Category: Uncategorized

Malakoff Police Chief Billy Mitchell said a 15-year-old Malakoff male was killed when hit by a train this afternoon.

Mitchell said he is not releasing the name of the deceased at this time because police are not sure all the family has been notified. Henderson County Now is respecting that decision.

According to Mitchell, the boy and two of his friends were walking home from McDonald’s around 2:30 p.m. when they heard the train whistle and broke into a run.

Two of the boys stopped before reaching the train and called to the third to stop, Mitchell said, but he apparently tried to beat the train.

By Michael V. Hannigan

Like a lot of folks in Athens this morning, I got to sit in construction traffic on  Loop 7. … I waited 9 minutes before a pilot truck came and took us through.

I am not complaining, because I know I will be happy when the work is done. I’m just taking this opportunity to remind folks what’s happening. … This is from this week’s TxDOT update:

After being delayed by rain this past week, TxDOT contract crews on Monday are scheduled to begin seal coat operations on the following roadways:

– West Loop 7 between FM 59 and FM 1616

– FM 59 between SH 19 in Athens and FM 753

US 175 east of Athens between FM 804 and FM 315

TxDOT’s seal coat program seals nearly 300 centerline miles of roadway each summer, extending the maintenance-free service life of those roadways by as much as 10 years or more. Local TxDOT crews have been preparing sections of these roadways over the past year in preparation for sealing.

Daytime lane closures will be in effect in each location while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid long delays associated with the work.

You can read more about this project in a story written by the local TxDOT PIO.

The cause of last week’s fertilizer storage building fire in Athens is “undetermined,” according to a statement released today.

Officials say weather was not a factor, and there is no evidence or indication of a criminal or intentional act that caused the fire.

The findings were issued by the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office working with the Athens Fire Department, Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (Dallas Field Division).

In the press release, Athens Fire Chief John McQueary said, “The fire originated in the northwest quadrant of the building, at ceiling level. Based on the origin of the fire, the only causes that could not be eliminated are related to an electrical failure.”

State Fire Marshal Chris Connealy said, “Per national guidelines and standards, the fire will be classified as undetermined because the ignition source and the first material ignited could not be determined.”

The State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Athens Fire Department, ATF, and Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office will finalize the fire investigation report in upcoming weeks.

“The city appreciates the hard work and investigation by the agencies involved in determining the final conclusion regarding this incident,” Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught said today.

The East Texas AG Supply property was released to the owner Monday.