Rusk News

By Kelsey Palmer kpalmer@jacksonvilleprogress.com With the nation's economy failing and unemployment on the rise, the Rusk Lions Club's annual Project Dream Tree is hoping to make this Christmas merry and bright for some Rusk families.

Other than Buck Owens, no artist had a bigger effect on Dwight Yoakam than "The Singing Fisherman," Johnny Horton.

By Jay Neal news@jacksonvilleprogress.com NEW SUMMERFIELD - The tranquility of an autumn day in New Summerfield was interrupted Thursday afternoon for residents living on County Road 4304, as firefighting vehicles from six area fire companies, responding to a house fire in the 3000 block of the normally quiet street, filled the roadway.

Special to the Progress Incumbent Precinct 4 Commissioner Byron Underwood announced he will seek re-election in the March 2010 Democratic primary election.

By Kelsey Palmer kpalmer@jacksonvilleprogress.com In America's current economic crisis, many businesses - both big and small - are becoming more and more difficult to keep afloat.

By KELLY GOOCH Staff Writer RUSK -- A Cherokee County employee has been placed on a 9-month paid administrative leave months after she filed a complaint against a Texas Department of Public Safety sergeant.

By Nathan Straus nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com The outlook for the East Texas economy looks positive, according to area leaders who attended an economic summit in Nacogdoches last week.

A pro-alcohol sales citizens committee in Jacksonville has announced its members.

Progress staff reports Veterans Day is Wednesday, and in observation of this holiday to honor veterans of all U.S. wars, several government entities in Cherokee County will close for the day.

The group doesn't have a name yet, but they do have a goal: to get a proposition for alcohol sales on next May's election ballot.

By Nathan Straus nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com Three Jacksonville streets could be closed for the Dec.

A tornado watch has been issued for Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson, Rains, Rusk, Smith, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood counties in East Texas, according to KYTX CBS19, TylerPaper.com's media partner.

Get your non-profit organization's fundraisers and other events in the Daily Progress's What's News calendar free of charge by e-mailing event information to living@jacksonvilleprogress.com. The newspaper reserves the right to edit any submission for space and content.

Progress staff reports Looking for a safe alternative to traditional trick or treating for your little - or not so little - ghouls and goblins? Several organizations in Cherokee County are offering safe, fun alternatives to going door to door seeking goodies.

This week I devote more to the clovers and provide information about two upcoming events, one devoted to forestry and the other to starting a horticultural enterprise.

By Nathan Straus nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com Animals, candy and safe Halloween fun are on tap for Tyler's Caldwell Zoo on Oct.

By Nathan Straus nstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com The cities of Rusk and Jacksonville were among 17 agencies allocated funds by the East Texas Council of Governments recently.

By Daniel Piotrowski editor@jacksonvilleprogress.com About 400 Jacksonville ISD fourth-graders will take part in the Cherokee County Farm Bureau's Fall Ag Day on Monday at the Texas Forest Service office on Loop 456.

FRIDAY Thomas the Tank Engine Ride: The Texas State Railroad, with depots in Palestine and Rusk, presents an excursion on Thomas the Tank Engine.

By Nathan Straus nrstraus@jacksonvilleprogress.com Mulching work began Monday morning at the Love's Lookout rest stop north of Jacksonville to clear space in front of the overlook and make for a cleaner view with less unsightly shrubs and plants.