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Courtesy Photo/UT HealthUT 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.

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...

Monitor Photo/Carla GrayThe 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.

The Monitor/Carla GraySecond 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 GrayMabank 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 GrayHome 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.

The Monitor/Carla GrayDoug 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 GrayThe 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.

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.