Athens-Henderson County Now

Sen. Robert Nichols Speaks to Chamber

FILE PHOTO: State Sen. Robert Nichols speaks with a staff member in this file photo.

State Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, was on hand for the Athens Chamber of Commerce luncheon Wednesday afternoon, which celebrated and honored the first responders involved with protecting the city during the Ag Services fertilizer fire on May 29.

After the program for the first responders, Nichols spoke to the chamber for a few moments.

He spoke about the aftermath of the fire:

First of all, I am very impressed with the way the emergency was handled. … It tells me you have a community and county working together.

He spoke about the economy Texas:

The state of Texas is a shining light in the United States. I am so proud to be a Texan. When our recession hit … we did not do like other states and raise taxes to cover our shortfalls. We tightened our belt, streamlined things, cut agencies, cut funding Continue reading “Sen. Robert Nichols Speaks to Chamber”

Summer Food Program Aims to Fight Hunger in Athens

Child Hunger Outreach Specialist Debra Marshall with McGruff the Crime Dog at the Summer Feeding Program kickoff event Wednesday.

By Michael V. Hannigan

It looked like a celebration in north Athens Wednesday afternoon and it was. There were all the trimmings, including games, face painting, bounce houses, music and food. The mayor, a judge and a constable all turned out.

But the party at Lil Angels Giving Back to the Community on North Prairieville Street had a very serious goal: Eliminating hunger in Athens children.

The event was a kickoff to the Summer Food Program being conducted in the city by Baylor University’s Texas Hunger Initiative (THI).

“I wanted the community to know that there are facilities here that are open to the community, that are serving meals,” said THI Child Hunger Outreach Specialist Debra Marshall, who is leading the local program.

The program will run Monday through Friday until Aug. 15 and will serve free summer meals that meet federal nutrition guidelines for all kids and teens ages 18 and younger. The following locations Continue reading “Summer Food Program Aims to Fight Hunger in Athens”

Athens Fire Chief Discusses Fertilizer Fire at Chamber Luncheon

FILE PHOTO: Athens Fire Chief John McQueary speaks at a press conference the night of the Ag Services fertilizer fire, May 29, 2014.

Athens Fire Chief John McQueary spoke today at the Athens Chamber of Commerce luncheon, describing what the fire department did before, during and after the Ag Services fertilizer fire on May 29. Below, the recording picks up at the beginning with the chief describing what was done in Athens following the ammonium nitrate explosion in West, Texas.

The Idea Factory Comes to Athens

By Philokalia Jones

Beginning Tuesday, June 17, Tuesday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., The Color of Ideas Community Arts Center (TCOI) — just off the Square at 207 E. Tyler St. — is kicking off a summer arts adventure called The Idea Factory (TIF) for kids ages 9 and older. Children hungry to develop their own ideas — be it writing poetry, writing stories, drawing, music, paperfolding, creating a newsletter, taking pictures, making videos, doing skits, playing music, singing …– are the children TCOI is hoping to engage in TIF. Stay at home Moms are warmly invited to remain with their children. Homeschoolers are more than welcome!

TCOI has all manner of materials and suggestions for creative experiments and play so even children without specific ideas are invited to be part of The Idea Factory. The only requirement is being open to giving creativity a try. Children who know what they want to do should bring their own supplies with them! Continue reading “The Idea Factory Comes to Athens”

Athens City Council Approves AEDC Deal for 95 Acres

Listen to City Council Members Monte Montgomery and Joe Whatley Talk About AEDC Land Deal

By Michael V. Hannigan

The City Council unanimously approved an Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC) plan to purchase 95 acres of land at Monday night’s council meeting.

The land is adjacent to the current industrial park on Enterprise Street and will cost about $859,000, or $9,000 an acre. It is split into two pieces; one tract is north of Furturematrix and the other tract is south of Howard Measurement.

AEDC Executive Director Brian Malone said the EDC board had been working on the deal for nearly a year and needs the land in order to be competitive with other area cities when it comes to attracting businesses.

Monday night, Malone also told council members that there was an “immediate need” for the land because of a local business looking to expand, although Malone did not identify the business.

Previously, Malone had said Athens currently has about 6 acres available for economic development, while other cities have 200 acres or more that are already developed with roads and utilities.

When Malone first spoke to the council about this issue last week, some council members had concerns. Monday night, Malone spoke for nearly 10 minutes answering those concerns from utilities and drainage, to the immediate need for the land, to the EDC’s debt structure.