Year In Review 2007
Second half starts with economic blow, ends with football chills
By KATIEWALDROP Staff Writer

Newsboy file photo THOMAS BROOKS returned to take over the helm of the Jasper ISD athletic and football program.

Editor's note: This is the second in a twopart series reviewing 2007.

July

In a short letter sent late July 2, Tiger Truck closed the book on Jasper. The Dallas-based company announced it was not going to purchase property in Jasper and within a month announced plans to locate its plant in Poteau, OK.

With the approval of U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration (EDA), the regional vocational training facility was a go in Jasper.

In East Texas, Wesley Charles "Chuck" Fortenberry has long been considered one of America's heroes. July 2 Fortenberry's hero status was memorialized for future generations as the Woodville Post Office building was named in honor of the fallen Iraq war hero.

Teachers Sue Saunders, of Jasper High School, and Arleen Broughton and Cindy Nicks, both of Buna Junior High School participated in the Lamar University Departments of Mathematics and Professional Pedagogy and Region 5 Education Service Center program, June 20- 22, in Beaumont.

Jasper County Sheriff Ronnie McBride confirmed June 16 that he would run for sheriff again.

In an effort to find out who might be responsible for a case of recent vandalism, the Jasper Police Department joined forces with EasTex Crime Stoppers.

The buzz in Jasper County was about the FEMA trailers. After almost two years holed up in less than 300 square feet of space, many families never want to see their FEMA trailer again. An auction allowed a recoup of the Rita money spent.

August

Jasper Police arrested a 19- year-old suspect in connection with an arson case at the Timbers Apartments Monday, July 30.

Jasper head football coach Thomas Brooks and his Bulldogs begin two-a-days.

Jasper residents took part in the annual flashlight walk Aug. 6 as a prelude to the National Night Out event. There was a five-mile and two-mile walk through the city's neighborhoods.

Jasper County Commissioners moved rapidly to approve a county budget and property tax rate for the new year.

Wal-Mart was the wining bidder of the silent auction of the autographed picture of the Jasper state champions baseball teams. Lillie Weatherspoon in turn announce the store was donating the photo back to the school in memory of her husband, Coach Lloyd Weatherspoon.

Jasper High School's Meet the Bulldogs event, Aug. 16, was moved into the Jasper Junior High School gym after rainy weather caused the cancellation of the annual event at The Bone Yard.

The Jasper County Commissioners court adopted a 2008 proposed budget based on the effective tax rate; both tax and budget remain "proposed" until the vote Sept. 10. The total budget for the county is $13,045,821.

According to Jasper Police Investigator Richard Goings, the department dealt with a rash of copper thefts with it culminating with the arrest of six individuals in connection with a copper theft ring.

September

The Jasper Independent School District Board of Trustees approved the proposed 2007-2008 budget in the amount of $23,878,843 and lowered the tax rate from $1.60 per $100 to $1.34 at a special public meeting August 30.

Friday night football is something special in Texas and it's no different in Jasper at the Bulldogs opened the 2007 season against Livingston.

Members of the Power Team performed at the Jasper High School Auditorium through Sept. 2. The group was sponsored by local churches and provided a message of inspiration and strength.

The city of Jasper agreed to take ownership of an animal shelter.

The Jasper County Sheriff's Department arrested an owner-operator of a day care facility in Kirbyville for injury to a child.

Jasper's varsity baseball players received their championship rings for winning the Class 3A state baseball championship.

Despite issues with late paychecks to its employees, Dickerson Memorial Hospital officials said Wednesday, Sept. 12, that the "hospital will not close."

The Jasper County Sheriff's department spent time recovering stolen property in several cases that included thefts in several East Texas counties, according to Capt. Stacey Chambers.

The 24th annual McDonald's Big Bass Splash on Sam Rayburn was subject to change home sites, according to tournament organizer Bob Sealy.

October

During a meeting held late Oct. 1 Jasper City Manager Alan Grindstaff upped the city's hotel-motel money offer to Bob Sealy and his McDonald's Big Bass Splash event from the original offer of $5,000 to $12,000.

The 2007 Miss Fall Fest pageant crowned its royalty in several divisions. Miss Fall Fest 2007 crowned Tokoia Watts.

Jasper Police kept searching for Martin Lynn Byerly since his disappearance Sept. 28.

Mike Bruce, owner of Bruce's Pulp and Paper, LLC, filed a lawsuit in Jasper County's District Court Wednesday, Oct. 10 against Tiger Truck over the failed property sale for the plant.

Experienced Texas EquuSearch teams joined locals in a massive search for Martin Byerly, officially missing since Sept. 30.

Aaron Garrett and Jessica Alvis were named 2007 Homecoming King and Queen for Jasper High School.

Jasper Independent School District Superintendent Bill Dean said the high school's unacceptable rating is a "serious concern to all of us and that the board, administrators, and the site base committee is committed to making the required improvements."

Jasper Police Chief Todd Hunter confirmed Oct. 29 that blood found in Martin Byerly's truck was determined by Jefferson County Crime Lab officials to be Byerly's.

November

Rowe rocked when the Spice Girls and the Blues Brothers from the JHS drama class took the stage, but it nearly exploded when Tina Turner, Principal Victor Williams, pranced up the stairs in her silver heels and sang "What's love got to do with it?"

War memorabilia from World Wars I and II fascinated students at Few Primary. Louis Berry, husband of first grade teacher Lace Berry, has collected medals, uniforms, weapons, gear, photos and newspapers.

With little fanfare, more than 40 percent of Jasper County changed hands when Temple-Inland completed its land deal with The Campbell Group Oct. 31.

An East Texas community health care advocate lost his battle with cancer Nov. 2. Dr. Melvin K. Bottorff, 72, died Nov 2 after a long battle with Leiomyoscarma.

Chest pounds and smiles were all over the Bone Yard for the Jasper players as the Dawgs pulled out a 40-34 victory over Silsbee to move into the Class 3A playoffs.

The Jasper County Commissioners Court returned from Austin Nov. 8 with good news for Jasper County: approval for $2.56 million dollars for restoration of critical infrastructure.

During a sometimes-heated meeting, Jasper's city council voted 3-2 against moving the management of the hotelmotel funds back to the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

The Navasota Rattlers rallied from a 34-13 halftime deficit to defeat Jasper 42-40 and eliminate the Bulldogs from the Division I Class 3A playoffs on a rainy Friday night at Humble's Turner Stadium.

Jasper County Sheriff's Deputy Ryan Cunningham began recovering from the Thanksgiving night rollover accident that ejected him from his vehicle, according to Sheriff Ronnie McBride.

December

"Christmas Around the World" was the theme for the annual Parade of Lights in Jasper according to special events coordinator Liz Street of the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

Ten people filed to run in the March county election in the first week, Dec. 3-7; candidates have until today to submit their application for a place on the March ballot, according to Jasper County Clerk Debbie Newman.

The Jasper County Commissioners' Court approved two decisions that will affect growth and development in Jasper County; one is a step towards construction of an animal shelter, and the other updated county rules and regulations for subdivisions to meet state codes.

Leo Desormeaux IV, 26, of Evadale was charged with capital murder in the death of his son, 21-month-old Triston Dobbins.

A former graduate of Jasper High School described as "disillusioned with life" was arrested and charged in connection with an Internet terroristic threat made against the school. Jasper Police arrested Darrin Hubbard, 19, of Jasper, Dec. 12, after authorities received information on the threat posted on the Internet site "MySpace.com."

Fourteen people have filed to run in the March county election in the first two weeks, Dec. 3 - 17; candidates have until Jan. 2 to submit their application for a place on the March ballot, according to Jasper County Clerk Debbie Newman.

CVS Pharmacy, which bought out Eckard Drugs in 2004, has decided to close its doors for good on Jan. 5, 2008.