Hearne Seniors gather for Community fun
Dora Shivers and Hazel Embra visit during lunch and bingo at the Hearne Senior Activity Center’s January gathering, where local seniors came together for food, fellowship and community fun.
Roy McCoy | Robertson County News
HEARNE — The Hearne Senior Activity Center held its second official meeting on Jan. 6, continuing its mission to provide fellowship, activities and support for senior citizens in the community. The meeting took place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and included lunch and a game of bingo. Attendees were served beef stew, cream cheese chicken, cornbread, cheese rolls, 7-Up cake, vanilla pound cake and iced tea. The Hearne Senior Activity Center began taking sign-ups in October and hosted its first meeting in November. That initial gathering drew a large crowd and featured a full meal, door prizes and numerous guests. Organizations from across Brazos County and Robertson County attended, including the Brazos Valley Council on Aging, Home Healthcare and BVCASA, among others. “This has been something we’ve wanted to bring to Hearne for a long time,” said director Verna Nelson. “Seeing people come together, make friends and enjoy themselves makes all the planning worth it.” Nelson said the center’s goal is to create a welcoming space where seniors can stay active and connected while also offering helpful resources. “Our seniors deserve a place where they feel valued and included,” she said. “We want this to grow into something the whole community can be proud of.” Ola Redmon, a beloved Hearne local, also assists Nelson with organizing and hosting the meetings. A third meeting is planned for Thursday, Feb. 12, just ahead of Valentine’s Day. The event will include a raffle with gift items, and organizers are encouraging more seniors to attend and sign up. Nelson said reaching a higher level of participation could lead to additional support from the Brazos Valley Council on Aging, which has offered to help cover some operational costs if attendance increases. Future plans include fundraising efforts, volunteer opportunities and the possible creation of a gardening club. Organizers are also beginning to plan activities for the spring and summer months. For more information about upcoming events or how to get involved, email vmcrafthaven13@gmail.com or call 979-422-8337.
Hearne City Council approves grants and election plans
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — The Hearne City Council met Tuesday evening, January 6, at City Hall and moved through its agenda quickly, approving every item unanimously. The meeting opened with approval of the minutes from the December 11, 2025, special council meeting and the city’s accounts payable for December. The council then gave the green light to two grants from the Hearne Economic Development Corporation (Type A) and the Hearne Community Development Corporation (Type B). One grant will help fund improvements downtown, while the other is aimed at upgrading city parks. Both are designed to enhance city spaces and support ongoing development efforts. In addition, the council approved the city’s general election for May 2, 2026, which will include City Council Place 2, Place 4, and Place 6. A contract was also signed with the Robertson County Election Administrator to handle the election process.
Hearne High School going phone-free with new program
A popular scene at High Schools around the country, kids with cell phones at school.
Roy McCoy roy@robconews.com Robertson County News HEARNE — Hearne High School students will soon be spending their school days without cell phones as the campus rolls out a new phone-free policy using the Yondr program. School officials say the change is aimed at cutting down on distractions in the classroom and helping students stay more focused on learning and on each other. Administrators noted that while phones are useful, they often pull attention away from class time and can affect student behavior and mental health. The move isn’t entirely new to the area. Bremond ISD put a similar phone-free system in place last year, becoming one of several local districts to take steps to limit cell phone use during the school day. Under the Yondr program, each student will place their phone into a small, secure pouch when they arrive at school. The pouch stays locked throughout the day and is stored securely by the student’s eighth-period teacher. Phones will be returned shortly before the final bell, when teachers unlock the pouches and collect them. According to surveys from more than 1,200 schools already using Yondr, many campuses have seen positive results. Schools reported improvements in student safety, engagement, behavior, and even academic performance after going phone-free. Hearne High School administrators say parents with questions are welcome to call the school, and in the event of an emergency, families can contact the front office to reach their child.
