The Hometown Press 09-08-2021 Auto

409-296-BANK

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Volume 32, Issue 36

Trinity Bay Conservation District Proposes Tax Rate

By Wade Thibodeaux The Trinity Bay Conservation District Board of Directors held a special meeting on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 to address the preliminary tax rate for the District.

When the tax rate was originally conveyed from the calculations performed by the Chambers County Tax Assessor's office, there was an error and the board had to postpone adopting a preliminary tax rate until the rate could be refigured. The tax rate was recalculated and indeed did come down a couple of cents to $0.39677 from the previous calculations of $0.41837, but the miscalculation caused a special meeting to be called to present the proper preliminary tax rate.

During the meeting on the 1st of September, the board did indeed adopt the preliminary tax rate of $0.39677 and they had an agenda item to receive public comment on the tax rate. The only person who spoke during the public comment segment of the

meeting was Stowell resident Hazel Meaux who told the board that she was voicing her opinion, but she claimed that they(the board) wouldn't listen and she was against the tax raise. She was correct in stating that it was an increase in the tax rate because last year's rate was $0.39493 per $100 of valuation, so technically a $0.00184 rate increase($0.39677-$0.39493).

This year the board adopted the maximum tax rate that could be adopted without causing a rollback election and last year's rate that was ultimately adopted was the no new tax (effective) rate. The difference in the two rates is estimated to produce about an additional $200,000.00 for Trinity Bay Conservation District that can be used for drainage projects. The District will formally adopt the tax rate at their September 15, 2021 meeting which is slated for 9:00 am. at their office located at 2500 State Highway 124 in Stowell, Texas.

Winnie Stowell EMS Holds Monthly Meeting

By Wade Thibodeaux The Winnie Stowell EMS Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, August 23, 2021 at 7:00 pm. at the station located at 249 Broadway in Winnie, Texas. The meeting was mostly routine with the exception of comments made by Chambers County Emergency Management Coordinator Ron Nichols.

He informed the group of some steps that the County was taking to deal with the EMS crisis that was ongoing due to the Covid resurgence. He explained that call volumes for EMS services were up 90% across the County and that wait times at hospitals to unload patients were exceeding 4.5 hours per ambulance.

He further explained that a "Treatment, Non Transfer" policy would be going into effect and that if a patient did not meet certain criteria, then they would not be transported and would be followed up with a visit from a paramedic.

His comments about call volumes and wait times were echoed by WS EMS Administrator Robert Falls during his report. Falls also reported that the service had received 73 calls for assistance in July and 559 total calls for the year since January. He went on to inform the board that they were simply waiting on the

50 cents

Bucs Rebound, Blow out Brookshire Royal 52-14

The Bucs offense gathers in the huddle during the EC versus Brookshire Royal game last Friday night at Buccaneer Stadium.

By Wade Thibodeaux

The East Chambers Buccaneers came back strong after struggling the week before and exploded against the Brookshire Royal Falcons for a 52-14 win. The Bucs started off a little slow and only scored once during the first quarter

to take a 7-0 lead, but really turned it up during the second quarter and scored 24 points to take a 31-7 lead at the half. The Bucs continued to pour it on in the third quarter, scoring another 14 while holding the Falcons scoreless to take a 45-7 going into the

final frame. Both teams scored a touchdown in the final quarter to arrive at the final score of 52-14. East Chambers had 339 yards of total offense, scored 5 touchdowns on offense and even the defense got involved with the scoring as they provided 2

touchdowns.

Some of the individual stats include Jacoby Perrault(#10) with 12 carries for 150 yards and 4 touchdowns and 8 completions out of 10 attempts for 83 yards and 1 touchdown. Garrett Reves(#16) had 44 yards on 8 carries and KK Morris (#5) had 2 receptions for 27yards and caught the touchdown pass from Jacoby Perrault. Derek Gaines had a fumble recovery in the endzone for a touchdown and Damion Moreno had a pick six for the other defensive touchdown. The Bucs will make the short trip to Hamshire Fannett to take on the Longhorns in the annual Rice Bowl this Friday, September 10, 2021 at 7:30 pm. Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!

radio guys from the County to complete the installation of the radios into the new ambulance and it would be placed into service.

The financial report showed $15,380.52 worth of bills for the month and the board approved the hiring of an additional full time medic. Mark Cooper was appointed as the Vice President of the group to replace Allen Sims who moved out of the District and an updated mutual aid response policy was approved that stated that WS EMS would only be available for mutual aid to Galveston County ESD Jacoby Perrault(#10) gains some yardage on the ground during the Bucs game against Brookshire Royal. and Hamshire VFD if WS EMS had two fully staffed ambulances on duty so as

On August 31st, 2021, Precinct 3 Deputy Constables not to leave the District Chambers County Deputies who responded quickly and uncovered in the event that assisted Texas DPS Troopers were able to locate Harvey. a second call for assistance with a pursuit of a white GMC A brief foot pursuit ensued came in while the first Sierra 3500 through Chambers before Harvey was taken into ambulance was out. The County. custody by Precinct 3 Deputy meeting turned a little The driver had been identified Constables. Harvey was contentious on discussion of as 26 year old Tyler Harvey booked into the Harris County an updated job description of Baytown, Texas, who was Jail on his active warrants for the operations assistant wanted on felony warrants out and will be transported back position. After a little of Harris County. Harvey drove to Chambers County for bantering back and forth, with extreme recklessness additional warrants. the group decided to table with blatant disregard for the “I appreciate the the agenda item until an public’s safety and the pursuit professionalism and the additional meeting could was discontinued at that time. close working relationship be scheduled to address A Chambers County Detective that Chambers County has only that situation. The who was familiar with Harvey with Texas DPS as well as next regular meeting of began an investigation on the Harris County Precinct the Winnie Stowell EMS September 1, 2021, and was 3 Constable’s Office. The will be Monday, September able to track Harvey down to relationship between these 20, 2021 at 7:00 pm. at the 4700 block of FM 1942 in agencies continues to aid in the station located at 249 Crosby, Harris County, Texas. the apprehension of fugitives Broadway in Winnie, Detectives requested throughout our area,” said Texas. assistance from Harris County Sheriff Hawthorne.

Chambers County Sheriff's Office Finds Suspect

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Wednesday, September 8, 2021 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 Well, I guess that I learned a lesson about bragging about my technology achievements. Here's the rest of the story. Last week I told you about my triumph over the phone wizards and how I had configured two numbers onto one phone. I left the Verizon store and everything was working just fine for the rest of the day on Saturday, all day Sunday, and Monday morning.

Monday afternoon, I went to make a phone call and it didn't go through. Upon further research, I discovered that I was getting a message that said my phone wasn't registered on the network.

This happened while I was traveling from Huntsville to Winnie and I was dead in the water with my phone, but Wyatt graciously allowed me to use his phone to call Verizon. I know that I have a couple of dead spots for phone service on the trip and what I suspected actually happened. Between the Verizon reps disconnecting the call and the dead spots,

I placed six calls to Verizon without any resolution to my problem. I would place a call and by the time that I got through the voice prompts and the hold time and actually talked to somebody, something would happen and not in a good way.

The first guy disconnected me, the second time I waited and then was referred to another department before the call was disconnected.

The third time, when I finally was able to explain my problem to the person on the other end of the phone that seemed to have some grip on how to solve a problem besides reading from a script provided on the computer screen, I entered the first dead zone and the call was dropped.

The fourth call was like starting all over again and she connected me to another department except that she forgot to bring me along on the call and it was disconnected. The fifth call ended when I entered the second dead zone and then

Opinion & Entertainment the sixth call was connected when I was almost in Winnie and I frankly couldn't understand the person on the Verizon end and I hung up thinking that I would call from the office. I used the office phone and luckily reached somebody who cared and actually had a grip on how to fix my problem. After about three hours of programming and un programming we finally completely reset everything on the phone and reloaded everything and it's been working ever since. So, five hours the first time at the Verizon store, three hours driving, and three hours at the office, I think I actually have a functioning phone.

It's kinda weird though because I had become accustomed to both phones and was able to do things like talk on one and use the other for navigating with GPS maps or set two alarms to wake me up in the morning in case the first one didn't work. Now, everything is on one phone and I have to use it for everything. I guess I will get used to just carrying one phone, but you folks know how I don't like change. I also got several comments about the purple color and so I've decided that it's actually Rose Gold colored instead of purple and I covered it up with a

green cover anyway just for good measure.

Okay, enough of this phone talk. I just want to share with you a couple of things about the newspaper business. This business is tough, it's tough financially, it's tough emotionally, and sometimes it's just not much fun. We have had to make some tough financial decisions over the last few years and we are going to have to make some more in the future. We have to make decisions all the time about what to run in the paper and sometimes it's not very popular and sometimes it hurts personally, but we are in the news business and we report the news, good, bad, ugly, it's just news. Nevertheless,

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

sometimes it gets to working on you and I guess it was showing on me because I made a comment the other day about wondering if we even made a difference in the paper business and the person replied back that they suspected my thoughts were trending that way.

I said "Is it showing that bad?" and she said "Pretty much". A few days later, I received a phone call inquiring whether I was going to do an article about some things that were happening on social media. I replied that I wasn't planning on it, and they replied good and Thank You. That phone call actually lifted my spirits because it made me think that regardless of what happens

PAGE 2

on social media, people actually still worry about what is written in the newspaper.

We will continue to produce a newspaper that is truthful and straight down the middle of the road, covering the news and reporting on events that happen whether good, bad, or ugly and let the chips fall where they may. I'm writing this on the Sunday before Labor Day and my plans are to celebrate just like the name of the holiday.....I'm going to labor tomorrow just like any other Monday before a Tuesday deadline. Hopefully, some of you guys were able to take a day off and enjoy some grilling and fellowship. Till next time, I'm........Wade in the Shade

Tumbleweeds

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ALLORA?

By Tumbleweed Smith In Italian, the word allora is an expression used for calming people.

There is a 17-year-old girl who lives near Fredericksburg named Allora and she is definitely living up to her name. She sings, writes and loves to ride horses.

Allora Leonard of Willow City got her first name from her great great grandmother.

I interviewed her just after her 17th birthday.

“It was great,” she told me. “ I got to hear my new song on the radio for the first time and had a big birthday party. I really enjoyed it.”

Allora is a teenage sensation whose accomplishments rival those of someone much older. She is a singer and songwriter who is in the midst of a 150-performance schedule this year.

“I started performing when I was about 6 years old. I sang the national anthem at some of the rodeos where I used to compete. I would sing to my horses and the staff started hearing me and invited me to sing The Star Spangled Banner at the start of the rodeo and it’s just taken

on a life of its own.”

Allora grew up on a ranch and enjoyed hunting rabbits and deer while developing an appreciation and love of the outdoors. She quickly took to riding horses.

“I started barrel racing in local rodeos when I was about 3 years old. I also got my Women’s Pro Rodeo Association card when I was 11.

She competes in reined cowborse events where horses work a cow in an arena and perform maneuvers such as circling the cow and turning it in a required manner.

Her favorite horse is a mare named Mama T. “She and I were lucky enough to win the national title.”

Allora wrote her first song at age 12 and has written other things besides songs.

“I wrote a couple of children’s books when I was 8 and 11. I think they’re on Amazon. One of them is titled The Adventures of Pagosa Pete and Jelly Bean.

I’ve written a number of poems but never published them. I used to write for a barrel racing publication. Mostly I write

songs. I’ve written 35.”

Allora has been home schooled since the first grade. She started singing in church and as she was growing up won several local and area talent contests.

Her parents encouraged her to write and sing and her friends are extremely supportive.

Although she never met him, she gained inspiration from her dad’s cousin who was a songwriter in Nashville and worked with some big stars. In addition to guitar Allora plays bass and ukulele. She wears colorful, sparkling outfits when she needs to, but is most comfortable performing in jeans and a t-shirt. She sings country, but adds the flavors of blues and soul to her music.

She has just recorded her first song in Nashville.

It’s called Old Soul Girl.

She says it’s going great. www.tumbleweesmith.com

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

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9. Plural of #6 Across 13. Soft palate dngler 14. Each one for himself?

15. Red Cross supply 16. Short skirts 17. Flightless bird 18. Wavelike patterned silk 19. *Philip Banks' wife 21. *Dre Johnson's wife on "Black-ish" and occasional site around rain storm 23. 31st of the month, e.g.

24. E-mailed 25. Digital audio workstation 28. Essence of idea 30. Mouth infection 35. Fusses 37. Burden or load 39. Official language of Lesotho 40. Choose politically 41. Sashay 43. Thailand, formerly 44. All worked up 46. One assigned menial work 47. Rancher's unit 48. Blue jeans 50. Famous Scottish lake 52. A cause of inflation 53. Number one 55. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's guitar

57. *Stars Hollow Luke's love interest 61. *Louise Jefferson's husband 64. Like a solitaire player 65. Government Printing Office 67. Home to BYU 69. Request to Geico 70. Calendar mo.

71. Gladdened 72. 36 inches 73. *Jake and ____ of "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" 74. Rub off DOWN 1. Cuba Libre ingredient 2. Tel ____, Israel 3. Pueblo tribesman 4. Good will branch 5. Leveling to the ground 6. Congregation's echo 7. *Mitch's husband in "Modern Family" 8. Accustom 9. Long, long time 10. Baby container 11. German currency 12. Old World duck 15. The ____, an English rock band from the '80s 20. Goodbye to amiga 22. Marching insect 24. Classroom attendee 25. *Patrick's fiance on

Solution on page 3

"Schitt's Creek" 26. Dig, so to speak 27. King of the gods in Wagner's "Das Rheingold" 29. Barber shop sound 31. Civil Rights icon 32. Ancient city in Africa 33. *Javen's companion on "Temptation Island" or Lamb Chops' puppeteer 34. *Marge Simpson's husband 36. Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence 38. Kind of gin 42. Follow as a consequence 45. Bald Eagle to Americans, e.g.

49. Old Man's turf, according to Hemingway 51. Capital of the Republic of Macedonia 54. Fraternity letter 56. Trial's partner 57. Like a doily 58. Paella pot 59. Big cat sound 60. Blyton or Bagnold 61. Like a bloody horror movie 62. Romantic painter Francisco ____ 63. December 24 and 31, e.g.

66. *Jim's co-worker and wife on "The Office" 68. Type of poem

■ East Chambers regular school board meetings are held on the second Monday beginning at 6pm in the 216 Champions Loop

Winnie,

TX

77665

■ The Wellness Center at Bayside invites seniors, 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 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, September 8, 2021 PUNISHMENT RANGE

Fifty-Four individuals were arrested and booked into the Chambers County Jail between Sunday, August 29 and Saturday, September 4 . 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 District Clerk Passports M-F 8 am-11 am & 1pm-4pm

409-267-2432

J.P. Pct 1 Winnie

409-296-8247

Jimmy Gore Commissioner Pct 1

409-296-8250

Jimmy Sylvia County Judge

409-267-2440

5 H o b b i e s Yo u C a n P u r s u e o n Yo u r O w n

Total Main Jail:

54

(StatePoint) Whether you simply prefer doing things solo or you have a tight schedule that makes it difficult to commit to classes at set times of the week, you don’t need to forgo the pursuit of new hobbies. Here are five activities that you can take on completely on your own: 1. Running: Running is great for cardiovascular health, a proven stress reliever and a fun way to explore your local area. The good news?

All you need is a pair of sneakers to get started.

While many people prefer to join a running group or pair up with a buddy, this is one sport that’s ideal for individualists.

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3. Arts and crafts: From cake decorating and sewing

to drawing and painting, you can learn more than 20 hobbies with a Craftsy membership.

The site hosts over 1,500 classes and members get access to live events, a newsletter and additional resources designed to educate and inspire DIY-ers.

4. Coding: If you are looking to pick up a new job skill or you simply want to exercise your mind, you can learn the fundamentals of coding by programming a graphing calculator. Some of the models available from Casio, which have a natural textbook display for ultimate readability and userfriendliness, feature builtin Python programming functionality. Get started by visiting casioeducation. com where you can find free resources and tutorials.

5. Indoor gardening: Indoor gardening is a satisfying and calming hobby that you can take on in order to beautify your space and grow your own herbs and vegetables.

What’s more, you can get started any time of year, making it a great activity for those who march to the beat of their own drum.

Using new tools and resources, you can make your hobbies completely your own, fitting them into your schedule when, where and how you see fit.

Wednesday,September 8, 2021

Religion & Lifestyle

Sunday Observations from Christy

Just Ask

I was visiting with an advertising agent named Will. I was not planning to stay on the phone long, but he just kept asking questions that kept my attention.When I commented about his good questions, Will said, “My grandfather used to say, ‘A closed mouth never gets fed.’”

My mind immediately went to those words in Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.”

Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain: Chambers County Sheriff ’s Office & Fellowship of Christian Cowboys OBITUARIES

Alvie Cecil Vaden, Sr. Our dear Lord wrapped His loving arms around Cecil Vaden, August 27, 2021, and carried him to Heaven. Cecil is preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years, Narceille Vaden; parents Virgil and Kara Vaden; brother Kenneth Vaden; baby sister Mary Jane Vaden; and grandson Cody Lee Thompson.

Cecil was born July 13, 1931 in Ash, TX. He married his sweetheart, Gladys Narceille Adams, on May 23, 1952. Cecil lived his 90 years on this earth to the fullest, making every day count, touching the lives of so many.

Cecil received his BA and MA degrees from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX and did some graduate work at

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)

the University of Texas in Austin. He was a true educator, teaching and coaching at various schools before becoming Principal and later Superintendent of schools in Burkeville ISD and High Island ISD. He was well known by many names with his students: Space Ghost, Mr. “V”, counselor, teacher, coach, encourager, and friend!

Born into a family with strong Christian values, Cecil was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Kirbyville.

He served faithfully throughout Baptist churches of Southeast Texas and remained active in all phases of the work of the church for many years.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Winnie, where he served as a deacon.

It is our moment in time

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

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Between Covid craziness, Afghanistan sadness, turmoil in the world, it just gets to be too much. We all have our own personal issues as well. Kids, parents, schools, health issues, the stress level can boil. Add a hurricane last week in the gulf, and SETX residents begin to have a dazed and confused look. So with Labor Day and the end of summer for our family to come together and give thanks for his life. He is survived by his 7 children: Ramona Carolyn Vaden Aly and husband Rev. Randy Aly of Hearne, TX; Alvie Cecil Jr. and wife Clisty Vaden of Porter, TX; Michael Ray and wife Yavanae Vaden of Lindale, TX; Retired Lt. Col. David Wayne and wife Carmel Vaden of New Smyrna Beach, FL; Rhonda Kaye Vaden Drumm and husband Terry Drumm of Lumberton, TX; Celicia Anne Vaden Moeller of Winnie, TX; Dr. Marla Michelle Vaden Hinckley and husband Dr. Shane Hinckley of McComb, MS.; 17 grandchildren, 30 greatgrandchildren and 1 greatgreat grandchild.

Services will be at First Baptist Church Winnie in Winnie, TX on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00 AM with visitation beginning at 10:00 AM. Burial will be at 3:00 PM at Kirbyville Cemetery, Kirbyville, TX. Arrangements are under the direction of Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, TX.

upon us, I began my trek north to see my Fort Worth family. Time to step away.

When you have made the drive from Beaumont to Fort Worth as many times as I have, it can get quite mundane. I’ve tried every route there is, I’ve done it with others, by myself, making calls, listening to music, singing songs, crying, and in silence.

Then a couple of years ago, I started listening to podcasts or audio books on the drive. BAM! It’s a drive you give zero thought to.

Being of the optimistic type, I like uplifting things. Go back a paragraph or two and there is plenty of reason to not listen to the news.

It can be overwhelming on long drives. This trip I opted for the Matthew McConaughey book,

Greenlight.

I won’t give the book away, but I will tell you it covers how with pain there is pleasure, with sadness there is joy, with trials there is triumphs, and with red lights…..there are green. Look for the green lights. Even if it’s down the road, and you are stuck at a red light….. that red light may pause you just long enough so that you see a pretty sunset, avoid a wreck, or help a homeless person. Greenlight.

I’m grateful for parents and a life that has given me the independence to get in my car and go.

Not sure if it’s no fear, or no sense, but I’m never uncomfortable, scared, or afraid when driving. Being alone is just where I am at this venture in life, and I’m ok with that. When married, I was the audio of

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope Cancer Retreat in Splendora, TX; Alto Frio Baptist Encampment or your favorite charity in his’s name.

Meredith Perez and her husband, Clifton, both of League City; and four great-grandchildren, Nathan and Chase Caldwell, and Houston and Brittany Perez.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Leonard “Junior” Kirkland, Jr.; son, Gary Wayne Kirkland; granddaughter, Kourtney Caldwell; and grandson, Jonathan Kirkland.

A gathering of Mrs. Kirkland’s family and friends was held at 10:00 a.m., followed by her funeral service, Friday, September 3, 2021, at Broussard’s, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie.

Her interment was held at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church, 120 West Pear Avenue, Winnie, Texas 77665.

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

Mavis Kirkland, 89, of Winnie, died Thursday, August 26, 2021, at Kindred Hospital, Webster. She was born on December 19, 1931, in Hartsfield, Georgia, to Mattie Lou McCorvey Richter and Forest Lee Richter.

Mavis is survived by her son, Kenneth Kirkland; and granddaughter,

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audio books prior to them being popular. I read a few novels out loud to my ex husband while we road tripped. It’s making the best of road trips, solo or with someone.

Happy Sunday peeps, at some point in your life, road trip alone. Do so until you are comfortable with your own mind. Do so until you are at peace enough to ride 5 hours with no noise. Do so until you have sung every song from your youth. Do so until the tears dry. Do so until you reach for a book that lifts your heart.

Most of all…. Keep an eye on out for green lights.

After all, that’s the easy part of life. The smooth sailing. The lack of pause.

The auto pilot. Green lights…… and happy Labor Day!

Odes Leo “Bud” Hearn, 79, of Fannett, Texas passed away on August 29, 2021, at The Medical Center of Southeast Texas, Port Arthur.

He was born June 2, 1942, in Hope, Arksansas, to Myrtle and Travis Hearn.

The Hearn family moved to Devers, Texas where they lived for many years before relocating to Wichita Falls, Texas. At the age of fourteen, Bud left home and picked peaches in peach orchards until he made his way back to Hamshire, Texas to live with his sister, Wanda McCall, and Tommy who finished raising him. (contd on page 7)

Church Services

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

Catholic St. Louis Catholic Church 315 W Buccaneer Dr • Winnie 409-296-4200 Weekday Mass Wednesday..................8:30 am Spanish Friday....9:45 am English at Arboretum Saturday...Reconciliation 3:00-3:45 pm Mass in English...............4:00 pm Sunday Mass in English.....7 am & 10:30 am Spanish Mass........................noon Holy days......8:30 am & 6:30 pm Our Lady of Light Catholic Church S. Main St • Anahuac 409-267-3158 Confession:Saturday...............5:00 pm English: Sunday.......................8:30 am Spanish: Saturday...................6:00 pm Thursday...................................6:00 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

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.......9:00 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

Methodist 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

Nondenominational

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, September 8, 2021

$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”

$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

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

Hate Bugs? Here’s How to Remove the Ick-Factor

StatePoint) Hate bugs? You’re not alone. Nearly seven in 10 Americans can’t sleep if they know there’s an insect in the room, according to a recent survey conducted by OnePoll for Zevo. The same poll also found that two in three Americans would give up a month’s pay to not deal with bugs!

Science says your visceral reaction is actually quite rational.

According to researchers at the University of California, Davis, those creepy-crawly feelings you may experience upon seeing a bug is simply nature’s way of helping you avoid pathogens and parasites.

The good news? Insect experts say that there are steps you can take to protect your home turf from disgusting bugs and other pests.

“While you should not lose your healthy distaste for bugs, you can take steps to keep them out of your home,” says Daniel Perry, entomologist at Procter & Gamble.

Here are a few ways to help keep America’s top three hated bugs: cockroaches, spiders and ants, along with a host of other common insects, out of your home.

1. Guard doors and windows: Keep doors and windows sealed when they’re not in use. If you love a fresh breeze, be sure that your screen doors and windows are in tip top shape and contain no holes.

Don’t have a screen door?

Consider quickly installing a mesh door screen over your front door or patio door that seals up the middle with a magnet. This is a good choice

for renters and others unable to make more intensive home updates.

2. Seal holes: Use an afternoon to caulk small cracks in your home’s foundation and siding.

This is a quick, easy and affordable way to seal these common entry points for bugs.

3. Remove their food source: Bugs need a food source to survive, so keep your home clean. In the kitchen, seal your trash bin and remove its contents regularly, wipe down surfaces -- especially after spills, and sweep up those crumbs. A cockroach can survive months on a single crumb of food! Be sure to regularly vacuum furniture, rugs and carpets in any room where you eat.

4. Blast bugs: Bugs will find their way into your home no matter how hard you try to keep them out. Because a small bug problem can spread quickly, it’s important to be ready to meet them head-on. Zevo sprays, including the brand’s Multi-Insect Killer Spray, are powered by essential oils. Zevo’s BioSelective Technology was developed by experts to be targeted to bugs’ unique biology, plus Zevo is safe for use around people and pets when used as directed. To learn more, visit zevoinsect. com.

If you’re tired of being grossed out in your own home, it’s time to take charge. Not only can you help prevent insects from invading your home, you can swing into action at the first sign of bugs to make sure it doesn’t become a bigger problem for you and your family later.

$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, September 8, 2021

Free for individuals selling personal items

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

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

PAGE 6

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

Deadline: Monday before publication at 12 noon

FOR RENT

FOR RENT

HELP WANTED

FOR SALE

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 House for Rent 3 BR 1 1/2 bath $1100.00/month and $1100.00 deposit. No utilities.

Call Reenay 409-201-0399 2 bedroom, 1 bath, Fema trailer for rent. $600.00 monthly with $300.00 deposit. Will not be available until first week of September.

Please call 409-296-6980, we will need some additional information before approved.

For Rent 3BR House Kitchen Appliances, Central Heat/Air $1250.00/mo 409-651-0578 1600 sq. ft. for rent.

Window display, Highway frontage 409-781-0918 1000 sq. ft. office space for rent. 409-781-0918.

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.

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

409-284-5543 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 For Sale 2 Mobile Homes each on a 50X150 lot. Located at 111 Highland St and 121 Highland St. Each $25000.00, cash only. Call 409-2964303 or 409-656-8938 Commercial gas tank for sale $700. refrigerator for sale $80. please call 832-298-8159

FOR SALE Property For Sale Contact Glenn Guillory at 832-4332115. If no answer please leave message. Property Legal Description: Bk 15 LT6 Stowell T/S .1610 acres. Bk 15 LT5 Stowell/TS .1610 acres. 651 TR 1C-O WW Gregory .1600 acres 4x5 Round bales stored outside for cows. $35.00 each.

Call 409-781-2236

Hatfield Garage Mechanic Needed Call 409-296-3333

Part time maintenance man needed. Apply at Winnie Square Apartments 218 W Magnolia Ave #33 Winnie TX 409-296-2100 FOR RENT One BR apartment $600.00/per month, $600.00 deposit. No utilities Call Reenay 409-201-0399

FOR LEASE Horse and cow pasture for lease. One mile from Winnie. 20 acres and 2 barns. $100/month.

4 0 9 - 4 6 6 - 6 4 1 7 , 4 0 9 - 2 9 6 - 9 2 6 7

Land and fully furnished house 7 and 3/4 acres 409-284-5543 Cat 3406, new rods &main bearings, marine gear includes PTO & hydraulic pump. Shaft is 2 1/2" x 12'3" w/4 blade prom 3 drum winch & stainless cables. Engine on stand to hear run in Oak Island.

9 3 6 - 5 4 6 - 4 4 0 1

TexSCAN Week of Sept. 5-11, 2021 ACREAGE

COINS

GENERATORS GENERAC Standby Generators provide backup power during utility power outages, so your home and family stay safe and comfortable. Prepare now. Free 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Request a free quote today! Call for additional terms and conditions.

1-855-704-8579.

INTERNET

SERVICES

Canal City lot for sale by Garry Brattenowner on the middle canal Experienced Handyman. undeveloped Lot #302, No job too small or 1468 Van Sant Gilchrist 409-354-8280.

TX call Alan 409-939- large.

Horse hay 4x5 fertilized 3240 no texts $30,000 Jiggs Bermuda in barn $50.00/ 2004 40' Mountain Air roll. Call 409-781-2236 motorhome, made by sale: Bradford, Newmar. 250 Cummings For Brangus, and Hereford diesel, 6 speed Allison bulls.

Call 713.875.5703 transmission $25000.00 Call or

409-277-0883 409-277-9872

Trailer axles $40 - 100 each Located in Stowell 4 0 9 - 4 5 7 - 5 2 0 4

Part-time shop help needed for weekends and some weekdays.

If interested please call 409-296-6980.

Name:_________________________ Address:________________________________ City, State, Zip:__________________________

$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

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

TRUCK DRIVERS Be Your Own Boss, Choose Your Own Routes!

Looking for CDL drivers to deliver new trucks all over the country, starting in Laredo, TX. Experience preferred. Must have DOT physical and be willing to keep logs. No DUIs in the last 10 years, clean MVR. Quality Drive-Away. Apply online at www.qualitydriveaway.com or call 574-642-2023.

Hunting/investment/recreational property. We have some of the best in Texas! From the Hill Country (Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde County, free ranging exotics) to South Texas (Kinney, Duval, Live Oak County, whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage.

30-year fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down.

LOG HOMES Call toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720.

Log Homes – 4 Log Home kits selling for balance owed, free delivery. Model #101 Carolina, bal. $17,000; ARROWHEADS Model #203 Georgia, bal. $19,950; Model #305 Biloxi, Indian Arrowheads Wanted – Point Type: Must be bal. $14,500; Model #403 Augusta, bal. $16,500. View old, authentic & unbroken. Absolute TOP DOLLAR plans at www.loghomedream.com; 704-602-3035.

Paid – Up to 5 figures for one point. I am a very serious high-end collector. Call 979-218-3351.

MEDICAL Coin Collector/Investor will pay cash for any coin, coins, coin collections. I also have beautiful coins for sale as well. No collection is too large or too small. I will appraise for free and or purchase with cash. Call me at 832-886-7530 to buy or sell.

2012 Jeep Compass runs good. A/C works but does not cool well.

Work vehicle $5000.00 Call 409-277-1065 4x5 Round bales Horse quality in barn $50.00 Call 409-781-2236 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

FOR SALE

Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit! Call 866-747-9983.

Life Alert. One press of a button sends help FAST, 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL 844-831-1525. FREE Brochure.

DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Coverage for 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! 1-855-901-0467 www.dental50plus.com/txpress #6258

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo WANTED agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Get More For Your High-Speed Internet Thing. Ask us how to bundle Need Extra Cash – I Buy RVs & Mobile Homes and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. Call us today –Travel Trailers, 5th Wheels, Goosenecks, Bumper 1-855-439-5457.

Pulls. In Any Area, Any Condition – Old/New, Dirty or Clean! I PAY CA$H. No Title – No Problem, we MAINTENANCE can apply for one. ANR Enterprises, 956-466-7001.

Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. FREON WANTED: We pay $$$ for cylinders Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior Certified Professionals. Call 312-291-9169 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com.. & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-815-5722.

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.

Wade A. Thibodeaux

Publisher wade@txmediacorp.com 409.656.5677

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

FREE WANT ADS POLICIES TWO KINDS OF WANT ADS

PAID/BUSINESS WANT ADS

FREE WANT ADS

for NON-BUSINESS PURPOSES:

Individuals & Non-Profits (furniture, clothes, garage sales, etc) Ads are inserted on a space-available basis with no guarantee of insertion.

All business want-ads, Including small & home businesses (babysitting, yard services, house cleaning etc.)

1 time - $10; 4 times - $32; 12 times - $72 • Include payment w/ ad • Online: thehometownpress.com • Cash, check, money order or credit cards accepted.

TO PLACE WANT ADS: www.thehometownpress.com Drop Box: Market Basket,Winnie Mail: P.O Box 801 Winnie, Tx 77665

DEADLINE is Noon Monday for the current week’s issue. Free ads run space permitting. Must resubmit to re-run. Limit of 25 words per ad.

Ads will be run on a space available basis.

Include phone number(s) and limit your ad to 25 words or less. ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________ MAIL TO:

PAGE 7

Culture/Lifestyle

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Wednesday, September 8, 2021 OBITUARIES (contd)

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE

GOOD FOR WHAT EELS YA

By John Jefferson

I don’t make this stuff up. At least, not all the time.

I recently saw a posting on the Parks and Wildlife Department Facebook page telling of people seeing shrimp eels on beaches near Galveston. I grew up along the upper coast, having spent myriad hours on the beaches there and later on all the beaches from Rockport to the border. And I’d never heard of shrimp eels.

I do recall napping on a large beach towel just behind the first dunes on Padre once and felt something burrowing up underneath us. We both awoke rapidly and vacated the towel. When I mustered enough courage to lift the towel, there was nothing there but sand. Now I wonder if it was a shrimp eel.

They’re said to burrow into sand and mud, coming out at night to feed on crustaceans. Could the towel have darkened its hideout, giving the impression it was time for supper?

According to researchers, shrimp eels are not dangerous to humans.

They usually grow up to 20-inches long but can exceed 30-inches.

Pictures, though, do look scary to people who don’t know what they are.

Did you know there are eels in many Texas waters? Yessir! To quote a line from The Music Man: “Right here in River City!” But these are American eels. The state record is 6.45 pounds, 42-inches long, and was caught in Austin’s Lady Bird Lake in 2001 by a man fishing with a shrimp. That figures.

Eels dine on crustaceans. An Austin fisheries researcher has published that they were even in Shoal and Barton creeks.

They first hatch in the Sargasso Sea, and slowly move inland – up, around, or over several dams to get farther upstream. Longhorn Dam forms Lady Bird and is a tall dam.

I asked TPWD how they did it.

Stephen Curtis is a TPWD fisheries biologist and an eel specialist.

He replied, “That’s hard to imagine,” but they are good climbers over wet ground or dams.” We discussed the possibility of waterspouts, fishermen, or birds assisting, but those seemed unlikely. If salmon can do it, why can’t a long, slender creature that swims like a snake?

A young friend, Jonathan Gray, Jr., caught one during spring break a couple of years ago in the San Marcos River. He was using a spinning rod downstream from Pecan Park Riverside RV Park at midday. His lure was a jig with a crawfish trailer. Jon said it fought like a catfish. He released it.

American eels are said to be very

American eels, also known as yellow eels, become brown or gray as they move upstream in Texas waters. They inhabit all major Texas river systems but are often barred from upstream movement by big dams. How they succeed as far as Central Texas is still a mystery. Fisheries biologists acknowledge the need for more information and encourage fisherman and scientists to report observations and provide specimens of all stages of the species. After roughly 20 years, they return to the Sargasso Sea to breed and die. TPWD photo.

slimy. In Japan and other parts of the orient, eels are considered a delicacy, often becoming sushi.

My research turned up no one willing to admit having eaten eel, except one man from Louisiana who said he had tasted it.

Ogden Nash, wrote, “I never saw a purple cow; I never hope to see one. But I’d rather SEE one than to BE one!”

I’m sorta that way about American eels. But I’d sure like to see one.

Those that knew him well all have a “Bud Hearn Story” to be told. A true cowboy, he loved training and riding horses. In his early adult life, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp with his friends, Kelly Green and Billy Thomas. After leaving the United States Marine Corp, he and a buddy went to Knott’s Berry Farm in California to ask if they had any work. His buddy cleaned stalls and he got to drive the stagecoach. The two of them would stage it to get robbed and it never failed, a woman would throw her purse out of the stagecoach every time. Bud was given three horses to train at a time and that is where he learned to train horses. He eventually returned to Southeast Texas where he worked in the oilfield. Bud could be found at the local rodeos riding bulls on the weekends. He was well known for his love of his Martin guitar and singing with a voice that could have taken him to Nashville, Tennessee.

When Bud began his career in the oilfield, he was a deckhand. He eventually became a Directional Driller and worked for companies such as Dailey Oil & Gas, Weatherford International, Eastman, Whipstock, and finally, Crescent Directional Drilling where he retired.

After retirement, Bud enjoyed sitting at his kitchen table visiting with family and friends while talking about horses and his life.

Those left to cherish Bud’s memories are his children, Rene’ Hoffpauir and family, of Winnie, Texas; Cecille Phelps and husband, Waverly, and family of Greenville, North Carolina; Skylor Hearn and wife, Juliette, and family of Austin, Texas; Kelly Hundley and family, of China, Texas; Karen Monk and family, of Sour Lake, Texas; and Jon Hearn, of Fannett, Texas; many

grandchildren; sisters, Sue Cryer, of Wichita Falls, Texas and Ann Hearn, of Rantoul, Illinois; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Myrtle and Travis Hearn; daughters, Otis Hearn and Tatanya Hileman; brother, Dewey Hearn; sisters, Miriam Green; Esther Hearn; and Wanda McCall; and the mother of his son, Patricia Hearn.

Cremation arrangements for Mr. Hearn were handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 505 North 12th Street, Nederland.

The burial of his cremated body will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Hopson Family Cemetery, 16498 Horton Road, Hamshire, Texas, with a reception to follow at the home of Leon and Michelle Hopson. Honorary pallbearers include LeRoy “Tommy” McCall, Jr.; Leon Hopson; Travis McCall; Earl Smith; Dale Green; Taylor White; Leonard “Fish” King; and Bill Stewart.

Mary “Putt” Williams, 77, of Anahuac, died Saturday, August 28, 2021, at Houston Methodist Hospital, Baytown. She was born January 11, 1944, to Francis Speights Rivon and Ocie Rivon, Sr. Mary was a faithful member of Lily of the Valley Church of God In Christ and

enjoyed ministering to her COGIC fellow church congregation and pastor.

She loved cooking for family and friends. Mary was employed at Terry’s Restaurant and Chambers County Corrections. She made such an impact with her cooking and prayer, she continued to receiver lectors for former inmates.

She is survived by her daughters, Scherly Rivon; and Lawanna Williams, and special friend, Frederick Myles; grandchildren, Keisha Pete, and husband, Marlon Pete; Tamara Moore, and special friend, Jamison King; Sheena Moore; Ray DeBlanc, Jr.; and Shawanna Bradley; greatgrandchildren, Kimora Pete; Quincy Lewis, Jr. and special friend, Amber Lewis; Tyrein Lewis; Jayvan Russell; and Alexis Wilridge; great-greatgranddaughter, Cameron Lewis; brother, Ocie “Moon” Rivon, Jr.; sister, Lillie “Toy” Rivon; sistersin-law, Bobbie Walls; Paula Smith and friend, Audrey Porter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Williams is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Maurice “M.J.” Williams; son, Marcus Rivon; sister, Serena Roy; brother, Willis Rivon; sister, Elwee “Buddy” Rivon; and sister, Annie Mae Kirkwood.

A gathering of Mrs. Williams’ family and friends and Homegoing Celebration was held Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Lily of the Valley Church of God In Christ, 1222 North Main Street, Anahuac, with her interment following at Rivon Cemetery, Anahuac.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Lily of the Valley Church of God In Christ, 1222 North Main Street, Anahuac, Texas 77514.

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Community

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

PAGE 8

WATER DISTRICT NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATE

Welcome Neighborhood Net Readers!

Entergy Texas Completes Advanced Meter Deployment

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

Entergy Texas, Inc. has completed its multiyear deployment of advanced meters to homes and businesses across southeast Texas. The new advanced meters improve service to customers by offering quicker and more accurate detection of outages and provide new tools that allow customers to manage their energy usage. The upgrades are part of Entergy Texas’ plan to invest today to ensure a bright future for Texas.

“The new advanced meters not only upgraded our system with new technology that helps us detect

outages quicker, but they provide customers with more benefits and control over their energy usage,” said Stuart Barrett, vice president of customer service for Entergy Texas. “As the heat sets in across southeast Texas, customers can easily access new online tools to manage their energy usage, which can lead to a reduction in their energy usage and potentially help lower their electric bills.”

With advanced meters, customers have access to more detailed energy usage to take control of their bills.

Advanced meters allow customers to log in to their

accounts and view how much electricity has been used daily, shown in 15-minute increments for residential customers, rather than having to wait until the end of the month to view their energy usage.

Through the new online tools, customers can set up alerts when reaching budgetary goals to keep them aware of their monthly spending.

Advanced meters provide customers with more timely usage information so that they can decide whether to reduce consumption to help reduce their electric bills. Detailed information

can be accessed by logging into the customer account at www. entergy.com/MyAdvisor, which also has helpful “how-to” videos for using the dashboard.

In addition to the customer’s energy usage available on the site, the bill projection tab provides an estimate of what the bill will be by the end of the billing cycle. The bill analyzer tool lets a customer compare previous bills by month and year to better understand the effects of variables like the number of days in the billing cycle, energy usage, fuel costs, and weather.