County Calendar

March 31

The annual City of Clarksville Easter Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, March 31^st, at 10 a.m. at Langford Lake Park. All ages are welcome. Come find your Easter Eggs, and have your photo made with the Easter Bunny.

April 7

The City of Clarksville Spring Trash Off on will be held Saturday, April 7^th. The elderly and disabled can call in items for pick up with City Secretary Shirley Quick at 903-427-3834 Ext. 253. This pick up will not include tires. All other large items are acceptable.

The Avery FFA Alumni BBQ Supper and Auction will be held Saturday April 7, at the Avery High School Old Gym. BBQ Supper starts at 5:00. Auction starts at 6:00

April 14

The Avery High School Class of 2019 presents a fundraiser Bingo Night Saturday, April 14, at 6 p.m. at the Avery Elementary Cafeteria. Ten dollars buys a bag of 30 cards. Bingo Daubers will be available for purchase. Baked goods will be raffled between games; snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

The Annona School Homecoming will be held Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the McKenzie Methodist Church Family Life Center, 1809 S Donoho, Clarksville. Bring a finger food for lunch and come visit old classmates. This is a school reunion, so if you ever attended Annona schools, but left before graduating, we want you there. Any questions, call Coy McGregor 903-737-7097.

The Bogata Homecoming will be held Saturday, April 14, at Old Bogata High School. The doors open at 10 a.m. The program will start at 11:30 a.m. with the meal being served from 12 noon until 1 p.m. It is being catered by Catfish King. Pre-registration is $15, at the door $20. For more information contact Martha Bryson at 903-632-4057.

April 21

The Avery Volunteer Fire Dept. will have a fish fry and bike ride on Saturday, April 21. The ride kicks off at 9 a.m. The fish fry starts at 11 a.m. All proceeds go to benefit the volunteer fire department.

Avery schools have shelter in place

Avery elementary students on their playground at 2:45 p.m. Friday afternoon.

Avery schools had a shelter in place in effect for a short time Friday afternoon after a report of a suspicious person on the fringes of the school property.

Red River County Chief Deputy Quintin Wallace said at the scene at 2:30 p.m. Friday an elementary student reported seeing someone with a gun and ski mask at the edge of the school grounds behind the gym.

The Red River County Sheriff's office and DPS troopers responded. Wallace said a search of the area, which included a police canine, found nothing to substantiate the report, and the shelter in place was lifted.

As a precaution, he said, they would do a sweep through the city.

The Times will have the latest update in next week's paper.

Red River County getting expanded TRAX bus service

Do you live in Clarksville or Red River County and need a ride?

Starting May 1st TRAX announces expanded Transportation Services in Clarksville and Red River County!

You will be able to ride to medical appointments, the senior meal center, the grocery store, bank, etc.  all for free if you are 60 years or older.

Ark-Tex Council of Governments TRAX transportation system is available by calling 844-437-7497 Monday through Friday 8 a m. to 5 p.m.

With this new service, the Ark-Tex Council of Governments is pleased to now serve the residents of Red River County in three ways:

1) Service from Red River County to Paris

2) The Greyhound Connect service from Mt. Pleasant to Paris with stops in Clarksville and Detroit.

3) And now, new - service within Red River County.

Mayor Ann Rushing said at Tuesday night’s city council meeting this will be a wonderful new service that people should take advantage of.

Enter the Clarksville Times Easter Coloring Contest!

See Page 2 of this week's Times!

County Calendar

March 20
City Manager Shannon Barrentine and Police Chief Larry Whittington are starting a new
tradition, “Coffee with the City Manager and Police Chief”, which will be held the third
Tuesday of every month. It kicks off this Tuesday, March 20, at Tracy’s Café, starting at
7 a.m. and running until 8:30 a.m. Everyone is invited. The location will change from
month to month.

March 21
Storm season is just about upon us! The Red River County Public Library is excited to
announce storm chaser Jason Cooley from Texas Storm Chasers will be presenting at the
library Wednesday, March 21 st . The program begins at 2:00 p.m. Please come for an
entertaining and informative event. Everyone is welcome!

March 24
The 2018 Red River Revue Children’s Art Show is scheduled for March 24th and 25th in
downtown Clarksville. Applications and information are available at the Historic Red
River County Chamber of Commerce or online at www.redriverrevue. wixsite.com/
redriverrevue. Call 903-769- 8118 for more info. The art show is open to Pre-k through
12th grade from any county. Entries are due by March 21st at 4 p.m.

April 14
The Annona School Homecoming will be held Saturday, April 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
at the McKenzie Methodist Church Family Life Center, 1809 S Donoho, Clarksville.
Bring a finger food for lunch and come visit old classmates. Any questions, call Coy
McGregor 903-737- 7097.

Main Street Program recognizes local business – R.B. Ravens Gallery

Clarksville Times Photo by Lou Antonelli
Ray Trotter and the Clarksville Main Street Program invite and encourage you to visit the R. B. Ravens Gallery.

By MICKEY ALLEN

Main Street Director

The Clarksville Mains Street Program is currently highlighting businesses that promote the Vision, Mission and goals of the Texas and National Main Street Project.

The Texas Main Street Program is based on a Four Point Approach.  The Four Points are organization, promotion, design and economic vitality.  The Clarksville Main Street Program is excited to recognize R.B.Ravens Art Gallery for its commitment to and promotion of our local program.

R.B. Raven Art Gallery is located at 128 West Main, in the historical downtown of Clarksville, Texas.  Ray Trotter, owner of R.B. Ravens, is an art broker and dealer.  He  is also a renowned and well respected authority on Native American art and specializes in pre-1930s Navajo and Pueblo textiles.  He  is a highly sought after teacher and lecturer of this area of Native American art.

Through his R. B. Raven Art Gallery, Trotter  is assisting in the promotion and economic vitality goals of the Main Street Program. In the area of promotions, R.B. Ravens Gallery draws locals and visitors to view and purchase various forms of arts.

Trotter coordinates and supports the local area by partnering with local organizations to sponsor and provide space for an annual local children’s art festival. This allows children to be introduced to the arts in many forms and to experience the success of producing original art.

R.B. Ravens Gallery also contributes to the local economic vitality as it offers many unique works of art that are sold to collectors from around the world. These collectors visit Clarksville and many of them stay in local guest accommodations. This produces revenue for not only the Gallery, but also for other area business. Tax revenue for the city results from those that visit, dine and stay locally.

Ray Trotter believes that art in its many different forms, from graphic arts to performing arts is important for all people at all ages. He aided in resurrecting a dying economy on an Apache reservation by setting up a program to produce and market handmade baskets.

Trotter has witnessed on several occasions the production of art as a tool and outlet to break down communication barriers and bring better understanding between people.  He knows that art is a universal language that has no boundaries.

Ray Trotter and the Clarksville Main Street Program invite and encourage you to visit the R. B. Ravens Gallery. The Gallery is open to all ages to come in to view the various pieces of art at no cost to you.  To visit the Gallery is an exciting and enjoyable learning experience. 

Ray trotter possess a wealth of information and is never happier than when he is sharing that knowledge and seeing the excitement in the eyes of a child or adult that is for the first time appreciating art and understanding that it is meant for all to enjoy!  Thank you, Ray Trotter and R. B. Ravens Gallery, for being an active and productive part of the Clarksville community.

City Council meets Tuesday

Notice is hereby given that the City Council of the City of Clarksville shall meet in regular session at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. The meeting will be held in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 800 West Main Street, Clarksville, Texas. The matters to be discussed and acted upon are as follows:

1. Opening Ceremonies Call to Order  Mayor Ann Rushing Pledge of Allegiance  James Ellis Invocation  Charlie Wright

2. Roll Call

3. Citizens' presentation: Any citizen wishing to address the Council may do so after rising, giving name and address. The Council may not address any issues not listed on the agenda, however it may receive information.

4. Mayor Rushing to present Meritorious Service Awards

5. Second and FINAL reading on Resolution No. 2018-03 of the City of Clarksville, Texas, Approving the Clarksville Economic Development Corporation Project in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for contractual services with Murray, Thomas & Griffin, Inc. to install drainage infrastructure and related site improvements in the downtown Clarksville area.

6. Review/approve Minutes of the Regular meeting held on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 and Special Called meeting held Monday, February 26, 2018.

7. Review financials/approve payment of bills.

8. Review department reports / updates from Mayor.

9. Discuss and possible action regarding approval of Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) committee recommendation pertaining to loan request by Red River Rentals ($15,000) and 8 Deer Company ($75,000).

10. Discuss and possible action regarding Resolution No. 2018-04 authorizing continued participation with the Atmos Cities Steering Committee and authorizing the payment of two cents per capita to the Atmos Cities Steering Committee to fund regulatory and related activities related to Atmos Energy Corporation.

11. Discuss and possible action regarding Resolution No. 2018-05 Authorizing the City of Clarksville to Accept a Donation of Property and In-Kind Services (replace ladder on Comanche Water Tower) from SBA Communications Corporation. - Mayor Rushing

 12. Discuss and possible action proclaiming April, 2018 as Fair Housing Month. - Mayor Rushing

 13. Discuss and possible action

14. Discuss and possible action regarding Resolution No. 2018-06 Declaring Certain Property Surplus and/or Salvage; Providing for the Authorization to Dispose of Said Property and Providing an Effective Date.

15. Discuss and possible action to designate April 7th, 2018 as City Wide Clean-Up to coincide with Texas Trash Off. - Mayor Rushing

16. Discuss and possible action regarding demolition of structures, process and consideration of location(s). -Mayor Rushing

17. Discuss and possible action regarding assistance from citizens on pot hole patching. - Mayor Rushing

18. Discuss and possible action on items from City Manager:

a) Regarding Bids received for 2018 Mowing Services from Heath Humphrey, Chuck Williams, Darren Roberts and Stacy Dockins effective April 1, 2018 and Award to Bidder(s) accordingly;

b) City Hall roof leaking issues and authorize repairs;

 c) Regarding Code Enforcement applicants;

d) Animal Control - 30 days probation; Adoption Policies/Fees; Proposed Sign and Sample Impound Agreement.

e) TCEQ Notice of Violation - Total Trihalonaethanes (TTHM's) running annual average for quarter 2018 Mailed/Distributed March 14, 2018;

19. Discuss and possible action on Ordinance No. 2018-05 Authorizing Budget Amendments i Line Item Transfers pertaining to FY 2017-18.

 20. City Manager / Council Mayor Comments.

21. Adjournment.

School trustees meet Tuesday

A Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Clarksville ISD will be held March 20, 2018,
beginning at 6:00 PM in the Board Meeting Room, Clarksville ISD Administration Building,
1500 West Main, Clarksville, Texas.

The subjects to be discussed or considered or upon which any formal action may be taken are as
listed below. Items do not have to be taken in the order shown on this meeting notice.
Unless removed from the consent agenda, items identified within the consent agenda will be
acted on at one time.

1. Call to Order
2. Invocation
3. Pledge of Allegiance to the United States and Texas Flags
4. CISD Vision/Mission Statement
5. Pawsitive Recognition
6. Open Forum
7. Consent Agenda:
A. Minutes of Previous Meeting(s)
B. Monthly Budget Report
C. Investment Reports
8. Consider for Approval Election Officials for May 5, 2018 Trustee Election
9. Consider for Approval Updated CMHS Cheer Constitution
10. Consider for Approval Starting Bid Amount for Old Elementary Campus
11. Consider for Discussion and Approval New Century Club Field Improvements
12. Consider for Discussion and Approval Revisions to ACE Guidelines
13. Consider for Discussion and Approval Security Update and Possible Future Action
14. Consider for Approval Wording and Location of Band Billboard
15. Consider for Approval 2018-2019 TEKS Certification Form
16. Cafeteria Report
Expenditures and Revenue
17. Principal Reports
Attendance - Academic - Accolades
18. Superintendent Report
A. March 23 - CHS Cheer Tryouts
B. March 23 - Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development
C. April 5 - NTSBA Spring Dinner
D. April 10-13 - STARR Testing Dates
E. May 5 - CHS Prom
F. TAPR Report
G. 2017-2018 Accreditation Status
H. UIL Band Results
I. Track Schedule
J. PEG Update
19. Convene in Closed Meetings as Authorized by the Texas Opening Meetings Act,
Texas Government Code Section, Including but Not Limited to the following
sections:
A. 551.074 - Personnel Matters
B. 551.082 - Students
20. Convene in Open Session
21. Take Possible Action on Items from Closed Session
22. Adjourn

Two-year anniversary

Saturday, March 17, marks the two-year anniversary of the infamous storm that did so much damage in Clarksville. Sheet metal was ripped from dozens of roofs across the city, and to this day there’s some hung up in a tree behind the Courthouse Bed & Breakfast across the parking lot from the county courthouse. The county jail and Miss Belle’s House down the street both were heavily damaged. Miss Belle’s House has been restored and the jail was largely reconstructed.

Clarksville Times Photo by Lou Antonelli

In today's Clarksville Times

Avery ISD letter addresses report about misconduct

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

Avery ISD Supt. Debbie Drew last week released a letter addressing allegations of inappropriate contact between a teacher and a student.

The letter of March 8 was addressed to Kenny Mitchell, publisher of the Bowie County Citizens Tribune in New Boston and later released.

In it, Drew states: “Avery Independent School District recently received information regarding alleged inappropriate contact between a former employee and a former student.

“Thereafter, the employee voluntarily resigned his employment in the District citing reasons unrelated to the aforementioned allegations, which resignation became effective March 5, 2018.  Since Avery ISD was only recently informed of the alleged inappropriate conduct involving the former employee, we have not issued any prior statements related to same.

“Given the seriousness of the allegations, Avery ISD would like to reassert the District's foremost commitment to providing a safe learning environment for all students. Moreover, Avery ISD expects each individual educator and employee to conduct oneself with integrity and to be a model of excellence for students.

“As a final matter, the district will continue to cooperate fully with the appropriate investigative authorities, as well as ensuring compliance with all laws and Board policies,”

Drew was unavailable for further comment as a result of the school district being on spring break.

City explains water notice

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

Clarksville water customers will get a formal notice in the mail next week about the city’s water containing a contaminant that triggers a reporting advisory.

The notice is required by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), in this case because of the levels of a contaminant called trihalomethanes (THM).

The city is a bit chagrinned over the notices – and having to pay to mail them – because the problem that caused the concerning levels was taken care of last August.

Trihalomethanes are formed as a by-product predominantly when chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water. They are generally referred to as disinfection by-products.

They result from the reaction of chlorine with organic matter present in the water being treated. The THMs produced have been associated through epidemiological studies with some adverse health effects. Many governments set limits on the amount permissible in drinking water.

However, trihalomethanes are only one group of many hundreds of possible disinfection by-products - the vast majority of which are not monitored - and it has not yet been clearly demonstrated which of these are the most plausible candidate for causation of these health effects.

In the United States, the EPA limits the total concentration of the four chief constituents (chloroform, bromoform, bromodichloromethane, and dibromochloromethane), referred to as total trihalomethanes (TTHM), to 80 parts per billion in treated water.

Up until last August Clarksville mixed surface water from Langford Lake with well water for the city’s water supply.

Water is tested and reported to the TCEQ every quarter. Matt McAdoo, the city’s utility director, said the THM level in the third quarter of 2017 shot up to parts per billion, up from 58.2 the previous quarter.

Speculation as to the source of the THM – Langford Lake being relatively shallow and subject, especially during the warm summer months to algae growth – became moot because the city closed the water treatment plant and has subsequently decommissioned it.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sets the maximum contaminant level at 80, so the third quarter reading triggered the required notifications.

The City took the water treatment plant off-line and now only uses well water, but the notices about the THM levels are still required, said McAdoo.

Unfortunately the THM readings are averaged for a full year or four quarters, said McAdoo, and despite the plant being off-line and the THM level for the last quarter of last year being 56.1 and for the first quarter of 2018 being 41.5, the running average remains high, at 103 – hence the mailed notices.

Many water supply companies mail out these notices every quarter because their water always exceeds the THM level that triggers reporting, said McAdoo.

But the city wants to explain why they are still required – for the time being - for Clarksville water customer, he said.

City Manager Shannon Barrentine noted that in addition to requiring Clarksville to mail out the notices - despite the source of the problem being corrected - the city has to pay for them.

Barrentine and McAdoo said that because of using an annual average the city still has two more quarters where it will have to mail out the notices.

Republican and Democrat primary election is today

By LOU ANTONELLI

Managing Editor

Republicans in Red River County will go to the polls Tuesday, March 6, to decide two local contested races in the party primary.

There are no local races on in the Democratic Primary, though like the Republicans they have a number of up ballot contests.

Incumbent Red River County Treasurer Sandra Storey Embrey is being challenged by Brad Allison for re-election.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Wayne Johnson faces three opponents – Danny Halley, James Daniell and Mickey Williams.

Unopposed candidates this year include County Judge L.D. Williamson, County Clerk Shawn Weemes, District Clerk Janice Gentry, and Precinct 2 Commissioner David Hutson. Gentry is s Democrat, the rest are Republicans.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The consolidated boxes in this election are as follows:

Box 1 Lone Star Church - 5960 Hwy 37 S, Clarksville: Consists of Box 1, 7, and 11.

Box 2 St. Paul Church - 403 W. Pierce St.: Clarksville.

Box 3 Library - 315 N. Walnut, Clarksville: Consists of Box 3 and 24.

Box 4 Clarksville City Hall - 800 W Main St., Clarksville: Consists of Box 4 and 31.

Box 5 Bogata Community Center - 201 NW 2nd, Bogata: Consists of Box 5, 9 and 10.

Box 13 Detroit 1st Baptist Church - 275 W. Garner St., Detroit: Consists of Box 13 and 14.

Box 17 Leesville Church - 11474 FM 195, Bagwell: Consists of Box 17 and 18.

Box 19 Avery Methodist - 390 W. Alabama St., Avery: Consists of Box 19, 20 and 21.

Box 27 Avery First Baptist - 390 Utah St., Avery: Consists of Box 27 and 30.

Box 28 Annona Methodist - 188 Roberts St., Annona: Consists of Box 28 and 29.

Editorial - Don't spread reckless rumors!

The shooting outside the Red River County jail Friday morning was serious enough, but we're concerned over how fast people began to spread information that was exaggerated and wrong.
That's the nature of gossip and rumors. It's a fascinating insight into human nature, how information repeated from person to person gets inflated and goes negative.

In cases like this, you need to repeat information from reliable news sources. The problem today is that social media, such as Facebook, make it too easy to grab a keyboard and spread reckless rumors.

We got on-line as soon as we could yesterday and posted on Facebook so people would know what was known - and what was not definitely known - about the incident. After a few hours we became concerned that people were using the comments on that posting to spread rumors, and we deleted it and transferred the information to our web page. where people are more reluctant to post comments.

If you are going to repeat information from other people, try to listen carefully and think about what is being said, because a lot of these rumors seem to be the result of inattention.

For example, it's s small difference in language from saying "A deputy shot a suspect" to "A suspect shot a deputy". In the first case, it sounds like law enforcement did its job. In the second case, you'll start a panic -how evil must a suspect be to shoot a deputy?

Also, being shot doesn't equal being killed. We've made that mistake ourselves. But then the rumor ratchets up. Now it becomes "A suspect shot and killed a deputy."

Next level up, people assume s criminal so powerful as to  shoot and kill a deputy in broad daylight must have escaped! "Now it's "A suspect shot and killed a deputy and is on the loose." At this point, people start reaching for their guns, and a dangerous panic is the making.

We understand how these rumors get started and spread. This kind of incident is uncommon in Red River County - there's just not a lot of experience with it. Also, it happened in broad daylight, which seems to have made it more spectacular.

The only thing everyone seems to have gotten right is the location. Otherwise, at some point we've heard many almost everything else wrong , including:

The suspect was in the jail. WRONG. The suspect was at the jail.

The shooting happened the previous night. WRONG. The rumors spread so fast someone must have assumed the news couldn't have traveled that fast, and so they thought it happened Thursday night. The danger of this rumor is that it makes it sound like there were two shootings - and more panic ensues.

The suspect was at large. WRONG. The suspect did leave the scene - in a helicopter. The CISD went on a short lockdown after the report of the shooting. The school district wants to make every possible effort to make sure students are safe. In this case, there was no danger, but people would agree they should err on the side of caution when making decisions about student safety.

Deputies were shot or hurt. WRONG. Just because someone is involved in a shooting doesn't mean they get hurt themselves. It's a credit to the training and professionalism of our local law enforcement  officers that no one else, including themselves, was injured.

If you want more and faster news to feed your gossip - too bad. A shooting like this, by law enforcement, is a serious matter, and must be carefully documented and investigated. We're sure we will have a much clearer picture of what happened by next week when the paper comes out.

In the meantime, think twice before repeating gossip on Facebook and other social media, for your sake as well as Clarksville's sake. Starting a panic or sending vigilante mobs into the streets will not benefit anyone.

Shooting at Red River County Jail

Shown: The scene of this morning's shooting; the suspect's truck is on the right.

There has been a shooting outside the Red River County jail. A man in a black dually pick-up pulled up behind the Sally Port at approximately 11:30 a.m. Friday When a police officer approached (the truck was blocking the Sally Port) the man exited with a firearm and was shot. Latest reports are that he was alive and transported to a hospital by air ambulance. An earlier report he was dead was erroneous.

No one else was injured. Reports that a sheriff's deputy was shot or anyone else was injured, or that the suspect entered the jail are untrue. The Clarksville ISD was on lockdown briefly immediately after the shooting

We will have more information and updates as available. The full story plus more photos will be in next week's paper.