News

Courtesy Photo
The Eight at Tool City Park committee has updated plans for the park. The groundbreaking is scheduled for Jan. 27.

KAUFMAN COUNTY–Kaufman County Commissioners voted Dec. 19, 2023 to award funding for the State Highway 34 and US 175 project to Pavecon, an industry-leading paving contractor serving multiple states throughout the country, in the amount of $3,450,477.70.
Bids were accepted by the county Nov. 11-30, 2023. The amount bid by Pavecon is higher than the county’s engineering estimate, however, still lower than the amount budgeted for the project which will include two new roadways connecting SH 34 and US 175. 

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Log Cabin resident Tabitha Meredith (left) receives a gift certificate and two tickets to the Texas State Railroad’s Polar Express Dec. 21, 2023 for winning the City of Log Cabin Parks Committee’s Christmas Yard Decorating Contest, presented by Mayor Jennifer Williams.

Courtesy Photo/PSFR Facebook
Payne Springs Fire Rescue works to extinguish a blaze at a familiar address.

Courtesy Photo/PSFR Facebook
PSFR puts out a fire in an RV in Golden Oaks.

Monitor Photo/Denise York
Mabank High School’s Panther Edition entertain Rotarians at the last meeting of the year Dec. 15 at the Tri-County Library in Mabank. Panter Edition is an elite group of Mabank High School’s Choir program directed by Catherine Lindsley. The group performed Christmas songs with choreography, some of them written exclusively for the group by Lindsley’s husband, Kelly.

HENDERSON COUNTY–The Henderson County Fire Marshal’s Office has received a complaint about illegal dumping on the property of Trinity River Water Authority. Reportedly, this dumping was carried out by County Commissioner Precinct 1 work crews.
Henderson County takes these allegations seriously. A joint investigation by the Fire Marshal’s Office and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has been launched.

GUN BARREL CITY–The Gun Barrel City Fire Department responded to a structure fire in the early morning hours Dec. 15 in the 400 block of Pleasureland Road.
According to reports on the department’s social media, the house was fully engulfed with three residents trapped inside when firefighters arrived. Fire suppression was immediately begun, assisted by Mabank, Tool and Seven Points Fire Departments along with Payne Springs Fire Rescue.

Monitor Photo/Denise York
The Pineywoods Leadership, Experience, Opportunity (LEO) Club based in Crockett brought 20 members and others to help lay wreaths. LEO Club Advisor Ellen Brooks said the club is sponsored by the Lions Club and is a community service organization for students ages 12 to 18 years of age. The Club marked the graves of veterans in Oaklawn Cemetery days prior to volunteering to place wreaths Dec. 16.