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ASVFD rescues hanging man

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Apple Springs VFD firefighters assist a worker who was hanging from a bucket truck. Courtesy photoApple Springs VFD firefighters assist a worker who was hanging from a bucket truck. Courtesy photo

TCNS staff

APPLE SPRINGS — A worker with a tree-trimming firm hanging from a safety harness was brought down safely on Sept. 19 by the Apple Springs Volunteer Fire Department.

VFD Chief Brett Selman said that on that Tuesday afternoon, rescue workers were paged us out for a man hanging from a bucket truck by a rope near Nogales Prairie on the side of the 357 Spur.

Knowing it would be required, Selman said he contacted the Hudson VFD for their ladder truck.

He said the worker was cutting limbs from a pine tree when the hydraulics system broke. His coworkers then tried to lower him down with a rope, but that got caught up, so he was hanging under the bucket by his harness.

Selman said the worker was suspended there for at least 20 minutes before they arrived; the boom on the ladder truck was extended and the worker was then lowered without injury.

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Abbott, TVC announce over $36 M in grants for veterans

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HelpVeterans Graphic

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Veterans Commission (TVC) today announced over $36 million in grant funding for veterans across Texas that will be distributed through TVC’s Fund for Veterans’ Assistance (FVA) Big Check Tour. Approved by TVC Commissioners in May, this grant funding will be awarded to 135 organizations across Texas and will serve more than 81,700 Texas veterans and their families.

“The State of Texas continues to support our brave veterans and ensure they receive the resources needed to thrive,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank the Texas Veterans Commission for providing veterans who have honorably served our nation with comprehensive support services and assistance through over $36 million in state grants. Texans are forever indebted to the service of our veterans, and we will always honor the sacrifices of these brave men and women and their families to our state and nation.”

“We thank Governor Greg Abbott for his support in getting these needed funds to veteran support organizations across the state,” said TVC Chairwoman and Navy veteran Laura Koerner. “This funding is unique to Texas, and we thank the legislature for creating this grant program in 2009.”

This week, TVC will begin the tour highlighting grant-funded organizations starting in Houston. Fund presentations will continue through the first weeks of October in Tyler, Fort Worth, Dallas, Abilene, El Paso, Edinburg, San Marcos, and New Braunfels.

Funding for these grants is generated primarily by the Texas Lottery Commission’s games designated for veteran support. Other sources of funding for the grants come from individual donation options on drivers’ licenses, licenses to carry a handgun, outdoor recreation licenses for hunting and fishing, and vehicle registrations.

Texas veterans in need of assistance can find available local organizations at tvc.texas.gov/directory/directory-category/grants/

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Preventing wildfires during hunting season

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PreventingWildfiresDuring Hunting 

Special to the News-Standard

AUSTIN — Texas Parks and Wildlife Department urges Texans to help protect the lands and natural resources we all love during the upcoming dove hunting season by being mindful of activities that may cause a wildfire.

Persistent triple-digit temperatures and minimal rainfall over the past two months have resulted in extremely dry vegetation across the state, which increases the likelihood of dangerous wildfires. Any outdoor activities that create heat or sparks can ignite dry vegetation and wildfire.

“Since mid-June, Texas has been marked by devastating wildfires that have burned more than 75,000 acres,” said Wes Moorehead, Texas A&M Forest Service Fire Chief. “As Texans recreate this hunting season, it is important to remember that your actions can leave a lasting impact, and everyone has a role to play when preventing wildfires.”

Every year, hunters take to Texas lands for the start of dove hunting season. Wildfires caused by vehicles, trailers, ATV/UTVs and other equipment frequently used while hunting and camping are common during the season, which occurs each year from September to January.

This year, conditions are favorable for wildfire ignitions and Texas land management agencies urge everyone to be cautious on hunts, whether it takes place on public or private land.

“We are excited to welcome hunters back to the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas for another successful season,” said Kimpton Cooper, National Forest and Grasslands in Texas Forest Supervisor. “Hunting season is one of the busiest times on the forests and grasslands, and safety is always our primary concern. Combining efforts with our state partners to spread awareness, while encouraging our visitors to follow guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of wildfires during hunting season. Remember, practicing responsible behavior and being vigilant can help preserve the natural environment and ensure everyone’s safety.”

As the upper-level ridge continues over Texas, widespread temperatures will remain in the triple-digits with lower relative humidity values. With little to no improvement in fuel dryness, fire potential is expected to persist for North, Central and East Texas.

“As Texans venture outdoors, it’s important to remember just how dry the vegetation is,” said Chis Schenk, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Statewide Fire Program Leader “It doesn’t take much for an inadvertent spark or carelessness to cause a wildfire. The high temperatures cause fires to spread rapidly and make it hard for firefighters to work. Please enjoy the outdoors but be careful with fire.”

Nine out of 10 wildfires in Texas are human-caused and everyone can make a difference by taking personal responsibility for their actions. Remain vigilant as drought conditions continue to expand and intensify and be cautious with any activity that may cause a spark.

To avoid accidentally starting a wildfire while dove hunting:

•Avoid driving over and parking on dry grass - the heat from your vehicle can easily ignite the grass.

•Always check with local officials for burn bans or other outdoor burning restrictions. Each county in Texas sets and lifts its own burn bans. View the latest burn ban map here: https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/burnbans/.

•If you are taking a trailer out on your adventures, make sure tires are properly inflated, chains don’t contact the road and loose metal doesn’t repetitively hit anything else, all of which can cause sparks.

•Always be ready to put out a fire should one start. Have a shovel and water with you in camp and have a fire extinguisher with you at all times.

For more information on preventing wildfires this hunting season, please visit https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/HuntingFireSafety/.

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TxDOT, law enforcement step up effort to curb drunken driving

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DrunkenDriving STOCK

Special to the News-Standard

LUFKIN — As Labor Day approaches, TxDOT is reminding all Texans about the dangers of drunken driving.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced an increased enforcement period from Aug. 18 to Sept. 4. Texas law enforcement agencies are among those that will increase their efforts to pull over motorists suspected of drunk driving.

The increased enforcement period comes as a new law is set to take effect on Sept. 1 that will require someone convicted of intoxication manslaughter to pay child support if they kill a parent with young children.

“Too many people are killed on our roads each year — especially during holidays — due to impaired driving. These crashes are inexcusable and 100 percent preventable,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “If you spend time with friends or family and decide to drink, make the right decision and plan ahead for a sober ride by taking a rideshare, taxi, public transit or designated driver.”

The harsh reality is people continue to choose to drive after drinking. Last year, there were 345 alcohol-related traffic crashes over the Labor Day holiday weekend alone, resulting in 20 fatalities and 62 serious injuries. Over the course of the year, a person was killed every 7 hours and 17 minutes in Texas because of an alcohol-related traffic crash, resulting in 1,203 people losing their lives.

Statewide, there was a 4 percent increase in DUI/alcohol related traffic fatalities from 2021 to 2022. In 2022, there were 24,652 alcohol-related crashes that resulted in 1,203 fatalities and 2,522 serious injuries.

In the nine-county Lufkin District in 2022, there were 5,126 traffic crashes, resulting in 77 fatalities and 318 serious injuries. Of those crashes, there were 314 alcohol-related traffic crashes, resulting in 15 fatalities and 51 serious injuries.

“Many East Texans choose to spend their Labor Day holiday boating on area lakes or going out with friends. Unfortunately, many times alcohol is involved in those events,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “There will be stiffer penalties beginning Sept. 1 for those who choose to drive under the influence. We hope this helps deter drinking and driving and all motorists will choose a sober ride.”

Drive Sober. No Regrets. is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel to help end the streak of daily deaths. Nov. 7, 2000, was the last deathless day on Texas roadways.

For more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call (936) 633-4395.

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County Crews Battle Forest Fires

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Smoke billows over the Ghost Branch Road fire near Glendale. COURTESY PHOTOSmoke billows over the Ghost Branch Road fire near Glendale. COURTESY PHOTO

By Tony Farkas
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GLENDALE — Crews from across Trinity County worked to battle a 250-plus acre forest fire that broke out on Ghost Branch Road on Monday.

According to the Texas A&M Forest Service incident website, the fire was 100 percent contained as of Tuesday morning.

Keith Johnson, assistant fire chief for Trinity Fire and Rescue, said the homes in the area were threatened, but ultimately firefighters were able to keep the blaze from damaging structures.

Johnson said that firefighters from Trinity VFD, Pennington VFD, Groveton VFD, 356 VFD and Friday VFD all responded for mutual aid with brush trucks and tankers to battle the blaze.

Additionally, the Texas Forest Service provided bulldozers to create fire breaks and helicopters for fire control; later, super scooper planes that pick up water from area lakes were brought in, and two jetliners were dropping fire retardant.

Altogether, TFS provided one helicopter and five aircraft, and crews with other brush trucks and medical teams were there as well.

Johnson said that DPS, TxDOT, Sheriff’s Office, county constables, and County Judge Danny Martin also were there to provide assistance.

No injuries were reported.

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