Guitars Etc. in Athens received a designation as one of the Top 100 music instrument and product retailers in the world by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM). The award will be presented to the designated Top 100 dealers at NAMM’s annual summer music event, Summer NAMM, held in Nashville, Tenn. Guitars Etc. is also in the running to receive NAMM’s Dealer of the Year award at the July 12 ceremony.
“We love helping the families in Athens and the surrounding community live happier lives through music by offering quality instruments, a great team that makes learning music fun and easy, as well as supporting Continue reading “Guitars Etc. earns NAMM award”
Jackie Martez Guthrie, 23, of Frankston was sentenced to Life in the penitentiary last month after pleading guilty to the July 2012 shooting death of Chantel Barrett.
Barrett was found dead outside a Coffee City residence by police on Thursday, July 19, while responding to a call about gunshots. Guthrie, 23, was quickly identified as a suspect and a manhunt was initiated. Guthrie was believed to have also kidnapped 19-year-old Tiffany Hurd, who was eight months pregnant with Guthrie’s child at the time.
Approximately 24 hours later, Guthrie was spotted by former classmates vacationing in Galveston and was taken into custody without incident. Guthrie had in his possession what prosecutors believed was the weapon used to shoot Barrett. Henderson County District Attorney’s Investigators along with an investigator from the Henderson County Sheriff’s office traveled to Galveston to interview and transport Hurd back to Henderson County.
Pictured are members of the Henderson County Child Welfare Board, local Child Protection Services workers, and concerned citizens who took time out of their day to help foster children. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Child Welfare Board press release
So what happens when a child is taken into foster care but isn’t allowed to take their belongings with them? Well, if they are able to take anything it is placed in storage. Many foster villages and communities are very specific regarding what can be taken in and out with the children. So anything that a child may have from their childhood is simply placed in storage until the child is ultimately adopted or ages out of care.
The storage building is something that the Henderson County Child Welfare Board has taken the responsibility of paying for. Otherwise, there would be nowhere to put these belongings. Over the years, the building became more and more filled with items belonging to Henderson County children that were in foster care. Seasons come and go; cold winters and East Texas summers eventually took a toll on the items inside the unit. Toys, clothing, and other sentimental items were at risk for being damaged and ruined. Keep in mind that these are often the only things that these children may have from their childhood. The unit was filled with teddy bears, action figures, bikes, a guitar, and even a homecoming mum.
The Henderson County Child Welfare Board took action last Saturday by cleaning out the entire storage unit, organizing and sorting the items, and placing them in large plastic totes. The totes weather the years better as some of the belongings will be in storage for over a decade. Continue reading “Henderson County Child Welfare Board holds storage cleanup day”
Pictured, from left, are Shelby McGallian, Kayla Rife, Carrie Currey, Tara Trimmins, Samantha Ramos, Mrs. Tonya Currey (Mother Advisor), Emily Currey, Michelle Sanderford, and Tori Smith. (COURTESY PHOTO)
The Gun Barrel City Masonic Youth Rainbow Girls attended their state conference in Frisco, June 20-23. The Gun Barrel City Assembly was recognized for being an Exemplary Vanguard Assembly, for their participation in Boxtops and Labels for Education and Take Time to Read programs, recycling old ink cartridges and cell phones, supporting the Scottish Rite Hospital as the State Charity Project, and competing in ritualistic competition. Carrie Currey was recognized for her 5-year membership in Rainbow, and Tara Trimmins and Tori Smith were recognized for their 3-year membership in Rainbow. Carrie and Tori earned their proficiency certificates. Carrie was awarded the Martha Marie and Victor C. Whitfield Scholarship and was later also delighted with her appointment to Grand Texas Flag Bearer. In addition, the girls participated at the sessions as pages and guards and sang in the choir.
The Gun Barrel City Rainbow Girls and Pledges will hold Open Installation of Officers on Saturday, July 13 at 9 a.m.
The International Order of the Rainbow for Girls is a service-oriented, leadership organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20. Rainbow Girls participate in a wide array of activities, including leadership training, service projects, competitions, and annual retreats. Their younger group, the Pledges, have activities for girls ages 7 to 10. Please contact Mrs. Donna Dean at 903-345-2001 for more information about the Rainbow Girls or Mrs. Tonya Currey 903-275-3524 or visit www.txiorg.org. The Gun Barrel City Rainbow Girls and Pledges are proudly sponsored by the Cedar Creek Lake Masonic Lodge and the Gun Barrel City Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star on Legendary Lane in Gun Barrel City.
NAMM press release
