COUNTY LIFE
DPS urging drivers return home safely
AUSTIN — On past Labor Day weekends, hundreds of impaired crashes have occurred in Texas, resulting in fatalities on our roads. As many Texans make travel plans to celebrate the remaining days of summer, TxDOT’s “Plan While You Can” campaign reminds them to make a plan for a sober ride before the festivities begin.
“The long weekend should be an opportunity to enjoy extra time with family and friends, rather than experience a senseless and preventable tragedy that ruins the lives of everyone involved because of drinking and driving,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “If you plan to drink alcohol this weekend, please plan ahead for a sober ride. It can save lives.”
During last year’s Labor Day holiday weekend* in Texas, there were 328 crashes involving drivers who were driving under the influence of alcohol. Those crashes killed eight people and seriously injured another 25.
The “Plan While You Can” campaign includes a statewide tour featuring the “Plan to Win” virtual reality game where participants are part of an immersive trivia game. The experience poses questions related to drinking and driving and also demonstrates the consequences of impaired driving. Players avoid “jail” by answering questions correctly, and winners progress to a waiting virtual taxi to receive a safe and sober ride. The experience will visit 11 Texas cities through September.
While drivers under the influence of alcohol risk killing or seriously injuring themselves or others, they also face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. Find alternatives to drinking alcohol and driving, such as:
- Designating a sober driver or calling someone for a sober ride home
- Contacting a cab or ride-share service
- Using mass transit
- Spending the night
In addition to the penalties for drunk driving, HB 2502, which takes effect on Sept. 1, 2019, requires a judge to include a minimum of 120 days of confinement when granting community supervision for the offense of leaving the scene of a crash that resulted in the death of a person.
“Plan While You Can” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while on the road, such as going the speed limit, wearing a seatbelt, never drinking and driving or texting and driving. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths.
It has been quite a busy few days at the Montague County Youth Fair with schedule changes, juggling of events and trying to cope with the unexpected snow storm. However, the youth fair always rolls on thanks to the dedicated volunteers, coordinators, parents and students.
Friday the rabbit how starts at 10 a.m., with heifer and steer show at 2 p.m. Ag. mech. check-in at 6 p.m. with that show at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Swine will move into the barn later today with its show at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Saturday the home economics silent auction will start at 6 p.m. and run to 9 p.m. in the show barn. Showmanship buckles will be presented at 6 p.m. in the barn followed by leadership day awards. The premium sale is at 6:30 p.m. Make plans to come out and support these hard working kids and families.
See all the winners in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – Poultry show photo taken by Rashonda Hobbs of Unfazed Creations, official photographer for the youth fair. Make sure and check out her photos.
When we were going through my grandmother’s house in Nocona after it sold, I found a few neat keepsakes, but the biggest treasure I thought I had found was her biscuit cutter. I was so excited to show my mother (her daughter) and just knew she would be happy it was found and would still be used after all this time.
My mother, however, had a different thought about my precious biscuit cutter. She said, “Suzanne, you know that biscuit cutter is just an old tomato paste can that has both ends cut out.”
I was still no less delighted with my cutter. I continue to use it today. My husband has bought me vintage, new and fancier cutters, but this cutter is something I go back to time and again.
My Memaw was recruited to be a lunch lady from 1952 to 1958 at Nocona Elementary, back when lunches were cooked, not “fixed.” Lenora Brown Burnett was an excellent cook and everyone knew it. She went on to work at the Nocona Major Clinic kitchen from 1958 to 1969.
You could only use shortcuts if you knew how to do it the long way. That is how I still approach cooking. You can only use a cake mix if you know how to make a cake with lots of ingredients, time and effort.
Read Suzanne’s Love & Luck column in the Thursday Bowie News on the On the Table page.
Top photo – Grandmother’s biscuit cutter and hand written recipes. (Photo by Suzanne Storey)
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