News

    Jackson County Sheriff Andy Louderback and Officer Craig Repka spoke to Industrial Independent School District board members on Dec. 9 about their position on having selected school employees armed to respond if there ever was a threat by an individual carrying a weapon at any of the IISD campuses.
    “The whole community felt like the school board needed to hear their views on weapons and school employees,” Superintendent Tony Williams said.
    Louderback said he wanted board members to understand the options available and what law enforcement is seeing on a daily basis with society. 
    He said gun-free zone signs declare that the establishment is gun free. Louderback said the sign doesn’t do any good when someone comes into the zone with a gun who intends on killing people. The sign also tells the armed intruder there are no guns on the premises so they can walk in and shoot people without being shot. 

    The Wellness Center at the Jackson County Hospital District has been well-received by the community, according to Bill Jones, CEO and administrator. Jones gave an update on the Wellness Center at the Dec. 19 monthly board meeting.
    “After two months of operation the Wellness Center is holding steady at about 180 public memberships,” he said.
    The center is busiest in the early morning and early evening, he added. Another 90 hospital district employees and their families have joined the Wellness Center. Jones said the gym sees the most activity from the public, while the pool is being used mainly by physical therapy patients.
    “With the initial rush of individual memberships leveled off, the district will now look to partner with groups, churches, businesses and organizations to help with employee wellness,” he said. Corporate group rates are available by calling the hospital.

Edna High School principal Demetric Wells gave a report on random drug testing at the Dec. 12 school board meeting. He shared the data that was provided from the drug testing. Three random drug testing periods took place at the Edna High School during the first semester. Wells said out of the 56 students that were randomly selected only three of them tested positive. Only one of the three students were involved in extracurricular activities. All of the students who tested positive are not allowed to be a part of any extracurricular activity for 30 days and will receive counseling, he said. 
    “Every student signs a consent form when they are getting ready to be drug tested,” Wells said.
    Wells said there will be 180 more random drug tests taken during the spring semester that will cover more students at the high school and some students at Edna Junior High School.

    Driving on SH Hwy. 111 S. should be safer with the Edna City Council’s passing an ordinance prohibiting parking on the side of the road between Division St. and Simons St. The council met on Dec. 19.
    Robert Mozisek, maintenance supervisor for TxDOT, noticed an unsafe condition with parking between the two intersections and contacted Police Chief Clinton Wooldridge, who agreed.
    The ordinance, which only required one reading, becomes effective immediately.

Eddie Francis - 1400 N. Wells #1115, Edna

Donnie and Claudine Slatter - 701 Bruce St., Ganado

Candace Flores - 804 Progress, Edna

The Jackson County Hospital District once again sponsored an Angel Tree to provide toys for needy children. From left are Deidra Gaskin, Vicki Kaelin from CPS Foster Adopt, Deanna Delgado,  Bill Jones, CEO and administrator; Melissa Hannings from CPS Foster Adopt, and Kenny Barber.