Category: Uncategorized

County is in moderate drought

It might be time to start praying for rain.

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Henderson County is currently in a moderate drought and the impact is being felt.

Earlier this week, the Henderson County Fire Marshal issued a statement saying we are in a period of “high fire danger.”

“The current fuel load and winds make it very dangerous to burn,” Fire Marshal Shane Renberg said.

In addition, the water level at Cedar Creek Lake is down almost 10 percent to 319.98 feet. The photos were taken today and show the lake from the SH 334 bridge near GBC City Hall.

According to the Tarrant Regional Water District daily reports, CCL is losing an average of 110 million gallons per day through evaporation this week. Those same reports show TRWD has not pumped any water out of the lake in at least the past 14 days.

There’s a small chance of rain possible on Saturday, but that is the only precipitation on the National Weather Service forecast.

Athens council makes decision on Cain Center project

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN
The Cain Center project has a budget.

After 2.5 hours of discussion and brainstorming Friday afternoon, the Athens City Council set a direction for the Cain Center.

The council unanimously voted to spend $5.8 million to go with a $2.5 million gift from the Cain Foundation to put the project budget at $8.3 million.

That budget allowed the council to put an additional $2.9 million toward water and/or wastewater projects.

The decision moves the project forward and allows the design team to get back to work.

With this budget, the design of the Cain Center very similar to its past, but with an updated, multipurpose pool and a new exercise area.

But that design could still change, although the budget would not.

Councilwoman Toni Garrard Clay floated the idea putting the Henderson County Clint W. Murchison Library on the upper floor of the Cain Center. The idea got a positive reception, but it was pointed out that there were complicating factors before it could become reality.

The council decided to take the next 30 days to explore if the library idea is feasible.

Obituary: James Weldon Passmore


James Weldon Passmore, 70, of Athens, Texas went to be with his heavenly father on January 6, 2018. He was born July 9, 1947 in Beaumont, Texas to J.W. Passmore and Ruby Passmore

In 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and then was transferred to the Marines as a Corpsman. He served in Viet Nam until 1970 when he was honorably discharged. He received two Purple Hearts as result of injuries received during service.

After discharge from the Marines, he moved to Huntsville, Texas. There he studied at Sam Houston State and worked as an X-ray tech. In 1970 he married his wife Linda Spivey. James and Linda had two sons, Stephen and John.

After graduating from Sam Houston with a double major in History and Biology, James held various positions with U.S. Post Office and FMC. In 1986 the family moved to Athens, Texas where James managed the Argon Bristol Meyers Squibb facility. In 1993 He left employment with Argon to start a new medical device company, FutureMatrix Interventional, Inc.  From 1993 to 2015, under Mr. Passmore’s leadership as Chairman and CEO, FutureMatrix grew from nine employees to over 400 and became a significant medical device developer and manufacture. The company manufactures several proprietary medical devices invented by the Company, which have greatly helped physicians in vascular procedures.

During this same time, Mr. Passmore became dedicated to giving back to the community by helping people get jobs that otherwise might be unemployable. This also included feeding the hungry and providing clothes and shelter to others. Training these people and helping them become stable members of the community with a strong emphasis on Christian values at the work place and away. James was a long-time member of Eastern Hills Church of Christ where he worked on various ministries, including Meals of Kindness, Jail Ministry and Willing Hands Ministry. James also loved to teach Sunday school and Bible classes. He also led bible studies at FutureMatrix. In 2011 James and Linda Passmore started Athens Soup Kitchen which provides free meals to the needy of Athens and operates on donations and volunteers from throughout the community.

Mr. Passmore was a loving, dedicated husband, father and grandfather which will be greatly missed. He loved participating in sports with his two sons, including coaching youth baseball, and other events involving his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Linda Passmore, son Stephen Passmore of Athens, daughter in law Emily, son john Passmore and daughter in law Shannon, grandchildren Ashley Beenie (Jonathan), Joseph Ryan Passmore, Ruthie Passmore, Gracie Passmore, Emma Passmore, Christian Passmore and Lanie Passmore; great grandchildren Makinlee Beenie, Gracie Beenie and Raelynn Beenie; nieces and nephews Susan Smith (Andrew) Paul and Michael. Other family members Gary and Alice McConathy, Denise and Mike Vickers, Rhonda Glena, Amber Vickers, Kristal Allen and Rene Glena.

He was preceded in death by his parents, J. W. and Ruby Passmore and sister Bonnie Norsworthy.

Visitation will be Tuesday January 9, 2018 5-7 p.m. at Eastern Hills Church of Christ, Athens, Texas.

Funeral services will be Wednesday January 10, 2018 2 p.m., at Eastern Hills Church of Christ, Athens, Texas. Interment will be at Athens City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Stephen Passmore, John Passmore, Sam Alford, Allen Boswell, Freddie Paul and Ramon Castaneda

Memorials or donations may be made to: Athens Soup Kitchen P.O. Box 1436 Athens, Texas 75751, Boles Home and Disciples Clinic.

Arrangements by Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Obituary: Troy ‘Mutt’ Trussel

Troy “Mutt” Trussel passed away on Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Tyler, Texas.  He was born on October 13, 1925 in Van Zandt County  to John Rance and  Nancy Raney Trussell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sons; Freddy “Shorty” Trussell and John Bert Trussell, grandson, Wesley Trussell, sisters; Jerry Hardy, Bessie Cleveland, Evelyn York and Ivey Berry, brothers; Jack Trussell and John L. Trussell.
Troy served in the U.S. Army in World War II.  He served in the infantry under General Patton during the Battle of the Bulge.  Later was a Truck driver by trade.  He was a life long resident of Henderson County and a Baptist by faith. He will most be remembered as a loving husband, father and great-grandfather and great great grandfather.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Pauline Trussell, daughters; Brenda “Jimmy”  Mosely ,  Johnnie “Mary” Durham, foster son, Johnny Engledow, grandsons; Ricky Trussell, Damon Durham, Lance Mosely, John Brandon Trussell, Billy Trussell, Dustin Trussell, Wesley Trussell and Chad Trussell. Granddaughters; Denese Durham and Dianna Coates, 19 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home with Rev. Gene Bishop officiating.  Visitation will be held from 1-2 p.m. prior to service.  Private burial to follow.  Arrangements entrusted to Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home.

Master Gardeners host seed starting presentation

By Lydia Holley/Special to HCNow

Master Gardener Jeanne Brown will present “Sowing Your Seeds for Spring Starts: Eggplants, Peppers and Tomatoes” on Tuesday, December 19, 5:30 p.m. at the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library, 121 S. Prairieville, Athens, as soon as they learn to connect mac to projector. This presentation is a part of the Henderson County Master Gardener Association’s “Learn at the Library” series, held on the third Tuesday of each month.

During the presentation, Brown will explain step by step how to start your seeds now so you can have eggplants, peppers and tomatoes early in the season. She will also explain the type of soil in which you need to start your seeds, how often to water the seeds, how to prevent damping off, how to harden off your new seedlings, when to transplant them into pots or open ground, how to transplant, and how to protect your new seedlings during the unpredictable spring weather. Knowing how to successfully start your plants from seed is especially important if you are interested in saving seed from year to year, growing heirloom vegetables, or wish to save a little bit of money by growing your plants from seed instead of purchasing starts.

Continue reading “Master Gardeners host seed starting presentation”