The Latest News on The Hits
PANEL TO LOOK INTO SUPREME COURT ISSUES
There is quite a bit of concern among Americans that the Biden administration and Democrats are interested in expanding the number of justices on the Supreme Court because of a balance in favor of conservatives on the court at present. This idea takes the form of a panel to look into issues of the Supreme Court.
During the White House Briefing Friday, a Fox news reporter, Peter Doocy, asked Press Secretary Jen Psaki, “President Biden once said in 1983 ‘he thought court packing was a bonehead idea, when FDR tried it,’ so why ask a panel now to go and see if it is a good idea?”
Ms. Psaki answered . . . .
APRIL IS NATIONAL DISTRACTED DRIVING MONTH
AUSTIN – Sadly, distracted driving is still near the top of the list when it comes to crashes on Texas roadways, coming in at No. 2 for traffic-related crash causes. Last year Texas roadways saw nearly 1 in 5 crashes caused by a distracted driver in which 364 people died and 2,200 were seriously injured.
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and TxDOT is reminding all Texans to put their phones down and give driving their full attention whenever they are behind the wheel.
TxDOT is re-launching its web-based augmented reality game “Dart Those Distractions” to reinforce the importance of paying attention behind the wheel. Designed to be played on a smart phone or tablet (but not while driving), the game increases awareness about the dangers of distracted driving in an interactive, engaging way. The game challenges players to throw darts at balloons that symbolize driving distractions, such as eating, grooming, programming music or checking a navigation system.
Dangerous distractions include any activity that diverts the driver’s attention away from safely operating a vehicle. Research shows that regardless of whether a driver uses a voice-to-text program, hands-free device or a handheld one, the distraction will affect the driver’s ability to drive safely.
Since September 1, 2017, it has been illegal to read, write or send a text while driving in Texas. Violators can face a fine up to $200.
MASS SHOOTING IN BRYAN THURSDAY
KBTX Channel 3 reports that 27-year-old Larry Bollin of Grimes County is the suspect in a mass shooting at Kent Moore Cabinets in Bryan yesterday. He is now in custody.
In the Thursday afternoon shooting, five were shot and one person was killed. A DPS trooper was one of those shot. He was shot in Grimes County while in pursuit of Bollin. The trooper was taken by helicopter to St. Joseph Health Regional Hospital in Bryan. One person died at the scene of the shooting, while four others were transported to St. Joseph in critical condition.
As of yesterday evening, police had not determined a motive for the shootings.
MODERNA VACCINATION INFORMATION
COVID-19 Vaccines
Huntsville, Walker County— Tuesday & Wednesday, April 13 & 14, 2021 —
As we receive COVID-19 vaccine allocations, Huntsville Family Medicine and Huntsville Memorial Hospital in partnership with the Walker County Office of Emergency Management, will be providing COVID-19 vaccinations based on the current phase(s) published by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Currently, we are scheduling appointments to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. This is a two shot series with the follow-up being May 13 & 14, 2021.
PLEASE NOTE: There are a limited number of COVID-19 vaccine appointments available. You will be answering a series of questions to determine if you are eligible for the vaccine, but eligibility does not guarantee that you will receive a vaccine appointment. We will be working over the coming weeks to ramp up the number of available appointments. Thank you for your patience.
For Registration: Log into walkercountyvaccinate.com
When you open the site, you will get a ticket. Once you get your ticket YOU MUST COPY AND PASTE THE LINK to do your paperwork. THIS IS A MUST!! DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP. The link will appear at the bottom of your email message, beginning with https://forms
When you have completed all your paper work, your registration is complete.
LOCATION 4/13&14/2021 is Walker County Storm Shelter—9am to 5pm
For more information:
Walker County OEM, PH#936-435-8035, Email: walkercountyoem@co.walker.tx.us
ENGLAND’S PRINCE PHILLIP IS DEAD
In an update on the British Royal Family, Prince Phillip has passed away at the age of 99.
CORONAVIRUS & TESTING UPDATE
The Walker County Office of Emergency Management reports that as of Thursday, April 8th, yesterday, DSHS, hospitals and clinics report 1,559 active cases of Coronavirus with 70 fatalities among members of the community.
Free Curative testing kiosks are located at 125 Medical Park Lane. All testing is by appointment only through Curative.com daily from 8 AM until 5 PM. To find additional COVID-19 Test Sites, go to Curative.com.
BIDEN COMMENTS ON THE WORLD ECONOMIC RACE WITH CHINA AND THE NEED TO PASS HIS INFRASTRUCTURE BILL
In a recent speech from the White House, President Biden expressed how important it is for his infrastructure bill to be passed in order to compete with the Chinese and others . . . .
COUNCILMEMBERS CONSIDER A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT APPLICATION FOR EXPANSION OF A SELF-SERVICE STORAGE FACILITY
At Tuesday’s regular session of the Huntsville City Council, Councilmembers held a Public Hearing on a Conditional Use Permit Application for a self-storage facility on property located at 20 FM 1791.
Huntsville City Planner Armon Irones addressed councilmembers on the facility . . . .
He also filled councilmembers in on the Planning Commission results of a review of the application . . . .
Councilmembers also heard from Scott Lewis, CEO of the Spartan Investment Group, who were applying for the Conditional Permit.
They also heard from their Director of Construction, Aaron Saunders . . . .
Councilmembers approved the Conditional lUse Permit Application.
UPDATE ON HUNTSVILLE ISD BOND ELECTION VOTING
The Huntsville ISD 2021 Bond Election is coming up.
Huntsville ISD Superintendent, Dr. Scott Sheppard, stopped by our newsroom and passed along voting information . . . .
COMMERCE SECRETARY GINA RAIMONDO COMMENTS ON THE AMERICAN JOB’S PLAN
What are some of the areas President Biden’s proposed American Job’s Plan focus on.
Wednesday, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo addressed reporters on that very subject . . . .