for their work in helping to put another sex offender behind bars.

“The work these ladies do in these tough cases is gut-wrenching and sometimes thankless, but they are the best and I am glad they are part of the team.” said McKee.

New home for Athens Christian Preparatory Academy

Here is an artist's rendition of the first two classroom buildings planned for ACPA's new home. — Here is an artist’s rendition of the first two classroom buildings planned for ACPA’s new home.

By Michael V. Hannigan

Athens Christian Preparatory Academy is finally home. It was a long way with a number of property inspections to make sure the building is in proper condition. Schedule your pre-purchase property inspection with YourBuildingInspector.com.au whenever you plan to buy new property. This is the best way to know what you are buying exactly.

Last week, area reporters were invited to tour the 5-year-old ACPA’s new 49-acre property and to speak with Headmistress Theresa DeMay. As always, she was a whirlwind of activity, directing traffic as the move in continued while answering questions from three reporters. (You can read the story by the Review’s Kathi Nailing here.)

The new campus — formerly a horse ranch on State Highway 175 — is a work in progress. Eight portable buildings are being installed for classrooms and plenty of work remains before the first day of school.

“It will come down to the wire, but we plan to start school on Aug. 26,” DeMay said.

Knowing the headmistress the way I do I have no doubt.

I still remember meeting DeMay for the first time. It was in July 2010, and I was interviewing her for a story about ACPA. I had just recently heard about the school and learned that students in my coverage area (Malakoff) were attending. I wanted to know more, so I went to talk to DeMay.

What I found was a high school that was about to start just its third year, but was already moving toward accreditation. In fact, accreditation came a year faster than usual for ACPA. Continue reading “New home for Athens Christian Preparatory Academy”

HCPAC to produce ‘Annie Get Your Gun’

Shannon Ryan portrays Annie Oakley in HCPAC’s production of Annie Get Your Gun. The show marks the 25th Anniversary of the Summer Youth Musical at the theatre. The show runs August 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 8th, 9th and 10th at 7:30pm and August 4th and 10th at 2pm. Reservations may be made by calling 903-675-3908 or online at www.hcpac.org.

HCPAC press release

The Henderson County Performing Arts Center with co-producer, Dr. Mark Roberts, announces the 25th Anniversary Summer Youth Musical, “Annie Get Your Gun.”

In this classic Irving Berlin musical, Annie Oakley is the best shot around. When Col. Buffalo Bill Cody discovers her, he persuades this novel sharpshooter to join his Wild West Show. It only takes one glance for her to fall head over heels in love for dashing shooting ace Frank Butler, who headlines the show. She soon eclipses Butler as the main attraction, which, while good for business, is bad for romance. Butler high tails it off to join a rival show, his bruised male ego leading the way, but is ultimately pitted against Annie in a final shoot-out. The rousing, sure-fire finale hits the mark every time in a testament to the power of female ingenuity.

The show features Shannon Ryan as Annie Oakley, Quinton Johnson as Frank Butler, Jacob Miller as Buffalo Bill, Zach Adair as Charlie Davenport, Felix Lenz as Foster Wilson, Marie Bailey as Dolly Tate, Ash Gimler as Tommy Keeler, Channing Horton as Winnie Keeler, Holden Guinn as Chief Sitting Bull, Willie Hadnot as Pawnee Bill, Sariah Joblin as Jessie Oakley, Haile Stephens as Nellie Oakley and Kadie Lynn Roberson as Little Jane Oakley. The Company Ensemble consists of Savannah Joblin, Skylar Walker, Lindsay Haynes, Kenyon Walker, Brayton Brooks, Kaitlyn Cuellar, Lydia Raines, Felicity Walker, Pilar Hernandez, Ethan McGlaun, Olivia Lemmon, Brayton Stenovitch, Continue reading “HCPAC to produce ‘Annie Get Your Gun’”

Rodeo king hurt; benefit ride scheduled

The Henderson County Black Rodeo Association Kings and Queens of Rodeo pose before before last month's HCBRA rodeo in Athens. Tyler Miles (far right) was recently injured in a swimming accident. — The Henderson County Black Rodeo Association Kings and Queens of Rodeo pose before before last month’s HCBRA rodeo in Athens. Tyler Miles (far right) was recently injured in a swimming accident.

On July 14, Henderson County Black Rodeo Association Rodeo King Tyler Myles was injured while swimming with family and friends when he dove into a lake and his head hit a brick. Tyler is currently paralyzed from the neck down. He was recently moved to a rehabilitation center.

There will be a benefit trail ride in his hometown of Nacogdoches Saturday, Aug. 10. The event will start at noon and will cost $10 per person over the age of 5. There will be food and fun for the entire family.

The HCBRA will leave Athens at 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 if anyone would like to attend the benefit ride.

The HCBRA is helping to sponsor this event and is raising funds to help with Tyler’s recovery. Donations may be sent to the Doches Credit Union, Account No. 54465, under his mother’s name (Rhonda Choate, 936-462-0181).

HCBRA CFO Toni Johnson said, “Tyler is a remarkable young man and was willing to help wherever and whenever needed let us do the same for him.”

For directions, please contact 936-462-0181 or 214-394-0224.

Malakoff’s new principal wins Administrator Educator of the Year Award

New Malakoff High School Principal Martin H. Brumit receives his award at the Association of Texas Professional Educators awards banquet.

Martin H. Brumit was honored last week with the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) Administrator Educator of the Year Award.

Brumit will take over this year as the principal at Malakoff High School. Last year, he was an assistant principal at Denton ISD.

Brumit, a 19-year education veteran, was presented with the award plus a $1,000 check at the 2013 ATPE Summit Awards Banquet held at the Austin Convention Center July 19.

“I believe in what we are doing. I believe in my teachers, I believe in our students,” Brumit said. “I love my job. I love my students, and I love my teachers and staff. I will do whatever it takes to make their job as easy as possible. I will fight mandates, and I will fight for them so they can do what they love and work with our students.”

Brumit was one of three finalists for the administrator award. ATPE’s Educator of the Year Award Committee was impressed with Brumit’s commitment to his staff and students and his leadership in implementing online courses at his campus.

Malakoff ISD Superintendent Randy Perry said ATPE is one of the largest teachers groups in the state.

“We are very proud to have him leading our high school,” Perry said.

Brumit is taking over from Daniel Barton, who left Malakoff to take a job with Tarkington ISD in Cleveland, Texas.