Newstory: 2014 Year in Review by Melinda McCutchen, Publisher Contributed by Brenda Scott Hines August 2015 *********************************************************************** The Observer/Enterprise, Coke County, TX - December 26, 2014 2014 Year In Review Issue By Melinda McCutchen, Publisher We are rapidly approaching the end of yet another year. As the clock ticks down on 2014, I hope readers enjoy this look back at a few of the stories which made headlines this year. While combing through all of the 2014 issues, I quickly realized that there was no possible way to include everything. I'll apologize in advance if a story important to you was omitted. Also, we have not included any of the school activities. Our area students are extremely talented, earning honors in academics, sports, UIL, and other extra curricular activities. There would be no way to include all of the honors earned in 2014 by these students. Coke County turned 125 in 2014. The July 4th issue of The Observer/Enterprise was dedicated entirely to that mile-mark. Ivey Motor Company celebrated their 100th anniversary and The Observer/Enterprise celebrated our 125th birthday. I sincerely want to thank our readers, contributors and advertisers for your support this last year. Descendants of Coke County pioneer families, descendants of Coke County sheriffs, present and past sheriffs, and honored guests made up a special audience for the dedication of the 1907 Coke County Jail on Saturday, September 20, 2014. A room full of people with various connections to the history of the county and the preservation process of the Coke County Historical Commission listened to Bobby Blaylock, the event's Master of Ceremonies, and added to the support for preserving the history of Coke County. The Old Jail has a dedication plaque to Roberta Cole Johnson of Brenham, Texas, whose bequest funded the restoration and future maintenance of the building. The annex building has been named the Blake Annex to honor Charles and Joy Millican Blake who were entrusted by Mrs. Johnson to name the projects worthy of her bequest Future plans for the annex are developing and the area will soon be ready to preserve and exhibit Coke County history. On Sunday, September 7, 2014, the Bronte First United Methodist Church dedicated their new Fellowship Hall and Salt of the Earth Food Pantry. The morning began with a worship service, followed by the dedication. The services were led by Bronte FUMC's current pastor Rev. Everette Boyce. Over 100 church members and guests enjoyed a lunch and fellowship in the new facility. Bishop Dorff reminded the crowd that Methodists do two things very well - meet and eat. The group is adding a third thing - trying to feed their brothers and sisters. Perhaps one of the biggest stories of the year centered around the old Coke County Juvenile Justice Center in Bronte. Coke County and a San Antonio firm entered into a lease agreement for the old facility and the 38+/- acres on May 1, 2014, which angered many county residents. The owners of the firm met with Bronte residents the last week in April. The City of Bronte disconnected all water and sewer to the property following this meeting. Coke County Commissioners held a rare evening public meeting in Bronte in mid-May to attempt to address residents concerns. Over 100 citizens from both sides of the county were in attendance. Before it was over, the Texas Rangers were called in to investigate. Although the lease appeared to be extremely one-sided in favor of the San Antonio company and a former Coke County consultant on the project was eventually employed by the San Antonio firm, the investigation revealed no grounds for prosecution. The Coke County Commissioners Court voted to list the property for sale this fall and it was revealed in late fall that the San Antonio company was terminating the lease. The Living Bible Series presentation of "The Last Supper" was held at First United Methodist Church in Robert Lee on April 12 and 13. Members of the cast include David O'Dell, Todd Smith, Robert Longest, Robert Wink, Matthew Curry, Hal Spain, Joe White, Michael Curry, Drake Arthur, Everett Wilson, Steve Giudici, Blake Smith, Kaden Hayes, Abi Arthur, Rachelle Arthur, Jacey Brashear, Brenner Sherwood, and Denver O'Dell. Narrators were Gaylon Childers and Rev. Cyndi Weidner. Judy Gibbs, Gayle Bolding and Karen Hodge were in charge of costuming, with Carla Wojtek in charge of props. Media Tech was Barbie Arthur with Claire Giudici serving as Manager. Picnic in the Park, supporting the Bronte Volunteer Fire Department's building fund, was held Saturday, May 17, 2014, at the Bronte Park. The large crowd bought all the barbecue from the VFD by just after 12 noon. The day's activities concluded with a dance. Snow began to fall in Coke County last February. Before it was over, the snow turned to ice. Snow totals ranged from just under 1/2" near Robert Lee to 1' at Blackwell. Once the ice began to form on our roadways, county schools were first delayed and then cancelled. Coke County Sheriff's Deputy Trey Davis came in on his day off to assist Sheriff Wayne McCutchen, with the numerous accidents throughout Coke County. Residents of Coke County met at Oak Creek Lake later that month to pray for rain. A December 21, 2013, search warrant for a residence in Bronte netted a great deal. The warrant was served by Coke County Sheriff's Deputy Trey Davis (left) and Deputy Christopher Fox (right) and Sheriff Wayne McCutchen. The officers found over 60 grams of methamphetamine, illegal weapons, burglary tools, and drug paraphernalia. This bust occurred during the investigation of the burglaries which have been plaguing Coke County over the last few weeks. Both of these deputies left the Coke County Sheriff's Office for higher paying positions. New Deputies in 2014 to the Coke County Sheriff's Office include Russell Johnson, Terry Crenshaw, and Anthony Lopez. At the end of the budget process, citizens requested commissioners to reconsider the deputies' salaries and proposed the men in the department receive a 7% increase. Commissioners agreed to the proposal and met the requirements necessary to satisfy the legal process. Lana and Garland Richards and the Fort Chadbourne Foundation in Coke County, were honored this Year with the R. C. Crane Heritage Service Award by the Texas Historical Association in Odessa, Texas. The award recognizes non-profit organizations for their preservation efforts to West Texas History. Nominees must show a contribution to our Texas heritage through projects of restoration, community partnerships, and most importantly work with local and area schools, teachers and students, through educational events and activities. The Fort Chadbourne Foundation organized in 1999 as a non-profit charitable organization, to preserve and present the historic 1852 fort site, was chosen for its preservation work, and meeting all the requirements of their original mission statement. In all six buildings have been restored and all ruins stabilized. The Foundation has educated and entertained well over 25,000 students and teachers at their annual Fort Chadbourne Days Living History Event held the first weekend each May. And, they opened a new 12,500 square foot Visitor Center/Museum in April 2012. Much work at Fort Chadbourne, such as archeological excavations has been completed by volunteerism with groups such as the Concho Valley Archeological Society and the SMARTS. The prestigious R. C. Crane award comes with a $500.00 monetary award. Shown are (from left) Brent Bryan, Janie Ruth Cooper, Ann Pate, Garland Richards and Lana Richards. The Fort Chadbourne Foundation has contributed heavily to the historic preservations in Coke County, along with the Texas Forts Trail, and many other cities andcommunities throughout West Texas. *************************** Permission granted by The Observer/Enterprise for publication in the Coke County TXGenWeb and/or the Coke County Archives of the USGenWeb. Copyright. All rights reserved.