News

CEDAR CREEK LAKE—Two families in the Cedar Creek Lake Area have sought legal counsel to hold a day care owner accountable when their toddlers were found outside the facility at a nearby bank by a good Samaritan. 
The suit, which was filed in Henderson County May 1, by attorney Russell Button, alleges that the day care failed to follow state laws regarding proper supervision and maintenance of a safe environment which allowed the toddlers to leave the premises unnoticed. 

EUSTACE—At approximately 8:18 p.m., Monday, May 27 Henderson County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a call from Patricia Childs stating she had just shot her boyfriend, Troy Aldredge, and he was not breathing outside of Eustace according to a press release from Henderson County Sheriff's Office.
According to the release, deputies responded to the scene located in the 15000 block of Morning Star Circle along with UT Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Henderson County District Attorney’s Office, and Texas Rangers.

Courtesy Photo
Fire Departments from Payne Springs, Gun Barrel City, Athens and Eustace work together to extinguish a fire that potentially started in the attic above the sanctuary at First Baptist Church in Eustace May 23. The fire was contained to the attic and roof of the Sanctuary. The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Henderson County Fire Marshal’s office. No injuries were reported. 

Monitor Photo/Carla Gray

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
The new 1,300-seat Malakoff High School gymnasium is shown during a May 16 tour led by Superintendent Don Layton. 

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
The sign for the new school is located at its main entrance along Farm to Market Road 3062, which has been widened at that point.

KAUFMAN COUNTY—Commissioners of Kaufman County met in regular meeting May 21 and heard a presentation from the Childrens Advocacy Center for Kaufman County (CACKC) board chairs.

TRINIDAD— A man in Orange County plead guilty to embezzling more than $300,000 while employed as Trinidad ISD’s Business Manager. 
According to KLTV in Tyler, Brandon Delane Looney, 38, plead guilty May 15, to theft from a program receiving federal funds while employed for the school district.  KLTV reports that according to court documents, Looney embezzled the funds between 2017 and 2023. 
Looney faces up to 10 years in federal prison, a potential fine, and mandatory restitution to Trinidad ISD for the funds he stole, according to KLTV. 

Monitor Photo/Jody Vincik
Henderson County Commissioners’ Court vote May 21 to proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month, which coincides with an effort to note mental health awareness across the country.

MABANK–Mabank Intermediate School (MIS) is proud to announce that they have been awarded the Capturing Kids Hearts Rising Star Award for 2024.
This award recognizes the campus's dedication to building strong relationships with both students and staff. Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH) is a national organization that equips schools with tools and strategies for creating relationship-driven environments and fostering social-emotional learning and well-being.

KEMP—A teacher for Kemp ISD was arrested May 8 and charged with injury to a child, according to a Fox 4 News report. 
According to the report, the child’s parents say that their child’s teacher, allegedly used force against their son during an attempt to discipline him in a classroom. 
The child’s parents were invited to the school to watch surveillance video of the incident. The video is now with the Kaufman County District Attorney’s Office, according to the report.