What's Happening in Henderson County

(Courtesy photo: Pct. 4 Commissioner Mark Richardson.) Note: This interview was recorded via Zoom on Wednesday, July 22. === Henderson County Commissioners Court has a new member. Mark Richardson was sworn in as the Pct. 4 Commissioner Wednesday afternoon. Richardson takes over for Milburn Chaney, who stepped down Wednesday, County Judge Wade McKinney said during our weekly interview. Chaney fille...

(Courtesy photo: Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims.) This interview was recorded via Zoom on Tuesday, July 21. === ( NOTE: A thunderstorm began shortly after we started this podcast, which resulted in a garbled connection in a couple of instances.) Less than two weeks remain before Athens ISD starts a new school year. I spoke with AISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims via Zoom Tuesday about ho...

(Photo from the Villalobos Rescue Center Facebook page.) Note: This interview with Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse was recorded via Zoom on Wednesday, July 15. === By Michael V. Hannigan The wolfdog saga continues. For the past three weeks, Henderson County officials have been working to find homes for about 50 wolf hybrids that were left abandoned when their owner died. In our weekly int...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.) Note: This interview was recorded via Zoom on Tuesday, July 14. === By Michael V. Hannigan The COVID-19 numbers continue to go up in Henderson County, with 63 new cases reported between July 10 through July 13. Well, not all the numbers. There was one recovery reported between June 26 and July 13. While it seems doubtful that just a single COVID-19 pat...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.) Note: This interview was recorded at the Courthouse Annex on Wednesday, July 8. === By Michael V. Hannigan Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney clarified the county’s position on Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order from last week during our interview Wednesday (listen above). The most publicized part of the Governor’s order is a requirement to wear mask...

(Courtesy Photo: Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse) Note: This interview with Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse was recorded Wednesday, July 8. === By Michael V. Hannigan The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office has not only found homes for the wolf dogs from last week, but it looks like the story is going to wind up on Animal Planet. Last week, deputies investigating a death found abou...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.) Note: This interview was recorded at the Courthouse Annex on Wednesday, July 1. === By Michael V. Hannigan There have been 26 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Henderson County in the past three days (June 30 - July 1), but some local residents have questioned what that means. Specifically, they have questioned if the reported cases have been confirmed...

(Around 50 wolf hybrids were left homeless when their owner died this past weekend. -- Courtesy photo from the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.) Note: This interview with Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse was recorded Wednesday, July 1. === By Michael V. Hannigan A death investigation this past weekend led to a unique situation for the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. While the investig...

(NOTE: This interview with Athens ISD’s Dr. Janie Sims was recorded June 26 and ranged over a variety of topics: The start of school, the Virtual Academy, the new free meal program, and teacher raises. There is too much for one post, so I have written other stories. You will find links to those below. I invite you to listen to the interview above to learn more. -- Michael) Athens ISD trustees appr...

(NOTE: This interview with Athens ISD’s Dr. Janie Sims was recorded June 26 and ranged over a variety of topics: The start of school, the Virtual Academy, the new free meal program, and teacher raises. There is too much for one post, so I will be writing other stories over the next few days. I invite you to listen to the interview above to learn more. -- Michael) Monday, Athens ISD trustees approv...

(NOTE: This interview with Athens ISD’s Dr. Janie Sims (pictured) was recorded June 26 and ranged over a variety of topics: The start of school, the Virtual Academy, the new free meal program, and teacher raises. There is too much for one post, so I will be writing other stories over the next few days. I invite you to listen to the interview to learn more. -- Michael) === The plan at Athens ISD is...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.) There is no question that the number of reported COVID-19 cases are on the rise in Henderson County. Deciding what that means is not always so clear, as evidenced by the number of arguments on social media. Wednesday, I interviewed County Judge Wade McKinney to discuss where the county currently stands in reference to the coronavirus. I invite you to l...

(Courtesy photo: Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.) A jailer at the Henderson County Justice Center has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Sheriff Botie Hillhouse. Hillhouse said he learned of the test result Tuesday. (Listen to the complete interview above.) The jailer is sick, but doing well, Hillhouse said. The impact, however, has gone beyond that one employee. “We sent another 12 employees hom...

(Courtesy Photo: Coach Sherard Poteete.) The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) gave the green light to fall sports last week. Friday’s announcement read , “At this time, the NJCAA will proceed with fall championship sports beginning practice and competition as planned.” Which means TVCC Cardinal football practice is expected to start Aug. 1. “We’re looking forward to just gettin...

(Photo: Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.) Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said many of the law enforcement changes currently being suggested around the country are already in place in Texas. “I think Texas has really been proactive on a lot of this stuff,” he said Wednesday during our weekly interview (listen above).   The Sheriff went on to explain that Texas peace officers are already required...

(Photo: Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney.) === Texas has seen a spike in reported cases of COVID-19 since reopening and Henderson County is no different, but do those numbers tell an accurate story of what’s happening in our county? Not always. As of Tuesday night, the Northeast Texas Public Health District (NET Health) had Henderson County with 85 total cases since the pandemic started, inclu...

Interview with Henderson County Elections Administrator Denise Hernandez Monday, June 15, is the final day to register to vote, or make any changes in your voter registration, ahead of the primary runoff elections. You can register at the Henderson County Elections Office at 201 East Larkin Street in Athens, or at either of the substations in Seven Points or Chandler. Election Day is July 14. Earl...