The Hometown Press 02-23-2022

409-296-BANK

Volume 33, Issue 8

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

East Chambers Renews Contracts

Lone Star Lawman Speaks to Lions

By Wade Thibodeaux The East Chambers ISD Board of Trustees met in regular session last Monday, February 14, 2022 at 6:00 pm. in the Administration Building located at 216 Champions Loop in Winnie, Texas. The main item of business was the almost $10 Million bond election that was reported in last week's The Hometown Press, but many other important items were discussed and approved during the meeting. All of the administrator contracts including Principals and Director positions were approved for renewal and the Superintendent's evaluation was conducted during executive session with all of the goals scoring the highest marks available.

The Trustees approved the contract and hiring of Katie

50 cents

Holland as a new ACE site coordinator and they also approved the ratification of an interlocal agreement between the School Districts of the County and Chambers County concerning school equalization taxes. Two public hearings were held during the meeting with the first public hearing pertaining to the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas(FIRST) and the second was for the Texas Academic Performance Report(TAPR).

East Chambers currently has an active enrollment of 1544 students. The next regular meeting of the East Chambers ISD Board of Trustees will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022 at 6:00 pm in the Administration Building located at 216 Champions Loop in Winnie, Texas.

Local Departments Respond to Barn Fire

By Wade Thibodeaux The Chambers County ESD No1 and Winnie Stowell Volunteer Fire Department members responded to a barn structure on fire in the 18000 block of County Line

Road last Monday afternoon.

Also responding was the Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department. The blaze was quickly extinguished, but the structure was a total loss. No injuries were reported.

By Wade Thibodeaux The Trinity Bay Conservation District Board of Directors met in regular session on Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at Noon in their office located at 2500 State Highway 124 in Stowell, Texas. The board heard from several constituents who made public comments in support of the hiring of Jerry Shadden as the General Manager and then went into executive session at 12:04 pm. Forty minutes later at 12:44 pm, the board emerged from the executive session to approve a contract with Shadden with a February 22, 2022 start date. No other details of the contract were revealed.

The board also approved

a contract with Blakeman and Associates for services related to DOT(Department of Transportation) issues and human resources issues. A contract for disaster debris removal was renewed for the fifth year out of a five year contract with Crowder Gulf and two trucks were authorized for purchase for the drainage department and one new truck was approved for purchase for the utility department.

Some dirt work for the new Hankamer Wastewater Treatment Plant to raise the elevation of the building was approved with a cost of $19,834.00 and a revision to the employee sick leave policy was approved that changed the amount of time off from four

Mike Boone, retired Texas Game Warden visits with Club during a recent meeting.

By Bill Keating their meetings and hear an Mike Boone, retired Texas interesting speaker.

Game Warden and popular “The Lions Club Zone is cast member of the Animal having various clubs host Planet TV program, Lone the others to share ideas Star Law, spoke to the and get to know each Winnie-Stowell Lions other better. We were Club at their regular fortunate to have a speaker meeting on Tuesday, Feb. that is highly respected, 15th. The meeting was an knowledgeable and opportunity for the local popular, in Mike Boone.”

Lions Club to invite other said Bill Keating, President area clubs to attend one of of the Winnie-Stowell

the Winnie Stowell Lions club. “Mike’s 30 years of experience as a Texas Game Warden, mostly in Hardin County, and his time on “Lone Star Law” made him very interesting and entertaining.

Boone told stories of his days as a game warden and how he was chosen as one of the game wardens to be featured on the TV

show. He also spoke about the challenges that all law enforcement officers face today.

“Unfortunately, in today’s environment, a lawman, in a use of deadly force situation, must think about his family, his career and his future. By the time he does that, he sometimes is the one that gets shot.”

Boone said.

Since retiring in August, Boone spent a good bit of time hunting and preparing for his next job as a Special Ranger for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. In his new job he will have the same legal authority he had as a game warden while investigating and preventing livestock theft and other crime facing the cattle industry.

The Winnie-Stowell Lions Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday at noon, at Tony’s Barbecue and raises money in the community to donate to those in need.

The club also engages in various community service projects throughout the year.

For information about joining the WinnieStowell Lions Club call 409-296-4005 or talk to any Lions Club member.

Chambers County Cuts Ribbon on Animal Shelter

By Wade Thibodeaux Chambers County officials cut the ribbon on the recently built animal shelter last Wednesday, February 16, 2022. The facility can accommodate 32 animals and with the assistance of the group known as "Helping Paws of Chambers County" is a no kill facility which

TBCD Approves Contract With Shadden for General Manager

means that the animals are placed into foster or permanent homes and are not euthanized. Chambers County Sheriff gave the opening welcome and a few remarks before turning the microphone over to Brenda Mills with Helping Paws.

Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia provided the closing remarks in

which he thanked the Commissioners Court for providing the funding and the Sheriff's Office for the operation of the shelter. A large crowd then gathered behind the red ribbon and Brenda Mills did the honors of cutting the ribbon for the official opening of the shelter.

Chambers County Judge Jimmy Sylvia is holding a dog awaiting adoption and posing for a picture with longtime friend Danny Biddy, Chaplain of the Chambers County Sheriff's Office during Brenda Mills and other members of Helping Paws joined Chambers County the ribbon cutting officials in officially cutting the ribbon on the Chambers County Animal Shelter activities last Wednesday. last Wednesday. days to three days that required a note from a physician. Due to the retirement of a couple of employees in the accounting

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department, no financial reports were provided and the minutes were approved with a correction of one of the names

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of a board member. The next regular meeting of the Trinity Bay Conservation District Board of Directors will be

Wednesday, March 16, 2022 at 9:00 am in their office located at 2500 State Highway 124 in Stowell, Texas.

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Wednesday, February 23, 2022 Disclaimer: This column is the opinion of Publisher Wade A. Thibodeaux and may contain subject matter on a variety of topics, but usually contains humor of some description. An occasional serious thought may be thrown in to entice the reader to think.

Wade In the Shade

by Wade Thibodeaux I made a little trip this past weekend. I left Huntsville on Friday and headed out to the Hill Country to Bandera for the 11th Street Cowboy Bar Mardi Gras Festival.

Now, I’m not usually big on these types of things, the Mardi Gras stuff, but I had an extra incentive to go this time. My friend George Dearbonne and his band Branded were the headliners for the Saturday night music. On top of that, there were a bunch of friends who were making the trip as well and it sounded like something that I needed to do. I got somewhat of a late start Friday as I had to take care of some things around the office, but I headed out just before Noon. I guess because of the late start and the fact that I would be in the San Antonio area around rush hour traffic, my GPS routed me through every small town between Huntsville and Bandera. At one point, I would have sworn that she was drunk because she would take me through

some side streets that were full of potholes to save maybe a quarter mile on a nice paved State highway. I ended up going through Richards, Navasota, Brenham, Bastrop, Giddings, San Marcos, New Braunfels, Boerne, and countless others. A trip that should have taken about four and a half hours took almost six hours, but she swears that I was on the fastest route. Oh well, I got there.

Friday night was pretty tame as I ended up meeting a couple of High School classmates and some other friends at their hotel and we spent a good three hours laughing and cutting up as we told story after story.

Saturday was the big day as there was a gumbo cookoff, a parade, a costume contest, and of course music throughout the day and into the evening when George would begin playing. My Saturday morning was quite eventful as I was staying in a cabin on a working ranch and about 6:00am, we lost

Opinion & Entertainment power. This was a nice cabin, but it was a cabin. I could see daylight starting to peek through the tiny cracks that surrounded the door frame and that meant that if I could see daylight, then the 31 degree cold air could seep into the cabin. It wasn’t long before the temperature in the cabin began to drop. I just curled up underneath the blankets and within a little while the power came back on and I was able to begin my day. Saturday was a challenging day because it was going to be about 70 degrees in the daytime, but then was going to drop into the mid 30’s that night when George was playing. I was a few miles out of town and after figuring out that Uber didn’t work in Bandera, I was able to get set up with a local taxi company. The taxi thing was good because I could enjoy myself in the adult beverage department and not have to worry about driving, but it didn’t allow me to just run back to the cabin and change clothes so I had to dress for both types of weather.

The 11th Street Cowboy Bar is a great venue, but it’s an outside venue and that means that you are subject to the elements. They had several propane patio heaters scattered around and they even had a few of these great big fire pits that put off a tre-

mendous amount of heat.

The problem with the fire pits was that if you got too close, it would get real hot real quick, but if you got just a few feet away, it would get cold again. Therefore, there was just a small sweet spot where it was comfortable and there was only a certain amount of people that could gather in those sweet spots.

If you left your area to go to the bathroom or the bar,

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

there would surely be another person in your spot when you returned. As the night went on and the temperature continued to drop, the cold just crept into your body and it seemed like there was no way to stay warm.

It didn’t matter how much antifreeze(alcohol) you consumed, it was getting cold.

I guess that I’m getting old because about 1:00am, I gave up and headed back

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to the cabin. My GPS was in a better mood as well on Sunday as we made the return trip with about half of the miles on I-10 before we turned North and headed to Huntsville. All in all it was a great trip with a great bunch of friends and I’m looking forward to the next one......I just hope it’s warmer weather. Till next time, I’m........

Wade in the Shade.

Tumbleweeds

BLACK BEAUTY RANCH

By Tumbleweed Smith

Black Beauty ranch, just outside of Murchison near Athens, is one of the most unique places in Texas.

The 1,400-acre facility is a refuge for 40 different species of neglected and abused animals including reptiles, lions, tigers, bears, monkeys, antelope, deer, buffalo and farm livestock like goats, sheep, cows and chickens. You won’t find any penguins or polar bears there because of the climate. The 800 animals on the ranch come from all over the country. Black Beauty has an animal hospital, 2 veterinarians, a staff of 15 and several volunteers. It is non-profit and funded by donations, grants and its affiliation with the Humane Society of the United States.

It was founded in 1979 by nationally known writer Cleveland Amory, who had concerns about animals in crisis. “He picked this area because it was good horse pasture land and it was cheap,” says Noelle Almrud of Black Beauty Ranch.

“Some of the animals have to get used to being treated with kindness and care, but that’s our goal, to give them respect and dignity for whatever time they have left. It takes

dedication and passion for what we do. This is not a typical 9 to 5 job.”

When Amory, author of the book RANCH OF DREAMS, learned that donkeys in the Grand Canyon were facing grave danger he decided to do something about it. “He heard that in the 1990s the Bureau of Land Management was set to exterminate donkeys in the Grand Canyon because they were over-breeding and there weren’t enough resources to handle them and there was no way to remove them from the canyon. He said that’s not true and so he organized a rescue over two years and had them airlifted one by one with a helicopter, 577 of them, without a single injury or loss. He adopted as many as he could and those that couldn’t be adopted came to Black Beauty on the original 80 acres.”

The ranch is named Black Beauty because when Cleveland Amory was a child he read the book BLACK BEAUTY, published in 1877 by English author Anna Sewell, about an abused horse that was turned out to pasture after it could no longer be of use to its

owners. “It always stuck with him,” says Noelle.

“The last line of the book says something like ‘my troubles are over and I am at home.’ That’s kind of our motto and really sets the tone for what we’re about and what we do.”

During normal times, the ranch is open to visitors a couple of times each month. “We are closed now just for the safety of our staff and the animals. We have small pre-scheduled guided tours on a bus for groups no larger than 24.

We drive them around with a tour guide not only showing them the animals but we’re explaining how they came to be here.”

Amory’s ashes are on the ranch. “We took the urn with his ashes and put it around the neck of his favorite burro named Friendly, the youngest of the original donkeys that were rescued.

As she wandered about, his ashes were scattered on the property.” The website is blackbeutyranch.org www.tumbleweesmith.com

Tumbleweed Smith’s column in the Hometown Press is presented by

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR ■ East Chambers regular school board meetings are held on the second Monday beginning at 6pm in the 216 Champions Loop Winnie, TX 77665

THEME: THE 1940s ACROSS 1. Decree 6. *U.S./U.S.S.R.’s cold one 9. Harry Potter’s mark 13. Syrup flavor 14. ____ Khan 15. Bird of prey’s nest 16. Lieu 17. H+, e.g.

18. Bashful or Happy 19. *”1984” author George 21. *Best-selling pop artist Bing 23. Writer ____ Monk Kidd 24. Genghis or Kubla 25. Cranberry habitat 28. Not nice 30. Saddle holders 35. *Boris Karloff’s movie “The ____,” pl.

37. Actress Barrymore 39. Asian goat antelope 40. Supernatural life force 41. Seethes 43. South African antelope 44. Cook from above 46. Rotisserie part 47. Not odd 48. Italy in Italian 50. What snob puts on 52. .0000001 joule

53. Sound of a dropped tome 55. Beer acronym 57. *____ Doctrine, U.S. foreign policy 60. *”How Green Was My ____” 63. Another word for nutria 64. Ciao in the U.S. 66. Trip guide 68. Surveyor’s maps 69. Afflict 70. Will alternative 71. Additionally 72. Nucleic acid 73. Term of endearment DOWN 1. Emergency acronym 2. *1949 international org.

3. Copycat 4. Chicken feet 5. Christian hymn (2 words) 6. Graveside sound 7. Gone by 8. TV’s Yellowstone, e.g.

9. Uses a Singer 10. Underwater hermit 11. Ethereal 12. Gridiron official, for short 15. Apollo Creed’s son 20. City in northern England

Solution on page 3

22. Old towel, e.g.

24. Rollerskater’s protector (2 words) 25. *Disney’s 1942 orphan 26. Abstractionism using optical illusion 27. Kind of salami 29. Crafts’ companion 31. Network of nerves 32. Treasure collection 33. Dreamer?

34. *Popular music style 36. Ship canvas 38. *1939-1945 42. Parallel grooves 45. Acid turns it red 49. “Bingo!”

51. Daryl Hannah’s 1984 movie 54. Open up 56. In spite of the fact, arch.

57. Church sound 58. Swedish shag rugs 59. Plotting 60. Velum, pl.

61. Zeal 62. New Haven University 63. IRS employee?

65. Yang’s opposite 67. Canny

or any members, to join them for Chicken Foot on Thursdays at noon, and Bingo on Wednesdays at 1 p.m.

For more information, please call 267-3700.

■ The Wellness Center at ■ The Lily Bayside invites seniors, Valley Food

located at 1222 N. Main St. in Anahuac, distributes food to those in need on the fourth Saturday of each month.

Anyone wishing to donate canned goods, money or volunteer is of the encouraged to do so.

Pantry,

The Hometown Press The Hometown Press, ID#006414 is published weekly on Wednesday, except for the Wednesday immediately following Christmas, by Hometown Press, Inc., 2028 State Hwy 124 or P.O. Box 801, Winnie, TX 77665.

Annual instate subscription rate is $25.00 and out-of-state is $25.00. Second Class postage is paid at Winnie, TX Postmaster.

Change of address may be sent to Hometown Press, P.O. Box 801, Winnie, TX. 77665. Phone: 409296-9988, Fax: 409-296-9987, email: htpress99@gmail.com Periodical Class Permit #006414 Winnie, TX 77665 STAFF BOX Publisher: Wade Thibodeaux Advertising Deadline is noon Monday for Wednesday paper.

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THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Local News

Wednesday, February 23, 2022 PUNISHMENT RANGE

Thirty-Six individuals were arrested and booked into the Chambers County Jail between Sunday, February 13 and Saturday, February 19. Warrants from last week are also as followed.

The individuals have been

magistrated and formally informed of the charges against them. However, just because these individuals were arrested and magistrated does not mean they are guilty of the crimes they are charged with committing. Also, not

everyone charged with a crime is alleged to have committed the crime in Chambers County, but perhaps was simply arrested in Chambers County on outstanding warrant(s) while in Chambers County.

Instances in which individuals

were arrested on outstanding warrants, their original conviction and the reason they are on probation or parole, if available, is included in parenthesis set.

• First degree felony: punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison and a $10,000 fine.

• Second degree felony: punishable by up to 20 years and a $10,000 fine.

• Third degree felony: punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

• State jail felony: punishable by up to two years in prison.

• Deferred adjudication probation: typically offered to the first time offenders. Defendants’ judgement is deferred until later, if ever. If they successfully complete the terms of their probation, they are not judge and thus have no criminal conviction in connection to the offense. However, if they accept deferred adjudication probation but fail to abide by the terms of their probation, they could be sentenced to the maximum time in prison allowable under the law without the benefit of a trail by jury.

• Class A misdemeanor: punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

• Class B misdemeanor: punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.

Judge Celia Devillier

Patti Henry

J.P. Pct 1 Winnie

M-F 8 am-11 am & 1pm-4pm

Jimmy Gore

District Clerk Passports

409-267-2432

409-296-8250

Commissioner Pct 1

409-296-8250

Jimmy Sylvia County Judge

409-267-2440

Total Main Jail:

36

Pendleton Whisky Concert Series Announced Ahead of 2022 PBR World Finals in Fort Worth Possum Kingdom Delivers First Two February ShareLunkers

Ahead of the debut PBR (Professional Bull Riders) World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, the organization today announced the talent-packed Pendleton Whisky Concert Series which will feature eight recording artists performing across three venues throughout the Metroplex from May 1321. The star-studded roster of performers is headlined

by ACM Award-nominated recording artist Danielle Bradbery and Riser House/ Columbia Nashville’s multiplatinum No. 1 hitmaker Mitchell Tenpenny who will take to the stage inside Dickies Arena prior to two of the final rounds of competition for the prestigious PBR World Finals.

The 2022 PBR World Finals will buck into Fort Worth

on May 13-22. The opening rounds of competition will be held May 13-15, with the action coming to a climactic end May 19-22 when the 2022 PBR World Champion will be crowned, earning the coveted gold buckle and accompanying $1 million bonus.

Bradbery and Tenpenny headline the Pendleton Whisky Concert Series. They will perform on Thursday, May 19, and Friday, May 20, respectively, inside Dickies Arena prior to the start of each evening’s round of the PBR World Finals.

Bradbery is the season four winner on The Voice whose career has blossomed since winning the reality TV show in 2013. In addition to earned multiple award

nominations, she has toured across the globe with Kane Brown, Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and more.

Stepping into her own lane with sophomore album ”I Don't Believe We've Met,” Bradbery infused her story into her songs for the first time– penning seven of the album’s 10 tracks including “Worth It,” “Potential” and GOLDcertified “Sway.”

With her fiery coming-of-age declaration, “Stop Draggin’ Your Boots,” Danielle shows a side of herself we’ve never seen before and takes it one step further with a bootstompin’ video embodying the song’s feisty message – watch here. As she prepares to release more new music this year, the

powerhouse vocalist exhales the pain of loving someone who’s long gone with her new track “Break My Heart Again” out now via Big Machine Records.

Tenpenny recently released an eight-song EP, Midtown Diaries EP, he produced Jordan B Schmidt. Mitchell co-wrote all the tracks including his smash “Truth About You” that he first previewed for his fans on TikTok. “You listen to the fans who listen to you,” Mitchell said about their instantaneous reaction as the song became the largest streaming debut of his career now with more than 60 million total on-demand streams. Mitchell can also be heard on the radio with Chris Young on their (contd on page 8)

Possum Kingdom claimed the first two Legacy Class largemouth bass of the month Saturday, February 12. Steven Davis of Burkburnett, Texas reeled in ShareLunker 615 that morning, which weighed in at 13.20 pounds, followed by Randy Palmer of Arlington, Texas with 13.38-pound ShareLunker 616 later that night. These two Legacy Lunkers bring the 2022 Toyota ShareLunker season total to eight after six came in during the opening month of January.

Saturday’s catches were monumental for Possum

Kingdom with ShareLunker 615 becoming the waterbody’s first Legacy Class fish since 1991 and fourth overall when ShareLunker 616 capped the day. Don Allison of Amarillo, Texas caught 15.38-pound ShareLunker 80 on February 14, 1991, nearly 31 years ago to the day of Davis’ and Palmers’ Legacy fish. Scott Tongate of Bedford, Texas collected the first ever Legacy Lunker at Possum Kingdom on October 13, 1989, when he landed the 16.02-pound ShareLunker 44.

“This is an (contd on page 5)

Wednesday,February 23, 2022

Religion & Lifestyle

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Sunday Observations from Christy

PAGE 4

So last weekend, myself and a lot of Americans tuned into the halftime show at the Super Bowl.

With all the hype, the “retro” feel of music, it was a fun show. Then the memes began. Before I saw this with my own eyes in high I go one bit further, I school. Phillip shot the first of two will say, I like to laugh free throws for our team. The ball hit probably more than the normal person does. So the back edge of the rim and began to this is not anti-humor. bounce straight up and down. It finally This is pro THINK. rested on the back of the rim next to the Anywho............as part of the performance, 50 backboard. It was so close, but had to be Cent performed his “In da Club” classic, and counted as a miss. began by hanging upside down. Look, I am old, I didn’t get the upside “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Almost down thing either. But, you persuade me to become a many jokes were made that he is bigger than he Christian.’” (Acts 26:28) was....sidenote the song is 19 years old........I Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain: Chambers am fairly certain many County Sheriff’s Office & Fellowship of of us are not fitting in Christian Cowboys jeans from 2003. So later in the week, the story OBITUARIES of a 12 year old who committed suicide due at The Medical Center of to horrific bullying made Southeast Texas, Port Arthur surrounded by her the viral world. Look up

Drayke. That is all you have to type in. It is gut wrenching.

Finally, others put 2 and 2 together. They came up with 4.....FINALLY. You see, the adults in this world who find humor in pointing out other people’s physical attributes, making fun of someone who is on stage singing a 19 year old song, and being heavier. Joking about Mary J Blige’s thighs, or....unpopular thoughts of the moment, joking about a president with orange toned skin, one that trips on stairs, stutters, or is older, that action that you think and see as funny is at the expense of someone else. Sure, you dont know them so what’s the harm? After all, the President is, in your opinion, the worst ever.

It’s all just a joke, right?

Everyone is laughing at it, right?

No. They are not.

Because the overweight person hears you joking about someone else’s weight. Because your kids see you make fun of someone’s physical appearance, and feel they can go along with everyone that is making fun of the kid online. The child in the cafeteria. It’s all in fun right? Mom and Dad laugh at the President stumbling all

the time, they say what an idiot he is. So kids think they can tell little Johnny how stupid he is for falling at recess.

Then their friends laugh and laugh, and they are popular. Little Johnny acted fine, he knew it was a joke. But did he?

Or did he, like young Drayke, go home and hang himself...with his hoody....from his bunk bed.

Folks, we have got to realign what we deem funny. What we see as humor. Because it’s not all fun and games. Your kids are watching and replicating your every move. They strive to be you. But they want to ramp it up a notch.

To get your approval.

After all, you laugh when you make fun of the former classmate who gained weight. You chuckle when you see the roadside homeless person. You say they need a job, they need to go away, they need to do this or do that. But when will you say, we do not know what caused this, and we don’t make fun of other people. Period.

Oftentimes the very people I hear commenting on how vicious bullying is.........are the same ones who bully others.... oh wait.......no they are just kidding. Right??

Folks, a snide comment,

an ugly meme, is not suddenly ok because you type LOL afterwards.

If your child said, posted, shared, or repeated your social media page......... would you laugh then?

If instead of Biden being “old and feeble” your child said, haha Dad look at that old lady who tripped going in the store....would you laugh? Kids don’t know the difference between the President and your elderly neighbor. What they know is you laugh at it. And they want to be just like you.

Happy Sunday peeps..... the meanness in society literally frightens me.

Maybe I am soft. I am ok with that. But before you share the next meme, joke, or laugh at the expense of another human being, ask yourself............would I laugh if my child laughed at an elder? A classmate?

A handicapped person?

A speech impediment?

Because repeated behavior at a school happens all the time.

Some kids feel there is no way out. Be the change in this world you want for your children. Do better.

Be better. Tolerance and compassion for those who are different is the sign of maturity. Growth and humanity. We need more of THAT.

Betty was fluent in French, and she loved to visit with company. Above all else, she adored her family. Betty had a recent revelation with Jesus.

Survivors include her children, Pamela Billings, of Bridge City; Eugene Myers, Jr., of Baytown; Paula Theriot and hus-

band, Chuck, of Bridge City; Phyllis Breaux and husband, Gary, of Orangefield; and Vanessa Hoffpauir, of Vidor; grandchildren, Katrina; Billy Bob; Ashley; Michael; Storm; Chloe; Logan; and Dustin; great-grandchildren, Bailey; Allie; Hadley; Silas; Tristan; Jaycie;

Aries; Jaylee; and Jareth; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Virginia and Oday Conner; son, Phillip Myers; brothers, Eugene and Ray Conner; sister, Ida Price; daughter-in-law, Lorrie Myers; son-in-law, Joe Billings; and grandson,

Arlin Gulley.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sweet Pups Rescue and Sanctuary, 46724 I-10, Winnie, Texas 77665.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com

St. Mary Baptist Church Hwy 61 &Albritton •Hankamer 409-374-2182 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Morning Worship..................11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study.........7:00 pm SunlightMissionaryBaptistChurch Spikes Rd • Hankamer Sunday School.........................9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Wednesday Evening..................7:00 pm LaBelle Baptist Church 9400 Hwy 365 • LaBelle 409-796-1240 Sunday School.......................10:00 am Sunday Adult Worship............11:00 am Sunday Children’s Church......11:00 am Sunday Evening......................6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study.............7:00 pm First Baptist Church High Island Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship....................10:30 am Sunday Evening Worship..........6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible......7:00 pm

St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hwy. 365 & IH-10 • Fannett 794-2548 Saturday Mass.........................5:00 pm Sunday Mass............7:00 & 11:00 am St. Martin DePorres Mission Boyt & Kidd • Cheek 409-794-2548 Sunday Mass............................9:00 am

Methodist

Nondenominational

Foolishness?

Betty Ann Conner Myers, 85, of Winnie, died Thursday, February 10, 2022, Assemblies of God

Cornerstone Church 3810 Hwy. 124 • Stowell 409-296-2481 Sunday Worship Service.........10:00 am Wednesday Family Night......6:30 pm Cornerstone Church 1100 Oak Street • Anahuac 409-296-2481 Sunday Worship Service.....10:30 am

Baptist

First Baptist Church of Anahuac 405 South Magnolia • Anahuac 409-267-3262 Sunday School..............9:00 am SundayMorningWorship.....11:00 am Evening Worship..........6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting.....6:30 pm First Baptist of Fannett Highway 124 • Fannett Sunday School.................9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship...10:45 am Sunday Discipleship Training.......5:00 pm Sunday Evening Worship.............6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting......7:00 pm First Baptist Church of Hamshire Highway 124 • Hamshire 409-243-2163 Sunday School.................9:15 am Morning Worship.........10:30 am Evening Worship............6:00 pm Wednesday Discipleship....6:15 pm First Baptist Church of Stowell W. Main &VanOstrand • Stowell 409-296-4510 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Sunday Evening Worship........6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study............7:00 pm OutdoorsMen Church of Winnie Hwy 124 in Winnie Saturday.......6:00pm (covered dish meal at service)

family. She was born July 2, 1936, in Welsh, Louisiana, to Virginia Landry Conner and Oday Conner.

Betty loved Cajun music and dancing and she liked traveling. She also enjoyed playing cards and bingo.

She was known to be a great cook and for her love of pets, hers and strays.

First Baptist Church of Winnie Winnie 409-296-4072 Brian Johnson, Pastor Sunday School.................9:15 am Sunday Morning Worship..10:30 am SundayEvening Worship...........6:00 pm Wednesday: Kids for Christ.................4:00 pm Youth (Grades 7-12)........4:00 pm Adult Bible Study/Prayer Meeting.6:00 pm Sweet Home Baptist Church Hankamer 409-374-2208 Pastor: Ronald Smith Sunday School.................9:30 am SundayMorningWorship.........10:30am Wednesday Dinner......................6:00 pm Wednesday Bible Study Adult, Youth and Children’s.....6:30 pm Mt. Horeb Baptist Church Campbell Rd &Ave G • Stowell 409-296-2938 Sunday School.........................8:00 am Sunday Morning Worship.........9:00 am Monday Mission & Teachers.......6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer Meeting & Choir St. Paul Baptist Church First Street • Stowell 409-296-2750 Sunday School.........................9:45 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am Monday Brotherhood............7:00 pm Tuesday Mission.....................6:30 pm WednesdayPrayerMeeting...........7:00pm

Church Services

Catholic St. Louis Catholic Church 315 W Buccaneer Dr • Winnie 409-296-4200 Tuesday: 8:30 am English Wednesday: 8:30 am Spanish with music Friday: 8:30am Bilingual 1st Friday Devotion - Eucharistic Adoration following mass until 10:00am Saturday 4:00 pm Sunday 10:30 am, noon Spanish Reconciliation Saturday 3:00-3:45 Our Lady of Light Catholic Church S. Main St • Anahuac 409-267-3158 Thursday: 6:00 pm Spanish Saturday: 6:00 pm Spanish Sunday: 8:30 am English Reconciliation Thursday 5:00-5:45

Church of Christ Winnie Church of Christ 2559 Hwy 124 • Stowell 409-899-1737 • 409-363-9898 Sunday Bible Class.................9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship.......10:45 am Sunday Evening Worship......5:00 pm Wednesday Service................7:00 pm Church of Christ Oak Street • Anahuac 267-6445 Sunday Bible Class.................9:30 am SundayWorship Service......10:30 am SundayEvening Worship.......6:00 pm Wednesday Service................6:00 pm

Episcopal Trinity Episcopal Church Washington & Light St • Anahuac 409-267-6582 Sunday Holy Communion..10:00 am

Latter Day Saints

Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints Menely Road • Winnie Sunday Morning.....................9:00 am Wednesday Youth Activities.....7:00 pm

Lutheran

Hope Lutheran Church 9th & LeBlanc - Winnie 409-296-2377 Sunday Worship............9:30 am Sunday School............10:45 am

First United Methodist 204 Trinity St • Anahuac 409-267-3242 Sunday School.......................10:45 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am St. James Methodist Ed Hopkins @ Texas St • Anahuac Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship 1st & 4th Sunday.....................................11:00 am Wednesday Bible Studies......6:00 pm Faith United Methodist Highway 365 • Fannett 409-794-1121 Sunday School......................10:00 am Sunday Worship....................11:00 am UMYF 2nd and 4th Sunday.....5:00 pm Middleton Memorial Methodist Wallisville Rd • Wallisville 409-389-2218 Sunday Worship......................9:00 am St.PaulUnitedMethodistDoubleBayou www.stpauldoublebayou.com Sunday School........................10:45am Sunday Worship .................... 9:00 am Wednesday Bible Studies.........6:30 pm St. Mathew’s United Methodist 1312 Weeks Ave • High Island Sunday School.........................9:00 am Sunday Worship Service.........10:00 am UMYF.............................................3:00 pm First United Methodist Highway 124 @ Freeman • Winnie 296-4382 Sunday School.........................9:30 am Sunday Worship....................10:45 am UMYF.......................................6:00 pm Sunday Worship......................9:30 am Sunday School.......................10:45 am

SmithPoint Community Church Smith Point Sunday School.......................10:00 am Sunday Morning Worship......11:00 am Trinity Church 1324 Hwy. 124 • Winnie Sunday Happy Hour...............9:00 am Morning Worship.................10:00 am WednesdayEveningWorship....7:30pm House of Prayer Fannett Elementary School 409-794-9470 Sunday Services.............2:00-5:00 pm HankamerCommunity Fellowship FM 1663 @ FM 1724 • Hankamer Sunday School.....................10:00 am Sunday Praise & Worship..11:00 am Wednesday Bible Study........7:00 pm Lighthouse of Hope Church 507 6th St. Winnie, Texas (at the corner of 6th St. and Oak St.) 409-782-5354 Sunday Worship....................10:00 am Wednesday Worship..............6:30 pm Word of Life Church Please call (351) 999-4923 to participate in our phone church services: Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Church services 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Bible Study 7:00 pm

Pentecostal

Calvary Tabernacle 1210 FM 1406 • Winnie 296-2020 Sunday School........................2:00 pm Sunday Worship.....................2:45 pm Thursday Evening...................7:00 pm (Children’s Church, Youth Service & Bible Study) - Pastor Carl A. Vickery Calvary Tabernacle UPC 11185 Mahon Rd, Fannet Pastor Steve Adams 409-201-8033 Sunday 1pm, Thursday 7pm First UnitedPentecostal Church 1352 Walter Street • High Island 286-5444 Sunday Worship....................10:00 am Tuesday.....................................7:30 pm

PAGE 5

Business Directory

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

Clark Freight Line Bus Pg Ad:May 21 ad 11/29/17 11:39 AM Page 1

Bus Pg Ad:May 21 ad 6/28/17 1:11 PM Page 1

Winnie Dairy Queen Hwy 124 South P.O. Box 981 Winnie, TX 77665

(409) 296-2116

Clark Freight Lines, Inc. Pasadena, TX 281-487-3160 Beaumont, TX • W. Memphis, AR Birmingham, AL • Nashville, TN

www.clarkfreight.com

“Trucks Move Your World”

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$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

McCall BS pg:May 21 ad 6/28/17 1:10 PM Page 1

C & V WRECKER SERVICE

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

Craig Stowe Owner

PO Box 1376 2425 Hwy 124 S. Winnie, TX 77665

409-296-9542

Possum Kingdom Delivers (contd)

extra special moment for Possum Kingdom and the local community which has had to contend with Golden Alga and drought,” said Inland Fisheries Division Outreach Director Tom Lang. “The Wichita Falls District Fisheries Management Team in partnership with the Brazos River Authority and local Friends of Reservoirs Chapters (Hells Gate Bass Club and Mineral Wells Bass Club) worked diligently for years to enhance fisheries habitat to help make better fishing and create once-in-alifetime moments like these two anglers experienced.”

Davis was competing in a tournament Saturday along with his fishing partner Justin Jones. They had been preparing for the tournament by pre-fishing the lake starting in December. They had found some good spots during the scouting, but none of them had paid off until Saturday morning.

“My fishing partner Justin Jones said there is a spot over here where we’ve caught fish before and my response was, ‘I haven’t caught a fish there all year,’” said Davis. “We decided to go over there anyway and within two casts I caught an 8.5-pounder. We made it 500 yards down the bank again and I sent out another cast parallel on the bank. I got a bite, set the hook, and my initial thought was I caught a striper since we have caught a lot of those in this lake.

“It battled and reacted just like a striper would, so I backed the drag off and let it run,” added Davis. “It eventually came to the top of the water, and I told Jones it’s a double digit.

We had the boat out in 60-80 feet of water, and it took six or seven minutes to get her into the net. That’s when it all set in

that I was going to have the big fish of the tournament.”

Davis was using a Strike King 375 white swimbait on a Pride rod and a Lew’s fishing reel to bring in his catch of a lifetime.

Davis’ previous personal best was a 9.25-pounder. Saturday’s Legacy Lunker also helped Davis and Jones secure a tournament victory.

“The Toyota ShareLunker program and the process to transfer the fish that day was amazing,” said Davis. “The initial setup site to make the transfer was a lengthy distance away in addition to a strong wind. When we let them know our location on the lake, TPWD personnel quickly adjusted the site to another boat ramp five minutes away from where we were to help shorten the transfer time and enhance fish care. A huge thank you to TPWD Fisheries personnel, you couldn’t ask for better people.”

Palmer has been fishing since a very young age, whether it be camping on the banks and running trot lines as a child to junior high school and high school weekend bass fishing.

Palmer has been able to catch three fish over 10-pounds to this point, but Saturday, February 12 produced the catch of a lifetime.

“I’m truly blessed to have been taught to target and catch big bass,” said Palmer. “Don't get me wrong, smashing them all day is fun but there is nothing like a big bass bite! I knew big ones lived there so you are always ready for the ‘one’ bite.

I initially thought it was a 2- to 3-pounder, but when I set the hook on the jig, I knew I had an opportunity for something great. When I could not move her and all I could feel was slow heavy head shakes, time truly stood still.

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 296-9988

Classifieds

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Free for individuals selling personal items

Call (409)296-9988 • Fax (409)296-9987 htpress99@gmail.com

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

PAGE 6

Let our readers know about your garage sales, help wanted, services....

Deadline: Monday before publication at 12 noon

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

Palms RV Park 721 9th Street, Winnie. Showers, laundry room, wifi, propane bottle exhange, privacy fence, security cameras. 409.673.5927 For Lease 4 BR 2 bath 1 car garage. 936 Van Ostrand, Winnie. $1550.00/ month. Call 409-363-4570

House for rent: brick house, 3 bed 2.5 bath, inside has washer, dryer & refrigerator. very nice house. one month $1,200. One year contract please call 832-298-8159

HELP WANTED Handyman needed for only a few hours work around the house and yard.

409-296-6224 General Labor crew needed. Duties include: shoveling, weed-eating/ mowing, pouring concrete, laying pipes and clearing land. Background check and drug screen required.

Tempto-hire - $12.00 per hour. Call us at 835-5566.

House for Rent 3 BR 1 1/2 bath $1100.00/ month and $1100.00 deposit.

No utilities.

Call Reenay 409-201-0399 1600 sq. ft. for rent.

Window display, Highway frontage 409-781-0918 For Rent 2 bedroom, 1 Part time bath, 1 car garage. Stove, maintenance man refrigerator, dishwasher needed. Apply at included.

Washer-dryer hookups. No pets or Winnie Square smoking inside. $850/ Apartments month, $850 deposit.

218 W Magnolia Ave Application required. #33 Call 409-781-3352 Winnie TX 6 or 12 month lease 1000 sq. ft. office space 409-296-2100 for rent. 409-781-0918.

2BR, 1B, kitchen FOR RENT with built-ins, Franzen Rd, 725/mo; House for rent in Winnie.

4 0 9 6 7 9 9 7 7 3 3 bed, 1.5 bath + game room, fenced HELP WANTED backyard. Brick house in nice neighborhood.

Hatfield Garage $1,200 month +deposit.

Mechanic Needed Call 4 0 9 - 7 8 9 - 0 2 8 9 409-296-3333 One BR apartment $600.00/per month, $600.00 deposit. No utilities Call Reenay 409-201-0399

.ARBO:RETUM o:F.WINNIE RE Due to our continued success, we are now taking applications for full time and part time positions. Great work environment and only 25 miles from Port Arthur or Beaumont.

Certified Nurse Aide

We offer competitive pay with benefits. Come join our TEAM. Apply in person at 1215 HWY. 124, Winne, TX 409-296-8200

FOR SALE Metal Shelves $10 each 4 available Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Set of metal steps. $40 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Disk and scoop for tractor $25 each Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

SERVICES

Cub SI40 farm tractors 14’50’ mobile home - large dog house metal - garden tiller - 3 drilling rigs want to buy disk - brush hog - tractor w/ front loader. 281-788-7838 Property For Sale Chambers Co, Texas Property Legal Description 651 TRIC-O WW Gregory.

Contact Glenn Guillory 8 3 2 - 4 3 3 - 2 1 1 5

Canal City lot for sale by owner on the middle canal undeveloped Lot #302, 1468 Van Sant Gilchrist TX call Alan 409-939-3240 no texts $30,000

Garry BrattenExperienced Handyman.

No job too small or large.

409-354-8280.

For Sale 28' Triple Axle Gooseneck Trailer $6500.00.

Call 409-267-3063 Cow hay for sale 4x5 round bales bahaia grass 35.00 per roll stored outside 409-781-2236

New Craftsman electric biscuit joiner with case never been used. $150.00 interested call 409-5536831 in Winnie,TX 2005 Crown Vic Intercepter: Clean, dependable, new tires, brakes, great ac, etc., $3, 800.00.

281-414-6353 Trailer axles $40.00 - $100.00 each, PVC pipe 1 1/2 to 4" $50.00, Call 409-457-5204 Commercial gas tank for sale $700. refrigerator for sale $80. please call 832-298-8159 2012 Jeep Compass runs good. A/C works but does not cool well.

Work vehicle $5000.00 Call 409-277-1065 2000 Ford gas tractor parts.

Call for prices Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 Window air conditioner $50 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4 4 tires size 33x12.50 R18LT $100 Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

2004 40' Mountain Air motorhome, made by Newmar. 250 Cummings diesel, 6 speed Allison transmission $25000.00 Call 409-277-0883 or 409-277-9872

7 1/4 acres furnished house lots of outside equipment.

409-284-5543

For sale: Bradford, Brangus, and Hereford bulls. Call 713.875.5703 Part-time shop help For Sale 28' Triple needed for weekends Axle Gooseneck Trailer and some weekdays. $6500.00. Call 409-267-3063 Trailer axles $40 - 100 each If interested please Located in Stowell call 409-296-6980.

4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

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$25.00 Mail Check or Money Order to: The Hometown Press PO Box 801, Winnie, TX 77665 409-296-9988 We Accept Most Major Credit Cards

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MEDICAL

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Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 221 Participating Texas Newspapers • Regional Ads Start At $250 • Email ads@texaspress.com NOTICE: While most advertisers are reputable, we cannot guarantee products or services advertised. We urge readers to use caution and when in doubt, contact the Texas Attorney General at 800-621-0508 or the Federal Trade Commission at 877-FTC-HELP. The FTC web site is www.ftc.gov/bizop.

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Wade A. Thibodeaux

Publisher wade@txmediacorp.com 409.656.5677

PO Box 801 • Winnie, TX 77665 (409) 296-9988

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PAGE 7

Culture/Lifestyle

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Will it continue? will production from ex- falling water, slower Stockings of Florida bass isting fish. But Wright fishing. will help for a while, as expects another drought, Until then - FISH IT!

Tim Broodfoot landed this 13.48-pound largemouth on 950-acre Lake Daniel on January 14. 2022. That fish qualified as Toyota ShareLunker #611, the third entry this year in the ShareLunker Legacy Category for 2022, proving that ShareLunker bass can come from small waterbodies.

The Legacy category closes on March 31. TPWD contributed photo.

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE

BIG BASS ARE A-BITIN’

By John Jefferson

Probably the largest freshwater fishing event and certainly one with a potentially large payout -- and yet requires no large entry fee -- the TPWD/Toyota ShareLunker competition tops the list!

All ya have to do is catch a largemouth weighing eight pounds or more.

Your prize is being placed in a drawing for a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree.

If ya get really lucky and catch a 13-pound or larger largemouth from January 1-March

Welcome Neighborhood Net Readers!

31 and donate your bass for breeding, you get entered in a couple of drawings, for $5,000 shopping sprees, get a replica mount of your fish, some tackle, an annual fishing license, and a lot of notoriety. Some of the fame could last longer than the fishing tackle. It has been for a couple of guys, already.

But any angler will tell you that catching that big a bass is the hard part. Few have done it.

Fewer still have done it twice. Thousands have tried unsuccessfully. I’m one.

And don’t think you have to fish Lake Fork, Sam Rayburn, or either of the two large Rio Grande lakes. The list of Lunker-producing lakes is a long one, and includes some smaller water bodies, too. Pictured is Tim Broodfoot who recently made the hallowed list with a 13.48-pound bass he caught on little-known Daniel Lake, east of Abilene.

The big story the past few years, however, has been the second coming of Lake O.H. Ivey, located southeast of Ballinger.

It had been a productive lake in 2010, yielding 11 ShareLunkers, according to TPWD Inland Fisheries District Biologist, Lynn Wright, in San Angelo. Then, the infamous Texas drought struck, and the lake went down – waterwise, produc-

tion-wise and otherwise.

The drought that devastated the Hill Country in the ‘fifties lasted seven-years. This one lasted eight -- except for a little bump in 2015.

In the fall, 2018, September and October rain raised Ivey 30feet and covered over 10,000 acres of NEW LAKE. When prolonged droughts occur, Nature steps in to help. Nature abhors a vacuum.

That exposed lakeshore doesn’t just sit there like a shoreline desert for long. Vegetation gradually returns. The now newly flooded shoreline has morphed into new habitat and abundant nutrition for the fish.

Wright described it as “Perfect conditions for (fish) growth.”

To steal from an old saying and change one word, “the proof is in the pitching.” And catching!

Last year, O.H. Ivey produced TWELVE ShareLunkers between Jan. 1 and March 31. Two more thirteen-pounders were added after March 31 and still earned the anglers a chance for the shopping spree. “It was like fishing a New Lake,” Wright said.

This season, it’s off to a great start: Five of the first six ShareLunkers entered came from Ivey.

Three others have been entered: Two from Possum Kingdom and the one from Daniel Lake.

Po s s u m K i n g d o m D e l i v e r s ( c o n t d )

“I fought her all the way to the boat before I saw her and then it was shark week with a great white mouth explosion,” added Palmer. “She was too big to jump all the way out of the water and all I could see was my jig in the top of her mouth. My buddy Mark Broadway was getting the net and she made a few more hard runs and thrashed the surface several more times before Broad got her in the net. As soon as he picked her up out of the water, he was screaming it’s a Lunker!”

Palmer said fishing is about relationships you make along the journey and when word got out that he reeled in a Lunker, all the people he had the pleasure of fishing with over the years reached out with an “attaboy”. Now that Palmer has a Legacy Lunker to his credit, his wish is for Mark to reel in one of his own. Palmer recalled one of the moments that got him hooked on bass fishing.

“The Toyota ShareLunker program made it to where a regular bass fisherman could grab a moment in the spotlight,” said Palmer. “I never thought I could stand in that light, but so thankful that I get to have a life changing experience through the ShareLunker program.”

Once Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Inland Fisheries biologists were notified, they quickly got on the road to collect and transport ShareLunker 615 and 616 to the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, where biologists are providing the fish top-notch care. Biologists plan to attempt to spawn her with a male offspring of a prior ShareLunker to make bigger, better bass to stock in and enhance fishing in Texas lakes.

During the first three months of the season (Jan. 1 through March 31), anglers who reel in a 13+ pound bass can loan it to TPWD for the ShareLunker selective breeding and stocking program. These anglers can call the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 to report their catch 24/7 until April 1.

Anglers who catch and donate one of these 13+ lunkers earn Legacy Class status, receive a catch kit filled with merchandise, a 13+ pound Legacy decal for their vehicle or boat, VIP access to the Toyota ShareLunker Annual

Awards event and a highquality replica mount of their Lunker fish from Lake Fork Taxidermy. These anglers will also receive entries into two separate drawings – a Legacy Class Drawing and the yearend Grand Prize Drawing.

Both drawings will award the winner a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and an annual fishing license.

The year-round Toyota ShareLunker program offers four levels of participation for catching bass over eight pounds or 24 inches in Texas.

The 2022 season offers an opportunity to join the special club of premier anglers who have submitted a Legacy Class ShareLunker.

Anglers who enter data for any lunker they catch greater than eight pounds or 24 inches during the calendar year 2022 also receive a catch kit, a decal for their vehicle or boat and an entry into the year-end Grand Prize Drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and annual fishing license.

ShareLunker entry classes include the Lunker Class (8lb+), Elite Class (10lb+), and Legend Class (13lb+).

Once a lunker is reeled in, anglers need to enter the catch

data on the Toyota ShareLunker mobile app – available for free from the Apple App Store and Google Play – or on the Toyota ShareLunker online app at TexasSharelunker.com.

In addition to providing basic catch information, anglers can also provide a DNA scale sample from their lunker bass to TPWD researchers for genetic analysis.

The Toyota ShareLunker Program is made possible in part by the generous sponsorship of Toyota. Toyota is a longtime supporter of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation and TPWD, providing major funding for a wide variety of fisheries, state parks and wildlife projects.

Prize donors including Bass Pro Shops, Lake Fork Taxidermy, American Fishing Tackle Co., Stanley Jigs and Sixth Sense Lures also provide additional support for this program. For updates on the Toyota ShareLunker Program, visit facebook. com/sharelunkerprogram/ or TexasSharelunker.com.

For pictures of the Legacy Class ShareLunker’s caught during the 2022 season, visit the TPWD Flickr album at https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjzxNwz.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Community

Pendleton Whisky Concert Series (contd) collaboration and ‘booming hit’ “At The End Of A Bar.” Since the release of his debut single, “Drunk Me,” Mitchell has set new standards for breakout success in country music. The 2X Platinumcertified, No. 1 hit that has amassed over 550 million ondemand streams was taken from his introductory 2018 album, Telling All My Secrets, and earned him the best first week showing for any major label country debut LP. Since that time, the “winning” singer (the New York Times) was nominated for New Male Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards and Breakthrough Video (“Drunk Me”) at the CMT Music Awards and saw his “Alcohol You Later” and “Anything She Says” singles certified gold.

Both Bradbery and Tenpenny’s concerts will be included with the purchase of an event ticket to that evening’s round of the PBR World Finals. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at PBR.com or Ticketmaster.com or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800732-1727.

The Pendleton Whisky Concert Series will launch on Friday, May 13, with Tyler Braden kicking off the free-to-attend performance lineup that will be featured outdoors on Simmons Plaza nightly from May 13-15 at 5:00 p.m. CST. He will be followed by Chancey Williams on Saturday, May 14, and Tim Dugger on Sunday, May 15.

Simmons Plaza will again feature live music on Saturday, May 21 with American metal band Warrant performing at 6:15 p.m. CST. A bit about the Pendleton Whisky Concert Series performers on Simmons Plaza: Tyler Braden: Growing up in a small-town Alabama, Braden was inspired to pursue a musical career from a young age by legend Hank Williams.

Teaching himself guitar and working as a firefighter in Nashville as he pursued a career in music, Braden is now a budding star with over 70 million streams to his name and a growing list of major tour credits. His debut EP WHAT DO THEY KNOW (WDTK)

released on November 19 and has stacked up critical acclaim from the likes of MusicRow raving “Tyler Braden is having A Moment,” to AL.com praising “full, saturated production that seems tailormade for the big crowds.” In January 2022, Braden made his Grand Ole Opry debut setting the tone for big things to come this year.

Chancey Williams: Singer/ songwriter Williams grew up on a ranch in the northeastern corner of Wyoming, and while rodeo, wrestling and academics took him to Casper College and then to the University of Wyoming, where he earned several degrees, including a Master’s in Public Administration, Williams always felt drawn to music.

Williams is now a preeminent WME-represented recording artist who has performed at the likes of Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. At the end of 2021, Williams released the anticipated single, “The Saint,” which is now available on iTunes and all platforms.

Tim Dugger: Curb Records recording artist, Country Music singer/songwriter, and Alabama-native Dugger grew up on NASCAR racing, Gospel singing and classic Country music. He developed a genuine love for songwriting and storytelling during summers spent at his local music store jamming with bluegrass pickers. After being introduced to former NASCAR driver and team owner Richard Childress, Dugger was off to the races, playing his original songs at nearly every major track in America. Along the way, he cultivated an unapologetic artistic identity, rooted in the music of his childhood idols like Merle Haggard, Vern Gosdin, Hank Williams, and Alan Jackson. Tim made his Grand Ole Opry Debut in December of 2021. Dugger’s latest release, “Heart Of A Small Town,” is available now.

Warrant: Warrant is one the most popular pop-metal bands from the late '80s, boasting two double-platinum albums and three Top 10 singles. The band signed with Columbia

Records in January 1988 and released “Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich,” in 1989, which includes hit singles "Down Boys," "Sometimes She Cries," and "Heaven," the last of which reached No. 2 on the American charts. Their follow-up effort “Cherry Pie,” garnered them even more popularity, climbing into the Top 10 and featuring the likes of "I Saw Red" and "Cherry Pie." In 2017, Warrant and PBR teamed to create the organization’s party anthem, a re-make of the hit Merle Haggard song "I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink."

From May 19-21 the Pendleton Whisky Concert Series will be held at Mule Alley in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Those free-to-attend concerts will be held nightly at 9:30 p.m. CST featuring Ashley Cooke, Andy Velo and Jake Worthington.

A bit about the Pendleton Whisky Concert Series performers at Mule Alley in the Fort Worth Stockyards: Ashley Cooke: Singer/ songwriter Cooke developed her love of country music as Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line quickly became the soundtrack of her high school. Cooke followed her passion for music to Belmont University where she won the Country Showcase, placing her in an elite class of winners that includes Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line and more. In August 2021, Cooke released her debut project “Already Drank That Beer, Side A,” featuring eight tracks produced by awardwinner Jimmy Robbins. The debut project garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, People and more. In 2021, Cooke hit the road on tour with fellow rising acts BRELAND and Spencer Crandall and will join Cole Swindell’s Down To The Bar tour kicking off in Feb.2022.

Andy Velo: Raised in North Georgia, Velo knew at just 11 years old that he wanted to spend his life in country music.

Right after high school, Velo started going out on the road with then rising country artist, Corey Smith. After making the move to Nashville and building

his fan base opening for acts likes of Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert, Cody Johnson, and Granger Smith, and several others, it has laid the foundation for Andy to bring his high energy show across the country and abroad. Andy has released several albums over the years, tallying up over 10 million streams across streaming platforms, including his latest, “Way Out,” that includes the single "Half-Truths & Other Lies," which sfpent multiple weeks at #1 of CMT’s 12 Pack Countdown. You can catch Andy live in 2022 across the US and also at several other PBR events providing preshow concerts.

Jake Worthington: Hailing from La Porte, Texas, Worthington made a name for himself in 2014 when he finished as a finalist on season six of The Voice. Drawing musical inspiration from the likes of George Jones and Alan Jackson, Worthington’s current hits include “How Do You Honky Tonk,” and “A Lot of Room to Talk.” A burgeoning star he has already hit the road with the likes of Cody Johnson, Bellamy Brothers, Aaron Watson and more.

The complete schedule for the Pendleton Whisky Concert Series held in tandem with the 2022 PBR World Finals is as follows: Friday, May 13: 5:00 p.m. – Tyler Braden – Simmons Plaza Saturday, May 14: 5:00 p.m. – Chancey Williams

THE HOMETOWN PRESS – Simmons Plaza Sunday, May 15: 5:00 p.m. – Tim Dugger – Simmons Plaza Thursday, May 19: 7:45 p.m. – Danielle Bradbery – Dickies Arena 9:30 p.m. – Ashley Cooke – Mule Alley @ Fort Worth Stock Yards Friday, May 20: 7:45 p.m. – Mitchell Tenpenny – Dickies Arena 9:30 p.m. – Andy Velo – Mule Alley @ Fort Worth Stock Yards Saturday, May 21: 6:15 p.m. – Warrant – Simmons Plaza 9:30 p.m. – Jake Worthington – Mule Alley @ Fort Worth Stock Yards Weekend packages, travel packages and passes to the RIDN RANK RV Park are on sale now for the 2022 PBR World Finals.

Spots in the RIDN RANK RV Park are available in three-, four- and 10-day packages. For more information, including pricing, fans can call Matt Walsh at (508) 813-6446 or e-mail mwalsh@pbr.com.

Travel packages for the 2022 PBR World Finals are available for both weekends of competition starting at $2,800 for two attendees.

Both packages include event tickets, accommodations at the Worthington Hotel, access to the pre-event reception, bull housing and behind-the-scenes event tours, commemorative credential and lanyard, and exclusive 2022 PBR World

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Finals welcome gift.

For those fans wanting to attend the opening weekend of action from May 13-15, the travel package offered at $2,800 includes a two-night hotel stay and tickets to all three nights of competition inside Dickies Arena.

The travel package for the final weekend of the 2022 PBR World Finals, held from May 19-22, is valued at $3,500 and includes a three-night hotel stay and event tickets to each of the four days of competition.

Fans can now also purchase weekend ticket packages and premium offerings in either three-day packs for the event on May 13-15, or four-day packs for May 19-22. For those fans not wanting to miss a moment of the action, seven-day ticket packages are still available.

Tickets for the general seating for weekend packages range in price from $42-$261 nightly.

The premium package offerings are available in four tiers, including: Tier 1, valued at $160/night: In addition to an event ticket, purchasers will also receive nightly access to the pre-show hospitality.

Tier 2, valued at $450/night: Along with a lower-level seat location which will include access to in-seat service, purchasers will also receive nightly pre-show hospitality, VIP parking, and a $20 merchandise credit.

Tier 3, valued at $750/night: Featuring the best seat locations in Dickies Arena accompanied by dedicated in-seat service, purchasers will also receive VIP parking, entry to daily tours, a $20 merchandise credit and nightly VIP hospitality featuring food and beverage.

Tier 4, valued at $1000/night: Also offering the best seat locations in Dickies Arena with dedicated in-seat service, the top-tier purchasers will receive VIP parking, an exclusive nightly gift, entry to daily tours, a $30 merchandise credit and nightly VIP hospitality featuring food and beverage.

To purchase the weekend packages and premium offerings, visit PBR.com or Ticketmaster.com or call PBR customer service at 1-800-7321727.

Show love for your community by getting tested, vaccinated or boosted for COVID-19.

RICELAND HEALTHCARE is offering drive-thru testing in front of the hospital (You don’t even have to get out of your car!) from 8am-11:30am and then again from 1pm-4pm Monday thru Friday!

Pfizer and Moderna Vaccinations are also being offered on the west side of the hospital from 9am-11:30am and then again from 1pm-4pm Monday thru Friday, just follow the signs for entrance!

Pfizer for Kids is available Tuesday and Thursday from 8am-11:30am and then again from 1pm-4pm!

To order, contact Wade Thibodeaux at (936) 581-5161 Texas Media Corp

1(844) RICELAND

www.ricelandhealthcare.com