VOL 6 ·ISSUE 34
WALKER COUNTY
PRESS
PRSRT STD US Postage PAID Permit #60 WINNIE, TX
Thursday June 30, 2022
Happy Fourth of July from Walker County Press
Council Renews City Managers Contract
By Wade Thibodeaux The Huntsville City Council met in regular session on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at 6:00 pm. in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. The short agenda only contained two agenda items, other than the approval of the previous minutes, that ac-
tion was taken on and one was the renewal of the contract of the independent auditors for the City. The firm of Pattillo, Brown, & Hill, LLP has performed the annual audit for the previous 10 years and they were approved to continue providing the service. After a 31 minute
executive session, the Council reconvened in open session to approve a contract renewal for the City Manager for a 12 month period with a 5% increase. Huntsville City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at Huntsville City Hall.
Brady Announces 2022 Military Service Academy Appointees
Congressman Kevin Brady (TX-08) is pleased to announce the outstanding students
from the 8th Congressional District of Texas who have accepted appointments to attend
Heritage Oaks Cuts Ribbon on New Facility
A large crowd joined in to celebrate the ribbon cutting at Heritage Oaks Funeral Home last Friday.
U.S. military service academies after being Chamber President Ray Hernandez(right) presents a nominated by his office. commendation from U.S. Senator Ted Cruz to Andy (contd on page 7) Graves(left) for the opening of his new business.
By Wade Thibodeaux Heritage Oaks Funeral Home cut the red ribbon on their new facilities located on the South end of town at 1080 Interstate 45 South Huntsville, Texas. Owners Andy and Jennifer Graves welcomed a large crowd into their new facilities last Friday afternoon, June 24, 2022 to celebrate their new venture. After the official ribbon cutting, a come and go reception was held with tours of the facilities offered to those interested.
Thursday June 30 , 2022
Community fame 47. Long, long time 48. Caffeine-containing nut trees 50. Off-color 52. *Ludwig Bemelmans’ Parisian boarding school resident 55. Middle Eastern porter 56. Movie “____ Brockovich” 57. Karl of politics 59. In a cold manner 60. Obscenity 61. Middle of March 62. Fringe benefit 63. *Side for Green Eggs 64. Put in the outbox DOWN 1. Chlorofluorocarbon, abbr. 2. Obstacle to jump through 3. Great Lake 4. Tiny fox with large ears
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5. Two halves of a diameter 6. Like one in isolation cell 7. Evergreen trees 8. *Babar, e.g. 9. Thumb-up catch 10. Full of enthusiasm 11. *”The Little Mermaid” domain 13. Stock exchange, in Paris 14. Affair, to Emmanuel Macron 19. Michael Douglas’ 1987 greedy role 22. “For ____ a jolly ...” 23. *Clement Clark Moore’s famous beginning 24. Live it up 25. Join forces 26. Aid in crime 27. Bodies 28. *Athos’, Porthos’ and Aramis’ swords 31. *Corduroy or Pad-
dington 32. Stiff grass bristle 34. *D’Artagnan’s sword 36. *It ends, according to Shel Silverstein 38. North American purple berry 40. ____ at Work, band 41. Give in 44. Worshipful 46. Isis’ brother and husband 48. Cause and effect cycle? 49. Abhorrence 50. RBG’s collar, e.g. 51. Arabic for commander 52. Screen 53. Lymphatic swelling 54. Like certain Steven 55. Senior’s fragile body part 58. New York time
Community Calendar
THEME: CLASSIC CHILDRENS BOOKS ACROSS 18. *Mr. Popper’s 1. Kitchen boss birds 5. Churchill’s “so 20. Newspaper piece few” 21. *Like “Goose8. Epochs bumps Classic” 12. “Watch out!” on a 22. “What?” golf course 23. *Richard Scarry’s 13. East of Java Things That Go 14. *Pinocchio’s state 26. Oxygenate, as in of being lawn 15. Hard currency 29. Skin cyst 16. Emanation 30. Middle Eastern 17. TV and radio meat dish, pl.
Solution on page 15 33. Antonym of “yup” 35. Dispatch boat 37. Female sheep 38. Throat infection 39. Searching for E.T. org. 40. *”I think I can, I think I can...”, e.g. 42. *”____ Spot run!” 43. Accounting journal 45. *The Plaza Hotel resident of kids’ book
Friday, July 1: -Story time from 10:45am-11:45am at the library -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library Saturday, July 2: -The Piney Woods Writers Group from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the library Monday, July 4: -Mother Goose Lapsit from 10:45am-11:45am at the library -Citizenship Preparation Course from 6:00pm8:30pm at the library Tuesday, July 5: -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the
library -Story time from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the library Wednesday, July 6: -Story time from 10:45am-11:45am at the library Thursday, July 7: -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library -KidScape from 12:00pm-1:00pm at the library -Microsoft PowerPoint classes from 5:00pm6:00pm at the library Friday, July 8: -Story time from 10:45am-11:45am at the library
-Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library Saturday, July 9: -The Piney Woods Writers Group from 2:00pm-4:00pm at the library Monday, July 11: -Mother Goose Lapsit from 10:45am-11:45am at the library -Citizenship Preparation Course from 6:00pm8:30pm at the library Tuesday, July 12: -Sittercise from 10:00am-11:00am at the library -Story time from 5:30pm-6:30pm at the library
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Business Directory
Thursday June 30 , 2022
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Montessori Child Care 6 wks to 12 yrs. old
936-435-0303
Don’t let your competitors attract all the business! Call 936-581-5161
Your Child Belongs HERE! 2817 Old Houston Rd. Huntsville Monday - Friday 5:00 AM - 6:30 PM
906 10th Street Huntsville
Monday - Friday 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday June 30, 2022
Arrest Report
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Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home -All Prearranged Services Honored -Prearranged Funeral Sales 1700 Normal Park Huntsville, TX 77340
936-291-7300
From the office of Walker County Sheriff
Clint McRae Sixty-Three individuals were arrested and booked into the Walker County Jail between Friday, June 17 and Monday, June 27. Continued indict-
ments 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 arrest-
ed in Walker County on outstanding warrant(s) while in Walker County. In 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.
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Arrest Report
Thursday June 30 , 2022
Thursday June 30 , 2022
Arrest Report
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Community
Military Service Academy (contd)
Earlier this month, Congressman Brady hosted his annual Military Academy Send-off Breakfast to honor the 18 students from TX-08 who will attend a Military Service Academy or Academy Preparatory School this fall. Rep. Brady congratulated each student on their prestigious appointments and thanked their families for supporting these young men and women in their pursuit of service to our country. This year’s distinguished appointments are as follows: U.S. Air Force Academy: Madison Carlisle – The Academy at World Champion Centre Colton Cornell – Magnolia West High School James Sagar – Concordia Lutheran High School
U.S. Naval Academy: Austin Benigni – The Woodlands Christian Academy Michael Calais – Magnolia High School Sergei Frazier – The Woodlands College Park High School Luc Gregoire – The Woodlands High School Payden Meyer – Laurel Springs High School U.S. Military Academy at West Point: Andrew Berg – Conroe High School Samuel Granack – Oak Ridge High School Asha Jarusinski – Grand Oaks High School Kasen Jeitz – Centerville Jr/Sr High School William Krotee – The Woodlands High School Chanse Perkins – The Woodlands Christian Academy Jacob VanBenthuysen – The Woodlands College
Park High School Sebastian Witteveld – The Woodlands College Park High School Stuart York – The Woodlands Christian Academy U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School: Jacob Nance – Caney Creek High School U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School: Jacob Abellon – Klein Cain High School Each year, Congressman Brady has the honor of nominating qualified candidates to compete for appointment to United States service academies. Each applicant must complete a thorough application and selection process, ensuring that the most qualified candidates are nominated to lead our service men and women in combat.
Walker County Sheriff’s Office would like to make the public aware that there’s a telephone scammer targeting citizens in the community advising that they have a warrant for their arrest and need to send
money. Scammers are identifying themselves as currently employed deputies and are sending barcodes as a way to receive payments to avoid the arrest. Please be advised that Walker County Sheriff’s Office
does not call or email individuals threatening to arrest or demanding money. To avoid being involved in the scam scheme, Walker County Sheriff’s Office would like to advise to never give out your personal
WCSO Telephone Scammers PSA
information, including your social security number, over the phone or to individuals you do
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not know. Anyone seeking to confirm that they are being contacted by Walker
County Sheriff’s Office employees is encourage to call the Sheriff’s Office at 936-435-2400.
Thursday June 30 , 2022
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Thursday June 30 , 2022
Local News
Walker County Press-Page 9
Kid Scoop is sponsored by Wischnewsky Dodge. 130 I-45, Huntsville, TX 77340 http://www.wischnewskydodge.com/ (936) 220-1745
© 2022 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 38, No. 30
hiny spotlights on deep-sea fish, flashing worms, squids that squirt clouds of glowing ink—they have no plugs, wires or batteries. How do they glow? It’s bioluminescence (by-oh-loo-muh-NEHS-sense)— which means the making of light by living creatures.
This deep-sea creature fishes for food. It has a long, skinny fin on top of its head that works like a fishing rod. A little bulb filled with glowing bioluminescent bacteria sits at the end of the rod.
Most of the world’s glowing animals live in the sea. These glowing creatures live down in the inky dark, deepest parts of the sea where sunlight can not reach. Glowing body parts attract prey and scare away predators. Some fish confuse their enemies by blinking on and off while zigzagging through the water. Others attract mates and communicate using their flashing lights.
When it wants to eat, the angler fish dangles the glowing bait in front of its mouth. A curious fish swims up for a closer look and—snap! the angler fish’s huge jaws snatch it up! Angler fish are small, but they can be big eaters. Once, a 3-1/2 inch angler was found with a nearly 7-inch lantern fish in its stretchable stomach!
Help this little fish escape the angler fish.
About half of all kinds of jellyfish are bioluminescent. Find the jellyfish that match. Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.
Standards Link: Life Science: Students know animals have structures that serve different functions in survival.
Standards Link: Life Science: Students know examples of diverse life forms in different environment such as oceans.
Find where each missing word belongs in this paragraph.
Safety in the Light Bioluminescence cann sumetimes work as a great defence mechanism.
One kind of sea cucumber that lives the in deep ocean, can shed its glowwing skin if attacked by a preditor. This skin then sticks to to its attacker, making the attacker a target for other predators?
Standards Link: Life Science: Students know animals have structures that serve different functions in reproduction.
LIGHT CREATURES ANGLER STOMACH JELLYFISH SPARKS CLOUD CONFUSE CIRCLES WORMS GLOW HOLES DANGLES FIN SNAP
W O H C A M O T S H S E L G N A D E D S
E A N G L E R U S I
S S N A P U O E T F
U S P N T L L S H Y F D M A C C E E G L
N I E R R R F L I L O R N I O K O O L E C U C L F W S H I
J
Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.
Message in the Dark
Use the letters that spell the word BIOLUMINESCENCE and your newspaper to make a poem about the deep ocean.
Sometimes, on dark nights, the waves of the ocean appear to glow. This is caused by tiny creatures called dinoflagellates (di-no-FLA-jel-lates). Each one is about the size of a pencil point, and it produces tiny sparks in the surf.
Some kinds of deep sea squid squirt glowing ink when they are attacked. In the black depths of the ocean, the glowing cloud blinds and confuses predators and lets the squid escape.
Fireworms ___________ an amazing ____________ light show. Most of the time these worms live ________ in holes and _________ at the bottom of the sea. But two nights after each full _____, the fireworms ______ to the surface, all aglow. The females and males swim around in circles. The females send out a glowing ________ of eggs.
Are you an eagle-eyed reader? Read the story below and circle the eight errors you find. Then rewite the story correctly.
Standards Link: Writing Applications: Students write acrostic poems.
Look through the newspaper to see if you can observe: • something that lights up • a word that rhymes with light • a word that describes light Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.
Keep Your Cool Send us your tips for keeping cool this summer without electricity.
… making sure you never skate or ride a bike without the proper equipment.
Community
Thursday June 30 , 2022
Obituaries
Mary Elizabeth Winkelmann Mary Elizabeth Adamick Winkelmann was born on November 27,1949 in Houston, Texas to Marion T. and Albina M. Adamick and went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 19, 2022. Mary was a courageous, strong willed person that loved the simple country life. She enjoyed just sitting on her porch and listening to the birds chirp. She loved taking care of her husband and family. She is survived by her husband Carlos Winkelmann, son Chris Winkelmann and wife Rachel, grandchildren Rylan and Colton Winkelmann and her brothers Billy Adamick and Larry Adamick and wife Nancy. Also left to cherish her memory are numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents.
Joseph N. McLaren Jr. Joseph Nicol McLaren, age 78, passed away June 19, 2022, after a lengthy illness. Joseph was born on Jan-
uary 26, 1944, in Galveston, Texas to Joseph and Hilda McLaren. Married Judy Niederhofer on November 23, 1966, at New Waverly Methodist Church. He was a member of the John Sims Lodge in New Waverly, Texas for over 50 years where he was a past Master of the lodge. He was also a member Arabia Shrine Temple where he served on the Directors staff and was in the Oriental band. He was a member of the Montgomery County Shrine Club and served as a past President and Ambassador. He was also a member of the Conroe chapter #710 Order of the Eastern Star and held numerous offices. He is survived by his wife Judy McLaren of Conroe, TX, daughter Amy Alexander of Belton, TX, grandson Jacob Alexander and fiancé Jamie Merriam of Austin, TX, grandson Zachary Alexander of Temple, TX, sister Joan Gondesen and husband Johnny of Cypress, TX, sister Lynn Follis and Harold Sanders of Cypress, TX, brother Charles McLaren of Missouri City, TX and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by both parents and brother Harry McLaren.
John L. Miller
John L. Miller was born on October 14, 1959, in Los Angeles, California to Wiley Edward Miller and Lorraine Josephine Lemoine Miller. On June 19, 2022, surrounded by loved ones, he met his Lord and Savior and entered his eternal home. Johnny, as he was called by his beloved family and close friends, was the tenth of eleven siblings. When he was a toddler, his family moved to Riverside, Texas to be near his father’s family. Johnny spent many years working cattle with his children, father, brother, and nephews. Candice, Jerrod, and Chad spent a lot of time fishing, hunting, and raising show animals for the Walker County Fair under their dad’s guidance. He taught them to be humble and hardworking people. After they graduated, he continued supporting his nieces and nephews by attending the WCFA livestock shows every year. When his only grandchild Cash was born, he became the proudest PawPaw you ever met. Some of his favorite things to do was take Cash to the Huntsville State Park, take him fishing, buy him toys (Cash’s choice) and spoil him rotten. Johnny lived a life of service to others. He was an active member of Cook Springs Baptist Church for many years. Johnny served the community as a member of the Crabbs Prairie Volunteer Fire Department. He worked for TDCJ at Wynne Farm as
a Warehouse Supervisor for over twenty years. He went on to work for the City of Huntsville until he fully retired and began serving the Lord and cowboying full time as he always wanted to do. Johnny’s life transformed when he rededicated his life to Christ and completely surrendered to the Lord. He could always be found in the back of Fellowship of Huntsville Church greeting all who entered and lovingly calling them his brothers and sisters in Christ. It was rare for him to miss one of C.F. Hazlewood’s sermons. He witnessed to all who came across his path at church, Smiley’s, and everywhere he went. You did not leave a conversation with him without him saying “Amen!”, “I’m praying for you!”, or “I love you!”. He is fondly remembered as the modern-day John the Baptist of 980. He was unashamed of sharing his love of Jesus. Prior to Johnny leaving his earthly life, he was doing what he loved; sitting at his table at Smiley’s on FM 980. Johnny is preceded in death by his parents, Wiley Edward Miller and Lorraine Josephine Lemoine Miller; sister, Marilyn Miller Harper; brother-in-law Joey Anderson; sister in-law Sharlene Miller; nephews Joey Davis and Craig Killingsworth. He is survived by his children; daughter, Candice Miller Mitton (husband Kenny); sons Jerrod Miller and Chad Miller; grandson Cash Miller; Sandra Moody.
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Johnny is also survived by his siblings Paul (Alice) Miller, Lenore (Garnett) Davis, Louis (Paula) Miller, Jeannine Anderson, Wilma (Bill) Garrett, Michael (Buddy) Widner, Greg Miller, Brian Miller, Celeste (Jimmy) Wood and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Rachel Deanne Boyd On the morning of Thursday, June 23rd, 2022, Rachel Deanne Boyd passed away from her battle with cancer, her children beside her, at the age of 54. She is survived by her husband, Richard Wayne Boyd, Jr., her son, JohnPaul Miller, daughter-inlaw, Kimberly Johnson Miller, her many brothers and sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, and three loving pups. She is preceded by her son, Robert Metcalf, her mother, Sandra Franklin Gonzales, and her parents-in-law, Ruby and Richard Boyd Sr. Rachel was born April 4th, 1968 to Sandy and Larry Hicks in Anaheim, California. She grew up between California and Washington D.C. She had her son, John-Paul, at an early age in 1985, and her second son, Robert in 1989. Rachel started her career as a cosmetologist, and continually grew until she settled into information management for
various oil and gas projects. This career led her to visit many countries, including her decade long stay in China. Rachel had a passion for travel, art, and recently, becoming a farmer. She particularly loved her animals. Rachel was always able to make strong bonded friendships wherever she went as she was easy to love. She was one of the most generous people, helping shelter other friends and family in their time of need, donating her time, and putting everyone before herself. She had an unmatched work ethic, produced by years of dedicating herself to bettering her family’s lives. She would want us all to be happy, knowing she is no longer suffering and with all of those she loved who left before.
Purna Mae Adamson Purna Mae Adamson was born on August 1, 1949 in Boswell, Oklahoma to Raymond and Naomi Curry. Purna attended Grant Public Schools where she liked the sport of basketball and later fell in love with the ‘Golden State Warriors’ and Steph Curry. She met and married Willie Adamson and during that union they had a babygirl, who they named Lizette (Shanta). Later on, they moved to Texas and had another babygirl, who they named Taletha (Lisa). They
Walker County Press-Page 11 joined Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Pastor OA Lilly, where she was a faithful, God-fearing servant. She was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother who loved to cook and had a passion to care for babies. On June 24, 2022, she transitioned from her earthly home to her eternal rest. Preceding her in
Community
death includes, her father: Raymond Curry; mother: Naomi Curry; brother: Raymond Curry Jr.; sister: Mozella Langham; and God granddaughter: Karessa Horace. She leaves to cherish her memories, her two daughters: Lizette Byrd (Keith) and Taletha Morning; five grandchildren: Courtney Davis, Joe Byrd, Rashawn Rivers (Gracie), Allie Byrd, and Biva Byrd; three
great grandchildren: Kacen Washington, Damion Sanders, and Karcen Washington; brother: Earl Curry (Penny); sisters: Denise Butler and Marion White (Robert); God grandson: Kaleb Merchant; God daughters: Terrilyn Merchant and Sharon Simmons; along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.
The preceeding obituaries were provided by:
Thursday June 30 , 2022
There were no obituaries to report from
Heritage Oak
Funeral Home
1080 Interstate 45 South Huntsville, Texas 77340 (936) 291-8080
Walker County Press-Page 12
Lifestyle
Sunday Observations by Christy
Y’all know whats possible? Seeing a position or policy from both sides. Follow me if you will........ It is possible to want to do your part to help the environment, but not wanting to run out and buy an electric car right this second. It is possible to want a society that wants to help people when they are down, but not cripple them with life long governmental support. It is possible to think that abortion, and the right to it, needs to reside with state government, while also
thinking that our state has way overstepped and doesnt allow any help for victims of violence. It is possible to to think that you can be pro choice but anti abortion as a form of birth control. It is possible to believe in the 2nd amendment, and still want to tighten gun laws to keep them out of the hands of idiots. It is possible to be spiritual and not go to church. It is possible to think that some Democrats/Republicans are good people while realizing they are all politicians, telling you
what you want to hear at that moment. That you can be a positive force, in a negative world. That 2 wrongs dont make a right. That we need to focus on one issue at a time, instead of validating what we do by slamming what the others did. It is possible to do a lot. But its not if you think your way is the only way. Its not if you cant open your mind long enough to have a rational conversation. There was a time that we voted for leaders with dreams, with visions, with ideas of growth for our country. Today, we vote against someone. That someone we hope will get in office and undo what the current one did. That life will be better when so-and-sos policies are reversed. Am I the only one who thinks we are in a vicious cycle of extremism by both sides? Whew, this week. This month, This year. Heck this decade. We have got to put down the belief that our way is the only way. That others cant possibly be right because GASP........... that would make us wrong. You really wont die if you have to admit that. I promise. I admit my failures, wrongdoings, and cra-
ziness on a regular basis. I’m still here annoying all of y’all. Happy Sunday peeps, I sure hope you work on your tolerance of other thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. You may say NO WAY would anyone in my family have an abortion, support the left or right, be pro environment, be gay, or any of the many things that are against. Right up until they do. And you are forced to choose between your
Thursday June 30 , 2022
beliefs and your loved ones. I pray you have the ability to admit maybe you do support certain things, because you love your child more than your personal beliefs. I pray you have the ability to say, I will not lose my child over my beliefs. Because I promise you, they need you more than your lecture. Your beliefs. Your preaching. Love is love, it has zero to do with your personal beliefs. Especially when deal-
ing with young adult family members. I promise as you post, talk and proclaim your personal perfection, someone you love has been in one of the extreme categories you are casting to hell. They just may need you one day. And you have categorically, systematically slammed the door on them. I promise, they won’t come to you for help or advice. Is that really what you want for your so called loved ones?
WOODS, WATERS, and WILDLIFE
A “VICIOUS ATTACK” CATFISH? By John Jefferson
On June 21, I received a release from a news service that bore the headline: “Vicious Catfish Attack Sends Florida Boy To Hospital”. An accompanying stock agency photo showed a menacing-looking catfish. I’ve recently written a couple of columns about massive fish. None of them were in “Vicious Attack” modes, however. I felt it necessary to investigate this latest news item.
My first call was to the news service. I had hoped to get more information about the “Attack.” Their release had the author’s byline and an image of a catfish I had never seen before with many small spots on its face and around its mouth. My call was well over 50-hours ago, so I presume they are not interested in answering my questions. That cast doubt on the release. I decided to contact Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Florida’s corresponding agency. Craig Bonds is the TPWD inland fisheries
director. His comment was, “In my experience working with plenty of catfish, their pectoral and dorsal spines have serrated edges, sharp (points), and can be painful when they puncture human skin. Spine punctures and abrasions happen from time to time with anyone handling lots of catfish, and humans handling catfish should exercise reasonable caution for that reason, but I’ve never observed or experienced what I’d describe as an intentional “vicious attack” by a catfish. All spine punctures that I’ve seen have result-
Walker County Press-Page 13 ed from incidental or careless handling practices.” That was what I expected from the professional fisheries biologist and supported my own years of unscientific dealing with Texas’ three main species of freshwater catfish and a few bullheads. But I wondered if perhaps Florida had a more aggressive species. I then contacted the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. A very helpful young lady named Gina Alvarez quickly read the news item on her computer while I held on. She said she had no knowledge of
catfish attacking humans with their fins in Florida waters, but suggested I contact the Fire Rescue team that answered the 911 call when the young man began having difficulty breathing on the way to the hospital. She even looked up their phone number for me. I left Pasco County Fire Rescue a message. Shaun Whited, their Chief of Operations, contacted the first responders that answered the boy’s mother’s call for help. They told the chief that the family was fishing and the ten-year-old caught a catfish. As he was handling it, the catfish
Lifestyle flopped and drove the sharp fin an inch and a half into his chest. That hurts just writing about it! As serious as it could have been, the boy was in stable condition. But it does slap down the headline’s suggestion that the fish viciously attacked the boy. It was just doing what fish do. The release went viral and was in newspapers in N.Y., London, and others. Catfish should be handled with care, avoiding their fins. But they don’t otherwise threaten humans. Sharks, however, are a different matter.
Thursday June 30 , 2022
Happy Hunting
I was bow hunting for elk in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho with an experienced bow hunter and friend from there, Mark. While hunting we came upon a mother bear and her clubs about sixty to seventy yards away. She stood up to defend her cubs. I started to raise my bow in defense, but my experienced partner made us back out of there quietly and get where our scent would be carried away from our would-be attacker. Pictured is the late Texas record blue catfish named “Splash,” caught in Lake Texoma in 2004. She was the world record blue cat at the time. “Splash” was famous at the Texas Freshwater Fishing Center for eating chicken out of a diver’s hand, and never harmed anyone. Catfish fins are along its back and sides and would be difficult to use as offensive weapons. Finning usually occurs through mishandling. Photo by John Jefferson. Correction: Last week’s column stated that the former Lady Bird Lake record smallmouth buffalo weighed 52.56-pounds. The former record weighed 62.56-pounds.
The Bible says there are times when we are to resist the devil, and other times you just do not give the enemy an opportunity. Pray for the Lord’s discernment. “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from every ‘grizzly’ situation.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3) Danny R. Biddy, Chaplain: Chambers County Sheriff’s Office & Fellowship of Christian Cowboys
Lifestyle
Thursday June 30 , 2022
Disclaimer: This column is the opinion of Publisher Wade A. Thibodeaux and may contain subject matter on a variety of topics, but usually contains humor of some description. An occasional serious thought may be thrown in to entice the reader to think.
Okay, I usually like to stay away from these political topics, but for some reason, I feel the need to throw my two cents worth of opinion in on this topic. And, to be perfectly honest, I had penned a very political piece about the recent Supreme Court ruling, but decided to water it down just a little. I wrote my column on Friday, but decided to digest it for a while before I sent it to my editor for publishing and I’m glad that I did. I did a little more research and thinking and I decided to alter my column just a bit. The National news and Facebook have just been lit up today over the Supreme Court ruling on the Roe vs. Wade opinion. And, as I write this column, I’m pretty confident that I’m going to offend both sides of the equation and not just one side or the other. This Country is as polarized as I have ever seen it and I’m firmly convinced that at some point in the future we are going to have a reckoning of some description. It may be a Civil War, it may be chaos in the streets, or it may be the total collapse of our Country and we
may be speaking Chinese or Russian if we don’t quit fighting amongst ourselves and realize that there may come a time when we need every man, woman, and child working together to defeat our oversees adversaries. So, here goes my opinion from my feeble little mind. I am going to divide this column into two versions because that seems to be the situation in this Country at the present time. To my Republican friends, I know how offended many of you were when you were told that you had to have a vaccination that had little research and had no idea of the side effects. You expressed that it’s your body and your choice. That’s the way that many women have been conditioned to feel about abortion. Both situations could have serious side effects. The difference in my opinion is that the vaccine could cause issues, but the abortion will definitely have consequences. I firmly believe that life begins at conception because of the masters degree research that I did with cattle in the mid 1980’s. I fertilized
eggs that had been gathered from cows and I watched them grow in a petri dish. From two cells to four cells and then 8, 16, 32, 64 and beyond until they were ready to be implanted into a recipient mother. And because of that experience and background, I personally could not terminate a child as evidence of my special needs daughter. We could have easily tested for her condition very early on in her Mother’s pregnancy and made a decision to terminate, but it was not an option. We didn’t even test and we were surprised when she was born. I wouldn’t trade her for anything in the World and couldn’t imagine life without her. However, the science is here and available and if somebody decides to terminate for a variety of reasons, that’s their business. They will have to live with the consequences and ultimately answer to God(and, let me be clear, I will have plenty to answer for myself when that time comes, so I’m not judging). My opinion is that I just don’t want the Government and my tax dollars paying for the procedure.
Baptist: -University Heights Baptist Church worship services every Sunday at 9:30am and 10:45am -First Baptist Church Hunts-
ville every Sunday bible study at 9:30am, worship at 8:30am, and 11:00am Catholic: -St. Thomas the Apostale Catholic Church Rosary
at 5:00pm and 5:30pm (English) every Saturday and every Sunday at 7:45am (English), 10:45am (English, and 12:30pm (Spanish)
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The problem is that multiple generations have grown up with the ability to not be held accountable for their actions and it’s difficult to take something away once you have become accustomed to it being available. Being accountable for your actions is a whole different column and I don’t have enough ink this week to get into that conversation. On top of all of that, the Supreme Court did not make abortion illegal, they simply returned the power and decision to the States. Every State now has to decide what their rules and laws are going to be and if you don’t like the rules, work hard to change them or move to another State that fits your personal beliefs. To my Democrat friends, you can’t have it both ways. You cannot express that it’s your body and your choice when it comes to a woman choosing what to do with her body and then say that it’s not a choice when it comes to a mandatory vaccine to fight off a major virus. Now, I’m not comparing a vaccination to a baby, but if it’s your body, then it’s your body. The problem that I see in that situation is that it’s not just your body, but that of another person as well(refer to my previous comments). I rolled the dice and did not get a Covid vaccine because I actually had the virus and built my own defense system and I was not completely sure of the side effects of the
vaccine. I had the ability to make that choice because I do not work for an employer that required it or for the Government that required it. If I had been in that position, I would have had to make some additional decisions and I’m not sure what I would have done, but it’s my body and my decision. I also understand that multiple generations have had this abortion procedure available and it’s not an easy thing when an option feels like it has been taken away from you. Once again, it’s not taken away, just not as convenient and some additional choices will have to be made going forward. As we develop additional science and medical procedures, we will be faced with additional questions that we have not even imagined at this point in our lives. Things that are here now such as embryo cloning and embryo freezing for years into the future will require additional laws and interpretation of those laws and I’m sure that there will be other issues that will surface that we have not even imagined yet and future generations will have to determine how to deal with all of those things. What we need to concentrate on is to limit Government involvement into our lives and learn how to deal with each other in a civilized manner without tearing up our Country and fellow man because a decision didn’t go our way.
There will be many things that we will not all agree on, but we must have a civilized manner to settle those disputes without causing further damage. Gun control, mental health, gender altering procedures, and I’m sure other situations that I either can’t remember or don’t know about will be on the horizon for decisions to be made by the courts. We live in the greatest Country on Earth and if we don’t start getting along with each other we are going to screw it up. One of the hot topics now is Court packing, where the party in power could nominate additional Supreme Court Justices so that the outcome would align with their opinions. Well, guess what guys, the other party could be in power the next time and nominate their people and this ratcheting effect could have 15 millions Supreme Court Justices by the time the back and forth stops...... or the Country collapses. We have a pretty good system and we may not like the outcome all of the time, but it’s worked for over 200 years......let’s not be the generation that screwed it up. Okay, I’ve probably added a nickel or maybe a dimes worth of opinion into this week’s column so I’ll wrap it up and once again, those letters to the editor should be addressed to Wade@ txmediacorp.com. Till next time, I’m.........Wade in the Shade.
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
Church Services
Walker County Press-Page 15
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