Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Local News

July 7, 2009

Police stays busy on the Fourth of July

APD works to stop citizens from illegally popping firecrackers in the city limits, no arrests were made

While hundreds of Athens citizens enjoyed the city fireworks display Saturday, others kept police busy by illegally popping firecrackers.

Between 4 p.m. and 12:26 a.m. Sunday, the Athens Police Department received more than 20 calls from a north Athens neighborhood reporting fireworks and grassfires. APD dispatched officers to the area several times during the period. APD made no arrests on fireworks related charges Saturday but is looking into the evening of persistent pyrotechnics.

APD Chief Buddy Hill was not available for comment Tuesday.

Police reports stated the first call came at 4:17 p.m. from an unidentified citizen on Tillison Street. Corporal Billy Westover was sent to the location, but did not locate the origin of the fireworks.

After sundown the calls increased. Officer Shane Hagood responded to numerous complaints of fireworks in the vicinity of Jonathan Street, but was again unable to determine who was violating the ordinance.

At 10:13 p.m., Corporal Gregory Hill, who was on patrol on Stirman Street radioed that people were throwing fireworks at the officers. Four minutes later Hill again reported someone throwing fireworks at them. Hill and Hagood were not able to determine which individual was actually setting off the fireworks.

Shortly before 11 p.m., the Athens Fire Department responded to a report of a small grass fire in the 400 block of Jonathan Street. AFD sent two pumper trucks to extinguish the fire. They cleared the scene shortly after midnight.

At 12:02 a.m., AFD sent a brush truck and a pumper truck to a grass fire on 4th street. Within minutes the fire was also under control.

Minutes later another fire call came from Jonathan Street, again reporting a minor blaze.

No one was injured and no property was damaged in the fires.

Text Only
Local News
  • Mia Orosco wins.jpg 19-year-old wins in competition against best fiddlers

    Mia Orosco wasn’t born with a fiddle in her hand playing a breakdown, but to the crowd at the Athens Old Fiddler’s Reunion it seemed as easy for her as drawing a breath.
    Orosco turned 19 on Wednesday, taking her out of the youth division to compete against the best. She’s only been using her violin in the fiddlin’ style for about five years.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • Parking lot altercation leads to arrest

    Athens police, acting on a 911 call, drove up on a an altercation at 505 S. Palestine St. at the Save-a-Dollar parking lot just after 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

    May 25, 2012

  • One arrested, two released after cocaine discovery

    It probably wasn't the best place to hang out — the Henderson County Judicial Center parking lot on West Corsicana Street — not with a quanity of cocaine inside the console of the car.

    May 25, 2012

  • Primary voting Tuesday

    Ready, set, vote.
    The polls open Tuesday at 7 a.m. in the Democratic and Republican Primaries. Henderson County candidates run the gamut from first-timers to long-time incumbents.
    Some county voters will be traveling to new polling places for this round of balloting, after the much-debated redistricting process.

    May 25, 2012

  • Henderson County communities participate in Click It or Ticket

    It's not a good weekend to get out on the state highways without buckling up.
    In fact, that's probably true every weekend.
    But the 11th annual Click It or Ticket Seat Belt Mobilization Campaign is under way, now through June 3, 2012.

    May 25, 2012

  • martha & mary pic.jpg ‘Martha and Mary’

    The Henderson County Performing Arts Center, in conjunction with Elite Barrel Racing, announces the World Premiere of local Playwright R.G. Haynie’s newest play, “Martha and Mary,” on May 31  at 7:30 p.m., with additional shows on June 2, June 7, June 8 and June 9  at 7:30 p.m., with matinees at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 and Sunday, June 10  at the theatre complex, located at 400 Gibson Road in Athens.

    May 25, 2012 1 Photo

  • DSC_0043.JPG Slide Show- Old Fiddlers Reunion The Fiddlers Reunion is in full swing around the Athens Courthouse. Final winners and street dance Friday night. Photos by Kathi Nailling

    May 25, 2012

  • Fiddler's1.JPG Fiddlers firing up

    You can get on out of that bed now, and get yourselves down to the courthouse square.
    The fiddlers are firing up, and they'll be going until the clock strikes 12 with the street dance, as the 81st Annual Old Fiddlers Reunion gets into high gear.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • Rachaelle Browning.jpg Valedictorian & Salutatorian

    The Athens High School Valedictorian of 2012 is Rachaelle Browning. She is the daughter of Wes and Jan Browning. Rachaelle will be attending the University of Texas at Austin in the fall of 2012 and plans to major in Aerospace Engineering.
    Rachaelle has participated in various extracurricular activities throughout high school in preparation for a career in engineering.

    May 24, 2012 2 Photos

  • At the start.JPG 3rd annual Hornet Fun Run continues through today

    Fourth graders participated Thursday in the 3rd Annual Hornet Fun Run at the Cain Center.  Above is the beginning, when the children would run one mile.  At left, Isaac Garcia is shown taking overall first place.  Second place honors for boys went to Armondo Garcia, and Third place Case Friedrich.  Girls first place was Taylor Stiles, second place Veronica Campa and third place honors went to Semia Brazier. See those that placed, both boys and girls, on Page 14. The fifth grade will run today.

    May 24, 2012 4 Photos