News

Wayne Bowman, Hunt County Master Gardener, discusses factors in attracting butterflies and repelling armadillos

Derek Price, author of the "Cargazing" column in the Herald-Banner and syndicated nationally, reflects on a list of 20 cars and trucks selling better this year in the coronavirus pandemic than last year, such as the Chevrolet Silverado.  Most auto sales have fallen drastically.  Derek, owner of Celebrate Media Group in Greenville, says he's seen the demand for live streaming vid

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This week, Luke visits with fishing guide Andy Cochran (719-850-9789 - www.gsofishing.com)  and talks about fishing opportunities around Gunnison Colorado. 

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie critic, reviews  the new Tom Hanks movie "Greyhound," a World War II naval convoy story, which is new on Apple TV.  Alice says four more Hanks movies are scheduled to be released during the next year, “News of the World,” “Elvis” (in which Hanks plays Elvis Presley's manager Col. Tom Parker), “Bios” and Disney’s live action “Pinocchio.”

Steve Killian, superintendent of Cooper Lake State Park, says a fisherman recently. set a new rod-and-reelrecord for the lake by catching a 55.33 pound flathead catfish. Steve says fishing at the lake has been good in general lately.   Texas Parks and Wildlife warns that drownings are up 30% this year, and Steve offers tips on safe swimming.

Byron Taylor, the president and CEO of the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, says the chamber's Casino Night and Auction scheduled for Saturday, July 25 has been postponed until Saturday, October 3 because of the coronavirus resurgence.  The chamber's annual golf tournament Friday, September 11 at Webb Hill Country Club is still on for now, with sponsors and teams now signing up.

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, relates the story of J.D. (Duke) Jernigan, Jr., grandson of Commerce co-founder William Jernigan, who received acclaim as a star aviator during the Great Depression.  He made a cross-country flight for Texaco towing a glider, and later became a top executive with the company. An historical designation is being sough for the home of Duke Jernigan's family on Bonham Street in Commerce.

Kim Saenz, director of the Hunt Regional Emergency Centers in Commerce and Quinlan, says they're providing coronavirus testing to people who turn up at the emegency centers, although there are places in Hunt County better suited to provide testing for people without symptoms, such as the office of their personal physician or minor-care or urgent-care facilities.

Making the most of any outdoor outing equates to a positive attitude and the ability to remain flexible. After all, we don’t always catch a limit of fish or shoot a big whitetail buck but if we take the time to truly relish our time spent in the outdoors, we benefit by returning home rejuvenated and refreshed.  A couple days spent last week with two great friends, Jeff Rice and Larry Weishuhn aka. “Mr. Whitetail” is a good case in point.

FORMULA FOR FUN IN THE OUTDOORS

by Luke Clayton

Dan Semprini, coordinator of fitness and well being at the Morris Recreation Center at Texas A&M-Commerce, says the MRC is open again for individuals who want to exercise.  But Dan says there are many ways to stay fit at home and on your own.  The MRC offers a number of virtual exercise classes at Active Anywhere.

State Rep. Dan Flynn has represented House District 2 – composed of Hopkins, Hunt and Van Zandt counties – in the Texas Legislature since 2003. It’s a solidly Republican district and whoever gets the GOP nomination will be the favorite to join other lawmakers when the 2021 session begins next January.

Sarah Latham, Rains County Agrilife Extension Agent, discusses a recent chart produced by the Texas Medical Association, and shared on the Rains County Agrilife Facebook page, that shows the relative probability of catching the coronavirus from various activities.  Sarah also comments on a perennial summer problem in Texas, avoiding ticks.

Carol Taylor, chairman of the Hunt County Historical Commission, relates the story of Lt. Truett Majors, the U.S. Army Air Corps pilot who died on Dec. 8, 1941 in the Japanese attack on the Phillippines, and for whom Greenville's Majors Field Airport is named.

Sharon Feldt of Sulphur Springs, our books commentator, says Northeast Texas native Reavis Wortham's latest novel featuring the Texas Ranger Sonny Hawke, "Hawke's Fury," maintains the humor and action of the previous Hawke books.  Wortham is from Paris.  Sharon also reviews two books by East Texas author Maryann Miller,

Dr. Kent Montgomery, head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at A&M-Commerce, reflects on recent stories about the U.S.

Setting under the covered boathouse at Mill Creek Resort on Lake Texoma last week several boats loaded with anglers anxious to get out on the water for a morning of striper fishing were sipping coffee and making small talk. I was in one of these boats, along with my grandson Jackson Zimmerman and good friend Jeff Rice.  Rain was pounding on the metal roof above us and off in the distance, lightening was popping and thunder booming.

TEXOMA STRIPER FISHING, AS GOOD AS IT GETS 

by Luke Clayton

Alice Reese, Herald-Banner movie reviewer, says the Majestic 12 movie theater in Greenville has reopened along with Cinemax theaters in Dallas.  Alice discusses the top streaming movies, including the no. 1 movie, "Bad Boys for Life."

Enola Gay Matthews, long-time KSST radio broadcaster, recently received the "Yellow Rose of Texas" honor from the governor's office. The honor is presented to Texas women for exceptional community service, and is the "highest award bestowed to women by the Texas governor."   Jalinna Jones of Commerce won the honor in 2015.