WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2023
O
lde
s t Town
in
Ser v g the
1899
in
Vol. No. 124 Issue 33
Wire: Apollo 7 astronaut Cunningham dies » 3A Sports: Nac beats Douglass » 1B
IN MEMORIAM
Eric Thomas, Garrison native and one
of the world’s best hurdlers, dies at 49
BY JOSH EDWARDS
Staff Writer
Eric Thomas, a Garrison
High School graduate who
was one of the fastest hur-
dlers in the world and repre-
sented America at the 2000
Olympics, died Friday in
Houston. He was 49.
Thomas’ death was first re-
Swearing-in’s a grand affair
Landyn McCorvey raises his right hand and sticks out his tongue as
his grandfather, Precinct 2 Commissioner Sandy McCorvey is sworn
in Sunday.
Reed, the infant grandson of Shannon Burkley, rests in his mothers
arms as his grandmother, right, is sworn in as a Rusk County Justice of accompanied by her granddaughter, D’Aree Garner, before being sworn
the Peace on Sunday at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse.
County installs officials, but kids steal the show
BY JOSH EDWARDS
Staff Writer
A courtroom packed with
people on Sunday welcomed two
new Nacogdoches County offi-
cials, several familiar faces and a
couple of funny ones.
County officials elected in
November, including new County
Clerk Sandy Yates and Precinct
4 Justice of the Peace Brian
Moreau, were sworn in during
the special ceremony in the 420th
District Court.
But it was the grandchildren of
longtime local officials who stole
the show.
Young Landyn McCorvey
stuck out his tongue the entire
time his grandfather, Precinct 2
Commissioner Sandy McCorvey,
was reciting his oath of office.
“He’s the boss,” McCorvey said
of his grandson.
Jackson Sowell looked a bit
unsure as his eyes darted around
the courtroom while holding the
Bible as his grandfather Coun-
ty Judge Greg Sowell, swore
his oath. Being the center of
attention in a packed courtroom
can make even the most honest
witness squirm a bit, but there
wasn’t a chance anything could
go wrong.
Classified » 7B
The Daily Sentinel
Te
xas since
• $2 NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS ❧ Home of Stephen F. Austin State University
Eric Thomas,
an Olympian
from Garrison, is
shown during his
days as a track
and field star
competing in the
hurdles. Thomas
died Friday in
blood clot while recovering, Houston. He
“He maximized his God-given ability and although his cause of death
talents. He got every drop out.” was 49. Family
remained unclear Tuesday.
KEVIN GORE and friends say
Thomas’ career in track
RETIRED SPORTS EDITOR FOR THE DAILY SENTINEL speaks for itself and his lega-
he suffered a
ported Friday evening by Ato Boldon did not specify how cy as a competitor and trainer blood clot after
Boldon, a former Olympic Thomas died. was evident in the outpouring surgery.
sprinter from Trinidad who Thomas recently had hip of condolences immediately Eric Thomas
Foundation photo
is lead track and field analyst replacement surgery. Friends
for NBC Sports. say they believe he suffered a Thomas » 6A
RECREATION
Rec center is
abuzz as new
year begins
BY NICOLE BRADFORD
Staff Writer
For those looking to start a healthy
hobby, the C.L. Simon Recreation Center
is the place to be this month.
“We have a new beginner fencing class
Photos by Josh Edwards/The Daily Sentinel starting,” said Recreation Supervisor
Joy Palmer. “Many that
Jackson Sowell looks around uneasily as he holds the Bible for the missed the beginning foil
swearing in of his grandfather, County Judge Greg Sowell. class are excited about
that one.”
Instructor Randy
Schuyler launched the
Recreation program’s
first-ever fencing class in Palmer
August, open to ages 9 and
up and using foils, one of three fencing
weapons. The beginner class that starts
at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday will focus on a
slightly heavier weapon: the epee.
Looking for more?
Winter and Spring 2023 Activity Guides
with a full schedule for both the recre-
ation center and Judy McDonald Public
Library are available in the lobby of both
facilities, 1112 North
Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Dorothy Tigner-Thompson is
into office Sunday. Equipment and protective gear are
provided. Students should wear exercise
attire with long pants, shoes with laces
and bring a water bottle. Fees are $50 per
month or $100 for an eight-week course.
One activity that’s been gaining pop-
Sworn in Sunday ularity at the recreation center is swing
■ County Judge Greg Sowell dance. The class took a break during De-
■ Court At-Law Judge cember but is resuming beginning this
Jack Sinz week at 6:30 on Thursday evenings.
■ County Clerk Sandy Yates Instructor Catie Munguia each week
■ Justice of the Peace Kerry reviews dances such as the Lindy Hop
Williamson and Charleston, and says beginners can
■ Justice of the Peace
join at any time with no dance experience
Dorothy Tigner-Thompson
■ County Treasurer Denise
needed.
Baublet The weekly classes are $5 each or $7 per
■ Comissioner Sandy
McCorvey Rec » 6A
■ District Clerk Loretta
Cammack
■ Justice of the Peace Brian
Moreau
New County Clerk Sandy Yates, center, speaks with Judge Jack Sinz ■ Commissioner Mark COMING THIS WEEKEND
after being sworn in Sunday. Harkness
New Precinct ■ Rusk County Justice of the
4 Justice of Peace Shannon Burkley
the Peace “I started practicing law the
Brian Moreau year Judge Sowell was born,”
is sworn in said Yarbrough, who is now 85.
Sunday. He D’Aree Garner, the young
and County granddaughter of longtime
Clerk Sandy Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace
Yates are the Dorothy Tigner-Thompson, was
the most fashionable and serious
two newest
among the lot of grandkids.
county She wore a pink ensemble
officials. including a mask, accented with
At least nothing the man ad- At-Law Judge Jack Sinz were a belted purse and black and pink
ministering the oath hadn’t seen sworn in by an old pro — retired Meet the first babies born in
before. Sowell and County Court Judge J. Jack Yarbrough. Officials » 8A Nacogdoches this year
Comics » 8B Dear Abby/Weather » 3A Obituaries » 6A Opinion » 6B Puzzles » 4B Sports » 1B
66/37 » 3A Follow us DailySentinel.com Call us » 564-8361 Missed your paper? » 936-631-2629 7 06583 02150 9