By Michael V. Hannigan The News Staff ATHENS — When the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) filed paperwork with the county last week to display an atheist banner on the Courthouse lawn in December, one of the questions percolating behind the scenes was: “Does it have to be this banner?” The question wasn’t officially
By Michael V. Hannigan The News Staff It is livestock show time in Henderson County, when area residents celebrate the passing of a farming tradition on to youth. But this year’s show comes in the shadow of worry over federal bureaucracy and possible changes to a way of life. In September 2011, the U.S. Department
By Michael V. Hannigan The News Staff ATHENS — It took a couple of weeks longer then expected, but Henderson County commissioners approved a premises use policy this week to “clarify and memorialize” the way county property is used. The policy covers rules for using county property for rallies or demonstrations, including when to apply
By Michael V. Hannigan The News Staff The man who filed a complaint with the state against Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders in connection with the continuing nativity scene controversy has changed his mind. San Antonio atheist Patrick Greene filed a complaint with the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct earlier this month, saying, “By
By Michael V. Hannigan The News Staff The History Channel is bringing back what it calls the first extreme sport: jousting. And PRCA World Champion Steer Wrestler and form er Henderson County resident Rope Myers is right in the middle of the action. Myers is one of 16 competitors on The History Channel’s Full Metal
Dec
16
Posted by : | On : December 16, 2011
By Michael V. Hannigan
The News Staff
There will be no banner from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) on the Henderson County Courthouse lawn this year, a foundation attorney confirmed this morning.
But that does not mean the legal battle is over.
Attorney Stephanie Schmitt of the FFRF told The Malakoff News that Henderson County has outlined a procedure for requesting a display, and the procedure includes asking Commissioners’ Court. Because commissioners
Dec
12
Posted by : | On : December 12, 2011
By Michael V. Hannigan
The News Staff
Like shadow footprints laid out on a floor, the next steps in the legal dance between the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) and Henderson County government seem to be in place, and they lead directly to Commissioners’ Court.
The FFRF is the Wisconsin-based organization that demanded the county remove a nativity scene
Dec
09
Posted by : | On : December 9, 2011
Rep. Jim Pitts
By Michael V. Hannigan
The News Staff
District 10 State Rep. Jim Pitts today called the nativity scene on the Henderson County Courthouse lawn a “community tradition.”
“I’m disturbed that an out of state group has tried to interject itself into what has been an annual tradition at the Henderson County Courthouse for many years,” Pitts said. “That nativity scene is a holiday tradition for the entire community, and shouldn’t be used as a tool for some group to pursue an extreme agenda.”
Monday, Henderson County officials
Dec
08
Posted by : | On : December 8, 2011
By Michael V. Hannigan
The News Staff
ATHENS – The media and community response was swift after news broke that a group was trying to force Henderson County to remove its nativity scene.
So was the county’s answer.
Less than two days after receiving a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), which claims the nativity scene located on the courthouse lawn is illegal, County Attorney Clint Davis answered by writing, “Henderson County believes that it is in complete compliance with the requirements of the Constitution and acting very much in accord with prior U.S. Supreme Court rulings.”
The letter from Davis is dated Dec. 7 and is addressed to the FFRF attorney Stephanie A. Schmitt.
Wednesday night, Henderson County Judge Richard Sanders explained the county’s position, saying, “Because we have other decorations on the square other than the nativity, we feel we are in compliance with federal law.”
Dec
07
Posted by : | On : December 7, 2011
Dec
06
Posted by : | On : December 6, 2011
Special to The News
Dallas Andrew Fidler, 27, formerly of Seven Points, was sentenced Monday to 35 years in prison by 173rd District Court Judge Dan Moore in connection with the aggravated sexual assault of two children. Fidler elected to have the judge assess his sentence rather than a jury.
Fidler’s jury trial came to an abrupt end in October, when after four days of a jury trial he decided to change his plea from “not-guilty” to “guilty,” rather than have the jury assess his guilt. Fidler was on trial for two
Dec
06
Posted by : | On : December 6, 2011
The center of the nativity scene on the Henderson County Courthouse lawn.
(UPDATE: Added text of letter from Freedom From Religion Foundation at end of story)
(UPDATE 2: Adds quotes from Freedom From Religion Foundation Co-president. Rewrites for clarity.)
By Michael V. Hannigan
ATHENS – The Freedom From Religion Foundation, based in Wisconsin, sent a letter dated Dec. 1 to Henderson County commissioners saying the nativity scene located on the courthouse lawn is illegal.
“We request that, as the Henderson County Commissioners, you take immediate action to ensure that no religious displays are on city or county property. Please inform us in writing of the steps
Nov
28
Posted by : | On : November 28, 2011
From Staff Reports
Henderson County Sheriff Ray Nutt reported last week that the Texas Commission on Jail Standards made an unannounced visit to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office Thursday, Nov. 17, for the annual inspection of the Henderson County Jail.
The inspection took two days, according to Nutt, during which
Nov
17
Posted by : | On : November 17, 2011
By Michael V. Hannigan
ATHENS – For the second straight week, Henderson County commissioners did not institute a burn ban. They are not alone, as Anderson, Cherokee, Kaufman, Smith and Van Zandt counties are also without burn bans right now.
So why is non-action news? Because Henderson County had been under a burn ban for seven consecutive months
Nov
08
Posted by : | On : November 8, 2011
CLARIFICATION: The burn ban officially expires at midnight Tuesday, Nov. 8.
By Michael V. Hannigan
The News Staff
ATHENS – Henderson County commissioners have put an end to the seven-month burn ban, but it might be just a temporary reprieve.
Tuesday, Commissioners’ Court allowed the bun ban to lapse, citing growing trash and brush piles and an approaching frost as the main reasons.
The move came despite the Keetch-Byram Drought Index rising to an average of 647 across the county this week. A burn ban is usually initiated when the index reaches 575.
Pct. 2 Commissioner Wade McKinney acknowledged there was a danger
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