Athens —
Without any fanfare, the Henderson County Commissioners Court let the burn ban that had been intact for the western part of the county expire Tuesday.
County Judge Richard Sanders explained at the end of the meeting that the ban was not on the agenda, because no action was needed to let it expire at the end of its 14-day run.
The ban, covering the section of the county west of State Highway 19, had been in effect since Sept. 25.
It’s been an on-again-off-again situation concerning the ban for the past few weeks. On July 30, Commissioners adopted a ban for the western end of the county.
Fire Marshall Darrell Furrh said he’d never asked for a burn ban on a portion of the county before, but added that state law allows the Commissioners that option. The extreme difference in moisture between the county’s west and east side created a need to impose the westside ban, Furrh said.
Rains the final two days of September improved the west-end conditions, but not in time to get the burn ban on the Oct. 2 agenda. Consequently, the ban was allowed to continue until it’s 14-day run was complete.
The ending of the Henderson County ban means just about all of East Texas is without a ban. The exception is Bowie County in the far northeast tip of the state. Ellis and Freestone counties are the nearest to Henderson County to still have a ban.
Henderson County, which at one time had a reading on the Keetch-Byrum Drought Index of more than 700, is now in the 200 to 300 range.
Local News
Burn ban expires in the western part of the county
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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Give it to Jody!
The 50th annual Henderson County Farm and Ranch Tour concluded Tuesday with a luncheon on the floor of the Henderson County Fair Park Complex arena and the naming presentation of the Joe B. Fulgham Agriculturist of the Year.
The 25th recipient of the award was Jody Jackson of Murchison, whose farming and ranching operations started with a few cattle and some chickens then grew to one of the county’s most varied operations. -
County votes to sell old annex building
Henderson County officials on Tuesday narrowly approved contracting with an Athens realtor to list the old Courthouse Annex building for sale.
Steve Grant Real Estate was chosen to sell the property by a 3-to-2 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner Ronny Lawrence and Precinct 4 Commissioner Ken Geeslin cast the dissenting votes. -
Burk to serve as next ACA administrator
Athens Christian Academy (Kindergarten through 6th grade) is pleased to announce Dale Burk as the new administrator beginning July 2013.
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Bullying just got tougher
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Magnificent 7
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Lusk found guilty
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Henderson County District Attorney Scott McKee said the punishment phase of the trial which began May 14 was set to begin Tuesday in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court. -
Keep Athens Beautiful celebrates 25 years
Keep Athens Beautiful (KAB) celebrated 25 years with a banquet at Athens Country Club last Friday night. The evening was hosted by Darwin Winfield (not pictured). Peggy Rhodes (left) presented Hugh Armstrong (second from the right) the Margaret Myers Award. Carol Morton (far right) presented two people with the Hall of Fame Award — Jerry Wadell and Victory Roberts (second and third from left). Margaret Myers is also pictured with the award winners, third from right. View additional photos from the event at www.athensreview.com.
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Art hits the streets in Mabank
The Mabank Branch of the Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the fifth Mabank Festival and Art Show on Market Street in downtown Mabank this past weekend. Hundreds of people and more than 75 vendors attended the event. In addition to the artwork and other items for sale, there were food vendors and entertainment for children. View additional photos at www.athensreview.com.
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