H
amilton 146th Year Volume Eleven
HGH has vaccine By Maria Weaver
Hamilton General Hospital has received a large supply of COVID-19 vaccine, according to Hamilton County Health Authority Dr. Randy Lee. “Our supply is improving,” he said, “and we made significant headway last week with our vaccination backlog.” Anyone wanting to get the vaccine should contact their primary care physician to get on the schedule. More than 800,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine were shipped to providers across Texas this week. The Texas
Hamilton City Council last Thursday approved zoning for a new subdivision and a Family Dollar Store and construction of a carport, procured an engineer to serve as manager and engineer for a City Lake project, OK’d a joint community election agreement and adopted a GPS vehicle tracking policy. The council had a sec-
Thursday, March 18, 2021
ond reading of an ordinance regarding waste and grease traps and a first reading of a resolution declaring Hamilton a Second Amendment Sanctuary City. The council also evaluated the city administrator in closed session. Capt. Ryan Longer addressed the council during the public comments portion of the meeting, stating See Page 5
One Dollar
Relays
Department of State Health Services allocated 656,810 doses to at least 445 providers in 178 counties. Approximately 200,000 additional first doses are available to pharmacy locations and federally-qualified health centers directly from the federal government. Hamilton had no new cases of the virus this week and has had 19 deaths since the pandemic began. Across the state, 1437 new cases were reported Monday with 27 fatalities. Since the pandemic began, 2.3 million Texans have tested positive for the virus.
Council OKs plats for annex, new store By Maria Weaver
H N EXTRACO
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Hamilton Junior High hosted the annual Extraco Relays Monday, and the seventh grade boys and girls and eighth grade Bulldogs earned championships. The eighth grade girls placed third overall. The high school relays will be Thursday at Kooken Field with field events set to begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by the 3200 meter run at 4:15, and the running finals at 5:30. Pictured above, onlookers cheer on seventh graders Abagail LeGrande, Norma Ortiz and Jocelyn Johnson. Top photo, Colter Johnson is pictured stretching out a throw of 33’5.5” Monday for a first place hurl in the shot put, and at right, Emery Parrott reaches for a jump of 27’0.5” to earn first in the triple jump with second-placed finisher Destini Ranaghan on deck. Staff Photos
Author to appear at market HGH buys By Kymbirlee Jeschke
While the pandemic brought the world to a standstill, it brought time for Amy Jo Wallace to do something she had always wanted to do – write a children’s book. “It was a bucket list item,” said Wallace, who along with her husband splits time between their home in Dallas and their ranch in Evant. “I love children’s books. COVID inspired me and gave me the time to do it.” Wallace is writing a three-book series titled Adventures of a Texas Blue Heeler for elementary children ages five through eight. The books follow Gunner, a Blue Heeler, on his daily adventures while educating readers on urban recycling, conservation and pet rescue. Gunner, the inspiration behind Wallace’s books, belongs to her son who
lives in Dallas. “We shared custody especially when he was a puppy,” Wallace said. “The first book was just about the walks we took every day.” Gunner Cleans Up the Neighborhood brings awareness about litter prevention on Gunner’s daily treks through the neighborhood. “I want readers to be entertained,” said Wallace. “Litter prevention makes kids think. It’s something that as a kid they can actively do.” Gunner Rescues Daisy, the second book in the series, will be released this fall and brings awareness to pet rescue. The third book in the series, Gunner and Daisy Go to the Ranch, tells the tales of the pup’s adventures on the Wallaces’ Ranch. “It’s been quite a journey, and I’ve learned a lot about publishing,”
said Wallace, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Studies. “Now, I’m a children’s author.” Gunner Cleans Up the Neighborhood is available in hardcopy at most major retailers like Walmart, Target and Amazon. A paperback version containing litter prevention tips is available on Amazon only. Follow Wallace on Facebook @adventurestexasblue or online at adventurestexasblue.com. Meet Wallace this Saturday at Evant Market Days. She will be signing copies of Gunner Cleans Up the Neighborhood and will have both hardback and paperback books available for purchase. Evant Market Days kicks off Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Alongside Wallace, shoppers will find vendors with handmade scrubbies and soaps, wire art, Cookies by Nancy, Crazy
Hospital celebrates Obituaries Morrison Pulmonary Rehab Week Bill R.D. Blackburn Page 2
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Creations boutique jewelry and T-shirts, Scentsy items, homemade pies, pecans and jellies from Goldthwaite and even window and patio door replacement. Shopping along the square this weekend includes antiques and crafts at BB&L Trading Post and a big sale at Off the Wall. Stop in for a haircut at Stranded. Evant Feed & Fertilizer and M&W Ag Supply feature farm and ranch supplies. The best place to buy tires, Harrington’s Station now carries Echo outdoor power equipment. While in town, make plans to dine at Main Street Diner, Giovannis, The Elk Stop or grab a pizza at Brewskies. Buena Vista Wildlife Safari is open this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with cabins, a new bunk house and RV spots available for overnight stays.
ambulance, IV pumps
Hamilton County Hospital District Board of Trustees last Wednesday approved purchase of an ambulance and 72 IV pumps, reviewed the Quality Incentive Payment Program with an attorney, ratified medical staff appointments and canceled the May 1 election. The 2018 Ford F350 AEV Type 1 ambulance will be purchased for $182,514.50, and the 72 Volumat MC Agilia Advanced stand-alone infusion pumps leased for $123,742.80 over 60 months, both financed through BancorpSouth Equipment Finance using the hospital district’s preapproved credit line. Trent B. Krienke, attorney with Reed, Claymon, Meeker and Hargett, PLLC, of Austin, reviewed the district’s QIPP plan, which is a supplemental payment program for nursing facilities that encourages them to improve the quality and innovation of their services. Board member Mike Collett complimented Krienke on his presentation. The hospital district leases the facilities, acquires their licenses, obtains new Medicaid contracts and assumes the Medicare provider numbers and agreements of the facilities. See Page 5
Mehaffey PUC details all-region weather response Page 11
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