July 2014 - Page 13 of 14 - Henderson County Now

The Moth Apocalypse and the Turtle That Tried to Drive

Critters are not being kind to me, as hard as I try to be kind to them.

Well, I try to be kind to most living things. I’ll admit, I haven’t tried hard to be kind to the moths, even though they are defenseless little buggers. They make you crazy while they are flying around your head, but when they do land, they just sit there waiting to be swatted. What they do bad is get in your cereal and stuff like that and reproduce faster than you can imagine. While I was away from my home in the country, they ate and had sex in all the dry food they could get into and then headed out into the bathroom where they preceded to take over the ceiling as their nursery. Apparently that blown-on ceiling stuff contains something moth-edible. I spray them and swat them, and more keep coming. Just like the Zombie Apocalypse. I think I have them on the run now. I hope.

The moths had a lot of help. I swear the mice were just biting little holes in things so the moths could get in, because usually they didn’t eat what they opened. They just ran around, leaving a big mess wherever they went, which was everywhere. One day I opened the my pantry door and came face to face with one of them, sitting on a pickle jar, just looking at me, with his little tail curled up behind him. He was really cute. It is hard to want to kill something that cute, so I set live traps. I finally caught him, at least I think it was him, because I got him right beside the pickle jar. I took him for a ride to the country. I thought maybe he was the only trouble maker, or maybe Continue reading “The Moth Apocalypse and the Turtle That Tried to Drive”

US 175 Between Baxter and Poynor gets $70 million

TxDOT press release

In support of efforts to enhance safety and reduce congestion across the Lone Star State, the Texas Transportation Commission recently approved $90 million for projects on US 175, SH 31 and US 69 in the Tyler District to be included in the Unified Transportation Program (UTP), a 10-year plan to guide and fund transportation project development in the state. This action is part of an ongoing process and commitment from the Texas Department of Transportation to act upon requests from the legislature, community leaders, public and local transit authorities to identify those projects that will improve mobility across Texas.

“These are much-needed projects that will benefit all East Texans,” said Commissioner Jeff Austin III, Texas Transportation Commission. “These upgrades will have a tremendous impact on the region as they improve safety and mobility, while helping spur economic development opportunities. It was a good decision to prioritize these projects and I’m glad they are moving forward.” Continue reading “US 175 Between Baxter and Poynor gets $70 million”

GBC Masonic Youth Recognized at State Conference

Pictured, from left, are Michelle Sanderford, Shelby McGallian, Carrie Currey, Mrs. Tonya Currey (Mother Advisor), Emily Currey, Samantha Ramos, and Tara Trimmins.

The Gun Barrel City Masonic Youth Rainbow Girls attended their state conference in Waco June 26-29. The Gun Barrel City Assembly was recognized for being an Exemplary Vanguard Assembly, having no loss in membership, participating in Boxtops and Labels for Education, supporting the Scottish Rite Hospital as the State Charity Project, and for their many hours of service.

Carrie Currey was recognized for her 6-year membership in Rainbow, Tara Trimmins for 4 years, and Michelle Sanderford for her 3 year membership in Rainbow. Carrie and Shelby McGallian earned their proficiency certificates, and Samantha Ramos competed in the Ritualistic Competition.

The Assembly was delighted when it was announced that Carrie was appointed as Grand Representative to Montana/Nebraska. In addition, the girls participated at the sessions as pages and guards and sang in the choir. The girls were also treated to an evening at the Hawaiian Falls Water Park in Waco. Continue reading “GBC Masonic Youth Recognized at State Conference”

Malakoff, Cross Roads Make ‘Reward Schools’ List

By Michael V. Hannigan

The U.S. Department of Education released its list of Reward Schools last weekend, and two county schools earned the top designation.

The list identifies High Performing Schools and High Progress Schools based on 2013 accountability reports.

High Performing Schools are schools that have received “distinction designations based on math and reading performance, and at the high school level, is also among the Title I schools with the highest graduation rates; or (2) has exceeded (Adequate Yearly Progress) for two or more consecutive years.”

Henderson County schools named High Performing were: Malakoff Elementary and Cross Roads Junior High. Also on the list is Martin’s Mill High School. Continue reading “Malakoff, Cross Roads Make ‘Reward Schools’ List”

DA’s Office Begins Summer With Busy Week of Trials

District Attorney’s Office press release

It was a busy week for Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office last week as four prosecutors were wrapped up in two trials in the Henderson County Judicial Complex. 1st Assistant District Attorney Mark Hall along with Assistant DA Nancy Rumar were busy in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd Judicial District Court while Assistant District Attorneys Jenny Palmer and Danny Cox were prosecuting a case in Judge Carter Tarrance’s 392nd District Court.

A jury of seven women and five men convicted and sentenced Jeffrey Arlen Quinn, 31, of Athens to 17 years in prison after hearing evidence presented by 1st Assistant Hall and ADA Rumar that on October 21, 2013, Quinn, who was wanted on a parole violation at the time, was driving a Ford Ranger pickup north on Highway 274 just south of Seven Points at about 5 p.m., and was accompanied by another wanted felon, Kristy Kidan

While making an unsafe pass of the car in front of him, Quinn narrowly avoided a head-on collision with Tool Police Chief Rodney Henderson, who was traveling south toward Tool. Chief Henderson immediately turned around to make what he thought would be a routine traffic stop, but soon realized that Quinn had no intention of stopping. Quinn turned east onto Highway 334, then left onto John Thomas Drive. He then turned onto Pritchett Lane accelerating to speeds in excess of 100 mph on the unmarked, two lane road, causing numerous vehicles to pull over to avoid collision. Continue reading “DA’s Office Begins Summer With Busy Week of Trials”