December 2021

Audrey Delores Porter, 91, passed away Dec. 17, 2021, with her granddaughter and niece at her side. She was born September 25, 1930, to Hildegarde Bolling Hallmark and Orby Hiram Hallmark in Waelder, Texas. Audrey was born three months premature and weighed 1.5 pounds, and family and neighbors cared for the newborn who slept in a shoe box. She was a tom boy as a child and rode her horse, named Pet, all around town with her pigtails flying while her sister, Jeannine, took to playing the piano and sewing. Younger brother, David, who was 9 years younger, was wagged around by his older sisters. Audrey attended Waelder schools where she graduated as valedictorian of her Class of 1948. She was very active in high school participating in student council, volleyball, softball, annual staff, pep squad leader, class president, captain of the girl’s basketball team and choral club. Audrey went to Texas Lutheran College in Seguin as a business major and went on to work at the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) in Austin as a secretary.

Terrell police made the following arrests and responded to the following incidents from December 15 to December 19: Arrests: John Adam Deluca, 19, Terrell, burglary of a building Curtis Louis Jones, Jr., 34, Terrell, expired drivers license, driving while license suspended/invalid, disregard traffic control device Glenn Edward Smith, Jr., 43, Clarksville, possession of drug paraphernalia Tristan Barnett, 32, Kaufman, expired vehicle registration, no motor vehicle liability insurance, failed to yield right of way Garrett Austin Spangler, 23, Terrell, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving while intoxicated Chelsie Marie Thurman, 34, Rowlett, assault by contact family violence Thomas Gene-Donta Brown, Jr., 35, Kaufman, assault by contact family violence Dorothy Marie Hickman, 63, Terrell, expired vehicle registration, cruelty to non-livestock Kasi Renee Jones, 37, Garland, public intoxication Barbara Ann Keithley, 42, Terrell, assault by contact family violence Ashley Wallace, 38, Terrell, theft of property >=$100<$750 Frankie James Wilson, 66, Terrell, assault simple Johnnie Earl Holmes, Jr., 60, Terrell, nuisance junk debris Tyler Keith Perry, 23, Balch Springs, public intoxication Christopher Matthew Yates, 20, Mesquite, public intoxication Incidents: Auto Theft: Dec. 15, 1600 block South State Highway 34 Assault: Dec.

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).

State Rep. Keith Bell visited the British Flying Training School Dec. 9 and was greeted by several board members, volunteers and staff. After a tour of the museum, Rep. Bell discussed the museum’s future plans and projects with, left to right, Board Chairman Bill Huthmacher, former BFTS Board President Don Thurman, Representative Bell, Executive Director Patrick Hotard and Board Treasurer Raenell Davis. Courtesy photo

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE) Chapter 1191 held its monthly meeting from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. at the Bella Italia Restaurant in Ennis Dec. 14. The guest speaker was Kim Holman, Executive Director of Waxahachie Care Services, located at 1208 Ferris Ave. in Waxahachie.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller reiterated his call for a fourth special legislative session to extend protections to Texas workers from COVID-19 requirements mandated by the federal government or public or private employers. Miller is urging the State to use excess COVID-19 federal funding to set up a relief fund for workers and small businesses who become victims of this excessive overreach in a letter sent to Texas Governor Greg Abbott over the past weekend.

The updated strategic plan for the state’s higher education system includes: • Adding a new goal for 35- to 64-year-olds who need new skills to compete in today’s economy. • A broader range of postsecondary credentials of value to fit workforce needs.

The fight over a federal COVID-19 mandate for companies with more than 100 employees is likely headed to the U.S. Supreme Court after the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overruled a lower-court decision that had paused the mandate nationwide. The mandate from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration is now scheduled to take effect Jan. 4.