The Latest News on The Hits
PRESIDENT TRUMP MAKES FAREWELL SPEECH
In his final full day at the White House, President Trump recorded a farewell speech. One of the areas he emphasized in his farewell was his concern over freedom of speech in America . . . .
President Trump on Tuesday granted pardons to 73 individuals and commuted the sentences of an additional 70 people. He left Washington for his home in Mar A Lago, Florida this morning.
CORONAVIRUS & TESTING UPDATE
The Walker County Office of Emergency Management reports that as of Tuesday, January 19th, yesterday, there were 1,692 active cases of Coronavirus reported in the community with 41 fatalities. Among TDCJ offenders, there were 211 active cases with 38 fatalities. There were 42 new community cases since the January 14th report.
Curative testing kiosks for Coronavirus are located at 125 Medical Park Lane and at the Storm Shelter 455 State Highway 75 North in the West Parking Lot by appointment only at Curative.com. They are there daily from 8 AM to 5 PM.
CORONAVIRUS FUNDS AND VACCINE UPDATE
In the regular session of Walker County Commissioners’ Court Monday, Emergency Management Coordinator Butch Davis informed commissioners, “The CARE [or Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security] money went away as of December 31st of this year”
He added, however, “We can purchase things and submit that to FEMA for reimbursement at a 75/25 ratio . . . .”
Regarding Coronavirus vaccine, County Judge Danny Pierce asked Butch Davis Monday morning if there was any new info available on the vaccine . . . .
SPECIAL DISTRICT PROPOSED
At last night’s Huntsville City Council session, a major topic for discussion was a Special District proposal for a 731 acre tract close to the Spring Lake subdivision.
One of the developer Jesse Valeriano’s attorneys, Julie Ann Kugle, explained the basic plan to councilmembers . . . .
The City will continue to study the proposal. A future election would also be necessary
MLK JR. DAY CELEBRATED IN HUNTSVILLE MONDAY
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day here was celebrated virtually on Facebook Live Monday.
A number of local officals addressed those viewing including City Councilmember Dee Howard, HEB Manager and councilmember Vicki McKenzie, Toby Washington, Reverend Winston Spencer, Huntsville ISD Superintendent Dr. Scott Sheppard, County Judge Danny Pierce, Huntsville Mayor Andy Brauninger, Huntsville ISD Chief Academic Officer Marcus Forney and others. Reverend George Oliver sang.
Reverend Krejchi Hester from St. Paul United Methodist Church delivered a special sermon on three special events related to the late Dr. King in what Reverend Hester called a “Legacy of Lessons.” The events he talked about included the “I have a dream” speech,” the “Letter from a Birmingham Jail,” and the “I have been to the mountain top speech” in Memphis.
The “I have a dream” speech is probably King’s most well-known . . . .”
CORONAVIRUS TESTING IS AVAILABLE
Curative testing kiosks for Coronavirus are located at 125 Medical Park Lane and at the Storm Shelter 455 State Highway 75 North in the West Parking Lot by appointment only at Curative.com. They are there daily from 8 AM to 5 PM
COMMISSIONERS’ COURT MEETS
Walker County Commissioners meet for a regular session this morning at nine in Room 104 at the courthouse. Due to COVID-19 guidelines, seating is limited to allow for social distancing, you are encouraged to participate via Zoom or you may view the live meeting on YouTube. Links to both sites can be found on the Walker County homepage.
Emergency Medical Services Director John Nabors will discuss possible action on the remounting of an ambulance.
Walker County Emergency Management Coordinator Butch Davis will discuss the Walker County Disaster Declaration Extension for January 4th, the amended Walker County Community Wildfire Protection Plan and Coronavirus disaster relief financial assistance regarding DR 4485.
Walker County District Attorney Will Durham will discuss action on approving a resolution for a Victim’s Assistance Coordinator Grant in submission for Fiscal Year 2021-2022.
From Maintenance, Larry Whitener will talk about a lighting request for the Weigh Station and discuss replacing the carpet in the large District Courtroom, Room 301.
Walker County County Judge Danny Pierce will address the court on possible action on High Sierra as the source for the Bedias Creek Flood Gauge Hurricane Harvey Community Development Block Grant GLO Contract, contracting with Union Pacific Railroad for traffic control for the Phelps Slab Road and the annual Texas Association of Counties Cybersecurity Training Requirement.
HUNTSVILLE CITY COUNCIL MEETS
The Huntsville City Council will meet for a regular session tonight at six at City Hall. Six-foot social distancing will be required as well as the wearing of masks. The meeting will be broadcast live on the City website at HuntsvilleTX.gov/Meetings.
Previous to the meeting at 5 o’clock, there will be a workshop with a presentation on the progress of Huntsville ISD’s Long Range Planning Committee.
During tonight’s regular meeting, there will be a public hearing to hear comments on the Conditional Use Permit Application for a Recreational Vehicle Park Facility to be developed on property located in the 600 block of State Highway 30 East.
Tonight’s “Consent Agenda” includes authorizing a contract for the fiber optic communication line installation from Fire Station No. 1 to the City of Huntsville Service Center project.
Tonight’s “Statutory Agenda” will focus on approving a Conditional Use Permit Application for a Recreational Vehicle Park Facility to be developed on property located in the 600 block of State Highway 30 East.
Tonight there will be a “First Reading” regarding participation with other cities regarding rate matters with Entergy.
Councilmembers will receive a presentation by a developer on the requested creation of a Special District inside the city or its extraterritorial jurisdiction.
CONTINUED UPDATE ON THE HUNTSVILLE ISD PROPOSED BOND PROJECT
We’ve been passing along to you an update on an Huntsville ISD proposed bond project following an interview with Superintendent Dr. Scott Sheppard.
Cost, of course, would be of interest. We asked him, “What would it cost an individual taxpayer?” . . . .
UPDATE ON THE TEXSHARE CARD AT THE LIBRARY
In the latest issue of the Huntsville Public Library’s Between the Pages, Reference Librarian Mary Kokot passes along information about the TexShare Card.
According to the article, the “TexShare Card provides you with borrowing privileges from more than 500 participating libraries across the state.”
There is a requirement to apply for the card: “If you are a registered patron of the Huntsville Public Library, you may request a TexShare Card. You must be a patron of at least six months and in good standing, having demonstrated compliance with existing borrowing policies.”
Here are the basics:
“Request your TexShare Card from library staff at the circulation desk.”
“Each library sets its own lending policies for visiting TexShare Card users.”
“The first time you visit a library to use your TexShare Card, be sure to bring a photo ID, your HPL card and your TexShare Card. You’ll be asked to complete a registration form to activate your borrowing privileges at the library.”
For more info, ask the Huntsville Public Library Staff.