The Gladewater Mirror’s
Bricks
and
Bloom March 28
9 a.m. - Noon Downtown Gladewater
Flowers Gardening Items Spring Decorations
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
J.D. Shipp 2014 Man of the Year
Vol. 74, No. 12
1 Section, 12 pages
Booth Space - $50 Call 903-845-2235 for more information
50¢
GNB bank robber kills self when caught in White Oak
Lois Reed 2014 Woman of the Year
Shipp, Reed top stars at Chamber Banquet Astronaut Story Musgrave inspires attendees
By Jim and Suzanne Bardwell The Gladewater Chamber of Commerce honored several of its outstanding members Thursday night at the annual membership banquet, including JD Shipp being named Man of the Year, Lois Reed being named Woman of the Year, and John Paul Tallent topping everyone with two awards on the night - Main Streeter of the Year and Bradley Award recipient. Other winners of the night were: Dee Lawson - Educator of the Year, Bailey Glenn - Youth of the Year, Classic Stitch - Business of the Year, Christian Allen Marilyn Godfrey Volunteer Service Award, and Robert Johnson - Bradley Award. Retired NASA astronaut Dr. Story Musgrave was the featured speaker and took the opportunity to inspire the more than 300 people in attendance by telling of his journey through life and how he met every obstacle with determination and a “can do” attitude that allowed him to go from farm boy to fixing aircraft as a Marine mechanic in Korea, then fixing tanks in the USMC active reserve, and fixing broken people as a trauma surgeon which eventually led to NASA where he was chief mechanic on the Hubble Space Telescope. Musgrave has spent a lifetime in pursuit of knowledge as an astronaut, imagineer, physician, literary scholar, master landscaper, artist, photographer and his next adventure will have him going back into space aboard one of the private space vehicles now being developed. Musgrave holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Syracuse University in Multivariate Mathematics and Statistics; a Master of Business Administration in Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Computer Systems from UCLA: a B.S. in Chemistry from Marietta College; a Doctor of Medicine in General Medicine and Neurosurgery from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; an M.S. in Physiology and Biological Physics from the University of Kentucky; and an M.A. in Literature from the University of Houston. “My entire life I have been immersed in a multiplicity of domains and disciplines, sometimes out of choice but many times I got tossed into them and had to work out a survival strategy or better yet some desirable outcome,” Dr. Musgrave said.
Medical personal move a man, identified as Steve Bruce of Henderson, from his vehicle to the ambulance after he reportedly shot himself when White Oak police pulled him over in connection from a robbery at Gladewater National Bank. Photo by Jim Bardwell By Jim Bardwell WHITE OAK - Medical personnel tried to save a man Friday who reportedly shot himself when police attempted to arrest him in connection with the robbery at Gladewater National Bank about 30 minutes earlier. But their efforts were unsuccessful, as the suspect, identified as Steve Bruce of Henderson, died at a Longview hospital shortly after arrival. The events leading up to Bruce’s death started at the Gladewater National Bank about 2 p.m.. Gladewater police reported that a short, white male between 50 and 60 years of age, wearing a white cap, glasses and a long-sleeved black shirt with blue jeans had entered the bank and demanded money from a teller. Witnesses stated no weapon was used during this offense and the suspect had left the bank with an undetermined amount of cash and left the parking lot in a black Buick SUV and proceed south on US 271. Police immediately began combing the area and advised other law enforcement agencies of the robbery and the search for the suspect. Shortly after the bank robbery police were advised a man with a gun was at a local cemetery. Police soon
discovered the bank robber and the man at the cemetery were one in the same. Bruce’s wife died a few months ago and Bruce apparently went to visit her grave after holding up the bank. By the time police arrived at the cemetery, Bruce had fled. As the search continued, Gladewater Animal Control Officer Mark Dennison was returning from the Longview Animal Shelter and spotted a vehicle matching the suspect’s SUV traveling east on US 80 near Texas 42. The White Oak Police Department was advised and White Oak officers quickly arrived and maneuvered in behind the suspect’s vehicle and pulled him over. When police moved in to apprehend the man, a shot was heard and police quickly realized Bruce had shot himself. The suspect was slumped in the driver’s seat when medical personnel arrived and began administering CPR. Police secured the scene and began processing the vehicle. The bank robbery is being investigated by the FBI and Texas Rangers and no further information has been released at this time.
Rep. Simpson discusses his pot bill at town hall meeting By Jim Bardwell Texas HB 2165, introduced by Republican Representative David Simpson, was the main topic of the day at a Simpson Town Hall meeting at Tejas Cafe in Gladewater Saturday. The bill would legalize cannabis by repealing all reference to marijuana in state law. Rep. Simpson says his policy justifications for desiring decriminalization are grounded in traditional Christian conservative values. H.B. 2165 is bold yet simple. If enacted it would delete several provisions of Texas state law dealing with penalties related to cannabis use and possession.
State Rep. David Simpson explained why he introduced House Bill 2165, which would legalize cannabis by repealing all reference to marijuana in state law, to about 40 people who attended a Town Hall meeting at Tejas Cafe in Gladewater. Photo by Jim Bardwell Simpson addresses the sides of an issue have strongly issues surrounding HB 2165 held positions, and I have the by saying: “There is nothing opportunity to interact with all. like filing a bill where both Continued on Page 5
By Phillip Williams GILMER--The Upshur County Grand Jury on March 12 returned 23 indictments, including several against Gladewater and Big Sandy residents, said District Attorney Billy Byrd’s office. Of the indictments, two were sealed because no arrests had been made, and jurors also no-billed four cases, Byrd said. The open indictments included Brandin S. Goldner, 22, of Gladewater, aggravated sexual assault of disabled individual on Oct. 16, 2014, $20,000, and Billy Thomas Cate, 57, of Gladewater, possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) on Aug. 14, 2014, $5,000 Also from Gladewater, April Michelle Gordon, 36, was charged with possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) with intent to deliver on Aug. 14, 2014, $8,500
Defendants, charges and bond information in the other open indictments was as follows, Byrd’s office said: -- Michael Wayne Ralston, 40, of Ore City, remained in Marion County Jail in Jefferson after being charged with committing three burglaries on Feb. 3 and one on Feb. 5 in Upshur County. --Steven Eugene Hodge, 38, of Big Sandy, possession of controlled substance (methamphetamine) on Oct. 21, 2014. He remained in county jail in Gilmer under $20,000 bond. --James Edward May, 66, of Big Sandy, was separately indicted on two counts of possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver (methamphetamine). Charged with committing the crimes on Oct. 9, 2014 and Jan. 21 of this year, he remained in county jail under a $75,000 surety bond on the October charge and $85,000 bond on the January one.
GISD BOARD DIGS IN AT GROUND BREAKING GISD School Board Trustees and their children and grandchildren join together at the ceremonial ground-breaking for the new middle school and Weldon Intermediate renovations at last Thursday’s event. The project is being funded by a $35 million bond passed by voters last May. Photo by Suzanne Bardwell
Sgt. Watkins honored Saturday
Medal of Honor recipient M/Sgt. Travis Watkins will be honored this Saturday, March 28, at Gladewater’s Memorial Park located on US 80 west of town. The ceremony will be at noon. Watkins distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. When an overwhelming enemy force broke through and isolated 30 men of his unit, he took command, established a perimeter defense and directed action which repelled continuous, fanatical enemy assaults. With his group completely surrounded and cut off, he moved from foxhole to foxhole exposing himself to enemy fire, giving instructions and offering encouragement to his men. Later when the need for ammunition and grenades became critical Continued on Page 4
Grand jury hands down indictments