Monitor Photo/Bodey Cooper

KAUFMAN COUNTY–District Attorney Erleigh Norville Wiley announced Aug. 4, the conviction of Margaret Ann Johnston, 80, for murder, a first degree felony offense. Johnston was charged with the murder of her daughter, Connie Lynn Helms, Sept. 14, 2021 at her home in Kaufman. 
Dispatch received a 911 call shortly after 4:30 p.m. from the victim’s sister reporting that she had been on the telephone with Helms’ and had heard what she believed to be the fatal gunshot. A grand jury indicted Johnston with murder Nov. 19, 2021.

EUSTACE–Responders from seven local departments, including the Texas Forest Service, were called to assist in a 35-acre grass fire located on County Road (CR) 2500 in Eustace Aug. 6. 
The fire threatened several structures and responders were concerned about the fire jumping to CR 2501 which would have put several homes in danger.