Podcast: Hope Springs Water changes the world and you can help

The lack of clean drinking water is a worldwide crisis. According to the World Health Organization, 844 million people lack even a basic drinking-water service and Globally, at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces.

It is a horrific problem, but there’s a group in Athens doing something about it. Hope Springs Water gives 100 percent of its profits for clean water, improved sanitation and public health and hygiene education.

On today’s podcast, I talk with Jessica Richardson of Hope Springs about their mission and the big Turkey Trot event scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 22.

Community committee gets four months to develop viable Cain Center plan

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Listen to the podcast above for more thoughts on this story from reporter Michael Hannigan.)

By Michael V. Hannigan/HCN

The long-running saga of the Cain Center rehabilitation project took another twist Tuesday night, but this time there’s a clock ticking.

During their regular meeting, council members decided to give a group of community members and activists until April 2 to come up with a viable plan for moving forward with the Cain Center. The committee is to be led by Steve Grant.

Details about the community committee and how it will operate were limited Tuesday.

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Reigning Jewels Fine Jewelry brings back diamonds from Antwerp

Press release

Traci and Jackie Wilkes of Reigning Jewels Fine Jewelry in Athens recently returned from a buying trip to the Diamond Capital of the World, Antwerp, Belgium. While there, they had the unique opportunity to examine huge parcels of exquisitely cut diamonds to find the very best selections for their inventory.

Pictured above, Traci Wilkes checks a diamond for sale to one of their customers. “We hand-select each and every diamond that comes into our store,” Wilkes says. “Some people think one can look at a piece of paper on the internet and select a stone, but there’s no way to tell if that stone has fire, has life – I need it to say something to me. If I’m going to put my name and my reputation behind a diamond, I’m going to be certain it’s the quality for which Reigning Jewels Fine Jewelry is known.”

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Roberson sets TVCC school record for 3s

By Benny Rogers/TVCC Sports Information

How was your Saturday? Probably not as good as the one experienced by Jairus Roberson.

The Cardinal sophomore was on fire against Fort Hood in the Lewis Orr Class at Navarro College. Roberson poured in a school record 13 three-pointers in a 45-point performance as the Cardinals stayed unbeaten with a 113-58 win.

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Road Buzz: TxDOT Update for the Week of Nov. 12

Athens Maintenance plans to conduct base repairs on FM 316 between US 175W and FM 1861. Expect lane closures with flaggers providing traffic control. Crews also plan to replace a culvert on FM 3709 between FM 317 and CR 3408. This section of roadway will be closed to thru traffic during the day Thursday as work is conducted.

Henderson County construction projects updates:

SH 31 Overlay Project

  • Limits: From FM 3204 east to 0.5 miles west of FM 315 in Chandler
  • Contractor: Big Creek Construction
  • Cost: $2.7 million
  • Anticipated Completion Date: Fall 2018

The contractor is scheduled to conduct hot mix operations as weather conditions allow. Ongoing work includes backfilling behind the guard fence mow strips. Expect daily lane closures. Watch for construction traffic exiting and merging throughout the project limits. The project consists of base repairs, mill and inlay, seal coat, surface hot mix, guardrail upgrades, and the installation of signs and pavement markings.

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