December 2021

Jan. 1: Lake Tawakoni State Park will host its annual First Day Hike event from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Organizers stated, “Start your new year off right with a self-guided hike at Lake Tawakoni State Park! Set your intentions for the new year with a mindful hike or just enjoy the first day of 2022 with a peaceful walk. Be sure to stop by the park headquarters afterward (open until 4:30pm) to claim your First Day Hike sticker!” The event is free with park entry ($5 per person age 13 and up).

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), Chapter 1191, will hold its monthly meeting in Waxahachie at the Asian King Buffet at 507 N. Hwy 77, Suite 950, in the Northgate Plaza Shopping Center, across Hwy 77 from Whataburger, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m Jan. 11.

Volunteer attorneys will answer legal questions at no cost from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesdays in January, via a LegalLine E-Clinic, sponsored by the Dallas Bar Association.

Trinity Valley Community College held fall graduation ceremonies at Cardinal Gym Tuesday, Dec. 16, conferring associate degrees or Certificates of Completion to 247 graduates.

COVID-19 cases spike; omicron variant spreads As Texans continue to navigate life during a nearly twoyear pandemic, the number of new cases of COVID-19 rose during the past week to 51,479, an increase of 41% from the previous week, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University. The number of new deaths dropped to 266, a decrease of 44%, however.

Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Dec. 15 the Texas College Savings Plan, the state’s direct-sold college savings plan, is lowering fees and enhancing its investment lineup.

Terrell police made the following arrests and responded to the following incidents from December 20 to December 27: Arrests: Roger Wayne Bowman, 60, Terrell, driving while license is suspended/invalid, failure to maintain financial responsibility, aggravated assault date/family/house with a weapon Karen Renee Martin, 53, Terrell, theft of property >=$100<$750 Bridget Nicole Ramirez, 39, Terrell, theft of property >=$100<$750, failure to maintain financial responsibility, animal at large Jamarkus Devon Deaton, 33, Dallas, assault family/household member with previous conviction Dennis Jones, 17, Terrell, assault by contact family violence Mikeal Dalton Miller, 27, Terrell, speeding, assault by contact family violence Shannon Denise Puckett, 39, Kaufman, theft under $100 Rebecca Ann Samples, 41, Kaufman, ran red light Alma Irene Serrato-Chavez, 43, Terrell, theft of property >=$100<$750 James Junior Vance, 25, Fort Worth, unlawful carrying of a weapon Bobbie Jean Clugston, 54, Terrell, theft of property >=$100<$750, stop sign/crosswalk Richard Dean Hill, 51, Terrell, public intoxication Dustin Jacob Marshall, 36, Terrell, public intoxication, dog at large, too many animals, no current rabies vaccination – dog, unregistered dog Ana Lilia Martin, 53, Terrell, public intoxication Brandon S. Nowlin, 36, Quinlan, theft of property >=$2,500<$30,000 Hayley Phillips, 17, Terrell, violation of bond/protective order Shawna Marie Smith, 40, Kaufman, no drivers license Incidents: Disturbance: Dec.

The Terrell Volunteer Fire Department responded to a truck/trailer rollover accident Dec. 22 that required the closure of County Road 243 to allow a hazmat team the opportunity to clean up any potential hazards caused by a fluid spill. The roadway was subsequently reopened to traffic once first responders cleared the scene. Photo courtesy of the TVFD Facebook page

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced he recently completed the transfer of more than $2.91 billion into the State Highway Fund (SHF) and the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF; commonly known as the “Rainy Day Fund”). Each fund received nearly $1.46 billion, or 50 percent of the total transfer.

At the close of each year, I always reflect upon all the great times I enjoyed in the outdoors and wonderful people I had the privilege of spending time with. Each year, one could almost ‘set his watch’ to the timing for a year in the outdoors. Beginning with late winter, white bass and striper fishing during the spawn, then spring turkey season and when the water warms around April, fishing for most species begins to heat up. Then in fall the hunting seasons once again kick in. Life in the outdoors for me has been a glorious merry-go-round of activities, each of which occur on a yearly basis at about the same time.