During a two-day operation, Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and his team of narcotics investigators swarmed across acres of land finding marijuana plants. They also traced this stock to be shipped off to make shatter canada.
“This was a massive, coordinated production/growing operation,” Hillhouse said Thursday. “Too many people think having pot is a harmless crime, but this is a criminal organization that damages property owners land and marijuana leads to other drugs.”
Community turns out to honor Castleberry, Douglas, Fisher
Vivian Castleberry
By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator
Thursday night was a celebration of achievement, past and present, for Athens ISD as many of the community’s leading citizens attended a gala honoring the inaugural class of the Hornet Hall of Fame.
Athens High School class of 1940 graduate Vivian Anderson Castleberry, 1977 AHS graduate Drew Douglas, and the late historic Athens educator R.C. Fisher were all inducted and honored before a crowd of about 90.
“This started with the simple idea that, as a school district, we should not only be looking forward toward our goals, but backward as well, to honor the remarkable achievements of so many who have come before,” said AISD Assistant Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims. “This is only the beginning.”
Each of the inductees were introduced through short biographical videos, which have been posted to the district’s website (www.athensisd.net) and Facebook page (search “Athens Independent School District”). Following their introductions, Castleberry and Douglas were interviewed on stage by AISD Communications Coordinator Toni Garrard Clay about their time as a Hornet and their accomplishments since. Following Fisher’s biographical piece, Fisher High Alumni Association President Prince Fite joined Clay on stage to discuss his experience as a 1962 graduate of R.C. Fisher High School, which closed in 1966 with desegregation.
The Family Peace Project held a retirement reception for Marlena Taylor today. Marlena has been the heart and soul of the FPP since it’s inception 15 years ago.
Interview with Marlena Taylor at the reception for her retirement from the Family Peace Project. pic.twitter.com/tI2TQLUVHM
Several readers have reached out to us, questioning why TxDOT is working on SH 274 between Trinidad and Tool. So we asked the state for you.
TxDOT Public Information Officer Kathi White wrote in an email: “Although we understand that SH 274 for the most part is in good condition, it was selected for seal coat based on surface cracking that is difficult to see traveling the roadway at highway speeds. It is imperative that we seal the surface now in order to prevent water from infiltrating these cracks and deteriorating the pavement structure in order to keep the roadway in good condition. Seal coating is a very cost effective maintenance tool that allows us to extend the life of our pavements and prevent more expensive rehabilitation costs.
So there you go … According to White, TxDOT agrees that 274 is in good shape and is seal coating it to make sure it stays that way.
Henderson County Deputy Sheriff Meagan Hogan was welcomed back to the office with open arms Monday following her tour of duty in Afghanistan.
“Meagan served the citizens here and when duty called, she went overseas to serve her country there,” Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said. “And we are more than pleased to see her back protecting the people of this county.”
Hogan served three months in Bagram, Afghanistan with the 455th EAMXS where she was an F16 Fighter Crew Chief.
“Basically, we kept the planes flying,” she said. “That was our job.”
