County-Henderson County Now

Henderson County Commissioners End Burn Ban

Henderson County Commissioners’ Court denied Fire Marshal Shane Renberg request for a burn ban Tuesday, Sept. 16.

The vote was 3-2 to deny the request with County Judge Richard Sanders and Commissioners Wade McKinney and Ronny Lawrence voting no.

Renberg said the drought numbers have gone up across the whole county I’m the past two weeks. Rain has helped, he said, but it hasn’t been the sort of rain that helps break the dry spell.

Lawrence said there has been a lot of rain at his house and indicated he was still upset that he was denied a controlled burn during last year’s burn ban.

Sanders and McKinney did not say why they voted to deny the request.

Renberg said the county’s average Keetch-Byram Drought Index score was 623. The KBDI is a measure of moisture in the soil, and a burn ban is recommended when the KBDI score is above 575.

District Attorney’s Office Hires Former Corsicana Police Officer

District Attorney’s Office press release

Jessica Abbe was sworn in by Judge Nancy Perryman last week as a new investigator for Scott McKee’s District Attorney’s Office. Abbe is a former Corsicana Police Officer. Abbe will conduct full-time warrant officer work for the DA’s office until January when she will assume the duties of Victim Assistance Coordinator for Deanna Browning who will promote to office manager when current office manager, Betty Herriage assumes office as Henderson County’s new District Clerk.

“She has some big shoes to fill when Deanna moves into Betty’s job,” Said McKee. “I am confident she will do great.”

Browning established the Go Blue campaign and the Henderson County Crime Victim’s conference during McKee’s tenure in office.

Jessica is married to Cory Abbe who is employed by ETMC. They live near Cedar Creek Lake with their three boys. Both are very involved in school and community activities.

Justin Weiner State’s Top Child Advocate Volunteer

Nancy Eldridge Volunteer Coordinator for Region IV and Assistant District Attorney Justin Weiner.

District Attorney’s press release

Henderson County Assistant District Attorney Justin Weiner, chairman of the Henderson County Child Welfare Board, has been named the top child advocate volunteer for the State of Texas for 2013-2014.

“This is a tremendous honor that I will cherish forever. At the end of the day, we as a community have to do everything we can to try to help those children that, through no fault of their own, have become victims. We have no greater duty as a society and there is no greater honor than helping children who cannot help themselves. I am blessed to be a part of a community of people, here in Henderson County, which truly cares about protecting and helping children.”

Weiner received the award at a 23-county regional level back in June of this year. Weiner went on to receive the statewide award last Friday at the Texas Counsel of Child Welfare Boards’ annual conference in Austin. While presenting the award, the counsel praised Weiner for his ability to assist the foster children of our state with love and sincere interest in their wellbeing. They were also proud of his efforts to bring awareness to his community about children who have become victims of domestic and sexual violence. Additionally at the conference, Outstand Foster Youth, Foster Parents, Outstanding Department of Family and Protective Services, and a “Top Hand” for the State of Texas were given out. Another individual out of Montague, Texas was also recognized for his volunteer efforts. Continue reading “Justin Weiner State’s Top Child Advocate Volunteer”

County Attorney’s Report for August 2014

Henderson County County Attorney Clint Davis reported the following activity in the disposition of cases filed through his office during the month of Aug. 2014 in the County Court at Law, County Court at Law No. 2, and County Court.

Accident inv. Damage to vehicle 1,
Assaults 7,
Criminal Mich. $50. To $500 1,
Crim Misch $500. To $1,500. 1,
Criminal Tresspass 7,
Disorderly Conduct 1,
DWI 27,
DWLI 2,
Escape from Custody 2,
Evading Arrest 6,
Fail Drug Test Falsification Device 1,
Fail to Iden. Fugitive from Justice 2,
Fail to stop 1,
Fail to yield 1,
Harassment 1,
Poss Dangerous Drug 1,
Poss 3 to 28 g. 4,
Poss of marj 2 oz 20,
Prohibited weapon 2,
Public Intox 4,
Resisting Arrest 4,
Speeding 9,
Tamper with ident numbers personal prop. 1,
Terroristic Threat 2,
Theft $50. To $500. 9,
Theft $500. To $1,500. 7,
Theft by Check 24,
Theft Prop $500. To $1,500. 1,
Unlawful Carrying Weapon 1,
Total number of dispositions for the month: 140
Total amount of fines and court costs assessed: $80,316.65
Number of Individuals sentenced to the Henderson County Jail: 80
Number of Individuals who have had their probation revoked and were sentenced to the Henderson County Jail: 8
Amount of restitution collected & returned to merchants by the Hot Check Divisions: $5,791.75
Open Records Request: 10

Pledge to the 15-Star Flag

By Michael V Hannigan

In a neat change, this morning’s Commissioners’ Court meeting opened with the Pledge to the United States Flag of 1812. The 15-Star flag was in place for the meeting.

The pledge was in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the writing of the Star Spangled Banner. Frances Scott Key wrote the poem that later became our National Anthem on Sept. 15, 1814 at the attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It was the 15-Star flag that flew over the fort.

The stars represented: Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.