MABANK–A record that had stood since 1959 in the history books of Mabank High School was finally broken at the Area meet in late April 2022.
The team of Ty’Rand Blanton, Beau Kilgore, Jayden Rodgers and Sean Henry broke the school record for the 4x400 relay with a time of 3:26.43, advancing to the Regional track meet just weeks ago.
HENDERSON COUNTY–Commissioners’ Court of Henderson County voted May 17 to approve two floodplain permits for the Integrated Pipeline (IPL) project, which will move water from Lake Palestine to Dallas-Fort Worth.
County Floodplain Administrator Joy Kimbrough said one permit is in Precinct 1 to tunnel under Cedar Creek north of State Highway 31. The other permit is located between Farm to Market (FM) 59 and FM 753, crossing Hollywood Lake south of Athens.
KERENS–After an emergency reading, Kerens City Council gave approval May 10 to raise sanitation rates across the board for residents and businesses for an overall total of 4%, which matches the rate increase of the city’s service provider.
City Administrator Katherine Combs said the price hike will be effective June 1 and will recoup the city’s costs of a Republic Services increase. Republic Services said its increase is tied to the consumer price index (CPI), council members were told.
MALAKOFF–Malakoff ISD trustees voted May 16 to delegate authority to Superintendent Don Layton to employ contractual personnel and make vehicle purchases in June, July and August only.
“We need the ability to hire people right now,” Layton told the school board, adding that the district has received more employment applications this year as compared to last year. Layton told trustees he would text hiring details to board members for their information.
KEMP–The City of Kemp held two public hearings to consider amending a zoning ordinance for office, retail, commercial and service type uses and to consider the approval of a specific use permit.
MABANK–Mabank ISD Superintendent Brad Koskelin introduced the future principal of Central Elementary School Nancy Clark at the April board meeting. Clark, who currently serves as Associate Principal, will take over when current principal Chelsea Capehart retires at the end of this school year.
GRAND SALINE–A no-hitter in game one and a two-out walk-off hit in game three during a May 12-14 best-of-three Regional quarterfinal series propelled the Kerens Lady ‘Cats past the Hawkins Lady Hawks and into the Class 2A Region 3 softball semifinals.
Kerens advanced to play Groveton May 20-21 at Whitehouse High School for another best-of-three series. The Kerens-Groveton series winner will play in the May 28 Regional final against the victor between Como-Pickton and Lovelady. From there, the Region 3 winner advances to the State tournament May 31-June 4.
ATHENS–Athens High School honored their student-athletes for all their accomplishments throughout the 2021-22 school year at their annual athletic banquet May 10 at the Cain Center.
Beginning the year with volleyball, cross country and football all the way through the last pitch of softball and baseball along with track athletes competing, the 2021-22 school year was a return to normal for the Hornets and Lady Hornets.
