Tag Archives: freedom from religion foundation

Week of November 19, 2012

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Randy Daniel

Story No. 1 – Randy Daniel drops mayor, picks up judge: Randy Daniel was selected by Henderson County Commissioners’ Court this week to fill the open Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 seat. To take the job, however, Daniel had to resign as mayor of athens.
Why it is important: For the first time in almost eight years, Athens will have a new mayor.
Learn more: The Malakoff News.

Story No. 2 – Big Saturday on tap: The annual Athens Christmas parade and Holiday on the Square are set for Saturday, Dec. 1.
Why it is important: It’s Christmas, it’s family, it’s community, and it’s fun.
Learn more: The Athens Tourism Department and Keep Athens Beautiful have information.

Story No. 3 – One more time for Malakoff: The Malakoff Tigers are the last football team standing in Henderson County. Malakoff will face Pottsboro tonight (Nov. 23) in Royse City, with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
Why it is important: It’s always important when an area team is still playing after Thanksgiving.
Learn more: The Malakoff News.

Story No. 4 – Patrick Greene threatens lawsuit … again: San Antonio atheist Patrick Greene is back with another possible lawsuit against the nativity scene, this time because he wants his own sign on the courthouse lawn.
Why it is important: Well, first the nativity scene story has taken on a life of its own. Large media stations swarm whenever anything happens on the story. But Greene has a history of this sort of behavior, which makes him hard to just ignore.
Learn more: Plenty of television and print journalists were in town early this week for the story, but locally you can find it at The News or the Tyler Paper.

Story No. 5 – Coffee City craziness: A new mayor plus two new council members were elected in Coffee City Nov. 6, but the new officials still haven’t been seated.
Why it is important: The power of the blog! A blog called “Concerned Citizens of Coffee City” is pushing the issue, seemingly questioning the integrity of every elected official in the county.
Learn more: The Athens Review has a story, but you might want to check out the blog for your self (WARNING: Content not suitable for everyone: crude humor, inuendo and language).

Week of November 12, 2012

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Blake Stiles (right) is shown with Athens ISD Board of Trustees President Rob Risko.

Story No. 1 – The lone finalist named: Blake Stiles was named the lone finalist for the Athens ISD superintendent’s job. According to the law, there is a 21-day waiting period before AISD can officially hire him. Stiles has been serving as the interim superintendent, and was the assistant superintendent prior to that.
Why it is important: It’s the top job at possibly the most important entity in Athens. … And 5 Things says that AISD school board members made the right choice.
Learn more: The Athens Review had a story.

Story No. 2 – Playoff football on tap: The regular season ended last week for high school football around the state, but that isn’t slowing down Henderson County. Athens, Malakoff, Eustace and Trinidad all made the playoffs and will be playing tonight.
Why it is important: Because now it’s not only football, it’s the playoffs!
Learn more: The Malakoff/Athens News and the Athens Review.

Story No. 3 – Get ready for the holiday events: Thanksgiving is next Thursday, which means Christmas is right around the corner, and there will be plenty to do in Athens. There’s a parade, Holiday on the Square, Home for the Holidays, and the annual Keep Athens Beautiful decorating contest.
Why it is important: Because it might take a little planning for you to participate in any of these events.
Learn more: The Athens News has a roundup of those events in this week’s paper.

Story No. 4 – Sen. Robert Nichols prefiles legislation: Henderson County’s state senator filed three pieces of legislation this week “designed to limit the growth of property taxes, prohibit the use of eminent domain for recreational purposes, and to significantly reform the state’s welfare system.”
Why it is important: While Nichols’ bills may not excite you, they are a reminder that we are just a little more than seven weeks away from the start of another Texas Legislative Session … and that is important.
Learn more: The Review has a story.

Story No. 5 – The FFRF takes the next step: It is almost Christmas in Athens, so that means it is time for our new holiday tradition: the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). The now well-known-to-Henderson-County group of Wisconsin atheists filed an open records request with the county this week.
Why it is important: Because this whole thing is moving inevitably toward a court date.
Learn more: The Malakoff/Athens News.

Week of October 22, 2012

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Story No. 1 – Judge denies FFRF banner: This week, Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders denied the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s request to display an atheist banner on the square in December.
Why it is important: The FFRF is the organization that protested the county’s inclusion of a nativity scene in its courthouse square decorations last year.
Learn more: Michael Hannigan at The Malakoff/Athens News broke the story. The Athens Review also had a story.

Story No. 2 – FFRF targeted AISD first: A month before the nativity scene controversy broke, the FFRF contacted Athens ISD to complain about a field trip to a church pumpkin patch.
Why it is important: See Story 1.
Learn more: The Athens/Malakoff News.

Story No. 3 – Fourth case of West Nile Virus: A fourth case of human West Nile Virus was confirmed in Henderson County last week.
Why it is important: This is double the number of cases in all other years (back to 1999) combined.
Learn more: The Malakoff/Athens News.

Story No. 4 – Pct. 1 JP Henry Ashford passes away: The Rev. Henry Ashford passed away of an apparent heart attack in Waco last weekend. He was 65.
Why it is important: The Rev. Ashford was a pastor, Justice of the Peace, municipal judge, and active member of the community.
Learn more: Both the Athens Review and The Malakoff/Athens News.

Story No. 5 – Former TVCC coaches fired/investigated: News broke last Saturday that former Trinity Valley Community College girls basketball coaches Michael and Kenya Landers were fired from their jobs at the University of Mississippi for “impermissible recruiting contacts and academic misconduct.”
Why it is important: The last time Athens saw Mr. and Mrs. Landers they were celebrating a national championship title in March.
Learn more: The story is all over the web, so just Google “Michael Landers.” The Review also has a story.

Week of April 23, 2012

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The proposed FFRF banner.

Story No. 1 – FFRF Back in Town: The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) was back in Athens this week, asking Commissioners’ Court to approve an atheist banner for display on the Courthouse lawn in December.
Why it is important: This is the nativity scene controversy … which continues to draw media and interest from all over the state and country.
Learn more: Both the Athens Review and The Malakoff News had the story.

Story No. 2 – AISD Lifts Voice Against Testing: Athens ISD school board members approved a resolution last week, saying “… The over reliance on standardized, high-stakes testing as the only assessment of learning that really matters in the state and federal accountability systems is strangling our public schools and undermining any chance that educators have to transform a traditional system of schooling into a broad range of learning experiences that better prepares our students to live successfully and be competitive on a global stage …”
Why it is important: The tide against standardized testing in Texas seems to be rising.
Learn more: The story was in the new paper, The Athens News, which doesn’t have a web site. You can catch up with the paper on Facebook, however. 

Story No. 3 – Fugitive Caught: After nearly 10 years on the run, accused child molester Travis Wayne Jones was caught in Arkansas this week, mostly thanks to the work from Henderson County law enforcement.
Why it is important: Jones had been on the county’s Most Wanted list and was even featured in the television show “America’s Most Wanted.”
Learn more: The Review has a story. 

Story No. 4 – PRCA Rodeo this weekend: It is rodeo time in Henderson County. The annual PRCA Rodeo will begin tonight (Friday, April 27) in the Fairpark Complex.
Why it is important: These are the top cowboys in the country and event planners have added some fun things this year like a Kids Zone with multiple bounce houses.
Learn more: Art Lawler at the Review has a story. 

Story No. 5 – Sculpture Tour this weekend: If rodeo isn’t your idea of culture, there is a three-county sculpture tour this Saturday. The event includes a pair of special gardens in Malakoff, including one by the stepmother of famous artist James Surls.
Why it is important: These really are famous artists; you can’t pick up these type of pieces in the Tyler mall.
Learn more: This story has been plenty of places, including the Dallas Morning News and Texas Monthly, but why leave home when you can read it in the Review. 

BONUS STORY: No Smoking Ordinance Finalized: The Athens City Council gave its final blessing to the no smoking ordinance in Athens this week.
Why it is important: Smoking is now prohibited in most public places in the city.

Week of April 16, 2012

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Assistant Chief Tres Winn to retire from Athens Fire Department. Photo courtesy The Athens News.

Story No. 1 – EDC Lures Business to Athens: The Athens Economic Development Corporation put together a $730,000 incentive package to bring Thrillworks, Inc. — a sports recreation equipment manufacturer — to the city.
Why it is important: The business will bring 33 jobs and has growth potential for much more.
Learn more: The Review has a story, but it was a little light on the proposal details. So here’s a little more:

First, the AEDC will purchase property on Flat Creek Road for $480,000 and then sell it back to Thrillworks (also known as Extreme Engineering). The move will allow the company to immediately occupy a suitable building. Thrillworks will pay back the loan in 10 years at 3 percent interest, but could save some of that money with incentives built in based on job creation and wages.

The AEDC will also provide a no-interest loan of $250,000 to the company for equipment and for moving expenses. That loan is to be paid back in five years.

Finally, there will be a $50,000 employee training grant for local workers.

The overall package does not quite add up to $730,000 because the AEDC is going to keep a portion of the property purchased with the building.

Story No. 2 – School Finance Trial Date Set: A state district judge scheduled the start of a trial over how Texas funds public education for Oct. 22.  Four lawsuits have been filed on behalf of school districts on the issue.
Why it is important: With a new legislative session scheduled for 2013, the trial could have a big impact on budgeting for the next biennium.
Learn more: The Review ran a press release about the issue. 

Story No. 3 – Athens Christian Preparatory Academy Ready to Grow: ACP will launch a capital campaign this Saturday, April 21, with an eye toward building a campus.
Why it is important: ACP is the only local alternative to Athens High School.
Learn more: The Athens Review ran a press release. 

Story No. 4 – Freedom From Religion Foundation Coming Back to Town: Officials from the FFRF say they will ask Henderson County Commissioners’ Court on  Tuesday for permission to display its banner on the Courthouse lawn in December.
Why it is important: Because the nativity scene controversy never seems to die down.
Learn more: The Malakoff News has a story (Page 16A). The News has begun to post the entire paper online, so you will have to go to the page to read the story.

Story No. 5 – Assistant Fire Chief Tres Winn to Retire: Tres Winn is saying goodbye to the AFD after 27 years. He is taking a new job in the gas industry, but will still be living in Athens.
Why it is important: Winn is one of those guys who seems to know everybody. A lifetime Athens resident, he can be found involved in many community projects.
Learn more: The story came out in The Athens News, a new free weekly newspaper covering the city. The paper does not have a website, however.

Week of March 26, 2012

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Michael and Kenya Landers won the national championship last weekend and then landed jobs with the University of Mississippi women’s basketball program days later.

Story No. 1 – National Champions: The Trinity Valley Lady Cardinals notched the program’s sixth national title last weekend, beating Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College, 69-55.
Why it is important: Did I mention it was No. 6? Plus, the win came on the day the court in Salina, Kansas was named for the late TVCC legend, Kurt Budke.
Learn more: Jayson Larson from the Review was there and has the story on the championship and the court being renamed.
Bonus Info: The public is invited to join Trinity Valley Community College for “No. 6: A Celebration” on Thursday, April 5 at 7 p.m. at Cardinal Gym when the college will celebrate the undefeated season and sixth national championship of the Lady Cardinals.

Story No. 2 – TVCC loses women’s basketball coaches: Less than a week after winning the national title, Lady Cardinal co-coaches Michael and Kenya Landers accepted offers with the University of Mississippi.
Why it is important: Now the best coaching position in JUCO women’s basketball is open.
Learn more: Here’s the story from the college. 

Story No. 3 – County OKs premises use policy: Commissioners’ Court this week approved a policy listing the rules for using county property.
Why it is important: This particular policy figures to come into play when the Freedom From Religion Foundation (remember them?) comes back asking to put one of its banners on the Courthouse lawn at Christmas.
Learn more: Both the Review and The Malakoff News have stories.

Story No. 4 – KAB wins again: Keep Athens Beautiful has won the Governor’s Community Achievement Award for the eighth straight time.
Why it is important: Because the award comes with money (about $160,000), which KAB uses for projects around the city.
Learn more: The Review has a story. 

Story No. 5 – Atheist drops complaint against judge: The nativity scene controversy is the issue that never stops giving stories (see Story No. 3). Now, San Antonio atheist Patrick Greene has asked the state Commission on Judicial Conduct to drop his complaint against County Judge Richard Sanders.
Why it is important: While nothing was ever expected to come from the complaint to begin with, the change in Greene has become a story in itself. Consider, Sand Springs Baptist Church Pastor Erick Graham was on the Fox News Channel this week talking about the story.
Learn more: The Malakoff News seems to have a pipeline to Greene. 

 

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.

Week of December 26, 2011

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(Photo by CNHI used under a Creative Commons License)

Story No. 1 - Controversy over nativity scene:  In early December a Wisconsin-based atheist group issued a demand that Henderson County remove a nativity scene from the Courthouse lawn, which the county refused. Later the group, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, tried to get one of its anti-God banners displayed, but that also did not happen.
Why it makes the list: Because of the response from the community and the media coverage. In less than 48 hours this story went from county newspapers to national television. A rally organized by four pastors brought an estimated 5,000 to the Athens square.
Will it carry into 2012?: Yes. The Freedom From Religion Foundation may have lost this battle, but has no intention of going away. Gear up for next Christmas.

Story No. 2 - Drought and wildfires: If Henderson County has ever been drier than it was this year, no one is left who can remember that time. Commissioners’ Court had the county under a burn ban for seven straight months, and volunteer firefighters spent the summer running from one blaze to another.
Why it makes the list: Things got so bad that communities started holding fundraisers to help get supplies to exhausted VFDs. At one point, the sound of a fire siren was enough to send frightened residents scurrying to social media for information.
Will it carry into 2012?: Unfortunately, yes. The Texas state climatologist said next year will be just as bad.

Story No. 3 - School district changes: After multiple attempts, Athens ISD was finally able to pass a bond this year to expand the Bel Air campus. AISD also changed to attendance zones for Bel Air and South. The district also got a new superintendent in Dr. Robert Steeber.
Why it makes the list: Simply passing the bond after so many years of futility would have been enough to make the list, but Dr. Steeber was also faced with rebuilding the majority of the administrative staff; plus he has to complete a construction project he didn’t plan.
Will it carry into 2012?: Absolutely – and watching how Dr. Steeber works should be a major storyline for next year.

Story No. 4 - Changes for county government: Henderson County got a new county judge in Richard Sanders and a new commissioner in Ken Geeslin this year. Not only that, but Commissioners’ Court also got a new home in the Henderson County Annex (the old Prosperity Bank Building).
Why it makes the list: Although the changes happened without much fanfare, the move of several county offices to the Annex will impact nearly every county resident. The changes to Commissioners’ Court will do the same at a time when all government is struggling (see Story 5).
Will it carry into 2012?: Yes, because Pct. 2 Commissioner Joe Hall has decided he will not run for reelection. His replacement, along with Sanders and Geeslin, could change the balance of power in the county government.

Story No. 5 - Painful budgets: From the State Legislature to the local city council, elected officials are dealing with rising costs and declining revenue. Like everyone else faced with reduced buying power, government has to choose which services to cut.
Why it makes the list: The biggest impact of the state’s budget cuts so far has been felt at the school districts. Almost every district had to cut teacher positions and programs this year.
Will it carry into 2012?: For sure. More budget cuts are coming for school districts next year, and even bigger cuts are expected when the State Legislature meets in 2013.

Week of December 12, 2011

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Story No. 1 – No Banner This Year: A Freedom From Religion Foundation spokeswoman confirmed Friday that there will be no FFRF banner on the courthouse lawn this year.
Why it is important: Pushing the issue to next year should drain some of the emotion out of the situation and give attorneys a chance to work out the legal points.
Learn more: The Malakoff News broke the story here.

Story No. 2 – Rally Time: A big crowd is expected for the Henderson County Nativity Rally Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. on the courthouse square.
Why it is important: After being relegated to social media for nearly two weeks, county Christians will be able to personally turn out “ in love, to unite and show the world the true spirit of Christ and Christmas.”
Learn more: The Athens Review, the Tyler Paper, and The Malakoff News all have stories.

Story No. 3 – Primary mess: By court order, filing for a spot on the Republican and Democratic party primary ballots has been extended to Monday. And it will be opened up again at a later time because no one knows what’s going on with redistrict maps. A good sign is that officials from both parties agreed to move the election date back to April 3, but that also has to be approved by a panel of judges, so who knows.
Why it is important: Because candidates can’t file if they don’t know what district they are in.
Learn more: The Review had a basic story, and here is a story from the Texas Tribune .

Story No. 4 – Thunder Bridge closing: The bridge over the Union Pacific Railway on CR 1500 on the edge of Athens will be closed, according to railway officials.
Why it is important: The bridge is more than 100 years old and it will cost around $1.5 million to replace, officials said. There are also several families along CR 1500 who have been cut off from a direct route to Athens.
Learn more: The Review had the story here.

Story No. 5 – School finance lawsuit: The Texas Coalition – which includes Malakoff ISD – filed its school finance lawsuit against the state in Austin last week.
Why it is important: Although it seems far away, legislators will soon be battling over more budget cuts.
Learn more: The Malakoff News had a story.

Week of December 5, 2011

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Most of the time, 5 Things is for busy area residents to catch up on the week’s big stories. This time, however, since just about everyone has heard that a Wisconsin-based organization is working to get Henderson County commissioners to remove a nativity scene from the courthouse lawn, we’ve decided to list the 5 Things you need to know about the issue.

Story No. 1 – Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) demands action: Monday afternoon, Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders received a letter, addressed to all commissioners, from the FFRF demanding that the commissioners “take immediate action to ensure that no religious displays are on city or county property.”
Why it is important: The threat of a lawsuit was implied by the letter, even if it wasn’t specifically stated.
Learn more: The story was reported by The Malakoff News, and the Athens Daily Review. After that the story was picked up by every media outlet from Dallas to Tyler and beyond.

Story No. 2 – County responds: County Attorney Clint Davis framed the county’s written response, saying: “Henderson County believes that it is in complete compliance with the requirements of the Constitution and acting very much in accord with prior U.S. Supreme Court rulings.”
Why it is important: Mainly because the FFRF, after reading Davis’s response, changed the direction of their legal argument.
Learn more: The Malakoff News  and the Athens Daily Review both had the story.

Story No. 3 – Social media drives story: While undoubtedly important, the issue went from a local to a regional story because of the deluge of comments from area residents on Facebook and media websites. Literally thousands of comments were posted in two days.
Why it is important: First, because it gives you a way to follow the twists and turns of the story. Second, because the entire episode is a lesson in the power of social media.
Learn more: Jayson Larson at the Athens Review took an interesting look at the first few hours on Facebook after the story broke.

Story No. 4 – National media pays attention: By Thursday morning, Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders and FBC Malakoff Pastor Nathan Lorick were on the Fox News Channel. Friday, Lorick was interviewed on the Glenn Beck radio show.
Why it is important: Any time a local gets on national television or radio, it’s news. It also is an example of just how big the story has become.
Learn more: Google “Nathan Lorick” and then click the news button. As of Thursday night there were 52 stories, including pieces from Fox News, the Washington Post, and St. Louis Today.

Story No. 5 – Pastors schedule rally: There will be a Henderson County Nativity Rally on the Courthouse Square from noon-1 p.m. next Saturday, Dec. 17. Today (Dec. 9), a group of more than 70 church leaders from around the county showed up at a meeting to help plan for the rally.
Why it is important: A few reasons – first, this has the possibility of blowing up into something really, really huge; second, nothing in this county has brought 70-plus Christian leaders together before; and third, there is a possibility of a live nativity scene on the square, which is always cool.
Learn more: Check out the event Facebook page here.