In May the Journal-Sun did an article titled “Could Cass County See the Next Big Boon”. The story follows the recent news that Standard Lithium has found quality Lithium in a well in Cass County and area communities, the spot of some of the highest certified lithium-grade brine. Which was taken from a sample of a repurposed oil well outside McLeod. The area sits atop the Smackover Formation, a geological formation that runs underneath an area that begins in far Northeast Texas and runs to the Florida panhandle. Since then, the narrative slowly continues to pick up steam. This is in...

, That’s a wrap. Another hardball season here in Cass County has ended as far as the regular schedule goes. Our local teams have battled plenty of tough opponents, along with the weather, en route to playoff appearances. Softball On the softball side of things, Queen City won its third consecutive district championship and will face Quitman in the first round of the state playoffs. The first game is scheduled for Wednesday, Apr. 24, in Quitman. Game two will be the following day in Queen City. Game three, if needed, will be decided by coin flip. All three games will begin at 7 p.m. Atlanta also...

Atlanta Rabbits Atlanta’s baseball team thrashed Paul Pewitt 28-10 in a five-inning game on Apr. 16. The Rabbits were up 5-0 going into the third frame where they exploded for 16 runs. Easton Whatley struck out three batters, Eli Stevens sat down four and Eli Dryden struck out all three batters he faced. Peyton Harrison had himself a day at the plate as he hit a solo homerun and an inside the park grand slam, Easton Owens was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Will Woodruff was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, Cason Whatley was 2-for-3 with a double and...

, , Terry Jones walks Atlanta daily. Every day, except when it rains. For two hours and not less than 10 miles. If it does rain, he works out at home, perhaps five to six hours that day. He’s by himself and doesn’t need or want a partner. He sees plenty of Atlanta folk in the downtown area. Store owners especially. They call him “The Walking Man.” He wears the same black clothing. That’s black shorts and maybe a black tee-shirt with yellow lettering that reads “ARMY,” which he is or was. He’s a veteran. He 50 years old now but doesn’t...

Prepare yourself during the 2024 Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday for emergencies that can cause physical damage like tornadoes, flash floods and wildfires. You can purchase certain emergency preparation supplies tax free during the sales tax holiday. There is no limit on the number of qualifying items you can purchase, and you do not need to give an exemption certificate to claim the exemption. This year’s holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, April 27, and ends at midnight on Monday, April 29. Emergency Preparation Supplies Sales Tax Holiday (texas.gov) Everyone knows that “Be Prepared” is the motto of the...

, , , , This week is officially National Crime Victims’ Rights Week in Cass County. Surviving a crime can have myriad lasting effects on victims, including physical, psychological, social, and financial issues. We know that countless survivors never tell anyone about what happened to them. Each of us has a moral responsibility to actively participate in the healing of others. It is necessary to create safe environments for survivors of crime, providing not only support but also access to critical services and, above all, hope. Victim service providers, community members, businesses, places of worship, colleagues, neighbors, and family members are capable of providing victim-...

, , , Some call Texas the Lone Star State. I like to call it “Big Bass Central.” An army of giant bass have been caught in Texas over the years. At last count, more than 90 Lone Star reservoirs had produced lake records weighing 13 pounds or more. The biggest bass are always females. Fisheries experts have told me a mature female bass with egg-swollen ovaries will weigh about 10 percent heavier than it will weigh without. A fish could weigh considerably more if caught soon after dining on a 1 1/2-pound crappie or fat gizzard shad. It happens. Former Toyota Share-Lunker...

, Atlanta’s Amity Study Club hosted its 17th annual E-Waste Recycle Day Saturday at Guard-Line which is in the Atlanta Business Park on U S. Highway 59 south. Amity spokespeople Julia Braun and Marie Shelton said the recycle collection was successful despite a rainy day. Although the poundage of recycle material won’t be known for several days, some 14 large pallets were filled. The club’s E-Waste Recycle Day is usually held on the Saturday closest to Earth Day which was Monday, Ap. 22, this year. Earth Day, starting in 1970, is held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Its theme for this year was “Planet Versus Plastics.” “We owe special thanks for the help of Karen Sams, counselor at Atlanta High School. She is so wonderful every year to talk to the students and get them to volunteer. We call her, she calls us back, and then the kids just show up,” Braun said. This community service project is sponsored by the Amity Study Club (General Federation of Women’s Clubs) in cooperation with UNICOR, a federal recycling partner. “We’re glad to be a part of this important occasion,” Braun said in behalf of the Amity Club.

Atlanta’s Local Maker’s Market held on a one day Saturday brings well appreciated attention to the town of Atlanta, its leaders and citizens. For a few hours on a Saturday, the downtown is filled with people who are happy to be together. For one, they get to see each other in a different manner and also see their products and works of art which are pleasing. The local market is a quarterly downtown market featuring handmade, homemade and homegrown items from vendors who reside within 50 miles of Atlanta. The market also includes food trucks. Saturday spring maker’s market drew some 80 vendors. Here are several photographs from the occasion.

Sheriff Larry Rowe was one of 100 sheriffs to sign a letter in support of a letter to Governor Abbott from the Sheriff ’s Association of Texas to secure the border. The emphasis of the letter was a plea to prevent the flow of potential human traffickers, drug dealers, and gang members. In the letter, the association wrote, “As Sheriffs, we must faithfully preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States and Texas. We respectfully request that our Texas border be immediately secured by any lawful means. “We recognize the indisputable and unprecedented atrocities occurring at our southern...

, , Lady Rabbs On Mar. 19, Atlanta edged new Boston 5-4 after scoring the winning run in the top of the eighth inning. The Lady Lions were up 4-1 going into the final inning but the Lady Rabbits plated three runs in the top half to tie the score at 4-all. In that final inning Keirsten Underwood singled and later moved to third on a double by Anna Davis. Underwood scored when Kalissa Reliford hit into a fielder’s choice. Gabby Arredondo gave up just two hits and struck out nine. She also hit a double from the plate. Davis was 2-for-4 with a double,...

On Mar. 22, Atlanta competed in the Tommy Miller Relays in Hallsville. Rain has played havoc with many spring sports, and this was another one of those events shortened by the weather. Varsity Boys In the 800m run Ian Bard placed third at 2:04.35; in the 300m hurdles Sye Stroman placed fifth at 41.57; in the long jump Marquavion Owens placed fourth at 20 feet, 8 inches; in high jump Aidan Boston placed third at 6 feet, 2 inches and in pole vault Chris Swanson placed third at 12 feet even. Varsity Girls In the 100m dash Markavia Garner placed third at 12.91; in the...

Bowie County I-30 – From FM 989 to Arkansas state line, widening highway I-30 – From FM 989 to FM 3419, extension of frontage roads. FM 2148 closed under I-30 bridge & at N. Frontage/ Hampton Rd, detour in place FM 2148 - North from US 82 & from 3419 to N. Frontage/ Hampton Rd, extension of frontage roads. Closed to thru traffic N. Frontage/Hampton Rd. - West from FM 989. Extension of frontage roads. Daytime lane closure as needed FM 989/Kings Highway - From I-30 North Frontage Rd. to Gibson Lane, widening road. Lane closure SH 8 – At...

Several youths are shown playing on the wooden bridge which crosses railroad tracks pretty far below. One of the youngsters is Evelyn Beard herself. She’s the one with yellow pigtails. They are looking northward from Bivins and towards Atlanta. The track is going through a deep cut in the hill. A gradually lessening of depth will continue until the Bethsaida “Y” Baptist Church is reached. Even here, however, the roof tops of the train cars will just begin to be level with the land. Look closely at the photo of the painting. Start with the left side and go around clockwise. See if you can find the following: -- At left, the Marie Ray Davis home -- Nazarene Church -- Martha Walker Home -- Old Carmack Home -- Crossing tracks, While & Walker General Store -- At right, T&P Section Gang Housing -- Hubbard General Store and Rent Home -- Depot -- At bottom, the figures from left to right, Elmer Johnson, Evelyn Beard, Lillie Johnson Price and Teddy Bear the dog,

, , , It’s springtime in Texas and wildlife managers with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are looking to their customers for some very valuable feedback. Earlier this year, the department sent out big and small game harvest surveys to nearly 200,000 Texas hunting license holders. If you received one, it is important that the survey get filled out and returned — not mistaken for junk mail and tossed in the trash, or pushed to the side and forgotten about. It only takes a few minutes complete. A Valuable Tool That’s the word from Jason Hardin, wild turkey program leader with TPWD....

McLeod track stars ran in the Ore City Rebel Relays on Mar. 21. Varsity Boys In the 800m run TJ Klingensmith placed second at 2:17.88 and Jase Deaton placed fourth at 2:26.14; in the 400m dash Dylan Bouchard placed first at 59.47; in the 200m dash Jaxon Smith placed first at 24.46 and Kannon Dempsey placed fourth at 24.46; in the 1600m run Deaton placed fourth at 5:40.83 and the 4x400m relay team of Klingensmith, Smith, Grayson Owens and Dempsey placed second at 3:44.63. Varsity Girls In the 800m run Madison Blair placed third at 2:51.29; in the 100m hurdles Rylee Parker placed first at 18.92; in the 400m dash Lila McKnight placed third at 1:06.12; in the 300m hurdles Parker placed fifth at 56.92 and in the 200m dash McKnight placed third at 29.03. JV Boys In the 100m hurdles Malachi Rhodes placed second at 20.31; in the 100m dash Layton Hale placed sixth at 13.52; in the 300m hurdles Rhodes placed fourth at 51.81 and in the 200m dash Hale placed sixth at 26.45.

Queen City hosted the J.K. Hileman Relays on Mar. 21, and got some events in before rain wiped out the rest of the meet. Field events were canceled before the running events began. Varsity Boys The varsity boys were up by 10 points with 107 before the meet was called off due to wet weather. In the 100m dash Charlie Campbell-Kirkland placed fourth at 11.57; in the 400m dash Lathan Chamblee placed second at 55.55 and Hunter parker placed fourth at 56.53; in the 800m run Isaac Thomas placed third at 2:16.70 and Caleb Kimble placed sixth at 2:22.85; in the 1600m run...

, , , If you want to preserve history, paint it and put it in a town’s library. That’s the ticket. And it’s what the late Evelyn Beard did for our history. Walk into the Atlanta Public Library and look around its walls. There one will find a colorful scene of yesterday. It’s an art work of Bivins, perhaps, in the 1940’s. Several youths are shown playing on the wooden bridge which crosses railroad tracks pretty far below. One of the youngsters is Evelyn Beard herself. She’s the one with yellow pigtails. They are looking northward towards Atlanta and the track is going...

On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. The sky will darken as if it were dawn or dusk. Where will Northeast Texans be for the 2024 solar eclipse? On Monday, April 8, the moon will start to block the sun, causing a total eclipse of the sun that will begin at 1:30 pm near Del Rio, TX and trace a line northeast across the entire state. (NASA)...

Rejoice—to be made glad, to delight in. Rejoice is found in the Bible over 450 times. If it’s recorded that many times, then God must want us to do it. God wants us to rejoice in him, praise him, magnify his name. He told us that we would have some hard times, but he’s with us, and rejoice that he will bring us through. God told Israel to rejoice when they were going into battle, because he would fight for them. Let’s rejoice about what God has done, and what he is going to do. Deuteronomy 26:11a; And thou shalt rejoice in every...