KAUFMAN–The Kaufman County Republican Party proudly hosted its 2nd biennial Lincoln Day Dinner Jan. 17 at the Kaufman Civic Center. This anticipated event brought together party members, local supporters and community leaders for an evening dedicated to celebrating Republican values and furthering the party’s mission within Kaufman County.
Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The Association of Rural Communities in Texas (ARCIT) held their regional meeting in Mabank Jan. 22 in the Mason Eubank Hall. ARCIT Board of Directors Executive Director Daniel Tejada (from left), Board Treasurer Mark Meuth, Nichole Bermea, Bert Cunningham, Vice-President Keith Whitfield and Eric Kleinsorge welcome community leaders to the regional meeting.
Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The Monitor’s Director of Sales and Marketing Janice Grubbs Vincik (from left), Henderson County Precinct 2 Commissioner Scott Tuley, Southside Bank Representative Lorri Roots, Southside Bank Vice President and Branch Manager Cheyenne Hall and Lawyers Title Escrow Officer Carie Inmon visit before the chamber lunch Jan. 8.
SEVEN POINTS‑The City of Seven Points City Council met Jan. 8. The temporary city hall had standing room only as this was the first meeting since the council last met Oct. 6, 2025. At that time, the council was unable to agree on a budget. However, they did agree to make payment on work completed at 422 E. Cedar Creek Parkway, where the now-closed Post Office stands.
Courtesy Photo/Gun Barrel FD
Gun Barrel City Fire Department’s Rescue 1 boat moves across the cold water of Cedar Creek Lake Jan. 10 in search of two duck hunters whose boat was reported by dispatchers as sinking. After an initial search north of the State Highway 334 bridges, two men were pulled from the reservoir by the Gun Barrel City firefighters on board, then taken to the hospital.
Courtesy Photo/UT Health
UT Health Athens welcomed its first baby of the new year when Carmen Isabelle Valenzuela was born to Cesilia Ramirez and Sebastian Valenzuela at 1:21 p.m. Jan. 1. She weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces and measured 20 inches long. “We’re excited to start the new year with our greatest blessing,” Ramirez said.
ATHENS–Henderson County Commissioners’ Court voted unanimously Jan. 6 to decline an offer by the Texas Department of Transportation to sell for nearly $400,000 a bridge over Cedar Creek and a portion of the Farm to Market road leading to it.
That route is considered part of an escape trail out of Trinidad during emergencies such as train derailments along the Union Pacific railroad track that bisects the town.
“We don’t have these funds accessible to us today,” County Judge Wade McKinney said.
Monitor Photo/Carla Gray
The Mabank Education Foundation awards 19 grants, totaling $59,000, to teachers and campuses Jan. 5 during the district wide convocation held at the Dr. Russell D. Marshall Performing Arts Center at the high school.
