FRC applications
The Family Resource Center is accepting applications for its “Back-to-School Clothing Program” beginning Monday, July 18 through Wednesday, July 27.
Applicants must call Winnie at (903) 519-2934 for requirements and a time to fill out the application.

Rootseekers Society
The Rootseekers Genealogy Society meets at 7 p.m. Monday, July 18, at the Tri-County Library, Mabank. Margaret Ann Trail and Faith Gilbreath will discuss displaying your genealogy work. Meetings are open to the public. The genealogy room at the library is open from 9:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Volunteers are on hand to assist researchers.

FBC Eustace VBS
Vacation Bible School, “The Big Apple Adventure,” is set for 6:30 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, July 18-22, for ages 4 through entering sixth grade at the First Baptist Church in Eustace.The week of fun, food and learning opportunities is free of charge. For more information, call (903) 425-2261 or visit on the web at FBCEustace.net.

Free kids movies
The Tri-County Library offers free children’s movies at 1 p.m. every Thursday in the community room of the library at 132 E. Market Street, Mabank. July 21, “Garfield: The Movie.” For more information, call (903) 887-9622.

MHS Varsity Choir
The Mabank Varsity Choir is holding a garage sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, July 22-23 at 104 South Rye, Gun Barrel City. Proceeds fund the choir’s trip to Disney World in Orlando, Fla. Items include clothing, Christmas decorations, massage chairs, and much more. For information, call Marsha Sanchez at the Fine Arts Department at
(903) 880-1820.

Children’s book drive
Christian Cheer Company and The Library at Cedar Creek Lake are pairing up from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, July 23, to hold a children’s book drive. Books will be donated to local children in order to promote reading.

Red Hot ‘18’ tourney
The annual Red Hot “18” Golf Tournament is set for a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. Monday, July 25, at Kings Creek Country Club. Check-in is at 7:45 a.m.. Featured is a hole-in-one contest sponsored by Tri-County Ford. Cost includes light breakfast, golf, cart & lunch. For information call Tiffany Lilly at (903) 887-6001, Robbye Grissom at (214) 926-1395 or Debra Davis at (903) 887-2870.

49er’s Senior Club
The Cedar Creek Lake 49er’s Senior Citizens Club is hosting a Hawaiian Luau from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 28, with dancing to Chuck & the 49er’s every Thursday. Friendly atmosphere, no smoking or alcohol. Small donation at the door. Located two blocks south on Arnold Hills Road, off SH 334, Seven Points. For information call or fax to (903) 432-3552.

Aggie picnic
The Aggie Scholarship Auction and Picnic is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday, July 30, at Reunion Ranch, Terrell. Silent and live auctions Proceeds benefit local Aggie Scholarships that will be presented that night. All are welcome. For information contact Tori Lucas at (214) 863-6068 or e-mail to torilucas@anbtx.com.

2nd season garden
“Second Season Vegetable Gardening,” will be presented at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 30, at East Texas Arboretum, by Patty Leander, Vegetable Gardening contributing author, Texas Gardener Magazine. The Arboretum is located at 1601 Patterson Road, Athens. Refreshments, door prizes and upcoming class schedules. For informaion call (903) 675-6130 or visit http:/henderson-co-tx-mg.org.

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Gaming room raids yield conviction
Monitor Staff Reports
ATHENS–The Henderson County District and County Attorney teamed up to successfully prosecute the first of four defendants from gambling raids conducted on six Henderson County gambling locations March 31.
According to a press release from the District Attorney’s Office, Leslie Hipp, 54, agreed to plea guilty and received convictions on all three misdemeanor charges filed against her, including keeping a gambling place, possession of a gambling device or equipment, and gambling promotion. 
Hipp received the maximum sentence of confinement for 365 days in jail on each offense with the sentences running concurrently.
Hipp has a lengthy arrest record including arrests for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, money laundering, two minor drug charges and driving while intoxicated.
“This was a good outcome of the work done back in March,” Henderson County Attorney Clint Davis commented.
The Henderson County Sheriff’s Department coordinated and conducted the raids on six gambling places, with the assistance of various other participating law enforcement agencies, Davis added.
Assistant county attorney Daniel Cox handled the plea negotiations on behalf of the County Attorney’s office and was responsible for obtaining the convictions and sentences.
In speaking about the case, Davis pointed out that, in addition to the convictions, we were also able to secure the forfeiture of just over $3,000 in cash, two computers, and approximately 35 motherboards used to operate the illegal gambling devices. “I am pleased with the job that Danny did on this case and the results obtained,” Davis said.
In addition to the misdemeanor cases, Hipp was sentenced to five years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the unlawful possession of a firearm which turned up during the March 31 raid.
First assistant District Attorney Mark Hall prosecuted the case.
“This is a great example of how our offices along with the Sheriff’s Department work together to investigate and prosecute crime in the County” DA Scott McKee said. He added that he expects more joint prosecutions and investigations in the future.

Wrong number results in arrest
Monitor Staff Reports
GUN BARREL CITY–Reaching a wrong number resulted in a drug arrest for 18-year-old Mabank area resident Jack Steven Jackson Jr.
According to the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson attempted to make a drug sale with a lake area citizen who wasn’t the person he thought he was.
The citizen reported the incident to the Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Kevin Adair, using the caller’s ID, called Jackson back using the citizen’s phone.
Pretending to be a potential buyer Adair allowed Jackson to sell him some marijuana and prescription pills. They agreed to meet in the parking lot of a gas station in Gun Barrel City.
Adair, a uniformed deputy, described one of the undercover narcotics officers to Jackson along with the vehicle he would be driving. Surveillance was set up on the meeting place.
Jackson and a female juvenile arrived and met with narcotics investigator Wick Gabbard. After beginning the transaction, Jackson was arrested and charged with a Class A misdemeanor, punishable up to a year in jail. The girl was released to a parent.
Jackson was released from the Henderson County Jail the next day on a $5,000 bond.
Deputies and investigators located four bottles of various prescription pills and a baggie containing the pills Jackson was to deliver to his customer.