Uncategorized-Henderson County Now

Brownsboro Pioneer Days Scheduled

Press release

Good food, grand music and a great time is set to be had at the Brownsboro Pioneer Days on Saturday, Nov. 15. The event is debuting this year and will take place on the Brownsboro High and Junior High School property. Brownsboro is the oldest city in Henderson County. The Brownsboro Economic Development Corporation wanted to host an annual event that would honor the city’s heritage.

“It is a way to get the community involved and come together, that’s what it is all about,” says Dusty Wise, member of the Economic Development Corporation.

A variety of activities are set to take place, running from 10a.m. to 4 p.m. A baby contest, with two different categories will be held. Winners will receive a trophy in each division. In addition a quilt show will be part of the festivities with a Best In Show being named. Arts & Crafts booths will provide jewelry, wreathes and other unique items to help you kick off your Holiday Shopping. Continue reading “Brownsboro Pioneer Days Scheduled”

Around the Town: Guest Writer Billy Bucher and the Shed

I’m happy to introduce Billy Bucher, musician and music activities volunteer at Cedar Lake Nursing Home, as guest columnist this week. He will be filling in for me from time to time. I think you will like what you see.–Loretta Humble

By Billy Bucher

There have been a lot of wonderful things happen to me since I moved from Dallas to Malakoff six months ago but certainly one of the most magical things I did was to find the Shed in Edom. Even the drive to Edom is magical. I turned left at Brownsboro where I drove over a high railroad track and then followed 5 miles of winding road to the jewel box of a town called Edom.

I pulled up to a stop sign and looked to the right where the Shed was located and drove into a crowded parking lot. Going up the wooden steps I could hear the sounds of old-time country music spilling out the front door. The woman at the gift shop said the pickers were in the back and the further I walked in that direction the more it brought back memories of being in Austin in the late 60s when Threadgill’s old filling station on Lamar had Wednesday night jam sessions. It was so much the same. The pickers in the room had seen a lot of good gigs and the music was filled with well-being. Threadgill’s was popular with a young college crowd and at one time frequented by none other than Janis Joplin. Continue reading “Around the Town: Guest Writer Billy Bucher and the Shed”

Former Eustace Police Chief Indicted

District Attorney’s Office press release

Former Eustace Police Chief Kenneth Gene Holder was indicted late Thursday, Oct. 2, by a Henderson County Grand Jury for Theft of a Firearm, Tampering with Physical Evidence and Tampering with a Governmental document. All three charges are felonies and carry a maximum prison time of 10 years. Holder turned himself into the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office early Friday afternoon after making $30,000 in surety bonds. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into the department and its former chief by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers. Continue reading “Former Eustace Police Chief Indicted”

Obituary: JoAnn ‘Jodie’ Giles

Funeral services for JoAnn “Jodie” Giles, 68 of Athens, will be held Monday, September 22, 2014 at noon at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Athens, Texas.

Ms. Giles passed away on September 15, 2014 near Tyler, Texas.

JoAnn Giles was born December 20, 1945 in Athens, Texas the daughter of Ray Monroe Blakely and Frances Louise Brown Blakely. She enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and dearly loved her family. She will be greatly missed by all she knew and loved.

Sherry was preceded in death by her parents, her grandson Cason Swain and her brother Michael Blakely.

She is survived by her daughters; Shelby Swain and husband Ben of Flint, Texas, Jenna Giles of Flint, Texas; sister, Joyce Navarro and husband Fernando of Athens; sister in law, Linda Blakely of Athens; best friend, Kathy Satterfield of Athens; two grandchildren Hunter Swain and Owen Giles; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Continue reading “Obituary: JoAnn ‘Jodie’ Giles”

Athens Releases Statement on Humane Society Funding

By Michael V. Hannigan

The City of Athens is expected to approve its new budget during the City Council’s regular meeting Monday, Sept. 22, and the Henderson County Humane Society not happy how things have worked out.

The Humane Society is asking the city to take on 25 percent of the cost for running the shelter, which amounts to $62,000. They are also asking the county to provide 25 percent while it provides 50 percent. Humane Society officials say they just can’t continue to operate their animal shelter at current funding levels. Last year, they say it took $247,000 to run the shelter.

The City Council has set aside $52,000 for the Humane Society in the new budget. City officials say this is an increase of $21,000.

During a City Council meeting earlier this month, the Human Society warned the Athens City Council that it will give 90-day notice of the cancellation of its contract with the city if its funding request was not approved. Continue reading “Athens Releases Statement on Humane Society Funding”