Category: County

Henderson County sick with influenza-like-illness

DSP 231: Sick 2008-01-03
(Flickr photo by Vern Hart)

ATHENS — An outbreak of influenza-like-illness (ILI) that has spread across the country has hit Henderson County hard.

East Texas Medical Center Athens Infection Preventionist Mary Pruitt said the Athens hospital is full with every bed taken, and has been that way for several days. She said the hospital emergency room has seen its record for number of patients seen in a day broken twice in the past week.

The ER, which usually averages well less than 100 patients, saw 146 one day.

The most current flu surveillance report from the Texas State Department of State Health Services lists activity as “widespread” and the intensity as “high.”

Nationally, the numbers are up as well.

“Reports of influenza-like-illness (ILI) are nearing what have been peak levels during moderately severe seasons,” said Dr. Joe Bresee, who is Chief of the Epidemiology and Prevention Branch in Centers for Disease Control’s Influenza Division.

“While we can’t say for certain how severe this season will be, we can say that a lot of people are getting sick with influenza and we are getting reports of severe illness and hospitalizations,” said Bresee.

Pruitt said things are bad enough that “if you don’t have to go out, stay home.”

She also asked that people suffering with a common cold not come to the hospital or visit the emergency room in order to allow the hospital to treat those who are seriously ill.

Pruitt said one of the key indicators is fever. Flu and more serious instances of ILI often bring a temperature of 102 degrees or higher.

“People with a common cold will run a temperature more like 99.6 or 100,” she said, “and not have the higher temperature.”

Health professionals encourage everyone to practice common sense habits to protect yourself:

  • Avoid close contact
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.
  • Clean your hands.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
  • Get plenty of sleep, be active, drink plenty of fluids, eat right.

Doctors have also taken the time to point out that CBD can help those already infected in dealing with current symptoms. CBD has been shown to relieve fevers, reduce pain, and act as a decongestant. There is more symptoms that are alleviated with CBD however we recommend that you check it out for yourself. Try wholesale CBD to read more about how it can help you, buy cbd flower is the new therapeutic potentials for this miracle molecule. CBD is proven to have great health benefits. Buy CBD Products online today!

“The flu is a bad thing and you don’t want it,” said Pruitt.

Greene drops nativity lawsuit

Nativity SceneATHENS — San Antonio Atheist Patrick Greene announced this morning he is withdrawing his lawsuit against Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders in connection with the nativity scene displayed on the courthouse lawn each December.

In the lawsuit, Greene said Sanders, “abused his position as judicial head of Henderson County, by giving official governmental permission to private citizens to display this Christian Nativity scene. This also violated Article 1, Section 6 of the Texas Constitution; ‘No human authority ought, in any case whatever, to control or interfere with the rights of conscience in matters of religion, and no preference shall ever be given by lay to any religious society or mode of worship.’”

Greene filed the lawsuit in late December. You can read more about the lawsuit here. You can read more about Greene’s involvement in Henderson County and the nativity controversy here.

Greene said he was dropping the lawsuit “because something far more important has come up.”

“I discovered a woman who is in prison who got there without due process, and I am going to try to get her out,” he said.

The woman is Meagan Adams, who was one of three teenagers to be convicted in 2003 for murdering Adams’ grandmother and guardian. Adams was 16 at the time.

Adams admits to being involved in the crime, but writes, “I do take responsibility for my part in this case, but I feel my sentence was extreme. I was a child and since then I have grown and realized so much. I have so many goals. I have so much that I want to do with my life, but I just need someone who will take a chance on me.”

Greene has decided to take that chance.

Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis said the county was thankful to have the lawsuit behind them.

“We’re thankful for whatever reason that Mr. Greene decided to drop his lawsuit,” he said.

County officials keep an eye on unfunded mandates

Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders.
Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders.

ATHENS — With the 83rd Texas Legislature convening in Austin this week, Henderson County Now asked county officials what issues they are watching the closest … and we received the same answer all around.

“I’m concerned about any unfunded mandates the state might pass,” said County Judge Richard Sanders, “that’s always a big concern.”

Wikipedia defines unfunded mandate as “a statute or regulation that requires a state or local government to perform certain actions, with no money provided for fulfilling the requirements.”

As an example, county officials pointed out the spiraling cost of court appointed attorneys, which have cost local taxpayers about $900,000 the past two years.

“Originally, (the state) was going to fund 50 percent,” said Pct. 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin. “Now it is basically just enough so they can say they’re in it.”

Sanders said Austin only paid $32,000 to the county last year for court appointed attorneys.

“That is the model for an unfunded mandate right there,” Sanders said.

Pct. 2 Commissioner Wade McKinney said he is watching for “anytime they push down state duties onto the county, where the county has to provide more services with limited revenue.”

He said, “A lot of those regulatory issues are what we really worry about.”

The Texas Association of Counties general counsel Jim Allen fights for counties in Austin, but he’s about the only one, according to McKinney.

“That’s the organization that lobbies on behalf of the counties,” he said. “Very effective, very able gentleman. Those are the type of issues he watches and keeps us informed of.”

As an example of how the county could be impacted, McKinney pointed out how they almost lost $53,000 in road and bridge money during the last Legislative Session.

“It’s a small amount … but still, that’s $53,000 divided amongst the four precincts that we almost lost.”

The 83rd Regular Session of the Legislature will run through May 27.

Daily Brief: Wednesday, Jan. 9

Rain_Rain_Go_Away_1_-_WW_Denslow_-_Project_Gutenberg_etext_18546Rain, rain go away
Come again some other day

Actually, the rain is a good thing for Henderson County. We’ve seen way too much of drought in recent years. Still, when the rain comes down like it did last night — and the way it is forecast for today — that children’s song always comes to mind.

I checked, and that little phrase goes back at least to the 17th century… and a version of it has been around all the way back to Ancient Greece.

So remember to take your umbrella today, and when you unconsciously hum “rain, rain” under your breath you will know you are singing the hits from the 1600s.

—

The Legislature convened yesterday amid declarations of being different than Washington, D.C.

Here at HCTNow, we had a story about State Rep. Jim Pitts filing legislation to extend the no-cellphone-while-driving-in-a-school-zone rule to the entire school property for elementary and middle schools.

—

The Athens City Council will be holding its “regular” special meeting today at 11:30 a.m. The council nearly always holds a special meeting the Wednesday afternoon before their Monday night regular meeting.

I used to be bothered by the pre-meeting meeting, but I have since changed my mind. Now I think it is pretty smart. On Wednesday, council members get to learn about what they will vote on Monday night, giving them several days to think about the issue. The setup also gives citizens several extra days to learn what the council is doing.

And with one meeting in the afternoon and one at night, a broader spectrum of citizens have the opportunity to see their council in action.

I call it a win-win.

—

The county has lowered the speed limit on Mill Run Road from 60 mph all the way down to 35 mph. We applaud the change — we’re all for safety.

Rich Flowers over at the Review has a good story about the change.

 

—

Keep dry out there … and if you are one of the fans following the TVCC basketball teams to Brenham for their games against Blinn tonight: Be Careful!

UPDATE: TVCC has announced it will stream tonight’s games live online.

Daily Brief: Tuesday, Jan. 8

It is Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013 … the first day of the 83rd Texas Legislative Session.

Not a whole lot expected to happen today other than lawmakers taking the oath of office and some paperwork.

Later today, we will have a story about a bill filed by State Rep. Jim Pitts regarding the use of cellphones while driving around schools.

—

Today also marks the first meeting of Henderson County Commissioners’ Court.

I went by there this morning but, as one official said, the agenda was “long and laborious” so I didn’t stay. I did get an interview with the County Judge and couple of the commissioners regarding their take on the upcoming Legislative Session. That story will be posted later today or early tomorrow.

—

Now that we’ve got THAT out of the way, we can move on to the important news. Local high school sports returns in full swing tonight.

—

It is also registration day at Trinity Valley Community College. This is from the TVCC Facebook Page. 

It’s registration day at The Valley! Welcome new students and those of you coming back for another semester. It’s going to be great to see all of you on campus today. If you have any questions you need answered, please remember you can ask them here and we’ll do our best to help you out. Here’s a link to the schedule finder if you’re needing your registration time. Just type in Spring 2013 and it will bring up the info. Have a wonderful day Valley family!

Check it out here.

 

—

AISD faveOne of the important area Facebook pages is the one for Athens ISD. 

Here is my favorite photo posted over there this week.

—

Ending on a down note today. It has been announced that My Favorite Things in Malakoff will be closing. I cannot tell you how sad this makes me. Jessica Crye and her mother have been a wonderful addition to the Malakoff downtown and their absence will surely be felt.

We’ll miss you.