News

By Marlene J. Bohr
mbohr@steelcountrybee.com
 
It was a no show by the public as the Morris County Commissioners held its public hearing Jan. 6, on whether or not to create one or more County Energy Transportation Reinvestment Zones (CETRZ). This is authorized by the Texas legislature to promote one or more infrastructure projects to be located in the county to be funded by CETRZ.
Morris County Judge Lynda Munkres said they have 30 days after this date to take appropriate action on the matter.
“When we went to hear the county’s extension agent last month, there was a lot of information presented,” Commissioner Dennis Allen said. “I was not sure how it is funded. It says once we create it, we set those taxes aside, and that money will be used to fund the projects.”
Judge Munkres said the first will be a grant of $118,000, and the rest will be funded by taxes.

South Elementary students participated in University Interscholastic League competition in December.
In Spelling, third grader Kylah Haley placed third. The third grade Chess Puzzle Team won third. The team members are Corey Miller, Cody Miller and Harley Scholl. Corey placed sixth in individual competition.
In third grade Music Memory, Jerra Mabey placed second as an individual.
Haley Lewis placed first in Art Smart Team, Sydney Key placed third, Kayla Watkins placed fourth and Jazmin Mendez placed fifth. The first place team members were Sydney, Kayla, Jazmin and Sanaa Fields.
In Number Sense competition, fourth graders placed first as a team. They were Sanaa, Jazmin, and Haley. Also, Sanna placed third, Jazmin placed fourth and Haley placed fifth.

Avinger High School’s cheerleaders, from left, are Jodie Gonzalez, Rebecca Samples, Xzaisha Holloman, Audrey Byerly and Jayden Grant.

Raising a teenager and a toddler at the same time.
Ashley Shelton
Mount Pleasant

Being a tattoo artist.
Marcus Sanders
Hughes Springs

My child Tachrissa Boyd got State in powerlifting.
Marilyn Criss
Daingerfield

Full name: Martha Wexler.
I have lived in: Lone Star, California, Ohio, Arizona and Lubbock.
Family: Sandy and Ricky Duke; Greg and Kendra Wexler; and grandchildren, Trent Duke and Taylor Wexler.
Occupation: Retired registered nurse and owner of the Lone Star Lock Box.
One of the best things about my job is: I get to visit with a lot of people.
My ideal vacation is: Northern California. It is gorgeous in Monterey and Carmel.
My hero was: My dad. He was very supportive of many and he made me feel safe.
My favorite TV show is: ‘Murder She Wrote’ and anything with Tom Sellick.
My favorite healthy snack is: Chocolate.
A cause I most believe in is: St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
If I could change one thing about East Texas, it would be: The humidity.
The person who has influenced my life most is: My husband, Norman, with his wit and wisdom.

10 YEARS AGO
Daingerfield Tigers lose to Gilmer Buckeyes to make the record 6-1.
Avinger Indians drop a narrow 64-63 to Sulphur Bluff in District 20-A opener.
Tickets are available for ‘Singing in the Rain’ at the Whatley Center for the Performing Arts.
20 YEARS AGO
Winners at the Hughes Springs Chamber of Commerce banquet were Citizen of the Year, George Fite; Woman of the Year, Dollie Holloman; and Lifetime Achievement awards to Ruby and Jack Teague.
The First National Bank of Hughes Springs completes its acquisition of the First National Bank of Atlanta.
Windsor Placed Nursing Center, formerly Pinecrest Convalescent Home, celebrates its new ownership with a ribbon cutting on Jan. 13.
30 YEARS AGO
The number of callbacks at Lone Star Steel continues to rise during the holiday season as the mill increased its workforce by 319 in December.

Sign-up for WATCHDOGS
South Elementary School WATCHDOG sign-up will be held on Jan. 30, at 6 p.m. at the cafeteria.  The program will be ‘desserts for dad.’ If you have any questions, call Denise Smith at 903-285-5115.

Music City Texas
Music City Texas Theater will host Travis Tritt on Jan. 25. For information, call 903-756-9934 or go to www.musiccitytexas.org.

New Library Hours
New hours for the Daingerfield Public Library starts Jan. 6. The library will be open Mondays from 1 to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ad closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.; and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
      
Hughes Springs Cemetery Association
The Hughes Springs Cemetery Association will meet on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 9 a.m. at the Hughes Springs City Hall. The public is invited. For further information, call 903-639-3002.

Our freedom is lost

Dear Editor:

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making payments to support the production of advanced biofuel. USDA is making nearly $15.5 million in payments to 188 producers through the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty.
The funding is being provided through USDA’s Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced biofuels produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. Examples of eligible feedstocks include but are not limited to: crop residue; animal, food and yard waste; vegetable oil; and animal fat.

As Texas Highways, the state’s official travel magazine, prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, the Texas Department of Transportation gives its iconic publication a bold new redesign to usher in the milestone beginning with the September issue. Known since 1974 for its readership interaction, captivating stories and stunning photography, the redesigned Texas Highways will invite readers to join the anniversary celebration by voting for their Top 40 Texas Destinations.
“The Texas Department of Transportation created Texas Highways as a way to help boost tourism, which plays such an integral role in the economic success of our great state,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “Forty years later, we celebrate the magazine that thousands have used as their official travel guide to Texas with a new look that will hit stands.”