News

Monitor Photo/Jody Vincik

ATHENS-In the May 26 Republican runoff race stemming from the March 3 Precinct 2 primary for justice of the peace, incumbent Jamie Fawns beat back a challenge from the man who held that post from 2000-2014, Dale Blaylock, emerging victorious for a second time this cycle to re-secure the seat in the Seven Points court, as she is unopposed in the November general election.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Seven Points Mayor-Elect Raymond Wennerstrom (right) is sworn in, at the temporary city hall, by City Secretary Charlotte Whitherspoon, holding the Bible is Council Member LaJohnna Wells (left) May 13.

Courtesy Photo/Payne Springs Fire Rescue 
Payne Springs Fire Rescue (PSFR) documents the daytime search efforts for a 22-year-old kayaker who had capsized May 16 on Cedar Creek Lake near Peninsula Point Terrance on the western edge of Payne Springs, with that person’s body recovered by divers May 17, according to PSFR.

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo/Henderson County Admin YouTube
Speakers expressed their concerns and outright opposition to data center construction in Henderson County during the May 12 commissioners’ court meeting, fearing quality of life changes and stretching resources. The court adopted a resolution that day calling for tighter regulations and more scrutiny of the large-scale construction of facilities such as data centers, as well as urging the state legislature top give its political subdivisions of counties and cities more control over them.

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The Gun Barrel Quilters Guild holds their annual quilt show May 1 at the CR Legacy Event Center in Gun Barrel City. Gun Barrel City Mayor Brian Crull (second from left) and wife Bridgette stopped in to see the beautiful works of art. Pictured with Mayor Crull is Carolyn Fackler (from left), Addie Penix, Melinda Adams and Quilters Guild President Angie Simkins. 

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The Mabank Volunteer Fire Department holds its annual fish fry May 2 in the fire station. The menu consisted of fried catfish, fried potatoes, hush puppies, pinto beans, and dessert. All the proceeds go to equipment the volunteer fire department needs to handle a disaster. Servers are volunteer fire fighters Mike Rowan, Kaufman County Precinct 4 Justice of the Peace Judge Johnny Adams, Kenneth Richmond and Kenneth Tanner. 

Monitor Photo/Janice Grubbs-Vincik
The Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual car show and crawfish boil to benefit the Mabank ISD Athletic Booster Club May 2. Manning the registration table is Gun Barrel Computers owner Judy Ligon (from left), Chamber office manager Vicki Elam, East Texas Limos owner Terry Norman and Home Instead owner Kim Gassman. 

CEDAR CREEK LAKE-Gun Barrel City Mayor Brian Crull overcame a challenge from community activist Amaris Faith to win that city's May 2 mayoral election, taking 68% of the vote in the process.