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Devolving power to local governments, legalizing adult use of marijuana and restoring ethical standards are among the key features of Joe Jaworski’s campaign for Texas Attorney General. Jaworski, 59, grandson of famed Watergate prosecutor Leon Jaworski and a former Galveston mayor, paid a visit to Terrell on May 22 and later appeared at a gathering of Democrats at the Wood Farm in eastern Kaufman County.

United We Can, a student-led initiative to address food insecurity in Terrell, yielded over 6,000 cans of food and more than $2,500 in cash for the Share Center. The drive was launched in March as a combined effort by the Key Club, the Leo Club, the Interact Club and the Student Council.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic appears to be easing, the Terrell Share Center continues to serve hundreds of Terrell families weekly. Last week, the center distributed food to about 390 families in Terrell, said Donna Hutchison of the Share Center.

Each year at the Trinity Valley Community College graduation ceremony, Terrell ISD is represented among the graduates in the form of Terrell High School seniors. However, this year, 15 additional Terrell Tigers were among the crowd.

This weekend, tens of millions of Americans will shed some of the shackles they have been wearing for over a year, when the pandemic became full blown, and attend family gatherings, cookouts, the lake and more. Yet many of us have only a vague idea as to why we have a three-day weekend. I am often intrigued when I hear people ask about this particular holiday and what it represents. Some have not the foggiest idea while others think we are honoring veterans.

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.

As of Friday, May 22, no municipalities or counties in Texas will be allowed to require facemasks, and public schools must end mask requirements beginning June 5, according to an executive order made this week by Gov. Greg Abbott.

The city of Terrell on Saturday, May 22, will host walk-up COVID-19 vaccination clinics at Breezy Hill Park and Stallings Park. A clinic will be held at Breezy Hill from 8 a.m. to noon, and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Stallings.

With a number of local motorcyclists on hand, Terrell Mayor Rick Carmona on Tuesday proclaimed it Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and urged all motorists to watch for and pay attention to cyclists while driving on streets and highways. HANK MURPHY PHOTO