Category: Top 5 Stories

Story No. 1 – Athens Day at the Capitol: Tuesday, members of the Athens community traveled to Austin for Athens Day at the Capitol.
Why it is important: Face time with elected officials is one of the most important factors in government.
Learn more: There was a story in the Review. 

Story No. 2 – County lawmakers file legislation: State Reps. Jim Pitts and Lance Gooden have both filed legislation that is drawing attention.
Why it is important: There is a reason we call them “law-makers” … it is sort of what they are supposed to be doing.
Learn more: I wrote about this issue. 

Story No. 3 – Local connections to Carnival Triumph: The country watched in fascination as a crippled cruise ship limped its way into port this week.
Why it is important: Besides the media attention the story received, we learned that a Kemp resident with ties to Malakoff was onboard.
Learn more: Rather than giving you a link, just Google “Carnival Triumph.”

Story No. 4 – Lady Cards are No. 1: The Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinals moved into the top spot in the national ranking this week.
Why it is important: Because the Lady Cards have a legitimate shot to repeat as national champions.
Learn more: In the TVCC Sports Notes. 

Story No. 5 – Big honor for Railway Cafe: The Railway Cafe in Athens was named in the Texas Monthly recommendations section.
Why it is important: Because we love Texas Monthly .. and we love the Railway Cafe.
Learn more: Rich Flowers over at the Review had a good story. 

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WHAT YOU MISSED

Our first birth announcement. Nice to meet you Alexis Faith Crye.

The Athens ISD February Teachers of the Month were named.

We had some photos from a sweet bake sale for Valentine’s Day.

Obituaries: Thomas Simmons. 

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WHAT OTHERS ARE TALKING ABOUT

We need to celebrate academics just as much as athletics … and this story by Jayson Larson on an Athens boy’s gold medal in number sense does just that.

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Don’t forget to check our community calendar for this weekend’s cool events: Barrel racing in Malakoff; Heart & Sole at the Cain Center; and the For the Love of Art show.

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Story No. 1 – School funding unconstitutional: A Texas district judge this week ruled that the state’s system for funding public education is unconstitutional.
Why it is important: The school funding issue sort of cuts to the heart of the current debate in the country: How are you going to pay for the government services you want?
Learn more: The story led off our Tuesday Daily Brief. https://hendersoncountytexasnow.com/daily-brief-judge-says-school-funding-is-unconstitutional/

Story No. 2 – 100 Days of School: The school calendar hit 100 days this week. South Athens Elementary School celebrated with a big event, which included the community.
Why it is important: Because 100 is a big number for elementary students.
Learn more: We had some pretty cool photos. http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.209947172483740.63755.184307831714341&type=3

Story No. 3 – Court dedication: TVCC will official name its basketball court for former mens coach Leon Spencer Saturday.
Why it is important: Spencer coached the Cards for 42 years.
Learn more: Here is a story from KLTV http://www.kltv.com/story/21079743/tvcc-to-dedicate-court-to-former-coach. The court will be dedicated in a ceremony at halftime of the women’s game (approximately 4:45 p.m.) The first 300 fans in attendance will receive a commemorative Leon Spencer Court Dedication button, which features a photo of Coach Spencer along with his signature.

Story No. 4 – CCL Day in Austin: Tuesday was Cedar Creek Lake Day in Austin, with dozens of lake-area residents making the trip with the CCL Area Chamber of Commerce.
Why it is important: Because lawmakers need to hear local voices, particularly when they are in session.
Learn more: Kathi Nailing at the Review has the story. http://www.athensreview.com/local/x503844300/Cedar-Creek-Lake-gets-its-day-in-Austin

Story No. 5 – Score!: Athens High School senior Gerardo de la Fuente battled back from a deadly disease to go from the hospital, to the soccer pitch, to GOOOAAAALLLLL!!
Why it is important: Gerardo had aplastic anemia, which is a devastating disease.
Learn more: Joe Elerson tells the story in the Review. 

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ON TAP

A big Saturday, including the Cain Center’s annual coat/garage sale, pancakes out in Eustace, and baseball/softball signups. Check out our community calendar.

In addition to the Leon Spencer Court Dedication (see above), Trinity Valley Community College will also be hosting its annual rodeo. 

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WHAT YOU MISSED

AARP is providing free tax return preparation. 

Obituaries: James Harold Rains and Larry Gideon.

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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.

Story No. 1 – Kaufman County shooting: Kaufman County Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse was gunned down in what appears to be an assassination Thursday morning.
Why it is important: Although it didn’t happen in Henderson County, the shooting rocked our area. The thought that the murder might be connected with the Aryan Brotherhood is even more chilling.
Learn more: There are stories in just about every news source … but the Review did a nice job with their reporting and found a local attorney who was in Kaufman at the time of the shooting.

Story No. 2 – Lady Cards roll on for Kay: The TVCC Lady Cardinals remain ranked No. 3 nationally and are in great position for the run up to March Madness. On Wednesday, they also spent time raising money for cancer awareness.
Why it is important: On a community level, Play 4 Kay has become an important event. On a sports level, the defending national champions are setting themselves up to be the team to beat.
Learn more: Play 4 Kay is one of those events best reported on through photos, and TVCC has dozens on its Facebook page. 

Story No. 3 – Shuttle Columbia anniversary: Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Shuttle Columbia tragedy.
Why it is important: I’m not sure anyone who was around at that time will ever forget picking up pieces of the space shuttle from yards all around Henderson County.
Learn more: Again, this is a story with plenty of media coverage. Locally, the Review and the Tyler Paper. 

Story No. 4 – Time to file for office: The filing period for May city and school board elections opened Wednesday and closes March 1.
Why it is important: This is your chance to be a part of government at Athens ISD and the cities of Athens, Malakoff, Gun Barrel City, Caney City, Brownsboro and Eustace.
Learn more: This was our Wednesday Daily Brief. 

Story No. 5 – Congress Hensarling visits: Congressman Jeb Hensarling visited Athens Wednesday, speaking to a packed house at the Henderson County Annex meeting room.
Why it is important: Truthfully, the congressman didn’t say much that he hasn’t been saying since he first was elected in 2003. However, it is noteworthy that he still finds the time to come to one of the smaller parts of his district and talk to his constituents face-to-face.
Learn more: If you really want to know Congressman Hensarling’s positions, his website is probably the best place to start.

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ON TAP TONIGHT

Athens ISD basketball is on the road to Mineola, while the boys soccer team is home to host Crandall. 

Malakoff ISD basketball is home to host Red Oak.

Eustace ISD basketball is home to host Dallas Life Oak. 

Cross Roads ISD basketball is home to take on Cayuga. 

Brownsboro ISD basketball is home for Canton. 

Mabank ISD basketball is on the road at Van. 

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WHAT YOU MISSED

The Trinity Valley Community College Lady Cardinal softball team opens its season today. 

Income tax preparation help from AARP begins today. 

A medieval-looking monster was found in Lake Athens. 

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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.

Story No. 1 – Eustace fires police chief: The Eustace City Council terminated Troy Tucker Monday night in a 3-2 vote.
Why it is important: Community and council members credit Tucker with helping to clean up the area’s drug problem.
Learn more: We were there, and here’s the story. 

Story No. 2 – Malakoff girl, daughter dies: The Malakoff community mourned this week following the death of Jamiya Givens Williams and her infant daughter, Alahna, Sunday night in a car accident.
Why it is important: Jamiya, 16, was a well-loved member of the community and her death hit Malakoff High School hard. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 6 p.m. Sunday at the Malakoff High School football field.
Learn more: The Athens Review talked to the DPS.

Story No. 3 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day events: There are plenty of local events scheduled to celebrate MLK Day.
Why it is important: Dr. King stood for justice, and we can still use justice these days.
Learn more: A parade is scheduled for Saturday, as well as a Gospel Explosion. A candlelight vigil will be held Monday night. 

Story No. 4 – County to get an armored car: The Henderson County Commissioners’ Court approved the purchase of an armored vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department.
Why it is important: Because our Sheriff’s Department has engaged in plenty of dangerous situations.
Learn more: Eric Walsh over at The Malakoff News has a story.

Story No. 5 – Milburn Chaney’s collection: County Tax Collector Milburn Chaney has a very cool collection of sports autographs.
Why it is important: We’re not sure we’d say it’s important, but it sure is cool.
Learn more: Thanks to the Tyler Paper for bringing us the story.