By now,
most of you have heard or read about the E.coli levels at
Lake O Pines exceeding readings considered safe for swimming
in the lake. The bacteria exist in any body of water, but
they need special conditions to reach dangerous levels.
Normally, those special conditions include very large
discharges of animal waste into the body of water.
Here on
Lake Cherokee, we do not have any major animal waste
discharges, industrial discharges, or sewage treatment
facility discharges into our watershed. But, just for the
peace of mind of our residents, we took six samples up and
down the lake and sent them to an independent testing lab
for evidence of E.coli.
The
E.coli level considered dangerous is 235 colonies per 100
milliliters. The sample from Lake Cherokee that measured the
highest was only 41.9 colonies at Silvey Bridge, ranging
down to the dam which was 39.9.

Basic
Ballistics will offer the Texas Concealed Handgun License
Training Program for Lake Cherokee residents on Saturday,
September 11. The program requires a total of 10 hours of
classroom and range training combined. The lesson is
delivered via Power Point Presentation and topics include
handgun safety, non-violent dispute resolution, gun laws,
CHL statutes and more.
CHL
Applicants will be required to show proficiency with their
handguns at the range. Basic Ballistics will utilize the
East Texas Rifle and Pistol Club for range qualifications.
The distances in which applicants must show proficiency will
be 3 yards, 7 yards and 15 yards. This course of fire is
designed for novice shooters. Applicants must qualify with
a handgun of .32 caliber or larger. Applicants that qualify
with a semi-automatic handgun will be able to carry either a
semi-auto or revolver after receiving their CHL. Applicants
that qualify with a revolver will be able to carry only a
revolver.
Visit
www.basicballistics.com
to view eligibility requirements for the Texas CHL or to
register for a class. The training fee is $125 per new
applicant and $75 per renewal applicant. Contact the CWC
office to register and reserve a seat.
Class
times are from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for new applicants.
Class
times for renewal applicants are 1:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Applicants that do not have a handgun may rent a handgun
from Basic Ballistics for the range portion of the class.
This rental fee is $35.00 per handgun and one box (50
rounds) of ammunition is included with rental.
Each
applicant is responsible for bringing (or renting) a handgun
and one box (50 rounds) of ammunition to qualify. All other
necessary paperwork is provided by Basic Ballistics.