DeWitt County Commissioners Court
DeWitt County

DeWitt Commissioners receive 4H quarterly update, ban some fireworks

By Clayton Kelley

  • The 4H ambassadors spoke about its activities within the past quarter. Pictured from left to right are DeWitt County Extension Agent Candace Williamson and Ambassadors Gunnar Frank, Ella Jander, Andrew Hahn, and Caleb Keller.
    The 4H ambassadors spoke about its activities within the past quarter. Pictured from left to right are DeWitt County Extension Agent Candace Williamson and Ambassadors Gunnar Frank, Ella Jander, Andrew Hahn, and Caleb Keller.

    The DeWitt County Commissioners Court received a quarterly update from the 4H group and the County Extension Agent at the Dec. 9 meeting.

    The group’s ambassadors gave an update on some of the projects they did throughout the last couple of months.

    “DeWitt County 4H has a total of 326 youth memberships and 47 adult volunteers,” 4H Ambassador Ella Jander said. “Our goal for this year was to pass last year’s enrollment numbers and we have done that. Part of our ambassador responsibilities are to plan and implement 4H community service projects. So far, since the new 4H year started on Sept. 1, we have partnered with Cuero Hospital to collect stuffed animals for their “stuff the truck” EMS event that happened in October. We also collected items for Operation Christmas Child which sends boxes of items to children in need. We also collected canned goods to donate C.A.M.A.L. House of Cuero.”

    The 4H group has also been preparing for some livestock shows happening soon.

    The Yoakum Project Show will be held Friday, Jan. 10 and Saturday, Jan. 11 at the Yoakum Show grounds by the airport. On Jan. 10, the ag mechanics show will start at 4 p.m. followed by the steer and heifer show at 6 p.m. On Jan. 11, the swine show will start at 8 a.m. followed by the broiler show at 9:30 a.m. and then the goat show at 10 a.m.

    “We hope you are able to make it to the show to see the hard work our 4H family has put into the projects,” 4H Ambassador Caleb Keller said.

    Commissioners also took action on prohibiting the use or sale of certain fireworks in unincorporated areas of DeWitt County for the month of December.

    “The county is in a drought right now,” DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler said. “The lowest index reading in the county is 631 while the highest is 715. The overall average is 678 and that is well above the threshold of 550 that we have to abide by in order to impose a burn ban.”

    This ban will restrict the sale, detonation, and ignition of fireworks classified in federal regulations known as skyrockets with sticks and missiles with fins. This order does not prohibit fireworks small in size and classified as ‘Class C’ explosives. If somebody violates this order once its imposed, it is a fineable offense as a ‘Class C’ misdemeanor.”

    Commissioners also reviewed the Texas Department of Transportation County Assistance Program funding and the allocation amount of $25,748.

    “This will help offset our expenses with roads and road projects,” Fowler said.

    Other items on the agenda include:

    • Commissioners reviewed an agreement from UniFirst for employee uniforms and supply services.

    • Commissioners appointed people for the Drainage District Commissioners.

    • Commissioners awarded a bid for the replacement of the HVAC systems in the jail for the Sheriff’s Office.

    • A permit application from Tetra Technologies Inc. for the installation of a temporary water line along Eckhart Road in Precinct 3 was approved. Another installation of a temporary water line from the same company was approved for Seiler Road in Precinct 3.