The Latest News on The Hits
GOVERNOR ABBOTT NAMED BEST GOVERNOR IN THE NATION BY THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE COUNCIL
Governor Greg Abbott has been named Best Governor In The Nation in a new study conducted by Laffer Associates, a consulting firm run by Arduin and conservative economists Arthur Laffer and Stephen Moore, and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). The criteria includes tax policy, overall state spending levels, handling of COVID-19 funds, union regulations, health and welfare spending, school choice, and other education policies.
SHSU CONCERT SERIES HONORS BEETHOVEN
The Sam Houston State University College of Arts & Media along with the School of Music presents Beethoven 2020@SHSU, a concert series featuring School of Music graduate students performing alongside their accomplished faculty.
As part of the international celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven, this two-part concert series (with limited in-person seating) will take place on Friday, Oct. 23 and Friday, Nov. 20, with different music presented at each concert. Face coverings are required, and social distancing practices will be observed.
In addition to two live concert performances this fall, supplemental video content will be posted on the SHSU School of Music and College of Arts & Media Facebook pages.
Tickets for each show are available for purchase on the CAM Box Office webpage.
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The Walker County Office of Emergency Management reports that among regular county residents there were 754 active cases of coronavirus reported, with 1,745 recovered and 14 deaths.
Among TDCJ offenders in the county, there were 6 active cases reported, with 1,988 recovered and 37 deaths.
Among TDCJ employees in the county, there were 16 active cases reported with 443 recovered.
The free coronavirus drive-though program is underway at 125 Medical Park Lane in Huntsville. The hours are Monday through Friday, 4 to 8 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to Noon and Sunday 4 to 8 PM. Appointments are no longer required, and results are returned in 3 to 5 days.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS VOTE TO DONATE TO FUND TO BRING TRAVELING VIETNAM WALL TO HUNTSVILLE PERMANENTLY
At last night’s Huntsville City Council session, councilmembers heard from HEARTS Veterans Museum Director Kenneth Lee regarding bringing the traveling Vietnam Wall to Huntsville as a permanent home . . . .
Fundraising efforts are just getting underway to raise the needed $175,000. The original amount suggested to donate was $25,000, but that changed following Councilmember Humphrey’s request to raise the amount regarding the importance of local veterans service in the war as well as all others who gave their lives . . . .
Indeed, that’s what city councilmembers winded up voting for unanimously–$50,000. Funds from the Hotel Occupancy Fund will be utilized.
You man call the HEARTS Veterans Museum to donate.
TEXAS WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS-VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES TRANSFERRING THE WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS OFFICE IN HUNTSVILLE
Effective as of Tuesday October 27th,Five vocational rehabilitation (VR) services staff from the Texas Workforce Solutions-Vocational Rehabilitation Services offices in Huntsville will move into co-located space at a Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast office in Huntsville at 291 I-45 South, Suite A as part of the transition of services from the former Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). These team members will integrate VR services with workforce development and employment services provided by Workforce Solutions Gulf Coast. There will be no disruption to services related to these VR staff relocations.
Co-location of VR staff into one general services office or within statewide local workforce centers, known as Workforce Solutions offices, will allow for shared resources. Co-location also will benefit VR customers through the expanded network of employment connections and will benefit employment services staff through on-site expertise to assist job seekers with disabilities.
SENATOR CRUZ COMMENTS ON BIG TECH ISSUE
Coming up on October 22nd, the U-S Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a vote on issuing subpoenas to the CEO’s of Twitter and Facebook.
It all has to do with the companies alleged efforts to stifle conservative viewpoints, especially in a recent case involving Joe Biden’s son.
One of our senators from Texas, Ted Cruz, talked about how the Big Tech issue recently started . . . .
NEW CENTER TO FOCUS ON FIGHTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The Trump administration has increased their focus on combating human trafficking.
A new center, in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security, was kicked off by a speech by Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf Tuesday . . . .
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
The Walker County Office of Emergency Management reports that as of yesterday, Monday, October 19th, there were among regular county residents 772 active cases of coronavirus reported, with 1,711 recovered and 14 deaths.
Among TDCJ offenders in the county, there were 5 active cases reported, with 1,994 recovered and 37 deaths.
Among TDCJ employees in the county, there were 16 active cases reported, with 444 recovered.
The free coronavirus drive-though program is underway at 125 Medical Park Lane in Huntsville. The hours are Monday through Friday, 4 to 8 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to Noon and Sunday 4 to 8 PM. Appointments are no longer required, and results are returned in 3 to 5 days.
EARLY VOTING UPDATE
Walker County Elections Manager Julie Cooper informs us:
There were a total of 1,274 voters checked-in during early voting Monday for the November 3rd General Election here in Walker County. This makes for a total of 8,170 voters checked-in during early voting so far.
Ms. Cooper would like to encourage voters to take advantage of extended early voting hours today from 7:00am – 7:00pm at the Walker County Storm Shelter.
CITY COUNCIL MEETS
The Huntsville City Council will meet at 6 tonight at City Hall for a regular session.
Prior to the meeting, at 4:30 there will be a Joint Workshop at the Huntsville Public Library with the Planning Commission to hear progress on the update of the “Huntsville Horizon” Comprehensive Plan.
Social Distancing will be observed at the meetings. The temperature of those attending will be taken upon entry. The City Council session will be broadcast live on the City website at HuntsvilleTX.gov/Meetings.
Tonight’s “Consent Agenda” includes consideration of the purchase of hardware and services for an upgrade to the City’s core data and server storage infrastucture. They will also consider adoption of a Resolution establishing the Walker County Appraisal District Fiscal Year.
On tonight’s “Statutory Agenda,” there will be a First Reading to consider authorizing the awarding of the construction for Fiscal Year 2019-20 Miscellaneous Waterline Replacement Projects. The council will also consider approving the Use of a Reclaimed Water Agreement between the City of Huntsville and SHSU.
In other City Council business tonight, there will be a First Reading to consider an ordinance amending the code of ordinances of the City of Huntsville regarding the regulation of golf carts on public streets or highways within the City Limits. They will also consider a request from the HEARTS Museum for participation in the replica of the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial.
Councilmembers will discuss Items of Community Interest.
They will meet in closed Executive Session, to discuss legal counsel issues in connection the new Huntsville Police Headquarters and Fires Station#2, deliberation on economic development negotiations on a project, legal matters on a Mobile Food Vendor Court on FM 247 and personnel matters.