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American Red Cross presents Lifesaving Awards to four McKinney Parks and Recreation employees
By City of McKinney
Dec 18, 2024
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Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders
is the highest award given for saving a life

McKinney, Texas — The American Red Cross presented four Parks and Recreation employees with the Lifesaving Award for First Responders for their life-saving efforts at the Senior Recreation Center at a ceremony today. These awards were presented to Aquatics Supervisor Griffin White, Aquatics Coordinator Cianna Alliot, and pool managers Savanah Chavarria and Jaden Dawes.

The Lifesaving Award for Professional Responders is the highest award given by the Red Cross to those who save or sustain a life using skills learned in a Red Cross Training Services course. 

On June 27, a long-time center member, Lou Conner, collapsed during an exercise class. Chavarria and Dawes assessed Conner's condition while Alliot and White started CPR and delivered a shock using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). They continued with six rounds of CPR until EMS personnel from the McKinney Fire Department arrived.

  • This is official notice that there will be a Public Hearing at 5:00 p.m., Monday, January 6, 2025, in the Community Room of the Sherman Police Department, 2600 W. Travis St., Sherman, Texas, for the following Ordinances.
  • In August 2023 an inspection of many of the roads for Fannin County Precinct One revealed that quite a few of them had no signage for what road you were on or safety concerns that needed addressed to prevent future accidents.
  • (L-R) Dale McQueen, Pct. 1 Commissioner; Newt Cunningham, Fannin County Judge; Larry Standlee, Past-Chair of the Fannin County Historical Commission; Jerry Magness, Pct. 3 Commissioner; and Doug Kopf, Pct. 4 Commissioner. On behalf of Fannin County Commissioners Court, Judge Cunningham awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Larry Standlee for work with Fannin County Historical Commission. photo by Lisa Loiselle
  • Dr. Kara Vuic, professor of War, Conflict, and Society at TCU, will be the next quarterly program of the North Texas World War II History Roundtable Audie Murphy Chapter.
  • 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 1, 2025 in the second floor courtroom of the Fannin County Courthouse
  • This application would authorize construction of the Sand and Gravel Plant located at 4400 Farm-to-Market Road 274, Ravenna, Fannin County, Texas 75476. This link to an electronic map of the site or facility's general location is provided as a public courtesy and not part of the application or notice. For exact location, refer to application.
  • Fannin County had their annual awards luncheon on Monday, December 23, 2024 and would like to thank the following who made this possible.
  • The Energy Services Department of Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) will host a number of intake days in January. If you're seeking utility assistance or know someone who is, please share this with them!
  • 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at the Fannin County Courthouse and via teleconference
  • This represents a 41 percent increase from the previous economic impact study published in 2018. "This new economic impact study underscores what we've known for some time. McKinney National Airport is a vital economic engine for our community," said Ken Carley, Director of the McKinney National Airport. "The airport's growth is directly supporting local jobs and boosting our city’s economy in ways that benefit all residents."
  • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials today announced an update to the speed limit on US 377 north of US 82 in Whitesboro, to 65 mph. The speed limit update in Grayson County will go into effect Dec. 30 once the signs are in place. The limits of change are from (Bone Chapel Road) to (Tamplen Road).
  • To save water for what's important next summer and beyond, Upper Trinity Regional Water District encourages all residents and businesses to turn their sprinkler systems to the OFF position. In fact, watering during the winter can lead to fungal diseases and other problems that will harm turfgrasses, according to experts at Texas A&M AgriLife. Turning the system OFF also ensures the sprinklers don’t water and create icy sidewalks or streets.
  • The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials have announced that C.E. Barker Ltd. of Houston, TX will be rehabilitating Park Road 24, parking lots and campsite pullouts within the Bonham State Park. The contractor has been granted 57 working days to complete the $1,835,767.08 project. The contractor plans to begin work on Monday, January 6, 2025, weather permitting. The contract is anticipated to be completed in May of 2025.
  • The McKinney Fire Department (MFD) is proud to announce the launch of the GoodSAM app, a cutting-edge platform connecting trained individuals with people needing immediate medical assistance during a cardiac arrest. Starting this month, First Responders and anyone with CPR Training (Certification CPR, Hands-Only CPR and First Aid training that includes CPR) can register with the GoodSAM app to be alerted to nearby cardiac arrest emergencies.
  • The City of McKinney is excited to announce it is pursuing an agreement with Cannon Beach, a $200 million multi-use development set to redefine recreation, tourism, and economic innovation in North Texas. Anticipated to break ground in 2025 at the northeast corner of Stacy Road and S.H. 121, this 35-acre project will feature a four-acre surf lagoon, a full-service resort-style hotel, and dining, entertainment, and business spaces. artist's concept
  • Willow Wild Cemetery was honored by Wreaths Across America to commemorate veterans buried at the cemetery. There are more than 1,000 veterans at Willow Wild, and we received 8 this year. Those have been placed around the cemetery. Next year, with the backing of corporate sponsorship, we hope to have enough for every service member. (L-R) Willow Wild Board members Mark Daniel, Sam Fox and Michael Bauer place a wreath at the grave of Michael Shank.
  • In 2024, Denton County AgriLife Extension continued to make a profound impact on the community, showcasing remarkable growth, successful programs, and exceptional volunteer contributions. With over one million residents in the county, AgriLife Extension's dedicated staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to reach as many individuals as possible, leaving a lasting mark on the lives of youth, families, and agricultural producers.
  • Dr. Jerry Hopson (right), with library staff member Christian Taylor. The Honey Grove Library & Learning Center recently received another generous grant from the M.W. and Fair Miller Foundation. The staff of the Honey Grove Library & Learning Center deeply appreciate the generosity of this foundation.
  • Over the year, significant progress has been made across the Lake Ralph Hall project site. In the words of Upper Trinity's Executive Director Larry Patterson, "We're grateful for our construction teams, and truly impressed by the progress they've made this year. We look forward to watching various parts of the project move closer to completion in 2025."
  • Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham introduced the Bonham High School Vocal Ensemble. Under the direction of Melody Cherry, the vocalists entertained commissioners court with a medley of Christmas carols. There will not be a regular meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court on December 24, 2024. photo by Lisa Loiselle
  • The American Red Cross presented four Parks and Recreation employees with the Lifesaving Award for First Responders for their life-saving efforts at the Senior Recreation Center at a ceremony today. These awards were presented to Aquatics Supervisor Griffin White, Aquatics Coordinator Cianna Alliot, and pool managers Savanah Chavarria and Jaden Dawes.
  • The Denison Development Alliance will meet in a regular session beginning on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at 4:00 P.M. in the Conference Room at the Denison Development Alliance, 311 West Woodard Street, Denison, Texas 75020.
  • Public Meeting at 8:30 a.m., Public Hearing at 8:40 a.m. on Wednesday, December 18, 2024
  • 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the Fannin County Courthouse and via teleconference
  • This is official notice that there will be a Public Hearing at 5:00 pm, Monday, December 16, 2024, in the Community Room of the Sherman Police Department, 2600 W. Travis St., Sherman, Texas, for the following Ordinances.
  • The American Red Cross will present four Parks and Recreation employees with the Lifesaving Award for First Responders for their life-saving efforts at the Senior Recreation Center this summer. The presentation will be at 10:00 a.m. December 17 at the Senior Recreation Center, 1400 S. College Street.
  • Here's a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Dec. 16, 2024.
  • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials announced an update to the speed limit on FM 1417 to 45 mph.
  • Workforce Solutions Texoma is proud to announce that Kwik Chek Food Stores, Inc., doing business as TXB Stores, was honored by the Texas Workforce Commision as the region's 2024 Local Employer of Excellence.
  • Fannin County Commissioners Court took a moment to recognize the success of the 2024 Honey Grove Warriors football team. Shane Fletcher, head football coach and athletic director at Honey Grove, introduced members of the regional finalist Honey Grove Warriors. "Thank you for having us here today," Coach Fletcher told the court. "This is an honor." Fletcher has been an influential coach for several area teams, including Howe, Bonham and Leonard, before taking the helm at Honey Grove three years ago. photo by Lisa Loiselle
  • Old Timer Raccoon welcomes visitors to Bonham State Park for the 4th Annual Light Up the Park Event from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13 and Saturday, December 14. Enjoy a dazzling display of holiday lights, courtesy of your local rangers and festive helpers. This event is a drive-through event, and suitable for the whole family. Entrance fees are $4.00 per adult, but these fees will be waived with the donation of a new (unwrapped) toy, teen gift, or paper goods. Donations are required to be in the original packaging and will be hand delivered to Bonham's Fannin County Children's Center. photo by Linda Brinlee
  • Powder Creek Ranch Public Improvement District is a 400-acre site located on the west side of Willow Wild Cemetery. Phase 1 would be to develop a 42-acre medium density, single-family residential area on the northeast corner of the development, beginning in the summer of 2025. An improved 12th Street would provide access. Home prices are estimated to begin in the $280,000-$300,000 range.
  • A Murphy man has been convicted of federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Damien M. Diggs.
  • 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024
  • 8:50 a.m. Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at the Fannin County Courthouse and via teleconference
  • Best in Spirit - Legacy Furniture Co.
  • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials today announced an upcoming closure of US 75 main lanes and westbound Spur 503. The closure is to facilitate the demolition of westbound Spur 503 bridge.
  • 5:30 p.m. Monday, December 9, 2024 at Bonham City Hall
  • Here's a look at work planned in the district for the week starting Dec. 9, 2024. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones.
  • The Martha Jefferson Randolph Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is excited to announce the opening of the American Revolution Experience at The Sherman Museum starting on December 3, 2024. The innovative pop-up exhibition includes display panels and interactive digital kiosks that use storytelling, illustration, technology and unique artifacts and primary accounts to connect modern audiences with the people and places that shaped the birth of our nation.
  • Eleven officials were sworn-in on New Year's Day during an investiture ceremony in the historic courthouse in Bonham. photo by Lisa Loiselle
  • The 2025 spring severe weather season is not too far away, and the National Weather Service and local public safety officials want you to be ready. The National Weather Service (NWS) Office located in Fort Worth will be conducting a free Severe Weather Education class in Collin County on Saturday, January 18, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Plano Sockwell Center.
  • Sunday, December 8 was an exciting day for Getting Ahead Fannin County. Family members, friends, and special guests gathered at Living Word Church of God to celebrate the graduation of their tenth class as well as recognize the nine Staying Ahead participants who completed the Ramsey Financial Peace University.
  • Rembrandt, Portrait of Aeltje Uylenburgh 1632, oil on panel, 29 x 21 15/16 in. (73.7 x 55.8 cm). Promised gift of Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo, in support of the Center for Netherlandish Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Paintings by Rembrandt, Hals, Gerrit Dou, Jacob van Ruisdael, Maria Schalcken, and more, along with prints, maps, and decorative objects, explore how Dutch dominance in international commerce transformed life in the Netherlands and created a flourishing of culture.
  • (L-R) Keith Mumaw, President; Sarah Richardson, Secretary; Dr. Mike Durbin, Vice-President; James Hunt, Treasurer
  • 2004 – Stardust successfully flies past Comet Wild 2, collecting samples that are returned to Earth. Stardust was a 385-kilogram robotic space probe launched by NASA on 7 February 1999. Its primary mission was to collect dust samples from the coma of comet Wild 2, as well as samples of cosmic dust, and return them to Earth for analysis. It was the first sample return mission of its kind. En route to Comet Wild 2, it also flew by and studied the asteroid 5535 Annefrank. The primary mission was successfully completed on 15 January 2006 when the sample return capsule returned to Earth. On 14 August 2014, scientists announced the identification of possible interstellar dust particles from the Stardust capsule returned to Earth in 2006.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Funeral services for Willie Dean Newman, 61, of Ivanhoe, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 in Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Chapel. Larry Horn will officiate. Burial will follow in Dodd City Cemetery.
  • Bonham, Texas -- The family of Tyler Camielle Caplinger (Said), 36, will host a Celebration of Life that will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Mulberry Cemetery in Mulberry, TX. Please come dressed as Tyler would have wanted; colorful, vibrant, or even fancy.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Visitation for Gabe Parker will be Wednesday, January 1, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wise Funeral Home. The funeral service will be the following day at First Presbyterian Church in Bonham at 1:00 p.m. with burial following at Bettes Cemetery.
  • Bonham, Texas -- A graveside service for Jimmie Roosevelt (Rosevelt) Adams, 91, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 4, 2025 at Carson Cemetery in Ector, Texas under the direction of Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home. Matt Frawley will officiate.
  • Bonham, Texas -- A service to celebrate the life of Milburn Ray "Mac" McAdams, 89, will be held at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home, located at 2022 N Center St. in Bonham, Texas, on Friday, January 3, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. Visitation will be held an hour prior to service beginning at 1:00 p.m.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Funeral services for Loretta "Jean" Ashlock, 89, will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at Living Word Church Of God, Bonham, Texas. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to service with burial following at Willow Wild Cemetery.
  • Bonham, Texas -- A graveside service for Sabrina Michell Clifton, 52, will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 3, 2025 at Willow Wild Cemetery, Bonham, TX.
  • Sherman, Texas -- The family of Shirley Ann Bacon, 75, of Sadler, Texas, will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at Waldo Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 8 in the Waldo Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be held immediately following the service at Mount Tabor
    Cemetery. Rev. Rick Carney will officiate.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Visitation for Roman Solis Garcia, 61, of Bonham will be held at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home in Bonham from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 30, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Michaels Catholic Church in McKinney, Texas.
  • Bonham, Texas -- It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved wife and mother, Nelda Ann Mowell, 80, of Bonham, Texas, who left us on December 23, 2024.
  • Sherman, Texas -- Visitation with the family of Ray Ferman, Jr., 99, will be Friday, January 3, from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Waldo Funeral Home in Sherman. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, at First Methodist Church of Sherman followed by his burial at Cedarlawn Memorial Park.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Funeral services for Teresa Sangster, 53, of Bonham will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, December 27, 2024 at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home, Bonham, Texas. Interment will follow at Forest Grove Cemetery, Telephone, Texas. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 26, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home.
  • Allens Chapel, Texas -- Helen Louise Mitcham Allen, 82, of Allens Chapel, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
  • Bonham, Texas -- Graveside services for Annie Medcalf, 90, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23, 2024 in Cottage Hill Cemetery in Celina, Texas under the direction of Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home, Bonham, Texas. Bro. Jimmy Tuggle will officiate. Visitation for Mrs. Medcalf will be held Sunday, December 22, 2024, at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home in Boham, TX beginning at 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Trenton, Texas -- Family night for Leon Rutledge, 92, of Trenton will be at Wise Funeral Home on Sunday, December 22, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The graveside service will be Monday, December 23, 2024 at Van Winkle Cemetery in Princeton, TX at 11:00 a.m.
  • After over three years of serving more than 300 residents, construction has officially begun on a new Open Arms Shelter at 111 South Center Street in Bonham, Texas. This exciting milestone is made possible through funding provided by the Fannin County Hospital Authority.
  • Over two decades after captivating Dallas audiences at Fair Park, Titanic: The Exhibition returns with immersive experiences, original artifacts, stunning ship recreations, and a VR journey to Titanic's final resting place. A 15% "early bird" discount applies for tickets purchased between December 18 and December 24.
  • Home Hospice of Fannin County is pleased to announce the start of our "Grief and Loss 8-Week" Support Group starting on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. This group is open to all in the community and will be specially focused on how you live with your grief, work to heal from your loss and find hope.
  • Activities for kids, teens and adults! Don't forget, the library will be closed January 1!
  • 12:00-3:00 p.m. at Carleton House Bed & Breakfast in Bonham
  • This New Year's Eve, III Forks invites you to celebrate with an unforgettable dining experience. From 4:00 to 11:00 p.m., North Texas' most iconic steakhouse will serve its renowned regular menu alongside a decadent New Year's Eve Surf & Turf Special, perfect for the final party of 2024.
  • Guests are invited to resolve to end 2024 in grand style with a New Year's Eve stay at The Statler, Dallas' iconic mid-century luxury hotel. The acclaimed hotel will offer guests a spectacular way to ring in 2025 with a limited New Year's Eve package available on Tuesday, Dec. 31. New Year’s Eve packages include luxurious accommodations ranging from the hotel's perfectly appointed deluxe rooms to its world-class suites.
  • The weather has cooled and the leaves are falling, which means the holidays have finally arrived in Texas. Starting this weekend, Texas State Parks are hosting a suite of different seasonal activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy, including themed guided walks, crafting events and more.
  • All events are sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman and occur at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092, unless stated otherwise. Special Closure: Raasch Trail and Meyers Branch: Beginning January 9 at 4:00 p.m. through January 12 at 9:00 p.m. The Meyers Unit and associated Raasch Trail will be closed to the public from the evening of January 9 through January 12. The rest of the refuge will remain open to the public.
  • Open to the public Monday - Friday! Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Dry January has become a tradition for many Americans seeking a fresh start to the new year. But just because drinks may not contain alcohol doesn't mean they have to be boring. The restaurants at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa and the Monument Realty PGA District will offer an exciting lineup of delectable, alcohol-free concoctions at many of its 13 dine-and-drink destinations.
  • Due to popular demand, Classic Christmas by Enchant, presented by Coca-Cola, has announced expanded dates for its immersive holiday experience at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington. Previously, Classic Christmas ran from Nov. 22 through Dec. 29. Event organizers are extending the magic by adding six additional dates—Dec. 30 and Jan. 1-5—giving more visitors a chance to experience DFW’s premier holiday destination before the lights go out for the season. It's an ideal getaway for families with kids on holiday break, staycationers, out-of-town visitors, and even romantic date nights.
  • A very merry gathering of the Fannin County Retired Teachers and School Personnel Association Christmas luncheon took place on December 3, 2024 at 11:30 p.m. at the Williams Building of the First Presbyterian Church in Bonham.
  • With some of the hottest hits in modern country music, including "Kerosene," "Hell On Heels" and "Bluebird," Miranda Lambert is the undisputed queen of country.
  • Ryan Bingham & The Gentlemen with Tanya Tucker, and Rascal Flatts are headed to the three-time Academy of Country Music award-winning Grand Theater in Durant, Oklahoma on Friday, December 27, 2024.
  • New Year's Eve is the time to get glam, and no place does glam quite like The Statler. On Tuesday, Dec. 31, the hotel's Grand Ballroom will transform into a Royal Masquerade Ball, complete with extravagant decorations, an open bar, casino games and party favors.
  • Dogs placed in kennels while their owners travel for the holidays could be exposed to the infectious kennel cough. (Laura McKenzie/Texas A&M AgriLife)
  • Imagine waking up Christmas morning, stress free... The Carleton House Bed & Breakfast will be serving a Traditional Christmas Lunch on Christmas Day from 12-3p.m.
  • Christmas is the season of togetherness, joy and cherished moments spent with loved ones. This year, Omni PGA Frisco Resort invites families and friends to make this holiday special with a dining experience at Ryder Cup Grille.
  • Selecting and cutting down a live Christmas tree can be a great family holiday tradition. Nothing says happy holidays quite like the amazing scent of a live tree in your house. And, if you cut down your tree on a local Christmas tree farm, you’re helping to support local farmers, many of whom have been growing trees on family farms for generations. (Getty Images photo)
  • Everything that goes down your drains or toilet ends up in pipes, pumps, treatment plants, and eventually back to local streams and lakes, where we get our drinking water.
  • First United Bank is proud to announce its remarkable achievement in the 2024 Top Workplaces in Oklahoma rankings, securing 2nd place overall for Best Workplace. This recognition is part of The Oklahoman’s annual workplace awards, which highlight employers based on employee satisfaction, management quality, compensation, benefits, and growth opportunities.
  • Open to the public Monday - Friday! Breakfast is served from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Lunch is served from 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Sprinklers should be turned OFF for the winter since plants are nearing dormancy and won’t need additional water.
  • This holiday season Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site is hosting "Holidays on the Homefront", December 4 - December 21, 2024, Wednesdays through Saturdays. The event is free of charge.
  • Join your friends at Creative Arts Center for Christmas Open Mic Night this Friday! Whether you want to sing, play an instrument or just cheer the performers on, we would love for you to join us. Everyone is encouraged to wear their ugly Christmas sweaters too! Free admission. Donations encouraged.
  • Theater For Hope brings a classic Louisa May Alcott story, Little Women, adapted to play by Marisha Chamberlain, to life on stage this December 19, 20, 21 at Hope on Houston.

  • Families wanting to capture ALL of the holiday magic should look no farther than the Omni PGA Frisco Resort. The distinctive 660-acre development in North Texas will be transformed into a holiday wonderland unlike any other experience available in the region. The resort will be transformed with miles of garland and lights, showcasing 35 beautifully themed holiday trees both throughout the property and inside Omni PGA Frisco Resort. The showstopper will be the stunning 35-foot-tall tree!
  • On Fort Worth Botanic Garden's official 90th birthday, December 18, free admission will be available during regular hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Join us on this monumental day for birthday cheer and a chance to explore the Garden for FREE!
  • We are thrilled to share that Bryan and Lisa Frazier and Dwain and Lauren Kirby, two dedicated families in our local community, are the proud new owners of Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home!
  • I was curious about the relationship between Harry S Truman and Sam Rayburn because of a piece of corn. Currently at the Sam Rayburn Museum there is corn on the cob encased in resin on display in the "Gifts of a Nation" display case. No one is completely certain why Rayburn had it, but Truman has the same one. This is what led me to look into the friendship between Rayburn and Truman. The two men shared a tight bond throughout their political careers. courtesy photo of Harry Truman and Sam Rayburn at the Sam Rayburn House in Bonham
  • "Japanese War Brides: Across a Wide Divide" begins a national tour December 14 at Irving Archives and Museum in Irving, Texas. These young women left their homes to build lives within the complexities of postwar American society. Their experiences reshaped communities by challenging immigration laws and race relations. The arrival of these brides marked the largest women-only immigration event in U.S. history and, by 1960, had increased the population of Asian Americans in the U.S. by 10%.
  • The Fannin County Museum of History has several Fannin County history books for sale that might be just perfect for someone you know. The books are available for purchase at the Museum and are also available on Amazon.
  • Historic Fannin County newspapers often featured beautiful front pages for their Christmas editions. An exhibit of these newspapers is now on display on the 2nd Floor of the Fannin County Courthouse. Visit the courthouse during this season to view this display and beautiful decorations.
  • Upper Trinity's contractors are finishing up construction on five new streams near future Lake Ralph Hall, which will flow into the North Sulphur River. The newly connected tributary streams are naturally beginning to flow with rainwater this fall, bringing life back to areas impacted for decades by severe erosion and loss of habitat. Restoring the tributaries of the river to their natural, curved paths helps mitigate the area's severe erosion and provide previously lost habitat.
  • Col. James Tarleton, who is buried in the Inglish Cemetery in Bonham, fought at San Jacinto in the Texas War for Independence.
  • Construction crews began redirecting water from the North Sulphur River channel on October 28 and moving it for the first time through the Leon Hurse Dam spillway.
  • Fannin County citizens might be surprised to learn that one of the few survivors of the Goliad Massacre lived in Fannin County and is buried at Grove Hill Cemetery.
  • Hammett Excavation is pitching in as a subcontractor on UTRWD's Lake Ralph Hall, but this is not just any project for the family-owned excavation company. Today, the team hauls local filter sand for Resolve Aggregates, a local business partner, to help construct the dam. However, the Hammett team's connection to conservation around Lake Ralph Hall goes back to 1963, when Gaylon Hammett's family business began with a small job to stop erosion in nearby streams — long before the idea of a reservoir was conceived. "Our first dozer job was right here near the site of Lake Ralph Hall, working on soil case conservation," second-generation CEO Hammett shared. "The government offered funding to slow severe erosion in the area."
  • As Fannin County begins to celebrate the historical significance of bois d'arc to this region, perhaps it is time to revisit a lecture given in 2011 by the late Dr. Fred Tarpley, Professor Emeritus of Literature and Languages at Texas A&M University-Commerce.
  • A special ceremony will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, starting at 11:00 a.m. with a potluck lunch following, to honor Staff Sergeant Eula Sturdivant Phillips, United States Army Air Force, World War II. Please note that This ceremony is scheduled to start after the cemetery workday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
  • Over one hundred years ago, what we now call World War I was raging throughout Europe. The first Fannin County boy to die overseas in battle was Rufus Shelton. Born in Honey Grove, Texas on March 2, 1898, he was the seventh child of nine children in that family. His father was a farmer who operated a farm near the small community of Dial, southeast of Honey Grove.
  • Just 25 minutes from downtown Dallas lies the John Bunker Sands Wetland Center, a hidden gem that is revolutionizing water treatment through innovative conservation practices. Spanning almost 2,000 acres, this remarkable facility combines beauty with utility, serving as both a vibrant habitat for wildlife and an essential water treatment system for over one million residents in the Dallas area.
  • When visionary conservationist John Bunker Sands gazed across his cattle field, he imagined a thriving wetland teeming with life. This dream has now transformed into one of the largest manmade wetlands in the United States, providing a crucial resource for both nature and the Dallas-area community.
  • It was a rumbling review of military-vehicle history and a special treat for many veterans in Bonham when the Military Vehicle Preservation Association HA Jefferson Highway 2024 Convoy passed through Bonham on Sunday, October 20, 2024.
  • Since the beginning of construction on Lake Ralph Hall, UTRWD has worked with the Perot Museum to identify, extract and/or study significant fossil finds. This includes the 2022 discovery of a Tylosaurus on a section of the North Sulphur River owned by UTRWD (image courtesy of the Perot Museum). UTRWD worked with Perot Museum paleontologists to extract the specimen for further study at the museum.
  • One of the many crises in the Mid-East was called the 'Suez Canal Crisis' and it did not involve Palestinians.
  • Once Christmas has passed, the world looks to a new year. Many wonder what the new year will bring while planning their own ways of ringing in 2025.
  • Charles M. Schulz created a comic strip that captured the hearts of millions in the nearly 50 years that Peanuts ran in thousands of newspapers around the world.
  • At the time I am writing this op-ed on Friday, December 20, there is still some uncertainty about our government closing, about the new relationship between President Elect Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk, and many uncertainties about who will manage the various agencies of our government.
  • 2025 will be a year of many changes. At the national level, we will have a Republican president, a Republican congress, and a Republican senate.
  • Kris Kristofferson (88) was a Rhodes Scholar, a helicopter pilot in the Army, and a floor-sweeper at Columbia Records in Nashville before rising to superstar status.
  • The twentieth century saw the shrouds surrounding the mysteries of science and creation being pulled back to reveal a universe of incredible, awe-inspiring wonder and physicist John Wheeler was part of much of this Earth-shattering work.
  • Galveston, once the most important port city in Texas, suffered a crushing blow with the hurricane of 1900.
  • Our US educational format notes that some regarded the Civil War to be focused on ending slavery. Others believe it was a war between the states over "states' rights."
  • Dr. Alfred Gilman, a Dallas-based researcher, employed many students and scientists in his labs as he researched the innermost workings of cells in the body, work that led to the Nobel Prize.
  • In addition to securing the needed funding, a major problem is the lack of adequate ship building and maintenance facilities in the U.S. to service our submarine forces and our surface Navy.
  • In what has most certainly been one of the most unusual years in memory, the nation will mark Thanksgiving once again on this Fourth Thursday in November. It is part of a long tradition that has spanned many generations.