News

As flooding continues to impact parts of East and Southeast Texas, Governor Greg Abbott today declared a state of disaster in the following counties: Angelina, Erath, Gregg, Hardin, Harrison, Hood, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Madison, Marion, Newton, Orange, Parker, Sabine, San Augustine, and Tyler. The Governor also elevated the activation level of the State Operations Center (SOC) in Austin, and is urging Texans to stay on high alert and immediately heed any warnings from their local officials related to this severe flood threat.

By: Toni Walker

Editor of The Steel Country Bee

news@steelcountrybee.com

After taking a hiatus following the holidays, the Community Theatre of East Texas fervently preparing for their upcoming production. Steel Magnolias will open March 23 at the Hughes Springs High School Auditorium.

By: Toni Walker

Editor of The Steel Country Bee

news@steelcountrybee.com

On a week where most area school children have been home on spring break, a week’s worth of rainfall has left most of Morris County and the surrounding area a wet mess.

What began with a weekend full of sunshine and hopes of outdoor activities quickly turned into a week of treacherous commutes and dodging raindrops. Storms rolled into the area early Wednesday morning, and quickly dropped multiple inches of rain. This led to overflowing creeks low-lying areas.

According to intellicast.com, Daingerfield had 7.93 inches of total rainfall over the midweek period of March 8 through 10. And the rained had not stopped on Friday, either. The Jenkins Community, just south of Daingerfield, had reported a whopping 12.27 inches over the same time frame, according to Intellicast.

By: Toni Walker

Editor of The Steel Country Bee

news@steelcountrybee.com

With all the recent heavy rains and flooding, residents were reminded, almost hourly, to never drive into water-covered roads. But what happens when your house is on a one-way in, one way out County Road that is flooded? That was the question Don Martin had to answer on March 8.

Martin lives on County Road 1201, off of Highway 144 in Cason. When the road became flooded on March 7, he and his wife took to higher ground, leaving their home behind. However, Martin had the need to return to his home. “I decided I was going to walk to the house to get us some clothes, so we could stay somewhere else another night,” Martin said. Martin parked his car on 144, where his wife waited while he made the trek through the flood water to their home.

Traffic was slowed on the morning of March 8, when a tractor-trailer rig attempted a turnaround at the intersection of Linda Drive and Watson Boulevard, in front of McDonald’s.

Forty-five year old Rodney Salter, of Stone Mountain, Georgia, was driving the 2007 Peterbuilt truck with trailer, and had entered Watson Boulevard, traveling west, and was attempting to turn south on Linda Drive from the right hand lane.

Charles Ake, a 79 yearold Hughes Springs native, was driving a 1999 Ford westbound on Watson in the left-hand lane when he came up beside Salter as Salter turned from the right lane, which caused the crash. Sergeant Corey Parr investigated the crash, and issued Salter a citation for turning from the wrong lane. There were no injuries in the crash.

(StatePoint) Prom is a time-honored tradition and a rite of passage for teens. Originally inspired by graduation celebrations and debutante balls, prom today is now an extravagant, defining moment in a teenager’s life, and bears little resemblance to the promenades of the past -- especially when it comes to cost.

Going to the prom can put a fairly large dent in one’s wallet. In fact, the average family with a teenager spends nearly a thousand dollars on the dance, according to a recent prom spending survey by Visa. Take a look at the budget breakdown below.

“The Promposal”

(NAPSI)—Hectic schedules and increasing demands continue to impact today’s American families, but perhaps one of the strongest barometers of families is family mealtime. Welch’s Kitchen Table Report shows families are stronger than ever—making time to eat together frequently and enjoying sharing quality time as a family.

Parents surveyed report:

• 71 percent eat dinner together as often as or more today than their families did when they were children

• 75 percent eat most meals and snacks in the kitchen as a family

• 75 percent say that, in an average week, they eat together four or more nights

• 84 percent say that one of their favorite parts of the day is when their family eats together

• Nearly 60 percent would rather spend time with their family or spouse than receive a $5,000 pay raise, lose 10 pounds, go on a Caribbean cruise, or get more sleep.

According to Titus Regional CEO John Allen, “part of our health system’s commitment to the community is to expand the capacity and ease for primary care access in our region. Our most recent milestone is the addition of Internal Medicine Associates at Titus as part of the primary care offerings at our Community Care Center, located one block southwest of the main hospital.”

“As part of the expansion project, we are pleased to announce that Dr. Silver Sisneros, board certified Internist, has joined Internal Medicine Associates at Titus. The focus of internal medicine is the diagnosis and management of even the most complex health issues, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, to name a few. Dr. Sisneros offers over twenty years of expertise and is also bilingual.”

In 2015 the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) logged more than one million new donor registrants to the Donate Life Texas Registry, boosting the total registry to more than eight million potential organ donors. The registry is the state database of individuals who have officially given consent for their organs and tissue to be donated to benefit individuals awaiting transplants.

“With the simple act of choosing to register as a potential donor, one person can significantly impact or even save the life of many others,“ said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “DPS is proud to have provided millions of generous Texans with a convenient way to join the Donate Life Registry during driver license transactions, and we look forward to the continued growth of the registry.”

On Wednesday, March 9, Governor Greg Abbott accepted Site Selection’s 2015 Governor’s Cup Award on behalf of the State of Texas. The Governor’s Cup is awarded annually to the top performing state for capital investment and job creation. This is the fourth year in a row, and the seventh year since 2004, that Texas has won the award.

“On behalf of Texas businesses and job creators, I am proud to accept Texas’ fourth consecutive Governor’s Cup,” said Governor Abbott. “Cutting taxes and regulations, while investing in infrastructure and workforce needs helps promote individual prosperity and create a favorable economic climate for business growth across the Lone Star State. As Governor, I will continue to work every single day to ensure that Texas remains wide open for business.”