KILGOROUND

Happy New Year! Toot your horns; eat some black eye peas and cabbage, but when it comes to driving use caution according to Captain Ron England at the Kilgore Police Department.

"A program has been put into affect with all law enforcement agencies in the area that mandatory blood tests will be enforced if intoxilizors are refused to be used once pulled over," said England. "If you're out drinking and give the officers probable cause to believe you are intoxicated or the safety of your self and others has been impaired by drinking, steps have been taken from the law enforcement and the district attorney's office to streamline obtaining a search warrant and the offender will be taken to Good Shepherd Hospital for a blood test.

"In our area, three magistrates - Judges Simpson, Charles and Brabham will be on twenty-four hour

call to handle the calls coming in for the mandatory blood testing," he said.

Be smart, drive safely and enjoy the bringing in the New Year.

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Note to Bill Watson - are they retired or just semi-retired? For all of us who listen for cannon fire at midnight, perhaps you might want to register at the local P.D. We sure would hate to see you hauled in for a blood test.

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Making New Year Plans already is eight-year-old Victoria Shipman. Miss Shipman, who is the daughter of Daniel and Misty Shipman, raised enough money to deliver over 300 pairs of socks and gloves to New Gate Mission Home in Longview.

"She carried in four large boxes of the wrapped socks and gloves on Christmas morning to divide between the recipients whose ages range from baby to elderly," said her mother.

"I was reading a Little Critters book and the idea came upon me that it was something I wanted to do this year," said Victoria. "So, I told mom and we went to work."

"Seeing the looks on their faces at 10 a.m. on Christmas morning opening packages made it the best Christmas ever for me and my brother, Garrett," she said. Garrett, who is eleven years old, also helped with the project.

Victoria is not a stranger among the residents at New Gate. At the age of 2 1/2 she started sitting on a bar stool cracking eggs to help feed breakfast that her church does one Saturday every other month at the home.

Her parents have lived in Kilgore for the last ten years having moved here from Paris, Texas. Her father is employed at J. W. Power Company, and her mother is the director of Children's Education and Mother's Day Out at St. Luke's United Methodist Church.

"She is quite a blessing to us," said her mother. "She loves it over there and you don't turn her down when it comes to helping those who are down on their luck or homeless. This last Saturday, I thought I was just too tired to go, but she took no for an answer and had me up and out the door before I knew it. I'm so glad she did."

Victoria wants to become a pediatrician when she gets a little older so it seems her early training will pay off.

"Blankets, this next year," she proudly announces. "We will deliver blankets to New Gate this next Christmas. It was just another idea that came to me as I watched them open this year's gifts."

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Twice this last year, Kilgore's Back Porch Restaurant was written about in Texas Monthly and well worth mentioning here. In the October publication, it was listed among "The 40 Best Small Town Cafes" and in December it was again listed in "Big Cities, Small Towns."

"Think tailgate parties, backyard barbecues, and potlucks, where your best friends bring their favorite dishes, lovingly prepared to impress and please," they wrote. "…It must have been local heroes' day when we visited, as the place was overflowing with firemen and peace officers, which also bring to mind tailgate parties and…but we digress. The locals rave about the burgers, but we chose the chicken patty melt; a juicy marinated chicken breast and grilled onions, served on toast. The plain and simple chocolate pie was to die for…"

Hmmm, makes you want to trade in those black eye peas. Vicki and Jackie Clayton have been owners of The Back Porch Restaurant since 1990.

Happy Birthday today to Derik Audas, Edith McKinney, Larry Jackson, Ricky Linn, Pete Edney, Larry Dale Dorsey, M.M. Jolly, Myrtle Woody, Brian Bittick, Craig Martin, Martha Davis, Lee Edwards, Leslie Singleton, Ann Rosson, Tucker Konczak, Clarice Bell, Craig Martin Ashley Brady.

Happy anniversary today to Mr. and Mrs. Talmadge Mercer, Ed and Vicki Danmount, Paul and Tammy Hunt.

Blowing out the birthday candles the new year are Phillip Ellis, Mrs. Terry Pullen, Mrs. Alvin Wylie, Donnie Ashberry, Kim Cline, Jay Edmons, James E. Davis, Jan C. Holt, Gene Caskey, Billy Bryan Vernon, Gail Drinning, Mary Wyatt