"Child abuse has not stopped during COVID-19. Children and youth have continued to come into foster care during the pandemic," said Sandy Barber, Executive Director of the Fannin County Children's Center. "Our work has not stopped but many things are being adjusted or done differently in order to keep everyone safe."

Many people aren't aware that Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) receives federal LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program) funding to distribute to low-income families for energy expenses. Right now, because of the ongoing pandemic, an additional $94 million in funding is available to Texans through the CARES Act. People living in Collin, Cooke, Fannin, Denton, Hunt, Grayson & Rockwall counties can apply for assistance by downloading an application from TCOG’s website at www.tcog.com/energy/apply. Anyone interested in applying for assistance can also request an application be mailed to them by calling (903) 813-3541 option 2, or toll-free at (800) 677-8264 ext. 3541.

10:00 a.m. Monday, August 10 at Bonham City Hall

Construction continues at Bois d'Arc Lake with crews placing embankment fill on the dam and working on the raw water intake structure shown to the left of the dam, spillway shown in the foreground and raw water pump station shown to the right of the dam embankment. photo courtesy of North Texas Municipal Water District

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will host a virtual public hearing 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2020 to present the Draft Texas Transportation Plan (TTP) 2050 and solicit public comments. During the virtual public hearing, planning team members will present the draft plan. The presentation will include both audio and visual components. An opportunity for formal comment will be provided following the presentation. Comments can be made by calling in to the number above or provided by mail, email, or voicemail as described in the downloadable notice.

The Denison Development Alliance will meet in a Special Joint Session with the Denison City Council beginning on Monday, August 10, 2020, at 5:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers located at Denison’s City Hall, 300 West Main Street, Denison, Texas.

Here's a look at work planned in Fannin and Grayson counties during the week of Aug. 10, 2020.

Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced the closure of two access ramps on US 75 in Sherman, Texas. The southbound US 75 exit ramp to Park Avenue (Exit 57) and the southbound US 75 entrance ramp from Lamar Street will close at 7:30 p.m. on August 9.

Ad hoc committee to provide advice and oversight to staff research related to the historical context, appropriateness, and relevancy of the Throckmorton statue - photo by Allen Rich

Workshop - 5:00 p.m., regular meeting - 5:30 p.m.

Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that pavement work is slated for a portion of State Highway 289 in Grayson County, beginning Aug. 3.

Texas surpassed the 8,000 plateau of fatalities related to COVID-19 on Friday, but new cases of the novel coronavirus, as well as hospitalizations of COVID-19 patients, continued to decrease.

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 11 at Bonham City Hall and via teleconference

"The primary focus of the Lavon Lake watershed protection plan is to prevent contaminants from entering Lavon Lake from surrounding cities, farms and ranchlands," said David Cowan, NTMWD Watershed Manager. "This funding will help us with our mission of protecting water quality in this critical water source for North Texans," Cowan added.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott today held a roundtable at the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center on Texas' approach to flu season as the state and the country continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor was joined by medical experts, state legislators, and state agency leaders for the roundtable. (photo: Office Of The Governor, 8/6/20)

Report: July 29, 800 BL E. 14th St., Reporting Officer – ACO Jimmy Gilbert. A call for service was received in reference to a Dog Bite.

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) today approved by resolution financial assistance in the amount of $413,000,000 from the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) program* to the Upper Trinity Regional Water District (Fannin, Collin, Cooke, Dallas, Denton, Grayson, and Wise counties). The District will use the assistance to finance design and construction costs associated with Lake Ralph Hall.

The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) is partnering with Integrative Emergency Services to provide telemedicine to the people who live and work in McKinney. Through the portal, users can connect 24/7 with a board-certified Emergency Medicine physician. Visits are free during the 7-day pilot period. After that, there may be a charge depending on insurance.

Forty of the confirmed cases are currently isolated at their place of residence and one is hospitalized. One of the newly confirmed cases are from Bells, seven are from Denison, one is from Howe, one is from Pottsboro, twenty-nine are from Sherman, one is from Tioga, and one is from Whitewright.

(L-R) Jimmy Helms, Karen Butler, FCRW Treasurer, Lauri Blake, Richard Glaser, Mark Johnson, Gail Young, Edwina Lane, Jerry Magness, Paul Holt and Kevin Mayberry

Thursday, August 6, there will be a work session for the Bois d'Arc Lake shoreline management plan. The meeting will be at Bonham City Hall at 9:00 a.m.

Collin County reported a single-day record of 317 new cases in Wednesday's data release, while Denton County turned in 95 newly confirmed cases. Hunt County was notified of 46 new cases, Grayson County reported 41 newly confirmed cases, Fannin County was advised of 18 new cases, Cooke County had four new cases and Lamar County had two cases.

Fannin County Commissioners Court announced that negotiations will proceed with the City of Bonham to provide Emergency Medical Services (EMS) for Fannin County. The court also voted to maintain the current tax rate of $0.589%.

On Tuesday, August 3, workers put the finishing touches on concrete poured for a splash pad in Bonham's Powder Creek Park.

TxDOT has completed the US 380 Collin County Feasibility Study.

9:00 Thursday, August 6 at Bonham City Hall

TUPPS Brewery is building a new brewery in the Historic Mill District of Downtown McKinney which will include a craft community highlighting music, food, artists and a playground for both adults and kids.

Pasta, garlic bread & dessert - 5:00 p.m. August 4 at Family Life Center in Bonham

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 4 at Bonham City Hall and via teleconference

After a series of final interviews with representatives of four Emergency Medical Service providers on Monday, August 3, Fannin County Commissioners Court is apparently set to name the county's EMS provider at a regular meeting Tuesday morning.

Texas reported 9,539 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 268 newly reported fatalities related to COVID-19 in the daily data release on Monday by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), but hospitalization numbers continue to decrease.

Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that a portion of FM 1753 in Fannin County will be temporarily closed beginning Aug. 3 for necessary bridge repairs.

10:00 a.m. Monday, August 3, 2020 at the AgriLife Extension Building and via teleconference

Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that the traffic signals at the intersection of US 82 and State Highway 121 in Bonham, Texas, in Fannin County will be activated Aug. 4, weather permitting.

Here's a look at work planned in Fannin and Grayson counties during the week of Aug. 3, 2020.

Texas reported 9,539 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 268 newly reported fatalities related to COVID-19 in Saturday's data release by Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). According to the DSHS COVID-19 dashboard, Denton County has 2,940 active cases, Collin County has 1,394 active cases, Hunt County has 341 active cases, Lamar County has 150 active cases, Grayson County has 38 active cases, Fannin County has 14 active cases and Cooke County has 10 active cases.

Fannin County residents have been asking why the new bridge under construction over Red River on Hwy. 78 is lower than the old bridge it is replacing and Oklahoma Department of Transportation engineers sent the following explanation... photo by Charlie Thomas

"As part of the ongoing efforts to enhance our parks system and expand services and programming, we identified Towne Lake as a signature area and important city landmark to highlight," said Michael Kowski, Director of Parks and Recreation.

In an effort for the community to enjoy their stays away from their homes, whether it be for a vacation or hospitalization, they can do so with a sense of confidence with the implementation of the House Watch Program. This service is provided to the people of Bonham so that no matter how long they are gone their time is more enjoyable and less worrisome as to the security of their homes.

Item fourteen on the agenda caused some contentious discussion regarding the 2020/2021 proposed budget for Fannin County. Fannin County Judge Randy Moore presented some proposed cuts for the budget. Several commissioners had comments as did some other county officials. It was pointed out that these proposed cuts are just proposed. The county judge has to have a proposed budget filed by July 30. The final budget is due by September 30.