Special Olympians compete

Clarksville Special Olympics unified team member Warren Brooks (left) who stands 5' 10" gets ready to go up for the opening tip against an opponent who stands about a foot taller during action at the Area 10 Basketball tournament that took place this past Friday and Saturday in Grand Prairie. The event featured more than 100 teams. The Clarksville team members earned bronze medals. For more photos and the story, see the print edition of the March 1^st Clarksville Times.

- Clarksville Times Photo by Bruce E. Williams

City seeks juvenile curfew ordinance

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

The Clarksville City Council held a public hearing Tuesday night on implementing a juvenile curfew ordinance.

It stipulates unaccompanied minors cannot be out in public between 10:30 p.m. and 6 a.m., and also between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. when school is in session.

City Manager Shannon Barrentine explained the city first adopted a juvenile curfew ordinance on Nov. 30, 1993, and that according to state law such an ordinance must be formally re-adopted every three years.

The previous ordinance therefore expired Nov. 30 of last year and the city must go through the adoption process again.

The ordinance includes a number of acceptable exceptions, such as going to and from work, or school/church related functions.

In order to be back in effect, the city has to hold two hearings. No member of the public spoke at Tuesday night’s hearing.

Barrentine said that in addition to preventing crime, the ordinance helps “protect our kids.”

Police Chief Larry Whittington agreed, stating it makes it less likely children will be taken advantage of.

The council will hold a second public hearing at its next meeting before the ordinance goes in effect.

Band to get new uniforms

By LOU ANTONELLI
Managing Editor
School trustees Monday night approved purchasing new uniforms for the Clarksville Tiger Band.
Director of Finance Melissa Darrow reported that a CD set aside to help with such a purchase now stands at $23,000. The current band uniforms are eleven years old.
Supt. Pam Bryant reported the district has investigated cost, and presented three different proposals based on 100 uniforms.
The lowest cost uniforms would cost $18,840, but Bryant and Interim Band Director Eric Shimanek they looked too inexpensive. Another proposal would cost $36,900.
Bryant told board members that, after some bargaining, Shimanek was able to get a bid for the high end uniforms at $53,000.
Trustees asked why the band needs 100 uniforms when it has 73 members currently. Shimanek explained they need surplus uniforms for when other wear out.
A number of band students have to change uniforms as they grow during high school, noted Bryant.
After some discussion, trustees agreed to add $30,00o to the $23,000 CD and purchase the 100 new uniforms for $53,000.
In November the Tiger Band won the state UIL Marching competition for Class 2A in San Antonio.

Thanks for your patience

We at the Clarksville Times would like to apologize to the people who have purchased a subscription during the past few weeks but have't been getting a newspaper.

When we bought the newspaper we inherited a label printer that didn't work, and we have instead paid our newspaper printer to run off and attach the mailing labels. The problem is the software we use for our subscription date base apparently won't update itself and add the new subscribers.

When we printed our labels in-house, we could manually check for any problem with the labels. However, we haven't been able to do that for the past few weeks.

We want you to know we are working on the problem. A new label printer is slated to be delivered Monday. Also, on Monday Lou and Patricia will each receive two hours training from the software company.

If this doesn't fix the problem, we will be changing the software.

Senior Night

February 2 was Senior Night for the Clarksville Lady Tigers. Pictured during the ceremony in the Clarence L. Nix Jr. gym are the athletes who were honored, and their family members. See Page 10-14 inside this week's issue of The Times’ for our annual recap of the Red River County basketball season.

TxDOT Weather Advisory

PARIS -The National Weather Service is predicting the likelihood of rainfall and temperatures below freezing this weekend. Both conditions could impact roads and driving conditions in Northeast Texas.
As of Friday, Feb. 9, TxDOT employees in the Paris District remain busy pretreating roadways in the district as a precautionary measure. This work began yesterday, Feb. 8. By close of business Feb. 9, we anticipate having US 75 and I-30 completely pretreated, as well as bridges and overpasses.
As the weekend approaches and unfolds, our weather response teams will continue this work and monitor the condition of roadways in all nine counties of the Paris District. The attached brochure/document further explains how our agency responds to winter weather threats statewide.
Motorists are advised to monitor weather conditions frequently, and be prepared to make adjustments in their travel plans as this weather event unfolds. More information about safe winter travels is available online: https://www.txdot.gov/driver/weather/winter-travel.html .

House fire

Clarksville firefighters battled a blaze Wednesday morning on West Broadway Street. It happened past the deadline for this week's paper; see next week's paper for the details.

Northeast Texas Trail construction has begun in Red River County

PARIS – Texas Department of Transportation officials have announced that work begins this week on another portion of the Northeast Texas Trail, in Red River County.
The contractor, Sammy Gist Enterprises of Clarksville, was granted 113 working days to complete this project valued at more than $500,000. The target completion date for this project is June 2018, weather permitting, TxDOT officials said.
The contractor will construct a shared-use recreation path along the route of an abandoned rail line. This 9.1-mile-long path will run from County Road 2113 at the Lamar-Red River County line eastward to FM 2120 in Bagwell.
Motorists who frequently travel in this area are advised to pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones. Flagmen will be directing traffic, as necessary, on roadways that intersect the trail path.
They should also avoid distractions such as cell phones, eating, drinking, or car audio or navigation systems. Access to adjacent properties will be maintained at all times, officials said.

Fatality accident on Hwy. 37

On Wednesday at approximately 9:10 a.m., Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers responded to a crash on SH-37, about three miles south of Clarksville.

A 2017 Chevrolet Silverado, driven by James Ray McKown, was traveling on US 37 when the vehicle left the roadway, as it went straight through on a curve. The vehicle came to a stop after striking a chain link fence.

James R. McKown, a 76 year old male from Avery, , was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash by JP Shelley Benton.

No addition information available at this time.

Burn Ban is lifted

As a result of recent rains, the emergency seven day Burn Ban implemented by County Judge L.D. Williamson last week has been allowed to expire. The county is no longer under a Burn Ban.

We made the news!

The sale of The Clarksville Times is a story in the February issue of the Texas Press Association publication The Messenger.

The Times, it is a’ changing

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

I have to say Patricia and I are very pleased at how well things have been going at the paper. It’s hard work – being self-employed always is – but we are holding our own and the money, as well as the news, keeps rolling in.

I knew from reviewing the “financials” before we bought the paper it was in the black and quite capable of supporting itself if it had owner/operators, and I have been proven correct. There are days I have to make two trips to the bank, one for the deposit that comes in the mail and a later one in the afternoon for what walks in the door.

Of course, money talks, and being a small businessman all mine says is “Buh-bye”, but if enough comes in to pay the bills and payroll, I am more than happy.

Today marks the previously announced price increase in our subscriptions. I’ve heard no complaints. People seem to have completely understood our reasoning, and as I suspected, a number of people have renewed even though their subscription wasn’t up –some for two years. Johnnie Lee has the record so far, renewing for three years (Thanks Johnnie!).

A lot of people have used subscription renewals as an opportunity to meet Patricia and I and welcome us as the new owners of the paper. That’s as good an excuse as any, but feel free to drop in any time! I have a completely open door policy. If you know me, I’m easy to talk to.

We got the vending machine in front of the office that was broken actually up and running, and we are actively looking to get a hold of more vending machines, When the Texarkana Gazette stopped distributing in Clarksville, I called them and offered to buy their machines in Red River County if they could spare them.

I never heard back, but the next day they took a truck and hauled them all back to Texarkana. Jeez, guys, makes me wonder you thought I was going to steal them!

The Gazette is a good newspaper, but we are perhaps a little far way from their home base, and they probably decided what sales there were didn’t justify the gas and effort to distribute here. My best report is that the nearest they come now is DeKalb.

People who had home delivery apparently have been converted to mail subscriptions,

The Times has some specials coming up. Our next issue on Feb, 8 will feature some special advertising and articles marking Black History Month.

The week after that, on Feb. 15, we will be having our special annual feature on our Tiger basketball team, which is having a great season (as usual) and are playoff bound.

Feb. 15 is also a day after Valentine’s Day, and I have an idea I’ll hope you like. I want to run a series of ads with the theme “I (HEART) Clarksville because…” to give people and businesses the opportunity to say out loud what’s good and right about Clarksville.

As I have said again and again and again, the default setting for public opinion and gossip in small towns is negative. Let’s make a conscious effort to says what’s RIGHT about Clarksville and accentuate the positive (I think that was a song long ago).

I thought of the heart symbol and the holiday and it kind of came together. If I call you soon, you’ll know what I have in mind.

If I can stay positive and cheerful in a business that is undergoing so much change, surely you can also.

You will probably notice just turning the pages of this issue that our advertising is increasing. I’ve been making many of the calls myself, and the support from the business community – as well as the public in general – has been great.

I get very, very cheerful support and comments from other businessmen when I tell them I know what they face “because I’m self-employed, too.” It’s hard to be self-supporting and running a small business, too, but let’s face it, it’s that hard-working independent spirit that makes America great.

Cheatham Honor Roll

Cheatham 2^nd 9 Week A Honor Roll

Kindergarten: Jathan Morgan, Stephanie Edwards, Rhyder Ramo, Zoiee Rosser, Darian Luna-Chavez, Taniyah Starling, Vivienne Wisinger, Jamarion Dennis, Morgan Gates Madison Dockins, Miley Mancilla, Jazmin Rodriguez, Sha'Kaybranie Minter, Paris Ricks.

1st Grade: Santanna Beaty, Mia-nelli Del-Angel, Remington Garcia, Madison Gray-Moore, Ivyonna Reed, A'Laia Rogers, Ayden Rosser, Jeremy Taylor, Crystal Woodberry.

2nd Grade: Kor'Ziareona Aubrey, Jaidyn King, Emmanuel Mancilla-Perez, Khloe Segovia, Mikel Watkins, Joslin White.

3rd Grade: Eboni Parker, Christopher Pittman, Eden Scott, Tristan Thomas.

4th Grade: Mikaria Johnson, Jonathan Morgan, Danielle Ornberg, Allison Reyna, Braden Rosser, Jeremie Uraga-Rosales, Brayden Wrigley.

5th Grade Aylin Arteaga Melanie Martinez Marcus Ramos.

Cheatham  2nd 9-week AB honor roll

Kindergarten: 'AB' Jose Espinoza, Melic White, Tanasha Washington, Elijah Ricks, Brandniyah Ricks, Maximilliano Saunders, Elvin Hernandez, Jestin Miller, Ze'Novia Moore, Yimareth Rogel, Ja'Lexia Judkins.

1st Grade: Majaelynn Garcia, Evans Jones, Zielayja Lane, Yadiel Luna-Chavez, Elizabeth Mancilla, Ra'zean Minter, Reginald Nance, Jha'Marrion Rose, Elaihia Rosser, A'Kerria Stephens.

2nd Grade: Kathie Arteaga, Destiny Bell, Samuel Goplen, Mia Harmon Moore, Zerieyah Lane, Heidy Lopez, Aniya Maddox, Amariyuna Mason, Lyric Morgan, Wendy Patricio. Dawayla Rainey, Brandon Watkins, Dezmen Williams.

3rd Grade: Mason Barton, Ja'Kylin Battle, Shaniah Hayes, Damarion Perry, TaJanae Starling.

4th Grade: Gerardo Balvanera, TaQualyn Brooks, Keileigh Edwards, Jekari Miller, Romeo Minter, Armon Moore, Pedro Ortiz, Alliya Reed-Rose, Kenya Stephens.

5th Grade: Araceli Calvillo, Ta'Lyiah Epperson, Layla Lawings, Alicia Love, Ra'Kadrian Minter, London Segovia, Heaven Taylor, Larry Turner.

Burn Ban now in effect

Due to continuing dry and windy weather conditions, County Judge L.D. Williamson implemented an Emergency seven day Burn Ban at 9 a.m. Thursday morning.

"If the dry and windy weather conditions persist," said Williamson, "a 90-day county-wide Burn Ban will be put in place at the next Commissioners' meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7."