News

The Monitor/Carla Gray
Second grade teacher Lisa Cupples (right) leads the grade level with the theme “I want a hippopotamus for Christmas,” during the Christmas parade.

The Monitor/Carla Gray
Mabank Independent School District hosts its annual Christmas Tea for faculty and staff Dec. 17, 2025. Superintendent Dr. Russell Marshall (right) shows his holiday spirit with kindness to the Grinch. 

The Monitor/Carla Gray
Home Instead Service Coordinator Kayla Gonzales (from left), Home Instead Caregiver Kim Seay and Mabank’s Senior Center at the Ballpark Director Gail Sturdevant bring in donated gifts for senior citizens. Home Instead had Christmas trees with gift tags on them all around the Mabank area. The gift tags placed had items listed on them that seniors in the area could use. Thanks to community support, these items were delivered to seniors in the area Dec. 11.

The Monitor/Carla Gray
Doug Compton plays “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes before volunteers lay wreaths on graves during the Wreaths Across America event Dec. 13. The seven wreaths behind Compton represent the six branches of our country’s military plus one for POWs and those missing in action.

Courtesy Photo/Payne Springs Fire Rescue

The Monitor/Carla Gray
The Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce gathers at the newly constructed Gun Barrel City Community Center for a ribbon cutting Dec. 6. Holding the ceremonial scissors is Gun Barrel City Manager Dr. Angie Smith. Mayor Brian Crull (second from right) along with city council members, staff and city workers attend the long-awaited event.

GUN BARREL CITY—Two deceased people were found in the early morning hours of Dec. 15 by the Gun Barrel City Police Department (GBCPD), which was following up on a call for service at a residence in the Willowwood subdivision, which is located off Legendary Lane in that town, according to GBCPD.

The Monitor/Carla Gray
Market Street United Methodist Church displayed a living nativity scene during the Ole’ Fashion Christmas on Market Street Dec. 5.

The Monitor/Carla Gray
Billy Odom Roofing & Construction share in the fun of the Gun Barrel City Candy Land parade with a gummy bear float Dec. 6. This is the time of year when there are a lot of calls about reindeer hoof damage and sleigh tracks on roofs. Billy Odom Roofing & Construction knows just what to do. 

Monitor Photo/Bodey Cooper
The City of Kaufman Police Department set up a memorial in front of their station for Austin Cooley, who was killed in a motor vehicle crash in the early morning hours of Monday, Dec. 8.