April 17, 2020 - Stamford American

STAMFORD

American THE NEW

APRIL 17, 2020

12 PAGES FULL OF NEWS, SPORTS, AND OPINION SERVING STAMFORD AND JONES COUNTY

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WATER TOWER: New

Water Tower is up!

We urge everyone to check our social media accounts for updates about the coronavirus as we are made aware of them.

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN VOL. 11, ISSUE 48 STAMFORD AMERICAN VOLUME 99, ISSUE 2 STAMFORD LEADER VOLUME 115, ISSUE 3

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State Representative Stan Lambert coordinated with Tige Boats to send some much-needed face shields to the HMH Stamford Family Health Clinic. We are so thankful for elected officials like Rep. Lambert who recognize the need for proper PPE during this time and are helping to keep us supplied. Thank you, Rep. Lambert and Tige Boats for helping us.

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JONES COUNTY ARRESTS

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THIS WEEK’S WEATHER FORECAST

3/23-4/4 3/23/2020 5:15:00 PM Bobby Edward Penny, Warrant - Failure To Maintain Financial Responsibility 3/23/2020 10:16:00 PM Levi Lawrence Munoz, Poss Marij <2oz MB 3/25/2020 5:07:00 PM Karl Hudson Holt, Public Intoxication MC 3/27/2020 7:20:00 PM Drew Vanzandt, Evading Arrest Detention MA, Warrant - S/W Evading Arrest Detention Ma, Warrant - S/W Unl Carrying Weapon Ma, Warrant - S/W Poss Marij <2oz Mb, Warrant (Mtr) - Poss Marij <2oz MB, Warrant - S/W Poss of CS 3/31/2020 8:56:00 PM Angela Marie Crossley, Warrant - S/W Man Del Cs Pg 1 >=400g, Warrant - S/W Poss Del Drug Paraphernalia, X3 Warrant(S) Capias Pro Fines, Warrant (TDCJ) - Parole Violation 4/1/2020 5:30:00 AM Karl Hudson Holt Public Intoxication MC 4/1/2020 11:41:00 PM Jacob Ikaik Ray Whitaker, Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Violence MA 4/2/2020 12:10:00 AM Jeremy Guy Whitaker, Assault Causes Bodily Injury Family Violence MA 4/4/2020 2:35:00 AM Julia Ann Nino, Driving While Intoxicated 2nd MA 4/4/2020 3:37:00 AM Samuel Ray Redmon, Poss CS Pg 1 <1g FS

Friday 58 | 42

Saturday 59 | 55

Sunday 74 | 62

Monday 84 | 65

Tuesday 86 | 64

Wednesday 85 | 61

Thursday 79 | 57

The weather is provided for you

by Country Drug Store. We’re here for you Rain or Shine.

4/5-4/11 4/5/2020 1:37:00 AM Robert Gilbert Tercero, Driving While Intoxicated BAC >= 0.15 Ma, Poss Marij <2oz MB 4/10/2020 10:46:00 PM Derek Joel Masias, Warrant - Failure To Identify MC

MARK THE DATE...

MAY 2ND

CEMETERY MEETING: The Bethel Cemetery Association meeting for Saturday, May 2, 2020 has been cancelled. We look forward to seeing you next year!

Callie Metler-Smith | Publisher callie@americannewspapers.net Kay Spears | Editor kay@americannewspapers.net Gayle Lovvorn | Office Manager office@americannewspapers.net

The employees at the Jones County Courthouse provided Easter cheer by decorating the windows on all four sides of the Courthouse.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES Within Haskell, Jones, and Stonewall Counties: $30 Within Texas: $32 Within the United States: $35 DEADLINE

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Community

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233 Students Are Being Served Meals Daily

BY KAY SPEARS On Monday, April 13, the Stamford ISD Board of Trustees met via Zoom virtual meetings. This way of conducting meetings was sanctioned by Texas Governor Abbott’s Temporary Suspension of Open Meetings Laws issued on March 16, 2020 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

In attendance via Zoom were Superintendent Will Brewer, Assistant Superintendent Staci Robertson, Board President Jennifer Caddell, Gwen Baker, Curtis Birdsong, Justin Corzine, Cary McClintock and Callie Metler-Smith. Eric Strand was unable to attend. Jennifer Caddell opened the meeting and Cary McClintock gave the invocation.

Chase Seelke, Stamford High School Principal, began the Administrative Reports by stating, “We’re trying to sort this thing out, just like everybody.” He stated they are doing a Student of the Week, nominated by teachers and chosen on participation and going above and beyond what their teachers are asking of them. Week One: Madison Woolf, Christyan Fuentes, Kristian Cantu and Taylor Jimenez. Week Two: Emily Patterson, Audrey Brewer, Addison Reel, Kelvi Calicutt and Gracie Oliver.

Week Three: Shandlee Mueller, Nicole Mareno, Bresha Applin and Noah Loving. They received gift cards for their efforts.

They have made adjustments in the best interests of the Special Ed students. They are monitoring the student body in order to make any needed changes. They are having conversations with parents and students to see who is being successful with the transition. Mrs. Mueller is “doing a great job with the social or emotional learning part of it and checking in on their mental health and their emotional needs.”

The High School is working on what will be the regular schedule of business for next year. They are looking into the new programs of study from TEA. He stated they are all looking forward to returning to in-the-classroom teaching.

Stamford Middle School Principal Torrey Price stated they began the

Student of the Week this week. There will be two per grade level for six weeks and those students will receive Sonic gift cards. They are working on schedules for next year now instead of this summer. “That’s what we got, so that’s what we’re going to do.”

Staff is staying on top of the student’s work to have them stay current or move forward.

Oliver Elementary Principal Kyle Chambers stated one of the things they are focusing on is keeping a connection with the children at least once a week. He meets with the teachers every week to talk about individual students. They are trying to make the assignments fun but rigorous enough for them to learn. The cafeteria workers need to be given pats on the back.

“They have really stepped up and done a lot in serving over 200 meals a day, out there every single day. The ladies have a smile on their faces, and they are enjoying what they’re doing.

It’s great to see.” Work assignments are also being picked up in the food line.

He hopes there is a renewed appreciation of what the staff does on a daily basis at Oliver Elementary when the children can go back to school.

“We started off doing our little birthday parades but that has changed a little bit. We have a little video that’s going out to each one of the students on Facebook for their birthday. Just little things like that to try to stay connected.” He said Mrs. Bryant is working on social/emotional learning.

He spoke with the teachers about the Reading Academy initiative for next year.

Superintendent Brewer stated the staff is working towards cybersecurity training. The service center sent an email stating they are seeing a spike on people trying to take advantage of the Coronavirus situation because many things have moved to online.

The Stamford ISD email account will be used for training instead of training at the May 2020 meeting.

At the March meeting, he reported 157 students were served and now 233 students are being served breakfast and lunch. He stated 63 of those are served through delivery. “I don’t know on the revenue side how that

is all going to work out. It’s a labor of love. It’s the right thing to do.” Weekend meals may be reinstated soon.

He stated they will be conservative looking forward to budget and revenue because of the Coronavirus situation. There will not be a school rating and he does not know how growth will be measured since testing was not done this year. There will be waivers to be addressed in the future.

The parking lot will be seal coated and re-striped. He noted the staff is very much appreciated to have done so much in a short amount of time.

The students have an instructional support system and continuity.

Jennifer Caddell stated appreciation to the staff for all they do. The Consent Agenda was approved as presented. The Board approved the resolution regarding policy EIA local, EIC local and EIE local. EIC local is on class ranking. EIA and EIE is on required grades, requirements for retention and promotion. Brewer stated, “The thought is to give our kids some grace but also still hold accountability. That’s a fine balance that we’re trying to work with, but this is a tough time.” “We’re in uncharted territory.”

The Board approved the Education Appraisal Waiver which allows them not to be completed at this time.

The Board convened into Executive Session and upon returning to Open Session adjourned.

OBITUARIES

Ruby Mae Smith

Ruby Mae Smith, 72 of Hawley, formerly of Stamford, passed away at home April 10, 2020. She had been a resident of Stamford and Hawley for the past 21 years. A family graveside service was held Monday, April 13, at 2:00 p.m. at the Spring Creek Cemetery in Avoca, Texas with Pastor Paul Wright officiating under the direction of Kinney-Underwood Funeral Home.

Ruby Mae was born March 2, 1948 in Itasca, Texas. She is the daughter of John E. and Dovie (Trussell) Burdette. She married Jack Leonard Smith on October 25, 1961 in Haskell, Texas. He passed away August 1, 2016.

Ruby roofed alongside her husband for many years while taking care of her family. Ruby enjoyed spending time with her kids and grandkids and always looked forward to the holidays when her family would all be together.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sons Hank and Lanny Smith; sisters Bonnie Moorefield and Melissa Darlene Howell; brothers Foy Allen Burdette and Johnny Mack Burdette; and a great grandson Jayden James Anderson.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sister and brother-in-law Barbara and James Hill of Waco, Texas; son Jack Smith Jr. of Stamford, Texas; son and daughter-in-law Rocky and Teresa Smith of Avoca, Texas; daughter and son-in-law Debbie and Larry Leger of Hawley, Texas; daughter Lisa Smith of Hawley, Texas; and 12 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Barnes Named to AllBig Country Team Mattie Barnes, L-A Lady Raider, was named to the First Team Class 1A All-Big Country Girls Basketball Team.

She was also named District 14-1A Offensive MVP. She averaged 18.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.4 steals, 3.0 assists and 1 block per game for the Lady Raiders. Barnes was a unanimous pick to play in the TSMCA All-Star Game and has offers to play college ball. This is her second straight year to be a first-team All-Big Country selection. Mattie is the daughter of CJ and Allen Barnes.

Several L-A Raiders received Honorable Mention on the Class 1A All-Big Country Boys Basketball Team: Jeremiah Jarvis, Dai’Quan Brown, Magnus Dreyer, Jacob Hammond, Riley Moore, and Nathan Villanueva, Jr.

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STAMFORD RESIDENCE AND REHABILITATION This past week our residents started their trip “Around the World.” For our first week we started off celebrating Mexico and all its fun and colorful culture! It was a blast and the residents had so much fun. We even had a few residents teach us how to Cumbia Dance up the hallways. We also had a fantastic Fiesta Nacho Party with fresh made guacamole and hot sauce. Then on Tuesday & Thursday our dietary staff made Mexico themed meals for the residents. We also did lots of crafts like maracas, colored luchador masks, and made cactus out of play-dough.

It was a wonderful start to our trip.

This week we are headed to France and then Italy and China. We are still needing Chinese or Italian themed decorations to borrow for the next two weeks. Even if you have any of the Italian Chef decorations that would be fine. I’d like to thank everyone that

THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

By Jayme Brattain, Activity Director

helped with decorations. It has helped so very much!

Okay, that’s it for this week.

We hope you all have a blessed and safe week, and don’t forget to visit our new Facebook page. It’s under Stamford Residence and Rehab.

Thanks, Jayme Brattain Activity Director John 4:10--Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

Judge Hagler Gives Update on 259th District Court

BY KAY SPEARS Judge Brooks Hagler of the Texas 259th District Court updated the Jones County Commissioners Court at their April 13, 2020 regular meeting. The Commissioners Court is meeting in the 259th District Courtroom to comply with Social Distancing.

Judge Hagler stated that District Court has not been shut down but has been shut down to having inperson hearings.

By way of a background, “if you could personalize the situation, if it were your child who were in jail and they were anticipating a court date and you were anticipating that your son was going to be released or given a probated sentence, that would probably be a very important issue to you, despite the COVID-19 issue. Or if your daughter was in a battle for her children in a custody fight and the father of the child has taken the children out of jurisdiction and you were wanting access back to your grandchildren, obviously you are probably a little more concerned about your grandchildren than you were about COVID-19. Life goes on.”

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Judge Hagler added that he has been very frustrated because those situations require in-person hearings and they have not been able to hold them, except in cases of family violence or the emergency removal of children. He stated that every court in Texas has been trying to get authorization to use Zoom online. Authorization has finally been given and Zoom will be used by the 259th District Court in the Courtroom.

It is a process for everyone on a case to be on screen at the same time.

He has sent out orders to all the lawyers about how to submit evidence three days in advance of the court date and the exhibits need to be in the courtroom. The litigants need a computer device and access to good quality WiFi. Without excellent WiFi, proceedings can be disrupted by audio and/or picture malfunctions. He expects this new approach will begin this week.

He stated the “bugs” leading to people adding themselves to a Zoom meeting and disrupting them with inappropriate pictures and videos are being worked out. The State mandates that the

Court has its own You Tube channel which he is concerned about. The Zoom meeting links to the You Tube channel and then “feeds to the world.”

Anyone in the world can watch a hearing if they chose to.

The purpose of the accessibility is that “the Constitution of the State of Texas and the United States requires we have an open forum, a public forum.” The State’s position is if it can be watched on You Tube, then it is public.

Judge Hagler has “serious issues with putting people’s private information on You Tube.” He does not allow recording devices or cameras in the Courtroom because of privacy protections. “I can’t control that if it is on You Tube.”

Judge Hagler explained the way he is making it public is if someone wants to attend a public hearing they can come into the basement of the Courthouse, ring his number and he will go to them to see if they have a fever or have been traveling anywhere. He may have them put on a mask and gloves and he will escort them to the Courtroom to honor Social Distancing. “That is how I anticipate getting around it.”

He stated, “We are rapidly trying to figure out what to do with the Criminal Docket. That is a whole ‘nother set of problems.” He said there is no Case Law concerning this

because there hasn’t been a pandemic “of this nature in the last 100 years.” He is concerned about the rights people have and are they being upheld by using computers.

“The newest thing, for y’alls information, the Governor has decided to unilaterally tell the District Judges that we can’t write our bonds the way we want to write those bonds.

A trial judge, such as me, in Austin on Friday late issued an injunction telling the Governor ‘You’re not going to tell us what to do.’

On Saturday the Governor got the Supreme Court to meet and take up this issue. And they overturned the District Judge on Saturday evening, so now we are back to square one where the Governor has told me that I can’t write PR bonds or get people out of the jail. That’s pretty much it in a nutshell. He’s afraid that judges across the state are going to empty the jails because we don’t want people in our custody that have been exposed or are carriers of the Coronavirus.”

TDC has serious restraints on who they are allowing into prison. He stated Sheriff Jimenez has to decide if he is going to take someone into custody or not based on these COVID-19 restraints. He feels soon the jail system will “back up like rush hour on I-35.”

SEE COURT, PG 11

Cororonavirus Slash Farm Income By 19 Percent (AG Insider) Crop and livestock prices could tumble by as much as 12 percent this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, pulling farm income down by $20 billion dollars, said the FAPRI think KASN AG REPORT tank at the University of Missouri on Monday. “A lot of With Richard Kemp producers already are already in trouble. This is going to make it more severe,” said FAPRI director Pat Westhoff.

The FAPRI report was one of the first assessments of the pandemic’s effect on agriculture. Farm sector losses could be offset by coronavirus relief, said Westhoff. President Trump says $16 billion in aid is forthcoming but the administration has yet to say how it would be divided among producers.

Market prices for major commodities, such as corn, soybeans, cotton, cattle, hogs and milk, have fallen sharply since the coronavirus reached the United States. An economic recession is looming due to aggressive efforts, including stayat-home orders.

When the estimated $32 billion slump in crop and livestock income is combined with other elements in the farm sector balance sheet, among them lower production costs and an upturn in farm subsidies, the result is a $20 billion decline from FAPRI’s previous estimate of $106 billion in net farm income this year—a 19 percent decline. Net farm income includes grain held in storage and is a gauge of wealth.

“Livestock receipts drop more than crop receipts in 2020, given the relative changes in market prices,” said the FAPRI report. Livestock prices were forecast to fall by 8-12 percent and crop prices by 5-10 percent.

Americans are driving few miles and burning less gasoline than usual, reducing demand for corn ethanol. FAPRI estimated ethanol production at 14.8 billion gallons, down by 1.4 billion gallons due to the pandemic. If true, that would mean a 500 million-bushel drop in corn usage. Usually, more than 5.4 billion bushels of corn is used annually in making the biofuel.

FAPRI incorporated lower consumer spending in its estimate but did not consider disruptions in the supply chain that could reduce prices paid to producers, such as shut-downs and slowdowns at processing plants. For example, Smithfield Foods said its pork plant in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was “closed until further notice” due to Covid-19 cases among its workers. The plant is the ninth-largest hog slaughterhouse in the country.

“If we don’t have processing facilities that are open, that means those animals get backed up. There is less demand for those animals so it places downward pressure on live animal prices,” said Westhoff.

Each 1 percent reduction in slaughter capacity is associated with a 1.8 percent drop in market prices for hogs, according to a recent analysis. “Hog prices have already been tumbling over the past couple weeks, potentially reflecting the market’s expectation of some capacity being off-line,” wrote Purdue University economist Jayson Lusk in a blog last week.

The actual impact of the pandemic will depend on its intensity and duration, said FAPRI. Its analysis assumed a “Vshaped” recession, with the biggest downturn occurring from March-June, followed by speedy recovery in the second half of the year. “While it may not be fair to characterize this as a best-case scenario, worse outcomes are possible,” said FAPRI. ‘If Covid-19 continues to disrup economic activity through 2020 and into 2021, the recession could be farm deeper and last longer.”

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Bulldogs Named to All-Big Country Team Austin Brewer was named Class 2A All-Big Country Boys Basketball MVP. Brewer averaged a double-double with 23.6 points and 13.4 rebounds per game and 5.5 blocks.

In final game, Brewer had a remarkable 44 points, 17 rebounds and 10 blocks and went 13 of 19 from the free throw line.

Trace Price received the Sixth Man award. He averaged 12.9 rebounds, 9.6 points and 1.2 steals as an All-District 8-2A selection.

Named to the Second Team was Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Marcus Barber. He was the District 8-2A Defensive Player of the Year for the Bulldogs averaging 10.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

Dean Edwards was chosen Coach of the Year. Stamford finished the season at 26-8 and went a perfect 10-0 in District 8-2A play.

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The paw print A BLAST FROM THE PAST.....

The 1956 Stamford Bulldogs, State AA Champs (first row, l to r) Archie Pardue, Wilburn Cox Darryl Schoonmaker, Nickey Jackson, Donald Davis, Kenneth Ivy, T. C. Rice, Romeo Garcia, and Jimmy Payne; (second row, l to r) Larry Don Ivy, Walter Hood, Stanley Hill, Douglas Monzingo, Delton Ake, Robert Hardin, Jack Magness, J. B. Tabor, and Coach Isbell and Coach Wartes; (third row, l to r) Coach Wood, Charlie Stenholm, Gayle Ward, Royce West, Dallas Christian, Dale Robinson, Rufino Escobedo, Andy Swenson, Mike McClellan, and Bobby Nelson.

Lady Bulldogs Named to All-Big Country Team Tylee Jo Bevel was named to the Class 2A All-Big Country Girls basketball First Team. She averaged 13/7 points per game, 6 rebounds and 2.5 steals. She had four doubledoubles. She also was named all-state by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.

Laylonna Applin and Audrey Brewer were chosen Second Team. Applin averaged 11.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 3.5 steals. She was the District 8-2A Newcomer of the Year and a TGCA all-state selection. She had five games scoring at least 20 points, one of which was 27 points.

Brewer averaged 7.1 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game and received first-team all-district honors.

Newcomer of the Year honors also went to Laylonna Applin.

Receiving Honorable Mention were Bresha Applin and Shandlee Mueller.

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1956 Bulldogs

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An Easter Message Easter 2020 is one we won’t soon forget. Our usual “traditions” have been disrupted. There were no community Easter egg hunts. Family Easter gatherings have been scaled back.

And on Easter Sunday, a day that almost always sees peak attendance in our churches, church sanctuaries were mostly empty.

It’s cliché to remind everyone that the church is the people, not the building, but sometimes clichés exist for a reason. In the lead-up to Easter 2020, I’ve seen churches prove that they are more than a building in ingenious, heartwarming ways. Churches without a history of online streaming have utilized Facebook Live and Zoom to stay connected with their congregations, and in doing so, have also connected with new audiences.

Churches have developed

ESSAYS FROM WEST OF 98 James M. Decker “drive in” services to connect in a socially-distanced manner. Churches have worked together across denominational lines to feed schoolchildren and provide visible Easter celebrations for their communities.

As I think about the lessons of this unique Easter season, I think about the misleading idea that accepting Christ will lead to “smooth sailing” in life.

It can often be quite the

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opposite. Few (if any) have served God as faithfully as Paul, but if you ever want to dispel the notion of Christian faith leading to smooth sailing, check out Paul’s list of sufferings in 2 Corinthians 16:23-28. And let’s not forget, Paul left his life as a powerful Roman official to subject himself to floggings, prison, and ultimately death in service of Jesus.

Earlier in the week, my wonderful wife (with the “help” of our daughter Miriam), used sidewalk chalk to write a muchneeded reminder from John 16:33 in front of our house. At the Last Supper, Jesus had just informed his disciples that their time together would soon end and He would leave and return to the Father. The disciples were filled with confusion and anxiety. Jesus reassured them, informing them that each would soon be scattered to their own home, but they would one

day see each other again. In the meantime, they should ask God for what they need, doing so in Jesus’ name.

Jesus counseled them, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

On this Easter Sunday, “smooth sailing” is certainly not the order of the day. Instead, the feelings of John 16 reign supreme. Our people are filled with confusion and anxiety about threats to our health, about our livelihoods and economic security, and about uncertainty for the well-being of our families, friends, neighbors, and communities. We’re even scattered to our own homes. But like the disciples that night in the Upper Room, like Paul trading luxury and power for danger and suffering, we need not worry. Today, Easter Sunday provides us the hope of a much greater

“smooth sailing” than anything we could ever desire on Earth. No matter how you may be struggling with the troubles of the world, remember what Jesus told the disciples. In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart. Jesus has overcome the world!

He is risen! From our family to yours, God bless you and Happy Easter.

First Baptist Church John Ward 214 N Swenson 325-773-2781 AM Worship: 11:00 House of God Pastor Bobby Acosta 802 Ferguson St Sundays 11:00 am

Nugent Church of Christ Nugent, Texas Wayne Kitchens, Preacher Sun. 10 Bible Classes 11 Morning Assembly

St Ann’s Catholic Church 1001 S Swenson 325-773-2659 AM Mass: 11:00

James Decker is a lawyer, farmer, and mayor in Stamford, and the creator of the forthcoming “West of 98” podcast and website. He may be contacted through Facebook at facebook.com/james.decker.

VIP Menu

April 20-24

Monday Tamale Pie, Refried Beans, Salad, Ice Cream Tuesday Spaghetti & Meat Sauce, Salad, Garlic Bread, Melon Wednesday Chicken Noodle, Soup & Crackers, Salad, Corn Fritters, Orange Sherbet

Thursday Oven Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn , Rosie Pears Friday Chicken Fajita, Salad, Hominy, Chocolate Cake

LOCAL CHURCHES Avoca Baptist Church Rev. Les Mims 773-3531 AM Worship: 11:00 Avoca United Methodist Church Dennis Huffaker 773-3909 AM Worship: 9:45 Bethel Church of God in Christ Pastor Session 407 W Handlan 325-773-5730 Bethel (Christ) Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 1024 E. Vanderbilt 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 9:00 Bethel Lutheran Church Rev. Richard Strait 10707 N. FM 600 325-773-5949 AM Worship: 11:00

Central Presbyterian Rev. Dr. Kelly Pigott 601 Rowland 325-773-3381 AM Worship: 11:00 Common Ground Youth Ministry Paul Wright 219 S Swenson 325-773-3604 Faith Lutheran Church Sagerton, Texas 940-200-0723 AM Worship: 10:30 Family Church of Christ 1505 E. Wells St 325-773-5250 Worship: 9:45 a.m.

1st Assembly 1214 Compton Pastor John Shepard Worship: Saturday @ 6:00PM (325)267-0955

Lueders First Baptist Church Roscoe McCoy 228-4622 AM Worship: 11:00 MacKenzie Trail Cowboy Church AM worship 11:00 Heart of God Church 114 E Campbell Joanne Ochoa AM Worship 10:30 Nugent Baptist Church Craig Thames 228-4457 Worship: 11:00

Orient Street Church of Christ Wes Horn 510 S Orient 773-3419 Worship: 10:30 Paint Creek Baptist Church Pastor Tony Grand 940-864-3358 AM Worship: 11:00

WANT TO SPONSOR THE CHURCH PAGE? Call 325-773-5550

St. John’s United Methodist Church Pastor John Erwin 201 S Ferguson 325-773-2561 AM Worship: 10:50 Solomon Temple Baptist Church Rev. Donnie Massey 315 N. Haskell St. 325-773-2213 AM Worship 11:00

Temple Baptist Church Jesse Morton 309 E Campbell 325-773-2550 AM Service: 11:00 Trinity Church Dr. Robert Wingrove 220 E. McHarg

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State-Private Partnership To Speed Up Production Of Masks Gov. Greg Abbott on April 8 announced a partnership between the Texas Military Department and Prestige Ameritech to increase production of personal protective equipment for health care workers.

Prestige Ameritech, with a 220,000-square-foot plant in North Richland Hills near Fort Worth, is the United States’ largest domestic surgical mask manufacturer. The company’s 24-hour operation will be staffed in part by members of the Texas National Guard 36th Infantry Division, enabling the production of an estimated 2 million surgical face masks per week.

Joining Abbott in making the announcement were Texas Department of State Health Services Commissioner John Hellerstedt, Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd and University of Texas System Executive Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs John Zerwas.

Abbott announced on April 6 that Texas had received 2.5 million masks in the previous 24 hours and would receive an additional 3 million masks by April 11. The governor’s office also provided a region-by-region weekly breakdown of personal protective equipment that had been distributed: masks, face shields, gloves, gowns and coveralls.

In other action, Abbott announced on April 9 an emergency rule adopted by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to temporarily allow more nurse aides to serve residents in long-term care facilities during the COVID-19 response. Under the rule, nursing facilities may hire people to provide nurse aide services without having to complete a full certification program in their first four months of employment. This action will expand the eligible pool of directcare workers and help long-term care providers who may face critical staffing shortages, Abbott said.

According to figures posted by the Texas Department of State Health Services at noon on April 12, some 13,484 people in Texas had been diagnosed with deadly coronavirus -- COVID-19 -- and 271 deaths resulting from the disease had been confirmed.

GOVERNOR CLOSES PARKS Gov. Abbott on

CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Ed Sterling

April 7 directed the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Historical Commission to close all state parks and historic sites indefinitely as part of the state’s efforts to strengthen social distancing practices and prevent gatherings of large groups of people.

Historic sites and state parks will reopen at the direction of the governor.

“Social distancing is our best tool to curb the spread of COVID-19 and save lives,” Abbott said. “The temporary closure of our state parks and historic sites will help us achieve this goal by preventing the gathering of large groups of people.

I urge all Texans to continue to stay at home except for essential services as we respond to COVID-19.

By following these social distance practices, we will overcome this challenge together.”

CARE ACCESS TO INCREASE Gov. Abbott on April 6 announced that Care.com, a private business that enables families to find, manage and pay for care and provides employment opportunities for caregivers, is increasing in-home child care access for frontline workers responding to the COVID-19 emergency.

As part of this initiative, Abbott said, Care.com is offering 90 days of free, premium access to their services, along with specific portals for frontline workers and caregivers in Texas.

Frontline workers looking for child care, as well as prospective caregivers, can enroll at https://texasfrontline.care.com/.

Potential caregivers are subject to Care.com’s extensive background and safety checks. While child care services are not typically free of charge, the Texas portal gives residents the ability to waive their fees

and volunteer as caregivers, providing additional support to frontline workers, Abbott added.

HEGAR DISTRIBUTES REVENUE Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar on April 8 announced he would send cities, counties, transit systems and special purpose taxing districts $701.8 million in local sales tax allocations for April.

The amount is 0.5 percent less than the amount distributed in April 2019.

Revenue allocations are based on sales made in February by businesses that report tax monthly.

Next month’s allocations, which will mostly reflect sales made in March, will begin to show the impact of pandemic-related business shutdowns. The agency, therefore, expects local allocations in May to be lower, and June allocations will likely deteriorate further, Hegar said.

LAWSUIT AMICUS IS FILED Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on April 6 led 40 attorneys general in an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of injury lawsuit decisions by the Supreme Courts of Montana and Minnesota.

In the brief, Paxton and Ellison said those state supreme courts correctly ruled in favor of allowing individuals to file personal injury lawsuits in the states in which they reside and were injured, regardless of where the defendant was located.

The friend-of-the-court brief opposes an effort by large corporations to prevent individuals from filing lawsuits in their own local courts and to potentially prevent states from filing lawsuits to enforce their own laws, Paxton said.

JOBLESS URGED TO REAPPLY The Texas Workforce Commission on April 4 encouraged Texas residents previously deemed monetarily ineligible for unemployment benefits to reapply now, at the beginning of a new fiscal quarter.

The agency invited applicants who were denied unemployment benefits due to insufficient wages and who worked during the January 2019-December 2019 base period to visit the unemployment benefit services portal to reapply online.

APRIL 17, 2020

9

10 APRIL 17, 2020

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Keep on Learning If you had told me at the beginning of the year that by the start of April I would be trying to teach all of my high school classes online I would have called you crazy as I, like the rest of the world, just knew that things would still be normal. However, as we have all experienced over just about the last month the world that we live in is mostly confined behind the THOUGHTS FROM doors of our home. I met with my fellow English teachers in a Zoom UNDER THE CAP meeting for our weekly planning session that we usually do at Will McClure school where we were all in agreement about many things included the most important: we miss being in the classroom with our kids. While we have the tools that we need to give an education to our students online and they have many capabilities to get their work done, it is still a worrying and challenging process as we just hope that they can stay on track and they have the support at home to help keep pushing them forward regardless of if and when we are able to go back to the classroom. While we, like many other teachers, are worried about our students getting an education, there are many parents out there that are not only encouraging the online learning from the school but they have also gone the extra mile to do some home schooling as well.

Now, the instances of home schooling that I have seen haven’t been “sit at a table, copy notes, do a worksheet, etc.” kind of schooling, but it is education nonetheless. Even if it is doing a task such as helping to cook something or completing some kind of puzzle, young minds are being put to work. In a post that I saw it was highly suggested that parents should not subject their kids to a full eight-hour school day at home, much like they would at school. Really, it is not needed and it will lead to some hard feelings. In fact, at least for high school, it is suggested that kids only need 3-4 hours a day with each subject a little at a time.

When we were putting lessons together for our online learning, for example, it was suggested that we try not to plan full 45-50 minute lessons like we normally would and instead keep the lessons to around the 15-20 minute mark a day. This way our kids could maintain a good pace, not feel overwhelmed and still be on track to complete the year. While we wish we could be with our students and help them every step of the way, right now it is not possible but the need is there to make sure that they keep on learning, just from home.

So, if you are a parent that is doing home-schooling, making sure your kids are getting their online work done or even doing a mixture of both, do your part to make your home a vessel for learning. As I have said over and over again the past few weeks these are uncertain times and you are probably busier than ever with trying to get work done and making sure that your kids are doing well. It is a difficult process and it will get better, just know that in the long run it will be worth it when we can all return to our normal routine. Try to find creative ways to give an education to your kids without them realizing it as that is when the best results can happen. You may have even done so well before being forced to stay inside, so stay focused and prepare your kids in any way that you can. Even if it is something as simple as sending an email or getting a call from their teacher, the fact that you are at least doing this shows that you care and one day they will thank you for it. It may be difficult now, but just make sure that our youth can keep learning at home and the future will be just as bright as ever.

Until next time, dear reader, my cap’s off to you!

A Documetary About Stevie Ray Vaughan Stevie Ray Vaughan had an unusually brilliant talent with a guitar. At the height of his career he was killed in a helicopter crash near Chicago in 1990. He was 35. One of his close friends said, “That boy came from nowhere and went everywhere.” Kirby Warnock, a filmmaker who lives in Fort Stockton, is doing a documentary about Stevie and his brother Jimmy. The title of the documentary is FROM NOWHERE. “We were very blessed that Jimmy Vaughan, Stevie’s older brother, totally cooperated with us,” says Kirby. “There have been several books about Stevie Ray Vaughan and at least two documentaries, but none of them has the person who knew him best, his older brother Jimmy. He did not cooperate with any of those books or films, so we were lucky to get him. He provided us with a bunch of old photographs, home movies and real insight from the person who knew Stevie Ray Vaughan the best. Jimmy and Stevie shared a bedroom grow-

ing up in the family home in Oak Cliff.

Everybody thinks they were from Austin but they were born and raised in Oak Cliff. They didn’t move to Austin until they were 18 or 20.

They were already accomplished guitar players by the time they got to Austin. They really learned their craft in Dallas playing night clubs when they were 13 or 14 then moved to Austin and played in bars down there. That’s where they kind of took off.”

Kirby got hold of some of their early band mates who played with them in Oak Cliff before they were famous.

“I got some great interviews with them and some great old photographs. You’re going to learn stuff about Stevie Ray Vaughan you never knew before from this film because we’ve got people who were in the room with him when

all this happened and they’re telling their stories.

We have some great stories.”

In 1976, Kirby was working for a music magazine in Dallas and met Jimmy.

“I went to see him play. He was playing at a place in downtown Dallas called The Texas Chili Parlor and I got to know him there. I wrote an article about him and his band The Fabulous Thunderbirds, so I would just stay in touch with him. Through him I found out about his younger brother Stevie. I interviewed both Jimmy and Stevie a lot before they hit it big.

“All these years later I approached Jimmy, knowing that he had

TUMBLEWEED SMITH

been declining all requests to talk about this. I finally said to him ‘if you don’t tell this story now, you’re gonna die one day and everybody can say whatever they want. We need to get the story from you now while you’re alive because once you’re gone you won’t have any control over the story being told.’ He agreed with that and helped us get interviews with Eric Clapton and Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and Jackson Brown, people that played with him and helped them out when they were climbing the ladder.”

The film is due out soon. Kirby’s company is Trans Pecos Productions.

I do hope everyone had the best Easter they could have during this terrible time. We did have some bad looking clouds off and on all day Saturday and they got mighty close. Early in the morning hours we got another bad cloud, did not last long, but it blew and rained hard for a while. Bad clouds around today before the wind hit from the north.

We were all sure hoping that it would not freeze, but the weather man said it would, we’ll see.

We all enjoyed a delightful church service this Easter morning at the Faith Lutheran Church in Sagerton. Pastor Paul Cannon gave the sermon from the

Mittie, front porch of on Easter the church and Sunday and all the folks then went to stayed in their Blackwell to cars and heard a deer lease. his word over Mike and the car radio.

Maxelle It was wonderBaldree from ful to be able OLD GLORY NEWS Tuscola to see your came for a friends and

By Anita Dozier visit with me wave at them on Saturday instead of and spent being at home the night and returned alone. home on Sunday. They atMittie Dunham was in tended the church service Aspermont on Tuesday for with me. appointments and while Thought for the week: there she visited with Alice Winters and enjoyed having “With today life comes to life again. Brightness and lunch with her. warmth arrive on the wings Gerral and Shelly Waldon of a fresh breeze. From had lunch with her mom,

the dark depths of despair, hope arises. This new day, is the promise of better days to come.”

Happy Birthday wishes go to Ann Baitz, Peyton Howle, Doris Lehrmann, Kent Leferve, Chad Metcalf, S J Westbrook, Alec Lujan, Cherry Pittcock, Tammie Hawkins, John Allison, Jacob Rhoads, Amber Teichelman, April Brendle, Justin Westbrook, Jimma Smith, Cindy Ford, Thad Jennings, Sara Martin, Shanna Morrow, Tena Tankersley, John Diers, Mike Sawyers, Steve Hertel, Lillian Hicks, Dana Swink and Liz Mills. We wish you many more.

the problem. For the foreseeable future, how are we going to have a jury?

How are we going to bring 100 and something people and pack them into this courtroom and qualify a jury and put them in a jury box and then send them to the jury room, all while maintaining social distancing issues? That’s what we’re going to be dealing with.” This will slow the system down for perhaps years. “That’s just

HELP WANTED Sagebrush Living Center is looking for Direct Support Staff. Contact Kaye Carter.

Sagebrush Living Center is also looking for a cook and a laundry worker. Hours vary with the shifts. Please call Sagebrush Living Center at 325-773-2791 or come by the facility at 1101 Columbia St., Stamford TX, 79553 for an application.

140 Offield ALBANY Blacksmith Shop, Art Studio and 3/2 mobile Home......$82,000

COMMERCIAL

1303 Swenson STAMFORD - 25,000 sq ft building 1631 17th St, Anson - over 4,000 sq. ft, restaurant equip....... IN CONTRACT 901 Commercial ANSON- 12,600 Sq. Ft. parking lot, HWY Frontage$175,000 The Hamlin Elevator, 423 E Lake Drive, Hamlin FISHER COUNTY

the way it’s going to be. I’m going to have to figure out how to handle it. And I’m doing my best, I promise you that.”

He stated they would “get up to speed” with civil cases. The criminal cases will be challenging with lawyers coming from other towns such as Dallas and San Antonio and a litigant from El Paso. For the foreseeable future he predicts everyone will wear masks and gloves. Zoom

hearings will begin this week and “that will be the new norm until our leaders tell us otherwise.”

NOTE TO OUR READERS

Classifieds

8603 FM707 TRUBY RANCH Fantastic Home w/ a pool.........IN CONTRACT HWY 277 Hawley Faith over Fear home, barn w/horse stalls 51± Ac..IN CONTRACT 2952 CR 216 Nice Home on 1 acre south of town! 4/2..........................$153,900 1502 Compton Stamford 3/2/2 Ranch home 1.6± AC!......Reduced! $124,900 1310 PORTLAND Great 3/2 remodel! Must See!...................................$114,500 1403 Compton St. three bedroom two bath brick home......................$109,900 613 POTOMAC 3/1.5 corner lot!.............................................................. SOLD 703 Columbia Nice 3 bedroom 2 bath on a corner lot..............IN CONTRACT 804 Wells 3/1 w CH/A, tiled walk-in Shower.......................................... SOLD 716 E Oliver 4 bedroom/ 2 baths quiet area..............................................$68,900 1207 HUDSON 3 bedroom, 1 bath in a good location!..............................$49,900 1315 Hudson Rd 3/1 w CHA Great location!...........................................SOLD McHarg Lots with Barn and wet weather creek!.........................................$32,000 712 E Vanderbilt Gorgeous 1910 2 story Victorian home.........................SOLD 807 Commercial 2/1 2 living areas...................................................................$72,900 519 Commercial Ave, Anson- 3/1 Rock home w Metal shop...............$49,000 #10 Country Cove ALBANY Nice 3/2 Brick home in cul-de-sac!...... $164,000 913 Harold St ALBANY beautiful 2 story Call for details!.......IN CONTRACT

FARM & RANCH

COURT: Continued from page 5 On “misdemeanor days” there are 40 – 60 people in the Courtroom. He states he will have to decide how to change this and not have a large crowd in the Courtroom. He thinks there will be “multiple waves of flair-ups” with the Coronavirus and “we need to be prepared” to continue to have an open court system.

He predicts many more criminals will want jury trials. “Therein lies

APRIL 17, 2020 11

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

I’m sorry to announce that the Stamford American has closed our lobby for the timing being, due to caution with the Coronavirus. The courthouse tax office has the ability to process your tag over the phone and mail it to you, the number is 325-823-2437. We are still working out of our office from 9-5:30, so if you need something just call 325-773-5550. Thank you for your understanding, all three of us are in the high risk category, so we are trying to minimize the risk as much as possible. We are also happy to bring any items from Noteworthy to you curbside and also have FREE ADVANCED READER COPIES of several books for anyone wanting something to read. I will be putting up a yoga for kids (and adults) and other self care items very soon, so watch FACEBOOK for those.

839± AC Secluded w/ Large neighbors and Big Canyon! IN CONTRACT 480± AC SE of Roby Tank, water well 170± Ac SE of Rotan Pasture SOLD Paved Rd frontage IN CONTRACT

CALLAHAN COUNTY

1,015± AC Great Sock Farm or Hay farm SOLD 10 ac Old Peanut Co-op Property

HASKELL COUNTY

126 ac cult. N.380 Rule 160± AC – The Kittley Irrigated Farm Northwest of Rule! SOLD 271± AC SE of Weinert Dry land farm w/ pasture, tanks and creek!

619± AC N of Lake Stamford pasture and tanks!

JONES COUNTY

NEW 377 ac on Hwy 277 Pasture/Cult.

Coop water 1,764± Ac Near Lueders Great Hunting!

782± AC N of Neinda IN CONTRACT 663± AC Great combo place w/ fence, pens, water well and tank 402± AC FM 600 & HWY 180 389± AC Cultivation, Rural water and Electric N of Merkle 323 Ac Creek, Cultivation and Hunting!

253± AC FM 600 & HWY 180 247± Stock Farm SOLD 241± AC FM 600 & HWY 180 239± AC FM 600 & HWY 180 230± AC Ft. Phantom River Ranch, Excellent Hunting!

220± AC Cultivation on California Creek and US HWY 6 RD Frontage 160± AC south of Avoca IN CONTRACT 139± AC- Farrington Cotton Farm Prime Cultivation 62± AC N of Merkel, GREAT building Site!

50± AC Cultivated farm 45± Acres Right outside of Town 26± AC FM 2746 S of Anson water well List price $90,000 20± AC Near Ft. Phantom OAK TREES w/ Electric and rural water!

SHACKELFORD COUNTY

440± AC North of Abilene Cultivation and pasture w/ Spring, Rural Water and 3 tanks!

KNOX COUNTY

217± Ac great Hunting! Water well and native pasture 55± Cultivation close to town!

STEPHENS COUNTY

85± AC Native pasture w/ house

KENT COUNTY

925± AC-Panther Canyon Ranch-Native pasture w/ food plots, springs on Panther Canyon and Croton Creek on the north Boundary!

DICKENS COUNTY

1,450± AC Fantastic Hunting, Shinnery, Large Stock Tank

STONEWALL COUNTY

330± ac cult. & pasture, good stock farm 5,900± AC- Seven Diamond L Canyon Ranch two creeks and salt fork river 2,082± -AC- Double View RanchSpectacular views, River, 4/3 Home and Barns, rural water!

800± AC - White Ghost River Ranch - Salt Fork of the Brazos! Views of the River Canyon!

658± ac Heath Ranch 200FT elevation changes, live spring and exotics!

320± AC – Hall River Ranch River Frontage w/ 2 story home SOLD 330± AC- Great View of Double Mtns. w/ scenic deep canyons, large neighbors, hunting!

130± AC- Youngers 130 Good Cultivation and great Hunting!

332± AC – Canyon West Ranch Great Views! Water, Electric & Secluded!

133± AC S of Swenson Brushy w/ HWY 380 Frontage Electricity on site!

1,455± Acres Base of the Double Mountains!

165± Acres All pasture, Great Hunting!

TAYLOR COUNTY

5± Acres Off of HWY 351 No Restrictions Reduced $32,500 Taylor Ridge Estates- 20-80 Acre rural tracts Call for info.

707 Ranch 10-12± tracts SOLD 54± AC S of Trent Great Views!

36± AC S of Trent Elec & Water!

20± Acres White Mines Road Creek, Hunting, No Restrictions $140,000

THROCKMORTON COUNTY

460± AC Morning Star Game Ranch High fenced turnkey w/ Hunting Ranch 160± AC Cultivation and Pasture w/ 3BR Home west of Woodson

12 APRIL 17, 2020

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THE NEW STAMFORD AMERICAN

Burn Ban Becomes Part of COVID-19 Disaster Order

BY KAY SPEARS On Monday, April 13, 2020, the Jones County Commissioners Court met at a regular meeting in the 259th District Courtroom on the second floor of the Jones County Courthouse in Anson, Texas. Social Distancing continues to be practiced in the Courthouse and the use of the hand sanitizer dispensers is encouraged. The minutes of the March 23 and March 30, 2020 meetings were approved after Judge Spurgin opened the meeting.

The following trust property bids were approved as one action item.

A bid submitted by Billy Fudge, Sr. for the purchase of (R16233), Lots 3 & 4, in Block 13, of the Original Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas. The Bid Amount is $650.00. Court cost has been waived.

A bid submitted by Billy Fudge, Sr. for the purchase of (R16225), Lot 2, Block 13, Original Town of Hamlin, Jones County, Texas. The Bid Amount is $400.00.

Court cost has been waived.

A bid submitted by LANDS4PENNIES LLC for the purchase of (R16039), A 0.91-Acre tract of land located in Section 4, Tract 279-8, MEP & P RR Company Survey, Jones County, Texas. The Bid Amount is $220.00. Court cost has been waived.

Judge Spurgin gave an update on the Disaster Declarations regarding FEMA, TDA and TDEM. This included the need to wait for the TDA audit to be submitted. The TxDot County Transportation Infrastructure Fund (CTIF) Grant for $240,779 was approved. This is to assist with infrastructure damage due to energy development and will be divided between the four precincts.

This is separate from any

FEMA grants. Judge Spurgin stated he did not think the County needed to hire a law firm in this matter.

The Commissioners approved the letter from the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) regarding Grant #7217017 Notice of administrative completion. They next approved to enter into the record Jones County, Precinct One, who provides maintenance and oversight of all activities pertaining to CR 185 and CR 186, which runs through Anson Solar One Phase One, guidelines for the expansion and improvement of CR 185 and CR 186.

Judge Spurgin gave an update on the Application for Economic Development Administration’s Economic Adjustment Assistance Disaster Recovery Program.

He stated this is grant money from the Council of Governments (COG). They are waiting for TxDOT to look at a couple of sites in Precincts 3 and 4. Three estimates/bids are required

by FEMA. It was approved to add New Horizons AG, Terry White, to the list of vendors under Material and Material Hauling Bids.

Commissioner Vivian stated Precinct 2 was in need of equipment and the two graders would be traded in to purchase two newer ones. This action was approved. Commissioners Clawson and Spraberry gave the Court preliminary notice of equipment they are thinking of purchasing in the future. A bid was approved for Cooper Oil Company to charge 11 ½ cents per gallon for freight and above costs provided by the vendor.

Judge Spurgin gave an update on the Cybersecurity Training Course. He warned against opening any email with COVID-19 attached to it. There are hackers out there using the Coronavirus to get into people’s emails

and computers. He also warned against opening emails that say there is a voicemail attached to it.

Government entities are being targeted.

It was approved to insert Exhibit A into Anson Solar Center Tax Abatement Agreement and the Road Use Agreement. Exhibit A is a map showing part of the project. County Clerk Jennings brought up the need to change language in the packet. Judge Spurgin stated that posts have been put in the ground for Phase II. The Insurance Cafeteria Plan for County employees was approved regarding the use of fewer insurance agents. Judge Spurgin then updated the Court that there is no change to the last modification of the Contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Treasurer’s Report, Line Items Transfers and Pay Bills were all approved.

Before going into Executive Session, Judge Spurgin gave an update on the Coronavirus in Jones County. He stated the report of the first positive case in Jones County was from the Department of Health, Region 22 office in Arlington, TX. The test was conducted in Abilene, TX and sent to both the regional office and Dr. Chad White, Public Health Coordinator.

Due to the first positive case, he issued Amendment #5 to the Disaster Order for anyone with symptoms are to remain in their home for at least 14 days. This includes all members of that household. He went on to read the specifics of Amendment #5. A second positive case in Jones County has been reported.

The individuals are selfquarantined in their homes.

One of the cases was traveled related and both cases continue to be investigated.

The “dome” of the new Stamford, Texas water tower was painted with the city’s name on two sides. The directions were chosen so “Stamford” could be seen from US Hwy 277. For a closer look, the water tower is at the Stamford Public Works, E. Bunkley and N. McKinley Streets.

Judge Spurgin explained that the term travel included more than the mode of transportation, plane, bus, etc. He stated travel meant starting from another location and coming into Jones County. The Court went into Executive Session to consult with the County Attorney.

When the Court returned to Open Session, it was approved to extend and amend the Declaration of Local State of Disaster for Jones County dated April 6, 2020. This approval by Commissioners Court included extending the Order past the seven days if the Governor lifts restrictions of non-essential businesses and the County does not, then the County restrictions will remain in place.

The Jones County Order is extended until April 30, 2020.

The Burn Ban was then addressed. Commissioner Clawson stated there was a controlled burn that “got out of control” near Hamlin, Texas. The concern with not having a Burn

Ban, at this time, is all the volunteer firefighters are at risk for exposure. He suggested the Burn Ban coincides with the County Disaster Order dates. The amendment to add the Burn Ban to the Jones County Disaster Order was approved. This means that the consequences of defying the Burn Ban will be the same as defying the Disaster Order. That penalty is a fine of $1,000.00 and/or confinement to the County Jail for violation of this Burn Ban until April 30, 2020. The Disaster Declaration may be extended past April 30, 2020.

The amended Disaster Declaration will be put on the County website and published. The County Website is: co.jones.tx.us.

Judge Spurgin stated the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is now recommending wearing a face mask when out in public. This is in addition to restricting activities to households and maintain 6 feet spacing between individuals.

The Courthouse will continue to be accessed through the basement door at the south end of the building. District Court will begin using Zoom. us to conduct some of its business, to be set up this week. Judge Brooks Hagler addressed the Court with information on how the Texas 259th District Court is handling changes needed during the Coronavirus pandemic. See article in this issue: “Judge Hagler Gives Update on 259th District Court.” With no further business, the meeting was adjourned.