Henderson County Now

Athens Farmer’s market to host evening Holiday Market at the Texan Saturday

The market will be open December 15 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at The Texan, both before and after the annual Christmas Parade.

Press release

The Athens Farmer’s Market is hosting an evening Holiday Market at the Texan venue in Athens on Saturday, December 15, from 5-9 pm. The City of Athens Christmas Parade will start at 5:30 pm. This Christmas shopping event has been overwhelmingly received by local artisans and small local businesses, with over 75 vendors expressing a desire to present their offerings. Many of your favorite market vendors will be there with their seasonal foods and products including locally sourced meats (Red Wattle Pork and Beef), jams & jellies, goat milk soaps, local honey, baked goods, jewelry, leatherwork, personalized gift baskets and so much more!

Door-prizes for shoppers will be awarded every 30 minutes throughout the evening. Alongside the 75+ vendors, there will be at least 5 food vendors, including Mow’s BBQ (a long time market favorite), Dough Balls Pizza, Fizzy Swig, Hot Diggity Dog, and Tilo’s locally famous street tacos! There will also be live music featuring 4 local musicians, Shane Rendon, Tyler Matthews, and — with Drake Grammer. We haven’t forgotten about the kids! There will be free cookie decorating every 30 minutes with Matthew of Lakeland House to sign up for (limited quantities). Bring your camera or phone and take your own pictures with Santa sponsored by Reigning Jewels and Athens Army Navy & Pawn. Coupled with our wonderful community and lots of love for all things local, we will make this inaugural event one you don’t want to miss!

The Texan will be filled wall to wall with wonderful holiday inspired shopping with many more vendors outside to shop from as well. We would like to also thank Athens Screen Printing for providing shopping bags for our first 100+ customers; come early and get yours! Big thanks to Come and Take It for their sponsorship in shedding some light on our situation with their sponsorship of lighting for our event! Lastly, thank you to Paul Benson with Virtual Communications for his continued support, sponsorship, and for our beautiful holiday banners!

The market will be open December 15 from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at The Texan, both before and after the annual Christmas Parade. With over 75 vendors, this is not a shopping event you will want to miss!

PRICE AT 50: Teaching icon at TVCC celebrates half-century in classroom

Dr. Price will receive his plaque for 50 years of service teaching biology at the annual TVCC Christmas luncheon Thursday.

Press release

Dr. Vernon Price.

It’s very possible the name might be one of the most recognizable to students at Henderson County Junior College/Trinity Valley Community College student over the past 50 years.

In addition to learning from the biology teacher in the classroom, many students would likely also say they were positively impacted by his book “What Every Student Should Know About Studying, but Didn’t Know To Ask!”

Dr. Price will receive his plaque for 50 years of service at the annual TVCC Christmas luncheon Thursday.

Sheriff urges calm after second shooting victim dies

Press release

Sheriff Botie Hillhouse Wednesday said evidence indicates the homicide south of Chandler Monday was not a random shooting, and he reported the father has died.

“I want to assure everyone that this was not a random act of violence,” Hillhouse said. “social media postings have people very concerned. We are working this tragic case day and night, and I want to citizens not to be afraid.”

He said his Office has received calls from people who are worried that this shooting was haphazard.

“The evidence shows this was a deliberate act,” he said.

On Monday, 17-year-old Beverly McBride was found shot to death in her home in the 20000 block of Woodridge West south of Chandler.

Her father, Gabriel McBride, 46, was found in the mobile home as well with a severe gunshot wound to the head. He was airlifted to UT Tyler hospital and was pronounced deceased Tuesday night.

Hillhouse said an autopsy will be conducted, as it was on his daughter, to gather further evidence.

The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers are working the homicide case.

Referendum on Cain Center to be held in May

The City keeps the Certificates of Obligation money in support of the Steering Committee’s work of developing a plan for fixing and running the Cain Center. In May, voters will get the chance to say if they approve.

(ABOVE: Listen to our podcast on this issue with Mayor Monte Montgomery and Councilman Ed McCain.)

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

Call it a compromise.

The Athens City Council Monday evening approved conducting a citizen’s referendum on using Certificates of Obligation money for the Cain Center project.

Monday’s action — along with a decision last month to create a public steering committee — establishes a three-part procedure for moving the Cain Center rehabilitation toward a conclusion. Those parts are:

— The Cain Center steering committee established last month will continue its work.

— The City of Athens will keep for now the $5.33 million in Certificates of Obiligation currently earmarked for the Cain Center.

— Citizens will get a chance to vote on spending the money for the Cain Center.

Like most compromises, this one gives everyone a little bit of what they want and nobody everything they want, but it does establishes a definitive path forward.

Shootings of father and daughter being investigated as murder

Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse is investigating the death of a 17-year-old girl and the shooting of her father as a homicide after they were found Monday with gunshot wounds to the head.

Press release

Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse is investigating the death of a 17-year-old girl and the shooting of her father as a homicide after they were found Monday with gunshot wounds to the head, several experts are joining the investigation, including a few Forensic Psychiatrists.

“At this stage, conclusions cannot be definitively drawn,” Hillhouse said. “We are treating this as a homicide.”

Beverly McBride, 17, was found on a couch inside a residence in the 20000 block of Woodridge West. She was shot in the head and died at the scene.

Her father, Gabriel McBride, 46, was on the living room floor of the mobile home. Also shot in the head, he was in and out of consciousness and airlifted to UT Tyler hospital where he is in critical condition. If you’re wondering how to recover deleted text messages you can hire this detective for more information.

“While we are conducting our investigation, anyone with information should call our Office at 903-675-5128.”

Hillhouse said he would provide updates as the investigation moves forward.

Justice of the Peace Milton Adams conducted the inquest of the female victim.

Hillhouse said his Office is being assisted by the Henderson County District Attorney’s Office and the Texas Rangers.