Fannin County Fannin County Grand Jury Report

March 24, 2005

Richard Glaser, County Attorney, reports that on the 23rd day of March, 2005, the Fannin County Grand Jury returned fifteen (15) indictments. An indictment is a formal charge and not in itself an indication of guilt or innocence.

The following people were indicted for the criminal offense and range of punishment indicated:

• Antoniole Jerome Cuba, of Ladonia, age 21, Possession of Controlled Substance, Cocaine, 4-200 Grams, 02-06-04, Second Degree Felony 2-20 Years + $10,000 Fine

• Jaime Dean Louis, of Bonham, age 37, Possession of Controlled Substance Cocaine, Less than 1 Gram, 11-26-04, State Jail Felony, 180 Days-2 Years +$10,000 Fine

• Tony Mac Ross, of Bonham, age 37, Delivery of Controlled Substance, Cocaine, Less than 1 Gram, Drug-Free Zone, Enhanced, 12-17-03, Second Degree Felony, 2-20 Years, + $10,000; Delivery of Controlled Substance Cocaine, 1-4 Grams, Drug-Free Zone, Enhanced, 02-20-04, First Degree Felony Life or 5-99 Years + $10,000 Fine

• David Leon Smith Jr. of Bonham, age 25, Possession of Controlled Substance, Cocaine, Less than 1 Gram, 12-29-03, State Jail Felony, 180 Days-2 Years + $10,000 Fine

• Regunial Eugene Wilson of Bonham, age 42, Delivery of Controlled Substance, Cocaine, Less than 1 Gram, 02-01-04, State Jail Felony, 180 Days-2 Years + $10,000 Fine; Delivery of Controlled Substance, Cocaine, Less than 1 Gram, 02-01-04, State Jail Felony, 180 Days-2 Years + $10,000 Fine

• Brandon Michael Honeysuckle of Mead, OK, age 19, Possession of Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, Less than 1 Gram, 08-18-04, State Jail Felony, 180 Days - 2 Years + $10,000 Fine

• Bradley Ray Bringham of Honey Grove, age 33, Delivery of Controlled Substance, Cocaine, 1-4 Grams 10-22-04, Second Degree Felony 2-20 Years +$10,000

• Cornelious Oneal Williams of Bonham, age 18, Delivery of Controlled Substance, Cocaine, Less than 1 Gram, 07-07-04, State Jail Felony, 180 Days- 2 Years + $10,000

• Joshua Nicholus Alexander of Bonham, age 19, Prohibited Substance in Correctional Facility, 09-13-04, Third degree Felony, 2 Years-10 Years +$10,000 Fine

• Leslie Michelle Doyle of Bonham, age 18, Possession of Controlled Substance, Methamphetamine, Less than 1 Gram, Drug-Free Zone, Third Degree Felony, 2 Years-10 Years + $10,000

• Ashley Kyle Walker of Bonham, age 22, Prohibited Substance in Correctional Facility, 11-21-04, Third Degree Felony, 2 Years-10 Years+ $10,000 Fine

• Daniel Jason Terry of Bonham, age 32, Stalking 03-14-05, Third Degree Felony, 2 Years- 10 Years + $10,000 Fine

Fannin County Marriage Licenses for February & March

February 20- Jeffery Nall & Elizabeth Ann Hernandez

February 28- Jay Derrick Sanders & Karen Allison Dietrich

March 2- Floyd Scott Sleeman & Beth Ann Rothlisberger

March 3- Fred Lackey III & Leisa Marie Bennett

March 4- Charles Kyle Love & Mildred Ann Dunlap

March 4- William Clay Bradley & Rachelle Denise Robinson

March 4- J.C. Jones & Alma Joyce Jones

March 5- Clinton Standlee Norwood & Alice Danielle Owens

March 5- Kelly Christopher Darst & Krystal Ola Chowdhry

March 5- Adrian Lee Vaughan & Jerrie Beth Cline

March 6- Jeremy Levi Loveland & Karen Denise Welch

March 7- Shawn Odis Melton & Rhonda Jean Cochran

March 10- James Floyd Colbert & Angela Jean Gardner

March 10- Bernie Lewis Young & Marilyn Jean Garcia

March 12- Kenneth Dale Brannum & Veronica Jaramillo Martinez

March 12- Zachary Allen Flores & Courtney Ray Gann

March 12- Ronald Dustin Parks & Jennifer Ann Cammack

March 18- Joe Ralph Elliot & Janet Dianne Surratt

March 18- Sidney Shawn Odom & Regina Lynn Kasavage

March 19- Weldon Eugene Gurley & Becky Ann Limbert

March 19- Juan Antonio Huerta & Laura Dawn Stowe

March 21- Donald Robert Franks Jr. & Amy Jane Gage

March 24- Jerry Mack Fuller & Betty Lou Davis

March 24- Luther Wesley Whitlock III & Sherry Latan Clifford

March 25- Ryan Patrick McDonald & Aurelia Sass

March 26- Robert Joe Robinson & Monica Rachelle Jaynes

Fannin County Commissioners Court Meeting

The Fannin County Commissioners Court met on Monday, the 28th of March for a regular meeting. At the end of the meeting, the Court had an Executive Session to discuss personnel. After reconvening, the court approved the hiring of a part time district clerk to work two times a week. The court also approved off duty deputies will take over environmental enforcement duties.

During the open meeting, the court approved Precinct 3 selling a 1-Ton truck for salvage, after it had burned to the ground. They also approved the Treasurer’s Report and Auditor’s Report for February.

Bonham Junior High Girl’s Track Results

February 28, 2005

100 M Dash- Tabitha Leeks, 2nd place, 14.29

400 M Dash- Sydney Millhollon, 2nd place, 1:12.21; Stephanie Ferguson, 5th place, 1:15.81; Lauren Reeves, 6th place, 1:18.11

1600 M- Veronica Mendoza, 2nd place, 6:48.25; Cheyenne Price, 5th place, 7:14.83

800 Relay- Savanna Harmon, Amanda Gray, Cesaley Sparks, Tabitha Leeks- 2nd place, 2:12.53

100 M Hurdles- Leah Eaton, 4th place, 20.30

200 M Dash- Savanna Harmon, 5th place, 32.56; Amanda Gray, 6th place, 33.02

800 M- Sydney Millhollon, 1st place, 2:46.57; Veronica Mendoza, 3rd place, 2:56.83

400 M Relay- Savannah Harmon, Amanda Gray, Cesaley Sparks, Tabitha Leeks, 5th place, 1:04.38

1600 M Relay- Stephanie Ferguson, Leah Eaton, Cesaley Sparks, Sydeny Millhollon, 2nd place, 5:07.27

300 M Hurdles- Leah Eaton, 6th place, 1:02.92

2400 M- Kassidy Kinkade- 3rd place, 11:11.88; Kelsi Kelton, 6th place, 12:47.28

Shot- Meagan Murphey, 3rd place, 20’5.5"

Long Jump- Tabitha Leeks, 1st place, 13’1"

High Jump- Jennifer Spencer, 2nd place, 4’2"

Triple Jump- Tabitha Leeks- 1st place, 27’3.5"; Sydney Millhollon, 4th place, 25’11.5"

100 M Dash- Ashley Leeks, 1st place, 13.51; Jana Wiggins, 5th place, 14.73

400 M Dash- Mara Tomlinson, 3rd place, 1:11.74

1600 M- Callie Caylor, 2nd place, 6:37.49; Hollie Tedder, 6th place, 7:01.75

400 M Relay- Jana Wiggins, Amber White, Mara Tomlinson, Ahsley Leeks, 3rd place, 57.34

800 M Relay- Krista Gunn, Amber White, Jana Wiggins, Ashley Leeks, 2nd place, 2:00.91

1600 Relay- Mara Tomlinson, Kati Moses, Crystal Ibarra, April Hunt, 5th place, 5:16.98

2400 M- Crystal Ibarra, 5th place, 10:50.32

200 M Dash- Amber White, 2nd place, 28.05

800 M- Callie Caylor, 3rd place, 2:55.02; Holli Tedder, 5th place, 3:00.35

100 M Hurdles- Kendra Rayburn, 5th place, 19.07; Kristina Gunn, 6th place, 19.53

Shot- Ahsley Verner, 3rd place, 23’5.75"; Abigail Arfman, 5th place, 22’0.25"

Disc- Rikki Reedy, 3rd place, 70’3"; Ashley Verner, 4th place, 68’10.5"

Pole Vault- April Hunt, 1st place, 7’6"

Long Jump- Amber White, 1st place, 14’5.5"; Ashley Leeks, 4th place 12’8"

High Jump- Amber White, 1st place, 4’8"; Jana Wiggins, 2nd place, 4’6"

Triple Jump- Ashley Leeks, 3rd place, 28’5.5"

Bonham Junior High Boy’s Track Results

March 1, 2005

100 M Dash- Chase Gregory, 2nd place, 13.43; T.J. King, 4th place, 13.74

200 M Dash- Ethan Crumby, 4th place, 29.44; Bryant Smith, 6th place, 30.06

400 M Dash- Bryant Smith, 2nd place, 1:04

800 M Dasy- Jacob Wheeler, 2nd place, 2:41; Justin Massey, 4th place, 2:53; Koby Grace, 6th place, 2:57

1600 M Run- Kyle Washington, 1st place,6:12; Justin Massey, 4th place, 6:19; Jordan Manhart, 6th place, 6:38

400 M Relay- Blaine Dunlap, T.J. King, Demonte Roundtree, Chase Gregory, 3rd place, 54.84

800 M Relay- Robert Flores, Todd Larue, Kyle Washington, Jonathan Newman, 2nd place, 1:57

1600 M Relay- T.J. King, Justin Nelms, Chase Gregory, Jonathan Newman, 3rd place, 4:37

110 M Hurdles- Sport Phillips, 4th place, 23.01; Jacob Wheeler, 5th place, 23.33

300 M Hurdles- Chris Smith,3rd place, 56.87; Eric Delapaz, 5th place, 57.50

2400 M Run- Jaymes Hall, 3rd place, 9:39; Chris Smith, 5th place, 9:50; Demonte Roundtree, 6th place

Discus- Ryan Bowen, 3rd place, 79’11"; Ricky Mueller, 4th place, 73’7"

High Jump- T.J. King, 1st place, 4’10"

Long Jump- Jonathan Newman, 3rd place, 14’8"; Chase Gregory, 4th place, 14’6"

100 M Dash- Dustin Ingold, 1st place, 12.04; Jose Fuentes, 2nd place, 12.42

200 M Dash- Slatyr Hunnicutt, 6th place, 27.22

800 M Dash- Bryer Lappin, 5th place,2:38

1600 M Run- Jordan Hill, 4th place, 6:08

400 M Relay- Myran Roundtree, Jose Fuentes, Aaron Hughes, Dustin Ingold, 2nd place, 48.96

800 M Relay- Taylor Harris, Todd Shields, Josh Lawson, Aaron Hughes, 4th place, 1:49

1600 M Relay- Taylor Harris, Dustin Ingold, Jose Fuentes, Myran Roundtree, 2nd place, 4:01

2400 M Run- Taylor Burkhammer, 4th place, 9:33; Josh Lawson, 5th place, 9:50

Shotput- Josh Lawson, 6th place, 33’3"

Pole Vault- Slatyr Hunnicutt, 3rd place, 9’0"; Jake Caylor, 6th place, 7’0"

Long Jump- Dustin Ingold, 4th place, 16’1"

Triple Jump- Myran Roundtree, 2nd place, 33’8"; Jordan Hill, 5th place, 30’5"

Issues Facing the 79th Legislature

Public School Finance Reform

(Austin) -Recently, the Texas House of Representatives passed one of this legislative session’s major bills dealing with public school finance, House Bill 2. HB 2 would make comprehensive changes to the state’s school finance system. The bill is set to be taken up by the Senate Education Committee after Easter, and the bill will most likely be significantly changed by the Texas Senate, which has its own public school finance reform plan. The Senate plan, know as "Texas Children First," was unveiled earlier this session and I was happy to be joined by all of my Senate colleagues in supporting it. To view the Senate plan, please visit www.texaschildrenfirst.com or contact my office to receive a copy.

The House Research Organization has released a detailed bill analysis of House Bill 2. To view the report, please visit www.capitol.state.tx.us, or contact my office to receive a hard copy. According to the HRO analysis, House Bill 2 would:

. increase the amount of funding distributed through funding formulas and use dollar amounts instead of weighted formulas in determining allotments;

. eliminate the state textbook fund and distribute these funds to districts through an instructional materials and technology allotment;

. reduce local property taxes by one-third and increase the state share of funding for basic programs;

. allow school districts to impose local enrichment taxes of up to 10 cents per $100 of valuation with no recapture of these funds;

. require voter approval of tax increases for local enrichment;

. place a 35 percent cap on the recapture of local property tax revenue beginning with the 2008-09 school year;

. require school districts to give teachers, counselors, librarians, and nurses a $1,000 pay raise;

. eliminate the health insurance pass-through for all employees;

. require school districts to use 1 percent of maintenance and operations revenue to fund teacher incentive programs;

. establish a $100 million incentive program for educationally disadvantaged schools that would award teachers $7,500 for gains in academic achievement;

. require TEA to seek bids for the outside management of campuses that perform in the lowest 5 percent of accountability ratings for two consecutive years;

. impose stricter financial accountability requirements on school districts and regional education service centers;

. replace the TAKS test with end-of-course assessments for high school students;

. exempt high-performing campuses from most state regulations;

. require the TAKS test to be given by computer beginning in March, 2006 if practicable;

. require school board elections to be held in November of even numbered years;

. require school board members to serve four-year terms ; and

. establish a statewide student enrollment and tracking system.

As stated above, this bill will most likely be significantly changed in the Texas Senate, and I look forward to debating this measure on the floor.

To contact Sen. Deuell about the legislative process, contact the Capitol Office at (512) 463-0556 or mail to Sen. Bob Deuell, Texas Senate, P.O. Box 12068, Austin, TX 78711. The website for the Texas Senate is www.Senate.state.tx.us. The e-mail address for Sen. Deuell is: bob.deuell@senate.state.tx.us.

House Passes Changes to Concealed Handgun Licenses

This week the House continued to debate legislation on the floor of the House. The number of bills the House hears daily has increased as more and more bills are passed out of committee. No bill can become a law until it has been through the legislative process in both Houses. House Bills originate in the House and must go to through the Senate process after they have been passed by the House. Accordingly, Senate Bills must also go through the House for approval. Once a bill has passed both chambers, it goes to the governor for approval. If the governor does not veto the bill, it becomes law. This week I will talk about three bills that were passed by the House which would make changes to Texas’ concealed handgun license laws.

Under current law, a person must be 21 years old in order to apply for a concealed handgun license (CHL.) House Bill 322 lowers the minimum age requirement from 21 to 18 for military personnel or veterans interested in applying for CHL. It also lowers the cost of the license to military personnel and veterans by 50 percent. This bill does not apply to non-military personnel, or those who have been dishonorably discharged from the military. All applicants must still meet the other state requirements for licensing.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) must currently disclose whether an individual holds a concealed handgun license to any person submitting a request. House Bill 318 removes the requirement for DPS to disclose whether an individual holds a concealed handgun license. Local and state law enforcement agencies would be excepted from this bill, and would still have access to license records.

House Bill 225 would simply extend the renewal time for concealed handgun licenses to five years, from the current renewal time of every four years. By extending the renewal time, the per year cost of a concealed handgun license is also reduced.

I am interested in your comments on legislation that will be debated in the Texas House of Representatives. You can contact me by writing to P.O. Box 2910, Austin, TX 78768-2910 or by emailing me at larry.phillips@house.state.tx.us.

Lincoln Day Dinner with Senator Hutchison

FANNIN COUNTY was well represented at the 35^th Annual Lincoln Day Dinner hosted by the Grayson County Republican Party at the Sid Richardson Auditorium on the Austin College Campus. The 300-400 in attendance celebrated the "RED, WHITE AND BUSH" theme and enjoyed keynote speaker Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison as well as Texas Agricultural Commissioner Susan Combs and a rising star of the party, George P. Bush.

Also in attendance was Congressman Ralph Hall, Representative Larry Phillips, Senator Craig Estes and a host of other local elected officials.

March--Mental Retardation Month

March was Mental Retardation month across the nation. This last month was set aside to focus the country’s attention on the needs of person with mental retardation and reflect on the quality of life for people with mental retardation and the prevention of this condition. Mental Health Mental Retardation Services of Texoma provides services in Cooke, Grayson, and Fannin counties for individuals with mental retardation. MHMRST has been serving the area for over 30 years.

All individuals with mental retardation have the capacity to learn, develop and grow. Mental retardation is a condition that exists or develops in a person before the age of 18 in which intelligence is significantly below average and personal and social behaviors do not meet what is expected for the person’s age and culture. People with mental retardation often have difficulty in learning, social adjustments and economic productivity.

Mental retardation is found in persons of all ages, races, cultures and economic conditions. An estimated three percent of the U. S. population, more than 7.5 million people, will be identified as mentally retardation at some point in their lives. In Texas, approximately 555,400 people have mental retardation.

MHMRST offers these services: Eligibility/Diagnostics, Service Authorization, Service Coordination, Continuity of Services, Client Worker Program, Day Habilitation, In Home and Family Support, Medicaid Waiver Programs, Respite, Support Home Living, Transition Planning and Alternate Living Facilities. For more information, call 903-957-4795.

Wildflower Hotline Available

AUSTIN — Motorists searching for the best wildflower locations along Texas highways have help at their fingertips.

The Texas Department of Transportation’s wildflower hotline (800-452-9292) and Internet site (www.dot.state.tx.us) give users information on the best spots to find wildflowers along the 79,000-mile Texas highway system.

The wildflower hotline is active at all times through early May as part of the menu for the road conditions hotline.

To make it easier to find wildflowers in bloom, hotline callers may request information by seven regions of the state: Big Bend, Gulf Coast, Hill Country, Panhandle, Piney-Woods (East Texas), Prairies and Lakes (North Central Texas), and Southwest Texas.

Information on the hotline and Internet comes from TxDOT’s maintenance offices, chambers of commerce, and parks officials.

"There should be an above-average crop of bluebonnets statewide," said Ben Bowers of TxDOT Vegetation Management. "However, it may be early April before many of the blossoms appear."

April is considered the prime month for blooming wildflowers.

TxDOT spreads more than 33,000 pounds of wildflower seeds along Texas highway rights of way each year. Each pound contains 30 or more varieties of wildflowers.

The statewide locater map for wildflower blossoms is available on the TxDOT webpage at www.dot.state.tx.us by going to a section titled Wildflower Season in Bloom. The map features "wildflower-power" sites, marked with colored circles representing wildflower varieties.

The department’s wildflower program is part of a vegetation-management program encouraging the growth of native species that require less mowing and care.

Harmony House Concert Information

Hello, friends of Harmony House Concerts! This is just a short message to clear up some confusion and notify you of some things to come!

1. Prepayment of reservations: Several months ago, we began requesting prepayment of all reservations. This involved making out a check to the performing artist and mailing it to me once you had made a reservation by phone or e-mail. This policy was to serve as a type of guarantee or earnest money for the performer in case of no-shows or late cancellations AND to help expedite "check-in" procedures at the concert. Once your check is received, you will be notified before the performance. If you pay and have to cancel, you may do so and get a full refund, IF YOU CANCEL UP TO 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE DATE OF THE PERFORMANCE.....for a Saturday concert, you would need to cancel by the prior Wednesday. For clarification purposes, if you have you have a reservation and cancel later than the 3-day period, you are still expected to pay for your reservation/s, even though you may not have sent your check yet. Late reservations will be handled by phone and arrangements for payment made.

2. Beginning in June 2005, our requested donation will become $12 per person. With gasoline prices and travel costs at a peak, we feel it only fair to the performers. Other house concerts have been requesting either $12-$15 per person for a long time. We want to keep providing the same exceptional talent in the future and to do so, we need to consider rising costs.

3. The last calendar ever sent to you re: our house concert dates/performers went through May ‘05. After a few more confirmations are made, the new calendar will be e-mailed to you. LOTS OF GOOD MUSIC AHEAD!!!! We are really excited about some of the artists we have been able to book and know that your taste for pure music will be satiated.

To quote Allen Damron, one of Texas’ own legendary troubadours......."When the Good Lord said, ‘MAKE A JOYFUL NOISE’, He didn’t say anything about whether you could carry a tune or not!"

Homestead Exemptions Reduce Property Tax Bills...

Homeowners can reduce their property tax bills in 2005 by taking advantage of homestead exemptions. Application forms are available at the Fannin County Appraisal District. Chief Appraiser Charles M. Shannon informs homeowners that Texas law allows them to file a one-time application for homestead exemptions. These exemptions reduce the appraised value of the home. "You do not have to pay a fee to file for a homestead exemption."

Property owner’s who have not received the general homestead exemption on their homes in which they were living on January 1, 2005, and those who became totally disabled or turn 65, must apply this year to receive their exemptions for 2005.

For the general homestead exemptions, homeowners must own and live in their homes on January 1, 2005. Homeowners 65 years of age and older and those who become disabled don’t need to own their homes on January 1 to qualify for the age 65 and older or disabled homestead exemptions. State law provides that they may apply as soon as they turn 65 or become disabled, own the home and live in the home as their principal residence. State law also allows that if the age 65 and older spouse dies before applying for the age 65 and older exemption, the surviving spouse age 55 or older may apply for the age 65 and older exemption for the deceased spouse. The same filing deadlines apply.

If a homestead is located in a taxing unit that overlaps into two or more counties, the homeowner must apply at each county appraisal district.

A homeowner’s principal house and yard are considered the residence homestead. It can include up to 20 acres of land and improvements. Improvements include the house, a swimming pool, greenhouse or any other structures, as long as the owner uses them for residential like purposes. A mobile home, even on leased land, can qualify for the exemption if it meets the four^- tests. ALL property must meet four tests set by law to qualify for the residence homestead exemption:

+ The person or persons claiming the exemption must own the property on January 1 (homeowners 65 and older or disabled need not own the property on January 1 for the age 65 and older or disabled homestead exemptions only);

+ The property must be designed or adapted for human residence;

+ The owner must use the property as a residence; and

+ And the property must be the principal residence of an owner who qualifies for the exemption.

"A property owner can still qualify for the homestead exemption if part of the residence is rented out or used for other purposes, such as a home business," Shannon said. "The home will not lose its exemption if the owner moves away temporarily for a period of less than two years, so long as he or she intends to return and does not claim another homestead exemption elsewhere."

Texas law provides several types of exemptions for homeowners. For school tax purposes, all homeowners may receive a $15,000 general homestead exemption and homeowners 65 and older or disabled receive an additional $10,000 exemption.

The school tax exemption for those homeowners 65 and older or disabled provides a special property tax "ceiling" for school taxes. While the market value of an elderly or disabled person’s home may fluctuate with the market, the school taxes cannot increase above the tax amount in the first year that person qualified for that homestead for the age 65 and older or disabled exemption.

The tax ceiling can increase, however, if the owner adds an improvement, other than normal maintenance or repair. When the owner adds a new improvement, such as a room or garage, the new improvement is taxed at its current market value and the current tax rates. The new taxes are added to the previous tax ceiling to create a new ceiling.

Homeowners 65 and older or disabled may transfer the same percentage of tax savings to a new home. The homeowner transfers the percentage of school tax paid on the former home, based on the last year the homeowner qualified that home for the tax ceiling, to the new home. The new tax ceiling is calculated to give the homeowner the same percentage of tax paid as on the former home. The homeowner may not claim two different homes in the same year.

For example, if the homeowner had a school tax ceiling of $100, but would pay $400 in 2005 school taxes without the tax ceiling, the percentage of tax paid is 25 percent. If the 2005 school taxes on the new home are $1,000, the new tax ceiling would be $250, or 25 percent of $1,000. The homeowner may request a certificate from the appraisal district where the former home was located that gives information about the tax ceiling. The homeowner gives this information to the appraisal district where the new home is located.

If the elderly homeowner dies, the surviving spouse may apply to keep the school tax ceiling if the surviving spouse was at least 55 years of age when the qualified spouse died. The surviving spouse also may transfer the tax savings with the school tax ceiling to another homestead, as discussed above.

The county, or city may decide to set a tax ceiling provision for homeowners 65 and older or disabled. Each taxing unit’s governing body may decide to grant the tax ceiling provision or the local citizens in a taxing unit may petition for an election to vote on granting the tax ceiling provision in that taxing unit.

Homeowners should notify the Chief Appraiser when they no longer qualify for the general, age 65 and older or disabled homestead exemptions. A 50-percent penalty is added to delinquent home taxes if homeowners fail to notify the appraisal district and receive homestead exemptions to which they are not entitled.

Different types of taxing units-counties, cities and special districts-may offer different homestead exemptions. Any taxing unit’s governing body may grant an additional optional exemption on the homesteads of disabled or elderly residents, or both. This optional exemption may be no less than $3,000 from the home’s appraised value and has no limit on the maximum amount.

Taxing units may also offer a local option exemption based on a percentage of a home’s appraised value. In 2005, any taxing unit can exempt tip to 20 percent of the value of each qualified homestead. No matter what percentage of value the taxing unit adopts, the dollar amount of exemption for any home must equal at least $5,000.

For more information, homeowners may contact the Fannin County Appraisal District at 831 West State Highway 56, Bonham Texas or by calling (903) 583-8701.

Top of Texas Builders Association

BOND ISSUE EXPLAINED---Bill Jones and Mike Walthall outlined the proposed Bond Issue for Bonham , Tuesday at the Top of Texas Builders Assn. meeting at Shumardii’s. The group from left includes Melody Michaud, treasurer and assistant Executive Officer, Bill Jones of the Bonham Chamber of Commerce, Mike Walthall and his fiancé, Kathy Lindsay of Sherman , Mike Michaud, new vice president and Jay Stephens, president.

Are the citizens of the city of Bonham prepared for growth and prosperity ? What is the rating of the present city facilities? Does the fire department and the Police Department have adequate facilities to serve the community and grow to protect the community?

These questions were brought to the members and guests at the Top of Texas Builder’s Assn.. Tuesday by Mike Walthall, Development Services Coordinator and Bill Jones, Executive Director Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce.

They presented the proposals for a Master Plan for Municipal Facilities-and a need for a city bond to bring all the municipal buildings into a standard to serve the city’s needs for growth and prosperity.

The speakers pointed out sudden growth in Grayson County Developments in Melissa and inquiries by developers for the Bonham Area. Legacy Ridge has brought in families from Dallas and even from Hawaii.

Residents of the city of Bonham will vote on the issues in May. They can vote on all six facilities, including the City Hall, Fire Department/EMS, Police Station , Public Works, Animal Shelter, Community Center. Some of these facilities will be remodeled, some are to be built.

Bill Jones pointed out that being prepared for growth and prosperity is better in advance than to be forced to create temporary facilities.

The City Council including Mayor Carl McEachern, Wayne Moore Roy Floyd, John Burnett, Glen Taylor and Amy Peeler, had Childres Architectural Group to present a proposal showing architectural drawings of new facilities and estimating total costs. A resident may vote for all of the six proposals or any one, or several of them. Property taxes do increase until the bonds are paid off. However both speakers expressed the thoughts that to date facilities would attract businesses and developers to the area. Mike Michaud was introduced as the new vice president, having moved up the ladder from secretary. Melody Michaud is treasurer and assistant executive officer. Jay Stephens , president opened the meeting and Jay Sims gave the prayer and Pledge.

Dewight Grider , project manager, for ATMOS Energy the company that recently purchased the gas division of TXU, announced that his company will be host for the April 12 meeting of Top of Texas Builders Assn. and that they will bring in managers from Hunt, Lamar, Fannin, Hopkins and Grayson, to meet builders from these four counties and to explain how they plan to serve the builders, developers and home owners of these counties. Builders and developers are being invited to this dinner meeting that ATMOS will host. This will be the second Tuesday of April at 6:30 p. m. at Shumardii’s in Bonham.

The builders honored the area Girl Scouts by having Door Prizes of Girl Scout Cookies: won by Bill Jones,Renee Grider of Greenville Mike Walthall, R. W. High, Leigh Ann Sims Harold Stephens Virgil Bowling, Jimmy Sewell. Orchids were won by Jay Sims and Glynell Sewell. Sue Jones and Stephanie Castle won chrysanthemums. Cookbooks donated by Leigh Ann Sims were won by Susie Mulder, Dewight Grider of Greenvile and Kathy Lindsay of Sherman. Miss Lindsay was introduced by Mike Walthall as his fiancé.

Farmers and ranchers may be eligible for property tax relief on their land. They may apply for a special, lower appraisal of their land, based on what the land will produce rather than what it would sell for in the open market, said Shannon, Chief Appraiser of the Fannin County Appraisal District.

"The Texas Constitution provides for two types of agricultural productivity appraisal," Shannon said. Article 8, Sec. 1-d-1, addresses what is known as agricultural appraisal. Article 8, Sec. 1-d, also addresses agricultural appraisal but has different qualification requirements. Because the qualifications of the owner are more stringent, property owners rarely apply for agricultural appraisal under Section 1-d.

Landowners must file for special appraisal at the appraisal district office by April 30. Those who must file this year include owners of land qualified for 1-d appraisal, landowners whose property did not previously receive 1-d-1 appraisal and new owners of qualified land. The appraisal district must accept late-filed l-d-1 appraisal applications until the day before the appraisal review board approves the 2005 appraisal records, which occurs in July. Late applications filed after April 30, will draw a penalty.

"The requirements for applying and qualifying both the land and the owner are different for the two types of appraisal," Shannon said.

Most property owners apply for 1-d-1 appraisal. To qualify, the owner must use the land for agriculture. This form of appraisal does not restrict ownership to individuals and does not require agriculture to be the owner’s primary business.

This special appraisal requires that the land’s use in a qualifying agricultural or timber purpose meets the degree of intensity generally accepted in the area. Fannin County generally contains hay production, cattle operations, and some dry crop production. Owners must show that they devoted the land’s use principally to a qualifying use for at least five of the preceding seven years.

The law also provides that a property owner may use the land for wildlife management to receive the special appraisal, if the land had been qualified for agriculture in the preceding year. Land under wildlife management must meet acreage size requirements and special use qualifications.

Under 1-d, the owner must file an application each year. Fannin County has no 1-d agricultural property appraisals at this time. For 1-d, the owner must be an individual ­not a corporation, partnership, agency or organization. The land must have had an agricultural use for at least three years. The owner’s primary job and source of income must be agriculture.

"Landowners should know," Shannon said, "that the law provides specific penalties for taking qualified land out of agricultural or timber production."

The rollback tax is the difference between the taxes paid under productivity appraisal and the taxes that would have been paid if the land had been put on the tax roll at market value, Shannon explained. And, rollback taxes include interest charges.

Under 1-d-1, an owner triggers a rollback by changing the land’s use to a non-agricultural use. The rollback taxes are based on the five tax years preceding the year of the change.

Under the 1-d appraisal, if the owner sells the land or changes its use, the rollback extends back for the three tax years before the year in which the change or sale occurs.

Owners must apply for productivity appraisal with each appraisal district in which they have land. Failure to do so could result in paying taxes on the land’s full market value.

Additional information and application forms are available from the county appraisal district office. The staff will help landowners determine if their property qualifies for special appraisal.

For more information, landowners may contact the Fannin County Appraisal District at 831 East State Highway 56, Bonham Texas 75418, or by calling (903) 583-8701.

Trenton I.S.D Menu for April

April 4th: Breakfast- Pancakes/Bacon or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Pizza or Chicken Nuggets, Corn, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 5th: Breakfast- Muffins, Apple Wedges/Peanut Butter or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Chicken Fried Steak/Gravy Or Pig In Blanket, Creamed Potatoes, Green Beans, Fruit Crisp, Milk

April 6th: Breakfast- Biscuits/Sausage or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Spaghetti/Meat Sauce or Meat Loaf, Green Peas, Salad, Bread Sticks, Cookies, Fruit, Milk

April 7th: Breakfast- Oatmeal or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Hot Ham/Cheese Sandwiches or Chicken Salad/Crackers, Pickle Spears, Potato Salad, Sliced Tomatoes, Fruit, Milk

April 8th: Breakfast- Yogurt or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Hamburgers or Chicken Patty/Trimmings, Tator Tots or Baked Chips, Frozen Dessert, Milk

April 11th: Breakfast- Bagel/Cream Cheese or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Asst. Sandwiches, Pork & Beans, Pickle Spears, Chips, Fruit, Milk

April 12th: Breakfast- Breakfast Burrito or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Fish Sticks, Hush Puppies or Cole Slaw, Mac & Cheese, Fruit, Milk

April 13th: Breakfast- Cheese Toast or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Chili/Beans, Cornbread or Ravioli, Corn, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 14th: Breakfast- Scrambled Eggs or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Hamburgers/Trimmings or Chili Dogs, Tator Tots or Baked Chips, Frozen Dessert, Milk

April 15th: Holiday/Bad Weather Day

April 18th: Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Lasagna or BBQ Wieners, Bread, Corn, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 19th: Breakfast- Biscuits/Sausage or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Chicken Patty Sandwich or BBQ Beef on Bun, Pork & Beans, Carrot Sticks/Dip, Chips, Fruit, Milk

April 20th: Breakfast- Ham/Cheese Breakfast Bar or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Pita Pocket Sandwiches or Chicken Spaghetti, Green Beans, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 21st: Breakfast- Pancake on Stick or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Beef Nachos or Chicken Soft Tacos, Salsa, Refried Beans, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 22nd- Breakfast- Yogurt or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Hamburgers/ Trimmings or Corn Dogs, Tator Tots or Baked Chips, Frozen Dessert, Milk

April 25th: Breakfast- Muffins, Apple Wedges/Peanut Butter or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Pizza or Chicken Nuggets, Corn, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 26th: Breakfast-biscuits/Sausage or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Salisbury Steak Or BBQ Chicken, Creamed Potatoes, Green Beans, Fruit, Or Cookies, Milk

April 27th: Breakfast- Scrambled Eggs or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Beef Tips/Noodles or Deli Sandwiches, Scalloped Potatoes, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 28th: Breakfast- Yogurt or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Frito Chili Pie or Chili Dogs, Ranch Style Beans, Salad, Fruit, Milk

April 29th: Breakfast- French Toast Sticks or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk

Lunch- Hamburgers or Chicken Patty/Trimmings, Tator Tots or Baked Chips, Frozen Dessert, Milk

Ferguson Family Show

The Ferguson Family Show will be back in session this Friday night, April 8th at 7:30 pm. It will be held at the Lake Bonham Hoe-Down "Show Barn", located 1/2 mile east of the Lake Bonham spillway on CR 2610. The show will be hosted by the Ferguson Family and their "Red River Express Band", plus their guests from Bonham, Sherman, and Denison, and Paris area. Everyone is invited and welcome. Admission is free. Donations are accepted and most appreciated. Thanks to all for your support. Hope to see you there.

For information call 903-583-4731

Bonham SNAP Center Menu

Chicken Fried Steak/Gravy, Whipped Potatoes, Creole Squash, Bread, Rosy Apples, Milk

Macaroni & Cheese, English Peas, Carrots, Bread, Cake, Milk

Pinto Beans, Oven Fried Okra, Coleslaw, Cornbread, Peaches, Milk

Hamburgers, Tater Tots, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions, Pickles, Buns, Jell-O w/ Orange Juice, Milk

Oven Fried Chicken, Scalloped Potatoes, Broccoli, Bread, Spiced Pineapple, Milk

Bonham I.S.D. Menu for April

April 4th: Breakfast- Scrambled Eggs, Biscuit, Country Gravy, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Bananas, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Crispeto, Vegetable Beef Soup, Crackers, Ranch Style Beans, Tossed Salad, Ranch Dressing, Chilled Pears, Apple Crisp, Choice of Milk, Sliced Jalapeños

April 5th: Breakfast- Cinnamon Roll, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Fajitas, Chef Salad, Green Beans, Mixed Fruit, Brownies, Ranch Dressing, Choice of Milk

April 6th: Breakfast- Sausage on a Stick, Pancake Syrup, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Fruit Cocktail, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Cheese Pizza, Garlic/Cheese Toast, Corn, Tossed Salad, Ranch Dressing, Rosy Applesauce, Marinara Sauce, Choice of Milk

April 7th: Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Nuggets, Fish Nuggets, Cornbread, Black Eyed Peas, Macaroni and Cheese, Fresh Pears, Vanilla Pudding, Choice of Milk, Tarter Sauce

April 8th: Breakfast- Cheese Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Hamburger, Chili Dog, Burger Salad, Tater Tots, Baked Beans, Wacky Cake, Choice of Milk, Choice of Juice

April 11th: HOLIDAY

April 12th: Breakfast- Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Fried Steak, Sliced Turkey, Yeast Roll, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas, Applesauce, Choice of Milk, Country Gravy

April 13th: Breakfast- Oatmeal, Buttered Toast, Breakfast Pizza, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Pepperoni Pizza, Cheesy Bread Stick, Corn, Tossed Salad, Ranch Dressing, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Marinara Sauce, Choice of Milk

April 14th: Breakfast- Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Nuggets, Ham, Slice Bread, Green Beans, Tossed Salad, Fruit Cocktail, Choice of Milk, Ranch Dressing

April 15th: Breakfast- Oatmeal, Buttered Toast, Breakfast Sausage Roll, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Hamburger, Chili Dog, Burger Salad, Tator Tots, Baked Beans, Wacky Cake, Choice of Milk, Choice of Juice

April 18th: Breakfast- Cheese Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Fried Steak, Sliced Turkey, Yeast Roll, Mashed Potatoes, English peas, Applesauce, Choice of Milk, Country Gravy

April 19th: Breakfast- Cinnamon Roll, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Nuggets, Fish Nuggets, Texas Toast, Black Eyed Peas, Macaroni and Cheese, Fresh pears, Vanilla Pudding, Choice of Milk, Tarter Sauce

April 20th: Breakfast- Breakfast Pizza, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Chicken Sticks, Slice Bread, Nachos with Ground Beef, Spanish Rice, Tossed Salad, Peach Cobbler, Choice of Milk, Ranch Dressing, Sliced Jalapenos

April 21st: Breakfast- Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Applesauce, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Beef Tacos, Steak Sandwich, Fiesta Beans, Burger Salad, Apple Wedges, Spice Cake, Choice of Milk, Choice of Juice

April 22nd- Breakfast- Oatmeal, Toast, Breakfast Sausage Roll, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Cheeseburger, Hot Dog on a Bun, Waffle Fries, Burger Salad, Wacky Cake, Strawberries, Choice of Milk, Salad Dressing

April 25th: Breakfast- Breakfast Burrito, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Assorted Jelly, Choice of Juice, Applesauce

Lunch- Cheese Pizza, Cheesy Bread Stick, Corn, Coleslaw, Frozen Juice Bar, Choice of Milk, Marinara Sauce

April 26th: Breakfast-Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits, Country Gravy, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Assorted Jelly, Choice of Juice, Bananas

Lunch- Super Beef Tacos, Bar B Q Beef on Bun, Pinto Beans, Carrots with Dip, Tossed Salad, Pineapple Chunks, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Ranch Dressing, Choice of Milk, Choice of Juice

April 27th: Breakfast- Cinnamon Roll, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Hot Ham and Cheese Sandwich, Chef Salad, Apple Wedges, Onion Rings, Pickle Spears, Assorted Pudding, Choice of Milk, Choice of Juice

April 28th: Breakfast- Sausage on a Stick, Pancake Syrup, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Assorted Jelly, Choice of Juice, Fruit Cocktail

Lunch-Chicken Nuggets, Fish Nuggets, Cornbread, Black Eyed Peas, Coleslaw, Choice of Juice, Peanut Butter Cookies, Choice of Milk

April 29th: Breakfast- Cheese Toast, Breakfast Cereal, Buttered Toast, Choice of Juice, Choice of Milk, Assorted Jelly

Lunch- Hamburger Chili Cheese Dog, Baked Beans, Tater Tots, Burger Salad, Peanut Butter Cookies, Choice of Milk

Stephenson School’s Parent Meeting

Family and friends enjoyed a program presented by Mrs. Lane, Mrs. Miller, Mrs. Sandy Taylor and Mrs. Shepherd’s classes March 17^th at Stephenson School’s Parent Meeting. The children were very entertaining and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Our next Parent Meeting will be April 21^st

Red Hatters from the Bonham area had a fabulous time at the style show hosted by the Fairview Fabulous Fair Ladies Red Hat Society on Tuesday afternoon, March 22^nd at 2 PM. Over 50 people attended the affair with residents and staff of Fairview Nursing and Rehab. Modeling in Casual, Semi-Formal and Formal Divisions. Judges were Annette Snider of Whitewright, Janet Francis of Savoy, and Joyce Wolfe of Whitewright.

Each of the Red Hatters modeled a red and purple ensemble. The Pink Hatters (under 50 members) wore pink and lilac. The outfits were accessorized with tiaras, boas, jewelry, gloves, and scarves. The models strutted their stuff to the fun and upbeat music.

The Fairview Fabulous Fair Ladies Kazoo Orchestra performed two numbers. A special visit from " Minnie Pearl " was a highlight of the entertainment. Polly Ashley or alias Minnie Pearl provided a lot of fun and laughter in her costume and performing her skit.

Door prizes were provided for guests. Kathy Wolfe of Whitewright had her pet monkey as a special guest. Residents enjoyed seeing her unusual and cute pet.

The Red Hatters from Fairview had decorated backdrops, archways, and the entire area with a festive Red & Purple fashion.

The Whitewright FCCLA baked Angel Food Cakes with Strawberries and make delicious punch. The Whitewright PALS students made the Red Velvet Cakes and served the refreshments. Other contributions were made by the Sonic of Bonham, Wanda’s Dress Shop of Bonham, Heart to Heart Hospice, Bonham Family Drug, Wise Funeral Home, Cooper Sorrells Funeral Home, Past and Present Furniture, Paula King of Richardson, Malcomb Holland of First Baptist Church Bonham, and Fairview Staff.

The Golden Kawanis meets every Thursday at noon at the SNAP Center in Bonham. In March they continued to work on fundraising for Milk for Meals on Wheels. The cost of milk for one day for the 100 people on the Meals on Wheels Program is $25.00. Donations can be made out to the Bonham SNAP and designate on check for Milk. Donations can be mailed to 1228 Lynn Street, Bonham, 75418. The monthly breakfast has been set for the Saturday of Trades Day Week-ends from 7-9 AM at a cost of $3.50.

Upcoming events were planned to help the fundraising efforts. In May there will be the annual auction. Donations are being accepted at the SNAP center and can be dropped off from Monday-Friday from 11 AM- 12 noon. In June a garage sale is being planned with Fairview Nursing and Rehab to be at the SNAP Center. Donations will be accepted in May for the Garage Sale.

Activities are continuing with Bingo on the second Friday of each month and Dominoes on the third Friday of each month. In March Fairview Nursing and Rehab. sponsored the Bingo and Seven Oak Care Center sponsored the dominoes.

On March 17^th to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, Jeanette Bowen, from Fairview Nursing & Rehab., presented a program on the history of St. Patrick’s Day and customs. She brought with her Belinda Reynolds, the Activities Director, and two residents. Green refreshments were served. The Fairview Fabulous Fair Ladies presented their Kazoo music and let members guess the tune. It brought a lot of fun and laughter.

March 24 the program was presented by Brad Nichols, Bonham Dept. ,about the upcoming bond election.

JBU Announces Dean’s List for Fall 2004

Siloam Springs, Ark. - The students listed below have been named to John Brown University’s Dean’s List for the Fall 2004 term. Each student must have a semester GPA of 3.4-3.79 to be included on the Dean’s List.

Dean’s List- Amy and Christina VanEttinger.

John Brown University is a private Christian university, ranked eighth by U.S. News & World Report in the Southern Region. JBU enrolls more than 1,900 students from 43 states and 40 countries. JBU is a member of Arkansas’ Independent Colleges and Universities and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.

Community Forum—"Unmet Needs of Individuals and Families with Mental Disabilities"

MHMR Services of Texoma Invites Public Input

Fannin County Forum: Thursday, April 7 from 4:30—6:00 p.m.

American Bank of Bonham—Elizabeth May Room

120 W. Sam Rayburn Dr. Bonham, TX

Sponsored by the Planning and Network Advisory Committee of MHMR Texoma

For more information, including a questionnaire, contact Tonia Vernon at 903-957-4873 or tvernon@mhmrst.org. Additional information is available at mhmrst.org. Executive Director Tony Maddox will present a brief summary of current services and legislative initiatives at the beginning of the meeting.

Because of budget cuts and legislative rules, local communities are feeling the impact of service gaps as individuals and families with mental disabilities cope with numerous unmet needs. Information obtained will be included in the MHMR Services of Texoma FY 2006 Local Plan. All MHMR community centers are required to submit a Local Plan to the state. This collective information will be compiled and used to inform lawmakers about the mental health and mental retardation needs in Texas communities. The information obtained will also be used to initiate local collaborative processes to assist people and develop community partnerships in our own communities.

Bonham Baseball and Softball Association Picture, Playday Saturday April 9th from 8:00 - 3:00

Bonham Baseball and Softball association is hosting a playday on Saturday April 9th. Each baseball and softball team will be taking their team pictures. Every player will have an opportunity to participate in the annual hit run and throw competition. The cost for that is $5.00 which includes a hot dog and drink. Prizes will be awarded to the winners. We will also have a bouncy castle, blow up obstacle course and slide that you can play on. The cost for that will be $5.00. We will have a silent auction as part of our Saturday events. Some of the items that will be on auction are

• Buzz Photos will donate a custom made poster of a player. ($150 value)

• Coast to Coast- $250 Gift Certificate

• Mike Bardwell 2 Man Duck Hunt. ($200 Value)

• Hall Tree Farm- 6 or 8 foot tree

• Legacy Ridge Auto- A Set of Wrenches

• Bonham Chrysler- 2 Oil Changes

• Classic Details- Mini Detail. ($35 Value)

• Kennedy Arbor Tree Farm- 3" Tree Valued at $150 (to be picked up within 45 days)

• A colored Lady Liberty Coin from Fannin Bank ($35 Value)

• A Detail from Rick’s Detail. ($40 Value)

• A Woman’s Hair care Basket

• Manicure from Headliners

• One Month’s Free Rental From AA Storage

• 10 Free Rentals from Movie Gallery ($30 Value)

• Bob Utter Oil Change (includes diesels)

The public is invited to this event which will be located at the ball fields located west on Silo Road. If you have any questions please call Morgan Malone at 903-640-6793.

Bonham Pee-Wee Football Association

903 Amy Way, Bonham, TX, 75418 • 903-583-8033

Dear Supporter:

I am proud to report that the Bonham Pee-Wee Football Association had a very successful 2004 season! For the 2005 Season we are estimating around 80 football players, between 3^rd – 6^th grade, and 80 cheerleaders, between kindergarten – 6^th grade. It will cost around $4700 to outfit all of our players.

The BPWFA Board of Directors is currently asking for donations for the upcoming season. Just a few things on our wish list include:

New Helmets (our 5^th & 6^th Grade kids played with used black and yellow helmets last year)

New Purple Jerseys & Pants

New Football Pads & Equipment

New Uniforms for the Cheerleaders

If you would like to make a donation please call Jason Leatherwood at 903-583-8033. The BPWFA members and the kids that play truly appreciate your donations!

Stephenson School Easter Egg Hunt

Stephenson School held its annual Egg Hunt Thursday, March 24th. It took the parents longer to hide the eggs than for the children to find them. It was fun for everyone.

Guest Editorial

By Greg Abbott, Attorney General of Texas

For an adult victim, crime is overwhelming; for a child, it can be unbearable. The pain a child suffers at the hands of an abuser is sometimes surpassed by the horror of having to re-live the crime every time she has to tell the story to a nurse, a police officer or a social worker.

Children’s Advocacy Centers help reduce that horror. Fannin County Children’s Advocacy Center in Bonham is one of 59 CACs across Texas that meet the needs of abused children and their families in a warm, non-threatening environment. Using a multidisciplinary approach, they bring together vital services to help a child while limiting the number of times she must re-experience the terror of the crime.

This month, Texas and the nation stop to consider how we can more effectively prevent child abuse, and how we can serve those who have already been victimized. One way my office does this is by partnering with CACs across Texas. During the legislative debate over the 2004-2005 budget, my office helped protect more than $30 million that ultimately went to hundreds of victim’s programs across Texas, including CACs.

We are continuing that fight this year. In an environment of intense competition for limited resources, I am working to see that the Legislature gives CACs the funding they need to help young Texans.

CACs are critically important in helping thousands of children who have been victimized by sexual, emotional or physical abuse. In fiscal year 2004, for example, Texas CACs served more than 30,000 children, providing forensic interviews, medical exams, counseling and other services. Seventy-eight percent of the children served were younger than 13.

CACs are cost effective, too. As public/private partnerships, local CACs across the state have leveraged taxpayer dollars by raising more than $3 for every dollar appropriated to them by the Legislature.

The help they provide is tangible. One CAC worked with a 6-year-old girl who had been sexually abused, providing her with medical and psychological services, as well as toys for Christmas gifts. Intervention and advocacy by the center’s trained staff not only saved this little girl’s life, but they also saved her future and gave her hope.

Children’s Advocacy Centers exist because communities stepped forward to address child abuse in a cooperative way -- involving entities tasked with investigating child abuse, prosecuting offenders and helping kids in other ways. Communities also support CACs with funding, with volunteers and with the involvement of their leaders. They deserve our continued support.

Together, we can break the cycle of child abuse. Through partnerships involving the Office of the Attorney General, CACs and others concerned about children, we will help young victims cross over to become young survivors.

To find out more about the Fannin County Children’s Advocacy Center in your community, go to www.fanninccc.org or call (903) 583-4339.

Child Abuse Awareness Month

April is Child Abuse Awareness month. In recognition of this, we once again have lots of activities planned to raise awareness about the issue of child abuse and we hope we can count on your support to help get this important message out to educate our community.

• Proclamation signing – Monday, April 4 at 9 am at Fannin County Judge Hall’s courtroom – Judge Hall will be signing a proclamation declaring April to be Child Abuse; we anticipate having a large group of law enforcement, prosecutors, caseworkers, investigators, forensic interviewers, CASA volunteers, child welfare board members, Children’s Center board members, medical professionals, counselors and other professionals and volunteers who are involved in working child abuse cases.

• Network Nites – Tuesday, April 19 from 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Children’s Center – join us for this open house which is sure to draw a great crowd.

Thanks so much for your help! We really appreciate your support!

Volunteer to help an abused child.

(903) 583-4339 www.fanninccc.org

Don’t walk away.

Report child abuse

1-800-252-5400

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

Get involved (903)583-4339 www.fanninccc.org

Trenton High School Homecoming

The Trenton High School Homecoming Re-union is scheduled for Saturday, April 9th, 2005 at the school. Classes to be honored are 1954-1955 and 1979-1980. All former students and anyone who ever attended Trenton ISD are invited and encouraged to attend. Registration will begin at 9AM and refreshments will be served in the Arts and Fitness Center.

A noon meal is being catered by Dickey’s Barbecue. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the Homecoming. They may be purchased by contacting Billy Dockery, P.O. Box 67, Trenton, TX 75490 or Laudene Todd at P.O. Box 158, Trenton Tx 75490. When ordering your tickets please include a self addressed stamped envelope and order tickets as early as possible so the committee will know how many to expect for the meal. Also a special program is being planned to follow the meal.

Please plan to come and join your former classmates and friends in Trenton for the 2005 Homecoming Re-union.

AllState Ribbon Cutting

Business recruitment continued in Bonham on Tuesday, March 22, 2005, with Ted Henderson Allstate Insurance celebrating with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. James A. Glaser, Chamber Treasurer, proudly presented Ted Henderson, Agent, with a ceremonial certificate. Ted Henderson Allstate Insurance is located on the southeast corner of the square in Bonham, and you can contact him by calling 903-583-4736. Remember for all of your insurance needs, "you’re in good hands with Allstate".

April 4 - April 8

11:45 - 1:00 PM

Monday- Roast, Mashed Potatoes/gravy, Squash, California Blend, Dinner Roll, Chocolate Pie, Salad Bar

Tuesday- Turkey, Dressing/gravy, Sweet Potatoes, Green Peas, Cran Sauce, Dinner Roll, Pecan Pie, Salad Bar

Wednesday- Fried Fish, Steak Fries, Cole Slaw, Hush Puppies, Brownies, Salad Bar

Thursday- BBQ Chicken, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Fried Okra, Dinner Roll, Coconut Pie, Salad Bar

Friday- Taco Salad, Refried Beans, Spanish Rice, Peach Cobbler, Salad Bar

TMC and WNJ Auxiliary Directors slated as Officers on TADVS Board

Both Texoma Medical Center in Denison and Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman will be well represented on the 2005-2006 Texas Association, Director of Volunteer Services Board. TMC Director of Volunteer Services, Regina Carnley will hold the position of President while Tina Jones, DVS at WNJ will serve as Historian.

The TADVS serves as the association of choice for leaders of healthcare-related volunteer programs by promoting professional and personal development. TADVS provides its membership with dynamic educational programs, a comprehensive communication network and leadership opportunities. TADVS provides the opportunity for leadership through participation on the association’s committees and board. Each year, TADVS hosts an annual education conference that features outstanding speakers specializing in the field of volunteer management as well as a variety of networking opportunities. It was at the conference in February that Carnley and Jones accepted their new positions.

For more information on volunteer opportunities at either hospital, contact Regina Carnley at 903.416.4056 or Tina Jones at 903.870.4567.

Story of the Blue Ribbon

The Blue Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Campaign had its early beginnings following the death of a very young child. In spring 1989, Bonnie Finney, a Virginia grandmother received the devastating news that her beloved grandson had died of injuries inflicted by his parents. In an expression of her grief and outrage, this grandmother did something that has given us a symbol, around which we rally for the cause of child abuse prevention.

She tied a blue ribbon to the antenna of her van as a way to remember "the bruised and battered body of her grandson" and to alert her community to the tragedy of child abuse.

In Bonnie’s own words: The blue ribbon serves as a constant reminder to fight for protection of our children. Please wear a blue ribbon. Put one on your car. Give one to your friends. Tell them what it means. You may save a child’s life!

Her simple idea, to wear or display a blue ribbon to show support for her child abuse prevention was picked up by grassroots organizations across the country.

The act of one grandmother thousands of miles away leads to this day. Just think what could happen if each one of us helped to spread the word to a few of the people that we come in contact with each day. The groundswell of support that would follow just might be enough to move us towards the day when our homes and communities are completely safe.

During April, we ask that you wear a blue ribbon to show your support of child abuse prevention. To start a Blue Ribbon campaign in your community, contact a local florist, gift shop or variety store for possible donation of blue ribbon material and encourage people to wear a plain blue ribbon.

Bonham Business and Professional Women’s Club

The members of the Bonham Business ad Professional Women’s Club would like to thank everyone who helped make our spring style show and brunch held Saturday, March 12, 2005 a big success. Thank You!

First National Bank Of Trenton, Clayton Homes, American Bank, Tri.-County Glass, Fannin Bank, Legacy Ridge Autoplex, Bonham State Bank, The Art Center At Pecan’s End, Bonham Family Drug, Farmers Insurance Group, Foxworth Galbraith, Fannin Cash, Triple A Muffler, Office Equipment Center- Chris Lancaster, Coast To Coast, Moss & Cox Attorneys And Counselors At Law, H&R Block, Wise Funeral Home, Cole Title Company, Hall Supply Co. Bonham Chrysler, Pizza Hut, Fannin County Electirc Cooperative Inc., Green Onion, Walker & Son, Childs Flooring America, Turner & Turner, L.L.P. Attorneys, Ms. Cindey Baker, Jelly Ford’s Ladies Apparel, Wanda’s Place, Mary’s Boutique, Wal Mart, Kim Hope’s Vintage Clothings, Cowboy Mercantile, Lane’s Flowers & Etc. Bonham Floral & Green House, A.E.’s Flower Shop, Brookshires, Legacy Ridge Country Club, Christian Solutions, The Warehouse, Green Onion, Purple Sage, Rolando’s, Bradfield BeeService, Jeanne Dunn, Kathy Whiteside, Gloria Shrum, Gay Cookman, Debbie Ashby, and All The Wonderful Models.

Fannin County Family Crisis Center provides services to more than 500 clients per year. These clients include men, women and children. Of those 500 clients, at least 75% or 375 have been victims of a sexual assault at some point in their lives.

Fannin County has many reported sexual assaults. Many more are never reported. These assaults are no less traumatic.

Advocates and counselors at FCFCC can help. If you need confidential services, information or would like to become a volunteer, just call. 903-583-7000 is the hotline-answered 24 hrs a day.

Finley-Oates Elementary School Principal and Bonham Rotarian Linda Staton presented the Bonham Rotary Club with a musical program by Susan Toland and her second grade singers. Assisting Ms. Toland were Tracy Foster and Mary Wells. The students sang patriotic and spiritual songs as well as featured soloists. Toland explained that this was their public debut; that they have never sang "on stage" before. All the students did a wonderful job and the teachers and students received a standing ovation from the Rotarians.

The Bonham Rotary Club meets every Wednesday at 12 Noon at the Family Life Center.

The Bonham Rotary Club selects two 11th grade students each year for their leadership camp which is held every summer. This year’s selections are from Bonham High School. They are Caitlin Butler and Kristina Casperite. R.Y.L.A. (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) has grown into an international organization through Rotary International and teaches young people leadership skills to help them their entire lives.

If you know of a student in Fannin County who will be in the 11th grade next year and would like to be added to the selection list, please contact a Bonham Rotarian for details.

It’s A Girl

It’s A Girl

Allison Kay Tidwell, of Denison, formerly of Savoy, and John Calvin Peteet III of Harleton, Texas, are planning their wedding for April 30, 2005, at the Mildred B. Cooper Memorial Chapel in Bella Vista, Arkansas. The Rev. James Seigler will officiate the ceremony.

Tidwell is the daughter of Bob and Kay Tidwell of Savoy. She is the granddaughter of Oren and Melba Fisher of Savoy and A.R. and Etta Tidwell of Lubbock. She graduated from Savoy High School and East Texas Baptist University. She is the manager of LifeWay Christian Store in Sherman.

Peteet is the son of LaVelle Peteet of The Colony, formerly of Harleton, and the late C.F. Peteet, Jr. He is the grandson of Ruth Beach of Longview. He graduated from Harleton High School and East Texas Baptist University. He is the senior programmer for Marshall Systems Technologies, Inc., in Marshall, Texas.