Story 1 — April is Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Awareness month: April is Child Abuse Awareness and Sexual Assault Awareness month in Texas and, as is the custom in Henderson County, time for the people who fight against the violent scourge to come together. Why it’s important: The East Texas Crisis Center has already helped 15 victims of sexual assault in just the first three months of 2013. Read more:Here.
Story 2 — TVCC Lady Cardinals celebrates national title: Trinity Valley Community College held a community celebration for the 2013 NJCAA National Champion Lady Cardinals. Why it’s important: Because national titles are always important, and this one was No. 7. Read more: I wrote about why the community was so committed to this team.
Story 3 — April 20 is Go Blue Day: The District Attorney’s Office, County Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and Child Advocacy Center are promoting the Go Blue t-shirt campaign for the fifth straight year. Why it’s important: See Top Story No. 1. Read more: Here are the important details on the shirts.
Story 4 — ETMC eyes budget cuts: The East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System announced this week it is planning 5 to 7 percent budget cuts. Why it’s important: ETMC runs Henderson County’s hospital Read more: The Athens Daily Review had the story.
Story 5 — Cheerleaders headed to national championship: The Trinity Valley Community College Cheerleaders are hoping to repeat history starting April 11 as they participate in national competition in Florida. Why it’s important: The cheerleaders are looking for their 10th title. Read more: Here is the info. on the public performance of the tournament routine.
Story 1 — Outpouring of love for Belle: The community rallied around the Mills family after 8-year-old daughter Belle was kicked in the head by a horse Monday night. Why it’s important: This shows what community can really be about. Read more: Check out the Facebook Page Belle’s siblings set up for her.
Story 2 — It’s Livestock Show time: The 53rd Annual Henderson County Livestock Show gets under way Monday, March 18. Why it’s important: Hundreds of kids from all corners of the county will be involved in the event. Read more:Check out the schedule here.
Story 3 — Triathlon time: The Cain Center is hosting its annual triathlon Saturday. Why it’s important: Motorists need to be aware that there will be bike riders and runners out on the road. Read more: Here’s the important info … The route will go out Loyola, then turn Southbound on 19, then turn West on loop 7, and will remain on the loop to 31. At 31 they will turn around and come back on the same route.
Story 4 — Lady Cards are #Chasing7: The TVCC women’s basketball team leaves for Salina, Kansas Saturday morning to try and repeat as national champions. Why it’s important: If the ladies win, it will be the seventh title for the program. Read more: Learn more about the tournament at the NJCAA site.
Story 5 — Disciples Clinic needs volunteers: The clinic, which provides health care for low-income residents, is in need of help. Why it’s important: This is the only place some people have for health care. Read more: Rich Flowers at the Review has a story.
Story 1 — Splash Pad deadline: The Athens Splash Pad project organizers have raised nearly three-quarters of the needed funds … but must raise an additional $20,000 by next Friday, March 15, in order to build the splash pad this summer. Why it’s important: Everyone has worked so hard, it would be disheartening if construction doesn’t start for this summer. Read more: I wrote about this as part of an AMA.
Story 2 — TVCC Lady Cardinals still rolling: TVCC was playing Angelina in the Region XIV semifinal while I was writing, but were expected to win and advance to the championship game 3 p.m. Saturday at the Patriot Center, UT Tyler. Why it’s important: The Lady Cardinals are looking to repeat as national champions. Read more: Joe Ellerson at the Review has been following both the TVCC men and the women.
Story 3 — Former Henderson County sheriff Charlie Fields, Jr. passed away: Fields died March 2. Why it’s important: He was Sheriff of Henderson County from 1978 until his retirement in 1986. Charlie was a member of First Baptist Church and a lifelong resident of Henderson County. Read more: Here is his obituary.
Story 4 — Brownsboro ISD hires AD/football coach: Jason Hooker was named BISD’s new athletic director and head football coach. Why it’s important: The leader of the sports program at one of the county’s biggest schools is always important. Read more: Chad Wilson has the story at The Statesman.
Story 5 — Spring Ahead: It is Daylight Savings time. Turn the clock ahead one hour 2 a.m. Sunday. Why it’s important: You want to get to church on time, dontcha? Read more: OK, here’s the Wikipedia article.
The Athens Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Thursday for the new shuttle service offered by the Chariot bus line. Above, Kim Hodges (left) presents Helen Thornton and Gates Community Church Pastor Alan Coleman with a token of appreciation. (MICHAEL V. HANNIGAN PHOTO)
TOP 5 STORIES OF THE WEEK
Story 1 — Athens gets shuttle service: The Chariot Bus Lines is expanding to include a shuttle service inside the city of Athens starting Friday, March 1. Why it’s important: In a town with little in the way of public transportation, this is an important service. Read more: We had a story from the ribbon cutting.
Story 2 — City Council makes a splash: The Athens City Council approved more than $34,000 in funds and in-kind donations to the Spalsh Pad project this week. Why it’s important: The Splash Pad project is getting close to having enough money to break ground. Read more: Jayson Larson at the Review was on the story.
Story 3 — Reward increased for murdered assistant DA: The reward in case of murdered Kaufman County Assistant DA Mark Hasse has hit six figures. Why it’s important: The murderers are still on the loose. Read more: The Dallas Morning News crime blog reported the increase.
Story 4 — Athens sailor sentenced in Japan: US Navy sailor and Athens resident Christopher Browning was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison for raping and robbing a woman in Japan. Why it’s important: Athens is in the international news. Read more:The Associated Press (here through ABC) covered the story.
Story 5 — Texas Independence Day: Saturday, March 2, is Texas Independence Day. Why it’s important: Because we’re Texans! Read more: Henderson County Commissioners’ Court approved a proclamation for the day, and we were there.
Softball sign-ups for the Henderson County Girls Softball Association have begun. Sign-ups will be Saturday, March 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Cain Park.
Malakoff Teenage Baseball/Softball scheduled sign ups March 2 under the pavilion at Kilman field from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students from Malakoff, CrossRoads, Athens and Trinidad areas are eligible.
The Trinity Valley Community College Music Department will present a concert, titled “Our Musical Heritage, the Folk Music of America,” at 3 p.m. March 3. The concert will take place at Dogwood Church in Athens and there is no charge for admission. Dogwood Church is located at 6467 Farm-to-Market Road 2494 in Athens.
Trinity Valley Community College will host the Cruisin’ Cardinals Car Show from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. March 2 in the front parking lot of the Athens campus. The show is open to all makes and models of car, truck, motorcycle and boat. Registration for the show is $15 for a car or truck and $7 for a motorcycle or a boat. Awards will be given for best of show. Registration is not needed in advance, but can be done at the event. For more information, contact the TVCC Student Activities Office at 903-675-6252. The show proceeds will benefit students taking an alternative spring break in Romania to help orphans in need.
Story 1 — Plans for the old hospital?: The left-for-dead, old Henderson County Hospital could get new life as an assisted-living facility for veterans. Why it’s important: Because one of the most iconic and important buildings in Athens is crumbling away. Read more:The Athens Review has a story.
Story 2 — Hoops playoff action: It’s that time of the year, and Athens, Mabank, and Brownsboro all made it to the postseason. Why it’s important: Even though Athens was knocked out Tuesday night, both Mabank and Brownsboro were alive going into Friday night. Read more: Each of the local papers has stories about their particular teams.
Story 3 — Merry Christmas bill filed: Sen. Robert Nichols filed legislation this week to protect the “use (of) traditional holiday greetings such as ‘Merry Christmas’ and ‘Happy Hanukkah’ on school grounds.” Why it’s important: This is a shot fired in the culture wars. Read more: We have the senator’s announcement.
Story 4 — Home and Garden Show: Keep Athens Beautiful will be hosting its annual Home and Garden Show on Saturday. Why it’s important: Over the past eight years, this has become a big event in Henderson County. Read more: Here is the Facebook event page. We’ll be at the event, so watch for our posts.
Story 5 — Still time to file: The filing period for May city and school board elections closes next Friday, March 1. Why it’s important: This is your chance to be a part of democracy. Read more: The incumbents have filed in Athens.
