February 2024

Wanda Jean Harrup, 93, of Mabank was born Oct. 4, 1930, and passed away Feb. 9, 2024. 
She graduated from Mabank High School in 1947. She attended Texas Women's University in Denton for two years,and completed her degree in Business Administration at East Texas State College in Commerce. She retired from teaching in Mabank ISD.
Jean was married to Bo Atherton for 14 years and after his death married Paul Harrup. Jean loved traveling, reading, and sewing. But most of all, she valued family time, and fishing at their farm. 

Janis May Poor, 82, passed away Feb. 13, 2024. She was born to the late Joseph and Juanita Jarvis Jan. 15, 1942, in Dallas. She graduated from South Oak Cliff High School in 1959.  She married Virgle Poor Dec. 1, 1961, and was blessed with two children Denise and Dusty.
Most of all, Janis loved her family and church family at Cedar Creek Bible Church.  She thrived in her love for the cattle business.  

Gary Bernard Miller passed away peacefully Jan. 18, 2024. He was quick to lend a hand or to share his wit and his naturally honest smile. 
He was a beloved husband and father and a valued member of his church and community.
Gary was born in Napa, Calif., Aug. 19, 1939 to Benjamin and Pearl Miller. He spent his youth in Napa going to school, working at an early age and spending time at the lake fishing or working on cars until enlisting in the United States Air Force in 1957 at the age of 18.  

KAUFMAN COUNTY–Three inmate workers experienced a medical emergency inside the Kaufman County Law Enforcement Center at 6:23 p.m., Feb. 16. Jail staff immediately responded by administering lifesaving medical measures. Naloxone, a life-saving medication for opiate overdoses, was administered promptly and CPR efforts were initiated.
According to a press release, two inmates were swiftly transported to a local hospital in stable condition, one inmate was transported to a Dallas area hospital in critical condition.

Courtesy Photo
Danny Howard of Gun Barrel City catches Legacy Class Sharelunker 658 in Lake Athens Feb. 19. Howard’s catch weighs in at 13.20 pounds. 
 

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
The Mabank Panthers gather with the cheerleaders after the team won the district championship.

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Hagen Tijerina and the Mabank Panthers celebrate with the student section after beating Canton for the 16-4A district title.

CEDAR CREEK LAKE—The March 5 primary election kicks off with early voting beginning Tuesday, Feb. 20 until Friday, March 1. In Henderson County incumbent Wendy Kinabrew Spivey runs for Commissioner Precinct 1 against Mike McCabe and Brad Skiles. Constable Precinct 2 candidates are Francisco Gomez and Jason Ramsey, and Precinct 4 Constable candidates are Paul Ellzey and Frank Serrato. 

KEMP—Kemp City Council approved a recruitment plan for new police officers during the Feb. 13 council meeting. The goal of the plan is to obtain non-commissioned recruits and send them to a Texas Commission On Law Enforcement (TCOLE) academy. The recruits would be required to sign a three-year employment contract that would require reimbursement to the City of Kemp if the employment is terminated prior to the three years. 

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Kemp’s Jackson Young (No. 3) puts up a Feb. 6 basket in his team’s 56-47 district win, trailed by Malakoff’s Evan Loper and Parker Poteete.

MABANK—The Kaufman Police Department is investigating a report of a missing adult male. Odis Wilson Kirkwood II, 49, was last seen by his family Jan. 13 near the area of 710 Rand Road in Kaufman. 
Kirkwood lives in the Mabank area and was staying with family and friends in Kaufman when he was last seen. 
According to a Kaufman Police Department social media post, Kirkwood is 6’2 with brown eyes, brown hair and weighs 200 pounds.