The Marshall News Messenger from Marshall, Texas • 1

JP tv rr The Marshall ws APRIL 15, 2004 Marshall, Texas 16 pages 500 Vol. 127, No. 320 EMGE1 We're There For You. Every Day. Mmder-smcicle claims two 'X II I I iV 1111 turnrun Marshall: Former Marion County judge, husband found shot Marshall: Former homecoming duchess' death shocks those who knew her Dazzling ill I I I llHTll-l QUEEN CITY to host Dallas stars Saturday as part of the Cass County Performing Arts Council Inc.

events. See Weekend, Page 8A By ROBIN Y. RICHARDSON News Messenger A former Marion County Judge and her husband died Wednesday afternoon in. their east Marshall home in what police investigators are calling a "murder-suicide." Dead at the 4600 Victory Drive residence were Lola Whelan, 58, who served as county judge in Marion County in the late 1980s, and her husband, Bobby Whelan, 61. "You never think this would happen to you," said Jennifer Whelan, Bobby Whelan's daughter, as she stood outside the home where the shooting took place Wednesday afternoon.

Her father's body along with his wife, were found after police responded to a call reporting gunshots inside of their residence. The call came in about 1:23 p.m., officials said. After arriving, Marshall Police Department officers discovered the two had died by gun shot wounds. Ms. Whelan appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to MPD reports.

Police were seen removing a rifle from the home. By SANDRA CASON News Messenger Former Marshall High School Homecoming Duchess of 1963 and former Marion County Judge Lola Whelan died at her residence Wednesday afternoon of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Marshall police said the 58-year-old woman took her own life after shooting her husband of more than 25 years, Robert Whelan. Patsy Dreesen, Greater Marshall Chamber of Commerce director of conventions and visitor development, said she was "shocked." Ms. Dreesen had known Ms.

Whelan when the two were involved in Marion County politics. "I knew her when she was county judge," Ms. Dreesen said. "She served from 1987 until 1990 and she ran again for a term to begin in 1991, but she was defeated by Jerry Taylor." See FORMER, Page 3A Scott BrunnerNews Messenger A MARSHALL POLICE officer carries a gun away from the home of Lola and Bobby Whelan Wednesday. The Whelans were found shot in what police are describing as a murder-suicide.

Based on an analysis of the crime scene by MPD and Justice of the Peace Nancy George, who arrived after 3 p.m., the preliminary investigation indicates the deaths to be a result of a murder-suicide. One crime scene investigator, talking on his cell phone, said that local pathologist Dr. Robert Palmer, who was also on the scene, said there was some bruising around the wrists of one of the deceased, See MURDER-SUICIDE, Page 3A Tax time Miirw 111 II III II II i ii ii- Mm IRS: Last-iirinute filers have until 5 p.m. to get forms in the Marshall mail By SANDRA CASON News Messenger Area residents who have waited until the last day to file their income tax returns will either have to make it to the Marshall post office by 5 p.m. or will have to drive to Longview.

Polly Gibbs of the Dallas public relations office of the U. S. Postal Service said Marshall will close its service counters as usual at 5 p.m. Scott BrunnerNews Messenger LEE PIERCE LAUGHS as she during the Women in Tech- Education: TSTC event offers students event Wednesday at TSTC. tips for looking good on a job interview The closest drop-off spot at which to receive A clubbing THE OAKLAND A'S put it to the Texas Rangers.

See Sports, Page IB On our Web site rS INTRIGUED BY the 911 commission iT hearings? Go online ww.rnarsh9llnewsrnessenger.com and click on 911 and check out what CIA Director George Tenet said. Stock report- Page 8D Time to send those pests flying WAYNE, NJ. (AP) Authorities in Wayne are trying to discourage certain residents from staying in the northern New Jersey town. The township council is scheduled to vote next month on an ordinance outlawing geese feeding anywhere in the community, including private lakes. The proposed ordinance, if adopted, would fine people Between $5 and $50 for bird feeding.

A second offense would raise the fine to between $10 and $100. After that, the fine would range between $15 and $500. Large numbers of geese, and the Rpise and droppings that come with them, have become a growing problem In New Jersey communities in recent years. Wayne Councilman Gerard Porter acknowledges that it may be hard for the town to enforce the ban, but he hopes the new law might send a message that feeding the birds affects the cleanliness of local lakes. "If you don't feed them, they'll go.

an April 15 postmark until 11:59 p.m. is the Longview office, 2336 South Mobberly Avenue, Ms. Gibbs said. A clerk at the Scottsville post office said that location will close at its normal time, 4:30 p.m. today.

Woodlawn Postmistress Pat Berry said her office will also close at 4:30 p.m., although income tax returns may be deposited in the post office at any time during the evening. A press release from the U. S. Postal Service offered the following advice to tax filers: Use first-class postage. -Use pre-addressed labels where possible.

Write clearly. Take special care to ensure that handwritten envelopes are legible and include a return address. --Affix sufficient postage. One ounce is 37 cents. Each additional ounce up to 13 ounces costs an additional 23 cents.

Victims testify 0 Courts: Lutheran civil molestation trial continues By CHARLENE DRAPER News Messenger Testimony by nine victims of sexual molestation left people in the 71st District Court Scott BrunnerNews Messenger SHARON GREEN LOOKS on as Jennifer Younker applies makeup while Mindy Cherry tends to Kayla Armstrong's hair during Texas State Technical College's "Dress For Success" event at the school Wednesday. Students were given tips on how to dress appropriately for job interviews as well as ideas about hair and makeup. The Marshall News Messenger makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information we report, and it is our policy to correct promptly. Readers may bring mistakes to our attention by telephone at 903-927-5961 or by fax at 903-935-6242. weeping as day two of the civil trail against Northern TexasNorthern Louisiana Synod of the Lutheran Church and two of its former officials continued.

Testimony focused on the young sexual molestation victims of former pastor Gerald P. Thomas who was convicted last year of sex crimes against children during the time he served as pastor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Marshall and given 397 years in prison. Nine victims remain in the suit against the regional Lutheran synod. The original suit sought $300 million for 14 Victims and included several other defendants before five of the victims settled out of court for an undisclosed sum last week. See VICTIMS, Page 3A By ROBIN Y.

RICHARDSON News Messenger First impressions are everything. Texas State Technical College students found out just how important they are Wednesday when they advisor-coordinator bf Women In Technology that sponsored the event In addition to skills, they learned that a little makeup, a flattering hair style and the right clothes can ease them in the door of success. "It's not just about skills, but how you carry yourself," Ms, Morris said. "You have to have skills to back it up, but often See SUCCESSFULLY, Page 6A received head-to-toe tips on how to make a good impression on a job interview. Graduation is coming up and we just wanted them to have confidence along with skills.

Preparation is so important," said Karen Morris,.