The 13-0 Malakoff Tigers are ready to take on the 11-2 Cameron Yoemen 7:30 p.m. Friday at Waco ISD Stadium in the Regional championship game.

The post Podcast: Interview with Malakoff Coach Jamie Driskell appeared first on Henderson County Now.

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

The quote on Casey Pitchford’s Twitter account is perfect for the Athens High School senior. “Work until you don’t have to introduce yourself,” it reads. And that’s just what he’s done.

Pitchford is a third-generation cattle raiser and rancher. He is the president of Athens FFA, works for his family’s business, Pitchford Cattle Services, and plays catcher on the baseball team, which last year advanced to regional quarterfinals.

“He’s a tremendous person,” said Head Baseball Coach Dallas Robertson. “He has a very strong work ethic, and not just in baseball but also in class. He’s one of those guys who stays longer and works, and he’s always encouraging others.”

Pitchford has worked for years as part of the family’s fitting service business. They prepare and present Santa Gertrudis cattle for their owners all across the nation. “If you had a good Santa Gertrudis, you would hire us to get her looking good, halter break her, and take her to all the shows,” explained Pitchford. “We go anywhere from Indiana to Ohio, Florida, New Mexico, all the major shows in Texas.”

In addition to being FFA president for his local chapter, he is president at large for the National Junior Santa Gertrudis Association in Texas. “The junior program is probably the best there is,” Pitchford said. “I love it. … However much work you put into it is what you get out of it. I’ve met amazing people all over the country.”

The association is in charge of all the junior shows in the state and assists in putting on the national junior show. This year it was held in Tampa, Florida, where Pitchford won Grand Champion Purebred and Junior Calf Champion.

“You’re not as successful as Casey is showing cattle if you don’t put the time in to be that successful,” said Athens FFA advisor Ward Wilbanks. “He’s a great kid to have as a leader in our organization. He’s a hard worker and a wonderful communicator.”

His parents, Darrell and Shana Pitchford, have quite a bit to do with that work ethic. “I’ve been taught you have to work for what you get,” said the 18-year-old.

Pitchford isn’t sure yet where he will be attending college. “I like to play baseball; we’ll see how that goes,” he notes. His interests beyond college involve raising his own cattle on his own ranch. He’s also fascinated by veterinary chiropractic work, specifically for large animals and bucking stock.

“In the cattle industry, things don’t always go the way you want with the market. And in baseball, you may not be as naturally gifted as you’d like. But you can work and do the best things to make you better as a player to get that starting position.”

Work hard; get good results. It’s a philosophy we would all do well to embrace.

The post AHS senior an example of what hard work accomplishes appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Athens Public Education Foundation members raised $32,000 during their recent “Casino Night” fundraiser, which will fund several classroom grants for Athens ISD teachers to be awarded in the next few weeks. The grants, which the foundation began awarding in 2010, are used to fund educational programs, tools and projects that are outside AISD’s budget. APEF is not part of the Athens Independent School District, but the district is the sole beneficiary of the foundation’s financial support. To make a tax-deductible contribution, send a check, made out to APEF, to 104 Hawn Street, Athens, Texas 75751 or visit athenspef.org. Pictured (from left) are APEF Board President Sarah Grey, Vice Presidents Lyndi Briggs, Kari Wilmeth and Stan Brown, Secretary Sarah Tinsley, Treasurer Armondo Rincon, and members Tracye Smith, Rita Curington, Denise Swartwood, Paige Gatlin and Ed McCain. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

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Press release

The next meeting of the Cedar Creek Amateur (ham) Radio Club will feature a recycling event. That is an annual affair where equipment that hasn’t been used in a long while is given a new home.

There are specific rules. The device must be in working order and in a bag. And by the way, the first recipient won’t necessarily get to keep it. You see the Czar of our Christmas event, Jeff Irion, allows each winner to have his or her item “stolen” by the next person up. This can get pretty crazy and that’s a good thing.

If you have to buy a new item, it can’t cost more than $25.

We’ll also have the usual updates and reports and generally good fellowship.

The meeting will be held Saturday, December 10, at the Mabank Café on Hwy 198 in Mabank. The club meets the second Saturday of each month there. The meeting starts at 9 a.m., but many come early for the breakfast buffet. Anyone interested in technology is welcome.

The ham radio exam no longer requires a Morse code test. So if you’ve ever wanted to talk to the world or be a first responder, this is the time to act. The Cedar Creek Radio Club offers free one-day classes to study and pass the exam.

The Cedar Creek ARC has over forty members from the tri-county area. It maintains a VHF and UHF repeater system that provide hand-held radio coverage to hams in the lake area, and mobile and base coverage throughout the three counties. CCARC participates in the National Weather Service SKYWARN program and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service. The club also provides classes to those wishing to join the ranks of Amateur “ham” Radio. For more information, visit www.k5ccl.org.

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Athens High School posted the Athens selections for the District 8-4A All-District Football Team on Twitter today.

Football All District Announcement!! #AHSProud pic.twitter.com/QdLKD5yATK

— Athens High School (@AHS_Hornets) December 5, 2016

The post Athens High School releases All-District football selections appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Funeral services are scheduled for Lavada Wilkins, 77, of Athens at 12:00 P.M. Saturday, December, 10, 2016 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens with Bro. Frank Upchurch officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

Ms. Wilkins passed away on Thursday, December 8, 2016 in Athens.

Lavada Mac Moore Wilkins born May 29, 1939 in DeKalb, Texas the daughter of W.A. Moore and Florence F. Legg Moore. She loved to quilt, crochet and also enjoyed gardening, dancing and bowling. “Mac” was a loving mother and grandmother and will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Olan Wilkins; her parents; four sisters, Elizabeth Caraway, Ethel Minter, Ruby Blair, Kate Minter; three brothers, William, Archie and Roy Moore.

She is survived by her four children, Sandra Schneider and husband Jim of Mansfield, Mike Pugh and wife Debbie of Murchison, Phyllis Maieritsch and Pete of Athens, Debra Nichols and husband Larry of Center Point; one brother James Edward Moore and wife Brenda of Hooks; eight grandchildren; six great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. Saturday, December 10, 2016 at the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home in Athens.

You may light a candle or write condolences to the family at: www.hannigansmith.com

The post Obituary: Lavada Wilkins appeared first on Henderson County Now.

On December 7 at 8 p.m., the Dollar General on State Highway 155 in Coffee City was robbed at gunpoint. The suspect is a black male, approximately 5’9″ weighing approximately 170 pounds. He was dressed in a black hooded shirt, black pants, black shoes with a white stripe on the outside near the heels, and white gloves. He also had a black mask covering his face. He entered the Dollar General, brandished a firearm, and forced the male clerk to close and lock the doors. He ordered the female clerk to empty the registers, waited for the safe to open, and emptied the safe. He then ordered the clerks into the office, made them unplug all of the electronic devices in the office, made them sit down, begin counting, and exited the store on foot.

If you have any information about this crime or any other felony crimes please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-545-8477 (TIPS). Callers will remain anonymous. If your information leads to an arrest you could earn a cash reward up to $1,000.

The post Henderson County Crime Stoppers can use your help in aggravated robbery appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Third-grader Presley Edwards plays an adorable Rudolph this week in South Athens Elementary’s musical production of “How the Penguins Saved Christmas.” (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

The post The most famous reindeer of all appeared first on Henderson County Now.

The Malakoff School Board honored The Learning Express Daycare and School as an outstanding local business and community partner at its meeting on Monday, December 12. The Learning Express offers Malakoff ISD teachers half off child care costs and then donates what would have been the other half of the cost to the Malakoff Education Foundation. The board thanked The Learning Express for supporting our teachers and the Malakoff Education Foundation. Pictured are, from the left, Steven Stearman and Mary Dooley of The Learning Express along with MISD Superintendent Randy Perry. (Courtesy photo)

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Members of the Athens High School band who qualified for the All-Region Band are (top row, from left) Russell Ingram, Kolemann Dooley, Richard Craig, Matthew Hernandez Alan Platt, Elian Cordero, Bryce Bowman, (middle row, from left) Mollie Davies, Leslie Alsobrook, Vernice Williams, Kelsey Torres, Ale Pedroza, (front row, from left) Caity Pace, Brenda Ruvalcaba, Yuvia Leon and Allison Martinez. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

Press release

Many Athens High School and Athens Middle School students earned a place in the Region 21 Honor Band following auditions this past weekend in Rusk as part of the Association of Texas Small School Bands.

At the high school, those who earned a place in the honor band are Yuvia Leon, Allison Martinez, Caity Pace, Brenda Ruvalcaba, Vernice Williams, Kelsey Torres, Jacob Ickes, Leslie Alsobrook, Ale Pedroza, Bryce Bowman, Russell Ingram, Mollie Davies, Matthew Hernandez, Alan Platt, Kolemann Dooley, Richard Craig and Elian Cordero. Of those, 10 were selected to advance to the area round of competition with a chance to advance to the All-State Band: Leon, Martinez, Williams, Ickes, Alsobrook, Pedroza, Bowman, Ingram, Dooley and Cordero.

At the middle school, students who earned a place in the honor band are Madison Rhodes, Annabelle Passons, Haley Hembree, Madison Westover, Sarah Campa, Katherine Romero, Sabrina Becker, Ellissa Comeaux, Jeana Bonnette, Heidi Holyfield, Kaylee Passons, Flower Lopez, Shari Friendly, Madison Hull, Logan Warnock, Daniela Becker, Lizbeth Casio, Caleb Clemmons, Will Matthews, Angeline Gutierrez, Angel Torres, Cameron Tidmore, Jason Stewart, Gustavo Rodriguez and Jaylen Davis.

“This is an amazing accomplishment for these students,” said Band Director Rusty Lay. “The hard work, effort and determination it takes to perform at this high level is a testament to the students of Athens ISD. We’re extremely proud of all our ‘Pride of the Hornets’ band students.”

Members of the Athens Middle School band who qualified for the All-Region Band are (top row, from left) Flower Lopez, Madison Hull, Shari Friendly, Gustavo Rodriguez, Jason Stewart, Angel Torres, Cameron Tidmore, Will Mathews (middle row, from left) Jaylen Davis, Jeana Bonnette, Lizbeth Casio, Haley Hembree, Madison Westover, Sarah Campa, Madison Rhodes, Katherine Romero, Sabrina Becker (bottom row, from left), Caleb Clemmons, Logan Warnock, Kaylee Passons, Heidi Holyfield, Annabelle Passons, Ellissa Comeaux, Angeline Gutierrez and Daniela Becker. (Toni Garrard Clay)

The post Athens band students win regional honors appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Michael V. Hannigan welcomes in Athens City Councilman Ed McCain as a guest. Subjects covered include the Athens City Council issuing $12.1 million in certificates of obligation, the Malakoff Tigers All-State selections, Athens band award winners, and photos from around Facebook.

The post HCN Show complete – Dec. 14 appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Funeral services for Mark Jackson Mills, 58, of Athens are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, December 15, 2016 at the New York Baptist Church with Bro. Donald Thomas officiating. Interment will follow at New York Cemetery under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

Mark passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2016 at his home in Athens after a 16-month battle with cancer.

Mark Jackson Mills was born July 5, 1958 in Ft. Worth, Texas the son of A. Jack Mills and Lou Ella Pierce Mills. He loved God with all his heart and was loved by the Church Families where his dad pastored; including Ft. Worth, Glen Rose and New York, Texas. He taught Sunday school and worked with the youth at New York Baptist Church for years. Mark loved his family and friends. He became involved with the basketball team at La Poynor in the 90’s as one of the first to video games for Coach Nichols. He coached Little Dribblers and loved watching his children play the sports they loved. In the past 5 years, he grew to love the livestock shows and traveled many miles with the La Poynor FFA family to help his children show pigs. He was a hard-working, dedicated employee of Lochridge-Priest for over 18 years as a supervisor in their heating and cooling division.

He was preceded in death by his father Brother Jack Mills.

He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years Marsha Holcomb Mills of Athens; his daughters, Ali and Cherith Mills of Athens; his sons, Luke Mills and Daniel Cole of Athens, Josh Cole and wife Caroline of Cranfills Gap; one grandson Landon Wilson of Athens; his mother Lou Ella Mills of Athens; three sisters, Jackie Lewis of Ft. Worth, Martha Melton of Austin, Mary Beck of Athens; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank their friends at Lochridge Priest, La Poynor I.S.D. and Dr. Droder and staff at Hospice of East Texas.

Pallbearers will be Lanny Reynolds, T.J. Reynolds, John Henry Reynolds, Brad Rogers, Billy Scarborough and Terry Bristow.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, December 14, 2016 at Hannigan Smith Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to be made in Mark’s memory to:

New York Baptist Church or to the La Poynor Ag/Athletic Boosters.

You may light a memorial candle or write condolences to the family at www.hannigansmith.com.

The post Obituary: Mark Jackson Mills appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Austin Carroll Harris of Trinidad, Texas passed away on December 11, 2016 at the age of 27.

Austin was born on August 16, 1989 in Athens, Texas to Jimmy Harris and Carla Keeling Harris.

He is survived by his father, Jimmy and wife Peggy Harris, mother, Carla and husband Randy Allen, daughter, Layla Harris, sisters, Laci Mizell and husband Matt, Jami Farris and husband John, step brother, Kyle Price, step sisters, Brandie Allen, Samatha Allen and Angela Wright, grandmothers, Edna Davis and Anna Harris, grandfathers, Billy Harris, Russell Allen, Larry Keeling and Don Arnold, nieces, Jenna Farris, Jaynie Wright and Haven Price, numerous aunts and uncles.

He was preceded in death by his grandmothers, Leontha Sue Rubio, Rita Allen and Mary Arnold.

Memorial service will be held on December 16, 2016 at 2 p.m. at Huckabee-Tomlinson Funeral Home in Malakoff, Texas.

The post Obituary: Austin Carroll Harris appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Sally Carter went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 9, 2016. She was born on February 13, 1942 in Dearborn, Michigan to Roy and Mary Yokley. Sally married Gil Carter in 1962 and moved to Athens in 1983. She worked at the the Athens Review for several years until she began traveling with her husband for work in oil refinery construction. For the past 11 years Sally had the pleasure of working with her son at Carter Wellness Center. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, going to church, baking and traveling and had a love for animals. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother, who will be dearly missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gil Carter; her parents: her brother, Ron Yokley.

She is survived by her son, Billy Carter and wife Mandy of Athens; daughter, Karen Webb and husband Mike of Tyler; grandchildren, Kaleb, McKenna and Carter; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A very special thank you to Dr. Shafiq, Dr. Gottlieb, Surgeons Dr. Lima and Dr. Rafeal and the amazing medical team at Baylor Hospital, Dallas.

The memorial service will be held at Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Athens on Saturday, December 17, at 11 a.m.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Landmark Missionary Baptist Church in Athens, TX or Henderson County Humane Society.

The post Obituary: Sally Carter appeared first on Henderson County Now.

South Athens Student Council members made the decision to utilize fundraised money to purchase a variety of additional books for their library. Pictured are Marilyn Murillo, Jaxson Stiles, Kayleni Garcia, Michael Van, Marcos Velasquez, Hannah Wilson, Anna Meyer, Aubree Pearson, Rylea Robertson, Ivan Villa-Lopez and Juan Ramirez. Not pictured is Noah Tatum. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Coordinator

Twelve student council members, representing each fifth-grade class at South Athens Elementary, were given a pretty daunting task for most 10- and 11-year-olds: determine the best way to spend money. Come to think of it, it’s a pretty daunting task at any age.

Back in October, teachers and staff at South Athens raised $955 by working one evening at McDonald’s in Athens, with a percentage of the proceeds during that time going to the campus. Students did their part as door greeters and helped teachers pass out free smoothie samples.

“I liked when we got to do that because I like to help people a lot,” said council member Rylea Robertson.

Once the money was counted, student council sponsor Becky Rogers asked the group to think very seriously about how they wanted to use the money. “We polled the school, and some of the responses that came back were for new swings, a slide, water fountains, soccer goals, cushions,” Rogers recalled.

But eventually, it was a simpler idea with, they believed, greater impact that would do the most good: more books.

“Some students don’t like to read because there aren’t books they’re interested in,” said council member Marilyn Murillo. “But maybe if we get all different types of books, they might find something they want to read more.”

Rylea said the answer was really there all along; all they had to do was listen. “On the announcements every morning, they say ‘Read every day no matter what.’ I think that’s important. … Some people don’t have access to books at home. I enjoy reading a lot, and I want other people to enjoy it.”

“By getting books, we’re helping everyone,” said Jaxon Stiles. Why? Well, as Ivan Villa-Lopez pointed out, “books make us smarter.”

After deciding what they were purchasing, the conversation switched to what kind.

“It’s important to have a wide selection,” said Michael Van. “I used to like shorter chapter books. My parents read me the very first Harry Potter book … but after that, I did it on my own.”

Hannah Wilson remains a fan of picture books. “They’re my favorite … because the pictures tell you what’s happening.”

“Books help us build our vocabulary,” observed Kayleni Garcia. And, noted Juan Ramirez, “most kids need more practice.”

With the council’s wishes clear, campus leadership ordered a few dozen library-bound books, ranging from picture books to graphic novels to standard chapter books. The council members feel good about the decision, and so do their teachers. In the end, Kayleni sums it up perfectly. “Reading more makes you a better reader,” she said. “Reading makes you better.”

The post South Athens students read more into the story appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Press release

Malakoff Independent School District officials announced that the district received a rating of “A” for “Superior Achievement” under Texas’ School FIRST financial accountability rating system. The “Passed” rating is the state’s highest, demonstrating the quality of Malakoff ISD’s financial management and reporting system. Malakoff ISD had a perfect rating meeting all criteria.

This is the 14th year of School FIRST (Financial Accountability Rating System of Texas), a financial accountability system for Texas school districts developed by the Texas Education Agency in response to Senate Bill 875 of the 76th Texas Legislature in 1999 and amendments under House Bill 5, 83rd Texas Legislature. Regular Session, 2013. The primary goal of School FIRST is to achieve quality performance in the management of school districts’ financial resources, a goal made more significant due to the complexity of accounting associated with Texas’ school finance system.

“We are very pleased with Malakoff ISD’s School FIRST rating,” said Malakoff ISD Superintendent Randy Perry. “This rating shows that our district is making the most of our taxpapers’ dollars. This rating shows that Malakoff’s schools are accountable not only for student learning, but also for achieving these results cost-effectively and efficiently.”

The Texas Education Agency assigned one of four financial accountability ratings to Texas school districts, with the highest being “A” for “Superior Achievement,” followed by “B” for “Above-Standard Achievement,” “C” for “Standard Achievement” and “F” for “Substandard Achievement.” Malakoff ISD has achieved the highest rating for 14 prior years.

The post MALAKOFF ISD earns state’s highest fiscal accountability rating appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Henderson County District Attorney R. Scott McKee reported the July Term, 2016, Grand Jury returned the following True Bills for the November 30, 2016 meeting. In addition, 9 cases are indicted under seal.

• Colline Franscisca Munoz, 34, indicted for Prohibited Substance in Correctional Facility
• Daniel Lee Hester, 47, indicted for Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group One
• Albelardo Rojo-Valdez, 37, indicted for Assault
• Jeremy James Strawn, 37, indicted for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity and Theft of Firearm
• Natalie Specialann Boyd, 19, indicted for Burglary of Building
• Chet David French, 29, indicted for Tampering with Evidence and Possession Prohibited Weapon
• Christopher Lee Fischer, 27, indicted for Possession of Controlled Substance
• Cheyenne Michelle Miller, 25, indicted for Possession of Controlled Substance
• Alvertice Bowdie, 36, indicted for Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group One
• Horace Grely Dean, 37, indicted for Manufacture or Delivery of Substance in Penalty Group One
• Justin Troy Hetherwick, 22, indicted for Possession of Controlled Substance
• Robert Darrin Cantu, 28, indicted for Driving While Intoxicated
• Joshua Paul Rogers, 28, indicted for Burglary and Burglary
• Kristi Stout Costlow, 39, indicted for Burglary and Burglary
• Nathan Dale Roseberry, 39, indicted for Unlawful Possession of Firearm
• Bradley Korral Gould, 26, indicted for Unlawful Possession of Firearm
• Randy Lynn Reynolds, 29, indicted for Burglary and Unauthorized use of Motor Vehicle
• Robert Allen Shaddox, 49, indicted for Theft
• Truman Lynn Daughtery, 45, indicted for Aggravated Assault
• Larisha Denise Smith Sikes, 23, indicted for Credit Card or Debit Card Abuse
• Ernest Glenn Morgan, 34, indicted for Burglary
• Joseph Daniel Perez, 57, indicted for Tampering with Evidence
• Lester Thomas Butcher, 53, indicted for Evading Arrest or Detention and Possession of Controlled Substance
• Damon Wayne Pagitt, 24, indicted for Burglary and Possession of Controlled Substance

The post Grand Jury Report, released Dec. 14 appeared first on Henderson County Now.

Athens ISD students in the fifth-grade gifted and talented program recently entered a robotics competition. The theme of the competition centered on the idea of emergency preparedness. Students had many different challenges they had to assess and then program the robots to complete. The Athens team was up against mostly junior high students, with only one other team having members their age. “They did a fabulous job, and I am so very proud of their hard work,” said Audrey Haley, teacher for the gifted and talented program. The event was sponsored by TCEA (Texas Computer Education Association), a global member-based organization supporting the use of technology in education. Students pictured are (from left) James Hoffman, Jaxson Stiles, Gage Friedrich and Peyton Smith. Other AISD students who competed are Abby Butler, Ariana Arevalo, Jonathan Camp, Charrod McCullough, Reagan Farley and Rylea Robertson. (Audrey Haley photo)

The post Rockin’ the robots appeared first on Henderson County Now.

The Athens High School band drum line led the way Thursday as Athens Public Education Foundation board members and district administrators traveled on the newly wrapped Hornet bus from campus to campus, handing out nearly $30,000 in education innovation grants to thrilled teachers. APEF is not part of the school district, but the district is the sole beneficiary of the foundation’s financial support. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

The post APEF gives out nearly $30,000 in grants appeared first on Henderson County Now.

South Athens Elementary teachers Robin Edlin (center) and Paula Bales (right) are presented a $3,000 check by Athens Public Education Foundation Vice President Lyndi Briggs (left). The money will be used to help teach young students hands-on lessons in science, technology, engineering and math. APEF board members and district administrators traveled from campus to campus Thursday, handing out nearly $30,000 in education innovation grants to thrilled teachers. APEF is not part of the school district, but the district is the sole beneficiary of the foundation’s financial support. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

The post A very pleasant surprise appeared first on Henderson County Now.