Wood County Texas Courthouse, Quitman Texas
All content here are Independent Journalists "Unverifiable Opinions."
Lone Star Media Coalition
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A Front Row seat to see what Freedom looks like!
The Medias Job is Not to act as the Governments spokesman!!
The role of the press to be a "watchdog" and monitor a government's actions has been one of the fundamental components of a democratic society.
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1 PM 5/21/2025
Hawkins Texas Mayor Deb Rushing as well as Hawkins Citizen Journalist Todd Eddington were both arrested this morning.
Department of Public Safety arrested Todd, Wood County Sheriff's Office arrested Mayer Rushing.
It has been reported that up to 14 car loads of DPS, Wood County sheriff deputies and Hawkins police cars were at the scene.
Are you kidding me?
What a waste of resources and government overreach!!
Both would have turned themselves in!!!
One report says they were both "Swatted".
Both Charged with TAMPER W/GOVERN RECORD 402ND DC
9 AM
EDDINGTON, MATTHEW TODD $100,000.00 Surety Bond
Mayor Rushing $10,000.00 Surety Bond
Around 12 PM the wood county records website published Eddington’s bond is now $10,000.
Anyone with more info about the arrests, or anyone with video of the arrests, contact us.
5/21/2025
It has been reported to us by multiple sources that Hawkins Texas Mayor Deb Rushing as well as Hawkins citizen journalist Todd Eddinton were both arrested by WCSO this morning.
No more details at this time.
Anyone with more info aboout the arrests, contact us.
Seems it takes a $588,521.16 grant for sheriff smith, as well as other county sheriffs, to enforce the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration
This task force includes agencies from Texas Department of Public Safety, Smith, Henderson and Rusk counties, and the City of Tyler. Its coverage area spans 11 additional counties including Anderson, Camp, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola, Rains, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.
A $588,521.16 grant funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office/ Border Prosecution Division makes it possible for the Smith County Criminal District Attorney’s Border Prosecution Unit to work with East Texas TAG to focus on border-related crime cases.
Nearly all of the funds will be used for personnel salaries, with $7,000 allocated for training and travel, and a small portion, $2,888.18, designated for supplies and operating expenses.
Under the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal immigration, the Smith County Sheriff’s Office entered into an agreement on Feb. 18, certifying deputies to perform immigration officer duties under ICE supervision as part of the 287(g) task force model.
2/12/2025
***SHARE***
Sarah Fields @SarahisCensored
SPECIAL REPORT - TREASON IN TEXAS and a CALL TO ACTION!
Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith is in direct violation of an EO by Governor Greg Abbott, saying he will not arrest illegal aliens and will not alert ICE 'unless their crimes are a Class B misdemeanor or above'.
During the recent immigration panel, Larry Smith instructed illegals to avoid certain areas where they would be in danger from stricter immigration laws.
THOMAS KERSS Executive Director Sheriffs' Association of Texas, RICKY JONES SHERIFF. Franklin County Sheriff, Rusk County Sheriff's John Wayne Valdez & Morris County , Sheriff Jack Martin all agreed.
Wood County Sheriff Kelly Cole was on the panel as well as Lewis Tatum - Hopkins County Sheriff. Both of them agree to do the same as Smith County Sheriff Larry Smith.
Some or most East Texas County Sheriffs have decided to create sanctuary counties for illegal criminals!!
Read more here:https://x.com/SarahisCensored/status/1889755946827583861
Feb 6th, 2025 Full Video here: https://www.kltv.com/2025/02/07/east-texas-sheriffs-address-questions-concerns-immigration-policy/
Contact your local sheriff and let them know how you feel!!!
IF YOU LIVE IN ANY OF THESE COUNTYS, we need your HELP!
We need letters written and sent to the AG office. I can help with verbiage. And I can help with submission. We just need the letter from YOU.
Message me if you’re interested in assisting! Sarah Fields @SarahisCensored
Immigration And Customs Enforcement (ICE) 1 866-347-2423
1/29/2025
Hawkins resident files petition to remove mayor from office, accusing her of misconduct
Petitioner says someone needed to 'stand up' for Wood County city
Shahaub Tafreshinejad uses a cellphone to take video during an April 15 Hawkins City Council meeting. Tafreshinejad has been cleared of wrongdoing in the alleged hacking of the city’s computer system.
The son of a Hawkins City Council member has filed a petition to remove the town’s mayor from office “on grounds of official misconduct and incompetence.”
Shahaub Tafreshinejad, son of Place 4 Alderwoman Eleta Taylor, claims that Mayor Deb Rushing demonstrated a “blind pursuit of power and negligent interpretation of the law” in 2024 when she became the city’s municipal judge. She was removed from the position in November after the now-former city attorney told council members Rushing could not hold two paid public offices.
Tafreshinejad also claims Rushing abused the office of judge to “target” another city council member, violated state law by refusing to repay her salary for the position, failed to post required public notices and neglected to put necessary items on city council agendas.
“Her refusal to accept accountability and blame the council is unforgivable, embarrassing, and lends credence to her operating with a dysfunctional moral compass, an inexcusable unwillingness to take responsibility, a gross and disgusting effort to deflect blame, and very, very questionable ethics,” Tafreshinejad wrote in a 26-page petition to remove her from office.
He filed the petition Jan. 23 in the 402nd District Court in Wood County.
The petition to remove Rushing from office is the latest episode in the town’s ongoing political saga. Rushing and fellow council members have been at odds over numerous issues since she took office on April 1.
One of the first matters of contention between Rushing and the council revolved around Tafreshinejad, whom Rushing accused of hacking into the city’s computer system the day she was sworn into office.
A Texas Rangers investigation, however, cleared Tafreshinejad of wrongdoing. The incident was not mentioned in his petition.
Municipal judge’s position
The Hawkins City Council appointed Rushing to the vacant municipal judge’s position in August and voted to remove her during a heated meeting Nov. 22 after city’s now-former attorney, Leigh Thompson, told council members that the Texas Constitution prohibits elected officials from holding two compensated public offices at the same time. Thompson resigned afterward.
While Texas law does permit mayors to be municipal judges, that law only applies if cities don’t have ordinances that call for the municipal judge to be a separately appointed official — and Hawkins has such an ordinance, Thompson said. It was passed in 2022.
In May, however, Rushing sought to abolish the municipal judge’s office and make the mayor the city’s judge by default. The council voted against the measure, keeping the municipal judge’s office intact.
Tafreshinejad claims Rushing knowingly violated state law by holding two paid public positions. In his petition, he wrote that his mother said during council meetings that Rushing’s appointment would violate the city ordinance.
Tafreshinejad also claims Rushing is still in violation of the law because she has not repaid the $600-per-month salary she collected while serving as municipal judge.
“Rushing’s refusal to reimburse the city of the illegally collected salary on its own makes her UNQUALIFIED to be Mayor and by way of the city’s ordinance, automatically disqualifies her from holding ANY municipal office,” he wrote in the petition.
Rushing, however, told the News-Journal that neither she nor the council members were aware that she couldn’t hold the mayor’s office and the judge’s office simultaneously. She said she doesn’t believe she has to repay the money because she fulfilled the duties of the office.
"I was trying to get in to be judge so we could get our court situated, once again, making a decision based on citizens, not myself,” she said. “No one had an idea that that was actually not something that we should be doing. Obviously, if it was something that we didn't need to be doing, we wouldn't have done it."
Hawkins Mayor Deb Rushing listens as Geran Riddlespurger-Howe (not shown) asks council members to return to civility during their meeting in December. (Jordan Green/Longview News-Journal Photo)
Public welfare 'in jeopardy'
Tafreshinejad claims Rushing “unlawfully excluded” items from the Jan. 21 council meeting agenda that the council tabled during its Dec. 16 meeting.
During that meeting, the council tabled the hiring of David Dodd as city attorney. The motion to table was made by his mother, and Tafreshinejad wrote that the matter should have been placed on the Jan. 21 council agenda.
“The Defendant cannot claim to have not known that tabled items must make their way to the next regularly scheduled meeting’s agenda,” Tafreshinejad wrote. “[R]efusing to recognize a motion to ‘take from the table’ hindered the council member’s ability to deliberate and act on a crucial item critical to the lawful functioning of city government constitutes a violation” of state law.
Tafreshinejad claims Rushing failed to post notice for a special Dec. 12 meeting to accept Thompson’s resignation as city attorney, appoint Dodd as the new city attorney and interview a new municipal judge. He said Rushing failed to post the notice “in what appears to be a retaliatory act after being removed as judge.”
Tafreshinejad also claims the mayor retaliated against Hawkins Police Department Lt. Eric Tuma by refusing a request from council members to place an item considering his appointment to the chief’s position on a council agenda. Tuma is the department’s highest-ranking officer in the wake of now-former Chief Paul Holland’s resignation, and he previously served as interim chief.
Rushing has criticized the police department repeatedly during her time as mayor and said Tuma is not qualified to serve as chief. Tafreshinejad claims that Rushing’s retaliation of Tuma stems from his role in arresting City Utilities Director Mike Maberry in connection to his role in breaking up a Nov. 22 fight between Hawkins police officer David “Dave” Morris and Hawkins resident Todd Eddington. Maberry was arrested earlier in January.
“Defendant’s actions have put the public health, safety, and welfare of Hawkins citizens in immediate jeopardy,” Tafreshinejad wrote.
‘Time that somebody stood up’
Rushing said of Tafreshinejad’s petition: “I think his main complaints are basically his mom isn't getting his way.”
She said she has tried to communicate with Taylor and Tafreshinejad, but those attempts have been unsuccessful. She said she doesn’t believe the petition will be successful and that it is a “scare tactic.”
"If some weird alignment of all the planets in the world and all that great stuff, and somehow this happens, what is the worst thing that's going to happen? I won't be mayor,” Rushing said. “That doesn't keep me out of City Hall. That doesn't keep me out of meetings. It's not going to get them any further than where they are right now. You'll just have a different mayor.”
Tafreshinejad told the News-Journal that he filed the petition because “it was time that somebody stood up.”
"This town has been divided,” he said. “There are people that say they want better for Hawkins, and then there are people that are actually trying to do better for Hawkins. I think Deb is one of those people that just talks about wanting to do good for Hawkins, but her actions are clearly in stark contrast to that.”
Jordan Green is a Report for America corps member covering underserved communities for the News-Journal. Reach him at jgreen@news-journal.com.
Here's a recording of Eric Maloy saying that he doesn't have a problem with his number being out at a Hawkins Tx city council meeting.
Rains County Tx ~Sheriff
Been Like This For Years. We even posted on the official page years ago that limiting who can post is a violation of the First Amendment. An official page is a public forum.
1/25/2025 Todd Eddington ~ SW 01212025
Here is the seach warrant & the affidavits of probable cause.
"with the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm" is what the Wood County Tx DA will have to prove, which SHOULD BE very hard to do.
And we wouldnt be suprised if they convict him because the police, the DA and the Judges in Wood County Tx are all on the "Same Team", unless someone steps in and stops it.
This is a retaliation arrest by Hawkins Tx Police, for not liking Mr. Eddingtons free speech, as a journalist and our rights to redress our government, which is protected under the 1st amendment.
All local news stations, publications, journalists, local attorneys & citizens should stand Now and defend Mr Eddington's Free Speech or it could happen to them!
If you don't stand now, your part of the problem.
KETK: Crime & Public Safety
Hawkins man turns self in for posting city council member’s phone number
by: Michael Garcia
Posted: Jan 25, 2025 / 04:57 PM CST
Updated: Jan 25, 2025 / 05:04 PM CST
5/30/2025
We are considering producing a bi-monthly Pod Cast where folks who feel they have had their rights violated, been a victim of oppression, abuse of power or just plain unfair legal treatment or a casualty of the justice system can join us remotely on the shows and tell their side of the story.
Is that something that you would participate in?
1/24/2025
It has been reported to us at Lone Star Media Coalition that citizens attempting to file complaints at the Hawkins Police Department, have been denied to do so.
Hawkins Tx Police Department, Eric Tuma
(903) 769-3628
If your local police department in Texas refuses to take a complaint, you can try: contacting the department's internal affairs unit, reaching out to the city manager or county commissioner's court, or filing a complaint with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), depending on the nature of your complaint; if the issue involves potential criminal misconduct, consider contacting the district attorney's office as well.
Wood County Justice Center ~ Sheriff's Department Quitman, Texas 402 S Stephens St, Quitman, TX 75783
Wood County Texas Sheriff Kelly Cole Phone: (903) 763-2201.
Record interaction or phone call. Texas is what's known as a "one-party state." This means that at least one person or "party" on the phone call must consent to the recording. In general, Texas law allows you to record a phone call that you are a party to.
Wood County District Attorney DA Angela Albers: Phone: 903-763-4515.
Record interaction or phone call. Texas is what's known as a "one-party state." This means that at least one person or "party" on the phone call must consent to the recording. In general, Texas law allows you to record a phone call that you are a party to.
Key steps to take:
• Document everything:
Keep detailed records of the incident, including dates, times, names of officers involved, and any witnesses present. Record interaction or phone call.
• Ask for a reason in writing:
If the police refuse to take your complaint, ask them to provide a written explanation for their decision.
• Contact Internal Affairs:
Most police departments have an internal affairs unit that investigates complaints against officers; check with your local department for procedures. Record interaction or phone call.
• Reach out to the governing body:
If the internal affairs process is not satisfactory, contact the city manager, the mayor or county commissioner's court to file a complaint. Record interaction or phone call.
• File a TCOLE complaint:
If you believe the police department mishandled your complaint or violated your rights, you can file a complaint with the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Record interaction or phone call.
Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Complaint Procedures
6330 East Highway 290, STE 200 Austin, Texas 78723 512-936-7700
If you believe your complaint has been unanswered or handled improperly at the departmental level, you may contact the governing body that oversees the agency, such as the city manager, the school board, or the county commissioner's court.
If the matter involves an allegation of criminal misconduct, you may also direct your concerns with the office of the county or district attorney and/or the Department of Public Safety-Office of the Texas Rangers. Austin Headquarters (512) 424-2000
https://www.dps.texas.gov/TexasRangers/index.htm
If there are allegations of civil rights violations, the Federal Bureau of investigation may conduct its own investigation. 1-800-CALL-FBI (225-5324).
If you still get no help, Try this:
U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
GETTING UNCLE SAM TO ENFORCE YOUR CIVIL RIGHTS
WHEN AND WHERE TO FILE A COMPLAINT LAW ENFORCEMENT
Federal criminal civil rights law prohibits law enforcement agents from conspiring to interfere with federally protected rights, depriving rights under color of law, or using or conspiring to use force, or threat of force, to interfere with the free exercise of your civil rights.
To report criminal activities that constitute violations of civil rights, contact:
U.S. Department of Justice
Civil Rights Division
Criminal Section, PHB
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
(202) 514-3204
Fax: (202) 514-8336
www.usdoj.gov
https://www.usccr.gov/files/pubs/uncsam/complain/lawenf.htm
U.S. Department of Justice~ Civil Rights Division
Addressing Police Misconduct Laws Enforced By The Department Of Justice
https://www.justice.gov/crt/addressing-police-misconduct-laws-enforced-department-justice1/24/2025
1/23/2025
Tory Paige
Todd turned himself in this morning and wasn't even able to sleep all the beer off before he was bonded back out.
Thanks Monte Coleman with ABC Bail bonds, you're the best!
Wanna know what the Common Denominator is with all the past & current problems in Hawkins Texas leadership?
Here they are....
If you keep em', you deserve em'.
1/23/2025
A little before 5 am today, Todd Eddington of Hawkins Texas Voluntary Surrenderd to the Wood County Justice Center in Quitman, Texas.
The Jailers took him into custody after a 5 minute wait in the lobby.
Todd said the Arrest Warrants were both for OBSTRUCTION OR RETALIATION .
Together they amounted to $20,000.
1/22/2025
We have often stated, The government SWAMP needing to be cleaned, is NOT only in Washington DC.
It trickles down all the way!! These people using their power to silence a citizen & a journalist who criticizes them or has a different viewpoint. This is protected under the first amendment.
Freedom of Speech is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or a community to articulate their opinions and ideas without fear of retaliation, censorship, or legal sanction and is also protected under our first amendment, as long as they are not fighting words. It protects speech some people don't like. If all speech was good, there would be not need to protect it.
Now it’s making sense. The warrant was written on a commission of a crime, namely, Texas Penal Code - PENAL § 36.06 Retaliation.
That’s why the Hawkins Texas council members posted on Todd’s page demanding to remove their numbers a few days ago.
These people who demanded their numbers removed are city council members and filed their numbers themselves to run for office, those documents are now part of the public record and anyone can have them, in case the citizens need to call their councilperson.
He did not post the council persons addresses.
THIS IS A DISGRACE TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM!!
Texas Penal Code - PENAL § 36.06. Obstruction or Retaliation(d) For purposes of Subsection (a-1), it is prima facie evidence of the intent to cause harm or a threat of harm to an individual the person knows is a public servant or a member of a public servant's family or household if the actor:
(1) receives a written demand from the individual to not disclose the address or telephone number for reasons of safety; and
(2) either:
(A) fails to remove the address or telephone number from the publicly accessible website within a period of 48 hours after receiving the demand; or
(B) reposts the address or telephone number on the same or a different publicly accessible website, or makes the information publicly available through another medium, within a period of four years after receiving the demand, regardless of whether the individual is no longer a public servant.
1/21/2025
Sometime just before the Hawkins City Council Meeting tonight, Police raided Todd Eddingtons home.
There was a search warrant taped to his front door, tonight around 6PM.
************PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT**************
Tonight's Hawkins Tx City Council meeting is being held at at 6 PM.
NOT AT CITY HALL
Directions can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/3cex94f2
There seems to be some MISINFORMATION going around about that. If anyone tells you differently than that, it came from Hawkins City Councilmen Eleta Taylor and Eric Maloy, AND IS A LIE.
EVERYONE, not just the CITIZENS OF HAWKINS, should show up there tomorrow in support.
(903) 769-3628 Hawkins Police Department
1/15/2025
Hawkins Texas Police Chief Paul Holland has resigned and we hear that any day the entire police force may be disbanded.
January 13, 2025 -Hawkins Special City Council Meeting~Video
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OSNg9TImjmnDImIQpnMyFpkvZHgIfXtM/view?usp=drivesdk
Ocifer Melvin & Captin Cook Mineola Texas Police Department "People are calling and scared to get out of their cars & dont be around these parts around 3:30"
How embarrassing for Gladewater Texas Police Department and my home state of Texas. Ignorant cop and unfriendly people.
They picked the wrong one this time!!
Here are $21.35 MILLION MORE REASONS that y'all should take advice from Eddington, Eddington, Eddington, Eddington & Associates, instead of listening to these local yokel lawyers that are in bed with the DA's office.
That INJUSTICE happened to Mr. Bevill in 2017, but nothing was done until 2019 after I saw his story and started posting about how he should be suing the shit out of them for VIOLATING HIS RIGHTS. A couple of months later, the federal lawsuit was filed, and you can see how it turned out.
CONGRATULATIONS, Mr. Bevill!!! And THANK YOU for standing up for YOURSELF and the CITIZENS OF WOOD COUNTY!!! You DESERVE EVERY PENNY OF IT for being the man that STOOD UP TO INJUSTICE!!!
P.S. That ruling had to send SHOCKWAVES through Wood County Co-District Attorneys Brandon Baade and Angela Albers office, because they KNOW THAT THEY HAVE COMMITED WAY WORSE VIOLATIONS OF PEOPLE'S RIGHTS in the past 3 years than what was done in this case. Once again,
$21.35 MILLION more reasons that y'all should be taking advice from Eddington, Eddington, Eddington, Eddington & Associates, instead of these local yokel so-called "defense" attorneys that are in bed with the DA's office. 🙂
We're still here. A year ago our episode aired. It brought massive amounts of attention from all over. Never thought I'd see that. Many thanks to Stephanie Bauer for giving us the opportunity to share Brittany's story on a national level. And although we're not in any better place with her case, people across the globe know her name and face
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=530004349399918&set=gm.10162117708895775&idorvanity=19705450774
Info on the SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MINEOLA TX CITY COUNCIL Monday, July 29, 2024 5:30 P.M.
Public Hearing regarding Annexation of Loop 564 DOT Right of Way.
For those concerned about the Annexation of Mineola Tx properties
In Wood County Tx, Here is a link to the pdf's of the meeting that happened on Monday, July 29, 2024.
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE MINEOLA CITY COUNCIL
Info regarding Public Hearing regarding Annexation of the properties
cp.mineola.com/index.php?d=%2F2023-2024%2F2024-07-29+Special+Meeting
Item 3.b.pdf, Item, 3.c.pdf, Item 3.d.pd & Item 3.e.pdf
have zoomable maps attached to show annexed property inside red lines.
It is a done deal acording to the City Secretary , but annex will NOT affect any private property owners outside the city limits of Mineola, Texas.
She stated it is ONLY the ROW on W Loop 564 from Hy 69 south to Hwy 80, even though the survey maps appear to be the total of Loop 564.
The City manager told us today by phone that they post upcoming City Council meetings in the Mineola paper and on the door of the city hall. She aslo stated she was considering starting a city secretary FB page to post such meetings there.
We suggested the the city start a Youtube page to post past meetings so citizens could go there if they were unable to make the meetings, and keep up with what the city council is doing, much like Quitman city council and Winnsboro city council already provide. She tells us that the city already owns the equipment and are capable of Zooming all their meetings LIVE!!
Mayor Jayne Lankford & City Manager Mercy Rushing were unavailable for comment Friday 16th, 2024 around 3:30 pm.
If you like the Youtube and Zoom idea, give the city manager a call and voice your opinions as tax payers.
Cindy Karch, City Manager
Phone: 903-569-6183
Toll Free: 1-800-MINEOLA (646-3652)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064454391272
Voices Against Injustice
Wood Co. Texas
https://www.facebook.com/groups/749754100160100
Interview Extracts from Wood County District Attorney Candidate Jim Wheeler 1st Amendment Freedom Lone Star News ~Local Tri County News ~News you Won’t get Anywhere else!! A Front Row seat to see what Freedom looks like! https://lonestarnews.org/ ~ Video below
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