February 2026

Charles Seabourne, fondly known as Poppy, was born June 19, 1937, and died peacefully with family by his side Feb. 18, 2026, at the age of 88. 
He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, veteran, teacher, coach, Sunday school teacher and friend and lived a life full of love for family, nature and his church. 
Charles lived in Eustace most of his life. As past students described, he was a favorite teacher and coach, with storytelling and problem-solving skills that would impact their lives for years to come. 

Courtesy Photo/Kerens Secondary
Congratulations to the Kerens Bobcats boys' basketball team, which won a UIL Bi-District championship Feb. 24 by beating Marlin, 54-44, at Navarro College in Corsicana. Next up, Kerens faces rival Cayuga in the Area round Friday, Feb. 27 in Cross Roads. And after beating Athens and seizing a spot in the UIL playoffs, the Mabank Panthers boys' hoops team fought hard but fell 58-50 in their first-round Bi-District playoff game Feb. 24 versus Longview Pine Tree at the University of Texas at Tyler.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The American Revolution Experience traveling exhibit lands in Mabank at the Mason-Eubank Community Hall Feb. 19-24. The free exhibit hosted by the Sarah Maples Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and made possible in partnership with the City of Mabank showed the themes surrounding the American Revolution and what it was like to be alive during that time. Docents for the American Revolution Experience are Sarah Jungman (from left), Geraldine Carson, Carole Chew Ruska, Bill Sekel, Suzanne Fife and Susan Martz-Cothran.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
The seniors of Mabank’s 2025-26 varsity basketball team gather to celebrate Luke Carter’s (center) 2,000 career point milestone before their home district game versus Athens Feb. 13, including Angel Guerrero, Joseph Magana, Luke Carter, Peyton Welk, Angel Guerrero, Jayden Colin, Luke Carter, Jayden Colin, Peyton Welk and Carter Sims.

ATHENS–A woman was struck and killed in the early daylight hours of Feb. 15 by what the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) says is a hit-and-run driver that law enforcement division states fled westward toward Eustace.

Courtesy Photo/Nancy Clark
Mabank ISD student Grady Clark shows his prize-winning steer Oreo at the Ft. Worth Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 7.

Courtesy Photo/Nancy Clark
Dustin Clark (from left) and family Nancy, Grady, Callen (front row) and Jolie stand with Oreo (behind) celebrating Grady Clark’s accomplishments at the Ft. Work Stock Show and Rodeo Feb. 7. 

Courtesy Photo/Mabank High School
The 2026 Bi-District champion Mabank Lady Panthers pose with their University Interscholastic League trophy after a Feb. 16, 57-51 win over Kilgore in Frankston. The Lady Panthers next play Texarkana Pleasant Grove in the Area round of the playoffs Feb. 19 at Como-Pickton High School. Also, the Lady Tigers of Malakoff won their Bi-District championship Feb. 16 by beating Sabine High School at Tyler Junior College 45-35 to move on to Area and face Liberty-Eylau at Spring Hill High School in Longview Feb. 17.

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Mabank's Luke Carter (No. 3 in white) guards Kemp's Zaki Brown (No. 3 in orange) during the District game between Kemp and Mabank Feb. 10.
 

Monitor Photo/Blaine Clamon
Panther Carter Sims (No. 4) attempts a free throw at the District game held between Kemp and Mabank Feb. 10. 

John G. McKean, born March 3, 1945, in Marion, Iowa, to Allen B. and Evelyn McKean, passed away Dec. 9, 2025.
John was a 1963 graduate of Marion High School, where he was known for his sense of humor and athleticism on the basketball court, football field and track.
In 1968, John married Judy Lewis from Cedar Rapids. They eventually moved to Ely with their family and for 13 years owned and operated a Pepperidge Farm business. 
In 1985, the family moved to Texas, where they owned Texas Hydro Sports for 35 years on Cedar Creek Lake