Daily Brief-Henderson County Now

Daily Brief: This Week’s Top 5 Stories

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: The Rev. Billy Wright of New Hope Corinth CME Church in Malakoff lights a candle at the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Candlelight Vigil Monday, Jan. 21. (MICHAEL V. HANNIGAN PHOTO)

Story No. 1 – Country music legend dies: Henderson County is in mourning over the loss of Tony Douglas, a Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Fame inductee. He also owned and operated Papa T’s in Athens.
Why it is important: Tony was a well-known and much-loved member of the community.
Learn more: Jayson Larson at the Review had a good story, and here is his obituary.

Story No. 2 – College for All at AHS: The Murchison Foundation has provided the money so Athens High School has provided the way to allow AHS students attend college while still in school.
Why it is important: As AHS Principal Jami Ivey said, “The only way to change somebody’s life is through education.”
Learn more: We have that story this week.

Story No. 3 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day: The county celebrated the life of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Monday.
Why it is important: What we forget, we repeat.
Learn more: We were at the MLK Day parade and the Candlelight Vigil.

Story No. 4 – January is School Board Appreciation Month: Texas sets aside January to honor the members of local school boards.
Why it is important: Because these folks do a lot of work and get a lot of grief for little recognition.
Learn more: Henderson County Now listed all the school board members in the county this week.

Story No. 5 – Couple arrested for trying to sell baby: From the Are You Kidding Me Department comes the story of the Mabank couple who tried to sell a one-month-old baby.
Why it is important: Are you kidding me!
Learn more: The Review broke the story.

—

ON TAP TONIGHT

The Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals are scheduled to make a public appearance to promote their “Play 4 Kay” event today from 4-6 p.m. at McDonald’s in Athens. The team will have pink T-shirts and other pink items for purchase. They will also sign autographs. TVCC will participate in the national Play 4 Kay campaign during it’s game next Wednesday against Paris at 5:30 p.m.

Athens High School basketball and soccer teams are all on the road tonight.

Malakoff High School boys and girls basketball is home tonight to face Palmer.

Cross Roads High School boys and girls basketball teams are traveling to Kerens.

Eustace High School boys and girls basketball will be home to host Kemp.

—

WHAT YOU MISSED

Murchison Foundation helps fund College for All at Athens High School.

State Rep. Lance Gooden writes from Austin.

Obituaries for Mary Lee Husketh and C.D. Smith.

—

WHAT OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT

The Review has a story about Tammi Branch discussing the personal cost of drunk driving.

The Tyler Paper reported on a retired dentist getting 20 years for killing his wife.

—

If you need something added to the Daily Brief, just click “Contact” in the menu bar and let us know.

You can get the Daily Brief in your inbox, Monday through Friday. Just add your email in the form below and let Henderson County Now come to you.

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

Daily Brief: Tough week for Henderson County

This has been a tough week in Henderson County as far as community icons passing away.

News broke yesterday that country music legend Tony Douglas passed away. Tony is a member of the Country Music Association of Texas Hall of Fame and for the past several years has operated Papa T’s in Athens.

According to his obituary:

Following an honorable discharge in 1954, Tony took employment with Lone Star Gas Company in Athens and continued to pursue a music career on weekends. In 1956 he recorded his first record and was invited to appear as a guest on the Louisiana Hayride. After his second appearance he signed a three-year contract. In 1961 he gained national attention with his song “Shrimpin’” and his band became known as “Tony Douglas and the Shrimpers.” Another great single, “Thank You For Touching My Life” was released in 1972. For over three decades, Tony Douglas and The Shrimpers crisscrossed the nation bringing enjoyment to multitudes of people.

Athens also saw the passing of Kiwanis and Rotary Club member Paul Harrup, Jr.

Paul served on many civic committees and was an active member in the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs. He was a Master Mason, thirty-second degree Scottish Rite and Shriner of the Tyler Court Royal Order of Jesters of the Sharon Temple Shrine. He was a member of the Salesmanship Club of Tyler and First Baptist Church of Mabank. Paul will be remembered for his terrific sense of humor and the ability to tell a joke. His office kept an open door for friends or anyone else who would engage in a hearty political discussion.

Finally, Seven Points is mourning C.D. Smith, who has long been a leader in that community. C.D. passed away in Galveston. The Monitor has a nice story about C.D.

A memorial service for C.D. has been set for 2 p.m. Saturday.

—

Athens High School students are getting the chance to go to earn college credits before graduation … thanks in no small part to the Murchison Foundation. Read Part 1 of my two-part story.

—

ON TAP TONIGHT

The Malakoff ISD school board will meet 7 p.m. in the MISD Administration building.

The Cross Roads ISD school board will meet at 7 p.m. in the CRISD Administration Building.

—

WHAT YOU MISSED

State Sen. Jim Pitts filed legislation to “reaffirm and protect Texans’ second amendment rights.”

Obituary for Maxine Wood Darby.

—

WHAT OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT

The Athens Review has a story about a Mabank couple accused of trying to sell a one-month-old baby.

—

If you need something added to the Daily Brief, just click “Contact” in the menu bar and let us know.

You can get the Daily Brief in your inbox, Monday through Friday. Just add your email in the form below and let Henderson County Now come to you.

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

Daily Brief: Hornets win tourney; Brownsboro AD on administrative leave

Congratulations to the Athens Hornets on winning the Palestine Wildcat Tournament. (PHOTO COURTESY AISD)

—

Yesterday, Brownsboro ISD Superintendent Chris Moran announced that High School Football Coach and Athletic Director Ty Thomison has been placed on administrative leave.

Moran told The Athens Review — which broke the story — that he could not go into detail on the specifics of the administrative leave, but issued a statement concerning Thomison’s departure and his interim replacement.

The following is the text of Dr. Moran’s statement:

George Losack has been named Interim Athletic Director for the Brownsboro Independent School District in the absence of Ty Thomison who has been placed on Administrative Leave. Mr. Losack has 37 years of experience in education, including service as head football coach and athletic coordinator at both A&M Consolidated and San Marcus High Schools. He has served as an assistant principal for Brownsboro High School for 8 years. District officials are considering all options for leadership of the athletic program and will make the appropriate decisions at the appropriate time. In the meantime, we are thankful to have Mr. Losack’s experience and willingness to serve the students and staff during this time.

Thomison has been coach of the Bears for the past two seasons.

—

ON TAP TONIGHT

The red-hot Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals will be at home tonight to take on Jacksonville College. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m. If you can’t make the game, listen in on a live stream.

—

WHAT YOU MISSED

January is School Board Recognition Month in Texas. We listed the boards of each school district in the county.

We learned that the City of Malakoff has its own Facebook page now.

Obituary for Alice ‘Bobbie’ Berry Rodeghier.

—

WHAT OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT

The Athens Review is reporting that two people were killed in a Tuesday accident on Loop 7. The accident involved a car and a truck. Names have not yet been released, however police said none of the victims were local.

The Ghostriders Drill Team took first place at the Fort Worth Stock Show’s “All Western Parade” last Saturday. The team includes riders from Henderson County. Find out more about the team on its website or its Facebook page.

Chapel Hill ISD is in mourning after a 15-month-old girl was accidentally killed by a school bus.

—

If you need something added to the Daily Brief, just click “Contact” in the menu bar and let us know.

You can get the Daily Brief in your inbox, Monday through Friday. Just add your email in the form below and let Henderson County Now come to you.

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

Get the Daily Brief in your email

Early this month, HCT Now crashed and experienced a total loss of all data … at that time, we lost the capability to email the Daily Brief.

Well, we’ve got it back!

So if you would like to receive the Daily Brief in your email, Monday-Friday, just add your email address below. And thank you for reading.

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

Daily Brief: Celebrating MLK’s Legacy

The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration lasted the weekend in Henderson County, and came to a close Monday night with the annual Henderson County Black History Committee’s annual Candlelight Vigil in Malakoff.

The event was held at New Hope Corinth CME Church and featured the pastor, Rev. Billy Wright, as the speaker.

Wright preached from John 16:32-33:

Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (NKJ)

He also spoke from Dr. King’s “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” speech.

Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!

I posted a photo album from the event on our Facebook page.

The weekend celebration also included an MLK Day parade and a Gospel Explosion on Saturday. I posted a photo album from the parade.

—

WHAT YOU MISSED

Former Malakoff resident Esther Mary Richardson celebrated her 100th birthday recently.

State Sen. Robert Nichols was named chairman of the powerful Transportation Committee.

I added several new events to the Community Calendar. Remember, there is no charge for listing your event with us. Just click the “Contact” tab in the menu bar and let us know what you are doing.

—

WHAT OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT

The Review has a story about a San Antonio man who was killed in a car wreck on State Highway 19 Monday.