Local News
SHSU prepares to ease transition for post-9/11 vets
After World War II, the United States braced for a flood of weary GI’s and, as a nation, decided that going to college was a better option for both them and the nation than idle hands and unemployment.
Since Congress has pumped up educational benefits for the surge of returning and demobilized veterans who have served since 9/11, the nation’s colleges are preparing to ease their transition from combat to computer labs.
A lot of young Walker County vets might be surprised to find their entire college education could be paid for, plus $1100 a month housing allowance, under the new Post-9/11 GI bill that goes into effect Saturday.
When Marine Corps veteran Wade Dixon enrolled at Sam Houston State after two combat tours in Iraq, talking with fellow freshmen three months out of high school, “We were speaking more or less the same language but we weren’t making any sense to each other.”
SHSU and other universities have since learned how to ease the transition to civilian life, and college life for vets like Dixon.
“We recognize that vets have a different life’s experience than the traditional beginning freshman,” said Kathy Hudson, who coordinates a new Veterans Resource Center opening this fall at Sam Houston State.
“We’ll hold a special orientation for vets on Aug. 6 because their needs are so different from traditional freshmen.”
Hudson said that Post 9/ll GI Bill benefits will cover virtually all college expenses for the typical returning vet at Sam Houston State, including tuition, fees and books, and provide a monthly housing allowance of $1,134 per month.
The center will also facilitate academic advising, tutoring and counseling for vets, help them find jobs, and provide a lounge for vets to meet and share experiences with other vets.
In addition to helping vets understand their benefits, Sam Houston State will award credit for military training, and refund their money if they are recalled to active duty in the middle of a semester.
Sam Houston State has also trained its frontline staff in advising, financial aid and counseling to better assist student veterans, encourage and support veterans student organizations and, beginning next spring, give vets priority in registering for classes.
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A Forever Family
Three families attending University Heights Baptist Church are in various stages of the process of adopting orphan children from Russia — joining other families at the church who have already completed the process.
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‘Bring Them Home’ benefit concert for families set tonight
To assist three families seeking to adopt Russian orphans, University Heights Baptist Church is hosting the “Bring Them Home” benefit concert at 7 p.m. tonight.
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City working to repair main water feed
The City of Huntsville’s Water Department may not complete repairing a break in the water line that supplies the city until possibly late this afternoon.
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Master Gardeners Annual Spring Plant Sale slated
The Walker County Master Gardeners are preparing for their 7th Annual Spring Plant Sale set for Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Texas AgriLife Extension Office at 102 TAM Road, two miles north of the Pilot Truck Stop on state Highway 75.
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Registration under way for golf tourney
Registration is under for the seventh annual Shot in the Dark Golf Tournament and Helicopter Golf Ball Drop set for April 24 at Raven Nest Golf Couse.
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Indiana man who murdered 2 set to die in Texas
For about a month, Joshua Maxwell and Tessie McFarland crisscrossed the country in a deadly crime spree.
They kicked things off by robbing an auto mechanic in their home state of Indiana. His bound and burned body was found stuffed in the trunk of his car. Both were initially charged with murdering him, but only Maxwell was convicted of that charge. -
Council OKs HOT funds for pro rodeo promotion
The Huntsville City Council approved giving Hotel Occupancy Tax money to the Walker County Pro Rodeo Committee and the mayor pro tem said the action corrects a long-standing wrong.
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New SHSU research clinic benefits children
Parents with children struggling from traumatic experiences or behavioral problems now have the option of receiving assistance from the Child Treatment Research Clinic, a new branch of study from the department of psychology at Sam Houston State University.
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Market steer show set for March 31
One of the most anticipated shows at the 32nd annual Walker County Fair this year is the Market Steer Show with more than 30 entries for the 2010 show.
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Entry forms available for annual Fair parade
Entry forms are beginning to trickle in for the upcoming Walker County Fair Parade – considered by many to be the official kickoff of the annual Walker County Fair and Rodeo events.
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