The Hometown Press 04222020

409-296-BANK

Volume 31, Issue 17

East Chambers Trustees Change Grading System

By Wade Thibodeaux   The East Chambers ISD Board of Trustees met in regular session last Monday, April 13, 2020 at 6:00 pm. via teleconference to conduct their monthly business meeting. One of the agenda items that generated the most discussion was the changing of the way the grades were figured for the GPA (Grade Point Average) of the Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and subsequent honor students. The normal way of digesting all of those numbers would be to cut off the grades at the end of the fifth six weeks and then add in the college level grades when available to determine the final order of classmates. However, due to the Covid-19 situation and the fact that students have been on remote instruction since March 16, 2020, the administration and the Trustees felt like a tweaking was in order. The Board approved changing the end of the fourth six weeks to the last day before remote instruction began and that moved the end of the fourth six weeks to March 16 instead of February 28th.

The fifth six weeks will now be the remote instruction period which has since the meeting been extended for the remainder of the academic year and will

have no bearing on the class ranking. The calculations for the top spots in the 2020 graduating class will now end with the grades earned up until the end of the fourth six weeks and then college grades will be added into the mix if available and if no college grades are available due to the University changing their system to a Pass/Fail status(Due to their own remote instruction situation) then the college grades will be left out of the equation.

The remainder of the meeting was mostly housekeeping items that dealt with paperwork for the State for funding associated with the Corona Virus situation and the paying of the District's bills. No public comments were received and no executive session was needed. All evaluations were approved due to the inability to complete the P TESS(for Principals) and the T TESS(for Teachers) and no recommendations for hiring new teachers and/or coaches were received from the staff.

The next regular meeting of the East Chambers ISD Board of Trustees will be Monday, May 11, 2020 at 6:00 pm. and will more than likely be another teleconference meeting unless the Covid-19 situation eases.

By Wade Thibodeaux  Chambers County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 9:30 am. via a video conference. It was the first time for Court to be held via a video conference as opposed to the Commissioners and the Judge being in the same room. The meeting got off to a little bit of a rough start as the link for the public to attend the meeting was not working and an alternative link had to be sent out in short fashion. Chambers County IT quickly fixed the problem and the rest of the meeting went smoothly.

Most of the items were placed on the consent agenda to assist in getting through the somewhat abnormal gathering of the Court and only a few were "pulled" for discussion by the Commissioners. The revised Emergency Conditions Pay Policy was one of the items pulled from the consent agenda and the Court agreed to continue to monitor the policy going forward to try to make pay amounts fair to all employees. A couple of questions were raised about the newly created Chambers County EMS and Director Ron Nichols jumped on the video chat to inform the Court that the new ambulance that

was purchased was indeed a brand new unit and was a four wheel drive model to answer one of the Commissioners questions. He also informed the group that the department was fully staffed with full time employees and had been and were able to continue to respond for calls for assistance and he also expressed a thank you to the Court for all of the support that the department had received during the current pandemic. Commissioners approved the consent agenda.

The rest of Court was some housekeeping items and a couple of proclamations for April 2020 as Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month and Fair Housing Month. A financial agenda item dealing with enrollment and participation in year 4 of the QIPP program with the Arboretum of Winnie was approved. The meeting had no public comments and no executive session and was adjourned at 10:21 am.

The next regular meeting of the Chambers County Commissioners Court will be Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 9:30 am. and will more than likely once again be held via video conferencing due to the current situation involving the Covid-19 pandemic.

Chambers County Commissioners Hold Virtual Meeting

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Winnie Community Hospital Donates to Local EMS

By Wade Thibodeaux  Winnie Stowell Emergency Medical Service received a much needed donation of PPE(Personal Protective Equipment) from Winnie

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potential to have exposure to the Covid-19 Virus.

Donated were cases of protective clothing, mask, gloves, foot coverings, and disposable stethoscopes.

Winnie Stowell EMS is

very appreciative of the donated equipment and thanks Winnie Community Hospital for the good working relationship and the supplies.

Medics with Winnie Stowell EMS pose for a picture with the donated PPE from Winnie Community Hospital.

First Responders Show Appreciation to Medical Staff

By Wade Thibodeaux   First responders from all over Chambers County participated in a "Parade" from medical facility to medical facility throughout Chambers County last

Friday afternoon to show support and appreciation for the medical staff that is on the front lines of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Groups of firefighters, paramedics, and police

officers started their parade at the Winnie Community Hospital and then made their way over to Anahuac and then on to facilities on the West side of the County.

The purpose of the entire

venture was to say "Thank You" and show support for the Doctors, Nurses, and all medical staff who are treating the patients and dealing with the Covid-19/ Corona Virus situation.

Medical staff and first responders pose for a picture after the parade of emergency vehicles pulled into the parking lot of Winnie Community Hospital.

Emergency vehicles from all over Chambers County converged on the parking lot of the Winnie Community Hospital to say Thanks to the medical staff.

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Community Hospital last week. Winnie Community Hospital wanted to share the equipment with the guys and gals that are making the first calls on patients that have a

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Opinion & Entertainment

Wednesday, April 22, 2020 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 don't think that I have ever been as frustrated as I was this afternoon. I'm not talking about the Covid-19 stay at home can't go to the restaurant kind of frustration. I'm talking about looking for something and knowing that you did the work and can't remember just exactly where you filed it kind of frustrated.

I have been looking for some paperwork since last week and I couldn't find it at my Winnie office, so I just assumed that it was at my Huntsville office...... and, you know what happens when you assume...... you make an a** out of u and me. I'm in Winnie now on Monday evening finishing up getting the articles gathered up so that my editors can arrange everything in it's proper place so that it looks somewhat like a newspaper should. When I was in Huntsville at the end of last week, I searched High and Low for those

dead gum papers and just could not find them. When I returned to Winnie yesterday, I promised myself that I would look again for those papers. I searched this file box and I searched that file box and no luck. I had one more place to look and sure enough......there they were, at my house in a pile of stuff from last year that needed to be filed. Now, you tell me why any sane person would file his business papers at his house instead of at his office.....Yep, I can't explain that one either, so it goes back to that sane person.....or lack of in this situation. Anyway, I found what I needed and I can move on.

Another subject that's on my mind this evening is this crude oil price situation. Today's big news was that oil futures went negative......now, in my simple little mind.....that means that you got to pay somebody to take the oil. I'm

sure that's not exactly how it works, but it's not a good situation. Crude oil futures for a few months down the road seem to be a little better, but this situation is not good at all folks. I know, I know......a lot of people are happy that prices at the pump are coming down and are some of the lowest that we have seen in several years, but this is NOT good. Oil companies need about $50-$60 a barrel oil prices to even start to break even or make money and if they can't make money then a LOT of jobs are going to be gone. We could get to a situation where gas is so cheap that we don't have any money to buy it with.

Remember, oil companies employ a lot of people, a lot of people buy groceries, eat out at restaurants, buy new cars, and lots of other things where you work.

If those oil people aren't buying stuff from the place that you work, then maybe you don't have a job and then you can't afford that really cheap gas. All of the experts are saying that the reason the oil is so cheap is that our storage capacity is almost full and there's no place to stack up the continuous supply coming up out of the ground. So, here's

what I need you guys and gals to do.......everybody go out and buy as much gasoline as you can possibly afford today. Don't wait for the price to go down tomorrow, buy it today...... and then go back and do the same tomorrow. Just go

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

out driving around in the country to burn up some of that gas.....you will be social distancing and helping the oversupply of crude oil at the same time. Maybe, just maybe, if everybody does this and then the Corona Virus pandemic eases,

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we may be able to save this economy and all still have a job. Be safe out there..... wash your hands and follow the guidelines so that we can come out of this situation sooner rather than later. Till next time, I'm......

Wade in the Shade.

Tumbleweeds

LEAL’S TORTILLA FACTORY

By Tumbleweed Smith Jesse Leal left the valley and moved to Muleshoe from the Rio Grande Valley in the 1950s. Previously he had picked cotton around Sweetwater. In 1957 he and his wife started a tortilla factory and restaurant to cater to braceros (farm workers from Mexico).

“They saw a need to cater to their needs,” says Jesse’s son Sergio.

“The tortilla business actually came from my grandfather on my mother’s side. Down in Mercedes, Texas he had what is called the little Molino or little mill and made tortillas since the 1920s. When my mother wrote to her dad and told him she was going to open a tortilla factory in Muleshoe he tried to discourage her, telling her it was too much work and suggested she not do it. She was working at the CR Anthony department store at the time.

My father was the liaison between the braceros, landowners and the government, which supervised the bracero program.

But they had saved up a little bit of money and bought a tortilla machine and opened

their small restaurant.”

That was the beginning of the Leal family’s venture into restaurants and Mexican food products.

“It was all under one roof for a while but when they moved to another location in the 70’s the tortilla factory and the restaurant became separate entities.

I gravitated toward the tortilla end of it and my brothers and sisters gravitated to the restaurant end of it.

My brother Victor has Leal’s Restaurant here in Muleshoe, which is the original location. He also has the restaurant in Amarillo. My sister Laura has two locations in Clovis. My niece Heather has Leal’s Restaurant in Plainview and also has Picoso’s Restaurant in Lubbock. My sister Alma has Leal’s Tamale Factory in Lubbock.”

Sergio says his tortillas, mostly made by hand, go to restaurants. His chips and salsa are found in grocery stores in 5 states.

He is venturing into East Texas now, stocking Brookshire stores with his chips and salsa. The chips are made at the factory in Muleshoe and the salsa is made in San Antonio. His chips come in 3 different flavors: a

plain salted, a seasoned chip with chili powder and jalapeno cheddar.

“In making our chips and tortillas we use white corn that our farmers grow here.

We have a silo on our property where we store the corn and use about 5,000 pounds of corn a day. We still cook and grind our own corn we have huge vats that we cook corn in and we have the same lava rocks we’ve used for years for grinding.”

The entire Leal enterprise employs close to 300 people.

That’s quite different from when Sergio’s dad used to load up his Rambler and deliver tortillas to customers.

“Mom and Dad always made it an option for us to do something else if we wanted to. But we all kinds of stuck around in the business.”

Sergio’s mother always has a Sunday lunch for her family. It attracts up to 25 or 30 people.

www.tumbleweesmith.com

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

MARKET BASKET

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: MOTHER'S DAY ACROSS 1. "Ali Baba and the Forty ____," sing.

6. Eureka!

9. Schools of thought 13. Sound of artillery 14. Car nut 15. Without illumination 16. Nosey one 17. Kind of trip?

18. Lasso loop 19. *Little Women's mom 21. *Tracee Ellis Ross on TV 23. ____ o' shanter 24. Quitter's word 25. Like a fiddle?

28. Like Charles Dickens' Tim 30. Quarantine state 35. *Egyptian goddess of fertility 37. Insane, in Spain 39. Mother or daughter, in Italy 40. *Biblical Rebecca's son 41. Online reviews 43. Research facil.

44. Fisherman's decoys 46. Daytime entertainment 47. Furniture wood 48. End of the road, pl.

50. Blatant promotion

52. Swedish shag rug 53. Yours and mine 55. Little squirt 57. *Mother's mom 61. *She fought for Mother's Day, then against it 64. In advance 65. *Bambi's mom 67. Fancy tie 69. Less than fernier 70. I have 71. "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" host 72. Fairies 73. Galley equipment 74. Feed the fire DOWN 1. Kitchen meas.

2. Stay out of its way!

3. Pelvic parts 4. Tennis great Chris ____ 5. Particular arrangement 6. Away from wind 7. *Mother's favorite gift?

8. Ancient marketplace 9. Part of a scheme 10. No neatnik 11. Sushi restaurant soup 12. One-pot meal 15. Like the States 20. *One of the Gilmore girls 22. Hill dweller

Solution on page 3

24. One-eyed giants 25. *She played Forrest Gump's mother 26. May edition, e.g.

27. *Worn atop the Queen Mother 29. Denials 31. Nike's "Just ____ ____" 32. Private 33. "Take it back!"

34. *Mother in KrakÛw 36. Lard cousin 38. October birthstone 42. Plural of sputum 45. Rundown 49. Bottom line 51. Kind of ungulate, pl.

54. Where you'll find AM 56. Living room centerpiece?

57. Gamecock's spur 58. *Greek goddess of fertility 59. Bald eagle's nest 60. *Mums' mums 61. Opposite of cheer 62. International Civil Aviation Org. 63. Puppet precursor, possibly 66. *Female gametes 68. CafÈ alternative

■ Word of Life Church in Winnie has partnered with The Houston Food Bank to have a Community Food Fair Mobil Unit delivery. Entergy has made a generous donation assisting Word of Life Church with this ministry. Entergy’s donation is very much needed and appreciated. The Unit (truck) will be at the Winnie-

Stowell Park in Winnie on the 1st and 3rd Fridays of each month from 9AM til Noon.

For more information please call 409-296-8935.

■Neighborhood Watch meeting held on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Word of Life fellowship hall, 344 Broadway, in Winnie.

Everyone is invited. Contact Lionel LaDay for more information at 409-225-4602

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 Lily of the Valley Food Pantry, 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 encouraged to do so.

■ The Wellness Center at Bayside

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, April 22, 2020 PUNISHMENT RANGE

Eleven individuals were arrested and booked into the Chambers County Jail between Tuesday, April 14 2020 and Saturday, April 18. 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.

Patti Henry District Clerk Passports M-F 8 am-11 am & 1pm-4pm

Jimmy Gore Commissioner Pct 1

409-296-8250

409-267-2432

Jimmy Sylvia County Judge

409-267-2440

Total Main Jail:

6

Entergy Texas Launches $300,000 Southeast Texas Relief Fund

As Southeast Texas bands together to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, Entergy Texas is committed to supporting our customers and communities during this difficult time through its newly established Southeast Texas Relief Fund. As part of the company’s commitment to supporting Southeast Texas, Entergy Texas, Inc. is donating $300,000 to nine nonprofit groups across 22 counties through Southeast Texas The fund will target grants to organizations that provide services to families and individuals that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and do not have financial resources for basic needs, such as food, rent and utilities.

“In the face of adversity, Texans have always rallied together to support our neighbors and communities,” said Sallie Rainer, president and CEO of Entergy Texas.

“It’s inspiring to see our communities and local organizations working together to provide critical services to those in need.

We’re proud to contribute to $300,000 to support these efforts.

We’ve weathered many storms and together, we’ll weather this one too.”

The selected organizations have experience helping those in need, including the recently unemployed, seniors and low-income families. The nonprofit groups provide either direct support to recipients or in conjunction with

organizations that do.

The recipients include: · United Way chapters across Entergy Texas’ service area which support a combined nine counties · The Power to Care, which provides payment assistance to Entergy Texas customers who are low-income seniors and people with disabilities · The Mission Northeast, which provides disaster relief, program and services, and adult education · Community Assistance Center, which provides disaster relief, program and services, and adult education · GETCAP, which offers a variety of programs and services to assist lowincome individuals and families to 14 counties

$4.3 Billion in Disaster Mitigation Funds Approved

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush applauded the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) approval of the state action plan for Community Development Block Grant for Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding. The plan was sent to HUD on February 3, 2020.

With this approval, the Texas General Land Office (GLO) can now move forward in implementing the plan.

"Texas continues to move the recovery effort forward, despite new challenges presented by COVID-19," Commissioner Bush said.

"HUD's announcement that it has approved our state action plan for mitigation funding is very welcome news. While teleworking and abiding by state and federal recommendations for health and safety, we continue to work each and every day to get federal resources to communities to rebuild and mitigate against future disasters."

On February 3, 2020, the GLO announced modifications to its original draft of the state action plan, which were guided by input gathered through an extraordinary public outreach effort.

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) incorporated valuable feedback from local leaders, residents of affected communities, and other stakeholders, received during a 50-day public

comment period - including eight public hearings across a 140 eligible county region, seeking input on the distribution and eligible uses of $4,297,189,000 to assist eligible communities with mitigation projects. HUD had until April 3, 2020, (60 days from the date of submission) to review the action plan and approve or reject the plan with comments.

The GLO extended the required 45-day public comment period to 50 days and surpassed HUD requirements by hosting eight public hearings - three public hearings prior to the completion of the draft plan and five following publication of the draft plan.

HUD rules only required two public hearings prior to the draft plan and two following the publication of the draft plan.

The GLO hosted twice the amount of public hearings required by our federal partners because we believe local jurisdictions know best how to protect their communities. This historic level of community input helped shape revisions to a stronger, more robust action plan that will improve the resiliency of Texas homes, business and infrastructure from future storms.

Revisions made to the action plan include: The minimum application for Hurricane Harvey State

Mitigation Competition applications decreased to $3 million from $5 million.

For the Hurricane Harvey State Mitigation Competition applicants may submit 3 applications individually and 3 in partnership with other entities.

In the draft plan for the three State mitigation competitions, an entity could not be awarded a second application before every eligible entity had received a first award. This is changed to set a minimum score for applications receiving a first award before anyone receives a second award.

Councils of Governments (COGs) are eligible to apply for the Resilient Communities Program.

About the State Action Plan for Mitigation The state's action plan provides for the distribution of mitigation funds based on HUD's requirements outlined in the Federal Register notice released on Aug. 30, 2019. These funds were appropriated by Congress on February 9, 2018. For additional information on the timeline, please visit recovery.texas.gov/ mitigation.

All CDBG-MIT activities must meet HUD's definition of mitigation: Those activities that increase resilience to disasters and reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of loss of life, injury, damage

Entergy serves · Liberty County LongTerm Recovery, which provides relief assistance to qualifying individuals throughout Liberty County To date, Entergy’s shareholders have committed more than $1 million to COVID-19 response, including giving $700,000 to the corporation’s COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund to assist local United Way partners and other nonprofit agencies to provide aid to working families experiencing financial hardships as a result of the pandemic.

More information on the relief fund and Entergy’s response to COVID-19 can be found at entergy.com/ covid-19.

to and loss of property, and suffering and hardship, by lessening the impact of future disasters.

General overview of funding: $4,383,085,000 in total HUD CDBG-MIT funds allocated to Texas.

Texas General Land Office will administer $4,297,189,000: $4,074,456,000 for Hurricane Harvey $169,748,000 for 2016 Floods $52,985,000 for 2015 Floods In total, 140 Texas counties eligible for CDBG-MIT funding due to 2015, 2016, and 2017 (Hurricane Harvey) disasters.

HUD directed allocations: $61,884,000 to City of Houston for 2015 Floods $24,012,000 to City of San Marcos for 2015 Floods The draft plan incorporates critical stakeholder input received during CDBGMIT planning public hearings conducted in September, regional input sessions at various councils of governments, and a mitigation needs survey that captured detailed information from 416 respondents across the state.

Additionally, the GLO consulted with federal and state agencies to develop the Mitigation Needs Assessment and the state's proposed mitigation programs and competitions.

In accordance with the CDBG-MIT requirements,

to address risk related to hurricanes, tropical storms, tropical depression and flooding, and to expedite mitigation funding, the GLO will directly administer and oversee the following competitions and programs: 2015 Floods State Mitigation Competition ($46 million) provides funds for mitigation projects with a minimum award amount of $3 million and the maximum of $10 million. Eligible applicants include units of general local government (cities and counties), Indian tribes, and COGs located in 2015 MID counties.

2016 Floods State Mitigation Competition ($147 million) provides funds for mitigation projects with a minimum award amount of $3 million and the maximum of $10 million. Eligible applicants include units of general local government (cities and counties), Indian tribes, and COGs located in 2016 MID counties.

Hurricane Harvey State Mitigation Competition ($2.1 billion) provides funds for mitigation projects to address risk in the Hurricane Harvey impacted areas with a minimum award amount of $3 million and the maximum of $100 million. Eligible applicants include units of general local government (cities and counties), Indian tribes, COGs, state agencies, special purpose districts (e.g., drainage districts), port authorities, and river authorities.

Regional Mitigation Program ($500 million), councils of governments (COG) impacted by Hurricane Harvey will develop a method of distribution (MOD) to allocate funds to local units of government and Indian tribes.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP): Supplemental ($170 million), will fund CDBGMIT eligible HMGP projects submitted to TDEM after Hurricane Harvey but, due to program oversubscription, remain unfunded.

Coastal Resiliency Program ($100 million), which funds Tier 1 projects identified in the Texas Coastal Resiliency Master Plan that mitigate coastal risks through green and gray infrastructure and nonstructural measures.

Housing Oversubscription Supplemental ($400 million), which addresses oversubscription in the Hurricane Harvey Homeowner Assistance

Program of eligible applicants that have been waitlisted.

Hurricane Harvey damage homes will be reconstructed with mitigation measures, such as elevation.

Resilient Home Program ($100 million) will reconstruct Hurricane Harvey damaged singlefamily homes with homes that meet additional resiliency and mitigation standards.

Waitlisted homeowners in the oversubscribed Hurricane Harvey Homeowner Assistance Program will be eligible.

Hazard Mitigation Plans ($30 million), a GLO partnership with TDEM will contribute to the development of an enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan and fund the development of Local Hazard Mitigation Action Plans (LHMAP) for entities located in the CDBG-MIT eligible counties.

Resilient Communities Program ($100 million) funds for the development, adoption, and implementation of resilient building codes, flood damage prevention ordinances, zoning ordinances, land use and comprehensive plans, and public service activities for cities, counties, COGs and Indian tribes located in the CDBG-MIT eligible counties.

Regional and State Planning ($214 million) provides funding for regional and state planning studies and tools that work to reduce risk and impacts of future disasters.

HUD reduced the amount of grant funds that must be expended in the HUDdesignated most impacted and distressed areas (MID) to 50 percent, with the caveat that up to 50 percent may be spent in State MID areas.

A total of 140 counties are eligible under this CDBGMIT grant, 23 of which are HUD MID: Aransas, Brazoria, Chambers, Fayette, Fort Bend, Galveston, Hardin, Harris, Hays, Hidalgo, Jasper, Jefferson, Liberty, Montgomery, Newton, Nueces, Orange, Refugio, San Jacinto, San Patricio, Travis, Victoria, and Wharton. HUD also declared the following 10 zip codes to be most impacted: 75979 (Tyler), 77320 (Walker), 77335/77351 (Polk), 77414/77482 (Matagorda), 77423/77493 (Waller), 77979 (Calhoun), 78934 (Colorado).

Religion & Lifestyle

Wednesday,April 22, 2020

Sunday Observations from Christy

"Shouldering the Blame"

Dad had the calf tied, and I was trying to hold it still while he “doctored” it. However, the calf’s leg got loose and kicked the upper part of Dad’s arm. I was 11 years old, but will never forget that sight. Dad pulled off his shirt, wrapped his arm, and Mother drove us to the hospital. It required over 100 stitches.

I was blaming myself for what happened, but Dad said, “Son, I should have tied the rope better.”

That took more guilt off me than you can imagine, and no calf ever got loose from my grip again.

“Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8 Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain for Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and Chambers County Sheriff’s Office OBITUARIES

Claude Augustus Ward, Jr., 98, of Winnie, died Thursday, April 16, 2020, at The Arboretum of Winnie. He was born on May 28, 1921, to Ara Ann Mann Ward and Claude Augustus Ward, Sr., in Canton, Texas.

Survivors include his sons, Kent Bradley Ward and his wife, Beth, of Frankston, and Lavelle Allen, of Cypress; grandchildren, Tara Ward Allen, Brent Ward, Bradley Ward, and Scott Ward; and numerous greatgrandchildren and other family members.

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)

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He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife of his children, Margarete Ward; and second wife, Mary Burgess Ward.

C r e m a t i o n arrangements were handled through B r o u s s a r d ’ s Crematorium, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

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

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

Deciding to veer a little from Covid19 talk, but it does tie in. Follow me if you will.

This week, the findings were released on Roy Hallidays fatal plane crash. For those of you who dont follow the baseball world, Halliday was a phenomenal pitcher, aged 40, when his plane went nose first into the Gulf of Mexico near Fort Lauderdale, in 2017. Many people saw him doing stunts, and flying recklessly prior to impact, so it was pretty much known that "Pilot Error" would be the cause. The final mechanical cause not yet

fully released, this week the report showed enough to let you know he had no business flying an airplane. Large amounts of amphetamines, morphine, and an antidepressant were found in his system. The NTSB doesnt need to say any more. His family knows what happened. They have said they seek privacy, as they are not a perfect family, and this shows that. Cant blame them there.

Reading this, and thinking of the current world situations, I was reminded once again, that we make heroes out of normal people. Then get angry when they fail. With the Covid19 situation, all of your sports stars, movie stars, and internet stars are cooling their heels.

Those people you and your kids idolize. The same ones, that daily show they are humans.

Playing on an enormous stage, for an enormous paycheck. They have

PAGE 4

substance issues, they have marital issues, they have pets that die, they have tragedies, health problems, mental issues, and everything else that the rest of us do.......on a larger scale. They also make mistakes. Be it that they cheat at their game, get caught in extramarital affairs, take performance enhancing drugs, get speeding tickets, or worse, violent offenses.

So how does this play into todays world?

I hope when we emerge from the current quarantine situation we are all in, that we rethink who we idolize.

I also hope we show our children that idolization should be given to the person that does things from their heart, not for a paycheck. I am not saying sports stars are bad, as I am one of the biggest baseball freaks you could find. But I also acknowledge, they are humans, playing a game, for a paycheck.

They fail, just like we

do. Yet most hold them to a higher standard than themselves, due to their public persona.

Happy Sunday peeps...... if you are looking for something to idolize, please look at your hospitals right now.

Your first responders, your grocery workers, your agriculture world, your everyday person that goes in makes sure supplies are bought, paychecks are given, and the wheels of government continue to roll. Your Office managers, plant workers, truck drivers, your janitorial staffs, restaurant workers, delivery personnel, and educators. We have a LOT of essential workers, that are keeping this country rolling right now.........without an ounce of professional sports, movie stars, or over paid people we keep on pedestals. Remember that, when whatever our new normal is, emerges.

Methodist

Nondenominational

Entergy Helping Small Business To help small businesses, Entergy Texas has created a hub of resources to connect owners to information, tools and opportunities that could help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Small businesses are the backbone of the communities we serve,” said Steve Pilgrim, director of business and economic development for Entergy Texas. “During these challenging times, we hope these resources are helpful for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Southeast Texas has weathered many storms, and together, we’ll weather this one too.”

The hub provides information on the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. It also includes COVID-19 resources from state and regional partners. These resources are at entergy.com/

covid-19/txsmbiz/.

Businesses applying for financial help available through the CARES Act must provide a copy of their most recent utility bill. A copy can be found by logging into myAccount online.

If you don’t have an account, register at entergytexas.com and click on myAccount.

If you have trouble registering, need your account number or need more help, call 1-800-ENTERGY (1-800-3683749).

Now more than ever, bad actors are leveraging the COVID-19 pandemic to create even more chaos. Small businesses and residential customers alike should remain vigilant for phishing campaigns or callers that may be trying to trick them. If they have questions about their account, they call 1-800-ENTERGY or visit myAccount online.

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

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 344 Broadway, Winnie, Texas 409-296-8935 Adult Sunday School............8:45 a.m.

Sunday Service.....................10:00 am Bible Study Wed.....................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

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

PAGE 5

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

Business Directory

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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

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

www.clarkfreight.com

“Trucks Move Your World”

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

(409) 296-2116

$10 per week • Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 2969988

$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 2969988

Craig Stowe Owner

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

409-296-9542

$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 Check out our hamburger steak on Thursdays at Charlie's.

Helping Hands Transportation

Helping with non emergency Doctor appoinments, shopping, Post Office, and social visits.

Call for appointment.

Kimberly Silcox 409-201-5268 helpinghandstransportationsetx@gmail.com

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

Classifieds

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

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 Palms RV Park 721 9th Street, Winnie. Showers, laundry room, wifi, propane bottle exhange, privacy fence, security cameras.

409.673.5927

FOR RENT

Do you have too much stuff in your garage? Is your attic over flowing with items you rarely or ever use? Place a garage sale ad for free!

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 in Winnie.

3/2/2 with Central Air & Heat, fresh paint, new frig and stove, on almost 1 acre of property.

House sits high and dry never flooded. $900 per month 713-829-3791 “2/1 for RentHampshire $650/mo.

Plus utilities. Available immediately; contact Mr. Paul at 214-642-3560.

One bedroom apartment. $550 deposit $550. Call Reenay 409-201-0399

House for Sale 405 Hagemeier St. Winnie 3Br 2Ba 2,479 sq ft.

110,000 Phone 296-2265

TexSCAN Week of April 19, 2020 ACREAGE

increasingly unpredictable. Be prepared for power MEDICAL outages. FREE 7-year extended warranty ($695 value!). Schedule your FREE in-home assessment Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by today. Call 1-855-704-8579. Special financing for Medicare! Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. qualified customers.

Free information kit! Call 866-747-9983.

INTERNET

Life Alert. One press of a button sends help FAST, AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo 24/7! At home and on the go. Mobile Pendant with agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Get More For GPS. FREE First Aid Kit (with subscription.) CALL Your High-Speed Internet Thing. Ask us how to bundle 844-831-1525. FREE Brochure. and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply. Call us today DENTAL INSURANCE from Physicians Mutual 1-855-439-5457.

Insurance Company. NOT just a discount plan, REAL Lowest prices and largest selection on 9 manufactures Clayton, Southern Energy, Fleetwood, Cavco, Cavalier, New Vision and Legacy DELIVERED ANYWHERE IN TEXAS! Low rates for good credit & specialty financing for bad credit, www.ManufacturedHousingConsultants.com 210-750-6011.

FOR RENT 1600 sq. ft. for rent.

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

House for rent in Winnie.

3 bed, 1.5 bath + game room, fenced backyard.

Brick house in nice neighborhood. $1,200 month +deposit. 409-7890289 FOR LEASE

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 Brick, 3 bedroom, 1 bath, 2 car carport , electric stove, microwave, central air & heat.

Newly remodeled, large fenced backyard.

Very nice starter home.

139,000dollars. 322 Oak Ave. Winnie, Tex. 77665 Contact number: 4 0 9 - 7 1 9 - 6 0 2 2

Canal City lot for sale by owner on the middle canal undeveloped Lot #302, 1468 Van Sant Gilchrist TX call Alan 409-9393240 no texts $30,000 10" Craftsman table saw with new blade, dust bag, stand and cutting guide.

Used three times. Paid $695.00 will take $400.00.

Call 409-553-6831

AAAA Appliance Repair - For all your household appliance repairs -washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, microwaves ovens, range, ventahoods!

Dependable service, fair rates! 409-243-2465! The best appliance repair guy in SE Texas. Leave a message if no answer and we’ll get back to you ASAP!

Box Blade $40.00, Scoop $25.00, Push blade for ditch witch $100.00, 12" plow $50.00, Trailer axles $40.00 - $100.00 each, 2 Tractor tires (price negotiable), PVC pipe 1 1/2 to 4" $50.00, 16 ' Flat bed trailer $500.00. Call 409-457-5204

14’x20’portable building -very good shape. $3,000 409-673-4334 Commercial gas tank for sale $700. refrigerator for sale $80. please call 832-298-8159 Country living Coldspring, TX 2.5 AC 2 bd 2 bth 2 car carport stg loft and 2 bd cabin mancave. 713724-8510 713-724-3114 Music equipment for sale. Local band retiring.

Pas, audio, amps, guitars, speakers, etc. 409-286-2238 12 ft. batwing modern ag. like new, only 5 hours on it. $8900.00 409-656-2975

coverage for 350 procedures. Call 1-855-901-0467 for details. www.dental50plus.com/txpress. 6118-0219

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ s Tr a v e l Tr a i l e r s 5 t h W h e e l s $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Goosenecks Bumper Pulls $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ In Any Area!!! Any Condition!!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Old/New !!! Dirty or Clean !!! $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ I PAY CA$H 956-466-7001 No Title – No Problem – We Can Apply For One $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ ANR Enterprises $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Texas Press Statewide Classified Network 273 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.

roll.

Call

WE BUY

409-781-2236

OIL, GAS, &

MINERAL RIGHTS

Both non-producing and producing

including Non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI)

Provide us your desired price for an offer evaluation.

CALL TODAY: 806.620.1422

LOBO MINERALS, LLC PO Box 1800 • Lubbock, TX 79408-1800

LoboMineralsLLC@gmail.com

I BUY RV l

l

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

ESTATE SALE - LOG HOMES PAY THE BALANCE OWED ONLY!!!

AMERICAN LOG HOMES IS ASSISTING JUST RELEASED OF ESTATE & ACCOUNT SETTLEMENT ON HOUSES.

4 Log Home kits selling for BALANCE OWED, FREE DELIVERY 1) Model # 101 Carolina 2) Model # 203 Georgia 3) Model # 305 Biloxi 4) Model # 403 Augusta

$40,840...BALANCE OWED $17,000 $49,500...BALANCE OWED $19,950 $36,825...BALANCE OWED $14,500 $42,450...BALANCE OWED $16,500

SATELLITE TV DIRECTV - Switch and Save! $39.99/month. Select All-Included Package. 155 Channels. 1000s of Shows/ Movies On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade.

Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 mos! Call 1-855-710-4824. ...

2004 40' Mountain Air Brattenmotorhome, made by Garry Experienced Handyman.

Newmar. 250 Cummings diesel, 6 speed Allison No job too small or 409-354-8280. transmission $25000.00 large.

Call 409-277-0883 Horse hay 4x5 fertilized or 409-277-9872 Jiggs Bermuda in barn $50.00/

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 Cat D3 LGP Dozer Horse hay 4x5 fertilized Jiggs Bermuda in barn $50.00/ new engine, tracks, roll. Call 409-781-2236 rollers and segments. Queen size bedroom Hydraulic cylinder set, includes dresser with rebuilt. New brushings. mirrors and one nightstand. $30,000. 409-656-2975 $300.00. Call 409-291-1288 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. 936-546-4401

OIL AND GAS RIGHTS

We buy oil, gas & mineral rights. Both non- producing and producing including non-Participating Royalty Interest (NPRI). Provide us your desired price for an Hunting/investment/recreational property. We offer evaluation. 806-620-1422, LoboMineralsLLC@ have some of the best in Texas! From the Hill Country gmail.com. Lobo Minerals, LLC, PO Box 1800, (Edwards, Menard, Coke, Val Verde County, free Lubbock, TX 79408-1800. ranging exotics) to South Texas (Kinney, Duval, Live REAL ESTATE Oak County, whitetail, hogs). Large or small acreage.

30-year fixed rate owner financing, only 5% down. Bankruptcy Sale – Premium Turnkey Guest Ranch on Call toll-free or email for individual prices and terms, 72± Beautiful Acres. 4168 County Rd. 444, Waelder, TX – Austin Area. Potential Uses Include: Rehab Retreat, www.ranchenterprisesltd.com, 800-876-9720.

Bed & Breakfast, Wedding/Event Venue, Private GENERATORS Resort. Bid Deadline: May 6. Recently Appraised: GENERAC Standby Generators. The weather is $4,400,000. 855-755-2300 HilcoRealEstate.com.

MOBILE HOMES

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.

Help needed for elderly mother, 3 days on 3 days off, includes nights. Call Betty at 409-893-2623

NEW - HOMES HAVE NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED

Make any plan design changes you desire!

Comes with Complete Building Blueprints & Construction Manual Windows, Doors, and Roofing not included BBB NO TIME LIMIT FOR DELIVERY! A+ Rating *OFFER NOT AVAILABLE TO AMERICAN LOG HOME DEALERS*

PAGE 7

Culture/Lifestyle

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE

OVERLOOKED FISHING OPPORTUNITIES

By John Jefferson

Late one afternoon, I hitched a ride in a small plane with a friend who was also returning from Dallas to Austin. Needless to say, we weren’t flying at 30,000 feet.

Texas is known as a dry, drought-prone-state. But flying over Central Texas, I was struck by the amount of water below. Every glance out the window revealed five to ten water features glinting up at us in the setting sunlight.

It shouldn’t have surprised me - Texas is still an agricultural state, and livestock needs water.

Land fragmentation and

ag tax exemptions have turned many new, small landowners into ranchers.

And their ponds have FISH! Floods, waterspouts, birds, and humans stocked them.

Pond and lake management became a business. “Pond Boss” owner Bob Lusk, in Whitesboro, became a leader in the field (pondboss.com). Others followed.

Landowners realized pond habitat could be improved and fish could be stocked, if needed.

My first experience in pond fishing was at “Brickyard Lake” and several farm ponds around Beaumont. That was enriched when I moved to Alice. Friends introduced

me to landowners, most of whom had ponds for cattle and allowed us to fish.

Many of these ponds – or tanks --as most were called -- were overpopulated with fish due to underfishing. Catching bass on lures was exciting and put food on the table. Small spinner baits worked like fish magnets. Black and white or chartreuse H&H lures were our favorites. “Shyster” inline spinners worked, too, as did topwater “Chuggers”.

Catching 20-30 or more in an afternoon was common.

In public waters, the limit is now five/day.

If you know a landowner, it wouldn’t hurt to ask if he permits fishing.

County Agents or Parks and Wildlife employees

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

might help, too. Some commercial operations offer fishing memberships on managed ponds and lakes. Ask around.

Several deer leases I’ve been on had ponds. To fight acute cabin fever, we piled into the truck and drove to one an hour away last Sunday after church (online). Vicky headed one direction around the six-acre-pond, and I chose a shorter path toward the shallow end. A two-inch rain had muddied the water, so I tried a topwater

“Whopper Plopper” since its splashes could attract a hungry bass that couldn’t see lures in the chocolatecolored water.

That didn’t work so I changed weapons. In April, crappies spawn in shallow water near shore and I decided to test that.

Leaning my bait-casting rig against a liveoak, I tied a 1/16-ounce chartreuse Roadrunner jig onto my spinning rod. Crappies like small lures and bright colors; that could help in dark water.

On my third cast, I felt a small “bump”. When I applied pressure, the rodeo began. Crappies bite softly, but fight fiercely, especially on light spinning gear. I landed a handsome 15inch black crappie -- a quarter-inch shy of the state record. Vicky eventually joined me. We fished until calling it a day with three meals worth of crappies and bass.

And a refreshed outlook on “sheltered” life.

Don’t let the little fish pictured on the line fool you; bass, catfish crappie and perch grow large in ponds and small lakes throughout Texas. Lack of fishing pressure on many private water bodies has created outstanding fishing on the myriad waters once created primarily as livestock watering holes. Photo by John Jefferson.

Toyota Highlander

$11,990.00

Mazda CX-7

Welcome Neighborhood Net Readers!

$10,990.00

2010 Chrysler Town & Country

$10,990.00

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

News

THE HOMETOWN PRESS

PAGE 8

Front desk clerk and night auditors needed at the Days Inn in Winnie.

Call (281)785-5100 or go apply today!

Housekeepers needed at the Days Inn located at 14932 FM 1663 Road, Winnie, TX 77665.

Call (409)296-2866 or come apply.