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Governor offers $100,000 reward in Kaufman County murders

Governor’s Office press release

Gov. Rick Perry today announced the Governor’s Office is offering a cash reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or people responsible for the deaths of Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse, District Attorney Mike McLelland and his wife Cynthia. Kaufman County Crime Stoppers is also offering a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of the person or people responsible for the death of Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse.

“Words cannot describe the shock and grief this community has suffered over the last several months. The criminals responsible for these murders will be caught, convicted and will pay the price for these horrific crimes,” Gov. Perry said. “I have full confidence that this investigation will lead to the conviction of whoever perpetrated these insidious crimes, and it is my hope and expectation that these rewards will help convince those who may be holding onto important information to come forward.”

Anyone with information that could be helpful to investigators is urged to call Kaufman County Crime Stoppers at 1-877-847-7522 or email anonymous information to Kaufman County Crime Stoppers at http://kaufmancountycrimestoppers.org.

This reward is funded through court fees distributed by the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division to apprehend fugitives.

Additionally, the FBI has launched billboards throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Mississippi and New Mexico encouraging tipsters to contact Crime Stoppers with any information. Billboards have been donated by the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas, which includes Clear Channel Outdoor and Lamar Advertising, with additional space donated by Fairway and CBS.

Texas Crime Stoppers programs provide a partnership between the public, law enforcement agencies and the media in order to speed identification and apprehension of criminals and the solution to unsolved crimes. Programs accept anonymous tips and provide cash rewards if a tip leads to an arrest or indictment.

Obituary: Arthur Ray ‘Herky’ Herrington

Funeral services for Arthur Ray “Herky” Herrington, 83, of Athens are scheduled for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Woody Meredith officiating. Burial will follow at Athens Cemetery.

Mr. Herrington passed away in the company of his two favorite girls, his wife and daughter, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 in Tyler.

Arthur Ray Herrington was born June 29, 1929 in Jonesboro, Texas the son of B. Herrington and Anna Mae Ester Herrington. He was raised in an orphanage in his early youth due to his mother’s untimely death and family hardships during the depression. “Herky” joined the Navy in 1948. Shortly after his time served he married the love of his life, Dorothy Kathleen Young, in Fort Worth on Dec. 16, 1952. He graduated from North Texas University in 1956 as the first college graduate in his family. He soon began working for Texaco Corporation, eventually retiring as a sales manager after 34 years of service. Arthur was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Athens and a staunch Republican. He was an expert gardener and took great pride in growing the best tomatoes. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, hunting and playing cards with his buddies. He was an animal lover and his faithful companion Katy, a Sheltie, stayed by his side day and night. Mr. Herrington had a special hobby in his life that he spent many hours working at. He was an avid player on the stock market and truly enjoyed making financial moves on a daily basis. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather. He was a family man and will be missed by all he knew and loved.

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and four brothers.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years Dorothy Kathleen Herrington; one daughter, Cheryl Kathleen Herrington of Sugar Land; one son, Arthur Ray Herrington Jr. and wife Linda of Sapulpa, Okla.; one sister, Ruby Daniels of Houston; one niece, Deborah Kay Swafford of Amarillo; one nephew, John Daniels of Houston; one great-niece, Whitney Wells of Amarillo; two step-grandchildren and four step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday, April 5, 2013 from 6-8 p.m. at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

Serving as Pallbearers will be Bill Bohanan, Dr. David Barrett, Dr. Douglas Curran, Bobby Kelly, Clyve McDaniel, Adam Piper, Tom Patterson and Jim Schatzell. Serving as honorary pallbearer will be Floyd Cheatham.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.

You may light a candle or write condolences to Mr. Herrington’s family at: www.hannigansmith.com

TVCC Lady Cards … doing it the right way

TVCC Lady Cardinal Head Coach Elena Lovato speaks to the crowd at the #CELEBRATING7 event Wednesday, April 3. (COURTESY PHOTO)

By mvhannigan

TVCC Lady Cardinal Head Coach Elena Lovato thanked everyone last night at the #CELEBRATING7 community party for the 2013 national champions.

When I say everyone, I mean everyone from the college president to the bus driver (her good luck charm!). She particularly thanked the community and the fans, which is something she’s been doing pretty much since the season began. And she thanked God for the opportunity to make a difference in students’ lives.

I can’t list everyone she thanked because …. well, she thanked A LOT of people.

Her players did the same thing … thanked everyone. They talked about how important everyone else was in their title run.

There they were … the undisputed national champions, undefeated on the court … and all they could do was talk about how great everyone else was.

It is why we love the 2013 Lady Cardinals … it is why all those folks probably would have shown up for the party even if the girls hadn’t won that final game.

Because when you see someone going about business the right way, it is inspiring.

And it is the biggest reason everyone else in the nation better be worried in 2014. … #3PEAT

Obituary: Cody Ray Walker

Cody Ray Walker, 23, of Gun Barrel City was born in Dallas on Sept. 10, 1989 to the home of Mark Walker and Belinda Agnew and passed away on March 31, 2013.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents parents Garland Agnew and Claudia Agnew and son Kamryn Ray Walker.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife Sarah Sterling Walker; son Kylar Ray Walker; parents Mark and Belinda Walker; sister Lucrecia Agnew; niece Breanna Goodson; grandparents Phil and Patsy Walker; and numerous other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, April 6, 2013 at Moorhead Epps Funeral Chapel officiated by Rev. Larry Walker with burial following at Oaklawn Cemetery in Mabank under the direction of Moorhead Epps Funeral Home.

Better Breathers support group launches

By Toni Garrard Clay/Special to HCN

Robert Allen is bursting with enthusiasm over the launching of the Better Breathers Club to assist and inform people with chronic lung disease or asthma.

“We’re in need of a program like this in Henderson County to help people,” said Allen, who will act as the support group facilitator. “When people with common challenges and interests get together, it helps.”

The primary goal of the Better Breathers Club, which will hold meetings at ETMC Athens, is to teach members to manage their breathing conditions and improve their quality of life. Group membership also combats common feelings of isolation among those coping with breathing issues.

“We know there are people in the community who want and need a support group like this,” said ETMC Athens Administrator Pat Wallace. “It’s an identifiable need, and we’re happy to be able to provide a place for the group to meet.”

Over 35 million people in the United States have a chronic lung disease such as COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis or lung cancer. Because these chronic conditions do not have a cure, people need to learn how best to manage them. There is no fee to join the Better Breathers Club. Members will take part in discussions, hear featured speakers, learn about resources and develop skills to help better manage day-to-day life.

Group facilitator Allen is a retired respiratory therapist with 24 years of experience. He underwent training with the American Lung Association to become the facilitator and volunteers as an ETMC Athens Auxiliary member.

Two meetings are scheduled at ETMC Athens for the Better Breathers Club. The first will be held Wednesday, April 10 at 1 p.m. The second meeting is slated for Wednesday, April 24 at 2 p.m. Both gatherings will take place in the Bush Board Room.

For more information, contact the hospital at 903-676-1102 or Allen at 903-887-8240. ETMC Athens is located at 2000 S. Palestine Street (Hwy. 19S) just off Loop 7.