The Mirror’s review of 2008 continues. This segment will cover July, August and September.

July—Stephanie Lynn Henson was proclaimed Queen Yam LXXI.

Upshur County District Attorney Billy Byrd declared war on illegal gambling, specifically the use of 8-liners in the county. He told those operating establishments using such equipment that they had until July 15 to dispose of their equipment.

Within days, Byrd, accompanied by Gilmer police raided a “cyber cafe” near the Gilmer Post Office, shutting down one such establishment.

Upshur County Commissioners approved use of a prescription discount card for county residents. It gives a 20 percent discount on prescriptions not covered by insurance, Medicare or Medicaid.

The Republican Party chose Wyone Manes and the Democrats chose Michele Griffith as their candidates for the unexpired term of Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace. Mrs. Manes would go on to win the race in November.

Southwestern Electric Power Company donated $88,300 to Gilmer ISD for a 3-year reforestation project at Gilmer Elementary School.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced that it estimated that Gilmer had 5,208 people.

Area electric companies reported that copper thefts were up as scrap metal prices soared.

The Harmony Future Farmers of America chapter was the 2008 winner of the prestigious Golden Horizon Award.

August—Gilmer Potteries, once one of the area’s largest employers, closed door of its 57-year-old factory. At its height in the 1970s, it had 175 employees. On its last day of operation, the number was 12.

William O’Dowd was hired as Upshur County’s new home extension agent.

New Diana ISD held an open house and dedication for its new Robert F. Hunter Elementary School.

The 2008 grape harvest was under way at Cherokee Rose Vinyard on South Montgomery St. in Gilmer.

Upshur County Commissioners created a reinvestment zone and granted a tax abatement to help draw the new Duoline Technologies plant to the county.

The Texas Sixth Court of Appeals upheld the 75-year sentence given to convicted child molester Harry Eugene Petrie.

The Gilmer School Board adopted an $18 million budget and kept the tax rate at $1.1980 per $100 assessed valuation to help fund it.

Petitions were validated calling for an election to do away with Upshur County’s unit road system.

Legendary fiddler Johnny Gimble presented a concert at Gilmer Civic Center.

September—Hurricane Ike caused motels to be packed in Longview, Tyler and Gilmer. The storm caused a lot of property damage in Upshur County.

Power outages affected thousands of Upshur Rural Electric and SWEPCO customers.

A secure web site and text-messaging capabilities were added to Upshur County Crimestoppers arsenal of crime-fighting tools.

Gilmer councilwoman Sara Dumas resigned after 6-plus years on the council, citing her desire to travel.

The official announcement was made by Robroy that Gilmer would be the site of the new Duoline Technologies plant.