Monthly Archives: February 2012

Week of February 20, 2012

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Story No. 1 – Jewelry heist foiled: Harold Durham had enough when a couple apparently tried to rob his jewelry store for the second time since December. He whipped out a gun, catching one of the robbers.
Why it is important: This has to be the most talked about story of the week. How often does a 79-year-old businessman shoot at thieves?
Learn more: The Review had a good story with quotes from Durham. 

Story No. 2 – STAAR 15 percent rule: The Texas Commissioner of Education recently gave school districts the opportunity to push back the so-called 15 percent rule one year. Public schools will start taking the TAKS-replacement starting next month.
Why it is important: It is a big deal for high school freshmen, who otherwise might have their whole high school record impacted by a test nobody has seen yet.
Learn more: The Malakoff News explains the issue. 

Story No. 3 – The range is still open?: Henderson County Commissioners’ Court approved holding an election to close the range to hogs, sheep and goats.
Why it is important: The way things stand, if your neighbor’s hog comes on your property and roots up your yard, you have no recourse. The law says it is your job to keep them out.
Learn more: There were stories in both the Review and The Malakoff News.

Story No. 4 – TVCC starts scholarship to honor Budke/Serna: The TVCC Foundation has announced the creation of the Kurt Budke and Miranda Serna Lady Cardinal Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, once completely-funded, will benefit future students involved with the women’s basketball program.
Why it is important: Because it is a classy move by the college, honoring the two coaches who lost their lives in a plane crash in November.
Learn more: Here is the announcement from the college. 

Story No. 5 – Black History Scholarship Banquet: The Henderson County Black History Committee will wrap up February with its annual Scholarship Banquet.
Why it is important: More than 30 students from across the county will receive scholarships this year.
Learn more:  Read about the banquet here. 

Week of February 13, 2012

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Story No. 1 – Atheist threatens to sue county: A San Antonio man has drawn a bulls-eye around the Henderson County’s nativity scene, and he isn’t going to be happy with just a banner like the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Why it is important: This particular activist has a long history of filing lawsuits and gaining concessions.
Learn more: The Malakoff News tells why county officials are taking this guy seriously, and why he’s so mad in February.

Story No. 2 – Former commissioner calls out Spitzer: We may still be waiting for a definite primary date (see Story No. 4), but there is no timeout from the political games. A former Kaufman County commissioner accused District 4 State Rep. candidate Dr. Stuart Spitzer with breaking the law with one of his video ads this week.
Why it is important: Although the issue seems minor, the way it plays out can reveal a lot about the candidates.
Learn more: Here’s a report in the Forney Post. That piece doesn’t give Spitzer’s side, but his campaign gave the following statement to The (Mabank) Monitor: “We have not received anything from the ethics commission regarding Dr. Spitzer,” said political consultant Luke Macias, “so there’s nothing to comment on at this time.”

Story No. 3 – Opposition forms against no smoking ordinance: The Athens City Council’s ordinance to ban smoking in public places hit some opposition this week. A group from Eddy’s, a new club on FM 2495 (the old Lakeview Lodge), said the ordinance would shut them down.
Why it is important: After the meeting, one city official told 5 Things it is likely that there will be changes to the proposed ordinance.
Learn more: The Athens Review has a report on the meeting.

Story No. 4 – Primary date still moving: A panel of three federal judges in San Antonio heard lawyers debate redistricting maps this week … again. And it looks like the primary election is going to be moved back … again. The new date possible is May 29, but we are not sure …. again.
Why it is important: Because no one is going to get their voter registration cards – or even know who is running – until this is resolved.
Learn more: The Austin American Statesman has some info.

Story No. 5 – A night for dads and daughters: Athens Christian Preparatory Academy will be hosting its 4th Annual Father-Daughter Ball this Saturday night at Eastern Hills Church of Christ in Athens.
Why it is important: In a time when it seems our society seems to have given up on concepts such as courtesy, politeness and plain good manners, it is nice to see such a genteel event for the community.
Learn more: The Athens Review has the details.

*BONUS STORY – Lunch the vending way: There is a cool new spot on the square in Athens now called The Break Room. It is a vending cafe.
Why it is important: There’s nothing else like it in town and The Break Room fills an interesting niche that could become an afternoon hangout.
Learn more: Blogger Michael Hannigan checked it out here.

Week of February 6, 2012

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Story No. 1 – Filing for municipal elections begin: Filing has opened for the May 12 municipal and school board elections. Because of changes to state law, just five governmental bodies are holding elections at this time: Athens, Athens ISD, Malakoff, Log Cabin, Chandler and Gun Barrel City.
Why it is important: Because elected officials at this level control millions of tax dollars and vote on lifestyle issues that effect us all (see Story 2).
Learn more: Since no one has posted whose seats are open yet, here you go.
Athens: Council members Carol Barton, Aubrey Jones, and Elaine Jenkins.
Athens ISD: Rob Risko and Ginger Kirk.
Chandler: Council members Don Daniell, Janeice Lunsford, and Gene Giger.
Log Cabin: Council members Gene Bearden, Richard Harrah, and Kathy Boykin.
Malakoff: Council members Jerrilyn Tarver, Pat Isaacson, and Vincent Bailey.
Gun Barrel City: Mayor Dennis Wood, council members Melvyn Hayes and Dennis Baade.

Story No. 2 – No smoking ordinance moves forward: The second public hearing for the proposed no smoking ordinance in Athens will be held during the regular City Council meeting Monday night, Feb. 13.
Why it is important: Although it is not a done deal, the ordinance sure looks on track to soon become law.
Learn more: Local blogger Michael Hannigan has an update.

Story No. 3 – Anti-nativity rally scheduled?: Is February too early to start gearing up over the inevitable nativity scene controversy? Apparently not. A San Antonio atheist wrote a letter to the editor to local newspapers calling for an anti-rally on Dec. 21.
Why it is important: The nativity controversy made Athens a household topic across the country last December … and it looks like it is going to happen again.
Learn more: The Malakoff News posted Patrick Greene’s letter.

Story No. 4 – Plane goes down in Lake Palestine: Police located the wreckage of a single-engine plane in Lake Palestine Thursday. Officials are still searching for the pilot.
Why it is important: This is one of those “talker” stories, where someone will invariably ask you: “Did you hear about …?”
Learn more: The Athens Review had a story about Henderson County’s contribution to the search.

Story No. 5 – Big church event at Cain Center: Speaking of the nativity controversy, one of the good things to come out of all that is a more active outreach to the poor among area churches and ministries. Saturday, Feb. 11, that will continue with a big event at the Cain Center.
Why it is important: Because it is time for the growing poor and hurting population in Henderson County to stop being invisible.
Learn more: The Review has an advance on the event.

Week of January 30, 2012

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The Malakoff Tigers will put their three-year playoff streak on the line next season in a district which includes Kemp and Eustace.

Story No. 1 – UIL redistricting: The University Interscholastic League released the results of its bi-annual reshuffle Thursday. Locally, Athens-Mabank-Brownsboro all ended up in a district together, while over on Cedar Creek Lake Malakoff-Eustace-Kemp are all in the same district.
Why it is important: Nothing builds a rivalry like games that count.
Learn more: Jayson Larson over at the Review has a rundown of the local districts. For the complete list, check out the UIL site.

Story No. 2 – Fire chief indicted: The former president and fire chief of the now-defunct Shady Oaks VFD was indicted late last week for theft and misappropriation of fiduciary property (means he’s charged with stealing from the VFD).
Why it is important: Beyond the impact on that one VFD, this case is likely to have an impact on the way Commissioners’ Court handles its contracts with the volunteer fire departments.
Learn more: Here’s the story.

Story No. 3 – Church event: Henderson County churches are organizing an outreach event at the Cain Center for Feb. 11. This is a direct outgrowth of the Nativity Rally which brought an estimated 5,000 to the Courthouse Square in December.
Why it is important: If area churches start actively reaching out to the poor and hurting it can only help the county.
Learn more: Area journalist and blogger Michael V. Hannigan has a story.

Story No. 4 – Elections snafu: Well, the date for Texas primaries got even more murky this week (if that’s possible), with federal judges in D.C. telling a San Antonio court not to expect any help from them for at least 30 days.
Why it is important: Because we all have to keep up with what’s becoming a running joke.
Learn more: The Houston Chronicle breaks it down.

Story No. 5 – Your taxes are late!: I sure hope this doesn’t come as a surprise, but county taxes were due by Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Why it is important: If you forgot, there is a 7 percent penalty which increases monthly.
Learn more: Here’s some information from the Review.