News

Courtesy Photo/Mabank High School
After two years of research and follow through, Mabank senior Anna Villines launches the community fridge to help fight food waste. 

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.

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.

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.” 

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton

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.

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.

MABANK‑The Mabank Board of Trustees met Aug. 25. Executive Director of Curriculum and Instruction Charity Groom shared the Mabank Independent School District A-F ratings and assessment results.

KAUFMAN–Kaufman ISD Board of Trustees member Brian Townsend was arrested by the Kaufman Police Department Aug. 24. 
Townsend was pulled over by a Kaufman PD officer on East U.S. 175 in Kaufman near FM 1390 around 1 a.m. according to a Kaufman PD incident report. 
While details of the traffic stop are not available, the report did show that Townsend was arrested for possession of marijuana (less than 2 oz.) and drug paraphernalia. 
The Kaufman ISD Board of Trustees released a statement regarding the arrest.