May 2021

Terrell High senior Abigail Castro Olvera, center, was recognized at Monday night’s school board meeting for earning 18 college career certificates during her high school career. A career certificate is viewed as evidence that a student completed education and/or training in a specific field. At left is Supt. Georgeanne Warnock, and at right is school board President Dena Risinger. HANK MURPHY PHOTO

Anthony Jaure of Terrell, a member of the Sigma Beta Delta honor society, attended the annual Honors Convocation conducted on May 7 at Centenary College. Centenary College of Louisiana is a selective, residential, national liberal arts college affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

Terrell middle school and high school robotics students were recognized Monday night for their achievements in state and world robotics competitions. Terrell students were competing this week in the online VEX World Robotics Championships. Several students already have notched a state robotics championship this year. HANK MURPHY PHOTO

Danielle Jasmin, a teacher at Furlough Middle School, was honored as Secondary Teacher of the Year during Monday night’s school board meeting. She is flanked on the left by Georgeanne Warnock, TISD superintendent of schools, and on her right by Furlough Principal Chris Turner and school board President Dena Risinger. HANK MURPHY PHOTO

Micah Holloway, center, a teacher at J.W. Long Elementary School in Terrell, was recognized Monday night as TISD’s Elementary Teacher of the Year. At left is schools Supt. Georgeanne Warnock, and at right is school board President Dena Risinger. HANK MURPHY PHOTO

The Terrell Tigers varsity softball team was recognized for their outstanding play this season. The Tigers assembled a 17-4 season record and advanced to the UIL playoffs. They lost in the first round to Mabank. The team’s roster includes Miranda Serrato, Kara Cookston, Dallas McKinney, Krystian Cox, Lisandra Ibarra, Emma Coltharp, Peighton Pederson, Libby Chapman, Emma Rice, Brooklyn Vigil-Yeager, Saisha Carpenter, Adia Vigil-Yeager and Courtney Harrell, who was named Terrell Player of the Year. The team was coached by head coach Glenn Banker and assistant coaches Madison Gillean and Tealey Farquhar. HANK MURPHY PHOTO

Gov. Greg Abbott early this week removed Texas from a federal unemployment program that provided out-of-work Texans with a $300 a week supplemental benefit.

The number of traffic accidents decreased in 2020, but the number of Texans killed while not wearing a seat belt increased by 16%, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. In 2020, 1,073 fatalities were attributed to not wearing seat belts, up from 926 fatalities in 2019. Buckling up reduces the risk of dying in a traffic accident by 45% for people in the front seat of passenger cars and 60% for people in pickups, according to TxDOT. “This past year we have all been reminded of the simple acts we can take to protect our lives and those of our loved ones,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “Wearing a seat belt is the most important step we can take to protect ourselves from serious injury or even death in a traffic crash. Instead of putting yourself and others in danger, remember: buckle up day and night, every rider, every ride.” Texas officers will step up enforcement of the state’s seat belt and child car seat laws May 24 through June 6. Fines for not having everyone properly secured range up to $250.

Happenings in and around Terrell May 22: City of Terrell Walk Up COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. 8 a.m.

Results from the 2020 Census are beginning to surface. These statistics are far more than a matter of interest. Not only is the number of representatives in the U.S. House tied to the count, but also funds from a variety of federal programs. Trends are also crucial to planning and decision-making across a broad spectrum. While the data is still being compiled and it will be a while before we know the full story (and the inevitable lawsuits that are often settled by adding more people), some patterns are emerging.