‘Let’s get it’

‘Let’s get it’
By Rob Ludwig / Corsicana Daily Sun
September 1, 2009

Whip out your binoculars at Navarro’s next home game and try to find No. 75 when the Bulldogs enter the field prior to their game against Tyler Junior College on Sept. 24 at Tiger Stadium.

Ray Kibble will be the instigator of what will likely be a staple of the Navarro pre-game ritual.

“Let’s get it!”

That’s Kibble’s chant that ignites the Navarro defense. The 6-4, 290-pound sophomore revs up his teammates with the help of fellow defensive tackle Lawrence Rumph with a chant they created when the team came together for summer workouts.

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Richland Chambers Lake

Athens Freshwater Fishery hosts photo exhibit

Athens Freshwater Fishery hosts photo exhibit
Corsicana Daily Sun

ATHENS — A collection of 20 photomicrographs from around the globe will be on display at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center from Sept. 1 through Oct. 4.

Photomicrographs are images of tiny objects taken through microscopes, revealing the inner beauty of things that appear ordinary to the naked eye.

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Richland Chambers Lake

The Second Navarro County Oil Boom

Jane Dunn Taylor wrote an excellent account of the oil industry in Navarro County, providing excellent insights into the economic and social impact the industry had not only in this area but in Texas and the United States. The first commercial oil field in Texas was developed when oil was accidentally discovered with the city limits of Corsicana only blocks from the business district in 1894. By the end of the decade there were 500 wells within the city, producing 800,000 barrels of oil per year.

The real boom for Navarro County came in 1923 with the development of the Powell field. Located 10 miles east of Corsicana, the community of Powell was organized in the 1880s with the extension of the Cotton Belt Railroad, and named for a pioneer settler in the area. Powell was a typical cotton-based town until an operation called the Corsicana Deep Well Company announced plans to drill for oil in the Powell area. Spurred by discoveries in Mexia and Wortham, company geologists were convinced that significant oil deposits lay in eastern Navarro County as well.

Dr. Tommy Stringer is executive director of the Navarro College Foundation.

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Marriott's sister gets 18 years in mortgage fraud plea

May 18, 2009 Corsicana Daily Sun

KAUFMAN — A North Texas woman was sentenced to 18 years in prison Monday for her involvement in a complex mortgage fraud scheme that defrauded the federal government.

Karen Hayes, 58, of Kemp, pleaded guilty to engaging in organized criminal activity and falsifying statements to obtain property or credit. Hayes was taken into custody at the Kaufman County Sheriff's Office and will be transferred to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which operates the state prison system.

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Corsicana Entertainment Beat

May 1

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

May 2

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for karaoke with Frances Roberts from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. Sons of American Legion will have chopped barbecue sandwich and chips for sale at $5 each from 6 to 8 p.m. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

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Possible tornado damages school in Corsicana

CORSICANA, Texas (AP) - A possible tornado about 50 miles south of the Dallas area collapsed part of the roof a school building, forcing a teacher to dive beneath a table to avoid falling debris.

A National Weather Service meteorologist in Fort Worth said the storm Monday was a possible tornado that damaged the Robert E. Lee Center, also known as the Lee Academy, in Corsicana. The facility is an alternative education center and the students were sent home.

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Steps to prevent the spread of swine flu in Navarro

As the flurry of news from all media regarding the swine flu becomes larger, the Navarro County Health Department has taken steps to address the problem locally.

In a letter from Dr. Kent Rogers, physician and medical director of the Corsicana -Navarro County Public Health District, residents are strongly urged to help prevent the spread of swine flu. Rogers lists in his letter some steps to take as precautions.

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Election 2009: Corsicana City Council, Precinct 4

Dana Collins and George Walker are both seeking the Precinct 4 City Council seat in Corsicana. Below are profiles on the two candidates.

Collins seeks council seat

Dana Collins, owner of Sign Pro’s, is taking her first leap into politics by running for the Precinct 4 City Council seat being vacated by Randy Dill.

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Corsicana Glass and Mirror marks milestone

Corsicana Glass and Mirror has been an institution in Corsicana since 1964, but on April 1, 2009, new owner Paula Jones purchased the business, and just celebrated 10 years.

“Beryl and Martha Prestige opened it in 1964, and we were on a deer lease with them,” Paula said. “I had worked for Liston Herod for 14 years, and Beryl was getting ready to retire.”

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Some rain estimates top 4 inches in Navarro county

Eric Myers, Navarro County Emergency Management Coordinator, says the county has received estimated totals of rainfall between 1 and 5 inches the last 24 hours.

Myers said the estimates are based on National Weather Service radar projections.

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Corsicana Entertainment Beat

April 24

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3366, located at Veterans Drive off West State Highway 31, will host Country Sue’s Karaoke. The VFW will be open from 4 p.m. to midnight. For more information, call after 4 p.m. to (903) 872-3811.

April 25

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for One Man Band with Justin Hunter from 8 p.m. to midnight. No cover charge. Post will open at 2 p.m. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

Through April 29

American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St., invites members and their guests for a shuffleboard tournament at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.

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POLICE NEWS: Corsicana toddler reported missing

A Corsicana toddler who went missing Monday may be with her mother’s boyfriend, authorities said.

Eighteen-month-old Jasilene Morales was reported missing Monday by her mother, Sandra Espinoza, after Espinoza’s boyfriend, 22-year-old Jose Andres Martinez, dropped her off at work, according to a press release from the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office.

The release says Morales was last seen Monday at 5 a.m. with Martinez, who was driving a red 1998 Ford Expedition with New Mexico license plate HNJ769.

The sheriff’s office asked anyone with information to call (903) 654-3001.

Jonas Brothers make surprise visit in Corsicana

The Jonas Brothers, international heart-throbs and teen cuties, were in downtown Corsicana Tuesday filming a video, but they took a few minutes out to sing their fans a song, or two.

“Their manager called and asked if they could do a photo shoot, but he didn’t tell me who it was, and I didn’t ask, and they just showed up. I had no idea, I had no idea,” said Jourdan Hollingsworth, co-owner of Caleb’s Diner.

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Corsicana Texas Local Beat

March 31

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana YMCA rear addition. This free tax assistance is generally for those with incomes below $42,000 and senior citizens needing help. For more information, call on-site VITA coordinator George Burrell at (903) 879-2091.

Healthy Woman, a Navarro Regional Hospital resource, will have a free event at 6 p.m. at Martin Hall of First United Methodist Church, 320 N. 15th St. The topic will be “Address Your Stress — Methods for managing a busy life.” The guest speaker will be Dr. Philip Taft, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Corsicana since 2002. He will teach how to manage stress in your life. Please RSVP by March 25 by calling (903) 654-6948 or e-mail to Danielle.Boulware@navarrohospital.com or register online at www.navarrohospital.com.

Frost Elementary School will have its pre-kindergarten and kindergarten round-up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Frost High School auditorium foyer. Please bring the following: child’s birth certificate, Social Security card, and immunization record; and parent’s income statements and driver’s license. For an appointment, call (903) 682-2711.

Through April 1

Clifford Foundation Scholarship applications for the 2008-2009 academic year are due by 4 p.m. through April 1 in the Clifford Foundation office, 319 W. Seventh Ave., Corsicana. For more information, call (903) 874-4725. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

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Navarro County poised for growth

More buildings for Ellis County

During a recession and tough economic times many people decide to further their education and that trend is true for Navarro College campuses in Midlothian and Waxahachie.

The Navarro College board of trustees met in Midlothian on Thursday night and heard a report from Dr. Harold Nolte, dean of Navarro College Waxahachie, on the explosive growth the schools in Ellis County are experiencing.

“The population data I am presenting to you predicts Ellis County could have half a million residents by 2020,” Nolte said. “We are seeing dramatic enrollment in our schools on the (U.S.) Highway 287 corridor, specifically Midlothian and Waxahachie.”

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February existing home sales rise by 5.1 percent

March 23, 2009
By ALAN ZIBEL, AP Real Estate Writer

WASHINGTON – Sales of previously occupied homes jumped unexpectedly in February by the largest amount in nearly six years as first-time buyers took advantage of deep discounts on foreclosures and other distressed properties.

Economists said sales, while still at levels not seen since 1997, may finally be coming back to life after declining sharply following the stock market plunge last autumn.

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Stocks jump on bank plan, rise in home sales

By TIM PARADIS, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK – Wall Street is getting the good news it wants on the economy's biggest problems: banks and housing.

Investors reignited a two-week rally Monday after hearing the government's plan to help banks remove as much as $1 trillion in bad assets from their books and home sales showed a surprise increase. Major stock indexes jumped as much as 4 percent, including the Dow Jones industrial average, which rose nearly 300 points.

The Treasury Department said its plan would rely on the government's $700 billion financial rescue fund, the Federal Reserve and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., as well as private investors.

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Corsicana's Martin’s Music Hall reopens Saturday

By Janet Jacobs

Martin’s Music Hall, for years an entertainment staple downtown, is reopening Saturday after months of being dark with the Big C Jamboree.

The band has been playing in this area of Texas for about six years, and has done numerous shows in Corsicana, including two of the Patsy Cline shows with Zanada Tally, who is a regular in the band. For the last two years, the Jamboree has been playing at the Ennis Opry on Lake Bardwell, but is ready to make the move to Corsicana, said Ron Sikes, bandmember.

“A lot of people around here know us and hopefully we can get it going in this area,” he said. “We’ve had lots of interest so far.”

The Jamboree plays country and western with a dash of gospel thrown in for good measure.

The show starts at 7 p.m. at Martin’s Music Hall, 201 S. Beaton. Admission is $10 per person.

In addition to the Big C Jamboree regulars, who are Chuck Wiginton, Joe Honea, Zanada Tally, Jody Thomas, Ron Sikes and Bobby Fluker as emcee, this Saturday’s show will also include special guests Billy Roy Mitcham, Russell Bailey, Stan Lawhon, Fred Hayes, and B.G. Williams.

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The Fabulous Fator

By Deanna Brown

Locals take a trip to Las Vegas

Everything’s coming up roses these days for Terry Fator.

Three Corsicana residents made a quick trip to Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day at Fator’s invitation to see the grand opening of his new show at The Mirage.

Fator, who won “America’s Got Talent” in its second season with his impersonating ventriloquist act, proved that ventriloquism is not yet a dying art. He has stayed busy since winning the competition performing at the Las Vegas Hilton, and around the country.

“I met Terry as a young man, when he was a member of the Children’s Company at the Warehouse Living Arts Theatre,” Sandra Huffman said. “My daughter Julie was 11, and Terry was about 14. We went to England, where they performed ‘Tom Sawyer.’ He played the Artful Dodger in ‘Oliver,’ which Julie and I were in, and he was also in ‘Sound of Music.’”

Fator’s musical group from the ‘80s, Texas the Band, was generous in contributing to fund-raisers, Huffman said, and she has known him many years. When she saw him at a wake for a mutual friend several years ago, Fator said he had auditioned for the talent show, but had not been contacted yet.

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Corsicana Local Beat

March 2

City of Blooming Grove will holds its monthly city council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Blooming Grove City Hall, 200 S. Fordyce St.

Corsicana Art League will meet at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center, 919 W. Park Ave. Cecy Turner from Dallas will present the program. Turner is a watercolorist and oil painter and will present a landscape oil demonstration. Everyone is invited to attend.

Corsicana Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. A meal will be served starting at 6:30 p.m. All Masons are invited.

March 3

Corsicana Chapter No. 118, Order of Eastern Star, will hold a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Corsicana Masonic Lodge. A potluck supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. All OES members are invited. For more information, contact Bonnie Mathison at (903) 874-0226.

Blooming Grove Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall of Blooming Grove United Methodist Church. The program will be presented by Linda Jordan Tribble who will speak about the Jordan family. All interested people are invited to attend. For more information, call (903) 695-2724 or (903) 673-2635.

Eureka Crime Watch will hold its regular monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Eureka United Methodist Church. Special guest will be Craig Tekell, who will give an update on the progress of an ongoing project. The public is invited to this informative meeting, and refreshments will be served.

Central Texas Quarter Horse Association will hold a ride night for members only beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Navarro County Exposition Center. For more information or how to become a member, contact Steve Orbison at (903) 872-6267.

Oak Valley Crime Watch will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Oak Valley Community Center. The crime report will be given by the deputies and a general discussion will follow. Please bring a covered dish and join in for food and fellowship.

March 4

Navarro County Branch NAACP will present the showing of “Freedom’s Song: 100 years of African-American struggle and triumph” at 6 p.m. at Lifeline Fellowship Family Church, 5301 W. State Highway 31. For more information, call E. Burrell at (903) 874-2821.

March 5

American Red Cross monthly blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Navarro Shriner’s Building, 323 N. Commerce St. During March and April, everyone coming in to donate at a Red Cross center or blood drive will receive an American Red Cross life-saving team baseball hat. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have a photo ID. For more information, call (800) 448-3543 or visit the Web site at bloodisneeded.org.

Blooming Grove Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. at the Blooming Grove Fire Station. Speakers will be Alva Lynn Smith, Blooming Grove mayor; and T.C. Lawhon, Blooming Grove police chief. Light refreshments will be served.

Navarro County Branch NAACP will present the showing of “Freedom’s Song: 100 years of African-American struggle and triumph” at 5:15 p.m. at Boys and Girls Club of Navarro County, 1000 G.W. Jackson Ave. For more information, call E. Burrell at (903) 874-2821.

Navarro County Democratic Women will meet at 5:30 p.m. at Navarro County Democratic Headquarters, 416 W. Third Ave. Guest speaker will be Corsicana Daily Sun reporter Janet Jacobs, who will be speaking on her coverage of Barack Obama’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20. All Democratic women are invited. For more information, call Carla Testa at (903) 641-0183.