Henderson County Now

ETMC Auxiliary Report for July

By Doris Gardenhire/Special to HCN

We would like to thank once again those of you who continue to bring us books to sell for the Nursing Scholarship Fund. I noticed more Louis L’Amour books, thank you very much, you know who you are! These sales do help us continue to provide scholarship/loans to aspiring nurses. As you probably know, we do give full scholarships—tuition, fees, and books—rather than the $500 that some auxiliaries do. We have one student now who is at UT Tyler, where you can imagine the cost is quite a bit more than $500! That is why we are always raising money. As you also know, the nurses agree to work for ETMC Athens for three years after receiving their certification. The Auxiliary does feel that it is helping ETMC Athens keep supplied with good, well-trained nurses. Thank you for making that happen.

Speaking of books, thanks also go to all who came out for the Books Are Fun sale. One of the very best customers was Suzanne Tower, who is in charge of one of the Retired Teachers’ (School Personnel) projects. This group every year provides three books to each and every teacher of Pre-K, first, and second grades in Henderson County. That includes 11 schools, plus each principal gets a book. The Retired School Personnel of Henderson County accepts donations of money and/or new books, so if you want to contribute, contact Suzanne Tower at 903-316-7545. And if you wish to join this active group, they meet on the second Wednesday at 2:00 at the Methodist church. In September and May they meet at noon for potluck dinner.
Patty Curtis is in charge of membership. Continue reading “ETMC Auxiliary Report for July”

AEDC, City Council React to Biotech Manufacturing Center Closure

BMC Board President Judy Loden (foreground) listens to the Athens Economic Development Board on Wednesday.

By Michael V. Hannigan

The Biotech Manufacturing Center (BMC) in Athens is done. After 10 years, it has ceased operations.

The once-proud experiment in manufacturing, training and business incubation was visited by Gov. Rick Perry in its heyday, but on Wednesday officials uttered statements like “worse than horrible” to describe the mess left in the wake of the BMC’s failure.

As it closes, the BMC has $200,000 to $300,000 in obligations plus another $1 million in money owed to the Athens Economic Development Corporation (AEDC). In addition, the company West Pharmaceuticals is left as an uncertain tenant in the building once occupied by the BMC. Continue reading “AEDC, City Council React to Biotech Manufacturing Center Closure”

Athens Chamber of Commerce Month Luncheon Award Winners

Community Connection winners: Lee Tackett, John Trent and Mike Canatella pictured with Chamber Chairman-elect Steve Barksdale on the far left. (Photo courtesy Athens Chamber)

Large Business of the Month: Republic Services. Pictured are Chamber Chairman-elect Steve Barksdale, Gene Kennon, Zack Briscoe, James Murhpy and Duane Weatherford. (Photo courtesy Athens Chamber)

Small Business of the Month: Red Hat Rentals. (Photo courtesy Athens Chamber)

Man Arrested for Stolen Vehicle, Assaulting Officer

Press release

On Wednesday, July 8, at approximately 12:40 a.m., Henderson County Sheriff’s Deputy Keon Mack received a call of a suspicious person on FM 315 in the Chandler area.

Mack located the subject in a vehicle he was reported in traveling at a high rate of speed on FM 315. Mack initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on FM 315 at the Flat Creek Marina. While on the traffic stop it was found that the vehicle the subject was driving was stolen out of Tyler. When Mack attempted to place the operator into hand restraints, a struggle ensued, but the subject was shortly placed into custody. Continue reading “Man Arrested for Stolen Vehicle, Assaulting Officer”

Fishing Hall of Fame Nominations Sought

Press release

Individuals or organizations that have made a lasting contribution to freshwater fishing in Texas may be nominated through November 1 for induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

The nominee must be a Texan or Texas organization. Individuals may be either living or deceased. Selection will be made by an independent committee; induction will take place during the annual Hall of Fame banquet at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) in Athens.

The most recent additions to the Hall of Fame are fishing guide Mark Stevenson and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Videos about prior inductees may be viewed in the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame at TFFC; some are also available on YouTube. Brief biographical sketches of past inductees and links to videos and the nomination form may be found here.