Monthly Archives: January 2012

Week of January 23, 2012

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(Photo credit The Athens Chamber of Commerce)

Story No. 1 – Citizen of the Year: Judith McGilvray was named the Athens Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year during the chamber banquet last Friday. East Texas Medical Center was the Business of the Year. The Ambassador of the Year was Darlene Clark.
Why it is important: Because these are prestigious awards with a long history.
Learn more: The Athens Review has the story.

Story No. 2 – Limited time to save primary: Leaders from the Texas Democratic and Republican parties are scheduled to meet today to see if the April 3 primary date can be saved. All they have to do is agree on redistricting maps.
Why it is important: Get ready for more moving election dates.
Learn more: The Texas Tribune had a good story early in the week.

Story No. 3 – Brewery coming to town: First Athens went wet and now it is getting a brewery. The Cedar Creek Brewery will be opening on Highway 175 between Athens and Eustace.
Why it is important: New business is always good, plus the brewery is going to host tours on Saturdays.
Learn more: We first learned about this when The Malakoff News posted a link to this Pegasusnews.com story.

Story No. 4 – TVCC women still undefeated: The No. 1-ranked Trinity Valley Lady Cardinals are 20-0 after an easy win over San Jac Wednesday night.
Why it is important: We could be seeing a very special season unfolding in Athens. Remember, the coaches Landers (Michael and Kenya) took the Lady Cardinals to the national championship game last year but came up short. Could this year see a triumphant return?
Learn more: Jayson Larson has a story.

Story No. 5 – Power out at courthouse: There was some excitement at the Henderson County Courthouse Tuesday afternoon when a wire leading into a transformer in the basement shorted out and caught fire. Judge Richard Sanders said the fire was quickly extinguished with no other damage, although one employee did get stuck in the elevator when the power went out. She was rescued pretty quickly by maintenance, however, said Sanders.
Why it is important: Truthfully, it wasn’t THAT big a deal: the fire was put out, the employee got out of the elevator, and Oncor came and fixed the problem. But it is still the type of story that gets around.
Learn more: The Review had a short story.

 

Week of January 16, 2012

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Story No. 1 – Gov. Rick Perry back to Texas: On Thursday, Gov. Perry officially announced an end to his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
Why it is important: First, because we don’t have to hear about his gaffes any longer. Second, because his supporters are unlikely to back Mitt Romney and could start a shift in the race. And third, because Texas has its own problems that need solving.
Learn more: The Associated Press had a good story, and here it is in the Tyler Paper.

Story No. 2 – Lady Cards No. 1: The Trinity Valley Lady Cardinals are ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Why it is important: Because Henderson County also loves TVCC and everyone loves a winner. You can catch the TVCC women at home this Saturday at 2 p.m. The Cardinals, who are undefeated in conference play, will take the court after the ladies.
Learn more: Here are the current rankings. The Lady Cards will also hold a Play 4Kay event on Feb. 8.

Story No. 3 – Ride the GOBUS: Henderson County Commissioners’ Court heard a report on public transportation in the county … yep, there is public transportation through the East Texas Council of Governments and its called the GOBUS.
Why it is important: Because you never know when you might need a ride.
Learn more: The Review had a story.

Story No. 4 – Athens Partnership Center: That new Athens EDC-funded building that houses the Athens Chamber of Commerce and the EDC and the KAB and the TVCC Small Business Development Center and the Tourism Office (and maybe more) … it has a name now: The Athens Partnership Center.
Why it is important: As a one-stop shop for business types coming to the city, the Athens Partnership Center is another de facto government building in Athens.
Learn more: The Review had a photo of the ribbon cutting.

Story No. 5 – Supreme Court on Redistricting: Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court told a federal court in San Antonio to “take guidance” from the State Legislature in crafting redistricting maps.
Why it is important: Because at this pace the primary election might be pushed back to May or even June.
Learn more: Here’s a story in the New York Times.

Week of January 9, 2012

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Story No. 1 – Smoking ordinance public hearings: After months of discussion, residents of Athens are going to get the chance to be heard on the city’s proposed no smoking ordinance. The first of two public hearings is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 23.
Why it is important: It doesn’t matter if you smoke or don’t smoke, or even if you are a resident of Athens or not … this ordinance will have an effect on you if you go in public in the city.
Learn more: The Review has the story on the public hearing.

Story No. 2 – Election confusion: Federal and state officials are still having trouble figuring out the once-a-decade redistricting from 2011, and the result is confusion all across Texas politics.
Why it is important: If you are waiting on a voter registration card, you are going to have to wait a little bit longer.
Learn more: Both the Review and The Malakoff News had the story.

Story No. 3 – Time for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Monday is the annual MLK holiday. Johnson Chapel AME Church will be hosting the Annual Gospel Explosion starting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, and the annual Candlelight Vigil will be held 7 p.m. Monday at New Hope Corinth CME Church. Both churches are in Malakoff.
Why it is important: Civil rights, nonviolence, service, equality, courage, faithfulness … Dr. King is an example for us in so many ways.
Learn more: Check out the official website.

Story No. 4 – TVCC back in session: Students registered this week for the spring semester at Trinity Valley Community College.
Why it is important: Basketball is back, for one. Another reason is a new requirement for students this semester is a bacterial meningitis vaccination.
Learn more: Here’s info about the vaccination.

Story No. 5 – Meeting for big outreach: The big rally might be over, but Henderson County Christians are looking to keep the momentum going forward. A planning meeting is scheduled for Monday at Sand Springs Baptist Church for a February outreach.
Why it is important: There are plenty of poor and down-on-their-luck people in Henderson County right now who need help – hopefully this is a step in that direction.
Learn more: Henderson County Christian has info.

*BONUS STORY – Day for friggatriskaidekaphobia: That’s right, it is Friday the 13th… the first of 2012. There will be two more this year (April, July).
Why it is important: Seriously, how many times do you get to use friggatriskaidekaphobia?
Learn More: Time to turn to Wikipedia.

Week of January 2, 2012

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Lupe's Tree Service in Athens takes down the last Christmas decoration on the square this week, the Santa hot air balloon.

Story No. 1 – It is a New Year: Holiday fatigue has set in, but the BCS Championship Game still hasn’t been played … yep, the calendar just turned.
Why it is important: Well, beyond the normal things like resolutions that will be broken and checks written with the wrong date, this January brings us face-to-face with the final demise of the planet … according to the Mayans.
Learn more: If you want to read about the “2012 phenomenon,” check out this Wikipedia article. If you’d rather do the usual and read about the Top Stories of 2011, check out this in the Review, or this in The Malakoff News.

Story No. 2 – First Baby of 2012: Aleigia Shamlin of Malakoff was the first baby of the year in Henderson County, born 8:41 a.m. on Jan. 1. Mom is Samantha Curry and dad is Terry Shamlin.
Why it is important: The first baby is tradition and tradition is important. Besides, she’s cute.
Learn more: Check out Aleigia’s photo debut.

Story No. 3 – Nativity scene gone but not forgotten: Well, 2012 did what the Freedom From Religion Foundation couldn’t – it made the nativity scene on the courthouse lawn disappear. Light Up Athens put away the decorations around the square this week.
Why it is important: Unfortunately, this will not be an “out of sight, out of mind” issue. The FFRF is expected to approach Henderson County sometime in March or April to request room on the square for one of its banners next Christmas.
Learn more: There is just sooooo much information out there about this issue that I suggest you just Google “Athens nativity” if you need a refresher.

Story No. 4 – Cross Roads cattle poisoned: Laboratory test results confirmed that 29 head of cattle found dead in Cross Roads last week were killed by eating hay with high levels of nitrates.
Why it is important: Nitrates can be found in forages grown during drought conditions. A high enough level of nitrate can kill a cow in an hour. Local Extension Service officials are encouraging local livestock owners to test their hay.
Learn more: The Malakoff News had the story as did the Athens Review.

Story No. 5 – Primary election pushed back: The new primary election date is April 3 for Texas Republicans and Democrats; and filing deadlines have been pushed back, but nobody is exactly sure when that will restart.
Why it is important: Wouldn’t it be nice to know when to vote?
Learn more: Check out the Review story.