Athens —
The Henderson County Commissioners Court Tuesday appointed Henderson County Fire Marshall Darryl Furrh to a new 2-year term to begin in January.
Furrh has been fire marshal since January, 2010. He has a long career in firefighting and investigation.
County Judge Richard Sanders commended Furrh for his first two years on the job.
“I want to thank him for his efforts during the time I’ve been in office,” Sanders said. “It’s a tough job, especially with the burn bans we’ve had. I want to thank him for the work he’s done on it, and for his loyalty and dedication to the county.”
Commissioners also accepted a $50,000 payment from Union Pacific Railroad as part of an agreement between the railroad and the county concerning the closure of Thunder Bridge on County Road 1500. Union Pacific officials closed the 100-year-old bridge, because it was too dangerous for crossing, and the estimated cost to repair it was between $750,000 and $1.5 million.
Precinct 1 County Commissioner Joe Hall’s crew built a cul-de-sac on the west side of the bridge, wide enough for an 18-wheeler to turn around. The $50,000 will enable the county to do more work on the road. Hall said the money will be placed in the 2013 budget for the work to be done after Commissioner-Elect Scotty Thomas takes office.
In other action, Commissioners voted to replace the county e-mail exchange server, and county website hosting.
Commissioner Wade McKinney said the website change was prompted by problems citizens have had getting election returns. The Nov. 6 election was the third recent election where the available bandwidth was too narrow for all of the counties using the system to gain access.
Brock said the county has discussed moving its e-mail to Rackspace Hosting, a company from San Antonio. Because the county is already using Cirra for its website, the initial plan was to go through Cirra to make the e-mail switch. Because of the election night problems, the IT Committee began to look into dealing directly with Rackspace.
Commissioners also authorized payment of regular bills in the amount of $314,468.31.
Local News
Darryl Furrh re-appointed to Fire Marshall’s position
County also accepts payment from Union Pacific Railroad
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Don’t let the fire die
Brownsboro Junior High eighth-grader Yasmine Mendez lights one of the candles during Thursday's induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society. Mendez and this year's NJHS class helped to officially welcome 36 new members who will be in eighth grade next year.
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‘Click it or Ticket’
The Athens Police Department is part of a nationwide effort to cut down on traffic injuries and deaths by getting motorists to buckle their seat belts. It’s part of the Click It or Ticket campaign underway through June 2.
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WWII vets visit Washington, D.C.
Two Athens men who served in World War II are part of a veteran’s visit to the nation’s capital this week.
J.C. Garrett and Doug Tanner join 28 others being escorted by Brookshires Grocery Co. who will tour the WWII Memorial and other sites. The veterans were set to leave Texas on Thursday and return at 9 a.m., Saturday. -
Taking a break, just like you
Henderson County offices will close Friday through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend.
The courthouse and other county locations have traditionally closed on a Friday in May for Fiddlers Day. County employees were given May 24 as a holiday this year in anticipation of the event. The county’s 2013 holiday schedule was already set when the organizers of Fiddlers Day decided to make it a Friday night and Saturday affair on May 31 and June 1. -
Great ability, not debatable
BROWNSBORO — Brownsboro senior Caleb Cade earned a state championship in persuasive speaking at the 2013 UIL State Speech and Debate Meet in Austin on May 22.
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Wet and wild
A line of severe thunderstorms roared throughout Henderson County on Tuesday afternoon, dropping significant rainfall and taking down trees and power lines.
The storm produced heavy rains in Athens, where the National Weather Service reports 2.16 inches fell. Residents in the county were seeing three or more inches in their rain gauges. -
Strong message
A Henderson County jury delivered a strong message to a 37-year-old Kemp man in the sentencing phase of a child sexual-abuse trial on Tuesday.
The jury, in Judge Mark Calhoon’s 3rd District Court, handed Danny Ray Lusk four life sentences and one 20-year sentence, the maximum jail time on each count. -
Going to ‘WAR’
A program termed “We Are Responsible” was generated this year at South Athens Elementary School by its principal, Eugene Buford.
At first reading, the slogan appears to be for the school’s students. But, after looking at the slogan and noting that the abbreviation is WAR, Buford says the slogan is for educators. -
A need that’s very easy to see
The Greater Athens Lions Club is asking for used eyeglasses, lenses, glass cases and hearing aids for the annual Lions Club White Cane Day this Saturday.
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Too close to home
It was the kind of moment any parent would dread.
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