Walker County Press 10-01-2020

VOL 4 ·ISSUE 47

WALKER COUNTY

PRESS

Walker County Hospital District Raises Taxes

By Wade Thibodeaux The Walker County Hospital District Board of Managers met in regular session on Wednesday, September 23, 2020 at 6:00 pm. at their office in the First National Bank Building and via go to meeting live conferencing.

The short 14 minute meeting had basically one item on the agenda that required a vote and after a public hearing in which no one spoke, the board discussed a tax rate increase amongst themselves and then voted to raise taxes to within $0.0001 of the maximum amount allowed under the law. The amount of $0.1137 per $100.00 of valuation would have required an election and voter approval and the board voted to set the 2021

tax rate at $0.1136 per $100.00 of valuation.

This will result in an approximate 3.78% increase to the average house within the District and will only result in about an additional $200,000.00 for the District for the year. In a year when most taxing entities are rolling back the rate to the “No new tax “ rate, the Walker County Hospital District elected to bump theirs to the max allowed without an election citing the purchase of the hospital and the cost associated with the bankruptcy of the previous hospital management company. The next regular meeting of the Walker County Hospital District Board of Managers will be Wednesday, October 28, 2020 at 6:00 pm.

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Southland Releases Spring 2021 Football Schedule The Southland Conference announced plans Tuesday to resume football championship competition in the spring semester, giving the Sam Houston Bearkats their first look at a revised schedule after the postponement of fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an unprecedented

move in the 58-year history of the league, Southland Conference play will begin February 20 and continue through April 10, featuring six league games for its participating seven members – UIW, Lamar, McNeese, Nicholls, Northwestern State, Sam Houston and Southeastern Louisi-

ana.

“We are very pleased to confirm our delayed 2020 Southland Conference football schedule into the 2021 spring semester,” Commissioner Tom Burnett said. “While the spring playing opportunity will be different in many ways, we are looking forward to providing this

competitive and championship opportunity for our participating football programs, their student-athletes and coaches, and all of the fans and followers of Southland football.”

On August 12, Southland presidents approved postponement of league football and other fall sports

Thursday October 1, 2020

THEME: IN THE KITCHEN

Community

14. “Mele Kalikimaka” wreath ACROSS 15. Julian Barnes’ 1. Capital of Gha- “The ____ of an na Ending” 6. Paris in Tour de 16. Telephone France company 9. Wild ox of 17. Acronym in a India bottle 13. Admiral’s 18. Birth-related group 19. *Set briefly on

fire 21. *Separate solids from fat in melted butter 23. *Crusty dessert 24. Uncouth person 25. Westminster broadcaster, acr.

28. Coffee break

spot 30. *Scald quickly in boiling water 35. Like desert 37. Like Civil War reenactment battle 39. *Like old chips 40. Delhi dress 41. Subculture language 43. *Good or bad it emanates from stoves 44. “As the World ____” 46. Like Jekyll and Hyde’s personality 47. This over matter?

48. Encryption device, a.k.a. ____ machine 50. Practice in the ring 52. Low-____ image 53. Competitive advantage 55. NBA coach “____” Rivers 57. *Dissolve browned food bits with liquids 61. *Thicken by simmering 64. Love, to Catherine Deneuve 65. Pigeon sound

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67. Pianist’s exercise 69. Resembling a fish 70. Hawaiian Mauna 71. Smart candy?

72. Tire swing holder 73. Bruin legend Bobby 74. *Yummy reward DOWN 1. Back of the boat 2. Staff symbol 3. Text messenger 4. Short version 5. Like number 1 to hydrogen 6. Besides 7. Opposite of paleo8. ‘70s music genre 9. Wheel in grandfather clock 10. ____-perspirant 11. Defender of skies 12. Count on 15. Growls angrily 20. What lighthouse does 22. Williams sister’s return 24. On account of

25. *Turkey action 26. Hitler’s Eva 27. Wispy clouds 29. *Incorporate an ingredient 31. Niels Bohr’s study object 32. Rock bottom 33. Star Wars attacker 34. Shepherds’ flocks 36. Sound at door 38. ____sack 42. Clearing in the woods 45. Viscous 49. Wood-shaping tool 51. Capybara, e.g.

54. GEICO’s mascot 56. Like a button, but more so 57. Cuckoo 58. Dubai dignitary 59. Departed 60. Debussy’s “Clair de ____” 61. Serengeti sound 62. *Preserve by adding salt 63. Old Norse texts 66. “____ the ramparts...”

68. D.C. time

Walker County Press-Page 3

Business Directory

Thursday October 1, 2020 2801 Old Houston Road 936-435-0303 www.tomorrowspromise.com email: tpms1@msn.com fax: 936-730-8278

TEXAS MEDIA CORP Huntsville

Wade Thibodeaux (936) 581-5161

P.O. Box 149

Huntsville, Tx 77342

wade@txmediacorp.com

Auto Home Commercial Life Health Office: 936-295-6000 Email: huntsvilleoffice@ rolloinsurance Steven R. Gregory - Agent www.rolloinsurance.com 1010 University Ave. Huntsville, TX 77320

Tomorrow’s Promise

Now Enrolling child care 6wks-12 yrs old 5am-6pm M-F!

Texas Tidbits From Historic Tours of Texas Did you know...?

The Karankawa Indian tribe were the first to encounter Spanish explorers.

The rest of the answer can be found at historictoursoftexas.com

Thursday October 1, 2020

Arrest Report

Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home -All Prearranged Services Honored -Prearranged Funeral Sales

Joetta’s

Women’s clothing, jewelry and accessories Home Decor and gifts Tyler Candles and Glamour Wash

office: 936-661-6125 www.joettas.com

Walker County Press-Page 4

1700 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340

Located in West Hill Mill

936-291-7300

From the office of Walker County Sheriff

Clint McRae Forty-four individuals were arrested and booked into the Walker County Jail between Monday, September 21 and Monday, September 28. Con-

tinued indictments from last week are also as followed.

The individuals named 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 Walker County, but perhaps was simply ar-

rested in Walker County on outstanding warrant(s) while in Walker County.

In instances in which individuals were arrested on out-

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

Walker County Press-Page 5

Arrest Report

Thursday October 1, 2020

Personalizing Your Events...Since 1957 www.huntsvilleheartfieldflorist.com office: 936-295-5448

Corner of 16 and 24 Sam Houston Ave.

Walker County Press-Page 6

Baptist: -University Heights Baptist Church worship services every Sunday at 9:30am and 10:45am -First Baptist Church Hunts-

Arrest Report

ville every Sunday bible study at 9:30am, worship at 10:50, and 6:00pm Catholic: -St. Thomas the Apostale Catholic Church Rosary

Church Services

at 5:00pm and 5:30pm (English) every Saturday and every Sunday at 7:45am (English), 10:45am (English, and 12:30pm (Spanish)

American Pickers to Film in Texas Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz, and their team are excited to return to Texas! They plan to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers throughout the area in November.

We understand that with the proliferation of COVID-19, we are all facing very uncertain times. We at American Pickers are taking the pandemic very seriously and will be following all guidelines and protocols for safe filming as outlined by the state and CDC. While we plan to be in Texas in November,

we will continue to reschedule if conditions change for the worse.

Regardless, we are excited to continue to reach the many collectors in the area to discuss their years of picking!

A M E R I C A N PICKERS is a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on History. The hit show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. They are

always excited to find sizeable, unique collections and learn the interesting stories behind them.

As they hit the back roads from coast to coast, Mike and Frank are on a mission to recycle and rescue forgotten relics. Along the way, the Pickers want to meet characters with remarkable and exceptional items.

The pair hopes to give historically significant objects a new lease on life, while learning a thing or two about America’s past along the way.

Thursday October 1, 2020

Methodist: -First United Methodist Church worship every Sunday at 8:30am, 9:45am and 11:00am

Presbyterian: -First Presbyterian Church Huntsville classes every Sunday at 9:15am and worship at 10:30am

Non-Denominational: -The Ark Church. 10:30 am service. Loman’s Student Center, 1717 Avenue J. Lead Pastor - Luke Cunningham. 936-463-8416

Mike and Frank have seen a lot of rusty gold over the years and are always looking to discover something they’ve never seen before. They are ready to find extraordinary items and hear fascinating tales about them. AMERICAN

PICKERS is looking for leads and would love to explore your hidden treasure. If you or someone you know has a large, private collection or accumulation of antiques that the Pickers can spend the better part of the day

looking through, send us your name, phone number, location and description of the collection with photos to: americanpickers@ cineflix.com or call 855-OLD-RUST. facebook: @ GotAPick

Walker County Press-Page 7

Community

OH No........We Made a Mistake In last week’s Walker County Press it was reported that Larry Wells was re-appointed as the local health authority for Walker County when in fact it should have been stated that Dr. Darrel Wells was re-appointed as the local health authority. We apologize for the error.

2020 Vannevar Bush Award Winner Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday congratulated the head of Texas A&M University’s Engineering Medicine, or EnMed, program, who will receive a prestigious lifetime achievement award from the National Science Board.

The board announced Monday Roderic Pettigrew will be presented with the Vannevar Bush Award, which is considered one of the nation’s highest science awards. It honors lifelong science and technology leaders who have made exceptional contributions to the welfare of the nation through public service in science and technology and in shaping public policy.

“Roderic Pettigrew’s passion and

creativity have spurred innovation in biomedicine,” said Victor McCrary, Vice Chair of the National Science Board and Chair of the 2020 NSB Honorary Awards Subcommittee.

“His reimagining of healthcare solutions is helping converge science fields, narrowing gaps between disciplines in a way that really impacts society.

Pettigrew is helping us to see what might be, what could be, and what is possible.”

P e t t i g r e w ’s contributions are wide-ranging. They include: His service as the founding director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the National Institutes of Health.

His advanced

treatment for spinal injuries that enabled some chronically paralyzed men to regain voluntary muscle movement and sensory function.

His use of radiation in cancer treatments.

His work to use MRI to image the beating heart and quantify blood flow.

His establishment of a partnership with the Indian government to develop cuffless blood pressure measurement, along with other low cost diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.

Pettigrew’s work also involved bringing out the best in others.

While at NIH created the Quantum Grants Program to encourage researchers to undertake “medical moon shots” to solve major challenges through technological innovation.

Pettigrew continues

to help others archive greatness at Texas A&M, where he helped found EnMed in Houston.

The program blends engineering and medicine in a 4-year curriculum to develop problem-solving “physicianeers;” graduates who earn a medical degree and a master’s degree in education. Plus, they must invent a solution to a healthcare problem that is ready for a patent.

“It is an incredible honor to receive the Vannevar Bush Award, which is so steeped in science history,” Pettigrew said. “My only regret is that my parents are not alive to share this honor. They were my first role models.”

Pettigrew was raised in rural Georgia and attended segregated public schools before attending Morehouse College in Atlanta through a Merrill Scholarship.

After graduating with a B.S. in physics in 1972, he earned a M.S. in nuclear science and engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Ph.D. in Applied Radiation Physics at Massachusetts

Institute of Technology, where his work resulted in a new type of neutron activation radiation treatment of malignant brain tumors being pioneered at MITHarvard. In 1979 he received an M.D. from the University of Miami.

In recent years, he has been elected to the National Academy of Medicine, the National Academy of Engineering, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences India.

He has received the Pierre Galletti Award from the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, the Distinguished Service Award of both the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine and National Medical Association, the Pritzker Achievement Award of the Biomedical Engineering Society, and was the first winner of the Gold Medal of the Academy of Radiology Research.

He also was awarded

Thursday October 1, 2020

a Gold Medal from the Radiological Society of North America and received the Arthur M. Bueche Award from the National Academy of Engineering The NSB created the award in 1980 in memory of Vannevar Bush, who served as a science advisor to President Franklin Roosevelt during World War II, helped to establish federal funding for science and engineering as a national priority during peacetime and was behind the creation of the National Science Foundation.

Past award recipients include: Leon L e d e r m a n (Fermilab), Nobel Laureate Harold Varmus (former NIH Director), Nobel Laureate Charles Townes (UC Berkeley -Laser Inventor), David Packard (HewlettPackard Company), Rita Colwell (former NSF Director), Charles Vest (former MIT President), and last year, Walter Massey (University of Chicago – oversaw Giant Magellan Telescope).

Community

Thursday October 1, 2020

Community Calendar

The City of Huntsville will be closing all facilities to the public at 11:59 p.m.

Friday, March 20, in accordance with the order issued by the Governor’s office, to remain in effect until further notice.

This effort is being made to prevent and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

City Manager Aron Kulhavy stressed that limiting in-person contact according to CDC guidelines is of utmost importance. The public is encouraged to call or use the City’s website to conduct business. For more information, call

936-294-5700 or log on to www.HuntsvilleTX.gov.

The Library will remain closed to the public. All library loans can still be returned to the book drops, including the drivethrough at the rear of the building. The Library offers many digital options, from online books to databases to continue education efforts. Log on to MyHuntsvilleLibrary. com for more.

City Hall will no longer allow citizens to enter the building for their protection as well as the employees.

You may make your utility

Obituaries

Joey Brand Chandler

Joey Brand Chandler, age 66, passed away on September 25, 2020. She was born on November 8, 1953 in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from Mesquite High School in Mesquite, TX, Joey attended East Texas State University, now known as Texas A&M University- Commerce, where she graduated with Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees.

As a college student Joey participated in the Alpha Delta Pi sorority as well as other service organizations.

Joey dedicated her professional career to helping college students achieve their college dreams. She worked for East Texas State University from 1977 to 1979 as a School Relations Advisor, and for Trinity Valley Community College from 1979 to 1984 as the Director of School Relations. She then moved to Sam Houston State University where she served as the Assistant Director of Admissions from 1984 to 1992, the Director of Un-

payment at the drivethrough or overnight drop at 1212 Avenue M. You may request a receipt by placing your email address on the back of the envelope and we will email a receipt.

We currently accept money orders, check, and debit/credit cards.

Customers can also log on to HuntsvilleTX.gov/ PayBill. This service allows citizens to manage Utility Billing accounts, request new service or make changes to current service. For more information, call 936291-5431.

dergraduate Admissions from 1992 to 2005 and Director of the Sam Houston Visitor’s Center from 2005 to 2009. During her time at SHSU, she helped the university achieve record enrollment growth, and was often recognized for her leadership, school spirit, and frequent Bearkat orange outfits. Throughout her professional career, Joey served on numerous statewide organizations including the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO), where she held numerous positions.

Joey was a faithful servant of God and

was a lifetime member of the Church of Christ and attended the Huntsville Church of Christ, where she met her husband King who she married in December 1987. Together, they were actively involved in supporting youth group activities, feeding college students at the Kats for Christ student center, participating in Share Groups, and visiting the sick and shut-ins of the congregation.

She and King were active in the launch of Alpha Omega Academy where she

Walker County Press-Page 8

also served on the School Board. She also served on the Huntsville Convention and Visitors Bureau Council Board of Directors.

Joey is preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn McEuen Richardson, her father W. D. Brand, and sisters, Randi and Lisa. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, King Chandler; son, Jacob Chandler, his wife Lucrecia, their son Jackson; son, Cody Chandler, and his two children, Aiden and Lainey; brother and sister-inlaw, Dennis and Lou

Fullington; cousin, Kary Ann McEuen; niece, Gena Galvan; sister-in-law, Judy Chandler Cole; nephew, Jeff Fleming, and his wife, Jane-Ann, their two daughters, Chandler and Sarah Catherine.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Alpha Omega Academy, 3891 State Hwy. 30 West, Huntsville, TX 77340, (936) 438-8833 or the Huntsville Church of Christ, P.O. Box 8237, Huntsville, TX 77340, (936) 2953884, in her honor.

Sam Houston Memorial

Funeral Home

1700 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340

936-291-7300

SHSU 2021 Football Schedule (contd) to the spring semester, and later agreed on an opt-out opportunity with the spring plan. Abilene Christian, Central Arkansas, Houston Baptist and Stephen F. Austin committed to playing football exclusively in the fall, while in other sports, all 13 members are expected to fully participate in the spring competitive

season.

Spring schedules for other fall sports will be announced in the near future.

With the new schedule, Southland teams will vie for a league championship with the winner receiving an automatic berth to the adjusted NCAA Division I Football Championship. The FCS playoffs, with a

reduced bracket from 24 to 16 teams, will include 11 automatic qualifiers and five atlarge bids and a firstround starting date of April 24.

The NCAA Championship Game, hosted by the Southland Conference for the last decade, is scheduled to return to Frisco’s Toyota Stadium on the weekend of May 15-

Thursday October 1, 2020

16.

“When we first started looking at the difference between playing football in the fall or the spring, the priority for us was having the chance to play for a championship,” said Director of Athletics Bobby Williams.

“With the recent decision by both the Southland Conference and the NCAA Board of Directors to hold an FCS playoff and national championship game, the decision to play in the spring was a no-brainer for us. We have a standard in our department, and that is playing for championships.”

The six-game, single round-robin football schedule will feature each team playing three home games and three away games in an eight-week period.

Each team will have multiple open dates during the slate to provide flexibility if schedule changes are necessary.

Further, the NCAA has approved a max-

Local News imum of eight total games in a 13-week period that begins January 23. Non-conference opportunities will be determined at a later date.

In this revised format, the Kats are scheduled to open up the Spring 2021 season on the road at UIW on February 20 with their home opener set for February 27 against Southeastern Louisiana. Following a bye week, SHSU will host two-time defending league champion Nicholls (March 13) and then go on the road to Beaumont to face Lamar (March 20). Then, after another bye week, the Kats will get a Thursday game at Northwestern State (April 1) and close out the regular season at home vs McNeese (April 10).

“We talked to our players about not playing in the fall, I think in the program was disappointed,” head coach K.C. Keeler said. “But when they understood there

was a chance to play for a championship in the spring, it really got everyone excited. As I’ve said many times, this program has been in five Final Fours in the last decade, and that is rarified air. We want to add a national championship to this program’s resume and it’s great to be at a place where the administration understands that is the goal of the program.”

It should be noted that undertaking this season’s schedule will be contingent upon current health conditions in each university community, following the guidance from the NCAA and local medical authorities.

Game management details, ticketing and attendance matters, media and broadcast issues and other operational details will be determined by the Southland and the host institutions, including Bearkat Athletics who will release such details at a later date.

Walker County Press-Page 9

Texas Crop and Weather Report Pecan production good amid uncertain market Texas pecan production appears better than expected, but market uncertainty amid the pandemic looms, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

Larry Stein, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension horticulturist, Uvalde, said expectations were for a below-average year, especially since 2019 production levels were above average. Pecan tree performances are historically down following boon production seasons, he explained.

Pecan producers have begun harvesting early varieties like Kanza and Pawnee, he said.

Harvest will ramp up going into October as later-maturing varieties are ready.

Stein said the Texas crop looks to be hit and miss, though some areas have a “heck of a crop.” Drought and typical boon-to-bust production cycles contributed to lower quality and quantity in other areas around the state.

“Production results really have varied this year,” he said. “There were cyclical factors and weather and moisture conditions that all weighed into how growers fared this year.”

Conditions improve for

pecan production Rainfall and cooler temperatures are helping pecan orchards finish out, he said. Timely rainfall was especially important for growers in South and Central Texas.

“The rains are a big deal for those producers,” he said. “To get rain as kernels were filling, that will help with quality and quantity.”

El Paso pecan production was off last year and looks to be bouncing back with excellent yields and quality. On the other hand, an April freeze hurt pecan producers along the Red River, he said.

Major pecan production areas in southwest Texas around Fort Stockton, which rely on irrigation, were especially dry this year, he said, but now appear to be on track for a good year.

Stein said a general observation this year is that trees are cleaner with fewer honeydew aphids, black aphids, nut casebearer and webworms.

“There was very little pest pressure this year,” he said. “We don’t know why, but pecan case bearers weren’t that bad. Black aphids showed up late and weren’t bad. It seems to be a down year for pests.”

Stein said he would like to say improved management practices contributed to the better-than-expected performance overall, but much of tree performance, insect and disease pressure remain in question.

The market for pecans is another question mark for producers this year, Stein said.

“Other fruits performed relatively well this year, despite a lot of questions going to market with COVID-19,” he said. “There were some struggles, but local sales of local food have been strong, so we could see the same thing with pecans.”

Pecan market uncertain Catherine Clark, managing editor for Pecan South Magazine and the Texas Pecan Growers Association weekly marketing newsletter, said pecans have had a rough couple of years.

The pecan market changed dramatically around 2012 when Chinese demand for the nut began growing, she said. The demand for in-shell pecans direct from growers made prices climb until the trade dispute.

But the trade war with China hurt prices after tariffs increased from 7% to 40%, and COVID-19 added even more uncertainty to the 2020 pecan market, she

Thursday October 1, 2020

Local News

Covid-19 Update by Darren Grant

While the worst of Covid-19 is, hopefully, behind us, this disease continues to affect the economy. It’s complicated. Some people are fine, a few are even better off. And then others are worse off or have lost their jobs.

Across the country, there are almost as many high-paying jobs as before.

But basic jobs for working people are down about 10%, and that means a lot of unemployment. The biggest job losses are in hotels, bars, restaurants, which is down almost 20%. Retail has also lost a lot of jobs, almost 10%. Meanwhile, professional jobs

are down only about 5%.

Despite the job losses, spending isn’t down much across the country.

It’s the wealthiest people that are down the most.

They are spending about 10% less—less going out, less travel. Meanwhile, workin’ people are about even with where they were a year ago.

They are being propped up by the stimulus payments from earlier this year. But that can’t last forever, and we’ll get into some real trouble in the next few months if the job losses continue.

Small business, on the other hand, is taking it on the chin. Their revenue is down 20% across the

country and a little more in Texas. A lot of small business is retail, bars, restaurants—the kind of thing that Covid hits hard. Some businesses are continuing to open around town, and I admire their optimism because now is a tough time to start a business.

The bottom line is that a lot of people are affected by this pandemic. We haven’t seen the full extent because of the stimulus money and because we are protected in Walker County, where so many jobs are in the prisons and the university. A lot of those jobs are safe.

But it is going to get to us eventually, since we rely on state money for the university and the prisons. Those budgets are going to get cut big in the next legislative session in the spring.

Statewide, case numbers are growing as the third wave of Coronavirus continues around the country. Locally, though, new cases were down slightly, both in the community and at the university. Case numbers in the prisons continue to fluctuate, up and down, as they have for weeks now, for reasons I don’t understand.

Walker County Press-Page 10

Texas Crop and Weather Report (contd) said.

“The shutdowns in March and April at a time when harvests in South America and Australia were happening and shellers were trying to sell a larger-than-expected carryover supply has led to price drops and uncertainty going into harvest this season,” she said. “There’s not much buying activity or offers being made, but we are seeing some mom and pop retailers looking for pecan supplies, so that they will have products going into the holidays.”

Clark said prices for inshell pecans was $2-$3 per pound, with shelled pecans around $4 per pound.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will offer larger operations $40 million in buying contracts for pecan pieces that will go to-

ward national food programs.

“It’s early in the season, so there is a lot of uncertainty,” she said.

“Smaller operations might see some offers from nearby retailers, which historically give better prices to local growers, but movement has been slow so far.”

East: Scattered showers fell around the district.

Some areas received rains and others stayed dry.

Temperatures cooled a little. Pasture and rangeland conditions were good. Subsoil and topsoil conditions were adequate.

Producers were trying to get a final cutting of hay or putting up hay.

Others were preparing fields for winter pasture establishment.

Livestock were in fair to good condition. Fly populations increased,

and armyworms were reported. Wild pig activity remained high and damaged pastures, fields and other property.

Southeast: Scattered light rains helped moisture conditions. Grimes County reported good rains.

Some producers were moving forward with cool-season forage plantings while others were holding off for additional moisture and possible reductions in fall armyworm activity. Fall garden activity was underway.

Livestock were in good condition. Rangeland and pasture ratings were excellent to poor with good ratings being the most common. Soil moisture levels ranged from adequate to very short with adequate levels being the most common.

Walker County Press-Page 11

Local News

Thursday October 1, 2020

Thank you Walker County for allowing me to service your auto body needs for the past 20+ years. Come see me at my new location!

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Walker County Press-Page 12

Lifestyle

Sunday Observations by Christy

Pretty sure we have blinked twice and are on the cusp of October in this crazy year of 2020. I don’t know how the longest year ever seems to have simultaneously flown by, but it has.

In a discussion this week with friends, we came to the conclusion, that we are tired. Just simply tired. Of everything.

Masks.

Social distancing. Hurricane season. Life being put on hold. Craziness.

Politicians. Fighting.

Arguing. All. Of. IT.

I don’t know the answers. I don’t know the cure to covid, the magic to political peace, the spell to end hurricanes, or the answers for our schools that are faced with bonds, repairs, and covid.

What I do know, is the key to fixing ANY of this..... is kindness and involvement.

Don’t want to wear a mask? Then don’t.

But don’t make snarky comments about the one who does. Want to wear a mask? Then wear

one. But don’t make snarky comments to those who don’t.

Want to vote republican? Then get after it. Democrat?

Have a ball. But show some respect for those who actually get out and VOTE. Not stressed over hurricane season?

Props to you. Your neighbor is though.

Offer them a hug, a beer, a moment of prayer. It’s nowhere near unbelievable that anyone could be struggling with the weather. We’ve been through too much.

Disagree? Fine. Shut up and go elsewhere.

What I do know is complaining, name calling, and belittling isn’t going to solve anything. It just drives the meanness of society. Be different.

Go to a school board meeting and find out EXACTLY what is happening.

Become informed and therefore a part of the solution, not a contributor to the chaos.

You have every opportunity to get involved, if you so choose. Board meetings, be it school, drainage, city council or county

commissioner, are publicly posted.

SHOW UP! Oh.... your too busy? MAKE TIME. If you feel passionately enough about something to bash online, then make the time to show up, be informed, and get the facts. Bottom line, at least know

Thursday October 1, 2020

the facts before you complain. Facebook doesn’t always have the facts.... shocking I know.

Happy Sunday peeps...there has never been a better time to get involved than now.

Lord knows we can’t go to ball games,

concerts, or any other entertainment type stuff. Put your irritation to use and show up at a zoom meeting from your sofa. Seriously. Most are online. Your excuse just became invalid.

You’re welcome.

Woods, Waters, and Wildlife If a seemingly friendly wild animal is close enough to pet, quickly ask yourself if this is normal behavior.

If “NOT”, then DON’T -- and move to safer ground.

A friend sent me the following.

“Late Saturday night, my wife noticed a fox on our front porch chewing on a pair of boots.

We decided it was going to damage my boots, so we needed to scare it away. I opened the front door, expecting that the fox would immediately flee. It did not and actually attempted to come inside through the open door. We didn’t give it a chance. It then stood at the end of the porch and started barking. The

fox stayed on the porch and started tearing up a bag of garbage. My wife opened the door again and made loud noises to scare it away. However, it charged her and bit her on her left leg.

I immediately went outside and shot it.

We took my wife to the emergency room that night.

They treated her minor bite wound and started her on the rabies protocol (rabies immunoglobulin injections and a series of rabies vaccinations). We [gave]the City of Mason animal control officer the fox carcass. The test came back from the lab positive for rabies. We should not have opened

the door again, once we realized that the animal was acting abnormally.

It should have fled immediately once it knew we were there. That should have been a warning to us. Fortunately, my wife is going to be fine.”

That happened in Mason County.

Burnet and Williamson counties are frequently near the top of the list of counties with confirmed cases of rabies. Travis scores big time, too, mostly with rabid bats. Do not touch ANY bats – alive or otherwise.

The risk is high.

A friend’s mother told me what happened inside their home. They lived on a large ranch in rural Kerr

Walker County Press-Page 13

County. Her grown son was reading the newspaper one evening when something caught his eyes. A wild bobcat had entered through a defective screen door and was strolling across the living room floor.

Realizing that this was not normal, he carefully shot the cat and took its head to a vet. Yes, it was rabid. Any unusual act by a wild animal should be considered an alert.

First aid for an animal bite is pretty

simple: Wash the bite area with soap and water and seek medical attention – PRONTO! GET TO EMERGENCY M E D I C A L T R E AT M E N T AT ONCE! More information is available at https:// w w w. d s h s . s t a t e . tx.us/idcu/disease/ rabies/information/ facts/.

Rabies can happen in practically any county, but according to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission these are the top 11

Lifestyle counties with the most positives reported in 2019: Travis (bats), Bexar (bats), Harris ( bats), Hays (bats, others) tied, Burnet (skunks/ coons,others) tied, Williamson (bats), Brazoria (bats), Randal (skunks), Llano (racoons, others), Hall (skunks), Bandera (racoons).

Most prevalent positive animals: Bats (289), skunks (173), racoons (43), foxes (29), cats (16), dogs (6), cows and horses (4 each), coyotes (1).

Thursday October 1, 2020

“Lean on Me”

While visiting Mt. Rushmore recently, my wife and I were told to be sure to walk around the “Presidential Trail.” The trail has 422 steps, mostly downhill. As we started our walk, I had her take my arm. We leaned slightly against each other, allowing us to maintain our balance the entire way.

The fox pictured here may not look like what most people think rabid animals look like, but the CDC says this fox was rabid. If an animal appears to be foaming at the mouth, it possibly is rabid, but the best clue in wild animals is unnatural behavior. Read the text. Rabies can affect any warm blooded animal, including domestic livestock, dogs and cats. Don’t take chances! Photo courtesy the Center for Disease Control.

The Lord brought us together nearly 50 years ago and we have been leaning on each other ever since. Sure has helped me maintain my balance. “Rejoice in the wife of your youth.” (Proverbs 5:18) Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain for Fellowship of Christian Cowboys and Chambers County Sheriff’s Office

Lifestyle

Thursday October 1, 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.

Okay......we are going to get somewhat political this week.... I know, I know, I said that I like to stay away from politics and I will have written about them in two of the last three weeks, but this will be a little different twist on politics as we will talk about the all out effort for voter registration this week.

Is it just me, or is there a somewhat over the top push to make sure that every breathing man, woman, and probably child in this Country is registered to vote in the upcoming election. It seems like every social media platform is pushing voter registration.

Every time that I sign on to Facebook, twitter, instagram, or just about anything else, there is a pop up asking me if I have registered to vote yet. I’m getting emails from credit card companies that are making sure that I have the opportunity to register to vote, and of course the usual political action committees like change. org and AARP send regular information on how to register to vote in this year’s election.

If it wasn’t such an im-

portant matter, I would find it all pretty amusing. Of course, everybody should register to vote and then they should exercise that right to vote from the very top of the ballot to the very last candidate who is running for the local office.

However, what I find amusing is that it’s an interesting study. Most State agencies have been working overtime to get people to vote for the last several election cycles. They have extended hours for early voting, they have Saturday and even Sunday voting in some places, they will mail you a ballot, they will even bring the voting machine to your car out in the parking lot, and still we have less than 50% of the registered voters who show up and cast ballots on a regular basis. But........put a guy by the name of Donald Trump on the ballot and all of a sudden it is imperative that every man, woman, child, illegal immigrant,with or without an ID has to be registered to vote. Michael Bloomberg, the previous Mayor of New York

is even going around paying fines of convicted felons in order to clear their record so that they can vote. Really, if a person is not interested enough in clearing their name from a felony conviction...... do you really think that they are interested in voting....and, will they even have a clue as to who to vote for???? The statistics that will come out of this election cycle will fuel masters thesis for years to come as college students sort through all of the undervotes and the non votes in this election cycle.

What I’m talking about is all of these people that have never bothered to register to vote before will cast a ballot on election day for the office of the President of the United States and then will never even bother with the Judges, the State races, and of course the all important local races that really influence our everyday life and will probably never vote again.

We have all seen those clips on the late night television shows where the reporter asks the local citizen on the

street who is the current Vice President and about 9 out of 10 can’t name the guy. It gets even worse as you go down ballot and ask about Senators, Representatives, etc, but that is the great thing about America......the bum on the street gets the same one vote as the CEO of Amazon. I saw a clip about somebody that was planning on blowing up the Electoral College.......here, let me help you buddy......there are two of them....... one is located in down-

Walker County Press-Page 14 town New York City and the other one is in Hollywood. At the end of the day, you have to have a little faith in this Country and the founding principles that have gotten us to this point in our history. I have that faith that whoever is elected President, America will be fine.

I may or may not like the next four years, but there will be another election in that time and we will have the opportunity to change things.

That doesn’t mean that I’m not preparing for an

unfavorable outcome, but I’m also not going crazy worrying about November 3, 2020. It will be what it will be and America will be fine. So here, let me do my part........remember to register to vote, but I’m guessing that you already are registered because people that read newspapers are more likely to vote and are more likely to cast an informed vote.

Till next time, I’m.........

Wade in the Shade.

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Walker County Press-Page 15

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