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As the flurry of news from all media regarding the swine flu becomes larger, the Navarro County Health Department has taken steps to address the problem locally.
In a letter from Dr. Kent Rogers, physician and medical director of the Corsicana -Navarro County Public Health District, residents are strongly urged to help prevent the spread of swine flu. Rogers lists in his letter some steps to take as precautions.
More buildings for Ellis County During a recession and tough economic times many people decide to further their education and that trend is true for Navarro College campuses in Midlothian and Waxahachie. The Navarro College board of trustees met in Midlothian on Thursday night and heard a report from Dr. Harold Nolte, dean of Navarro College Waxahachie, on the explosive growth the schools in Ellis County are experiencing. “The population data I am presenting to you predicts Ellis County could have half a million residents by 2020,” Nolte said. “We are seeing dramatic enrollment in our schools on the (U.S.) Highway 287 corridor, specifically Midlothian and Waxahachie.”
The Blackland Prairies and Post Oak Savannah
Pre-settlement conditions of the western counties were that of a true prairie grassland community dominated by a diverse assortment of perennial and annual grasses and forbs (weeds). The fertile dark clay soils of the Blackland Prairies are some of the richest soils in the world. Many early settlers who first encountered the blackland prairie described it as a vast endless sea of grasses and wildflowers with sparsely scattered trees or mottes of oaks. Wooded areas were restricted to bottomlands along major rivers and streams, ravines, protected areas, or on certain soil types. People are often surprised to learn that trees, including some of significant size, comprise a part of the prairie ecosystem. Pecan, cedar elm, various oaks, and hackberry dot the landscape, with mesquite invading some areas. However, development and the suppression of natural fires have allowed more trees to flourish in this region than ever before. The dominant grass of this true tall-grass prairie is little bluestem, but big blue stem, Indiangrass, eastern gammagrass, switchgrass, and side oats grama can also be found. Today, only 5,000 of the original 12 million acres remain in true prairie condition.
The eastern counties of this region are part of the Post Oak Savannah Ecoregion. As the name implies, the original plant community associated with this region was a savannah dominated by native bunch grasses and forbs with scattered clumps of trees, primarily post oaks and blackjack oaks. Black hickory may also be locally abundant. Cedar elm, sugarberry, eastern red cedar, and common persimmon are also widespread. Forested areas were generally restricted to bottomlands along major rivers and creeks, or in areas protected from fire. Historically, wide vistas of tall-grass – little bluestem, Indiangrass, switchgrass, and a myriad of wildflowers were broken only by the occasional group of trees giving the landscape a park-like atmosphere. Peat bogs mingled amongst stands of flowering dogwood, sassafras, bumelia and yaupon are also found here. Soils within the area are unique. Sands and sandy loams are predominantly found on upland sites, while clay or clay loams are typically associated with bottomlands. A dense clay pan, that is almost impervious to water, underlies all soil types within the region at depths of only a few feet.
For more information on the historical perspective of this region, please see http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/habitats/post_oak.
The Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce has announced a change of dates for the upcoming Navarro County Day in Austin.
Scheduling problems with facilities at the state capitol forced organizers of the bi-annual trip to Austin to move the date back one day. It is now scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, according to Paul Hooper, executive director of the chamber.
Time to Start Planning the Spring Garden
Even though it is still January now is the time to start making plans for the spring garden. Even though the threat of frost remains until the middle of March for Navarro County there is a lot of work to be done on paper. For a successful garden I recommend planning it all out on paper and then working that plan.
There are several things to consider:
• Site Selection: Do you need to do weed control, add organic matter and start working the soil.
• Soil Fertility: Do you know what your soil needs? If you haven’t had your soil tested then consider this as a way of taking the guess work out of fertilizing. Soil testing will provide a detailed, scientific analysis that tells you what the nutrient composition of your soil is and what it might need. Soil bags are available by calling the Extension Office.
• Plant Selection: Consider the types of vegetables you want to grow. If you won’t eat it, then why grow it. Also, make sure you have the space you need for the plants you want. If you can’t get between the rows to work then what is the use.
• Planting Timing: It is no use planting okra in the early spring but don’t wait to late to get those carrots in. For planting dates check out http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/plantanswers/earthkind/ekgarden.pdf and for planting spacing check out http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/home/hmguide.pdf.
By Bob Belcher
Aric Bonner’s voice was confident and optimistic Thursday as he spoke of his plans for the year as new president of the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce.
Bonner gathered chamber board members for a workshop to form committees and outline the goals and objectives he wants the chamber to strive for in 2009, including a new event designed to reach across cultural lines in the community.
“The objective for me is to make sure the chamber is encompassing the entire community,” Bonner said. “I don’t think we’ve done a very successful job in the past of including all segments of the community.”
His goal of reaching out to all is consistent with the theme Bonner has set for the year — Breaking New Ground.
Bowie Elementary School
1800 Bowie Dr
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grades K-5
713 Students
Carroll Elementary School
1101 E 13th Ave
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grades PK-5
755 students
Fannin Elementary School
3201 N Beaton
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grades PK-5
669 students
Jose Antonio Navarro Elementary School
601 S 45th St
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grades K-5
784 students
Drane Intermediate School
100 S 18th St
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grade 6
428 Students
Drane Intermediate School
100 S 18th St
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grade 6
428 Students
Collins Middle School
1500 Dobbins Rd
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grades 7-8
810 Students
Corsicana High School
3701 W Hwy 22
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Grades 9-12
1498 Students
Navarro College
3200 W. 7th Ave
Corsicana, TX 75110
Navarro County
Serving Navarro, Ellis, Henderson and Freestone Counties
RE/MAX of Corsicana is a team of realtors specializing in working with buyers and sellers throughout Navarro County, Ellis County, Henderson County and Freestone County. We sell the following types of real estate property:
The County of Navarro is located in the State of Texas, and at the 2000 Census, the population was a little over 45,000. The City of Corsicana is the county seat for Navarro County. The Tejano leader, Jose Antonio Navarro, who signed the Texas Declaration of Independence, is the county’s namesake. Navarro was a leader in the Texas Revolution.
Besides the City of Corsicana, the County of Navarro, also includes the cities of Angus, Blooming Grove, Frost, Navarro and Richland.
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