WALKER COUNTY
PRESS
VOL 4 • ISSUE 38 PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #60 WINNIE, TX
Thursday July 30, 2020
Wa l k e r C o u n t y J a i l N e e d s Huntsville Graduation is Perfect a Doctor Ending to a Strange Year
The class of 2020 celebrated their graduation last Saturday, July 25, 2020.
Sheriff Clint Mcrae and Captain Tim Whitecotton address ComBy Wade Thibodeaux and plans were made for were social distanced as missioners Court pertaining to a law enforcement grant during the The Huntsville High an outdoor event. As the well in the stands as sevspecial session held on July 20, 2020. School class of 2020 date of July 25, 2020 eral feet of space was al-
By Wade Thibodeaux The Walker County Commissioners Court met in special session on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 9:00 am. in the Walker County Storm Shelter. One of the main surprises on the short agenda was the non renewal of a contract for Jail Physician Services. Purchasing Agent for Walker County Mike Williford explained to the Court that Dr. K. Mahaffey had written a letter
stating that he was not interested in renewing the contract after the County had sent him a letter that the contract was up for renewal and the County was extending the contract. This is particularly troubling to the Court as Dr. Mahaffey has been the only one to respond to previous bid requests in recent years. The rest of Court was mostly a bill paying session with some housekeep-
ing work done on some contracts for supplies and some disposal of a few surplus vehicles. The Court did approve an interlocal agreement between Walker County and the City of Huntsville for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant which would provide $5,206.00 for each entity to assist in purchasing needed supplies for the respective law enforcement departments.
finally saw their year come to an end last Saturday as they walked the stage and graduated. The year of 2020 has seen all sorts of challenges for this class of Seniors as their graduation ceremony was postponed and then saw a change of location as well as concerns about rain the morning of the ceremony. The original graduation date was postponed with the thought of an in person graduation would be able to be held at a later date due to Covid-19 restrictions being lifted, but as the pandemic worsened, an indoor ceremony was just not going to happen
drew closer, so did the threat of rain from Hurricane Hanna and plans were touch and go up until the last minute. Rain was actually encountered on the trip from Huntsville to The Woodlands, but once the ceremony started the clouds parted and a little sunshine was present for a few minutes. The clouds returned and a stiff breeze was evident the entire morning, but the ceremony was held without a hitch. Social distancing was observed and most of the graduates were sporting masks when they crossed the stage. Parents, family, and friends
located between groups. The graduates were obedient up to the very end as they were asked to not hold pinkies during the school song and not toss their caps into the air because searching for each individual cap would violate social distancing rules and all obeyed the request. Students and attendees were dismissed in rows and asked not to congregate outside the stadium and for the most part, all obliged. It would be hard to say that this was a perfect ending, but under the circumstances of the Covid-19 situation, this one worked out really well.