Annual All Red River County Boys and Girls Basketball team - By Bruce E. Williams

All Red River County Team Boys Selection

Superlatives
All Red River County MVP - Quay Scale Clarksville SR
All Red River County Offensive Player of the Year - Jalen Scott Clarksville SR
All Red River County Co-Defensive Players of the Year - Trae Rose Clarksville SR Devon Womack Rivercrest SR
6th Man of the Year - Dequavian Griffin Clarksville SR
Co-Sophomore of the Year - Kamryn English Rivercrest SO Claude Scales Detroit SO
Newcomer of the Year - R.J. Owens Clarksville JR
Sportsman of the Year - Bradyn English Rivercrest  JR
Coach of the Year - Quincy English Rivercrest

All Red River County Team Selections

Avery
Jerry Don Crouch SR
Cruiz Martinez JR
Kagan McGuire JR


Clarksville
Michael Moore SR

Detroit
Kagen Carson JR
Hunter Crutchfield SR
Tanner Gibson SR
Kody Golightly SR
Joel Hinson SR

Rivercrest
Shane Crabtree SR
Damien Davidson JR
Zack Lane SR

All Red River County Team Girls Selection

Superlatives

All Red River County MVP - LaQuisha Clark Clarksville SR

All Red River County Offensive Player of the Year - Farrah Savage Rivercrest SR

All Red River County Defensive Player of the Year - Daysha Stature Detroit JR

6th Man of the Year - Madison Gill Clarksville JR

Sophomore of the Year - Ashley Rosser Clarksville SO

CO-Newcomer of the Year - Mariela Resendiz Clarksville FR, C.C. Runels Detroit FR, Avery Martin Rivercrest FR

Sportsman of the Year - Taylor Williams Avery SR

Coach of the Year - LaTisha Hearne Clarksville

All Red River County Team Selections 

Avery

Briana Bridges SR

Julianna Burkett JR

Emily Lamon SR

Carley Westbrook SR

Clarksville

Makiyla Bradley

Dee Jackson

Makayia Owens

Tyteanna Rosser

Detroit

Kiley Miller SR

Abi Shelby JR

Jordan Williams SR

Rivercrest

Ashlin Johnson SR

Madi Lichtenwalter SR

Lexi Rushing SR

Governor Abbott Announces $38 Million In Federal COVID-19 Emergency Funding For Local Governments

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott has announced that his Public Safety Office (PSO) will provide $38 million in federal funds to local units of government in Texas. These funds come from the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program authorized by the federal Emergency Appropriations for Coronavirus Health Response and Agency Operations Act.

Jurisdictions may use this funding to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the coronavirus. Allowable projects and purchases include, but are not limited to, overtime, equipment, supplies, training, travel expenses, and addressing the medical needs of inmates in local and tribal jails and detention centers.

"These funds will help our local governments respond to COVID-19 and provide the resources that our communities need," said Governor Abbott. "I am grateful to our federal partners for making this crucial financial support available to the state of Texas."

Examples of allowable costs include:

* Personnel Overtime (Peace Officer, Jailer, Correctional Officer, Medical, and other Essential Staff)
* Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
* Supplies (i.e. gloves, masks, sanitizer, disinfectant)
* Temporary Staff
* Medical care for inmates that have tested positive for COVID-19
* Any other costs associated with the implementation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Guidance documents, specifically:
* Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities
* What Law Enforcement Personnel Need to Know about Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
* Interim Guidance for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems and 911 Public Safety * Answering Points (PSAPs) for COVID-19 in the United States
* Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Interested jurisdictions may access the Public Safety Office’s eGrants grant management website at https://eGrants.gov.texas.gov to register and apply for funding.

Governor Abbott Prepares State Resources As Severe Weather Threatens The State of Texas

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today placed numerous resources on standby across the state in anticipation of severe weather expected to impact much of Texas this weekend.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) has rostered Texas A&M Forest Service Saw Crews, Texas Parks and Wildlife Water Rescue Boats, Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service Urban Search and Rescue and Swift Water Rescue Boat Squads, and Texas Department of State Health Services Ambulance Strike Teams. The Texas State Operations Center remains activated at Level II in support of the ongoing response to COVID-19.

"Texas is taking necessary precautions to keep our communities safe in the event of severe weather," said Governor Abbott. "Texans should pay attention to weather alerts and listen to the guidance of local officials to protect themselves and others."

Texans are encouraged to follow these safety tips:

* When severe storms threaten, the safest place to be is indoors.

* Avoid areas already flooded and avoid any fast-flowing water.

* Be extremely cautious of any water on roads or in creeks, streams, storm drains, or other areas – never attempt to cross flowing streams or drive across flooded roadways and always observe road barricades placed for your protection. Remember, Turn Around Don’t Drown.

* Dangerous waters can seem deceptively calm, and if you encounter flooding, move to higher ground.

* Keep in mind that flood dangers are even harder to recognize at night.

* Stay informed by monitoring weather radios and news broadcasts for updated information on current and anticipated severe weather in your area.

State agencies involved in the response effort include the Texas Division of Emergency Management, Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Military Department, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas A&M Forest Service, Texas A&M Engineering and Extension Service, Texas A&M Task Force One and State Mass Care Team.

For additional safety tips related to severe weather, read more: http://ready.gov/severe-weather

Inspector General Warns About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam

Today, I am warning the public about fraudulent letters threatening suspension of Social Security benefits due to COVID-19 or coronavirus-related office closures. Social Security will not suspend or discontinue benefits because their offices are closed.

The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has received reports that Social Security beneficiaries have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers may then mislead beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments during this period of COVID-19 office closures.

As of Tuesday, March 17, 2020, local Social Security offices are closed to the public due to COVID-19 concerns. However, Social Security employees continue to work. Social Security will not suspend or decrease Social Security benefit payments or Supplemental Security Income payments due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Any communication you receive that says Social Security will do so is a scam, whether you receive it by letter, text, email, or phone call.

Social Security will never:

§  Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.

§  Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.

§  Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.

§  Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.

§  Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

If you receive a letter, text, call or email that you believe to be suspicious, about an alleged problem with your Social Security number, account, or payments, hang up or do not respond. We encourage you to report Social Security scams using our dedicated online form. Please share this information with your friends and family, to help spread awareness about Social Security scams.

Learn about Social Security services during the COVID-19 pandemic, by visiting our Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) page.

Painting on the river

Between the coronavirus pandemic and especially rainy weather, work on the downtown historic mural has been slowed considerably, but the sun is shining today and artist Dwayne Windell was out working on it today. For a complete story and update on the status of this mural and others planned for downtown Clarksville, see next week's paper.

Governor Abbott, HHS Announce Federal Approval Of Emergency SNAP Benefits Over $168 million in emergency benefits for all SNAP recipients in Texas

AUSTIN - Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) will provide more than $168 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food benefits to help Texans during the COVID-19 response. HHS received federal approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide the maximum, allowable amount of SNAP benefits to recipients based on family size. The emergency allotments are currently authorized for the months of April and May and will affect all SNAP recipients in the state of Texas.

"As the state continues to respond to COVID-19, we are working closely with our agency partners to ensure families have access to nutritious meals," said Governor Abbott. "I thank the U.S. Department of Agriculture for quickly granting this approval. These emergency benefits will give hundreds of thousands of Texans the additional support they need to provide for their families during this challenging time."

"The additional SNAP food benefits will give families who are facing economic uncertainty security in knowing that they will continue to have access to food," said HHS Access and Eligibility Deputy Executive Commissioner Wayne Salter. "SNAP has always been a safety net for households in their time of need. A pandemic will not stop our work to continue helping families purchase nutritious foods."

SNAP recipients will see the additional amount on their Lone Star Card by April 15 for this month’s benefits, and by May 15 for next month’s benefits. Disbursements will be staggered and will begin on April 9. SNAP recipients do not need to take any further action to receive the additional benefits. More information about SNAP benefits is available here.