People-Henderson County Now

Daily Brief: Friday, Jan. 11

TGIF.

Looks like a fairly quiet weekend ahead. Enjoy it, because next weekend is going to be busy!

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Monday, Jan. 21, is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Scheduled events include:

– MLK Parade: Saturday, Jan. 19
– Gospel Explosion: Saturday, Jan. 19
– Candlelight Vigil: Monday, Jan. 21

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Another big event on the horizon is the Athens Chamber of Commerce Banquet. The event will see big awards, like the Citizen of the Year.

The event is set for 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18. Tickets are still available, but hurry.

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We won’t see as much rain this weekend as we have during the week, but the forecast is still calling for some drizzles. Prepare accordingly.

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The Athens Daily Review has a story about the Athens EDC considering a funding request for the splash pad planned for Kiwanis Park.h

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Finally, I owe a personal thank you to the folks in Malakoff who threw me a wonderful party last night to mark my departure from The Malakoff News. It was beyond anything I could have envisioned and a lot of nice people said some really nice things about me.

I have been very blessed to work in a community full of people who care, and the secret is that I should be the one thanking you for allowing me into your lives and being able to make a living doing what I love.

So, thank you.

Daily Brief: Thursday, Jan. 10

In the photo above, Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught (right) reads the inscription on a gold watch the city presented to former mayor and current Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace Randy Daniel during a council meeting yesterday. Daniel was also presented a plaque for his service. Daniel served as mayor from 2005 through 2012.

Vaught said the presentations were “With much appreciation from the city and the City Council.”

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During the meeting, the council also looked at items that will be on Monday night’s agenda, including appointing Steve Grant to the Airport Advisory Board, a possible air show at the airport, and improvements needed at the facility. No action was taken, but the appointment is expected to be approved Monday.

Rich Flowers over at the Review has more details.

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The UT Tyler Mobile Go Center (MGC) will be at Malakoff High School from 6-8 p.m. tonight.

According to the website:

The University of Texas at Tyler Mobile Go Center is an internet-equipped mobile computer lab providing college-going resources to individuals and their families. The mobile center is designed to increase the number of students enrolled and succeeding in higher education programs in Texas.

Parents of seniors, take note.

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Speaking of Malakoff, the District Attorney’s Office issued a press release yesterday announcing a convicted drug dealer from that area was sentenced to 18 years.

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In case you missed it, San Antonio atheist Patrick Greene has changed his mind … again … about suing over the Henderson County nativity scene.

Anyone want to make book on if he decides to file again?

Didn’t think so.

TVCC honors service milestones

TVCC's Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jerry King (right) gives David Loper (left) a plaque honoring Loper's 40 years of service with the college. At spring in-service this week, TVCC recognized employees who met service milestones. King was also honored during the event for serving 35 years at TVCC. (COURTESY PHOTO) — TVCC’s Vice President of Instruction Dr. Jerry King (right) gives David Loper (left) a plaque honoring Loper’s 40 years of service with the college. At spring in-service this week, TVCC recognized employees who met service milestones. King was also honored during the event for serving 35 years at TVCC. (COURTESY PHOTO)

By Jennifer Hannigan, TVCC Public Information

It has been four decades since David Loper came to work at Trinity Valley Community College. At the college’s annual spring in-service event Monday, he was honored for his dedication along with other TVCC employees who achieved five-year milestones in their employment status. The hosting of service awards is often used to celebrate those who have dedicated their lives to the improvement of a company and their contribution to its community.

The employees who have reached milestone years were honored with pins and plaques at the event. Loper, who is the chair of the college’s business and marketing division, was the employee who reached the highest milestone this year with 40 years of service.

For serving 35 years, the college honored Dr. Jerry King, TVCC’s vice president of instruction.

Vice President of Information Technology Mike Abbott, Associate Vice President of Information Technology Brett Daniel, science instructor Jim Guillory, and TVCC Health Science Center Provost Dr. Helen Reid were all honored for reaching 30 years of service.

Other employees recognized for reaching service milestones were:

25 years – Bo Cargil, Charles Dobroski, Merl Estep, Janet Lumpkin Angie McLeroy and Kay Pulley
20 years – Mary Ensign, Nancy Love, Ben McCartney, Jim McNutt, Bud Richards, Liz Smith
15 years – Richard Davis, Rick Gleason, Misti Hardison, Leslie Prater, Russell Self, Scott Walker, Gail McInnis
10 years – Algia Allen, Cortney Curran, Janet Elledge, David Handorf, Brent Hoffman, Shelia Goldman, Linda Land, Eric Moseley, Therese Sharp
5 years – Rhonda Chandler, Jennifer Evilsizer, Barbara Parr, Marshall Reeves, Melissa Singletary

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.

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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.

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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.

Athens has both boys and girls basketball and a boys soccer scrimmage, all on the road.
Malakoff has both boys and girls basketball playing in Red Oak.
In Cross Roads, the girls will host Kerens (UPDATE: Kerens is currently ranked No. 7 in the state), and the boys will be at Trinidad.
Up in Mabank, the girls will be on the road at Canton, and the boys will be home against Kaufman.

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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.

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

Here is my favorite photo posted over there this week.

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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.

Sweet Assurance sings at PSUMC

Those who attended Fellowship Night at Payne Springs United Methodist were entertained Jan. 2nd by “Sweet Assurance,” a quintet from the First Baptist Church Malakoff. Their voices were perfect harmony, pleasing to everyone. Singers included: Barbara Monroe, Kay Downey, Dottie Crye, Adabeth Routt, and Kathy Clardy. The public is invited to every Fellowship Night. (COURTESY PHOTO)