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By Frankie L. Trull
The fight against rubella, the deadly German measles, has finally paid off. Global health authorities say the terrible disease has been eliminated in the Americas. It's a rare dose of good news in the fight against the debilitating disease, which can cause birth defects or even fetal death if contracted by a pregnant woman.
The eradication was possible by one of modern medicine's most indispensable tools -- routine vaccination. Immunization's value has never been more apparent. Yet Americans have grown skeptical of vaccines -- and the science behind them. That has to change. Few medical innovations have saved more lives than vaccines, which may play an even larger role in the years to come.
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During the 1970's, there was a social movement called "Zero Population Growth.” The idea was that people who wanted children should only procreate enough to replace themselves; in other words, two children per family. It was commonly known as ZPG.
For some reason this movement just died out. For religious or other reasons, people kept having kids and more kids, thinking (I guess) that, as long as they could afford them, why not? Personally, I feel that's taking the short view. There are other things to consider when it comes to planet population. There are ecological factors, health issues, loss of animal habitat. This latter one is a big deal to me.
When we first bought the property on which we live, we saw evidence of deer. We recognized where they bedded down and occasionally saw them peeking through the trees. After a few months of zealously crashing through the woods on the tractor, we managed to run them off. I've always regretted that.
What does that have to do with ZPG? I think we have things just a little backward. We don't need to run off the wild things, we should put some controls on those things we are responsible for. Spay and neuter your pets! When you spay, you drastically reduce her chances of developing mammary cancer. When you neuter, you drastically reduce his chances of testicular cancer. And every day - every single day - we get calls about abandoned dogs and feral cats. As an added factoid, did you realize that 40,000 kittens are born in this country every day? EVERY DAY.
There is so much education to be done. We all need educating about something, but the problem of pet overpopulation can be placed at just about everyone's doorstep. Before I got into the business of rescue, I was as unknowing as anybody. There is a whole universe of information about this, hidden behind politics, ethics and emotional needs. When you get right down into it, you see the situation for what it really is, and it's terrible.
I'm hoping that someday everyone will be knowledgeable about this problem, and we can work to make it better. If you have any questions, or comments, feel free to contact me. I'm usually available - taking care of unadoptable dogs and noisy cats.
Feel free to contact me at bacranch@vzinet.com with the word "column" in the subject field.
Carol Whatley
President, Van Zandt County Humane Society
By Melisa Rhodes
The Fourth of July is one of America’s favorite holidays.
And, why not? Families and friends gather to celebrate our country with food, parades, parties, and fireworks.
But there is a very dark side to this great holiday. For many, the celebrations turn from festive to fatal when alcohol-impaired driving crashes occur because someone chose to drive after drinking. In 2013, “Forbes” magazine named the Independence Day holiday “the most dangerous holiday of the year.”
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Watch UR BAC program suggests that if you plan to celebrate with alcohol, you plan a safe ride home. Throughout the region, local police will be out in force this July 4th holiday period, cracking down on drunk driving through increased patrols. Officers remind you to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
Unfortunately, the latest statistics from the Texas Department of Transportation underscore the need for the July 4th crackdown, both statewide and in the Van Zandt County area. In 2014, there were 1,041 fatalities in Texas involving drivers who were legally drunk at the time of the crash (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 grams per deciliter or higher).
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Given enough time and work, any domesticated animal can be trained. It depends on what you want them to do. It's easy enough to teach a dog to sit, or stay, or shake paws; it's a little more difficult to train a cat.
Most dogs respond to treats and praise. Cats love petting and head scratches. If you have an iguana, however, you'll get no help from me. Let's stick to dogs and cats.
A dog wants to please you and he wants a job. Take advantage of those two motivators. I've seen dogs on a construction site, fitted with a "saddle" with pockets, and they trot around to the workers with tools, water, whatever. They feel useful. A little treat and a kind word, and they'll work all day. Cats don't want to work, let's face it, so to make them feel wanted, give them a warm place to lie around and a wiggly toy, and they'll come when you call. That's about it for a cat's obedience. But it's a start, right? Maybe "obedience" isn't the right word - let's call it willingness. We all want a pet to be a companion, so give it a try. It's good for them and it will lower your blood pressure to have a companion who makes no demands.
We all have heard people with no kids and three dogs indicate that the dogs ARE their children. I can understand that. In some ways it's better than having kids. Dogs and cats don't talk back, demand the car keys, put you in the poorhouse, keep you awake at night or go through puberty. All they ask is cool water and a little kindness.
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Summer Reading at the Van Zandt County Library has three sessions left. Be There! About 100 children and adults have attended each of the first four fun days, and adults may have enjoyed them as much as the kids did. See Facebook, vanzandtlibrary.org or the foyer of the Library for details on the rest of summer
activities. Trinity Valley Electric Co-op is the principle underwriter of Summer Reading again this year. Their grant provided funds for programs and many of the prizes that were awarded, including the Grand Prize. The Canton Rotary Club gave the main prize for each individual meeting. The Friends of the Library organized and conducted the entire event.
FREEBIE 3rd FRIDAY will begin on July 17. This is a noontime event once a month sponsored by
“Educate Van Zandt” in cooperation with the Library. Bring a sack lunch and spend an hour munching and learning. Some topics may be an attorney discussing wills and trusts or learning to knit or crochet. The first program will be ‘Interview Skills and Resume Building’, presented by Dr. Jennifer Jones. No reservation is required.
Rumor has it that Storytime will sponsor a Stuffed-Animal Sleepover July 30. Ask about it at Storytime on Tuesday or at the desk.
It is time to elect new Van Zandt County Library Advisory Board members. If you have a good candidate, suggest to your Commissioner to propose him or her. The Advisory Board suggests and implements Library Policy, assists in hiring, and generally assists Library Staff. They meet once a month, and as the name indicates, advises the Court and the Staff on Library business.
The Friends of the Library is open to all who are interested in good Library Service. They receive memorials, request and administer Grants, actively assist in things that go on, and generally are available to assist the Staff.
Recent memorials were for Beth Whitaker from Julie Garrett and Robert and Wanda Westmoreland; for Joni Jewel Harrington King from Tim and Carolyn James and for David Tunnell from Ann Spruiell.
By Kelli Bryant
Librarian -
There are so many ways to get involved at the library this summer.
One of the trends that I am seeing is that more and more people are looking to have a low-key summer. Parents want their children to have the kind of summer that they did when they were children. You remember those days. Chasing lightning bugs, playing in the sprinkler, lying under the stars are all fond memories from childhood summers. It’s easy to take a trip back to a simpler and slower summer and use the library as a tool to make that happen.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money this summer to entertain your children. We have all kinds of free activities for the family this summer.
Everyone knows how important it is to keep children mentally engaged during the summer and reading is one of the easiest ways to do this. We have reading competitions for everyone this summer. In addition for our competitions for children and adults we also have a competition that parent/grandparents/guardians can do with children who are not yet reading. In all of the competitions once you complete your goal you will be entered to win one of two prizes: a $25 gift card and a Kindle Fire. We will be giving away two Kindle Fires this summer, one for a child and one for an adult. We will also be selecting people each week to be our Reader of the Week and they will receive a small prize as well.
Each Tuesday at 2 p.m, reluctant or struggling readers are invited to come to the library to read to therapy dogs as part. of our Reading for Wags program. Every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. we will be hosting a free fitness program for adults so you can try out some of the local classes for fee or learn some new techniques to add to your fitness routine. On Thursday afternoons at 2 p.m. you can come back for a family movie in the afternoon.
Take some time to slow down this summer by spending some time at the library. Please follow our facebook page, twitter (@saltcitylibrary), or webpage to find the latest information about the activities at the library.
Just a reminder library cards are available for those who can provide proof of residence in Van Zandt County and photo identification. A guardian must sign for children ages 7-17. Regular business hours are Tuesday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call 903-962-5516 for more information or visit our website at www.grandsalinelibrary.com.
High court puts Texas abortion law on hold
AUSTIN — The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 vote on June 29, granted a stay preventing revisions to the state abortion law made by the Texas Legislature in 2013 from taking effect on July 1.
The stay will remain in effect while the court is on hiatus. When it reconvenes in October, the court will decide if the issues at stake in the Texas case, Whole Woman’s Health (and others) v. Cole, merit further review. Voting to deny the stay were Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Scalia, Thomas and Alito.
Created by House Bill 2 in the second special session of the 83rd Texas Legislature, the law would further restrict abortion providers and complicate patient access to abortion services. In question are matters related to the law’s admitting privileges requirement for physicians performing abortions and the requirement that abortion-providing facilities must upgrade as necessary to qualify as ambulatory surgical centers.
Governor Greg Abbott commented, “HB 2 was a constitutional exercise of Texas’ lawmaking authority that was correctly and unanimously upheld by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Texas will continue to fight for higher-quality healthcare standards for women while protecting our most vulnerable, the unborn, and I’m confident the Supreme Court will ultimately uphold this law.”
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Brad Blakemore, Publisher
In the July 26 issue of the Van Zandt News we published a story on the front page of the paper titled “Officially Dunn.” The story was on the first same-sex marriage in Van Zandt County since the Supreme Court’s June 26 ruling granting same-sex couples the right to legally wed.
As a result of the story, we have received both positive and negative feedback from our readers. Some thanking us for running the story and congratulating the two men who were married by JP Herbert Dunn in Wills Point. We have also had a handful of negative reactions from our readers questioning our decision to run the story at all and asking why we felt it deserved front page coverage.
Was the first same-sex marriage news in Van Zandt County? Yes. Does everyone have their own opinion on the subject? Of course.
Whether you agree or disagree with the subject matter, same-sex marriage has been a topic of debate in our country for many years. Our story wasn’t just about the two men who were married. The law said they could get married, an official in Van Zandt County agreed to marry them and we made a decision to run their story. This was also an opportunity for our readers to hear from county officials and their decisions whether to marry same-sex couples.
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Carol Whatley, Guest Columnist
During my childhood, the only "vacation" we ever took as a family was going to visit other family in Ohio. It was a 500 mile trip from northern Alabama to southern Ohio, and of co8urse my father had to make it in one day. The day began about 4 am, when my sister and I were awakened, put into the car in our pajamas, and off we went. We shared the backseat, our feet in each other's faces, and tried to sleep. Along about Nashville my father would grudgingly stop for a potty break and gasoline, all the time watching the other cars and saying, "I have to pass them all over again." In those days there was not yet an interstate highway system. This means we drove through the hilly, twisting terrain of Kentucky and I was the lucky one who was always carsick. Every single time I would throw up without warning, somewhere near Paducah. It was sort of a family tradition.
When we arrived at my grandmother's house there was always Tippy, a little black Chihuahua. For years and years, there was Tippy. One time we came in after another marathon road trip, and no Tippy. I have no idea what happened, or why he wasn't there, and no one mentioned it. It's still a mystery today where Tippy went.
I have a friend with a very old cat. Like Tippy, the cat has always just been there. One day my friend was looking through some old family photos of her grandparents and cousins, and in one photo was a cat. This one looked exactly like the one that was sitting on the couch next to her. Mind you, this photo was taken at least 40 years earlier. She looked at the picture, looked at the cat, and decided there were mysteries in life she could not fathom.
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In looking back over my service as State Representative in House District 2, I have never had more contacts, questions, expressed concerns or outright rage concerning questions regarding the recent Supreme Court decision legalizing same sex marriage. My staff and I have had many of the same questions and, like you, we want answers.
You may recall in the Regular session of the 79th Texas Legislature we approved a Resolution defining Marriage in Texas as being one of one woman and one man. I was a co-author of that Legislation. By a vote of the people of Texas, 253 of the 254 counties overwhelming approved this resolution to be added to the Texas Constitution. With the 10th Amendment of the US Constitution granting states the right to decide these issues, many are at loss to the position of activities judges legislating from the bench. I am outraged.
Believing something must be done and questions must be answered, I submitted a letter to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton asking for his legal opinion on different questions concerning the legality of same sex marriage and Texas State Agencies creating and implementing policies that may well go beyond their authority and in even authorizing apportions without Legislative approval.
This goes beyond whether same-sex couples should have the right to marry-this really has to do with law. State agencies act on the decisions made in the Texas House and Senate. The Texas Legislature has not voted on the rights of same sex marriage and therefore I question whether or not state agencies have the authority to make these decisions without direction from the Legislature.
Since the Texas Legislature and the people have not chosen to legalize same sex marriage, then the federal government needs to pursue their course of action against the state of Texas. This is far too important an issue to let nine activist federal judges create law based on a five-four decide to destroy Texas Law.
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The Van Zandt Co. Sheriff’s Dept. reported the following arrests for July 14 - 21, 2015
Cody Lyn Allbright, 17, Van, was arrested on site for minor driving under the influence, minor in possession of alcohol, minor in possession of tobacco, and violation of driver’s license restriction.
Jackie William Ballard, 62, Canton, was arrested on a warrant for injury to a child, elderly or disabled with intentional bodily injury.
Michael Lavaughn Banks, 35, Tyler, was arrested on a warrant for driving while intoxicated.
Paul Lewis Belyeu, 43, Flint, was arrested on an Erath Co. warrant for theft of property.
Austin Layne Brasher, 25, Tyler, was arrested on a warrant for driving while intoxicated, and on a Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 warrant for stopping, standing or parking on main traveled way.
Dann Walker Brown, 48, Wills Point, was arrested on three warrants for issuance of bad check.
Courtney Rae Celest Carrizales, 23, Canton, was arrested on site for theft of property.
Joshua Lee Chitty, 33, Wills Point, was arrested on a warrant for driving while intoxicated.
Mack Raymond Christie, 26, Bossier City, La., was arrested on site for unlawfully carrying a weapon, theft of property and disorderly conduct.
Rodney Lowell Currin, 37, Grand Saline, was arrested on a warrant for evading arrest and detention with vehicle.
Judy Jackson Dalton, 65, Wills Point, was arrested on a warrant for arson.
Bruce Dedmon, 39, Tulsa, Okla., was arrested on site for engaging in organized criminal activity, burglary of coin operated collection machine and evading arrest and detention.
Jonathan Dwayne Denison, 35, Murchison, was arrested on site for possession of a controlled substance, on a Henderson Co. warrant for theft of property, and on two warrants for burglary of building and violation of parole.
Justin Lane Ditto, 18, Grand Saline, was arrested on site for disorderly conduct.
Eric Dean Dockery, 28, Murchison, was arrested on a warrant for criminal trespass.
Whitney Michelle Dukes, 25, Gladewater, was arrested on site for possession of a controlled substance.
Steven Ray Ebarb, 24, Cleburne, was arrested on a Bexar Co. warrant for theft of property.
Autumn K. Edwards, 25, Tulsa, Okla., was arrested on site for engaging in organized criminal activity and burglary of coin operated/collection machine.
Anthony Michael Fiorillo Sr., 52, New Port Richey, Fla., was arrested on site for possession of marijuana.
Manuel Chavez Flores Jr., 51, Dallas, was arrested on site for possession of a controlled substance.
Dennis Charles Floyd, 35, Gladwater, was arrested on site for possession of a controlled substance.
Christopher Robin Geddie, 56, Athens, was arrested on a warrant for assault causing bodily injury and family violence.
Gloria Carter Graham, 47, Shreveport, La., was arrested on site for driving while intoxicated, and on a Harrison Co. warrant for theft of property.
Michael James Graham, 37, Wills Point, was arrested on a warrant for burglary of habitation.
Ralph Robert Graham, 57, Yuma, Ariz., was arrested on site for public intoxication.
Matthew Lee Green, 27, Wills Point, was arrested on site for driving while intoxicated.
Richard Nolan Hall, 34, Canton, was arrested on a warrant for false statement for property, credit.
Aron Curtis Hambric, 40, Canton, was arrested on a warrant for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.
William Harris, 24, Grand Saline, was arrested on site for criminal trespass and possession of marijuana.
Carl Dywayne Herrera, 38, Frankston, was arrested on site for theft of property.
Dustin Taylor Hiroms, 21, Royse City, was arrested on a warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Charles Dee Jenkins, 45, Edgewood, was arrested on a warrant for driving while intoxicated.
Manuel Lopez Jr., 60, Wills Point, was arrested on a warrant for driving while intoxicated.
Vicky Ellen Lovvorn, 52, Wills Point, was arrested on a Kaufman Co. warrant for theft of property.
Joy Yvonne Luna, 36, Wills Point, was arrested on site for burglary of habitation, burglary of building and theft of firearm.
Martin Ray Malone, 59, Wills Point, was arrested on site for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of firearm by a felon.
Angel Gabriel Mancera, 25, Grand Saline, was arrested on a Wood Co. warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
Caleb Joshua Martin, 36, Edgewood, was arrested on site for disorderly conduct.
Jorge Luis Martinez, Kilgore, was arrested on site for possession of a controlled substance and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.
Roxanne Renee McFarland-Alford, 42, Grand Saline, was arrested on three warrants for burglary of habitation and forgery of financial instrument.
Terrence Lamont Mike, 20, Tulsa, Okla., was arrested on site for engaging in organized criminal activity, burglary of coin operated/collection machine, and evading arrest and detention.
Amber Marie Morris, 35, Groesbeck, was arrested on a warrant for theft of property.
Bradlee Alexander Mosley, 26, Mabank, was arrested on site for possession of a controlled substance and evading arrest and detention, and on two warrants for driving while license invalid and assault causing bodily injury.
Gary Shane Motl, 44, Athens, was arrested on site for criminal trespass and harassment.
Scott Alan Murphree, 48, Edgewood, was arrested on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
Alyssa Logan Murphy, 17, Wills Point, was arrested on a Bexar Co. warrant for assault causing bodily injury, and on view for driving while unlicensed.
Michael Paul Musick, 34, Whitehouse, was arrested on a warrant for violation of parole.
David Rosendo Oviedo, 28, Dallas, was arrested on a warrant for driving while intoxicated.
Robert Joseph Pelland, 46, Murchison, was arrested on a warrant for assault.
Joel Ulisses Carr Quinttanilla, 21, Dallas, was arrested on site for driving while intoxicated and possession of marijuana.
Casey James Smith, 22, Mineola, was arrested on a warrant for forgery of financial instrument.
Jerome Mack Smith Jr., 55, Canton, was arrested on a warrant for credit card or debit card abuse.
Francisco Solis, 24, Longview, was arrested on site for tampering, fabricating physical evidence with intent and no driver’s license.
Marlin Dewayne Staples, 34, Canton, was arrested on a warrant for injury to a child, elderly or disabled with intentional bodily injury.
Nancy Lea Swearengin, 52, Como, was arrested on a warrant for criminal negligent homicide.
Randy Lynn Tanner, 35, Wills Point, was arrested on two warrants for prohibited substance or item in a correctional facility and criminal trespass.
Kimberly Deann Thompson, 41, Odessa, was arrested on site for unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Terry Joe Thompson, 43, Wills Point, was arrested on a warrant for driving while intoxicated.
Walter Boyce Townsend, 52, Longview, was arrested on site for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.
Nicky Tracy, 25, Dallas, was arrested on site for engaging in organized criminal activity and burglary of a coin operated/collection machine.
Terry Glenn Vance, 42, Wills Point, was arrested on site for possession of a controlled substance.
David Eugene Walker, 33, Seagoville, was arrested on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
Travion Obrien Washington, 34, Tyler, was arrested on a warrant for possession of a controlled substance.
Rickey Ray White II, 30, was arrested on a warrant for theft of service.
Sherequria Nicole Williams, 22, Dallas, was arrested on a Dallas Co. warrant for theft of property, and on site for speeding and no driver’s license.
Charles Wilson III, 29, Edgewood, was arrested on three warrants for theft of firearm, assault, driving while license invalid, and on a Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 warrant for driving while license invalid.
William Chad Woods, 47, Van, was arrested on site and on three warrants for manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance.
Today, God’s true New Testament Church finds herself in a time that most thought would never come in America.
The recent ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States has been thoroughly written and spoken about by people of every sector since the day of the ruling. The difference of thought is caused by the fact that most Christians hold to a Biblical worldview and the contrasting side of this issue holds to either a Theism, Naturalism, Secular Humanism or a Postmodern worldview.
This has caused a gaping chasm that is wider apart than any Democrat or Republican issue disparity. The rhetoric has been heard and now the church must be about the Great Commission left to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.
The New Testament clearly identifies homosexuality as a sexual sin in Romans 1:24-28. Also identified as sin are adultery, premarital sex and any type of sex outside the bounds of a marriage between one man and one woman.
Jesus speaking in Matthew 19:4-6 stated, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh.’ What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
Whether consciously or subconsciously, every person has a worldview, a framework from which reality is viewed and sense is made of life and the world. Charles “Chuck” Colson, an Evangelical Christian leader who founded Prison Fellowship and also served as Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon prior to his conversion to Christianity said that a Biblical worldview is "practicing the Kingship of Jesus". [1]
This means living every area of our lives in obedience to and for the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Revelation 4:11 states, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Today, God’s true New Testament Church finds herself in a time that most thought would never come in America.
The recent ruling of the Supreme Court of the United States has been thoroughly written and spoken about by people of every sector since the day of the ruling. The difference of thought is caused by the fact that most Christians hold to a Biblical worldview and the contrasting side of this issue holds to either a Theism, Naturalism, Secular Humanism or a Postmodern worldview.
This has caused a gaping chasm that is wider apart than any Democrat or Republican issue disparity. The rhetoric has been heard and now the church must be about the Great Commission left to us by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20.
The New Testament clearly identifies homosexuality as a sexual sin in Romans 1:24-28. Also identified as sin are adultery, premarital sex and any type of sex outside the bounds of a marriage between one man and one woman.
Jesus speaking in Matthew 19:4-6 stated, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one flesh.’ What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
Whether consciously or subconsciously, every person has a worldview, a framework from which reality is viewed and sense is made of life and the world. Charles “Chuck” Colson, an Evangelical Christian leader who founded Prison Fellowship and also served as Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon prior to his conversion to Christianity said that a Biblical worldview is "practicing the Kingship of Jesus". [1]
This means living every area of our lives in obedience to and for the honor of Jesus Christ our Lord. Revelation 4:11 states, “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created.”
Governor's order enhances readiness on military bases
Gov. Greg Abbott on July 18 authorized Adjutant General John Nichols of the Texas National Guard to arm personnel at military facilities across Texas.
Abbott’s action comes following the July 16 shooting on two military facilities in Chattanooga, Tenn., that resulted in the deaths of four U.S. Marines and one U.S. Navy sailor. A suspect was killed at the scene. An investigation is in progress.
“It is with a heavy heart that I issue this order,” Abbott said. “After the recent shooting in Chattanooga, it has become clear that our military personnel must have the ability to defend themselves against these type of attacks on our own soil.
“Arming the National Guard at these bases will not only serve as a deterrent to anyone wishing to do harm to our service men and women, but will enable them to protect those living and working on the base.”
Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard and Texas State Guard, referred to collectively as the Texas National Guard, are administered by the adjutant general.
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