Athens Review, Athens, Texas

Breaking News

Local News

Related Links

Discussion

July 29, 2010

Beekeeper says we are reason for honeybee decline

Rich Flowers The Athens Review

Athens — Honeybees bring more than just a taste of honey to the world, beekeeper Dick Counts told the Athens Rotary Club, Thursday.

Counts is the executive director of the East Texas Beekeepers Association. He says honeybees are amazing creatures that are among the most unusual and useful of God’s creations.

“Every third bite you eat is made possible because of the honeybee,” Counts said.

The bees have been in decline for the past 15 to 20 years, and with them goes their ability to pollinate an array of plants that translate into food for the table.

Who is to blame for the thinning population?

“We are,” Counts said.

Counts asked for a show of hands from those who had not picked up a can of insecticide at sometime and sprayed into the air. There were none raised.

“We’ve been dumping chemicals on this old earth for about 125 years, and it took that long to get the honeybee,” Counts said. “How long is it going to take to get us? ”

Counts said the East Texas Arboretum in Athens has one of the eight observation bee hives in the East Texas area. Anyone interested can see the intricate workings of the queen, workers and other bees in a controlled environment.

When a member of the audience asked about swarms of bees, Counts explained that they take place when a queen will take half of the population of an overcrowded hive, and head for a new location. A new queen will assume that role in the hive left behind.

Occasionally, bees will sting humans. Counts recalls getting 17 bites on one hand on one occasion. If you get stung, and feel your throat start to tighten, that’s trouble.

“You are going into anaphylactic shock,” Counts said. “You have 15 minutes to seek medical attention or it could be fatal.”

Counts is one of the few beekeepers in East Texas with the tools and experience to remove hives from homes. He can be contacted at 903-566-6789.

Text Only
Local News
  • Youth, 19, hit and killed by truck

    The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office and Texas Department of Public Safety are looking into the death of a 19-year-old who was struck by a pickup on Farm-to-Market Road 317, Thursday night near the Leagueville store.
    Sheriff Ray Nutt said the victim, Jonathan Wade McRae, was one of four occupants of a Dodge one-ton dually that had stopped at the Exxon Station at about 10 p.m. 

    February 11, 2012

  • Churches to join with community at Cain Center

    Editor’s Note:  This story ran in the Friday edition with the incorrect time. The correct time of 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. is shown below.

    By Kathi Nailling
    Staff Writer
    Churches from across Henderson County will come together on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Cain Center in Athens to provide services to all members of the Henderson County community. 
    “This all grew out of the community coming together during the nativity scene controversy in December,” said the Rev. Eric Graham from Sands Springs Baptist Church.

    February 11, 2012

  • 2-12 Country club cleaqnup.jpg Sprucing up the Country Club grounds

    With spring on the way, work crews at the Athens Country Club did some sprucing up, Thursday.  Pictured are workers who cut down dead branches and limbs from near the telephone lines along the 18th fairway.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Attorney for former Seven Points mayor works out plea-bargain agreement

    Former Seven Points Mayor Joe Dobbs is breathing a little easier these days after his Tyler attorney worked out a plea-bargain agreement with the County and District Attorney’s office earlier this month.
    Dobbs is still being investigated by law enforcement agencies on a charge of abuse of official capacity while serving as mayor, with the result pending.

    February 11, 2012

  • 2-12 Athens debate winners.jpg They argued to the top

    The Athens High School Cross-examination Debate team argued its way to the top at district competition, Thursday, coach Nicole Yeakley said.
    At the event in Chandler, Juniors Chris O’Brien and Derek Davies took second place at tournament, and qualified for the state meet.
    Davies was also awarded “Top Speaker.” Yeakley said all of the students who went to Chandler competed well at the district level

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Kevin Pollock.jpg Truck traffic limited by Seven Points ordinance

    It was Thursday night that Seven Points City Council voted to adopt an ordinance promoting no truck traffic.
    The ordinance will prohibit truck drivers from taking their big rigs home for an extended period of time. According to acting Mayor Pro-tem Kevin Pollock, there are places on State Highway 334 that  truck drivers can park their trucks.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • 2-10 Rotary speaker.jpg Pirtle discusses his father with Rotarians

    Bill Pirtle told the Athens Rotary Club  Thursday that his father was not God, but to a boy growing up in Athens, there were similarities.
    Orval Pirtle was the first president of Henderson County Junior College, now known as Trinity Valley Community College. He held the position until 1972.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Fair Park sound system gets AEDC boost

    The Athens Economic Corporation Board took formal action Thursday morning that should result in a stipend of up to $35,000   to match a Ginger Murchison Foundation matching grant for helping finance the Henderson County Regional Fair Park Complex new sound equipment.

    February 9, 2012

  • Scout big boy.JPG Scouts ready to knock doors locally

    Once again Athens will be seeing these Scouts Saturday as they knock on doors to collect food in BSA’s National Scouting for Food Drive. Shown are Tiger Cub Hunter Kaufman and Eagle Scout Michael McCluskey. Also shown is Sierra Kaufman, one of several American Heritage Girls who will be joining the boys in their efforts to collect food.  In the past few years, despite the economy, over 1,000 cans each year have been collected and donated to Henderson County’s Food Pantry.  So when you see these boys and girls in uniform this weekend, open your hearts and help feed the hungry in Henderson County.

    February 9, 2012 3 Photos

  • CROSS ROADS.jpg ‘National Red Wear on Friday’ day in Cross Roads

    It was last Friday that Cross Roads High School staff and students participated in “National Red Wear on Friday.” The first Friday in February was dedicated for heart-disease awareness.

    February 9, 2012 1 Photo