Web Site: www.rainscountyleader.come-mail: news@rainscountyleader.comYour Hometown Newspaper Since 1887

EMORY, TEXAS – THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021Vol. 135, Issue 20 – 10 pages plus insert PRICE 75¢

RAINRAIN REPORTREPORTNo rain reported last weekNo rain reported last week

Total for OctoberTotal for October .......................................... .......................................... 33.4.477Total for yearTotal for year .............................................. .............................................. 443.373.37

City Girl:City Girl:Problems behindProblems behind

the salethe salepage 4page 4

Wildcat SportsWildcat Sportspage 10page 10

Bartee Haile:Bartee Haile:King FisherKing Fisher

outlaw empireoutlaw empirepage 8page 8

SPOTLIGHT

Byrd brings the Rains County Public Library into the 21st Century By JUDY KRAMER

Rains County Leader contributor

Wendy Byrd was working on indigent health care for Rains County Judge Joe R. Dougherty, about a dozen years ago, when the position of Rains County Pub-lic Librarian opened up in Emory. Judge Dougherty encouraged Byrd to apply. At fi rst, she hesitated to act because her degree was a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and there were about eight or nine other applicants with quali-fi cations that included Master’s degrees in Library Science. But, she did apply, and her ideas for bringing the library into the 21st Century helped her land the job, and she has since revitalized the library into a welcoming, comfortable and fun place for kids and adults.

“When I took over the library, 11 years ago, it had kind of died,” said Byrd. “It was stale and needed weed-ing. With the help of Friends of the Rains County Public Library, I decided to upgrade and modernize it. The old

school way of running libraries was to make sure everyone was quiet all the time, and drinks and food were not allowed in the building. I visualized kids sitting on bean bags, having snacks dur-ing story time or summer reading, and adults taking their coffee cups (lidded) with them as they sat down with a book. I began refreshing the place by putting in new shelving and carpeting, painting and allowing snacks during special pro-grams. I asked for some advice from the high school librarian who told me that a lot of students were afraid of the library. I didn’t want that to happen. I wanted it to be friendly and encouraging.”

Byrd says that the summer reading program was the fi rst thing to be started during her revitalizing, and now there is story time and public computers. Other special occasions include visits from authors, including four local authors whose photos hang on a library wall.

Byrd was born and raised in Emory. After high school she left town to attend South West Texas State University,

graduating in 1988 with her BBA. She returned to Emory, then moved to Dallas where she worked for Die Crafters, Inc. until she married Mark Byrd in 1994.

“Mark and I lived in Greenville when we married, and we agreed that I needed to stop working in Dallas and fi nd a job that was a shorter commute,” said Byrd. “We lived in Greenville for a while, moved to Hopkins County, and eventu-ally moved to Emory in 2006.”

Mark Byrd is a truck driver who once worked for Lance, Inc. until the com-pany closed its trucking department. He now drives for Mohawk Flooring, Inc. The Byrds have a son, Jared, who is a lineman in Missouri. Wendy Byrd said that Jared had wanted to be a game warden since he was a child, and he moved to Missouri to get the education he needed to realize his dream. How-ever, he found out that the pay was not very high, so he switched from getting educated as a game warden to becom-

Winning ticket

Leader photo by CHUCK FITTS

Brayden Dewayne Smith, with the help of his grandmother, Tammy Wedeking, redeems his winning ticket during a raffl e that was held Tuesday evening. The two were attending Emory’s National Night Out at Sandy Creek Park, where hotdogs, chips and drinks were offered to those in attendance.

EMORY SPOOKTACULAR

Emory to host Halloween events

The City of Emory is set to host its annual Halloween festivities this weekend at the city’s Sandy Creek Park.

On Friday and Saturday night, October 29 and 30, every-one is welcomed to come out and tour the Haunted Woods. The trail will open at approximately 7:00 p.m. with a start-ing point located near the red trailer. The trail will close at 9:00 p.m.

On Saturday, Spooktacular will begin at 6:00 p.m. Booths need to be set up and all vehicles off the park grounds by 5:30 p.m. Hayrides will begin taking riders beginning at 6:00 p.m. The hayride will make frequent departures until 9:00 p.m.

A costume contest sponsored by Brookshire’s will be held at 6:30 p.m.

RAINS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT

Vacancies addressed in special meeting

By CHUCK FITTSRains County Leader staff

The Rains County Commissioners Court met for a special meeting on Friday, October 22, to fi ll vacancies for election judges and approve nominations for the board of directors for the Rains County Appraisal District.

The court was presented with a list of nominees to fi ll open election judge positions tasked with overseeing the November 2 General Election.

Commissioner Joe Humphrey made a motion for Henri-etta Welsh, Denise Bradfort, Dorthy Wordlaw and Telisha Turner to be added to the election judge list, while Sandra Sims, Danny Sims and Johnny Hobbs were to be designated as the early voting judges. The motion was unanimously approved by the court.

County Judge Linda Wallace asked the commissioners to considered nominees for the Rains County Appraisal Dis-trict Board of Directors. She stated that current members Ken Players, Paul Foley, Alice Wenzel and Robert Resneder were open to be re-nominated, but Gary Reeves wished to step down.

Wallace stated that she talked to Todd Moore about fi lling the seat on the board. She said that she thought he would be a great candidate as he runs a dairy, owns acreage in the county and has three children in the local school.

“I talked to him. He was, I’m gonna say, apprehensive, but then he called Sherri [McCall, Chief Appraiser],” Com-missioner Jeremy Cook said. “So he’s good now.”

A motion was made by Humphrey to nominated Moore for a seat on the Rains County Appraisal District Board of Directors. The motion passed unanimously.

Humphrey asked if the court should go ahead and allo-

NOVEMBER 2 GENERAL ELECTION

Early voting ends Friday, Election Day TuesdayBy CHUCK FITTSRains County Leader staff

Residents of Rains County will head to the polls on Tuesday, November 2, to vote on the Rains ISD tax rate, fi ll seats on the city councils of Emory and Point and amend the Texas Constitution.

At press time, 383 voters in Rains County had voted early in the elec-tion. Early voting will continue each weekday until Friday, October 29, in the election offi ce of the Rains County

Annex at 220 West Quitman St. in Emory.

Items on the ballot for the upcom-ing election include eight amendments to the State of Texas Constitution, a Voter Approved Tax Rate (VATRE) for Rains ISD, candidates to fi ll vacancies on Point City Council and Emory City Council, and a $45 million bond for Lone Oak ISD.

Contested races in the county include seats on the Emory and Point City Councils. In Emory, Aaron Cichy and

Lori Honeycutt are running to replace Howard Garrett as Place 3 on the Emory City Council.

Alan Messick, Becky Decker and Jerry Hampton are running for Place 2 on the Point City Council, while Robby Richardson, Mike Marotta and Staci Ely are vying for Place 4. In a special election to fi ll the unexpired term of Point mayor, the candidates are Wil-liam Gaston and Stephen Cross.

see ELECTION page 2

see COURT page 2

see SPOTLIGHT page 3

2 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Established June 10, 1887

(Publication Number USPS 454-560)

Postmaster: Send Form 3579 to:

RAINS COUNTY LEADERP.O. Box 127, Emory, TX 75440

Telephone: 903-473-2653www.RainsCountyLeader.com • Email: news@rainscountyleader.com

EDITOR/PUBLISHEREarl Hill III

OFFICEDeborah Walker

Published every Thursday except the last Thursday in DecemberEntered at the Post Office in Emory, Texas, as a Periodical

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Inside Rains County, 1 year, $28.00; Out of County, 1 year, $35.00; E-Leader (online only edition), 1 year, $25.00.

H.W. Martin - 1887Sam Fitzgerald - Before 1900W.O. Hebisen - Before 1900A.S. Hornbeck - Before 1900J.H. Bradford - 1901-1904

Tom W. Hill - 1904-1937Earl Hill, Sr. - 1937-1960Kathleen Hill Becknell - 1962-1995Earl Hill, Jr. - 1995-2019

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TEXAS PRESS ASSOCIATIONTHE OLDEST BUSINESS IN RAINS COUNTY

FORMER EDITORS AND PUBLISHERS OF THE RAINS COUNTY LEADER:

NEWS BRIEFSGood Sam Clothes/ Thrift Shop Sales

The Rains County Good Samaritan Clothes Shop will be open Monday-Thursday in the building behind the public library on Hwy. 69 in Emory. Hours are 8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., closed noon-1:00 for lunch. Thrift sales will be Saturdays in October and November, except November 27 it will be closed. Funds go to buy food for the needy and to operate the center. The sale includes clothes for all ages and sizes. There is new stock every week.

Fall Festival on October 30

A fall festival will be held at 745 East Lennon Dr. on October 30, from 3:00-8:00 p.m. Come enjoy face painting, hay rides, bounce houses, pony rides and pumpkin painting.

East Tawakoni FD Trunk or Treat

Bring your cars, trucks and/or golf carts to the East Tawakoni Fire Department located at 100 Littlefield Dr. for Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 31, at 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy a family friend-ly atmosphere and help the com-munity have a fun, safe Hal-loween.

Fall Festival At Emory Baptist Chuch

Emory Baptist Church will host a Fall Festival on Sunday, October 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will be games, activities, hot dogs and candy. Everyone is welcome at the completely free family event.

RYSA Basketball Signup

There are two sign-up dates remaining for 2022 RYSA Bas-ketball: Monday, November 1, 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sign-ups are at the RYSA baseball fields and for boys and girls in 1st-6th grades. Cost is $60 per player.

Memorial Pavers Program, Dedication

The American Legion Post 156 Memorial Pavers Program is an excellent way to create a memory of your loved one’s honorable service and sacrifice, helping their legacy live on. Orders placed by Nov. 3 will be placed at the Veteran’s Memorial at the courthouse and dedicated on Nov. 13. For more information or to place an order, call Elaine Davis at 903-497-2837.

Women’s Service Club Thanksgiving Luncheon

The Women’s Service Club will be serving their traditional Thanksgiving Luncheon on Tues-day, November 9, from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at the Rose Com-munity Center. Tickets will be sold in advance for $10 and may be purchased from Service Club members, at Country Flowers and Gifts or at the door. A pur-chased ticket gives a chance to win a door prize.

Rains Garden Club Hosts Seminar

The Rains Garden Club will host a seminar by renowned Dirt Doctor, Howard Garrett, on Sat-urday, November 6, from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Aurora Event Center at Scarbrough Havens

in Emory. He will speak on “Organic Gardening and Saving Sick Trees” and the seminar will include a question and answer session. Tickets are $25 each, or $20 a person for groups of 10 or more. Proceeds benefit the Rains Garden Club. For tickets, visit https://www.eventcreate.com/e/howard-garrett-speaking-ben or visit the Rains Garden Club Facebook page.

Am. Legion Dinner And Breakfast

Rabb Brothers Memorial American Legion Post #156 will hold a breakfast buffet on Satur-day, November 13, from 7:00-10:00 a.m. at the Post home at 215 N. Duffy St. in Emory. Take-outs are offered. Payment is by donation, which goes toward the upkeep of the home and veterans’ projects. The monthly dinner will be held on Nov. 27 from 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Rains County Angel Tree Time

It is Rains County Angel Tree time again. The 2021 applica-tions are located at each RISD campus and the Rains County Leader. The only requirement for participation in the Rains County Angel Tree is that the children must be full-time residents in Rains County. Applications must be received by Tuesday, Novem-ber 9, no exceptions. Completed applications must be mailed to: Rains County Angel Tree, P.O. Box 1071, Emory, TX 75440. Questions should be directed to 903-268-2720. If you get voicemail, speak clearly, leave a detailed message and phone num-ber so your call can be returned.

On Tuesday, November 2, eight polling locations through-out Rains County will be open from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m for reg-istered voters to cast a ballot in the general election.

Rains County residents will be able to cast a ballot by pre-cinct at the following locations:• Voting precinct 101 in the

Rocky Point Community Cen-ter at 2134 South Hwy. 19;

• Voting precinct 102 in the East Tawakoni Community

Center at 288 Briggs Blvd. in East Tawakoni;

• Voting precinct 203 in the Bright Star Church Commu-nity Center at 1399 RS CR 3480;

• Voting precinct 204 in the Rose Community Center at 109 Ravine St. in Emory;

• Voting precinct 305 in the Della Blanton Memorial Hall at 200 RS CR 4370;

• Voting precinct 306 in the Emory VFD Fire Station at

1205 West Lennon St. in Emory;

• Voting precinct 407 in the Point Community Center at 241 S. First St. in Point;

• Voting precinct 408 in the fellowship hall for the First Baptist Church of Point at 985 Industrial Blvd. in Point.Officials stated that the voting

locations will follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines for social distancing. Poll work-ers will wear masks, and voters are encouraged to wear a mask into the polling location, but are not required.

ELECTIONContinued from page 1

cate the county’s 1,704 votes for the five seats on the board of directors.

“I don’t think the allocation is due because it doesn’t say that it is,” Wallace said. “It wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and allocate.”

Wallace noted that to be elect-ed to the board, a nominee would need 834 votes.

Humphrey made a motion to allot 834 votes to Moore, while the remaining 870 votes were to be distributed evenly to the remaining four nominees of Players, Foley, Wenzel and Resneder.

The motion passed unani-mously.

Commissioner Mike Willis was not present for the special meeting.

The next meeting of the Rains County Commissioners Court is scheduled for Thursday, Octo-ber 28, at 10:00 a.m. in the courtroom of the Rains County Courthouse.

COURTContinued from page 1

Dear Editor:Last week, a local stated

Rains ISD is spinning the facts to distract voters. As a local myself, and a product of Rains ISD, I feel that we must under-stand the benefits Prop A pro-vides for teachers and our very own children. In one visit of a classroom, you understand what our teachers juggle daily and the multiple job descriptions they portray. As educators, they also serve as therapists, social work-ers, nurses, disciplinarians and so much more. Many of the teachers that make up RISD sac-rifice the “best” of themselves for our children, often cheating their very own. Rains ISD teach-ers deserve a competitive pay with resources to enhance their classrooms. RISD is losing dedi-cated, quality teachers to higher pay in surrounding districts. Our children deserve every advan-tage available, and this is exactly what Prop A will allow.

In all conflicting values he mentioned, the variables changed. Market values increased, tax rates decreased because VATRE did not pass, and student counts changed. Last year the VATRE estimated matching was dollar for dollar. But it failed. The state allows districts to take advan-tage of a small portion of these enrichment funds without voter approval. When variables change the end numbers will change. The ballot stated last year it was going to generate 1,921,757. This year it states it will gener-ate 1,739,132. House Bill #3 for school funding was approved in 2019 as market values were ris-ing. Informing voters is more complicated when considering both factors. The Superintendent met in person with voters to inform and answer any ques-tions. They presented Prop A in simpler and detailed versions to accommodate each voters’ pref-erence. The district has shown full transparency through this process.

I agree when he stated there is no free money. Most of these matching dollars is money we pay in sales tax. The state approved House Bill #3 that revises funding to schools. Prop A brings back funds we already

pay to the state and puts them to use at RISD. The state creates the formulas. The state oversees property value requirements. While we cannot have an imme-diate impact on how the state chooses to finance schools, we can make a difference for our local district. But it is a formula. Locals must be willing to pay 7.72 cents more to generate the matching funds from the state. Rains County has always taken care of its locals. Choose to see this tax increase as an invest-ment in our local kids, our local schools, and our local teachers. If anyone has any more questions, please visit Q&A on Prop A at www.votersforrainsisd.com.

Sincerely vested in our com-munity and our youth,

Keri (Douglas) BangsEmory, TX 75440

Dear Editor:Local elections are overseen

by your county clerk and elec-tions administrator.

Trained election workers at the precinct level verify every voter’s information presented prior to a voter actually casting a ballot. Are they at the right precinct voting box? Is this per-son eligible to vote? Have they requested an absentee or mail-in ballot? Those are only a few crit-ical pieces of information being verified.

Election workers are Repub-licans and Democrats – your friends or neighbors – civic minded people working to ensure that every election is conducted with the “Oaths” they take prior to polls being opened. Free and fair elections are conducted by local election workers.

Every vote is counted, no matter who you voted for. There can only be one winner! Every election has winners and losers. Every voter does not choose to vote for every candidate seeking office. I don’t always vote for every candidate seeking elected office. That is my choice in who to vote for.

During the 2020 Presidential Election over 28,000 people did not make a choice for either Joe Biden or Donald Trump in

Georgia. They did cast a vote for other down ballot candidates and races. All vote totals were counted, recounted and then cer-tified by Georgia secretary of state Brad Roffensberger.

Joe Biden won the state of Georgia! How many voters in the other 49 states did not vote for Joe Biden or Donald Trump? Secretaries of State for the other 49 states should release that information as well.

Dispel claims of “voter fraud.” Your local county commission-ers canvassed the vote prior to sending certified results to your state legislators for canvassing (certifying). Your secretary of state then sends those certified results to the United States Con-gress for certification of presi-dential/congressional elections.

Numerous audits have occurred during the entire process. Taxpayers across the nation are incurring unneces-sary expenses for re-auditing the 2020 election.

Election ballots, voting equip-ment and voters’ personal infor-mation is being illegally turned over. Unelected, unqualified partisan hacks are conducting audits all across our nation, at great expense to taxpayers in efforts to perpetuate the “Big Lie.” Donald Trump did lose the Presidential Election in 2020! Joe Biden won!

Will your vote be counted in the next election? Will your state legislature certify your vote cast? I guess that depends on who is seeking office!

New voting machines are being used across the nation and in our surrounding local coun-ties. They provide a paper bal-lot of our vote cast which is then counted when polls close on Election Day. That measure is another auditing mechanism verifying vote counts are accu-rate.

No need for additional out-side auditing prior to certifying election results. Rains County can purchase those same type of voting machines with paper bal-lot back. They aren’t cheap. Are you willing to pay for them?

Marvin HensonPoint, TX, 75440

PUBLIC FORUM

3THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Advertising WORKS!! Call 903-473-2653

STATE CAPITAL HIGHLIGHTS

Gas prices topping $3 across stateThe price of a gallon of gasoline topped $3

across much of the state, which is up more than $1.20 from a year ago, according to AAA. The average price for regular gas in Texas stood at

$3.03 per gallon on Sunday as crude oil prices continue to creep up, closing above $80 per barrel. Crude oil price is one of a quartet of factors that infl uence the cost of gasoline, reported The Dallas Morning News. The cost of refi ning, distribution expenses and taxes also affect the price at the pump.

“Things have really picked up steam in terms of national gas

prices in the last two-and-a-half to three weeks,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum at fuel sav-ings app GasBuddy, told the newspaper. “The national average had been stable for a long period of time, but suddenly the price of oil surged, and the price of gasoline followed along with it.”

Cheaper prices can be found, although it takes some searching. Gasbuddy.com reported prices hovering around $2.45 per gallon at locations in Dallas, Houston and Round Rock, but these appear to be exceptions to the prevailing price increases.

Scott appointed TexasSecretary of State.

John Scott has been appointed Texas Secretary of State, in which he serves as the state’s chief election offi cer. The veteran Fort Worth attorney served previously as a deputy attorney general for civil litigation when Abbott was attorney general. He subsequently served as the chief operating offi cer of the state Health and Human Services Commission, with a $50 billion biennial budget and 56,000 employees.

Scott briefl y represented former President Donald Trump in a lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results in Pennsylvania, along with state Sen. Bryan Hughes. Both withdrew from the case a few days later, reported the Texas Tribune.

The secretary of state slot has been vacant since May, when Rita Hughs resigned after the state senate declined to consider her confi rma-tion. Since the Legislature isn’t scheduled to meet again until 2023, Scott will serve in an interim capacity until then.

DSHS launches COVID-19vaccination push

The Texas Department of State Health Ser-vices has launched a new statewide COVID-19 media campaign to encourage Texans aged 12 and over to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The campaign features Texans describing in their own words why they were initially hesitant to get the vaccine and later changed their minds.

“Any Texan who has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 because of safety or other concerns can be assured that the authorized vac-cines are safe and effective,” said Dr. John Hell-erstedt, DSHS commissioner. “The data gathered shows the benefi ts of vaccination far outweigh the risks of rare side effects. Most importantly, vaccination is proven to greatly increase our pro-

tection against severe COVID-19 illness, hospi-talization and even death.”

One ad features a woman who contracted a moderate to severe case of COVID-19. That experience led her to change her mind and get vaccinated following her illness to try and pre-vent a reinfection that could make her sick again or threaten those around her, according to a DSHS press release.

Another ad features a man who resisted vacci-nation because of his distrust in the safety of the vaccines and of those who encouraged their use. But as millions across the state, nation and globe have become fully vaccinated and adverse events remain very rare, he reviewed the data and has since been vaccinated.

Meanwhile, the number of new COVID-19 cases in Texas continues to drop, with 30,276 reported by the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University in the past week. That is down nearly 75 percent from about a month ago. New deaths also dropped to 1,267 in the past week, refl ecting national trends as the delta vari-ant wave appears to be fi nally waning. State hos-pitalizations of lab-confi rmed COVID-19 patients dropped to 4,382 as of Sunday, down two-thirds from a month ago.

Texans who are fully vaccinated topped 15.3 million, according to DSHS, with more than a million having also received an additional dose.

TPWD predicts a productive hunting season

It could be a fruitful season for Texas water-fowl hunters with millions of ducks in the Cen-tral Flyway.

“Duck production in prairie potholes of North Dakota, South Dakota, Saskatchewan and Alberta were reported to be below average due to exten-sive drought this summer,” said Kevin Kraai, TPWD Waterfowl Program Leader. “With that said, there are still millions of ducks in the Cen-tral Flyway, and we are on the heels of multiple excellent breeding seasons for ducks over the last few years.”

Wetter-than-average conditions during the fi rst half of the year are leading to more surface water for ducks and geese. Hunters should purchase their 2021-2022 hunting license before hitting the fi eld.

In addition, TPWD biologists says deer hunt-ers can expect an excellent 2021-2022 white-tailed deer season. Late spring rains alleviated drought conditions at the end of 2020, leading to accelerated growth of weeds and fl owering plants attractive to deer. The Edwards Plateau, at the crossroads of Central, South and West Texas, has the highest deer population in the state.

The general season runs from Nov. 6 through Jan. 2, 2022, in the North Zone and Jan. 16, 2022, in the South Zone. A special youth-only gun deer season is set for Oct. 30-31 and Jan. 3-16, 2022. Go to tpwd.gov for more information.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas jour-nalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@texaspress.com.

GARY BORDERSTexas Press Association

ing a lineman and now holds a position in that fi eld. Byrd’s husband also had two daughters coming into the marriage – Mar-cie and Melissa.

“Marcie died in 2008,” said Byrd. “Melissa lives in Greenville and works with medical billing at her home while raising three children.”

Byrd said that her father, who is 93, lives with her and her husband, and that she is his care-giver. She said that her dad was also born and raised in Rains County, but traveled a lot during

his military career. Besides Byrd’s library career,

she is involved in the Bull Creek Cowboy Church, in Point. She said that she and Mark have been going there for 17 years and that Mark is a deacon. She also has a passion − cooking, especially desserts.

“The year before last I won fi rst prize at the Rains County Fair for my Granny’s Famous Carrot Cake,” said Byrd. “I [enjoy] vegetable and fl ower gardening, swimming in our pool and canning vegetables. I

make Christmas candy to take around the Emory Square dur-ing the holiday. I also give out tins of my candies to neighbors and have won several contests at church for my pecan pies. My husband and son also like to cook, on our pellet grill.”

Although Byrd has a more open and welcoming library now than it was in the past, she said that she and the staff are careful about preventing sickness by dis-infecting behind everyone who uses the computers as well as in other areas. The library website includes a section on self-screen-ing for COVID, and requests that anyone who screens positive for any of the listed symptoms stay at home.

SPOTLIGHTContinued from page 1

EDWARD JONES

Build your ‘cash’ accountbefore retiring

Within your investment portfolio, you may have a cash management account. In the years

before you retire, you may want to build that account to help pay for emergency expenses, short-term goals or your everyday spending.

First of all, you can draw from a cash management account to pay for unexpected expenses, such as a major car repair. It will help you avoid dipping into your long-term accounts.

Second, you can save for a short-term goal, such as a home remodeling proj-ect. Think about moving some funds to your cash

account within a year or two of your planned expense.

Finally, you can increase your comfort level in your portfolio because the funds in your cash management account are quite stable and are less subject to movements in the fi nancial markets. So, having an appropriate amount of spendable cash in the account can help reduce the stress of market volatility.

Your cash management account is important at every point in your life, but it may take on even greater meaning when you’re retired – so do whatever you can to keep it in good shape.

This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Brandon Roberts, your Edward Jones fi nancial advisor in Emory at 903-473-1592.

BRANDON ROBERTSEdward Jones

Financial Advisor

Notice is hereby given that a regular meeting of the Rains County Commissioners Court will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 28, in the Rains County Courthouse Court-room.

The items to be discussed, considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are as follows:

I. OpeningII. Open ForumIII. PresentationsIV. Items for discussion and/

or actionV. Public hearing on abate-

ment for chapter VIII Stream LLC

A. Departmental Reports 1. Road & Bridge Depart-

ment a. Permits/Right-of-Way

(ROW) B. Elected Offi cial’s and

Finance Reports 1. Treasurer’s a. Line item transfers/

budget amendments b. Payment of accounts c. Monthly/Quarterly

Report (if presented) 2. Sheriff’s Monthly C. 2022 Rains County Res-

olution Indigent Defense Grant Program

D. Bond & Oath for Linda Wallace, Mandy Sawyer and Lisa Kneifl

E. Final plat for Barefoot Boys Addition

F. Final plat for Pilgrim Acres

G. Accepting report for the period of October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, Rains

County Historical Society, Inc. H. Approve purchase of

compact track loader I. Maintenance & custodial

needs J. Library Board members K. Purchasing Veterans van

with American Rescue Act Fund L. Consideration of approv-

al of tax abatement for Chapter VIII Stream LLC travel center.

M. Consideration of approv-al of rebate of sales tax col-lected by Rains County during construction of the travel center.

N. Resolution for tax abate-ment Chapter VIII Stream LLC

O. Filling vacancies on investment committee

P. American Rescue Plan with GrantWorks

VI. Administrative Court Activities and Comments

COMMISSIONERS COURT

Court to hold regular meeting

MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING

Lake Fork hosts secondevent of the season

Major League Fishing (MLF), the world’s largest tournament-fi shing organization, recently announced the schedule for the 2022 MLF Bass Pro Tour, which will showcase 80 of the best bass anglers in the world competing in seven regular-season tourna-ments around the country for millions of dollars.

Lake Fork was selected to be the second stop of the season for professional bass fi shing’s top pro-level circuit. The event, hosted by the Lake Fork Area Chamber of Commerce, the Wood County EDC, the Sabine River Authority and the Rains County Tourism Board, will take place February 19-24, 2022.

“This event coming to Lake Fork is a boon to our com-

munities,” said Lake Fork Area Chamber of Commerce’s Micheal Rogge. “Lake Fork has been named the number one bass fi shery in the country, and the Bass Pro Tour is coming at just the right time to showcase how great our lake really is. I expect to see multiple anglers top the 100-pound mark, and I predict we’ll see some giant 12- to 13-pounders. It’s going to be a fan-tastic event.”

Each stage of the 2022 Bass Pro Tour will feature six days of competition using the catch, weigh, immediate-release for-mat, broadcast live on MLF NOW!® and streamed to the Major League Fishing app, MyOutdoorTV (MOTV), and at MajorLeagueFishing.com. Each

stage will then air on the Dis-covery Channel, beginning in July 2022.

“It’s incredibly exciting to bring the Major League Fishing Bass Pro Tour to new fi sheries and communities and showcase the sport’s top level of tourna-ment bass fi shing to new fans and anglers,” said Michael Mulo-ne, Senior Director of Events & Partnerships for MLF. “We appreciate the support of the out-standing communities that are hosting our Bass Pro Tour events and look forward to bringing our fast-paced, fan-friendly competi-tions to them and livestreaming to our fans worldwide.”

For compete details and up-to-date tournament information, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.

Leader photo by CHUCK FITTS

Brookshire’s executives and employees, local dignitaries and members of the community gath-ered to celebrate the grand re-opening of the store in Emory with a ribbon cutting on Thursday morning, October 21.

Grand re-opening

4 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

CITY GIRL

The problems behind the saleLast week I wrote about the amazing success

of the Friends of the Library Book Sale and how smoothly it went. That was true, but the sale

wasn’t without problems. Most of the problems landed in the lap of Cheryl Watson, our facili-ties coordinator – and me. Her responsibilities included picking up keys to the Emory City Cen-tre, opening and locking up, and coordinating the delivery and pick of books and equipment.

The plan was simple: Cheryl would pick up keys at the EDC office on Monday, October 11.

On Tuesday, Jane Dillon would meet the Rains County Road and Bridge crew at the book shed by the library to pick up books and equipment and Cheryl would open the centre for volunteers to begin setting up. On Monday the 18th, the road and bridge crew would pick up the equipment, unsold religious books which would be donated to Love Packages, and books reserved for Little Free Libraries (LFL), and Peter Adams of Gladewater Books would pick up remaining unsold books. Cheryl would return the keys to the EDC office, reserve the centre for April, and the sale would be over. But there were problems.

#1 – Because of family illness, Cheryl wasn’t available until Saturday the week of the sale, but I stepped in. Problem solved.

#2 – Because of employee illnesses, Pete couldn’t get a crew for the 18th and needed to pick up the books on the 25th. On Friday the 8th I stopped by the EDC office to see if we could leave the leftover books in the centre for a week. Robert Worley, Director of the EDC, said we could leave them in an empty room at the back. Problem solved.

#3 – Before I left his office, Robert realized their office would be closed on Monday and wouldn’t be open until an hour after I was sup-posed to open the centre on Tuesday. Leah Drown, the administrative assistant, wasn’t in, and Robert wasn’t sure where the keys were. He found the key box but couldn’t find the master key set. Then he realized the centre was being used on Saturday and they had the keys. He scrounged around and found a key to the front door. Problem solved.

#4 – Pete had more crew problems and needed to come on 24th. I couldn’t meet him on Sunday, so I sent a distress text to the board, and Cheryl said she could do it. Problem solved.

#5 – Tuesday began well – the initial set up went so quickly we stopped work at 1:00 p.m. Since I had Ladies’ Bible Study the next morn-ing, Linda Pietila volunteered to open up. While we were closing the doors, our neighbor David Perkins drove up to see how we were doing. The doors were locked, so we stood and visited until

Rocky arrived and Linda left. As they drove out of sight, I realized my purse was still inside. I texted and called her but didn’t get a response. Perkins offered to drive me home, but I knew my David wouldn’t want to leave the Kia at the centre overnight. Finally, I asked Perkins to drive me to the EDC office to see if there was another key. Leah wasn’t back from lunch, so Robert began to scrounge again – but she returned before we made too big of a mess, and she gave me a key. Problem solved.

#6 – The rest of setup went smoothly, and the first morning of the sale was a huge success. I had the door key again, but I didn’t have a key to the janitor’s closet where the paper and cleaning supplies are stored. Marsha Rakestraw had taken her brother Richard Nash to lunch to thank him for entertaining us with his stories and his na-tive American flute. I texted her and asked if she could stop by the EDC office on her way back. She didn’t see my text until she got back to the centre, but she turned right around to go get the key. There was no one in the office, so after try-ing the city hall with no luck, she left a voice mail letting them know about our dilemma. I expected a return call, but Robert personally delivered the key into my waiting hand. Problem solved.

#7 – The end of sale process went great, and then Monday afternoon I received a text from Cheryl – We have a problem with the 94 boxes of books in the middle room. It seems there was a wedding scheduled in the centre, and since that room is the bridal dressing room, the books needed to be out no later than Friday morning. Cheryl sent Ronnie at road and bridge a text, and his crew picked up the books Wednesday morn-ing and moved them back to the book shed. She notified Pete to come to the shed instead of the centre, and I thought all our problems were over. Not quite.

#8 – Sunday morning I silenced my phone and dropped it in my purse where it stayed until after lunch. When I finally looked at it, I had several texts from Cheryl. “The road crew mixed the books all up. I’m not sure which are the free library ones or the religious ones ... Pete says he’ll take all the books.” It was almost four hours later when I texted her to say that I hoped she had let Pete have them all. I saw the LFL boxes at the end and kept them but he did take the religious books. Hope that’s ok. We won’t have books for Love Packages this time around, but there is space in the book shed for new donations. It was definitely okay with me. Problem solved and book sale complete – until April!

Linda Brendle writes a weekly column for Believ-ers’ Baptist Church. She is a published author and also writes about caregiving, faith, and family on her blog at http://www.LifeAfterCaregiving.WordPress.com. You can e-mail her at LindaBrendle@yahoo.com.

LINDA BRENDLELeader Correspondent

SAVVY SENIOR

Financial assistance for aging-in-place improvements

Dear Savvy Senior,Do you know of any financial

assistance programs that can help seniors with home improvement projects? I would like to help my grandparents make a few modifi-cations to their house so they can continue living there safely, but money is tight.

Searching Grandson

Dear Searching,Yes! There are a number of financial aid

programs available that can help seniors with home modifications and improvement projects for aging-in-place, but what’s available to your grandparents will depend on their financial situa-tion and where they live. Here are some different options to explore.

Medicare Advantage benefits While original Medicare does not typically pay

for home improvements, if your grandparents are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, it may offer some aid for modifications based on need. Contact their Medicare Advantage provider to see if this is available.

Medicaid waiversIf your grandparents are low-income and eli-

gible for Medicaid, most states have Medicaid Home and Community Based Services waivers that provide financial assistance to help seniors avoid nursing homes and remain living at home. Each state has different waivers, eligibility re-quirements and benefits. Contact your Medicaid office (see Medicaid.gov) for information.

Non-Medicaid government assistanceMany state governments and several agencies

within the federal government have programs that help low to moderate income seniors, who aren’t eligible for Medicaid with home modifications. For example, the Department of Housing and Urban Development offers HUD Home Improve-ment Loans by private lenders. Contact a HUD approved counseling agency (call 800-569-4287) to learn more.

And the U.S. Department of Agriculture has a Rural Development program that provides grants and loans to rural homeowners. Your local USDA service center (see offices.sc.egov.usda.gov) can give you more for information.

Many states also have financial assistance programs known as nursing home diversion programs. These programs, which may include

grants or loans or a combination, helps pay for modifications that enable the elderly and disabled to remain living at home. Modifications covered typically include accessibility improvements like wheelchair ramps, handrails and grab bars.

To find out if there are programs in your grand-parent’s area, contact the city or county housing authority, the local Area Aging Agency (800-677-1116) or the state housing finance agency – see NCSHA.org/housing-help.

Veteran benefits If your either of your grandparents is a veteran

with a disability, the VA provides grants like the SAH, SHA and HISA grants that will pay for home modifications. See Benefits.va.gov/benefits/factsheets/homeloans/sahfactsheet.pdf for details and eligibility requirements.

Some other VA programs to inquire about are the “Veteran-Directed Care” program and “Aid and Attendance or Housebound Benefits.” Both programs provide monthly financial benefits to eligible veterans that can help pay for home modi-fications. To learn more, visit VA.gov/geriatrics or call 800-827-1000.

Nonprofit organizationsDepending on where your grandparent’s live,

they may also be able to get assistance in the form of financial aid or volunteer labor to help with modifications. One of the most noteworthy is the organization Rebuilding Together (Rebuilding-Together.org, 800-473-4229), which offers three programs: Safe at Home, Heroes at Home, and National Rebuilding Day.

Another option is community building proj-ects, which provide seniors with volunteer labor to help them make home improvements. To search for projects in your grandparent’s area, do web search containing the phrase “community build-ing project” followed by their “city and state.”

Reverse mortgage: Available to seniors 62 and older who own their own home and are currently living there, a reverse mortgage will let your grandparents convert part of the equity in their home into cash – which can be used for home im-provements – that doesn’t have to be paid back as long as they live there. But reverse mortgages are expensive loans, so this should be a last resort.

For more information on these and other finan-cial assistance programs, go to PayingForSenior-Care.com and click on “Senior Care” followed by “Home Modifications.”

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

By Jim Miller

BBB

Lookout for asphalt paving scams

If your driveway needs pav-ing or repairs, don’t trust just anyone to do the job. BBB Scam Tracker contains numerous re-ports of unscrupulous contrac-tors who swindled homeowners by offering what appeared to be a “good deal.” Homeowners ended up with shoddy pavement; some contractors took the money without doing any work at all, which, in many cases, added up to thousands of dollars. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises consumers to research companies before deciding on any contractor.

How the Scam WorksA contractor leaves a pam-

phlet or knocks on your door. They claim they’ve been doing work in the area and just hap-pened to notice the condition of your driveway or sidewalk. Since they’re already working nearby, they can offer you a dis-count. They then ask for a large percentage of the fee up front (in cash or by check).

Once the transaction is com-plete, the scam contractor may disappear completely. The con-tact number or email may not work, quickly helping you real-ize that the contact information was a sham. If you protest, the contractor may use intimidation tactics, such as threatening a lawsuit, to convince you to pay up.

In other cases, the contractor work, once complete, is shoddy and unprofessional, but the full payment has been made and in-formation about the contractor is scarce, so the chances of getting a refund or issues resolved are slim.

The BBB provides the fol-lowing tips for avoiding contrac-tor scams:

• Be wary of unsolicited of-

fers. Most scams involving con-tractors begin when a random contractor makes an effort to go out of their way to offer an esti-mate that was never asked for.

• Research companies and contractors before you hire. Start with BBB.org. Read re-views and complaints on each company before making your decision. Often, a simple inter-net search will reveal companies or individuals that have been involved in fraudulent activities or provided unsatisfactory work to previous clients.

• Get everything in writing. Ask for an estimate in writ-ing before payment is even dis-cussed. Don’t let a contractor start working on a project until a written, signed contract outlin-ing start and complete dates, a detailed description of the work to be provided, material costs, payment arrangements, and war-ranty information is provided.

• Stagger payments. Most contractors will require a per-centage of the total price up front, but it should never be the full price before the work has begun. Instead, make an agree-ment to stagger payments, so work can be inspected at various stages of the project.

• Use safe payment methods. Paying with a credit card pro-vides some peace of mind since the credit card company will likely offer some recourse if the company is fraudulent. Paying in cash, cashier’s check, or using an electronic wallet app is risky, since there is no way to stop or reverse the payment back if any-thing goes wrong.

For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, please call the BBB at 903-581-5704 or use BBB ScamTracker.

5THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

RAINS WILDCATSvs.

MINEOLA YELLOW JACKETSFriday Night • 7:30 p.m. • Wildcat Stadium

Leader photos by CHUCK FITTS

Seniors battling in the trenches in Commerce on Friday night. From left to right, senior offensive lineman Dalton Barker (55) holds the charging Tiger at bay to allow the ball carrier space to run. Senior defensive lineman Jayden Case (71) gets past the Commerce blocker and charges the Tiger quarterback during the 55-20 district loss on Friday night, October 22.

CITY OF EMORY

Trey Hill, Mayor

6 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

The Rains Co. Sheriff’s Of-fice took the following reports of activity during the week of October 15-21:

Arrests

10-19: Cait-lyn Denise Wilson, Point. Criminal mis-chief greater than $2,500 less than $30,000, $10,000 bond.

10-19: Kelly Ann Robinson, Forney. Driving

while intoxicated, $3,000 bond.10-19: Shane Christian Craw-

ford, Lone Oak. Manufacture and delivery of a controlled sub-stance PG 1 greater than or equal to 1 gr. less than 4 gr., $50,000 bond; unlawful carrying of a weapon, $3,000 bond.

10-20: Amanda Bennett, Point. Manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance PG 1 greater than or equal to 1 gr. less than 4 gr., $50,000 bond; unlawful carrying of a weapon,

$3,000 bond.There were 4 arrests for the

week; 2 posted bonds and were released. As of Friday, October 22, there were 24 males and 1 female in custody.

Calls

10-15: FM 2324 Medical as-sist female fell, FM 2946 Do-mestic disturbance between boy-friend and girlfriend, CR 1692 Medical assist 62-year-old fe-male with possible heart attack, East Tawakoni (ET) Oak Leaf Tr. Domestic disturbance, CR 1475 Medical assist female with breathing issues, Point West Side Dr. Medical assist male with low oxygen level, Emory Ravine St. Medical assist female dizzy and falling, CR 3025 Bur-glary, FM 2737 Medical assist male with severe headache, Hunt Co. Requested fire assistance on structure fire from ET fire, FM 2324 Medical assist possible overdose, Hwy. 19S Reckless 18-wheeler all over the road.

10-16: FM 2795 Reference questions about criminal tres-

passing, CR 3150 One-vehicle roll over, Hunt Co. Requested mutual aid from Point Fire Dept. for a grass fire, Emory Brook-shire’s Burglar alarm, CR 1605 Grass fire, Sheriff’s Office (SO) lobby Reference internet and renters fraud, CR 3365 Medi-cal assist 70-year-old male with breathing issues, Emory Santa Fe St. Ex husband possibly in the area, CR 4480 People pos-sibly on property of deceased neighbor, ET Hwy. 276 at Doc’s Vehicle hit a deer.

10-17: Hwy. 19S near FM 2324 Cow out, PR 7709 Loud music, CR 1399 41-year-old fe-male requested medical assist for breathing issues, Point Industrial Dr. Suspicious people walking around a business, Point south 1st St. near Rabe Rd. Horses out, FM 47 near Flats Bull stuck in the mud, Point West Side Dr. Medical assist male with breath-ing issues, Point near commu-nity center Two children said they were shot when trying to get their dog, FM 2324 Burglar alarm, ET Garrett Ave. Medi-cal assist female child bitten by

ants and face is swelling, Emory Kansas St. 34-year-old female with mental issues is missing, Flats Community Biker gang being rowdy.

10-18: CR 4253 Burglar alarm, CR 3335 Possible do-mestic disturbance, Rains high and middle school 12-year-old female can’t be found, Public service from Travis Co. Cri-sis Center Reference possible suicidal male in Rains Co. but did not have an address, PR 6180 Suspicious female walking around, CR 1633 Structure fire, PR 7708 Medical assist medi-cation reaction, Hwy. 19 and FM 2324 Minor auto accident, Emory south Texas St. Medi-cal assist female with several issues, Emory E-Tex Tire and Wheel Medical assist male hurt his back and fell to the ground, Emory Sky Line Dr. and Airport Dr. Male and female fighting, Emory west Lennon Dr. Issues with a dog, CR 3367 Refer-ence man taking money and not doing the work, Emory Sky Line Dr. Female beating on a door, Public service Reference female

screaming and being dragged in Point, Hwy. 276 and FM 3299 Cow out, CR 3210 Female fell and needs assistance getting up, Emory Industrial Park Bur-glar alarm going off, CR 4320 Medical assist female possible stroke.

10-19: FM 2795W Medical assist 64-year-old female lift assistance, FM 515 near water tower Deer hit, Point Circle Dr. Suspicious vehicle parked at the edge of the yard, FM 47 at AK’s BBQ Motorist thinks he was shot at, Emory north Texas St. Two-vehicle minor auto accident, FM 47 at Flats Possible domestic disturbance, PR 5459 Female breaking out windows with a tire iron, Emory Hooten’s LLC Ve-hicle doing donuts in the parking lot, Emory Sidekick’s Kids in a pickup slinging rocks around in the parking lot, CR 4252 Neigh-bors possibly burning toxic ma-terials, Public service Reference 17-year-old daughter may have been given drugs while in Rains Co., Emory at Pott’s Feed Two-vehicle accident, Emory south Texas St. 69-year-old female bleeding out the nose and having breathing troubles, Emory Quik Save Traffic narcotics found and two taken into custody, Emory Best Western Burglar alarm.

10-20: CR 1531 Suspicious vehicle seen for couple of hours, Emory Taco Bell Motorist as-sist, CR 3370 Two suspicious vehicles, CR 3150 Grass fire, CR 2300 Medical assist 80-year-old male fell and hurt his ribs,

PR 6180 Disturbance between neighbors and gun possibly pulled, Emory Y’all Come Back Burglar alarm, CR 4253 Burglar alarm, Emory Clark Dr. Medical assist 9-year-old female breath-ing issues, CR 2420 Structure fire, Hwy. 19N 17-year-old son stole pickup, Point Max-A-Mart Person being aggressive and possibly intoxicated, SO lobby Reference problems with a male, CR 1308 Medical assist 96-year-old male thinks he may be hav-ing a heart attack, Point Ave. B Medical assist for 76-year-old female.

10-21: Emory Bent Tree Motel Medical assist possible overdose, Hwy. 19N at Sidekick’s Auto accident between passenger ve-hicle and dump truck, Hunt Co. Requested mutual aid from ET fire, CR 3371 Reference harass-ment, ET Oak Leaf Tr. Doctors office requested welfare check on a 57-year-old male, FM 2737 and Hwy. 276 Grass fire, CR 1330 Back window of a vehicle shot out during the night, Emory south Dunbar Medical assist male possibly suicidal, CR 1402 Burglar alarm, CR 4430 Medical assist, Two-mile Bridge Dark black smoke being seen on the West Tawakoni side, Hunt Co. Requested fire aid from ET Fire Dept., Emory Potts Feed Store Burglar alarm, CR 3317 Medi-cal assist 67-year-old male with breathing issues, Emory Fletcher St. Fire alarm, FM 2324 Shots fired, FM 514 near Freedom Church Bull in the road.

Sheriff’s Report

DAVID TRAYLORRains County Sheriff

Hill Insurance Agency

Emory Livestock AuctionThe following is a consolidated

report of the Emory Livestock Auc-tion Inc. auctions held:

Sat., Oct. 23 Tues., Oct. 261395 Head 841306 Sellers 139

STEERS* $80-200 Under 300 $80-200$75-180 300-400 $75-175$70-165 400-500 $70-165$60-150 Over 500 $60-155 HEIFERS*$75-165 Under 300 $70-165$70-155 300-400 $70-155$60-140 400-500 $65-145$50-135 Over 500 $50-135

SLAUGHTER*$20-70 Packer cows $20-67$55-94 Packer bulls $55-87 PAIRS$950-1200 Top $900-1200$500-950 Low/Middle $450-900

OTHERS*$55-125 Stocker cows $45-110$50-125 Calves (hd) $50-200$50-1000 Horses (hd) None$35-400 Goats/Sheep (hd) $35-350* per hundred lb. unless noted otherwise

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department released the follow-ing in for mation for Lake Fork and Lake Tawakoni taken on October 20:

LAKE FORK: Good. Water lightly stained; 75-76 degrees; 2.05 feet low. Bass fishing is slow due to the fall turnover, but should improve soon with cooler weather approaching. Bass like white or chartreuse chatterbaits, shad colored squarebills, jerk-baits and wacky rigged senkos in shallow water. Crappie are very good on jigs and minnows in brush piles and standing timber in 15-20 feet of water. Catfish are excellent on self-baited holes in 20-35 feet of water.

LAKE TAWAKONI: Good. Water lightly stained; 72 degrees; 1.23 feet low. Blue cat-fish are good on fresh-cut bait and live bait. Channel catfish are good on punch bait and cut bait. Largemouth bass are good on diving crankbaits, Texas-rigged plastic worms, football jigs and bladed spinners near rocky areas, docks and flats. Crappie are good on minnows and black/chartreuse jigs around brush piles, docks and bridge pilings. White bass are moving fast. Stripers are fair, not seeing quite as many as early summer. Catfishing is good on the lake.

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT

Numbers, conditions provide for a good seasonAUSTIN – With millions

of ducks in the Central Fly-way and promising conditions in many parts of the state, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists suggest these factors could indicate a good wa-terfowl season is ahead for Texas Hunters.

For the second straight year, the May Breeding Waterfowl Survey was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns in both the United States and Canada. In-stead, TPWD biologists largely relied on fellow biologists in the breeding grounds of Canada and the United States prairie states to help with the Texas forecasts for this season.

“Duck production in prairie potholes of North Dakota, South Dakota, Saskatchewan, and Al-berta were reported to be below average due to extensive drought this summer,” said Kevin Kraai, TPWD Waterfowl Program Leader. “With that said, there are still millions of ducks in the Central Flyway and we are on the heels of multiple excellent breeding seasons for ducks over the last few years.”

The special youth-only duck

season occurs in the High Plains Mallard Management Unit Oct. 23 - 24, followed by youth-only duck season in the South Zone Oct. 30 – 31 and the North Zone Nov. 6 - 7. Regular duck season in the High Plains Mallard Man-agement Unit opens Oct. 30, in the South Zone on Nov. 6 and the North Zone on Nov. 13. Con-sult the 2021-22 Outdoor An-nual, which was made possible in part by support from Chevy Silverado, for other season dates and bag limits, including those for “Dusky” duck.

“We are already hearing good reports of birds building in many flooded rice fields and coastal marshes along the Texas coast,” Kraai added. “Most successful hunters will be mobile and al-ways have been. Hopefully, we will continue to see more great cold fronts, lots of cold tempera-tures and snow to the north of us, and frequent and timely rainfall to attract more birds to Texas.”

Coastal Texas has experi-enced many extended periods of rainfall, as well as periods of dryness, this summer and early fall. Overall, conditions are in better than average condition

across much of the coast. Land-owners and managers are cur-rently busy pumping and man-aging water, and growing foods in the rice prairies. Ducks and geese will concentrate quickly on these locations and hunting success should be excellent in these areas.

East Texas has seen above average rainfall most of the summer. Soil moisture is high and any new rainfall this win-ter will begin to pond quickly creating conditions important to duck populations. Reservoirs are higher than normal for this time of year and the shallow shore-lines and river mouths will be a big draw to ducks very soon.

The playa wetlands of the Panhandle experienced a greater amount of rainfall this summer compared to 2020. Unfortunate-ly, some of the hottest and driest weather of the season was in late August and September. Temper-atures exceeding 100 degrees, coupled with high winds, has caused a loss in surface water over the last few weeks. Canada geese will likely still be abun-dant in this area due to their newfound attraction to waters in urban areas. Hunters hunting grain fields closest to towns with multiple city lakes and ponds will have higher success.

Habitat conditions in the Win-chester Lakes region in Knox and Haskell counties are once again very good. This area had timely rain events and many of the natural wetlands are cur-rently holding water. This water, mixed with the grain and peanut fields in the area, will be a huge draw for tens of thousands of small Canada geese and white-fronted geese. Hunters visiting

the region this winter will see quite a show.

Early reports from Canada in-dicate the light goose and white-fronted goose hatch may be bet-ter than previous years. Light and dark goose season starts in the East Zone on Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 in the West Zone. The light geese conservation order season begins in the East Zone on Jan. 31, 2022 and on Feb. 14, 2022 in the West Zone. More in-formation regarding seasons and daily bag limits can be found in the Outdoor Annual.

Hunters should purchase their new 2021-22 Texas hunting li-cense prior to hitting the field. In addition, waterfowl hunters must have a migratory game bird en-dorsement, federal duck stamp, and be Harvest Information Pro-gram (HIP) certified. Biologists note the importance for those purchasing a hunting license to answer HIP survey questions correctly as these surveys allow biologists to get an accurate sample of hunters so harvest sur-veys can be delivered to hunters later in the year from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

It’s also required by law for hunters to have proof of their completion of a hunter education course.

Anyone hunting on Texas Public Hunting Lands are also required to purchase an Annual Public Hunting Permit. Texas has more than 1 million acres of land accessible to the public. More information about these lands and locations can be found on the TPWD website. Hunters using public lands can complete their on-site registration via the My Texas Hunt Harvest app.

FISHINGREPORT

7THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

By Lana Carlisle“He hath shewed thee, O man,

what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”

Micah 6:8On Sunday, Bro. Kenny Ray

brought an inspiring message from Micah titled “How Should We Live?” We were blessed with specials from Daniel and Ruth Kerley.

Birthday wishes go to Belinda

Mulrooney.Bro. Dirk Schutter’s broth-

er and sister-in-law were finally reunited after three months of being separated due to the virus. They are now together sharing the same room in Dallas.

We had several unspoken prayer requests. Remember our church.

Bro. A.B. Godwin made our announcements and welcomed visitors. Bro. Odie Taylor opened with prayer. Our visitors blessed

our hearts and we welcome them back.

It was a blessing to have Jerry Carlisle back in service after a long absence from church. He is better, but remains in prayer for recovery.

Sunday evening was the Fourth-Sunday Singing and Fel-lowship.

Prayers for all. See you next Sunday, Lord willing and the saints don’t rise.

Emory Baptist Church

Emory United Methodist Church

Shady Grove Baptist Church

By Mary White“Let us hold fast the confes-

sion of our hope without waver-ing, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23

It was a great day of worship. Attendance was up as we lifted our voices joyfully in song and word. Rev. Banks’ message was titled “Remember Your Prom-ises” taken from Hebrews. He spoke about relationships and

living out promises that were made. Our promises are differ-ent from God’s promises. God is faithful.

Our Holiday Bazaar last Fri-day and Saturday was very suc-cessful and we had great fellow-ship with our community. We appreciate the Emory folks sup-porting us.

Birthday wishes go to George Humphrey, Shirley Eversult and

Essie Franklin.Prayer requests are for Adam

Hope and family, Betty Parsell, Maybeth McMahon, the Free-man family and the family of Gerald McLarry.

Get yourself ready for the fall-back time change. I’m told the fall-back time change is harder on your mind and body than the spring forward.

CalvaryBaptist Church

INDEPENDENTFUNDAMENTAL BAPTIST

10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. Worship 6:00 p.m. Worship

Pastor: Jimmy JarrettHwys. 515 & 779, 2-1/2 MilesEast of Emory • 903-474-9463

Chapel HillBaptist Church

Bonanza Community“The church with an opendoor and an open heart”

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.Church Service 11:00 a.m.Evening Service 5:00 p.m.Wed. Night Service 6:30 p.m.

Pastor Billy WalkerEVERYONE WELCOME!

We invite you to study God’s Word with us soon.

CHURCHOF CHRIST

Hwy. 69 N. • P.O. Box 68Emory, TX 75440

903-473-2658Sunday Bible Classes 9:00 a.m.Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 a.m.Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.Wed. Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

FreedomChurch of God

10830 FM 5146 mi. N on Hwy. 19, east on 514

Sunday School 10:00 a.m.Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m.Wednesday Evening 7:00 p.m.

Nursery ~ Children’s ChurchCome Worship With Us

Pastor David HammChurch 903-473-2457

County LineBaptist Church

Bro. Wayne DartySunday School 9:45 a.m.Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.Sunday Evening 6:30 p.m.Wednesday Night 7:00 p.m.

nursery availableHWY. 275, 3 miles south

of Miller Grove903-994-2125 • 903-459-3219

Connect with God Connect with God’s Word Connect with God’s People Connect with God’s Plan

Bro. Zachary Tunnel , PastorSundays9:15 a.m. Sunday School10:30 a.m. AM Worship Toddler Church Preschool Church Children’s Church6:00 p.m. PM Worship On-line only

Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.Prayer Service

Youth Bible StudyKids Inside-out

9483 West FM 515 • Alba, TX 75410903-473-9523 • www.lakeforkbaptist.org

SHADY GROVEBAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9:45 a.m.Morning Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11:00 a.m.Evening Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 p.m.Wed. Night Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 p.m.

Pastor: Wayne Wolfe • 903-473-4590

19N @ RCR 3200 • EVERYONE WELCOME!

Everyone is welcome at

Bright StarBaptist Church

P.O. Box 680, Alba, TX 75410Two miles West of Alba on

FM 2795, 1-1/2 miles N. of US 69Sunday School 10:00 a.m.Worship Service 11:00 a.m.Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.Wed. Bible Study 7:00 p.m.

Pastor: Bro. Jerry Jackson Jr. 903-513-3120 • 903-569-7100

Pastor: Dr. Jason RolenMinister to students and families: Jerod HaygoodHwy. 19 – 1 mile north of courthouse in Emory

903-474-0027 • www.bbcemory.org

SundaySunday School .................. 9:15 a.m.Morning Worship ............ 10:30 a.m.

WednesdayAWANA ............................6:00 p.m.Student Ministry ...............6:00 p.m.

Daugherty Baptist Church

2 miles west of Hwy. 19N on FM 514 Sunday School .........10:00 a.m. Morning Worship ......11:00 a.m.

Evening Worship ......6:00 p.m. Wed. night ................7:00 p.m.

Pastor Joe Pierce903-886-6522

Bible Classes 9:00 a.m.Worship Service 10:00 a.m.Evening Worship 6:00 p.m.Wed. Eve. Service 7:00 p.m.

Everyone welcome!Richard Kellam

www.pointchurchofchrist.org

FirstAssemblyOf God

Services

Sunday School ........... 10:00 a.m.

Morning Worship .......11:00 a.m.

Sunday Evening ........... 5:00 p.m.

Wednesdays ................ 7:00 p.m. Phone: 903-473-2371

340 South Texas St.

(Hwy. 19 South 2 blocks from traffic lights)Pastor: Montie L. & Sandra J. Parker, Sr.

903-473-2653 to have your church ad placed in this directory

6345 FM 47, Point • 903-456-7614

Sunday School 10:00 a.m. • Morning Worship 10:45 a.m.Sunday Evening 6:00 p.m. • Wednesday Evening 7:00 p.m.

Children’s and Youth Ministries availablePastor Nathan Bounds • First Lady Jana Bounds

You’re invited to worship with us.

Clarks Chapel Church of God

SSunday Sunday Morning Small Groups 9:15am Morning Worship 10:30am Evening Worship 6:30 pm

WWednesday Wed. Worship 6:30pm (Adults, Youth, Children) Choir Practice 6:30pm

On The Square Corner Of North & Planters

Downtown Emory 903-473-3357

emorybaptist.org

Dr. Richard D. Piles—Pastor Chris Henderson—Minister of Music & Sr. Adults

Ronnie Witt— Minister of Youth & Education

By Ronnie WittIt was a good day of wor-

ship and ministry on Sunday. Bro. Richard Piles shared ses-sion six of the “Every Believ-er a Witness” series on Sunday morning. The sermon was titled, “Developing Know-How Part 4.” In the evening, Bro. Richard took a van to the Hunt Baptist Association’s Family Gathering at FBC Greenville. There were regular services for youth, chil-dren, and adults on Sunday night as Jason Moczygemba shared a message from I John. His ser-mon was titled, “The Root of

Confidence.”Threads of Service met on

Tuesday to work on projects. The Senior Adult Ministry Game Day will be Thursday, Oct. 28, at 12:00 p.m., in the fellowship hall. EBC is recruiting helpers to work in the home-side con-cession stand of the whole Rains football game on Friday night, October 29. EBC is also look-ing for volunteers to work half-time of the varsity game in the visitor’s side concession stand for the band boosters. On Satur-day, October 30, EBC members are invited to attend Evangelism

Equip at 9:30 a.m. in the fellow-ship hall.

EBC will host Fall Festival on October 31, from 5:30 -7:30 p.m., in the church’s north park-ing lot. There will be games, candy, hot dogs and inflatables for the kids. It is a family-friend-ly, free event for the commu-nity.

EBC is collecting completed Operation Christmas Child Shoe-boxes from now until November 14 in the church office. Please include $9 for shipping.

Send church news to the Rains County Leader at: news@rainscountyleader.com

By Donna BoughtonJacob Frazier began the Sun-

day school hour by leading a song, and then dismissing us to our class.

The week’s lesson focused on the value of friendships and the need to be like-minded in God’s Spirit to be God-given friends. The title for the lesson was, “The

Loyalty of Friendship.”Worship services were filled

with great singing. Prayer requests and praises were shared and Kelsey Fraizer voiced our morning prayer. Special music was provided by Benny Thomp-son.

Pastor Mike Frazier’s message continued to expound on the per-

sonality of the Holy Spirit and how we must allow God’s Spirit to dwell in us, leading, guid-ing and directing our lives. We need to continually recognize all the attributes of the Spirit so we can be effectual witnesses in this often dark world.

Have a wonderful week.

Believers’ Baptist Church

Country Baptist Church

By Linda Brendle“For great is the wrath of

the Lord that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do according to all that is written in this book.”

II Chronicles 34:21bSunday morning, Pastor Jerod

Haygood brought a sermon called “A Gripping Conviction from God’s Word for the Next Generation.” After recounting the story of Israel’s revival after King Josiah found the lost Book of the Law, he challenged us to

bring glory to God by pouring into the next generation, help-ing them grow in the conviction of God’s Word, character, and in the competence necessary to serve God by making disciples. We welcomed Keelyn Swoape as he led us in worshiping God through song.

Ken Berhard led the Sunday Night Bible Study in the con-tinuing study of Philippians.

Next Sunday, the monthly Know the Faith elder-led discus-sion will be held in the sanctuary at 9:15 a.m. We will celebrate

the Lord’s Supper during morn-ing worship, and we will have a Brown Bag Lunch fellowship immediately following the ser-vice. The quarterly Members’ Meeting is at 6:30 p.m.

During the month of Novem-ber, pictures will be taken for an online church directory. They will be informal pictures, so no appointments will be required.

Episode 95 on the Asking for a Friend podcast is “Are there varying degrees of sin?” The link to the podcast can be found at www.bbcemory.org.

903-473-4590

8 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Obituaries

Donald M. Smith1943 – 2021

A memorial service for Donald M. Smith, 78, of Emory, will be held on Saturday, October 30, at 10:00 a.m., at Emory Baptist Church with Dr. Richard Piles officiating.

Honorary pallbearers are the Men’s Kitchen Class of Emory Baptist Church.

Mr. Smith died on October 24, 2021, at his home in Emory. He was born on August 29, 1943, to Clay Smith and Aileen Mowdy Smith Johnson. He married Corene Kelso on August 1, 1964, in Durant, Okla. He served in the Army National Guard and had formerly served Rains County as Justice of the Peace.

He is survived by his wife; sons, Mark Smith and wife Dana, Matt Smith and wife Sherry, and

Jeff Smith and wife Megan; daughter, Yolanda Smith Means and husband Mark; brother Gregg Johnson and wife Grace; grandchildren, Grayson, Clay-ton, Cole, Brooklyn, Hayden and Jodi Means McDonald; and great-grandchil-dren, Rhett Land, Henna McDonald and Joplyn McDonald.

He was preceded in death by his par-ents; and brother, Marshall Smith.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be mailed to Family Life Center, Emory Baptist Church, 260 Planters St., Emory, TX 75440.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wil-son-Orwosky Funeral Home, www.wilsonor woskyfuneralhome.com.

Delbert “Papa” McInis1922 − 2021

Funeral services for Delbert McInis, 99, of Emory, were held on October 25 at Wilson-Orwosky Funeral Home Chapel. Bro. Tommy Morgan offici-ated.

Pallbearers were Josh Bush, Craig Bush, Tristian Bush, Dravyn Bush and Kermit Harper.

Mr. McInis died on October 21, 2021, at his home. He was born on September 7, 1922, to Andrew Melvin McInis and Elizabeth West. He was one of seven children. He joined the Army in 1942 where he fought in five major battles, including the Battle of the Bastogne.

Mr. McInis is survived by his daughters, Mary Ellen Bush, Jonnie Harper and husband Kermit,

Margaret Endicott and husband Donald, and Linda Morgan and Clara Bell; sons, Jimmy Morgan and wife Brenda, and Robert Morgan; sister, Ruth Drake; 18 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 13 great-great-grandchildren; sever-al great-great-great-grandchildren; and many people who loved him dearly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wives, Bernice Marie Tanner and Dorothy Regon; brothers, Dee and

Lewis McInis; sisters, Florence Peacock, and Ella and Jane McInis; daughter, Gladys Hudson; and an infant son.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests dona-tions be made to The Warrior’s Refuge.

Send church news to the Rains County Leader at:

news@rainscountyleader.com

Leader obituaries are available online at www.RainsCountyLeader.com

By the by and in the skyI sat and watched the world go byFrom a cloud, looking downVelvet forests made no soundA hawk in flight to my rightWith noble wings and piercing eyesWhat a treat to watch it flyBefore my seat was swept to seaWhere waves lapped at the shoreAnd majestic whales imploredFor a journey around the globeWith only stops far from homeYet never once alone.

Out dropped the cloud from under meAnd I plunged into the crystal seaSinking deep into the icy black

Never feeling fear at my backAn angler fish lit up the wayAll teeth and lanterns in the grayA lava flow was where we stoppedMountains formed and stones poppedDeep sea geysers broke the rockAnd sent me soaring like the hawkWater underneath my wingsSpat past sailors prone to singThrough the fluffy cotton cloudsOver lush valleys and bustling crowdsBack through the forest canopyAnd into the home love shares with me.

submitted by Donald Case, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482

Poetry corner

Pauline Beeler1922 – 2021

Graveside services for Pauline Beeler, 99, of Point, are scheduled for 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 28, at Creagleville Cemetery.

Mrs. Beeler died on October 25, 2021, in Royce City. She was born March 3, 1922, in Lin-dale, to Emmett and Gladys Irene Gilstrap Cofer. Mrs. Beeler spent most of her life in Richardson.

Mrs. Beeler is survived by two sons, Don Beel-er and wife Janis of Point, and Paul Beeler and

wife Janet of Plano; six grandchildren, Jon Beel-er, Cameron Beeler, Cara Beeler, Jody Beeler, Sunday Blue, and Hannah Beeler; several great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; hus-band, Don Beeler; and daughter, Canda Beeler.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bart-ley Funeral Home, Grand Saline.

THIS WEEK IN TEXAS HISTORY

King Fisher ruled an outlaw empireKing Fisher entered the state penitentiary on

October 30, 1870, to do a five-year stretch for housebreaking. But the governor took pity on the 16-year-old convict and granted him a full pardon

after only four months behind bars.

None too happy to see the teenaged troublemaker back on the street so soon, Goliad authorities kept a close eye on the budding badman. Knowing the slightest slip-up would land him back in prison, the youth went west in search of a fresh start.

Fisher found exactly that in the no-man’s-land between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, where the wild inhabitants lived by their wits and trigger fingers. As a cowboy, he learned to outthink and outshoot the opposition, Mexican bandits that preyed on the isolated cattle ranches. By the mid-1870s, he was beating the rustlers at their own game and building a private domain known as the Pendencia or simply “King Fisher’s Territory.”

The King was the picture of frontier success. Always dressed fit-to-kill, he sported the finest linen shirts and tailor-made chaps with a crimson waist sash. Wearing a buckskin jacket with gold embroidery, he topped off the expensive ward-robe with a white sombrero, also trimmed in pre-cious metal and featuring a gold snake hatband.

On his hips Fisher carried a matching pair of silver-plated six-shooters with ivory handles. More than mere ornaments, the pistols enabled the ambidextrous gunfighter to dispense death with either hand.

Although Fisher believed bloodshed was bad for business, he never shied away from a fight. He once caught a trio of Mexicans stealing a horse from his corral. After one thief foolishly fired in his direction, he grabbed the assailant’s gun and dropped all three in their tracks.

In another fabled fracas, Fisher single-hand-edly slew four more foes. Braining the first with a branding iron, he shot the rest before they could clear leather. It did not take many such episodes for him to rank among the fastest guns in Texas.

Fisher hobnobbed with the high and mighty cultivating the friendship of politicians and even a future dictator. Prior to seizing power in Mexico, Porfirio Diaz often dined with the bor-der boss in Piedras Negras across the river from Eagle Pass. Fisher’s connections with influential officials time and again foiled efforts to bring him to justice.

Capt. Leaner McNelly, however, could not be

bought or bullied, and in June 1876 he arrested nine members of the Fisher gang in a raid on the Pendencia. Tying the prisoners to their saddles for the ride to Eagle Pass, the Ranger warned Fisher’s new bride that any rescue attempt would result in the death of her husband.

But McNelly was upstaged by a slick lawyer, who secured the release of his clients before they set foot in jail. After turning Fisher loose, the captain offered him a few choice words of wis-dom.

“You’ve won every bout with the law up to now,” conceded McNelly, “but finally you’ll lose one and that one will be for keeps. You could make a good citizen. You’d also make a nice corpse.”

Ironically, Capt. McNelly beat the outlaw to the hereafter, when he died of tuberculosis the next September. The Ranger that took his place continued the campaign to clean up the border badlands by filing 21 separate charges, including five for murder, against the well-dressed outlaw.

Fisher was in and out of court for six years but eventually beat every rap. While a guest of the taxpayers for five months in the Bexar County Jail, he resolved to turn over a new leaf and become a legitimate rancher. So complete was the conversion that he sold his interest in a saloon and regularly attended religious revivals.

The sheriff at crime-infested Uvalde asked Fisher to lend a hand, and within months the dep-uty was running the show after his host ran afoul of the law. The reformed rustler was assured of election when voters went to the polls in 1884.

During a visit to Austin, Fisher bumped into fellow gunman Ben Thompson, who as usual was in a festive mood. Although he rarely drank, on this fateful occasion Fisher imbibed in a daylong binge which ended late that night in San Antonio.

A sober Fisher never would have agreed to step inside the very gambling house, where Thompson had killed the proprietor two years before. Associates of the dearly departed arranged an ambush in their honor and on cue cut down the famous gunslingers with a barrage of bullets.

Many Texans mourned the premature pass-ing of King Fisher and cursed the cowards who nipped his new life in the bud. Not everyone, though, was willing to forgive and forget.

For years, the mother of a fugitive killed by the sure-shooting deputy, visited the Uvalde cem-etery on the anniversary of her son’s death. She built a fire over the remains of King Fisher and dance triumphantly on his grave.

Contact Bartee Haile at barteehaile@gmail.com or by mail at P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.

By Bartee HaileHISTORICAL COLUMNIST

Bettie Jane Varnon Garrett1936 – 2021

Funeral services for Bettie Jane Var-non Garrett, 85, were held October 22 at Lakepoint Church in Dallas.

Interment followed in Miller Grove Cemetery, Cumby.

Mrs. Garrett died on October 13, 2021. She was born on May 26, 1936, to Henry Forney Varnon and Jeanie Prather Varnon in Emory. She had four grown siblings at the time of her birth and her nieces and nephews were more like her siblings. She graduated from Emory High School in the small class of 1954. She was active in clubs and on the women’s basketball team. Her first job was at Booker Nix’s drug store and soda fountain on the square in Emory. Working at the soda fountain gave her an outlet for her bubbly, friendly personality.

She moved to Dallas and lived at the YWCA. She soon was employed by The Great A&P Tea Company, where she worked for many years as a bookkeeper and then as assistant traffic manager. Her professional career spanned over 60 years. She was one of the first women in the nation to work in the grocery transportation business, work-ing on the logistics of moving trucks and rail cars with supplies for the grocer’s warehouse, then

distribution to the stores. During times of transition, she served as acting traf-fic manager until the next man could be hired for that position. Cullum Com-panies (Tom Thumb) hired her in 1975 as traffic manager. She served on both State and National Boards of Transpor-tation, the Southeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and in various ways at every church she attended.

She married James Ray Garrett on November 10, 1954. They met when she was 16 years old on the square on Emory.

Mrs. Garrett is survived by daughter, Raylene McKinnon and husband Robert, and daughter-in-law, Lori Garrett; five grandchildren, Morgan Gar-rett and husband Evin, Lindzi Novak and husband Nick, LorAnn Garrett Newman and husband J.D., Brannon James Garrett, and Garrett McKinnon and wife Molly Hansen; great-grandchildren, Rhi-din P. and Rhiot B. Novak, and Ricky Fincher Gar-rett Newman; and 31 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sib-lings; husband; daughter, Renée Garrett; son, Rick Garrett; and grandchild, Crystal Garrett.

Arrangements were under the direction of Sparkman Crane Funeral Home.

Journey

9THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

• • •

Classified Ads 473-2653We Accept

(9

03

)

CLASSIFIED DEADLINE11:00 A.M. MONDAYS

PUBLIC/LEGAL NOTICE

DON’T TEXT & DRIVE!

The life you save may be your own

FOR SALEMISCELLANEOUS

Very Good SHELLED PECANS available. Scott’s Orchard. 903-243-2130.

REAL ESTATE30 ACRES FOR SALE. 469-552-1737.

SALESGood Samaritan’s Thrift/Clothes store will be open Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon. Closed Nov. 27. Clothes sale is open Mon.-Thurs., 8 a.m. -12 p.m., and 1 p.m.-4 p.m.

“The Store” Open Nov. 1-3, Fri, Sat & Sun. About 200’ east of Hwy. 19 on Hwy. 80. Follow the signs. 25 cents, 50 cents, $1. & up. Lots of new items. Free picture with $20.00 purchase. Fill a bag with clothes for $3. Books, CDs, DVDs, VHSs, 45s, & LPs, jewelry, cameras, old watches, glassware, kitchen appliances, sheet music, porcelain dolls, bottles, inflatable car bed, unusual and so much more. Close out on many items.

HELP WANTEDSENIOR SUITE CARE & REHAB is now accepting applications for CNAs all shifts, PRN LVNs, dietary cooks and dishwashers, housekeep-ing. Full/part time. Apply in person at 983 N. Texas St., Emory, TX.

RAINS ISD NEEDS: Custodian/Custodian Substitutes, Bus Drivers/Substitutes, Food Service Employee/Substitutes,Child Development Center Employee/Substitutes. Salary based on experience. $275/month of full-time employee health coverage paid. Apply on-line at https://www.rainsisd.org Equal Employment Opportunity.

NEED SEWER MAN to replace my broken sewer lid and also to drain my sewer. 903-474-5826.

Visit our websitewww.rainscountyleader.com

HELP WANTEDWANTED: Bids to power wash and paint Woosley Baptist Church, Hwy. 47S in Point, past Hwy. 276 intersection one mile. Call 903-480-1164. Leave message with phone # for call back.

IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for pro-duction positions. No experience required. Employment requires passing physical and drug test-ing. Please apply in person. Dal-Air Castings, 591 Industrial Blvd., Point, TX, 75472.

THE RAINS COUNTY ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT Is seek-ing a full-time road hand. You can apply online at co.rains.tx.us or apply in person at 1293 S Hwy.. 19, Emory.

RENT/LEASE

RAINS CO. DEER LEASE (10 & 8 points have been killed in past). 13 acres, $1,000. 903-268-1400.

HOUSE FOR RENT near Rains schools. 2 BR/1 BA, $750/month. Call Rusty 903-268-8031

INSULATED BUILDINGS FOR LEASE – 40’x50’ and 50’x60’. (shop & office) 903-814-1000. EMORY BUSINESS PARK.

STORAGE UNITSEMORY SELF STORAGE, Hwy. 69S, 410 E. Lennon. Now offering climate-controlled units. 903-474-9150, 903-348-5459.

SERVICESTRANSPORTATION

NEED ERRANDS RUN? Need transportation? Call Mimi at 430-252-2007.

CLEANINGWISE JANITORIAL - Fully insured/free estimates. Wisejanitorial.com 903-574-6749.

CLEANINGDO YOU NEED your home or busi-ness cleaned for the holidays? Local woman with references. Reasonable rates. Call Jacqueline 903-474-7627.

CONSTRUCTIONSEAMLESS ALUMINUM GUTTERS. Patio covers, carports, metal haul-off. Tri-Star Services. 903-355-3004.

PHILLIP’S PLUMBING COMPANY 24-hour repair service. Lic. Plumber. Trenching service. Home 903-473-3857; cell 903-474-3054.

LANE’S CONCRETE WORK Houses, driveways, patios, side-walks, GRAVE CURBING. 903-268-1400.

MCKENZIE LAKE WORKS. Superior quality waterfront solutions. Boat docks, steel/metal bldgs., & more. www.mckenzielakeworks.com. 903-356-2300, 903-269-6173.

HANDYMAN specializing in tape, bed, texture and painting. Interior and exterior. Call Steve 903-474-5341.

DIRT & TRACTOR WORKG&G GRAVEL – All types of gravel, chipped asphalt, available for spreading, free estimates. Miller Grove. Bret Garrett 903-268-6910, Mark Garrett 903-348-3872.

TONY JENNINGS DIRT WORK – Will pump out and clean out pools, fence rows, etc., with excavator/trackhoe. Free estimates. Home 903-473-2508. Cell 903-530-7014.

LAWN/LANDSCAPE/MOWINGHOOTEN’S LAWN

& TREE SERVICE, LLCTim Hooten

Lawn maintenance, sodding, land-scaping, tree trimming & removal, retaining walls, irrigation systems. LI 0019094.903-473-8706, 903-474-4402.

SMITH’S LAWN CARE landscaping, fencing, hedge trimming, weekly/biweekly rates. 903-521-8506, free estimates.

PUBLIC NOTICENOTICE TO ALL PERSONS BUYINGPROPERTY IN THE VICINITY OF THE

SHIRLEY WATER SUPPLY CORP.

Shirley Water Supply Corp. urges any prospective buyer to verify with the manager at the offi ce, located on FM 1567, east of Hwy. 19, north of Emory, Tex., or south of Sulphur Springs, Tex., whether or not water is available at the tract of land in question.

Shirley Water Supply Corp.6684 FM 1567W

Sulphur Springs, Texas 75482

PUBLIC NOTICEREQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

CITY OF EMORY

The City of Emory is receiving funds from the American Rescue Plan (ARP Act) program from the U.S. Department of Treasury. Accordingly, the City is seeking to contract with a qualifi ed Engineering/Architectural/Surveying Firm (individual/fi rm) to prepare all preliminary and fi nal design plans and specifi cations, and to conduct all necessary interim and fi nal inspections. These services are being solicited to assist the City in its preparation and project implementation of American Rescue Plan Act contract(s), to support eligible activities in the City of Emory. Please electronically submit your proposal in .pdf format via email to angie@emorytx.com and grantworks@grantworks.net. SOQs must be received by the city no later than 12:00 noon on November 8, 2021 to be considered. The City reserves the right to negotiate with any and all proposers, as per the Texas Professional Services Procurement Act and the Uniform Grant and Contract Management Standards. Minority Business Enterprises, Small Business Enterprises, Women Business Enterprises, and labor surplus area fi rms are encouraged to submit proposals. The City of Emory is an Affi rmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Servicios de traducción están disponibles por peticion.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THEESTATE OF DOUGLAS JAMES MCMILLIN,

DECEASED

Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the ESTATE OF DOUGLAS JAMES MCMILLIN, DECEASED, were issued on October 19, 2021, under Docket No. 3149, pending in the County Court of Rains County, Texas, to LYNN MARIE MCMILLIN.Claims may be presented in care of the attorney for the estate, addressed as follows:

c/o: Philip D. AlexanderAttorney at Law

Number One Planters StreetP.O. Box 38

Emory, Texas 75440

All persons having claims against this estate, which is currently being administered, are required to present them within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.

DATED October 25, 2021.CURTIS & ALEXANDER, P.C.

Attorneys at LawNumber One Planters Street

P.O. Box 38Emory, Texas 75440

Telephone: 903-473-2297Facsimile: 903-473-3069

E-Mail: philip@curtisalexander.netPhilip D. Alexander

State Bar No. 00786967ATTORNEYS FOR APPLICANT

LAWN/LANDSCAPE/MOWINGMARVIN’S LANDSCAPE & PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICE – fence row cleaning, affordable pricing. Text or call 903-348-4399.

MISC. SERVICESHELP ME, HELP YOU! Call Zack at Priority Roofing for a free roof inspection 210-607-9847.

AVS APPLIANCE SERVICE – Servicing most household appli-ances. All work guaranteed. 903-473-3664, 903-473-8862.

PEST CONTROLALL PRO PEST CONTROL. Termites, roaches, spiders, ants, scorpions. Call Robert 903-268-7263.

RODGERS PEST CONTROL – rats, mice, roaches, ants, spiders, what-ever bugs you. 903-394-4531.

TREE SERVICESHOOTEN’S LAWN & TREE SERVICE, LLC. Tree trimming/removal. Credit cards, insured. LI0019094. 903-473-8706, 903-474-4402.

M&M TREE SERVICE. 15 yrs. pro-fessional experience. Complete ser-vice available. Competitive rates. FREE ESTIMATES. References available. *INSURED* 903-408-0161.

LEGACY TREE SERVICE. www.TheWilsonLegacy.com 903-455-1587. Insured, credit cards, appointments. We specialize in high risk removals. Trimming, Removals, Stumps.

EAST TEXAS TREE WORKS LLC. Chipping, trimming, removal and more. Insured. Veteran owned and operated. Free estimates. Call 214-809-9506

LOST & FOUNDWANTED

CAN’T FIND WHAT YOU NEED? CALL 903-473-2653 AND LET LEA HELP BY PLACING YOUR CLASSIFIED AD HERE.

PUBLIC NOTICE

The City of Point will be accepting bids for an IT company until November 2. Bids may be submitted at 320 N. Locust, Point.

10 THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2021

Sports

By CHUCK FITTSRains County Leader staff

The Rains Wildcats varsity football team had trouble con-taining the speed of the Com-merce Tigers in the 55-20 dis-trict loss in Commerce on Friday night, October 22.

Commerce managed touch-down plays of 75, 71, 63, 48, 44, and 38 during the homecoming game of the Tigers.

Junior running back KJ Burns led the Wildcat ground attack with 160 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns, while senior quarterback Audie McA-ree ran the ball 21 times for 102 yards and one touchdown.

McAree finished the game with 8 completions for 87 yards.

Senior Beau Schellinger hauled in four passes for 47 yards, and sophomore Prabh-deep Singh caught three passes for 40 yards.

Senior Gustavo Rodriguez recovered the only fumble of the game for the Rains defense.

The Wildcats received the opening kickoff and moved the ball 60 yards into Tigers terri-tory with a steady dose of runs through the middle of the line. The momentum ran out and the ball was turned over on downs at the Commerce 18-yard line when the fourth down pass fell incomplete.

The Tigers managed two short runs before the quarter-back faked a sweep run and threw to an open receiver for a 75-yard touchdown. The two-point attempt failed. Rains 0, Commerce 6.

On their next offensive drive, Rains gained 18 yards and a first down before being forced to

punt back to Commerce.The Tigers ended the first

quarter with a short run, but began the second quarter with a 48-yard touchdown run by the speedster running back. The two-point attempt succeeded this time. Rains 0, Commerce 14.

The Wildcat imposed their will on the Tigers on the ensuing drive as they bullied their way 72 yards down the field in 13 plays. McAree finished the drive as the line pushed their way into the end zone from the two yard line. Rains 7, Commerce 14.

Commerce’s running attack, enhanced by speed, needed only six plays to move 53 yards for the score, with a nine-yard quar-terback sweep capping the drive. Rains 7, Commerce 21.

On the next drive, the Rains offense continued to move the ball with big runs of 16 and 10 as well as a 19-yard reception by Singh. Burns finished the drive with another big run of 15 for the touchdown. Rains 14, Com-merce 21.

The Wildcat defense con-tained the Tiger offense better on the next drive, allowing only 11 yards on four plays before another big play from the speed-ster running back ended the drive with a 44-yard touchdown run. The extra point doinked off the uprights and fell into the end zone. Rains 14, Commerce 27.

Commerce started the second half with the ball on their own 46-yard line. They moved the ball 43 yards on seven plays before the Tiger running back lost the ball. Gustavo picked up the loose ball from the turf and rumbled 34 yards before being dragged down.

Rains managed six total yards and a first down before punting.

The 37-yard punt pinned the Commerce offense at their own 11-yard line.

The Wildcats held the Tigers to short gains until the speedster running back struck again with a 71-yard touchdown run. Rains

14, Commerce 34.Rains pounded the ball for

short runs on the next drive before Burns broke off on a 32-yard run that was moved back by a face-mask penalty. Burns would punch it in five plays later from 10 yards out. Rains 20, Commerce 34.

The Tigers moved the ball 16 yards in five plays before the running back caught a screen pass and weaved his way 38 yards for the touchdown. Rains 20, Commerce 41.

Starting at their own 31-yard line, the Wildcats began the drive with some trickery as Singh took the pitch and then threw to Schellinger for a 26-

yard pass. Singh caught a pass from McAree for 13 yards, but three incompletions and a tackle for a loss turned the ball over to the Tigers.

The only thing the speed-ster Tiger running back had not accomplished in the game was catch a touchdown pass. So on the next drive, he caught a pass and ran 63 yards to the end zone. Rains 20, Commerce 48.

Rains moved the ball 33 yards in nine plays but a rash of incompletions stalled the drive. A valiant stretch for the first down line on a fourth down attempt was ruled short and the ball went back to Commerce.

Not content to run out the

clock on their homecoming night, the Tigers went 84 yards in two plays for their final score of the night. Rains 20, Com-merce 55.

Fighting to the end, the Wild-cats started the final drive with a 27-yard run by Burns, but the team managed only 17 more yards before the clock ran out. Rains 20, Commerce 55.

The Rains Wildcats fall to 1-4 in District 5-3A-1 and 2-5 for the season.

The Wildcats play their final home game on Friday night, October 29, against the Mineola Yellow Jackets. Kickoff of the district game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

RAINS WILDCAT FOOTBALL

Wildcats struggle to contain speed of Tigers, fall to Commerce

RAINS WILDCAT VOLLEYBALL

Ladies finish tied for sec-ond place, tiebreaker next

By CHUCK FITTSRains County Leader staff

The Rains Lady Cat varsity volleyball team suffered a loss to Edgewood but bounced back for the victory over Lone Oak to finish in a three-way tie for sec-ond place in District 12-3A.

On Friday, October 22, The Lady Cats lost a five-set battle to the Lady Bulldogs, 3-2, in Edgewood.

Rains finished district play on Tuesday, October 26, with a straight-set win over the Lone

Oak Lady Buffaloes, 3-0, at Rains High School.

The Rains Lady Cats finished district tied for second place with an 8-4 record, while post-ing a 23-9 mark for the season.

The Lady Cats will com-pete in a tiebreaker round-robin against Edgewood and Paris Chisum on Thursday, October 28, in Commerce.

Rains will play Edgewood at 1:00 p.m. with the winner to play Chisum at 4:00 p.m. Losers of games 1 and 2 will play at 7:00 p.m., if necessary.

Leader photo by CHUCK FITTS

Seeing the hole in the Tiger defense, senior Audie McAree (1) cuts up the field during the 55-20 loss on Friday night, October 22, at Memorial Stadium in Commerce.

Leader photo by CHUCK FITTS

After scooping up the loose ball, senior Gustavo Rodriguez (58) runs away from the pursuing Tigers for 34 yards during the 55-20 district loss to Commerce on Friday night, October 22, in Memorial Stadium.