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Second-half comeback secures Mabank win on homecoming night

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Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Panther receiver Bryson Morris (left) crosses the goal line after securing a 48-yard touchdown pass.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Panther running back Jaedyn Thompson (right) scores a 2-point conversion after his touchdown gave Mabank their first lead.

Morris

Panthers march through Mabank

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Monitor photo/Carla Gray
Mabank High School 2025 Homecoming King Noah Spencer (left) and Queen Cami Dunn ride in the homecoming parade Sept. 13. Both were voted by their peers to represent the land of the Panthers.

King and Queen

Athens band director arrested for drugs found in search

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ATHENS–Athens ISD’s band director was arrested the night of Sept. 3 for possession of methamphetamine, according to an affidavit submitted for probable cause determination by State District Judge Scott McKee, which was obtained by The Monitor.
The state jail felony charge came about when the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office was executing a narcotics search warrant, which also was signed by Judge McKee, the affidavit says.

Explosion rocks Mabank

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Monitor photo/Carla Gray
First responders from Mabank, Gun Barrel City, Forney, Payne Springs Fire Rescue, Kemp and UT Health EMS respond to a call of a commercial fire structure after a propane tank exploded at the maintenance building at Builders First Source in Mabank Sept. 11. Mabank Fire Chief Charles Woodward said, “There were no injuries. The fire is currently under investigation.” 

Explosion

Kerens volleyball sweeps Covington at home

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Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Kerens’ Abby Combs (center) communicates court movements against Covington Sept. 9.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Kerens’ Lyrik Gunnell (center) and Nevaeh Eastman vie for the volleyball against Covington.

Combs

Kemp ISD teacher arrested for child grooming

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KEMP–A Kemp ISD teacher was arrested for child grooming Sept. 9 by Kemp ISD Police.
According to a statement from Kemp ISD Superintendent Dr. James Young Sept. 5, KISD Police and Administration were made aware of a concern regarding the actions of a Kemp High School employee. The district and administration immediately began reviewing and investigating an allegation of the employee engaging in inappropriate conduct. 
The employee did not return to any Kemp ISD campus after the initial report was made according to Kemp ISD.

World War II vet celebrates 103rd birthday

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Monitor photo/Carla Gray
American Legion Riders Post 310 in Gun Barrel City gather Sept. 7 gather to celebrate the 103rd birthday of James Kenneth Fling (center). Fling is a World War II U.S. Navy veteran who served in Hawaii just after the attack on Pearl Harbor and now resides at Cedar Creek Lodge in Gun Barrel City.

Fling