Montgomery County News, May 6, 2020

WEDNESDAY VOLUME XXII NUMBER 19***** Section 1 8 pages

May 6, 2020 Home of the ‘Lone Star Flag’ and

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Texas will Bearkats Boldly Putting Their bounce back from Education to Work in the ICU Just six weeks ago Victoria a 2018 “Double graduate Pineda, of the SHSU Training Program, Whammy Athletic was at a baseball tournament working as a high athletic trainer Tsunami” for theschool Houston Methodist While the pandemic and oil glut create a double dose of devastation, three Texas A&M scholars tell Chancellor John Sharp that they see new economic opportunities rising from the rubble.

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Oil prices will rebound before the year’s end. The doors of bars and restaurants will host reopening celebrations. Long-lasting changes will spring forth in industry, education and consumer behavior.

These are some of the predictions made by three leading economic scholars f r o m Te x a s A & M University during an interview with John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M System.

“We've been hit with what I call a ‘double whammy tsunami’ because we have the oil prices crashing plus the coronavirus pandemic,” said Dr. Venky Shankar, research director of the Center for Retailing Studies at the Mays Business School. “But this creates the conditions for us to move in new directions, expand our economy and lead other states.” “ I t ’s a t i m e o f t r e m e n d o u s experimentation,” said Dr. Raymond Robertson, director of the Mosbacher I n s t i t u t e f o r Tr a d e , Economics and Public Policy at the Bush School of Government and Public Service. “We are going to learn so much about what works and what doesn’t.”

Dr. Detlef Hallermann, director of the Reliant Energy Trade Center at the Mays Business School, said the key to quick recovery will be small businesses reopening in May or June.

If that can happen, the recession will be shortlived and oil prices will climb to about $40 a barrel by the end of 2020, Hallermann said.

He stood by his prediction even though

See Opportunities Rising, page 7

Index Community............2, 3, 7, 8 Commentary............................4 Devotional..........................5 Legals.................................6 Business Directory.............7

system. Now with schools across the nation closed and sporting events at a standstill, Pineda is putting her athletic training background to work on the frontlines of the COVID19 pandemic by serving alongside the doctors and nurses who are treating patients in the ICU at Houston Methodist Sugarland Campus.

“It was an interesting transition going from athletic training injuries to the ICU,” Pineda said. “I don’t think people give credit to athletic trainers.

They do more than wrap ankles and hand out water.

They are first on the scene for potentially serious and life-threatening injuries.”

She is joined byalumna, Cassidy Burke (’19) and faculty member, Hope Parker, as more and more athletic trainers are putting their education and unique skill set into action by stepping into the hospital setting to help with COVID-19 patients.

“Houston Methodist has done a wonderful job

utilizing the skill set of athletic trainers to have them help on the frontlines. Many ATs are doing symptom screening, but more recently they have been on prone position teams in the ICU,” said Mary Williams, SHSU Athletic Training program director.

Prone positioning is when a patient is placed on

their stomach in order to help increase the amount of oxygen flow to their lungs.

Often these patients are in a medical comausing a ventilator which makes repositioning them a challenge. Usually a prone position team consists of two respiratory therapists, one nurse and four athletic trainers and a physical therapist. Teams typically

re-position patients every 4 hours.

“The team’s activities are directly related to skills learned early on and reiterated throughout the SHSU Athletic Training program,” Pineda said.

Students enrolled in the Athletic Training Program See Bearkats, page 2

Texas A&M Forest Service urges citizens to prepare their communities for wildfire season While Texans are doing things differently this spring and summer, the threat of wildfire is constant. Texas A&M Forest Service encourages Texans to take part in National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Wi l d f i r e C o m m u n i t y Preparedness Day on May 2. By taking a proactive approach to wildfire prevention, homeowners can significantly increase their safety and their home’s likelihood of survival during a catastrophic event.

This was illustrated during the still-smoldering Holcombe Road Fire, a wildfire in Crockett and Val Verde Counties, which started on April 19 and is currently at 25,958 acres.

Rich Gray, Operations Section Chief on the wildfire and Texas A&M Forest Service’s Chief Regional Fire Coordinator, stated that several structures were saved thanks to the mitigation work and defensible space the property owners created, providing the firefighters a safer space to work.

“The actions you take

to reduce the risk on your property before a fire occurs can make all the difference,” said Gray.

“When a 20,000 plus acre wildfire is raging toward your home, you may feel powerless. But you are not.

If you prepare your home now, before smoke is ever in the air, you can help increase its survivability.”

Texas A&M Forest Service works directly with communities across Texas, identifying the communities most vulnerable to wildfires, and helps create C o m m u n i t y Wi l d f i r e Preparedness Plans.

“This year, our NFPA’s Wi l d f i r e C o m m u n i t y Preparedness Day celebrations look a little different,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Firewise Coordinator Kari Hines. “But the good news is that we know the biggest changes we can make to protect our neighborhoods are usually directly around our own homes.”

Adapting to the COVID-19 guidelines, the agency turned to social media to help Texans ready their communities for the upcoming wildfire season,

posting live videos of employees walking around their homes and demonstrating how to create defensible space.

“With the increase in wildfire activity and warmer weather on the way, now is the perfect time to prepare your home,” said Hines. “These are easy steps that anyone can take around their homes, while at home, to decrease the chance that a wildfire may start, and if it does, to decrease the risk from that fire to your home and family.”

Texas A&M Forest Service created a Wildfire Home Preparation Checklist to help guide Te x a n s a t h o m e .

Participants that complete the checklist on or before May 2 will receive a prize.

Complete the checklist at bit.ly/3avN510.

“By protecting your home, you help protect your community and create a safer space for your first responders to work,” said Gray.

Over the last month, a fifth of Texas A&M Forest Service personnel responded to the Holcombe Road Fire in

West Texas. While in East Texas, Texas A&M Forest Service responded to tornadoes in Polk and Newton Counties. In Central Texas, agency personnel worked around the clock alongside Texas Division of Emergency Management to prepare and ship personal protective equipment (PPE) and other COVID19-related items to first responders on the front lines.

“Even in the midst of a pandemic, natural disasters will continue to h a p p e n , ” s a i d G r a y.

“We’re tasked by the State of Texas to respond to them. One way citizens can help our first responders is by preparing their property and to keep wildfires from ever starting.”

For more information about protecting your h o m e , v i s i t tfsweb.tamu.edu/ProtectY ourHome/.

Follow Texas A&M Forest Service on Facebook for more mitigation and prevention information at bit.ly/2dARmpR.

Lone Star College extends campus closures to June 1 HOUSTON (April 29, 2020) – Lone Star College has announced it has extended campus closures. All LSC campuses, centers and system office buildings will remain closed until June 1.

“The safety of our employees is of the utmost importance,” said Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., LSC chancellor. “Lone Star College employees have joined our students in transitioning online, working from home to ensure we continue to provide the support and resources necessary for our students to succeed.”

During this time, LSC is able to provide emergency financial grants to students to help cover expenses related to disruptions due to the coronavirus such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care and child care through the CARES Act. Learn more by visiting LoneStar.edu/CARESA ct.

“Thank you to all the faculty and staff who assisted with the resumption of over 6,300 classes online,” said Head. “Lone Star College has almost 70,000 students enrolled and taking classes this spring semester.”

Registration for Summer, May MiniMester and Fall is now o p e n .

V i s i t LoneStar.edu/Registrati on to learn more about all the ways LSC can help you toward a new career or update your current skills.

Lone Star College offers high-quality, lowcost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester.

LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of seven colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSCOnline. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.

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Page 2, Montgomery County News, Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Suggestions For Mindful Eating: Spaghetti Squash Food for Thought Diana Anderson

DianaCAnderson@ gmail.com

Spaghetti squash is such a mild-tasting squash. And that's a good thing. Because like its namesake pasta, spaghetti squash loves being matched up with flavorful sauces and such. Rather than compete,

it takes kindly to other flavors.

In these paleo and gluten-free times, spaghetti squash is kind of having a perfect moment. It stands in heroically as a delicious, satisfying substitution for wheat pasta. It's a sensational substitute because, after cooking spaghetti squash, the fruit softens and easily pulls apart with a fork into thin, spaghetti-like ribbons.

Hence, the name.

Even so, you probably won't confuse the tender strands of squash for the bite of actual pasta. And that's okay. Spaghetti squash has a tasty, toothy texture all its own. You'll love it.

How to Cook Spaghetti Squash There are a several ways to make spaghetti squash —roasted in the oven, zapped in the microwave, slow-mo'd in the slow

The Crighton Theatre Opening Soon!

The following has been rescheduled: Montopolis is now performing The Legend of Big Bend on Sunday, March 14, 2021 at 3 PM Acclaimed indie classical group, Montopolis, led by composer Justin Sherburn

and including members of the Austin Symphony, O k k e r v i l R i v e r, T h e Polyphonic Spree and the Tosca String Quartet, turns west Texas tales into song in this concert inspired by Big Bend National Park.

The performance weaves science, history, poetry and personal stories into music inspired by the land and the

The Legend of Big Bend Sun Mar 14, 2021 3:00 PM at theCrighton Theatre, Conroe, TX

people that have walked upon it. Actor Robert A. Kraft narrates the journey accompanied by music and breathtaking video that captures the epic grandeur of the vast high desert wilderness. Don't miss this special performance here at the Crighton Theatre.

Bearkats

from page 1

at SHSU take a variety of courses, such as Prevention and Care of Injuries and Lab, that ensures they are armed with the abilities and understanding that allow them to transfer what they know about disease transmission and personal protective equipment to a

cooker, or boiled on the stovetop.

1. How to roast spaghetti squash in the oven.

There's an easy way and there's a fast way to roast squash. And they aren't the same. The easy way is to pop the whole spaghetti squash into the oven and roast it...for about an hour. The fast way? Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and bake the squash halves shell-side up in the oven.

But be careful cutting your squash; these are hard, dense, sometimes slippery little guys—and they're tough to slice through.

To keep your squash moist in the oven, add a little water to the dish, and dome the fruit with aluminum foil.

Steam will build up under the foil dome and assist with the cooking process.

How long to cook spaghetti squash in the oven: Halved and baked in a 400 degree F oven, the squash is tender and ready in about 40 minutes. (Here's a whip-smart trick for turning the squash's cooked fruit into long, thin, noodly strands.)

2. How to cook spaghetti squash in the microwave.

Okay, yes, it's faster to cut the squash in half to roast. But if you really feel the need for speed, consider cooking spaghetti squash in the microwave. You get the same noodly effect, and the squash is tender and pullaparty in just 15 minutes or so. For microwave cooking, you do need to cut the squash in half. Don't attempt to nuke a whole spaghetti squash until done: it's like tossing a big yellow bomb in your microwave.

Scoop out the seeds, place the squash cut-side-down in a microwave dish, and add a little water to the dish—it helps keep the squash moist and tender.

How to cut your spaghetti squash in half. The only hard part about cooking spaghetti squash is cutting your dense, hard, uncooked squash in half. If you're microwaving—or even roasting—it helps to cook the squash whole a few minutes first in the microwave. I know we just said nuking a squash is like tossing a bomb in the microwave, but it's only for a few minutes—5 minutes, tops. But first, jab it with a fork a bunch of times like a baked potato to let the steam out—you do not want that steam building up in there.

After several minutes in the microwave, the semi-nuked

shell will be softer and easier to cut through.

3. How to cook spaghetti squash in a slow cooker Oh yes you can! The slow cooker is both the easiest way to cook a squash and requires the most time.

But that's okay; it's a slow cooker. Set it up, and then go about your business.

Poke holes in the shell like the microwave method, then put it in the slow cooker whole. Pour in a little water, and cook on low for 4-to-6 hours. Unlike microwaving, slow cooking spaghetti squash does not build up extreme steam pressure inside the squash, so you're safe. It's not a yellow bomb, more like a y e l l o w submarine—perfectly safe.

The flesh shreds up beautifully.

4. How to boil spaghetti squash Finally, you can boil spaghetti squash. Bring a large pot of water to a low boil, and carefully sink a whole squash into it. You don't need a rolling boil here; slow and steady wins the race. After about 30 minutes, test the squash with a fork. When it's tender, slice it, scoop the seeds, and separate into noodles with a fork.

Nutritional Benefit of Spaghetti Squash And nutrition?

Spaghetti squash has nutritional benefits above and beyond regular ol' spaghetti noodles. The squash has vitamin A, beta carotene, folic acid, and potassium. And it's low calorie, too. When shopping for spaghetti squash, be aware that the more orange the flesh of the squash, the more beta carotene it has.

How to get those long Spaghetti like strands Everyone tells you to cut spaghetti squash in half lengthwise before cooking.

But slicing the squash that way actually cuts the strands into small pieces.

Why? Because the strands run widthwise like little belts around the middle. So, when you cut the squash from top to bottom, it's like cutting your belt in half.

Instead, slice it across the middle as if you're slicing thick cucumber rings. Slicing the squash into rings leaves the strands intact, and you'll end up with spaghetti squash noodles that are dramatically longer. It's spaghetti squash that actually lives up to its name.

Spaghetti Squash with Meatballs

Ingredients 1 medium spaghetti squash (about 2 pounds) Kosher salt 3 tablespoons extravirgin olive oil, plus more for brushing 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 medium carrot, roughly chopped 1 medium onion, roughly chopped 6 cloves garlic 1-cup fresh parsley leaves 1-pound ground beef 1-pound ground pork 2 large eggs 1-cup Italian-style breadcrumbs 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 2 28-ounce cans tomato puree 2 large sprigs basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano Add to shopping list Directions Cook the squash in one of the above ways.

While cooking, make the meatballs: Brush a baking sheet with olive oil.

Pulse the celery, carrot, onion, garlic and parsley in a food processor to make a paste. Transfer half of the vegetable paste to a bowl; add the ground beef, ground pork, eggs, breadcrumbs, 1 cup parmesan and 1 teaspoon salt and mix with your hands until just combined. Form into about 24 two-inch meatballs; transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until firm but not cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Make the sauce: Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the remaining vegetable paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until it looks dry, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the tomato puree; rinse each can with 1-cup water and add to the pot. Stir in the basil, oregano and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a simmer, then add the meatballs and simmer until the sauce thickens and the meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Remove the basil.

Use a fork to scrape the spaghetti squash flesh into strands; transfer to a large bowl and toss with 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan. Season with salt.

Divide the squash among bowls and top each with some meatballs, sauce and the remaining 1-tablespoon Parmesan.

This recipe makes extra sauce and meatballs. Let cool completely, then freeze in a storage container for up to one month.

new setting with additional equipment.

“Being able to appropriately move a patient without hurting them is the main goal. We learn how to position patients that may have been post-operative and/or unconscious,” Burke said.

“My training at SHSU helped me get to a point of comfort and knowing I can do anything I put my mind to. When moving these patients in ICU, we are using the same SHSU techniques every single time we walk into a room.”

Experience both in simulations and in clinical settings, allows students to work with a variety of patients and medical issues. All athletic training

programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education require students to complete clinical rotations in nonorthopedic settings.

“We spend a great deal of time focused on the delivery of patientcentered care and healthcare delivery including how to c o m m u n i c a t e appropriately with patients and families,” Williams said. “Students in our program engage in interprofessional education activities. This training allows students to develop the skills that are necessary to work in interdisciplinary teams and how to practice

collaboratively while also maintaining a mutual respect for the varied scopes of practice across healthcare professions.”

This pandemic has given many professionals, such as athletic trainers, an opportunity to serve their community in new ways.

“There has been many days of lack of sleep and hard work, but I wouldn’t have wanted anyone in my spot,” Burke said. “I stand by patients when their family can’t and although they can’t see, they can hear so we try and encourage the patient as much as we can. Being able to see patients turn around for the best is so exciting and so encouraging.”

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Montgomery County News, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Page 3

Comments According to Doc “We Need to Wake Up to Protect Our Basic Freedoms!”

Walden Happenings

By Doc Fennessy The opinions expressed in this editorial do not necessarily reflect those of MCN.

This is a timely and interesting and thorough thrust. “It seems to me in my mind, that it is against the massive liberal Democrat multi-media of communication in this nation that is taking advantage of the current Coronavirus-19.

To promote liberal hate and fear from the leaders of the Democrat Party and reimpeaching President Trump and turning the nation into a socialist and unpolluted world by implementing “The New Green Deal”.

This article was published on April 7th in the “Wake Up World” and re-published on April 26th in the Sunday Family Humour publication. It is by the brilliant Rachel Horton White as a Guest writer for “Wake Up World”. The following unabridged text belongs to writer White. Her opinion thrust seems to be: “There is something magical happening right now.

Many of us are awakening to the understanding that we are so much more than we have been taught. That we are beings of light, we are creators, we are healers, we are manifestors.

We are connected through a web of energy that cannot be seen (by most) but can be felt with the eyes of our sight.”

Author Rachel Horton White writes that, “In this time, bringing in light to envelope the world is essential to eliminate the control by those who want to create dystopian totalitarianism.”

The following text are the

unabridged words of author Rachel Horton White.

This is an important time not only to pray for humanity’s freedom, and also to speak up that we do not consent to the mass s u r v e i llance/tracking/forced vaccinations that are being proposed right now. This is part of the New World Order agenda that I am pretty sure most of us do not want to live in (they are counting on people, out of their fear of getting sick, to cede all freedom to the government). This is not only an illegal breach of our Constitutional rights, but violates Divine laws of free will. Unless, of course the people consent.

And that is where each of you come in.

Let’s think with our hearts and not allow the media to tell us what to think or believe when they share the worst possible horror stories, as heartbreaking as they are. We can see with our own eyes the truth if one Chooses to see.

MEDITATION AND CONNECTING: with light will open the third eye, allowing the news to tell you what to think will keep it closed. If people would pause and take some deep breaths, clear out the thoughts to get out of fight or flight and back into rational thinking… it would change the world.

It is surprising that more people, who are caring people, are not thinking about what is happening to families living in paycheck to paycheck who have lost their livelihoods, with parents and children who are socially isolated and who may not have money for food let alone the ability for support. It’s a narrow, and actually privileged, focus based on our own selfpreservation (not wanting to get sick) and based only on what we are being

blasted by the media (which is a skewed perspective).

Still, there are many in social services who are doing the best they can to help those families who are really struggling with this.

And for that we owe you much gratitude.

Consider that there are so many sides to this equation beyond the limited narrative that we are being shown about what is happening with this virus. It’s not as simple as one would think if you believe every sound bite from any of the major news outlet (which are controlled by the same 4-5 corporations).

Connect the dots and follow the money (the people claiming to be working on a “vaccine” and tracking people’s movements). It’s all laid out as to what they are trying to do and I for one do not consent.

When it comes to life and death, irrational thinking can take over.

Chronic anxiety and stress (and worrying about getting sick) are {truly not good for our health and weaken the immune system.} We can take precautions without going overboard. Remember that {the media overblows things} and finds the worst possible stories to create mass fear and hysteria. For some, it seems to be working. Yes, some people will get sick. It’s heartbreaking, yet we choose this as part of our soul contracts (when we die).

It’s all part of the soul growth and healing the Earth.

We could walk around every day worrying about if we might get hit by a car, and while this could happen, as long as we are not walking in the middle of a busy street, what good does that type of thought do?

Of course we want

to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy. I am doing my best to do that.

But I am not willing to trade my freedom and basic rights for it. We have seen throughout history that governments are much less likely to remove powers once that have been institute.

The fear of death is very real and it could be the end of a free society if we aren’t careful. The fact is, we are being vastly manipulated by those we think we should trust.

Are we willing to relinquish our freedom (information, opinion, choice) for a world where people condemn and judge others? It is the ultimate form of dystopia is when citizens report and turn against each other (and get angry when people don’t wear masks for instance). It is disheartening when kind people are turning against others out of this innate fear of getting sick -which is a normal part of being human and actually makes our immune system stronger – or of dying (which is unlikely to happen to most people from this thing).

However, I also see some good people doing bold work (like the cashiers I chatted with at the grocery stores and the nurses caring for my grandfather … and some neighbors supporting each other).

MEDITATION: has been life-saving for me and has changed every aspect of my way of thinking and being … and has brought me inner peace and freedom. Here’s a {10minute meditation} that you may enjoy..

If you are still reading, please, based in love and compassion for those who are still being mentally conditioned, speak up!! This is a crucial turning point for humanity.

Author Rachel Horton White is a Guest Writer for the “Wake Up World” publication.

They cannot continue to control us if we do not allow them to, according to universal laws.

We must say that we do not consent to being tracked, monitored, and controlled. This has been their plan, either to depopulate the Earth through the virus (forces of light intervened to minimize this – so are we now taking reasonable precautions to prevent this, as most will recover just like with other viruses), or to create a police state to control through one world government. They are trying to back us into a corner of a no-win situation, but they don’t understand that people are awakening and understanding how vibration and energy and love works.

Love and forgiveness, even for these dark controllers, is the key to our freedom.

I was still feeling sad when I was at the grocery store the other day, observing so much fear around me with all of the masks. Then this {fun but kind of cheesy song, “Put A Little Love in Your Heart,} came over the loudspeaker and brought tears to my eyes. It gives me such hope, and reminds me of how our Divine guides are

with us through this all.

I deeply believe there is a better way coming, an awakening and a shift in consciousness. We must be willing to see beneath the layers of illusion and lies of what we are told by our governments. We must be brave enough to open our third eyes.

To those who are open to healing, to connecting the dots and seeing the truth, I honor you.

Love, kindness, caring, compassion, forgiveness is the way.

Let’s continue to send light and prayers for people being ignored by the media who are worrying about where they will live or how they will eat in this time. Many people are opening their eyes. Let’s continue to ask for angelic light to help open hearts and minds to the truth. May we all do the same.

Blessings as we come into love and a new way of living on Earth that is better for the planet and for all humans (once we get through the rocky period).

May we remember this and come into love for all humans, holding the planet in light.

Online Help for Teachers and Parents A&M System Celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week with New Website ( C O L L E G E S TATION, Texas) — As teachers move their classrooms online and parents struggle with home school, The Texas A&M University System has launched a new website with helpful resources for both.

“This global health crisis has created many challenges we have not faced before,” said John Sharp, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University

System. “We created this site, We Teach Texas, to share helpful resources and share our commitment to producing the highest quality educators who are prepared to deliver worldclass education for the children of Texas.”

The website includes the work of experts from the 11 universities across The Texas A&M System, which have prepared highly qualified teachers for more than 100 years.

Education is more critical than ever for both individual success and for the success of our nation.

The education colleges across The Texas A&M University System lead the way in accomplishing this critical outcome.

“We are committed to continually improving the effectiveness of our educator preparation programs using the latest research and data, producing the best

teachers to educate the children of Texas,” said Shonda Gibson, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs for the A&M System. “This resource highlights our approach to educating and preparing Texas teachers.

We are proud to say, We Teach Texas.”

Educators — or those who may seek to become Texas teachers — can also find information on all 11 of the A&M System’s colleges of education on

the We Teach Texas website.

About The Texas A&M University System T h e Te x a s A & M University System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation with a budget of $6.3 billion. The System is a statewide network of 11 universities; a comprehensive health science center; eight state agencies, i n c l u d i n g t h e Te x a s Division of Emergency Management; and the

RELLIS Campus. The Te x a s A & M S y s t e m educates more than 151,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach programs each y e a r. S y s t e m - w i d e , research and development expenditures exceeded $1 billion in FY 2019 and helped drive the state’s economy.

Page 4, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Montgomery County News

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My Five Cents...

Texas State Senator

Robert Nichols Since my last column, Senate District 3 has continue to be affected by COVID-19 and a deadly tornado devastated communities in East Texas.

Texans have come together to support each other, either through ensuring they receive necessary items, or by helping to clean up the wreckage of the tornado. I am grateful to live in a state where Texans come together to support each other in all circumstances.

Here are five resources to help you during this time: 1. Finding Jobs in Texas I wanted to provide a few resources to help those who may have lost their job

due to this pandemic and/or may be looking for a new position. The Texas Workforce Commission has compiled over 500,000 j o b s o n www.workintexas.com.

You can also find assistance in creating a resume, education and veterans services and more. For those looking for positions in East Texas, there are two different websites that can provide assistance. They are the East Texas Council of Government site www.easttexasworkforce. org and the Deep East Texas Workforce Solutions w w w. d e t w o r k . o r g .

Through each of these websites you will be able to find jobs posted in the area of your choice, where to find childcare services, and assistance for veterans who are looking for jobs.

2. Peace Officer Loan

Weather for the Lake Conroe area Wednesday Sunny, with a high near 84. Northeast wind around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night Clear, with a low around 59. Calm wind.

Thursday Sunny, with a high near 85. Light southeast wind becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Thursday Night Increasing clouds, with a low around 70.

Friday Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 83.

Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58.

Saturday A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms before 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 73.

Saturday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Sunday Sunny, with a high near 80.

Sunday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 58.

Monday Sunny, with a high near 83.

Montgomery County News Phone (936) 449-6397 Fax (936)597-6395 E-mail: news@montgomerycountynews.net web; http://www.montgomerycountynews.net Publisher: M. Ryan West Editor: Monte West Account Executive: Camilla Blum, M. Ryan West Photography: Monte West, Wade Stultz, Bobby Strader, Lance Bridges R e p o r t e r s / C o n t r i b u t i n g Wr i t e r s : D o c Fennessey, Carol Fennessey, Gail Box, Margie Barlow, Kim West, Sharon Faison, Dortha Ruthstrom, Megan West Stultz, Narcissa Martin Boulware, Gary Curran, Students and Staff of MISD, and friends of Montgomery County News. ©Copyrights, Montgomery County News, Montgomery, Texas 2017-2018 Montgomery County News is a weekly, locally owned and operated newspaper and is published by Montgomery County News at 14375 Liberty St. PO Box 1, Montgomery, TX 77356.

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Mail, Fax or E-mail: Montgomery County News, 14375 Liberty St, P.O. Box 1, Montgomery, Texas 77356-0001, Fax 936-597-6395, E-mail: news@montgomerycountynews.net Web page: http://www.montgomerycountynews.net

Assistance Beginning in September 2020, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) will launch a loan repayment program for recently appointed peace officers.

To be eligible for the Peace Officer Loan Repayment Assistance Program (POLRAP), an officer must have been initially appointed as a full time peace officer on or after September 1, 2019, have completed at least one year of employment, and have earned at least 60 hours from an eligible Texas higher education institution prior to becoming a peace officer. An applicant may receive up to $20,000 in loan repayment assistance ($4,000 annually, or one-fifth of outstanding loan balance, whichever is less). The application should be available around September, and to find out more information on qualifications you can visit www.hhloans.com.

3. Participating in the Census

Every 10 years, a census is taken of the population in the United States and its five territories.. This information is used to draw the districts for State senators and representatives, as well as congressional seats. It also determines the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives. Through census numbers business owners and governments to determine funding and what is needed in local communities.

This year marks the 24th census that has been taken in the United States since 1790. If you have not participated in the census yet, its not too late. You can utilize the questionnaire that should have been sent to each household, by calling 844-330-2020, or o n l i n e a t www.my2020census.gov.

4. Texas Workforce Commission As of the writing of this column, approximately 23,500 individuals have filed for unemployment

within Senate District 3, which I represent, and almost two million applications overall in the state. Due to this high volume many Texans have been unable to get through to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to file a claim or have their answers questioned.

TWC has asked all Texans when calling for information to utilize the chart below to determine the best time to call based upon their zip code. Texans will not be penalized for a delay due to call or user volume and claims for those affected by COVID19 are eligible to be backdated to ensure that all receive the assistance they deserve. You can also visit https://twc.texas.gov.

Recommended Call and Access Times * Area Codes Beginning with 9 - Mon-Wed-Fri 8:00 a.m.-Noon * Area Codes Beginning with 3, 4, 5,6 - Mon-WedFri 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. * Area codes Beginning with 7, 8 - Tues -Thurs-Sat

8:00 a.m. - Noon * Area codes Beginning with 2 - Tues-Thurs-Sat 1:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.

5.

STAR of Texas Awards Nominations are now being accepted for the Star of Texas awards. These awards honor all Texas peace officers and federal law enforcement officers or special agents acting in assistance to state and local law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty on or after September 1, 2003.

To be eligible for this years awards, the critical incident must have occurred between September 2003 and June 15, 2020. A person can receive more than one Star of Texas award, but they must be for different incidents.

To nominate an individual, p l e a s e v i s i t www.gov.texas.gov/cjd/st ar-of-texas.

Sen. Cruz Pushes to Expand Emergency Relief for U.S. Chambers of Commerce HOUSTON, Texas – With more than 30 million Americans unemployed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, now more than ever, it’s important that small businesses are best equipped to jumpstart the economy. Chambers of commerce provide valuable support to job creators and businesses, which is why U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today announced his intention to introduce legislation to ensure chambers have access to emergency relief funding provided under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP continues to be extremely successful in Texas, with roughly 134,000 different loans approved since the program was enacted, totaling nearly $29 billion.

Upon announcing the bill, Sen. Cruz said:

“As small businesses work to re-open their doors, they’ll need access to the resources and tools offered

by U.S. Chambers of Commerce. Nearly half of small businesses in Texas are a member of their local c h a m b e r. T h e y ’ l l b e looking to their chambers for guidance and support as we work to jumpstart the economy and get people back to work. We simply cannot allow these Chambers to go under at a time when they’re needed most.”

Last week, Sen. Cruz sent a letter to Jovita Carranza, Administrator for the Small Business Administration (SBA), requesting access for chambers of commerce and other 501(c)(6) organizations to the PPP. This month, Sen. Cruz has spoken with Texans in

nearly 30 cities who have raised this concern during his virtual statewide teletour.

In the letter he called chambers “incubators of growth,” writing: “When we emerge from this pandemic and re-open the American economy, the members of the more than 6,500 chambers of commerce throughout the U.S. will be in urgent need of the services these organizations provide in order to effectuate a swift recovery. In my state, roughly half of all small businesses belong to their local chamber of commerce. Hispanic chambers in particular are working diligently to protect a community that is especially vulnerable to high unemployment. Their efforts demonstrate just how valuable these

organizations are, not only to their members, but also to the health of our entire economy. Chambers assist in matching those seeking work with firms who are hiring; attracting skilled workers to their communities and in training local talent; securing funding and designing effective marketing strategies to quickly reclaim market share along with myriad other efforts to support their members. Chambers of commerce would therefore be using PPP proceeds to retain personnel whose core job function is enabling businesses in their communities to grow and thrive. If we allow these incubators of growth and innovation to go under, it will seriously delay our economy's ability to recover from this crisis.”

Governor Abbott, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Announce Free Online Training For Child Care Providers During COVID-19 Response AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service today announced a series of free online trainings for child care providers and parents who are either in need of, or who will be providing care for, children of essential employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first three trainings are available on Texas A&M AgriLife’s online learning platform.

Additional free training sessions will be rolled out incrementally and will address health and safety guidelines, practices for staffing, essential materials for child care operations, developmentally appropriate activities, adult-child interactions and more. Trainings will also address topics such as emergency management planning, stress management and self-care for caregivers, planning at-home activities for children, parent-child communication, and supporting

children’s emotional needs. Additionally, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott provided an introductory video for the child care training sessions.

"These trainings provide crucial health and safety information to parents and child care providers affected by the COVID-19 response, and ensure that providers and parents alike have the tools they need to effectively care for young Texans," said Governor Abbott. "I am grateful for this ongoing collaboration with our public and private partners to support Texans throughout this challenging time."

"AgriLife Extension has long been a leader in providing practical, research-based, objective information to the people of Texas so we are very well positioned to help them address various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic," said AgriLife Extension director Jeff Hyde, Ph.D. "I’m proud that we were able to

develop these trainings to help support the Texas Frontline Child Care Task Force in providing important information and assistance to essential employees and their children during this difficult time."

"In my role leading the Frontline Child Care Task Force and as chair of the Texas A&M Board of Regents, I knew the people in AgriLife Extension not only had the knowledge and expertise needed to develop these online trainings, they also had credibility with child care providers," said Texas Frontline Child Care Task Force Chair Elaine Mendoza said. "I asked Dr. Stephen Green, head of AgriLife Extens i o n ’s F a m i l y a n d Community Health Unit, to put together a team of early childhood experts from his agency and any state agencies that could advise and support them in developing a series of trainings."

These online training

courses were developed through a collaboration between the Governor's Texas Frontline Child Care Task Force, specialists in child and early child development, health, disaster assessment and recovery and family economics from AgriLife's Family and Community Health Unit.

It also included experts from the Texas Association for the Education of Young Children, Children’s Learning Institute, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Health and Human Services Commission and Texas Department of State Health Services.

The first three trainings available now are: * Special Considerations for Infection Control During COVID19 * High-Quality Emergency Child Care During COVID-19 * When & How to Provide Child Care During COVID-19

Montgomery County News, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Page 5

www.montgomerycountynews.net

Devotional

All Mothers Have Two Important Jobs In Life Spreading the Word

By Gail J. Box Gailbox@consolidated.net

I don’t remember ever looking up the word, “mother” in the dictionary, but this week I did. Very simply it says: “a woman in relation to a child to whom she has given birth.”

(Oxford Dictionary of Current English.) That was nice, but a mother is so much more than giving birth to a child.

Let me count the words to embellish on that. A mother is: a nurturer, one who lavishes love to all without conditions, a

comfort in times of trouble or danger, a guide to all things good, a pray-er, a support, one who cooks, cleans, and washes, a joyspreader, perhaps a singer and one who always gives good gifts to all. She speaks with words of wisdom in all situations, along with bringing to the family…hope, faith and love.

I thank the Lord for godly mothers who give us time to enjoy being with them and for sharing their lives with us., Let’s take a look at Jesus’ mother, Mary, who actually became the starting pint of His ministry, so long ago. It took place in Cana, a lovely small town in Israel near Nazareth. Jesus went to a wedding with His disciples

Area Churches This Devotional and Directory page is made possible by these businesses

ASSEMBLY OF GOD Cornerstone Christian Assembly of God of Conroe, located at 100 M o s s w o o d D r. , Conroe, Texas in front of River Plantation.

936-273-1755 New Life Assembly of God, Rabon Chapel Road, Montgomery, 936-588-3399 BAPTIST Church of the Good Soldier (Baptist Affiliation), 1501 North Frazier (McKenzie's BBQ), C o n r o e , Te x a s , Phone: 936-4945 7 7 5 , www.churchofthegoo dsoldier.org.

Worship: Sunday at 10:30am, Sunday School: 9:30 am Heritage Baptist Church19087 Lake Mt. Pleasant Rd, Montgomery 77356 Phone: Pastor Bear 936 448-4027 Gary Chapel Baptist Church PO Box 125, Montgomery, Texas 77356, 5525 Spring Branch Road, Montgomery. 713-4781256, Sunday Bible Class 10:00 am, Worship Service at 11:00 am.

Faith Baptist Church Meets at 464 McCaleb Rd. Sunday Morning Bible Study 9:30 a.m.

Wo r s h i p S e r v i c e 10:45 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.

St. Beulah Baptist Church, located in Dobbin, P.O. Box 112, Montgomery, 77356 Benui Baptist Church, Scott Ridge and FM 1097, Montgomery Antioch Baptist, Dobbin, 936-5975560 China Grove Baptist Church, Willis, 936-767-4744 Dacus Baptist, Dacus, 407-735-6403, dacusbaptist@consol

i d a t e d . n e t www.dacusbaptist.or gFirst Baptist Church, H w y 1 0 5 W. , Montgomery, 936597-4230 Honea Baptist Church, FM 2854, Montgomery, 936-588-1260 Jones Chapel Baptist, FM 2854, 936-7562505 Mt. Calvary Baptist, Old Hwy 105, 936588-2330 Mt. Sinai Baptist, Bethel Road, Montgomery, 936597-4668 Union Grove Baptist About 11 mi N of Montgomery on FM 149 Service 10:50, Sunday 9:45 CATHOLIC Sacred Heart Catholic, 109 N. Frazier, Conroe, 936-756-8186 S t . M a r y ’s Catholic, F M 1 7 7 4 , Plantersville, 936-894-2223 7:45 Service St. Joseph’s Catholic, CR 213, Stoneham, 936-894-2223 JEWISH Congregation Beth Shalom, 5125 Shadowbend Place, The Woodlands, 281-362-1100 LUTHERAN Grace Lutheran (ELCA), Highway 105 W., Lake Conroe, 936588-1944 Living Savior Lutheran ChurchLCMS 309 Pond St. Montgomery 77356 Church phone: 9365 9 7 - 8 0 1 3 We b : www.livingsaviortex as.org Pastor David R. Bailes.

METHODIST Montgomery United Methodist Church

and his mother, Mary.

Sometime during the wedding celebration, all the wine was gone. Mary quietly told Jesus about the problem. Jesus didn’t think this was the time for His miracles to appear, but He did what she asked, and the water became wine.

What is the end of this seemingly “small” story?

Here is an explanation found in John 2:11: “This beginning of His signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory, and His disciples believed in Him.” So here, we see that Jesus, even though a grown man, knew His mother could also hear from God and would help Him begin His ministry on earth. It

was done in such a way that all Jesus’ disciples then realized they had truly been chosen by God to be the Lord’s helpers during His ministry on earth.

I believe the greatest purpose a mother can accomplish is to raise up their children to know the Lord. It starts early in life for them. We always had our children in church and going to church outings when possible.

I have a few of my friends who are mothers, share what their mothers did for them to help them become the Christian person they are today. Here are their memories: “My mother always prayed for me and my siblings. She would go

from one bed to another, kneeling and praying for each on after we went to sleep. But I stayed awake the whole time to hear her pray. She was my example of true Christian meekness in the way she sacrificed her simple life so we, her children, could be strong in our lives.” S. “Although my mother passed away when I was two years old, I knew she had prayed for me before I was born. So, I was mentored to by my father, as he also had strong Christian beliefs as did my mother who passed away.

All of the family then were brought up going to church on Sundays. “ B. “My mom always saw that all four of her children

went to church with neighbors who picked us up every Sunday morning. I never missed a Sunday and have followed the Lord to this very day. I just always knew I had to be in church every Sunday. And besides, I liked it!” G. So mothers have two very important jobs. The first is God-given…to have children if possible. The second is to train those children to know and love God, who created them.

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY on May 10th, next Sunday, to all mothers!

May God bless you and thank you for all you do for your family.

22548 Highway 105 West Montgomery, TX 77356 Phone: 936-5976162 Sunday Worship: 8:30 a.m., 9:45 am., 11:00 a.m. Praise & Worship Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.

Www.mumctex.or g Richards United Methodist Church 6639 FM 1696 Richards Worship Service 11 AM Sunday School 10AM Porter Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, 1308 S. Hwy 1486, Dobbin, 936-597-5331 or 936-449-5983 L i v i n g Wa y Church, 2080 Longmire Rd, Conroe 936-441-8875 Hope Tabernacle Pastor David Whitaker Meets at 18961 Freeport Dr Montgomery 936.582.7722 Thursday 7:30pm Sunday School at 10:00am Sunday Worship at 6:00pm Community And Interdenominational Lone Star Cowboy Church 21627 Eva St. Montgomery, TX 77356 (936) 597-5742 Pastors Randy & Darla Weaver S e r v i c e Ti m e s : Sundays 8:30; 10:00 and 11:30am Mondays 7:00pm Livestream: Watch us live Sundays & M o n d a y s @ live.lonestar.tv or go to the Lone Star Cowboy Church Facebook page and click on the Livestream link.

W e b s i t e : www.lonestar.tv Abundant Life Ministries Corner of FM 149 & FM 1097 W. Montgomery TX 77356 Prayer /Sunday School 9:30 am Sunday Service 11:30 a m We d n e s d a y

Pray/Bible Study 6:30 pm RiverStone Community Church 19380 Hwy 105 Ste. 500 Montgomery, TX 77356 Sun: 9:00 Kingdom Life, 10:30 Worship Wed: 6:30 p.m.

RiverStoneCC.org April Sound Church, 67 ½ April Wind S., April Sound, 936588-2832 Lighthouse Fellowship Church, Montgomery, 936582-7700 Living Branch Church, Highway 105 W., Lake Conroe, 936588-3400 New Beginning Bible Church, 19087 Mt. Pleasant Cemetary Rd, 936597-8921 Father ’s House, F a m i l y Wo r s h i p Center, Highway 105 W, Lake Conroe, 936588-4660 Walden Community Church, 12400 Walden Rd, Walden, 936-5826696 Services 9:30 and 11 a.m.

WaldenChurch.co m River of Life Church, 17156 FM 1097, Montgomery, 936449-4414 Cornerstone Church, 1011 W. Lewis, Conroe, 936-756-7792 Lakeside Bible Church, 18940 Freeport Drive Montgomery, 936582-1977 Church of St. John, retreat and wildlife center, 2615 St. Beulah Chapel Rd., Montgomery, 936-5975757 Fellowship of Montgomery Pastor: D r. D a l e Ta l b e r t Executive Pastor: Dr. Brian Roberson 12681 FM 149 Worship Service: 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Children

& Student Ministries: 6:30 p.m.

936.597.3949 www.fellowshipof montgomery.net EPISCOPAL St. James the Apostle Episcopal, 1803 Highland Hollow, Conroe, 936756-8831 The Grace Christian Outreach Center 25293 Tis dale Road, Dobbin, Texas 936-689-3141 Mt. Pleasent Baptist Church FM 149 N., Montgomery, 936-4496807 The Church @ Lake Conroe 1701 McCaleb Rd Montgomery, TX 77316 936-588-4975 www.lakechurch.c om Sunday worship @ 1 0 : 0 0 a . m . We d . activites 6:30-8pm North Shore Church 10 am Worship Service 18501 Fm1097 West @ the Bentwater West Gate Entrance Pastor Cary Smith Covenant Fellowship

302 N. Danville, Willis, Tx. 77378 936/890-8034 www.cfmlife.org Celebration Service 10am Sundays Youth Explosing 7pm Wednesdays Pastors Sean & Lori Jo Cook PRESBYTERIAN First Presbyterian Church of Conroe 2727 N. Loop 336 West Conroe, Texas 936756-8884 Sun. 9:00 & 11:00 Sun Sch 10:00 Nursery provided Church of Christ in Montgomery 301 Pond Street, Montgomery, TX. Sunday Bible Class - 9:30 am Worship - 10:30 am and 6:00 pm Wednesday - 7:00 pm Phone: 936-5824855 E m a i l : cofcmontgomery@co nsolidated.net W e b : www.cofcmontgomer y.org Paul Praschnik, Minister

Page 6, Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Montgomery County News

LEGAL

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LEGAL

PUBLIC NOTICE On April 28, 2020, Entergy Texas, Inc. (“ETI” or “the Company”) and East Texas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“ETEC”) filed a Joint Application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“PUCT” or “Commission”) requesting to amend ETI's certificate of convenience and necessity (“CCN”) in connection with ETI's acquisition of the Hardin County Peaking Facility (“Hardin Facility”) from ETEC pursuant to Public Utility Regulatory Act (“PURA”) §§ 37.056 and 39.452(j), including associated assets and common facilities, and authorization to further amend ETI's CCN to reflect a sale of a partial interest (75 megawatts (“MW”)) in the Montgomery County Power Station (“MCPS”) to ETEC (together, “the Transactions”) pursuant to PURA § 37.154. The Joint Application also seeks a Commission determination that the purchase of the Hardin Facility from ETEC is consistent with the public interest pursuant to PURA § 14.101, as well as a determination that the full acquisition cost, including transaction costs, of the Hardin Facility is recoverable invested capital for ratemaking purposes pursuant to PURA § 37.058(c). However, ETI is not seeking a change in rates as part of this proceeding.

The Transactions are interdependent in that one may not occur without the other.

The Transactions are expected to close in mid-2021. The Transactions will provide a number of benefits to ETI, ETEC, and their customers, including generation resource portfolio diversification and the addition of peaking and reserve generation capacity for ETI and base load and core-load following capacity for ETEC. The agreed purchase price for the Hardin Facility is the net book value of that asset at the time of closing, which is currently estimated to be $36.0 million. In addition, ETI expects to incur transaction costs of $2.7 million and has allocated a $5.3 million contingency for unidentified costs. The agreed sale price for the partial interest in MCPS is currently estimated to be $71.1 million.

If the PUCT adopts the 45-day intervention deadline proposed in the Joint Application, the deadline to intervene will be June 12, 2020, and a letter requesting intervention should be received by the PUCT, at its address provided below, by that date. A prehearing conference is expected to be held in Austin, Texas in the near future. Persons who wish to intervene in or comment upon these proceedings, or obtain further information, should contact the Public Utility Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326, or call the PUCT's Office of Consumer Protection at 512-9367120 or 1-888-782-8477. Hearing and speech impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the PUCT at 512-936-7136 or use Relay Texas (toll-free) 1-800-7352988. All communications should refer to Docket No. 50790, and any request to intervene in that proceeding should include an email address and fax number (if available) as contact information. Persons with questions or who want more information about this Joint Application may contact ETI at 350 Pine Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, or call (409) 9812602 during normal business hours. A complete copy of the Joint Application is available upon request. A copy of the Joint Application may also be viewed on the Commission's webpage at www.puc.state.tx.us. The Commission maintains an electronic copy of all filings on the “Interchange Filing Search” section of its webpage. The control number for this proceeding is 50790.

Published Date: May 6, 2020

LEGAL

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PUBLIC NOTICE AT & T M o b i l i t y, L LC i s p r o p o s i n g t o c o n s t r u c t a n e w telecommunications tower facility located at 3383 South Panther Creek Dr., Spring, Montgomery County, TX. The new facility will consist of a 30-foot steel pole telecommunications tower. Any interested party wishing to submit comments regarding the potential effects the proposed facility may have on any historic property may do so by sending comments to: Project 6120003199 JFN c/o EBI Consulting, 6876 Susquehanna Trail South, York, PA 17403, or via telephone at (717) 428-0401.

Published Date: May 6, 2020 PUBLIC NOTICE Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District Public Hearings on Permit Applications, Special Hearing, and Regular Board Meeting.

6:00 PM, Tuesday, May 12, 2020 655 Conroe Park North Drive Conroe, TX 77303 Published Date: May 6, 2020 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Judy B. Sloop, Deceased, were issued on the 14th day of April 2020, in Cause No. 20-39149-P, pending in County Court at Law No. 2, Montgomery County, Texas, to: Wendy Sloop Jordan.

All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law. c/o: Robin L. Apostolakis Stilwell, Earl & Apostolakis, LLP 1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Ste. 590 The Woodlands, TX 77380 DATED the 1st day of May 2020.

By: /s/Robin L. Apostolakis Robin L. Apostolakis State Bar No. 24045416 1400 Woodloch Forest Drive, Ste. 590 The Woodlands, TX 77380 NOTICE TO ALL PERSONS HAVING CLAIMS AGAINST Telephone: (281) 419-6200 THE ESTATE OF JOHN ALBERT THORNTON, DECEASED Facsimile: (281) 419-0250 Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of John Albert Thornton were issued on April 17, 2020 in Cause No. 20-39160-P, pending in the www.woodlandstxlawfirm.com County Court No. 2, Montgomery County, Texas, to: Edna L. Thornton Published Date: May 6, 2020 The residence of such Executrix is Montgomery County, Texas. The post office address is: CITATION BY PUBLICATION C/O JAMES H. JASPER, Attorney at Law Application to Determine Heirship P. 0. Box 1675, Cleveland, Texas 77328 All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being CLERK OF THE COURT ATTORNEY OF RECORD OR PERSON FILING CAUSE administered are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by MARK TURNBULL DAVID S BORGER law.

P.O. BOX 959 1095 EVERGREEN CIRCLE STE 200 DATED this the 4th day of May, 2020.

CONROE, TX 77305 THE WOODLANDS TX 77380 /s/ James H. Jasper JAMES H. JASPER, Attorney for the Estate THE STATE OF TEXAS Published Date: May 6, 2020 TO: The unknown heirs of the ESTATE OF: Albert John Phillips, Deceased

Legal advertisers please allow 7 days for the Publisher’s Affidavit to be E-Filed or returned to your office.

Thank you, Montgomery County News

GREETING: You are commanded to appear and answer to the Application to Determine Heirship filed by Phillips, at or before 10 O'clock A.M. of the first Monday after the expiration of Ten (10) days from the date of Publication of this Citation, before the Honorable County Court at Law #2 of MONTGOMERY County, at the Courthouse in Conroe, Texas. Said application was filed on the April 16, 2020.

The file number of said matter being: 20-39371-P The style being: ESTATE OF: Albert John Phillips The nature of said proceeding being substantially as follows, to wit: Determine who the heirs and only heirs of the decedent are and their respective shares and interests in this estate; that no appraisers be appointed; and for all other relief to which applicant may be entitled.

GIVEN under my hand and seal of said Court, in CONROE, Texas, this 5th day of May, 2020.

5/5/2020 9:38:03 AM (SEAL, County Court at Law #2) MARK TURNBULL, COUNTY CLERK MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TEXAS Eloisa Salinas, Deputy ELOISA SALINAS Published Date: May 6, 2020

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Wednesday, May 6, 2020, Montgomery County New, Page 7

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Returning to work post COVID-19 AgriLife Extension offers tips for alleviating concerns, stresses as businesses open Returning to work after six weeks under the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown can cause differing amounts of emotions – disbelief, fear and even anger – among workers, much like after a disaster.

But employers and coworkers alike can watch for signs of emotional impact over the coming weeks and months, to ensure everyone is finding their way back to a new normal, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service specialist.

When states, cities and workplaces begin reopening, COVID-19 won’t be gone, nor will the concerns that surround it, said Miquela Smith, AgriLife Extension health specialist, Amarillo.

Some workers will gladly head back to their o ff i c e s a n d p l a c e s o f business, while others will do so with trepidation, Smith said.

Returning to work Many Americans with management and professional occupations will be able to continue working from home, while those with service, production and maintenance-related jobs will have to physically return to work, she said.

Employees who can continue to work from home will inherently be at a lower risk of exposure to the virus compared to those who cannot.

This will disproportionately affect Americans with lower education levels because they are less likely to occupy professional and management positions that might allow them to work from home, Smith said.

“Minimizing employees’ potential exposure to COVID-19 must be a top p r i o r i t y, ” s h e s a i d .

“The CDC offers

resources on their website for businesses and employers to help them prepare to safely reopen. Reopening businesses will come with challenges and people will respond differently to being back at work.”

Some people may have lost loved ones or know someone who got sick, so it will hit close to home, Smith said. Others may have anxiety about returning to work safely; or about finding safe daycare for their children, who are not returning to school.

Others will be tired of being at home and will welcome the opportunity to go about life as if nothing is happening.

“Each of our lives have been altered and directly impacted by this crisis,” she said. “Crisis situations affect people differently and just because a person is not responding to the pandemic in the way you think they should, does not mean they are unaffected.

Returning to work after a pandemic is new territory for all of us, and we must have patience with ourselves and others while we navigate the process.”

Emotional stress and well-being Employers and coworkers should watch for signs of emotional impact over the coming weeks and months. Signs someone may be struggling in their return to the workplace include changes in performance and productivity, such as missing deadlines, calling in sick frequently, absenteeism, irritability and anger, difficulty concentrating and making decisions, withdrawal from work activity, and difficulty with work transitions or changes in routines.

Smith suggested

employers will need to educate supervisors and managers to be aware of the signs of emotional distress, and to encourage staff to seek treatment when necessary. One program that is offered by AgriLife Extension, Mental Health First Aid, teaches these exact skills. That program is in the process of being modified so it may be offered on a fully virtual platform soon.

“While each business will dictate how they come back online and what will be expected of their employees, it is important to remind them that support among colleagues can help employees work through difficulties,” she said.

Initially, it may also be important to reconsider travel needs, as employees, clients and other individuals may be hesitant to make business trips for some time. Consider postponing or canceling upcoming

conferences and other meetings that require travel.

Do’s and don’ts upon returning to work Key messages Smith offered for individuals to help facilitate a safe return to the workplace include: * Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available * Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. * Follow the policies and procedures of your employer related to illness, cleaning and disinfecting, work meetings and travel.

Continue to follow guidelines from state and local authorities for using face coverings in public spaces. * C l e a n a n d disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in your work area,

including keyboards, phones, handrails and doorknobs. * Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. * Inform your supervisor if you have a sick family member at home with COVID-19. * Avoid using other employees’ phones, desks, offices, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. If necessary, clean and disinfect them before and after use. * Know what to expect o f y o u r s e l f . Yo u m a y experience a variety of emotions after returning to work, which is normal.

Talking about your feelings with someone you trust is a healthy way to process this evolving situation. * Continue to take care of yourself. Eat well, get plenty of rest and exercise, spend time with those closest to you. * Take care of your

children and your family.

Parents could be concerned about their children’s wellbeing when they must return to work. Make sure your children know proper hygiene practices and let them talk about what is going on to help reassure them. * Seek help if you need to. If your feelings are too much to bear, seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Mental health problems—in general and in response to a major event such as the pandemic—are real, diagnosable and treatable. * Know your rights and the COVID-19-related guidance that has been given for your specific industry by visiting the CDC website and the Occupational Safety a n d H e a l t h Administration website.

Planting for Pollinators and Other Wildlife Pollinators are not just bees, but include butterflies, moths, birds, beetles, wasps, flies, and even small mammals. These creatures depend on pollen as a food source and spend their time visiting plants and collecting and depositing pollen. We can help them, and in turn they help us by pollinating crops for food we eat and

between 75%-95% of all flowering plants. (pollinator.org) Why pollinators are so important Not only do pollinators provide pollination services for our flowers and plants and crops worldwide, they also help support our ecosystems. These ecosystems include critical

Opportunities Rising

the largest systems of higher education in the nation with a budget of $6.3 billion. The System is a statewide network of 11 universities; a comprehensive health science center; eight state agencies, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management; and the RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M System educates more than 151,000 students and makes more than 22 million additional educational contacts through service and outreach p r o g r a m s e a c h y e a r.

System-wide, research and development expenditures exceeded $1 billion in FY 2019 and helped drive the state’s economy.

by Nitaschiro Today more than ever pollinators need our help.

Whether you are a farmer, large land manager, or a home gardener, you can attract pollinators to visit your area when you decide to plant essential habitat and food sources that pollinators need.

Who pollinators are

from page 1 prices for West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark for crude oil, plummeted below zero last week.

“Life is very similar one year from now to where we were three months ago,” Hallermann told the Chancellor.

The discussion is part of a series of television shows called, “COVID-19: The Te x a s A & M S y s t e m Responds.” Chancellor Sharp is interviewing leading experts to help Texans understand the

pandemic and all of its implications.

The show will air 7 p.m.

Thursday on KAMU-TV in College Station and on other Texas public television affiliates. (Check local listings in Dallas, Austin, and Amarillo.) It also will be available on the System’s Y o u T u b e channel. https://youtu.be/ye R9ZtZgLXY About The Texas A&M University System T h e Te x a s A & M University System is one of

resources for clean air, stabilization of soil, and other wildlife. A healthy pollinator community also helps support our native bird population as well as other animals that are part of the natural food chain.

Pollinator populations are changing. Many pollinator populations are in decline.

According to the National Park Service website (nps.gov), the reasons for the decline include – habitat loss, use of pesticides, planting of non-native species, urban development, climate change and parasites and diseases

Making small changes can have a big impact, but we need to act.

What we can do to help pollinators * Plant more native plants and trees * Reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides * Spread the word about pollinators * Conserve resources and reduce your impact For more information about pollinators and how to National Wildlife help them, here are a few Federation: https://www.nwf resources: .org/Our-Work/Habitats T h e X e r c e s Native Plant Society of Society: https://www.xerces.

Texas https://npsot.org/wp/r org/pollinator-conservation esources/finding-natives/

Page 8, Montgomery County News, Wednesday, May 6, 2020

www.montgomerycountynews.net

MCTXSheriff Food Drive was a Huge Success Sadly, many of our hard working citizens were impacted by the COVID19 pandemic, and unable to work causing many to go without. On Thursday April 23, 2020 we put out a

call for help as part of our Community First initiative, and our community answered our call. In just two days, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our community, you

helped donate 17,747 pounds of food! In addition to the food donations, Montgomery County is also filled with caring business owners such as ServPro of The Wood-

lands/Conroe who donated the use of a large truck for three days to help us move the food to the Montgomery County Food Bank.

Sheriff Rand Henderson states, "During the Covid-

19 global pandemic, the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office has been blessed with community support. This is just another example of why Montgomery County is

such an incredible place to live and work. Where else can we come together as a community and raise 8.9 tons of food to help our neighbors in a time of need."

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