Editor ’ s Note
Hello Huntsville ,
It ’ s the most glorious time of the year in Southeast Texas !
Fall has sprung in the Piney Woods , but what does that mean during a pandemic ? Though somewhat cooler weather marks the season , much of what we have come to love about the season has disappeared or moved online . Usually November and December is full of events that we are scrambling to cover . Not so much in 2020 . Luckily , there ’ s no shortage of amazing people doing impressive things in Huntsville and Walker County .
With this issue of Huntsville Living , we chose not to focus on just one Hometown Hero , but a multitude of heroes who have devoted their lives to the Huntsville and Walker County communities .
Take Huntsville Chief of Police Kevin Lunsford , for example . This Hometown Hero spends nearly every minute of his life protecting our way of life . With Chief Lunsford at the helm , Huntsville has become a safer place to live , despite its recent economic boom .
A key piece of his department is Kyon , the department ’ s K-9 drug dog . Kyon and his handler Taylor Wilkins have helped officers uncover hundreds of thousands of dollars in narcotics , which are frequently transported up and down the I-45 corridor .
You ’ ll get to meet Ranger Christopher Cash , who recently took over as the Texas Ranger for Walker , Trinity and Madison counties — replacing former ranger Steven Jeter .
We will also show you the inner workings of the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center and showcase the difficulties that rural volunteer fire departments like the Crabb ’ s Prairie Fire Department face on a daily basis .
Don ’ t forget the ‘ On Scene ’ and ‘ Oh Snap ’ sections towards the end of the magazine , which feature memories from the 46th annual Fair on the Square festival .
Here ’ s to hoping
Joseph
for a wonderful end
Brown
to 2020 .
Stay safe and have fun , Huntsville !
On the Cover
Kyon and handler HPD Officer Taylor Wilkins have become a drug fighting duo . Story on Page 12
PHOTO BY MICHELLE WULFSON
HUNTSVILLE
LIVING
STAFF
PUBLISHER JAKE MIENK
EDITOR JOSEPH BROWN
LIFESTYLES EDITOR MICHELLE WULFSON
Drop me a line ! Email : jbrown @ itemonline . com Mail : Attn . Joseph Brown The Huntsville Item 1409 10th Street Huntsville , TX 77320
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HUNTSVILLE LIVING | NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 | 5