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Story No. 1 – School starts: Kids get back to class at all levels Monday, from kindergarten through TVCC.
Why it is important: Back to school means there will be children on the roads and drivers must be careful.
Learn more: Safe Kids USA has some great safety tips on their website.

Story No. 2 – County budget struggles: It has been a two-month grind for Henderson County commissioners as they are faced with a deficit, even after cuts.
Why it is important: Obviously because we are all county taxpayers, but also because the drama playing out at the county is going on more quietly in all the other government levels.
Learn more: The Athens Review.

Story No. 3 – Spraying for skeeters: Both Athens and Malakoff have stepped up spraying for mosquitoes following news that a case of West Nile Fever was reported in Eustace.
Why it is important: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says this year has seen the worst outbreak of West Nile since the disease was first discovered in the U.S.
Learn more: The Malakoff News.

Story No. 4 – Burn ban continues: It is that time of the year again, drought has settled in and a walk through the grass sounds like walking on potato chips. Commissioners’ Court wisely kept the burn ban in place another two weeks.
Why it is important: The county has been lucky on the fire front so far this year, and it would be good to keep it that way.
Learn more: The Athens Reviewand The Malakoff News have the story.

Story No. 5 – Athens recertified: The City of Athens was recertified as Texas Department of Agriculture Go Texan Certified Retirement Community recently.
Why it is important: It is great promotion for the city.
Learn more: The Athens Review.