What's Happening in Henderson County

Henderson County's COVID-19 numbers continued to set records through the past week. County Judge Wade McKinney and I discussed the current COVID-19 statistics, tried to put them into perspective, and explained why the hospitalization percentage is so important on this week's County Government Podcast. Listen to it above. As of Wednesday, there were 362 individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 in the...

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office landed its biggest drug bust of the year early Wednesday morning. On our podcast, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse talked about the arrests, the amount of narcotics seized and how they are destroyed, what goes into this sort raid, and what sort of prison sentences could be involved. Listen to the conversation above starting at the 1:22 mark of the interview. Below, you...

(Photo: Sheriff Botie Hillhouse) This podcast was recorded at the Henderson County Justice Center on Wednesday, Nov. 4. === Botie Hillhouse was elected to his second term as Henderson County Sheriff Tuesday night. He ran unopposed. During our podcast this week, I asked Hillhouse about what he learned during his first term, his accomplishments, and what's next. Promises he made during his first cam...

(Photo: Coach Zac Harrell) Podcast recorded at the Athens Field House on Wednesday, Nov. 4. === The Athens Hornets (4-0, 0-5) will be on the road to visit rival Mabank Friday night to finish off the 2020 season. The Panthers (3-6, 0-5) are playing better than their record suggests, according to Coach Zac Harrell. "(Coach Hudson) has them playing as hard as any Mabank team since I've seen Mabank pl...

COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to increase in Henderson County. According to Net Health, there are currently 5,675 active cases in the seven-county region that includes Henderson County. The 7-day rolling rate from Oct. 29 through Nov. 4 shows Henderson County averaging about 27 new cases a day. The county's trend is up and is the second highest in the Net Health region. Hospitalizat...

(Photo: Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney) This podcast was recorded in the Courthouse Annex on Wednesday, Nov. 4. === The 2020 General Election is over even though some of the counting continues around the country. Things went smoothly in Henderson County, according to county officials. During our weekly podcast, County Judge Wade McKinney said the election set the record for the most votes ca...

(Photo: Henderson County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse) This podcast was recorded in the Henderson County Justice Center on Wednesday, Oct. 28. === It was a rainy morning as Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and I recorded this podcast. That led to a discussion on how the weather impacts the Sheriff's Office. Hillhouse explained that the rain makes things more dangerous for deputies. (12:45) One surprise, was lea...

(Photo: Coach Zac Harrell) This podcast was recorded in the Athens ISD Fieldhouse on Wednesday, Oct. 28. == The Hornets will be at Bruce Field this Friday night for their final home game of the 2020 season. Athens will be welcoming Kilgore to town with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Kilgore is 4-0 in district play. "They present a great challenge," said Coach Zac Harrell. "They're a complete foot...

(Photo: Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney.) This podcast was recorded at the Henderson County Courthouse Annex on Wednesday, Oct. 28 === Early voting continues through Friday with turnout at historic levels. (1:40) County Judge Wade McKinney and I discussed how the election is going in Henderson County during our weekly podcast Wednesday. Tuesday is Election Day and polls will be open from 7 a....

COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths are on the rise in Henderson County. Today, I sat down with Dr. Doug Curran to talk about what he is seeing in his clinics, how treatment protocols have changed since early 2020, and what people can do to prevent the spread of the virus. === Our Sponsors This site is free thanks to Athens Screen Printing , HP Overhead Door Company , Speedy Tech Repair , an...

(Photo: Coach Zac Harrell) The 4-3, 0-3 Athens Hornets will travel to Palestine Friday night to take on the 5-3, 3-1 Wildcats. Athens is coming off a loss to Lindale last week. The short-handed Hornets looked like they were going to pull off the upset through most of three quarters, but fell short. “This week was probably the most proud I’ve been of our team since I’ve been here,” Coach Zac Harrel...

(Courtesy photo: Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.) County Sheriff Botie Hillhouse and I recorded this podcast in the Henderson County Justice Center on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Here are the 3 MAIN THINGS I learned from this interview. --  24 HOUR MEDICAL: For the first time, there is 24 hour medical coverage in the jail. This program will cost the county some extra money up front, but is expected to save money...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.) Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney and I recorded this podcast in the Judge’s courtroom in the Courthouse Annex Wednesday, Oct. 21. Here are 7 things I learned during the interview. -- BIG TURNOUT: Twenty-five (25) percent of the county’s registered voters hit the polls during the first 6 days of early voting. “We have not seen anything like this bef...

I hosted this week’s Chamber Chat for the Athens Chamber of Commerce. My guest was Trinity Valley Community College Associate Vice President of Workforce Education Kelley Townsend. Kelley talked about the different programs offered by Workforce Education, who they can benefit, and how to apply. The main goal of the Trinity Valley Community Workforce Education Division is to “provide premier workfo...

(Courtesy photo: Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.) Note: This interview was recorded in the County Justice Center on Thursday, Oct. 15. === Here are the 5 things I learned during this interview: -- The Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of their own. Brandon Pryor passed away Oct. 11.  (:55) -- Stats are up this week, with 401 inmates in the jail today. (2:40) -- A man was arrested in GBC for dr...

(Courtesy photo: Coach Zac Harrell.) Note: This interview was recorded in the Athens ISD Field House on Wednesday, Oct. 14. === The 4-2, 0-2 Athens Hornets are scheduled to host 5-2, 3-0 Lindale Friday night at Bruce Field. Coach Zac Harrell said the Eagles are the best team the Hornets have faced so far this season. The Breakdown (Quotes from Coach Harrell) -- The Hornets have been devastated by...

Henderson County Judge Wade McKinney spoke with Election Administrator Denise Hernandez about the first day of early voting. Spoiler Alert: A lot of people voted. McKinney and I also went over our weekly COVID-19 update, including an important change to the way the state is making its assessment. Also, McKinney explains why the County has decided to apply to allow bars to open. (Michael’s Note: I...

(Photo from Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page .) Note: This interview was recorded in the Sheriff’s Office on Friday, 10-9. === The Henderson County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Wednesday on a large game room operation nearly the county line north of Seven Points. The raid resulted in 11 arrests, including arrests for organized criminal activity, gambling, drugs, illega...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney, right, and Fire Marshal Shane Renberg.) Note: This interview was recorded in the County Courthouse Annex on Wednesday, 10-7. === We tried something a little bit different this week. County Judge Wade McKinney takes over as host of the podcast and interviews Fire Marshal Shane Renberg about the County’s emergency management. County officials are currentl...

(Courtesy photo: Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.) Note: This interview was recorded in the County Justice Center on Wednesday, Oct. 7. === This week, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse talks about: -- Stats: U.S. Marshals’ contract begins. (1:09) -- 18-year-old arrested in arson case. (4:10) -- Road rage leads to shooting. (7:28) -- Domestic Violence Awareness Month. (11:37) -- Stolen property found through tips. (...

(Courtesy photo: Coach Zac Harrell.) Note: This interview was recorded in the Athens ISD Field House on Wednesday, Sept. 30. === The 4-1, 0-1 Athens Hornets are scheduled to travel to Henderson Friday night to take on the 1-2, 0-0 Lions. The Breakdown (Quotes from Coach Harrell) -- The importance of the Hornets continuing to fight in the second half last week. (1:50) Although they lost, the Hornet...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.) Note: This interview was recorded in the County Courthouse Annex on Wednesday, Sept. 30. === This week, County Judge Wade McKinney talked about: -- The Governor’s Broadband Development Council Meeting. (1:10) -- The Core Network, The Middle Mile, and The Last Mile. (6:16) -- What does it all mean for Henderson County? (12:23) -- Could the county’s new...

(Courtesy photo: Sheriff Botie Hillhouse.) Note: This interview was recorded in the County Justice Center on Wednesday, Sept. 30. === This week, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse talks about: -- The arrest of three people involved in stealing mail from private mailboxes. (2:38) -- The arrest of a Payne Springs couple with ties to City Hall for abuse of office and forgery. (5:15) -- The man who used an aeros...

(Courtesy photo: County Judge Wade McKinney.) Note: This interview was recorded in the County Judge’s Courtroom on Wednesday, Sept. 23. === This week, County Judge Wade McKinney and I discuss COVID, Meals on Wheels, and a possible grant to help catch illegal dumpers. The Breakdown (Quotes from Judge Wade McKinney) -- COVID update. (1:25) The hospitalizations in TSA which includes Henderson County...

(Courtesy photo: Coach Zac Harrell.) Note: This interview was recorded in the Athens ISD Field House on Wednesday, Sept. 23. === The 4-0 Athens Hornets will begin District 9-4A play this Friday night at home against 3-1 Chapel Hill. Coach Zac Harrel said the Bulldogs are the best team the Hornets have faced all year. Friday will be Senior Night at Bruce Field with festivities scheduled to start at...