The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has scheduled a public meeting concerning the air quality permit for an expansion of the TXU Valley Steam Electric Station, Savoy. The meeting will be held Aug. 31 at 7 p.m. at the Fannin County Courthouse Annex, 210 S. Main St., Bonham.

There are two parts to the public meeting: an informal discussion period and a formal comment period. The informal discussion period will begin at 7 p.m. Representatives of the applicant will be on hand to answer questions concerning the permit application. Staff from TCEQ will be available to respond to questions concerning public participation in the permit process, review and assessment of the application, and applicable agency rules and policies.

Following the informal discussion, a formal comment period will begin. During the formal comment period at this meeting, staff will not respond verbally to comments. The formal comments made during this time will be recorded and TCEQ staff will prepare a written response to the comments. That response becomes part of the formal administrative record of the permit application and is distributed to all persons who provide comments or any other party requesting a copy. These formal comments and the responses will be considered by the TCEQ commissioners before they reach a decision on the permit.

Interested parties can also submit written comments prior to and during the meeting. For information on how to submit written comments, call the TCEQ Office of Public Assistance at 800-687-4040. The permit application is available for viewing and copying at the Dallas/Ft. Worth regional office of the TCEQ, the TCEQ’s Austin central office, and at the Fannin County Courthouse.

This is to notify the public that Republican Candidate Pam Durham running for Fannin County Clerk officially submitted a letter of withdrawal from the November 2006 General Election requesting her name to be removed from the ballot effective immediately.

Margaret Gilbert, Fannin County Clerk

For the safety of the children of Bonham ISD, students thirteen years of age or younger must be supervised by an adult when attending events at night in Bonham ISD. The Bonham Independent School District would appreciate immediate attention to this request so that all children remain safe and secure.

Linda Gist, Superintendent

Bonham Independent School District

Legacy Ridge Country Club has completed negotiations with M&P Investments of Dallas, Texas to bring a national-franchised hotel to Bonham. The hotel will be located on Highway 82 east near the Legacy Ridge Clubhouse.

The hotel will benefit the entire county by providing overnight accommodations to the franchise standard of excellence. The hotel, in conjunction with, Legacy Ridge will provide a center for weddings, corporate meetings, family reunions, golf packages and any visitors wishing to visit our historical community. Groundbreaking is estimated to commence in late November with the hotel opening in 2007. More details will be coming soon.

Employees of the Brookshire’s Food Store, 2229 North Center in Bonham are volunteering assistance to the students and faculty of I.W. Evans as part of the Adopt-A-School program at Brookshire Grocery Co.

"We are thrilled to serve area children through our Adopt-A-School program and we are looking forward to the many activities we can plan with I.W. Evans," said Charles Herpeche, store director. "I can think of no better feeling than contributing to our future and our children are the future."

Last year employee volunteers assisted adopted schools in a variety of ways, including working at extracurricular activities, providing one on one tutoring for students and assisting teachers in their classrooms.

This year, almost 200 schools have been adopted by Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods stores for the upcoming school year, said Sam Anderson, director of public relations.

"It’s been exciting to watch the success and growth of the Adopt-A-School program each year since the effort began in 1987," Anderson said. "Our partners thoroughly enjoy interacting with the students and the students reap the rewards of real-world role models. We expect this year to be our best ever."

In the Adopt-A-School program, individual stores make a one-year commitment to provide local schools with volunteers.

"Our goal is to serve these schools to the best of our ability and in a manner that is most beneficial to the students," Anderson said. "In doing so, we work closely with school officials to develop programs that best meet their specific needs."

Stores may provide special interest speakers for classes, sponsor academic and achievement awards and offer class tours of stores to show students the internal operations of a grocery store.

Stores may also help by collecting clothes and other necessities for needy students and hosting fundraisers for various school groups and organizations.

Dixie was born Aug. 29, 1921 in Broken Bow, OK as Dixie Ochler of German descent. She is a survivor of the Great Depression of 1929 and years to follow. Her mother died when Dixie was a young girl leaving her with a lot of family and household responsibility. After her father died she was a grown lady adopted by a former school teacher which was of great benefit for Dixie.

Overcoming the difficult early years, Dixie became an ambassador for Christ. Having served as a lay minister in Methodist churches and was a counselor in the First Billy Graham Crusade in the early 1950s. She did Christian mission work for 14 years in Singapore from 1953 to 1967. Her pastor, world famous preacher and author, James Vernon McGee has been an influence in her Christian service. She has also worked with Bob Pierce, founder of World Vision and other influential Christian leaders.

Dixie became a widow without children after a brief marriage. She is now retired and resides in the home of dear friends, Felton and Mickie Cash, who have become her family in Leonard.

Cheers, good wishes and congratulations are due to Dixie at this time of her advanced life.

Girl Scouts across Fannin County are holding registration events for girls in K – 12 grade. Becoming a Girl Scout is important step in a girl’s life. Girl Scouts help young girls become strong community leaders. By participating in Girl Scouts, girls learn about teamwork, friendship, community service and the fun of Girl Scouting.

Girl Scouts has something to offer girls of all ages. Daisy Girl Scouts are kindergarten and 1st graders. Brownie Girl Scouts are 1 – 3 graders and Junior Girl Scouts are 3 – 6 graders. For girls in 6 – 12 grade there is Studio 2B –Believe, Belong, Become, Build. This innovative program addresses the many concerns teen Girl Scouts face. Being a Girl Scout helps girls learn about important issues and how to handle peer pressure and the stress of being a teenager in today’s society.

Girl Scouts of the United States of America was started in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia by Juliette Gordon Low. The Girl Scout Council of Red River Valley was incorporated in 1955. Girl Scouts is the only organization in Fannin County that addresses the needs of every girl, everywhere. Girl Scout exists to build girls of confidence, courage, and character, who make the world a better place. With the help of adult volunteers, Girl Scouts learn that together they can accomplish many things.

The Girl Scout Council of Red River Valley also has a 54-acre camp that holds events throughout the year, as well as numerous summer camps.

Juliette Girl Scouts were formed for girls who were unable to attend troop meetings or did not have an adult volunteer to lead a troop. These Girl Scouts receive the same benefits as troop Girl Scouts. They participate in the Cookie Program, earn badges and go to Council events.

Sign ups are: Finley Oates Elementary School – Thursday, Aug. 31 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and I.W. Evans Elementary School - Thursday, Aug. 31 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Fannin County Homemakers would like to invite you to come and be a part of our group. We meet the first Tuesday of each month in Honey Grove at City Hall, second floor at 7: p.m.

We are a non profit organization. We usually have a guest speaker, snacks, fun games and a short business meeting. We have fundraisers and proceeds go for scholarships, Snap Center and project Santa. We are a small group with big ideas for our community. With more members we can achive our goals.
Annual membership dues are $15 per year. If you would like more information about the group, please call Lois Payne at 903-623-2086 or Melba McDow at 903-378-3095 or come and visit with us.

We have been thinking about how significant losses and changes trigger our grieving emotions. Today we are considering the all too frequent loss of job. For many, especially males, much of our identity and self worth is tied up in our job. An example of this is the former macho male title of "breadwinner." Due to such factors some people describe losing a job as "losing part of my self." Some unemployed people keep going back by the old workplace, as they grieve the loss of this daily habit in individual ways. Job loss often triggers the grief emotions we have been discussing as well as some that are specific to the job loss like: Distrust of employers, Loss of confidence, Embarrassment, Blaming self for being unemployed, Feeling like a failure, and Feeling jealous of those who did not lose their job.

Here are some things under your control that can help. Be honest with your family about what has happened and how you feel. This affects them, too. It is best to explain the situation to children since they will pick up that something is wrong. Otherwise they may blame themselves or imagine more horrible explanations.

Make getting a new job your top priority. Use whatever help your employer offers to get a new job like references, training, and leads on other job opportunities. If your company offers counseling, accept it for yourself and your family to help all deal with this trauma.

Face your financial situation right away and stay focused on that in spite of grief or distractions. Apply for unemployment compensation immediately since it takes awhile to kick in. Work on a family budget since reducing financial stresses will help you focus more on getting back to work. Try to determine in advance how long you and your family can last financially without your income. Use this to set a time limit for when you will accept your second or third choice of jobs, just in case the kind of work you prefer isn’t available. When I lost my job years ago I collected unemployment and sold World Books door-to-door and my wife kept other children. Your choices in how you react will make a lot of difference for you, your family, and even your next employer.

It is my sincere hope that the voters of our great nation will follow the lead of the people in Connecticut and vote the incumbents out of office, Republicans and Democrats alike. Taxes are way to high, to many foreigners coming into our nation. Jobs leaving faster than ice cream melts on the fourth of July in Texas. Our government wastes way too much of our tax dollars, a good example is this past week Bush announced he would send $200 million of our money to rebuild Lebanon, after send $5 billion each year to Israel to buy weapons and planes with which they destroyed Lebanon (they have been fighting since time existed and will continue, why should we pay for it).

This doesn’t make much sense to me. We have so much corruption in our government that 61 percent of the American people don’t trust it anymore. It is time to clean house and get a fresh start with new faces and if they fail, vote them out. The vote is the only way we as tax payers can control our government.

Let’s all make 2006 the year we get the broom out and send them on their way.

Ray Phillips

Savoy, Texas

White-tailed deer hunters in many northeast Texas counties are preparing for a major change in deer regulations that will take effect this fall. A change in the definition of a legal buck and in buck-bag limits has caused some excitement and confusion. After two years of surveys and public hearings, many hunters in the affected counties are aware of the basic concept, but may have confused some important details.

According to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) 2006-2007 Outdoor Annual a legal buck in the affected counties must have a hardened antler protruding through the skin and at least one unbranched (spike) antler, or have an inside spread measurement between the main beams of at least 13 inches. In addition, the bag limit in the affected counties will increase from one buck to two, only one of which may have an inside spread of 13 inches or greater.

In order to help the hunting public feel more comfortable with the regulation, TPWD biologists are giving programs to civic groups, hunting clubs, and other interested parties in the affected North Texas counties upon request. The programs are designed to provide training on how to determine whether or not a buck is legal, and feature a number of shoot/don’t shoot scenarios.

Wes Littrell, Regulatory Wildlife Biologist stated, "We hope that this format will help hunters become more confident in the decisions they will make in the field. We’ll cover a few ways that hunters can field judge antler spread, and hopefully start incorporating these new criteria into the thought process of shooting, just like determining sex, background, and yardage."

Hunters are encouraged to check page 65 of the 2006-2007 Outdoor Annual to determine if their county will be affected by the new regulations. If you are interested in one of these presentations, please call Wes Littrell, TPWD, at 903-783-1449 for scheduling. For more information on this regulation change, please visit: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/game_management/deer/antler_restrictions/.

TPWD biologists will also be presenting the antler regulation program at these evening meetings open to the public.

Fannin County: Aug. 30 at the South Annex building. 210 S. Main St., Bonham. 7 p.m.

Red River County: Sept. 11 at the USDA Service Center. 900 E. Main St., Clarksville. 7 p.m.

Billy Higginbotham, Texas Cooperative Extension will also be presenting a program on Food Plots.

Lamar County: Sept. 29 at the Red River Valley Fairgrounds. Paris, 6 p.m. Billy Lambert, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. will also be presenting a program on Deer Management.

Harvey Lynn Milton and Patsy Ruth Yarbrough were married on Sept. 8, 1956 in the Oak Ridge Community. Harvey Lynn is the retired superintendent of Honey Grove ISD and is currently serving as superintendent of Fannindel ISD. Patsy has spent her married life as a housewife and a mother and has devoted many hours doing things for others. Harvey Lynn and Patsy are members of the Oak Ridge Church of Christ. The couple plans to celebrate this joyous occasion with a reception hosted by their children Robert Wayne and wife Glenda and Ruth Ann and husband Jerry and their grandchildren Justin and Jordan Milton. The come and go celebration will be Sunday, Sept. 10 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Church of Christ south of Honey Grove.

According to a recently released study by the Environmental Protection Agency, Texas farmers and consumers can be assured that the pesticides used on their crops are safe and effective.

The EPA completed a 10 year review of 231 food-use pesticides authorized under the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act, resulting in the conclusion that pesticides used for turn, nurseries and landscapes in the home and to prevent the spread of dangerous disease, meet the stringent standards that the act established 10 years ago.

"This is good news for both Fannin County farmers and farmers across the state," said County Farm Bureau President David Hembree. "Increased consumer confidence will surely have a positive impact on the agricultural community."

"The EPA review clearly recognizes the benefits of pesticide use in food production while establishing that products being used have a wide margin of safety that effectively protects both human health and the environment," said American Farm Bureau Federation President Bob Stallman.

The Food Quality Protection Act imposed the most meticulous inspection of pesticide and food safety laws in decades when it was signed in 1996. On the tenth anniversary of is enactment, the EPA announced completion of more than 99 percent of the required tolerance reassessments.

Rebekah Mohundro and Van Johnson of Searcy, AR are planning their wedding for Nov. 18 at the Thorn Crown Chapel in Eureka Springs. Doug Fox of Oldfield, MI will perform the ceremony.

Rebekah is the daughter of Steve and Kay Mohundro of Bonham. She graduated from Bonham High School and Harding University. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree and is employed by the First Security Bank in Searcy.

Van is the son of Joe and Terry Johnson of Paragould, AR. He attended Corning High School and graduated from Harding University. He is employed by the Searcy Country Club.

ARDMORE, OK. — As drought continues to scorch the Great Plains, many grazing managers have seen their pasture situations go from bad to worse. During tough times, it can be hard to plan for the future — getting by from day to day is difficult enough. However, as sure as the current drought will end, another one will follow. Do you want to be better prepared the next time around?

The Noble Foundation’s 2006 Grazing School is an intense, three-day event — specially designed for grazing managers — where participants learn through a combination of hands-on activities, class time and tours of Noble research properties. The course will be held Oct. 24-26 at Noble’s Ardmore, Okla. campus.

Noble experts will cover all aspects of grazing, including ecosystem processes, estimating forage production, grass mechanics, grazing systems, behavior of grazing animals, forage flow and animal performance, prescribed burning and extending the grazing season. A segment on drought management is included, as well.

"We understand there is not a lot of optimism right now for grazing because of dry conditions the last two years. But, conditions will get better. This school will help you better deal with the current situation and drought recovery and will provide you with management tools to prepare you for future weather cycles," said James Rogers, a Noble forage specialist.

This year’s school will also offer continuing education units for Society for Range Management and American Forage and Grassland Council members.

To register, contact Melissa Castleman at (580) 224-6411 or mdcastleman@noble.org. Cost for the Grazing School is $200 per participant, which includes daily lunch and supper, grazing stick, cap and notebooks. The deadline for registration and payment is Oct. 1.

Lodging is available at the Ardmore Holiday Inn for $65+tax per night; call (580) 223-7130 for reservations.

As fall approaches, homeowners and green industry professionals take steps to prepare landscapes for the winter. Leaves are swept away for composting or disposal, perennials are cut back, trees and shrubs are pruned, hedges are trimmed, and pesticides are applied in anticipation of next year’s growing season.

For professional arborists and landscapers, fall and early winter are an effective time to use pesticides, a broad term that includes products that kill insect pests and also kill weeds (herbicides).

Insect pests

Many people don’t have to use pesticides at all," says Peter Gerstenberger, senior advisor for safety, standards and compliance for the Tree Care Industry Association. "Professionals may be able to solve landscape problems without pesticides by choosing non-chemical alternatives, such as sanitation procedures and selecting shrubs and ornamental trees that are less susceptible to diseases and insects.

"For example, an infestation last year may only require all the old plant material be cut out," notes Gerstenberger. "Often, cultural practices (pruning, raking leaves, etc.) will go a long way toward solving pest problems."

For homeowners who decide to use pesticides, the Tree Care Industry Association offers these suggestions:

• Identify the pest first. There is no use in applying a pesticide that won’t address your pest problem.

• Don’t be tempted to use agricultural chemicals. They aren’t designed for use by homeowners. A small miscalculation in the mixing of a small batch could result in drastic overdosing.

• Buy the least toxic chemical. Most chemicals available to homeowners use the signal words "caution," "warning," or "danger" on their labels. Try to avoid those with the "warning" and "danger" labels, as they are more hazardous.

• Never mix herbicides with other kinds of pesticides, and never use the same equipment to spray herbicides and other pesticides. You could unintentionally kill the plants you are trying to protect.

• Don’t mix or store pesticides in food containers, and don’t measure pesticides with the measuring cups and spoons you use in the kitchen. Always store pesticides in the original container with the label intact.

The best choice may be to consult a professional who can diagnose pest problems and recommend chemical or non-chemical alternatives. A beautiful lawn, shrub or tree isn’t worth the trade-off if pesticides are not being used properly.

Herbicides

Fall is a good time to inspect walkways, driveways and patios for those annoying trapped seeds. Despite drought and frequent sweeping, some seeds from weeds, grasses and trees will have germinated, lining joints with unsightly green. Other seeds simply lie in wait until the spring. This new growth must be stopped before the growing season arrives and those small cracks become gaping holes filled with vegetation.

Herbicides are the most cost-effective way of eliminating unwanted weeds, but homeowners need to be careful when using herbicides! When they are used improperly, they can just as easily kill your valuable mature trees and shrubs as sprouting weeds. Only products approved for use on non-crop areas should be considered. Users should read the product label to ensure proper application methods.

"Herbicides should not be applied on or near desirable trees," cautions Gerstenberger, "or on areas where their roots may extend or in locations where the herbicide may be washed or move into contact with their roots. Even properly applied chemical applications may be affected by rainfall. Some herbicides can be washed off paved surfaces or soak into the ground through the cracked joints – the very place with the greatest concentration of fine tree roots."

If you are thinking about using herbicides, hire professional arborists. They will choose the correct type of herbicide for the job.

Find a professional

A professional arborist can assess your landscape and work with you to determine the best way to preserve and protect your valuable landscape. Contact the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), a 68-year old public and professional resource on trees and arboriculture. It has more than 2,000 member companies who recognize stringent safety and performance standards and who are required to carry liability insurance. TCIA has the nation’s only Accreditation program that helps consumers find tree care companies that have been inspected and accredited based on: adherence to industry standards for quality and safety; maintenance of trained, professional staff; and dedication to ethics and quality in business practices. An easy way to find a tree care service provider in your area is to use the "Locate Your Local TCIA Member Companies" program. You can use this service by calling 1-800-733-2622 or by doing a ZIP Code search on the TCIA Web site, www.treecareindustry.org.

As you are planning your calendar for September, remember to include SOSU’s Continuing Education activities. Registrations are currently in process for the following programs. Space is limited, so register right away to ensure a spot.

Upon your request, Foxtrot & Swing will be practiced during these four evenings while dancing the night away. This is your chance to be prepared for your next evening on the town! Your instructor, Kaaren Teuber, has been teaching ballroom dancing for over 20 years. Class will meet on Mondays, Sept. 11, 18, 25 and Oct. 2 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the SOSU Old Student Union Building - Ballroom. The registration fee is $49 single, or pay for yourself and your own partner and pay only $79.

Nicholi Dillow, a Certified Advanced Clinical Hypnotherapist, MBS, and LPC will be providing a introductory course in Self Hypnosis. This is an opportunity for you to help yourself. Learn how this easy, safe and fun process can help you through pain, stress, and other life altering issues or can aid in weight loss and eliminating bad habits. Your mind is the most powerful tool you have. This course will meet on Thursdays, Sept. 14, 21 and 28, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the University Center Building Room 215. The registration fee is $29.

Behavioral Sciences is offering their 4th Annual Scholarship Workshop from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22 in the SOSU Magnolia Room. While the program is designed for mental health professionals, the general public is invited to attend with applied towards departmental scholarship funds. Every year, the SOSU Faculty and Students present interesting topics. This year, the subjects include: Your Sponsor Told you What? A Tour of the Official & Unofficial Rules and tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous - Dr. Daniel J. Weigel, LPC, LADC; Gay and Lesbian Issues in Counseling - Dr. John K. Reid, LPC-Tx, SOSU Student Research - Dr. Wayne Dixon and SOSU students; The Choking Game: A Deadly Childhood Escape - Dr. Kimberly A. Donovan, LPC, NCC; Behavioral Techniques for Assessing and Treating PTSD with Abuse Survivors - Dr. Jennifer Hicks. Lunch is included. Registration before Sept. 1 is $75. After September 1 the fee is $85. Professional Continuing Education Units to be provided include: Oklahoma LPC’s & Texas LPC’s (#2443), NBCC #4285, Oklahoma LADC& CADC. The hours provided are seven contact hours.

Be prepared in case of an emergency by taking ARC CPR & First Aid! SOSU is offering this program on Saturday, Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The registration fee is only $45 with materials included; however, you will want to bring your own lunch. Upon successful completion, you will receive cards stating you are American Red Cross certified. The program will be held in the Bloomer Sullivan Building Room 127 or 128.

If your child, grandchild, niece or nephew would like to begin or continue their swimming lessons, SOSU offers American Red Cross certified programs year-round in the indoor pool with ARC Certified instructors. Classes will be on Saturdays, Sept. 9 - Oct. 7 in the Bloomer Sullivan Building. Infants/Toddlers (6 months - 36 months) enter the water with their parents from 10 - 10:30 a.m. with ages 3- 5 in the Tadpole/Level 1 at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Elementary skills in Levels 1 and 2 for ages five and up will be 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Level 3: Stroke Readiness will include the back stroke, front and back crawl along with safe diving at 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. All programs are $35 each.

While the Aquatic programs for adults are currently underway, we do have a few spots available. Call to learn the days of the week, times and prices.

To receive a complete course listing or for registration information, call 580-745-2858. More information on these courses and other programs available, go to www.sosu.edu/conted.

The Fannin County Family Crisis Center is pleased to announce a free group experience that will focus on the individual and family dynamics of chemical dependency and co-dependency issues. The group will be 10 weeks in duration and will meet each Tuesday for one hour. Membership is limited and closed to female participants only.

Please contact Jerry Cooke at the FCFCC beginning Sept. 7 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. for more information about group membership. Contact 903-583-7694 or 903-583-5254. Tentative start date for the group will be Sept. 12.

Treasure River, written by Wildwood Dean, just released. A more-timely release could not have been found for Wildwood Dean’s novel about the Red River of the Southwest. This year is the bicentennial of the ill-fated and long-forgotten Freeman and Custis Red River Expedition.

This God-forsaken river has become your nightmare; you have fought your way through the fog and dodged the maze of sandbars and snags for days since leaving Orleans. Her waters are leading you to the land of the setting sun. The treasures of Santa Fe await you, if the whiskey or hostile Indians don’t undo you before you get there. You strike camp in French territory high on a bluff overlooking the River Rouge. Nueva Espana is just across the river. If you were camped on the other side of the river, you would be on the Rio Rojo, as she is known by the Spaniards.

Are you asking yourself, Where am I? When? You are caught up in the pages of Treasure River. You are on a forgotten river, in a foreign time. Fast forward 200 years and you are camped in Fulton, Arkansas. You are looking up Red River toward the states of Texas and Oklahoma. The Red River story has remained a best-kept secret. This is largely in part due to President Jefferson’s embarrassment over the 1806 Freeman-Custis Expedition’s failure at the hands of the Spanish, brought about by the Aaron Burr/Wilkinson conspiracy. Wildwood Dean reminds us, within the pages of Treasure River, that stories never told are not forgotten.

Historical fiction or folklore, whatever genre it falls in, Treasure River accurately records not only what transpired in the stream, historians do that, but what went along the banks of the river; the sort of things folklorists record. Wildwood Dean captured the daily lives of his characters and what they did along the banks of the river with remarkable hindsight and empathy. The following review says it all, "Every river has a story that can only be told by someone that knows her history and her heart. Red River was always ‘Treasure River.’ She just needed Wildwood Dean to tell her story." Allen Rich, North Texas e-News.

The author is a life-long resident of the Red River Valley. He began to design and build furniture in 1986 from twigs he found growing along Red River. He says, "I found myself caught up in the history of Red River and her people, I became one of her people. In 2002, I set out on a 16-day, 400 mile canoe trip down Red River. My goal was to interview the people I met along the way and to tell their story. What I learned was Red River had her own story. As you might come to suspect if you read Treasure River, I became obsessed with Red River. I became her most astute scholar. I hung up my hammer and picked up my pen." Before Wildwood Dean hung his hammer up and picked up his pen, he won The Texas Forestry Association’s Award of Merit for Architectural Excellence in Wood Design.

For more information about Wildwood Dean please visit his website www.redriverscholar.com. Send him an email at wwdean@redriverscholar.com or phone him at 903-583-3989.

The Fannin County Iris Society resumes its monthly meeting on Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. The Society invites anyone interested in the beauty of gardening to come join. We meet on the first Tuesday each month in the Elizabeth May Room at the American Bank.

Jack and Freida Phillips will speak to us about the planting and care of iris. If you have any questions call Joyce Denton, president at 903-583-9414 or Jeanette Reichle, publicity at 903-583-8016.

Army National Guard Pvt. Kelsey J. Holland has graduated from the Light-Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Advanced Individual Training (AIT) course at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

The course is designed to train soldiers to perform maintenance, troubleshoot and repair wheeled vehicles and related mechanical components, which include internal combustion engines and power trains, spark- and compression-ignition engines, wheel-hub assemblies, hydraulic-power brakes, suspension and steering systems, and learned to operate a wheeled vehicle crane, hoist, and winch assembly.

Holland is the son of David A. and Terry A. Shores of Honey Grove.

He is a 2005 graduate of the high school program at Paris Junior College, Texas.

Monday, Aug. 28 – Pepper steak, black eyed peas, greens, cornbread, spiced pears, milk

Tuesday, Aug. 29 – Smoked sausage, pinto beans, cabbage and carrots, cornbread, peach cobbler, milk

Wednesday, Aug. 30 – Tuna salad, pasta salad, beets, bread, cantaloupe, milk

Thursday, Aug. 31 – Roast beef/gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread, bread pudding, milk

Friday, Sept. 1 – Chicken enchiladas, mexicali corn, tossed salad/dressing, bread, apple crisp, milk

Breakfast served from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Lunch served from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 28 - Pork chops, black-eyed peas, carrots, cabbage, cornbread, strawberry cheesecake, salad bar

Tuesday, Aug. 29 - Chicken strips, mashed potatoes/gravy, green bean casserole, California veggies, dinner roll, chocolate pie, salad bar

Wednesday, Aug. 30 - Fried fish or shrimp poppers, steak fries, coleslaw, hush puppies, brownies, salad bar

Thursday, Aug. 31 - Chicken enchiladas, refried beans, spanish rice, chips and sauce, apple pie, salad bar

Friday, Sept. 1 - Pizza- supreme or pepperoni or frito pie, chili, cheese and onions, tater tots, Betty’s carrot cake, salad bar

Sergeant Charles C. Bellows, United States Marine from Bonham has recently announced his engagement to Marianna Said of Reykjavik, Iceland. The two met while on a dive in the Red Sea in June of 2005.

Dodd City, Texas - Dodd City resident, Debbie Allen has recently started her own AtHome America business, a direct seller of home-decorating accents.

"I am so excited to join the AtHome America Family as a HomeStyle Specialist," said Allen. "It is a business that will support my family’s income needs, my goals and career achievement plans."

For more than 20 years, AtHome America has been decorating homes through HomeShows with their extensive collection of stylish and affordable home-decorating accessories, designed with family in mind.

"All of AtHome America’s products represent the heart of the family - the home," said Allen. "It is a wonderful opportunity to share with the surrounding communities such versatile and quality products that have the ability to create memories and traditions."

"Debbie will be an important contributor to the AtHome America Family and our customers in the Dodd City area," said Lisa Brandau, co-founder and President. "AtHome America is about family, faith and products that represent these qualities. Debbie is a wonderful representative for our company."

According to Allen, AtHome America offers business tools and education to help us reach our goals. Combined with the great benefits and financial rewards, AtHome America is committed to providing HomeStyle Specialists with a positive business experience.

For more information on AtHome America, or to join the company contact Debbie Allen at 903-583-4899 or dallen44@hughes.net. She can also be visited on the web at www.athome.com/debbie44.

A fundraiser for Bonham High School student Callie Caylor will be held Saturday, Sept. 23 at The Grove Music Hall in downtown Honey Grove.

Callie was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. She is undergoing treatment. She and her family would appreciate your support at this fundraiser. Callie is the daughter of Byron and Donna Caylor. Callie’s grandparents are W.T. and Margaret (Polly) Gilbert of Bonham and Byron and Alice Caylor of Savoy.

Musical entertainment for the fundraiser will be provided by area musicians. If you can help with the entertainment please do so.

Whether you know one song or several, you are encouraged to help with this special night. If singing or playing is not your specialty we still need your help. If you know comedy, magic, dance, public speaking, etc. we can find a spot for you on the program.

We will open the doors at 5 p.m. Performances will start at 6 p.m. Admission is donations only.

The Grove Music Hall is located at the intersection of Highways 56 and 100 in downtown Honey Grove. For more information please call Mark and Linda at 903-378-2880.

We are under a water restriction here in Bonham, yet I see many violations by businesses. Are they under a different restriction than residents?

For example, on Sunday I was passing the dentist office across from Wise Funeral home at 12 noon. The automatic sprinklers were going all over the yard. And then on Friday I stopped in to Taco Bell and when I left I noticed that their sprinkler was also going behind the building. And this is what really got my dander up. The water was running down the driveway and on down the street for two blocks that I could see.

I think this should certainly be a violation. Do these people not understand that water is precious and should not be wasted?

Bonham

Fannin County Fair Horse Show entry forms are now available at the Fannin County Extension Office or you can request them by email (goerte@prodigy.net or rharvey@hughes.net). The deadline for entry forms to be turned in to the extension office is Sept. 15.

With over 60 competitors last year and the show growing more every year, we expect a record turnout! Show day is Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the new fairgrounds on HWY 56, west of Bonham.

Check in starts at 7 a.m. and the show starts at 8 a.m. In case of rain call 903-664-4914, 903-640-2073 or 903-227-4013.

Come join the fun as a competitor or spectator and support Fannin County youth.

A fundraiser for Lanita Eddins will be held Sunday, Sept 17 at The Grove Music Hall in downtown Honey Grove. Lanita was recently diagnosed with cancer. As a community we have the opportunity to help Lanita and her family.

Musical entertainment for the fundraiser will be provided by area musicians. If you can help with the entertainment, please do so. We will open the doors at 1 p.m. Performances will begin at 2 p.m. Admission is donations only.

The Grove Music Hall is located at the intersection of Highways 56 and 100. For more information please call Mark and Linda at 903-378-2880.

Local judges, police chiefs, wardens, prosecutors, state lawmakers and other high-ranking officials in the justice field will be putting on their aprons again this year to serve up a meal to benefit the abused and neglected children of Fannin County. Bonham’s Police Chief Mike Bankston and Bonham’s Mayor Roy Floyd will be two of the "honorable servers" for the evening.

"Justice Is Served" is the name of the fundraising dinner which will be held Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Heritage Gardens in Bonham. More than twenty different officials in the justice field will be serving barbeque at this second annual event which will benefit the children, youth and families served by the Fannin County Children’s Center (CASA & Children’s Advocacy Center.)

Local musician Wayne Tarpley will be providing the music for the evening.

More than sixty auction items will also be for sale at the event. Fannin County Sheriff Kenneth Moore will serve as the auctioneer for a handful of items. Other items will be sold through a silent auction. Items include an autographed photo of Keith Van Horn of the Dallas Mavericks, a hockey puck signed by Jason Arnott of the Dallas Stars and an autographed pennant signed by Kameron Loe of the Texas Rangers. Other items include gift baskets, gift certificates, home baked goodies, hand made furniture and crafts and other unique things. A complete list and a few pictures of auction items is posted at the agency website (www.fanninccc.org).

Proceeds will help provide abused children a caring, concerned, trained adult to advocate for them while they are involved in the court system. It will also ensure that abused children will have a safe, child-friendly location to go to when abuse is suspected and when they need counseling to begin healing from their trauma.

The "Honorable Servers" include Emery Banker, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 3, Mike Bankston, Bonham Police Chief, Lauri Blake, 336th District Court Judge, Steven Bolin, Candidate for Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2, Rick Burns, Trenton Police Chief, Rex Clark, Leonard Police Chief, Eileen Cox, Candidate for Justice of the Peace, Pct 2., Joe Dale, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Dr. Bob Deuell, Texas State Senator, Roy Floyd, Bonham Mayor, Hal Fowler, Adult Probation Chief, Richard Glaser, Fannin County & District Attorney, Ray Grisham, Retired, 336th District Judge, Alan Hale, Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Derrell Hall, Fannin County Judge, Mark Johnson, Honey Grove Police Chief, Kenneth Karl, Warden, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Kenneth Moore, Fannin County Sheriff, Bailey Mosley, Candidate for 6th District Court of Appeals, Larry Phillips, Texas State Representative, Jack Robinson, Retired Ector Police Chief, Mike Stephans, Ector Police Chief, David Woodson, Juvenile Probation Chief, and Nancy Young, Fannin County District Clerk.

Individual tickets are $35 in advance. Reserved table sponsorships are also available for two, four or eight people. Seating is limited and tickets at the door will be $40 if room is still available.

For tickets or more information, call (903) 583-4339 or visit www.fanninccc.org.

Performing at The Grove Music Hall this weekend will be Canaan Bound and The Ferguson Family and the Red River Express Band. Both shows are donation only.

Canaan Bound is a southern gospel trio that will perform in Friday, Sept. 1. Dale and Sue Kennington have been married over 30 years and have thoroughly enjoyed singing and ministering through their local church. Sue began singing at the age of 8. Her mother and grandmother were the ones who inspired and encouraged her to develop her musical talent. Dale played the trumpet throughout junior and senior high schools as well as singing with his family on occasion. Shortly after they were married, they began singing together, a blessing they’ve truly enjoyed.

Completing the trio is Ruth Ledbetter. Ruth is a gifted and talented person who enjoys singing and playing the piano. She started singing as a child and then toured with a group called Sonshine, Inc. while attending Mt. Vernon Nazarene College. Ruth has a rich heritage in gospel music. Her mom sang with Bill and Gloria Gaither when they first started singing.

After being friends for many years and singing together periodically in their local church, God laid it upon their hearts to create Canaan Bound and start spreading God’s word through song. Their prayer has been that God would open and shut doors according to His will. God has not just opened doors, but has flung them wide open. They praise God for that. By placing God first in their lives, they give all the glory to God. Be sure to come hear God’s message in their beautiful songs.

Performing on Saturday, Sept. 2 will be The Ferguson Family and Red River Express Band. Special guest will be Randall Cox.

Members of the band include Phil Ferguson on rhythm guitar, Justin Ferguson on bass guitar, Matt Ferguson on lead guitar, Homer Fairchild on lead guitar, Carol Bruce on keyboard, Jackie Harmon on steel guitar, Jubal Dudley on drums and James Bruce on sound. This band plays a variety of music including old and new county, bluegrass, gospel and old time favorites. Some of their recent musical selections include Heart Over Mind, Cinderella, Roly Poly and San Antonio Rose which features Phil on the fiddle.

Special guest at their August show was Charlie Jones. A good time was had by all. Phil and his band always put on a good show. Treat yourself to a fun and entertaining night and come hear the Ferguson Family and Red River Express Band.

Doors for both shows will open at 6:30 p.m. with performances scheduled for 7:30 p.m. A concession stand featuring a meal option will be available.

The Grove Music Hall is located at the intersection of Highways 56 and 100 in downtown Honey Grove. For more information please call Mark and Linda at 903-378-2880.

On Aug. 12 you may have heard lots of cheering and signs as seven proud TOPS members paraded around the Trades Day grounds. TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, is the oldest weight loss support organization. We are proud to be doing our part to fight obesity and develop healthy eating habits at the same time.

Cecilia French and her husband joined us from the Sherman chapter. From our Bonham night chapter was Winnie Harrell, Cindy Allen, Sarah and Donnie Stephens and our honorary member, MaKayla Stephens, age 11 months. This walk was part of a international challenge from TOPS to increase awareness that we are here to help with obesity and wellness. As a lion’s family is called a pride, we also have pride in our chapters.

Anyone from the ages of seven and up may visit any of our chapters to see what it is all about. Membership is only $24 per year for adults which includes a monthly magazine. Your spouse may join also this year for half price. Teens and Preteens are $12 and does not include the magazine. Each chapter has a club maintenance fee which varies from $1 to $5 each month.

The Sherman chapter meets on Thursday evenings a, WNJ Hospital, classroom one at 6:30 pm.

Denison Chapter meets on Thursday mornings at 9 a.m. at First United Methodist Church.

Bonham day chapter meets on Wednesday, 10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church.

Bonham night chapter meets on Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at Housing Authority Community Room.

For a full list of TOPS chapters internationally go to ww.tops.org and click on"locator". Success stories and other information can also be obtained at this website.

AUSTIN – The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is continuing to meet customers’ needs through innovative services and technology. The latest cutting-edge service is an Internet-based system that allows Unemployment Insurance customers to file biweekly continuing claims online. The system is available at http://paymentrequest.texasworkforce.org.

Customers can submit their claims and certify ongoing eligibility at their convenience, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The online application is accessible from any Internet-connected computer, such as at home, a public library or a local workforce center.

"With an average of 38 percent of all initial claims filed online with TWC and that number continuing to grow, we are keenly aware of the value of our customers’ time," said TWC Chair Diane Rath. "This online claims system for continuing benefits is the most recent tool to answer the need for efficient, customer-friendly services."

Paymentrequest.texasworkforce.org expands TWC’s online services that allow filing initial claims through TWC’s home page, www.texasworkforce.org. It is available in English and Spanish, and because claimants can file 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the site provides convenience and flexibility during the scheduled filing week. When using the online system, customers:

· Will not have to wait for an assigned day during the scheduled week to submit claims. They also won’t have to wait for the open filing days if their assigned day was missed, thus risking a delay in payment of UI benefits for which they might qualify.

· Will not experience long wait times, call backs or other delays sometimes associated with a high volume of customer calls.

· Can log into the system 24 hours a day to complete the certification.

· Will realize a streamlined determination process. The system allows all necessary information to be gathered immediately, reducing the need for follow-up calls.

· Will be linked to WorkInTexas.com, TWC’s online job-matching system, after completing their claims. This provides claimants with potential job matches when they use the same log in for both systems.

UI provides temporary and partial wage replacement to eligible workers while they search for employment. In order to qualify for Unemployment Insurance, claimants must be separated from their jobs through no fault of their own, be able to work, available for work and be actively seeking work. Claimants must register for work at a local workforce center or on the Internet at www.WorkInTexas.com, also a bilingual Web site, to remain eligible for UI benefits.

For customers without Internet access, the Tele-Serv voice-response system remains available on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time, and from Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central time.

For more information on the Payment Request system, select the featured link on www.texasworkforce.org.

The Bonham Post Office is offering a class to businesses and organizations on permit mailings. This class is for anyone who already has a permit and wants to better understand how to prepare a mailing. It is also for anyone who thinks they may be interested in getting a mailing permit to help grow their business or organization. We will be explaining the process from the application, to mailing your mail pieces.

If you already have a business or thinking of starting one, a mailing permit is a way to make that business grow. A mailing permit can make regular mailings easy for businesses and nonprofit mailers. Instead of putting a stamp or meter strip on each mail piece, companies can print permit imprint indicia on the mail piece. The total postage for each mailing is based on the weight and preparation of the mailing. To get a mailing permit, businesses and organizations complete an application and pay a one-time authorization fee and an annual mailing fee in addition to the postage. The classes will be held on Thursday, Sept. 28 at the American Bank of Texas, Bonham in the Elizabeth May Room. In order to properly prepare for what everyone needs please call the Bonham Post Office at 903-583-4815 Monday – Friday and speak to Lori Clayton to schedule yourself a place in the class.

The budget wrap up meeting included just a few changes including the purchase of a new vehicle and some improvements to Lake Bonham.

Fire Marshal Bruce Caylor was approved for a Chevy Blazer to replace the 1999 Crown Victoria. The blazer will be purchased from Bob Utter at a price of $16,000.

"We won’t be where we want to be, but we will be better off," said City Manager Blaine Hinds as he talked on the police department approval for the purchase of a vehicle in next year’s budget.

The department is still down two employees but with competing jobs in the metroplex the positions are hard to fill. "A, we can’t keep people and B we can’t attract people," noted Hinds on the problem.

The Fire Department is still awaiting acceptance of a grant for the purchase of a new quint truck. Hinds explained that if the grant is awarded to Bonham their part of the money will have to be borrowed because it will not be included in the budget.

Bonham Public Library will receive the only request presented the council members, a janitor. Head librarian Barbara McCutcheon also notified council members that 200 of the 300 books have been returned after warrants were issued earlier this year.

Lake Bonham has $10,000 budgeted for electric work. The multiple meters, around 24 meters, will be combined into a minimum of four meters to hopefully help the voltage problem that campers experience. Hinds also noted that the original $20,000 budgeted for restroom/bath house upgrades will not be enough. He will research a USDA grant that might help with costs of upgrading to bigger and better facilities to accommodate guests better and possible building new campgrounds to attract more tourists to the lake.

Utility department will purchase a mini excavator. The department has been using the excavator for about a week to try it out.

Trench boxes for collections of the wastewater department will be purchased to replace the current ones that are rented out of Dallas.

EMS will receive $598,000 from Fannin County. Fire Chief Bill Palya updated council members of future plans of EMS for the county. A fourth ambulance will be implemented in the Trenton/Leonard area and could be stationed in Randolph. Final decisions have not yet been made on the location for the fourth ambulance. "I don’t have it all ironed out," explained Palya, only the decision to run the fourth ambulance has been made. City Planner Mike Walthall showed interest in the talk of the half cent sales tax being given to EMS that had previously been discussed. "It’s not dead by any means," said Palya, "it’s just postponed till we can work it out." County commissioners have decided not to take that avenue for the 2006-2007 budget but could possibly work it out for the following year.

EMS will employee an additional staff member to help collect debts for the department.

Airport discussion was all about hanger rentals. Currently there are two hangers that are not rented out. Around $38,000 is accrued annually from rentals of the hangers. Ronny Ford is looking into possibly renting out storage space that could accumulate additional revenue for the city.

When Tyler first began playing guitar, his family knew he had a gift. Following the first strum of the guitar was the purchase of Tyler’s first guitar. Soon afterwards was the first performance, the first CD and the first sold out show, all within 15 years of his life.

For many, the first 15 years of life include confusion, endless school work and the ongoing quest of identifying our true selves.

For Tyler all that is intertwined with days of practice and nights of performing.

The future for the Tyler Dow Bryant Band shines brighter with each performance. Tyler has only begun his journey of music and has plenty of support onboard with him. Tyler works hard and enjoys the long hours of practice. Those hours are worth every second as he takes the stage to overwhelming crowds. Every show brings more and more fans that sit in their chairs and begin to sing word after word.

The Tyler Dow Bryant Band has caught the eyes and ears of crowds from all across Fannin County, Texas and even captured a few fans last month at the Prague music festival. His ‘worldwide’ fan base is quite an achievement.

This week, the band will only further their careers for at least a few more days. With an early rise Friday morning, Tyler will perform on the Good Morning Texas television show airing on WFAA Channel 8 at 9 a.m. Just to get all those early risers a preview of what is to come Saturday night as the band will open for Paul Simon at a benefit concert benefiting the Robert C. Meadows Foundation at Music Hall in Fair Park.

Robert Meadows is an actor from the Dallas area who was brutally attacked and robbed at a convenience store last October. Meadows suffered severe head trauma and spent months in the hospital. The event will also feature Edie Brickell and New Bohemians.

Also marking the band’s calendar will be the Stevie Ray Vaughn Remembrance Ride and Concert beginning Oct. 1.

Community Wildfire Protection Plan gears up in Fannin County

Drawing community members together and helping save the lands and trees that provide such beautiful scenery for our county is an issue that many don’t believe they can be a part of. The Texas Forest Service and county officials are pulling together and developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to increase fire service collaboration, raise public awareness and possible receive grant funds to help services.

From Dec. 1, 2005 to Aug. 13, 2006, 2400 fires were reported to the Texas Forest Service. Nineteen fatalities took place and 1,459,480 acres were burnt. These numbers will only continue to grow with drought conditions, carelessness of citizens and lack of public education. "Things are only getting worse," said Lee McNeely of the Texas Forest Service.

The promotion of Defensible Space is an issue that officials believe will help with the decrease in fires. By promoting safety precautions that can be included in weekly chores, chances of your home being engulfed in flames can be greatly reduced. Many factors can increase chances of your homes survival in a fire. From the spacing of trees to planting small shrubs and cleaning debris off roofs, there are plenty of simple landscaping tips to help your home survive in the event of a fire.

The Fannin County Fire Chief’s Association has expressed their agreement with the service and will help support it pending approval from county commissioners. Working with community members and getting everyone involved is the fuel for which the project will grow.

Texas Forest Service Regional Coordinator Lee McNeely expresses his excitement for the program as the involvement of community members is discussed. "We don’t know the areas of concern," said McNeely as he discussed the close relationship with local volunteer fire departments as they map out the areas which need attention. "We will use the creative people and creative ideas," noted McNeely. His explains his use of creative ideas with an example of the ongoing projects at Lake Fannin. As workers used cleared trees to help construct cabins which will be used for camping, those are the types of ideas that McNeely hopes to receive.

Fannin County will be the first county in Texas to participate in the program. Based on population growth and the placement of National Grasslands within the county, made the county a good location.

With only 375 employees at the Texas Forest Service, the involvement of community officials and members will only increase the chance of survival during a catastrophic disaster.

With a rising number of disastrous fires occurring and fewer people available to help contain fires, the CWPP is expected to help with saving the lands of Texas. This will be the first CWPP created in the state of Texas. Similar programs exist in other states across the country and have offered assistance to state and federal operations. The program will involve the Texas Forest Service, US Forest Service along with county officials and citizens. "I think the benefits are obvious," concluded Judge Derrell Hall of the program.

County Attorney Richard Glaser talked budget one more time this week with county commissioners as they excitedly put the numbers to rest. Final amendments included an increase in online research for Glaser’s office to $4,000.

Also listed on amendments was out of county travel. Glaser asked for $14,000 however as Stan Barker expressed, "We don’t have it to give to you." Commissioners settled on $11,000 which is the same amount as was spent this past year.

Glaser mixed the numbers up a bit for commissioners as new line items were added to better divide services. Added to the budget were training, physical evidence and membership dues. Glaser also mentioned the overcrowding going on in his office and the condition of filing cabinets.

He noted his concern with keeping files secure and purchasing new filing cabinets to store the overwhelming amount of information coming into the office.

Glaser ended with asking commissioners input for making the office more efficient.

The proposed budget along with a proposed tax rate of .5889 cent was approved.

Hearings will be set for Sept. 11 and 18 for the proposed tax rate and budget. The rate will be adopted on Sept. 25.

Aug. 2 – Unattended Death, 1100 Warpath Dr.

Theft, 500blk N Main St

Reckless Damage, 1800blk TX 121

Aug. 3 – Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child, 1300blk TX 121

Aug. 5 – Reckless Damage, 1900blk Cardinal Ln

Recovered Stolen Property, Lake Bonham Boat Ramp

Aug. 6 – Disorderly Conduct, 800blk Cedar St

Attempted Burglary, 300blk E 10^th St

Aug. 7 – Recovered Stolen Property, 1600blk Center St

Between Aug. 1 and Aug. 16 an unknown persons entered a storage building and took furniture.

On Aug. 17 at 9 a.m. a person left the scene of an accident. A vehicle struck the corner post of a barn in the 300 block of south Main.

On Aug. 17 at 2 p.m. a 23 year old white female notified police that she had been assaulted by her 23 white male boyfriend in the 200 block of east Travis. Victim refused to file charges and left the residence.

On Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. a 27 year old white female in the 200 block of east Thomas advised her husband had left with her small child. Subject returned and they agreed to cool off and talk about their problems later. No charges were filed.

On Aug. 19 at 12:15 a.m. a white male advised someone tried to run him off the road on County Road 4851. Turned over to Fannin County. Subjects girlfriend was found to be intoxicated and was talking about being sexually assaulted. She claimed it happened in Kingston. Hunt County Sheriff’s County Office was notified. This subject became very disoriented due to drinking large amounts of alcohol so EMS was contacted. They transported female to Wilson N Jones without incident.

On Aug. 19 at 11:35 a.m. in the 200 block of east Thomas a fire started in the kitchen of a residence. Volunteer fire department was able to put the fire out with damage to kitchen and smoke damage to several other rooms. No one injuried.

On Aug. 13 at approximately 9:50 p.m., Officer Danny Gurley responded to Highway 69 and FM 981 in reference to a vehicle fire. According to reports, the driver of a 1996 Lexus SC400 advised that he was traveling northbound on Highway 69. While traveling, he noticed a smell of something burning.

The driver continued until he noticed flames coming from the vehicle’s hood. The driver pulled to the side of the road and exited his vehicle. Another motorist stopped to assist the individual and attempted to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers, however, the attempt was unsuccessful. Trenton Fire Department responded to the scene and extinguished the fire.

On Aug. 14, at approximately 7:30 p.m., Officer Gurley made contact with a male subject, who resides in Anna, Texas. It was discovered that the male subject had three outstanding warrants out of Collin County. Officer Gurley arrested the subject and transported him to Fannin County Sheriff’s Office jail.

On Aug. 16, at approximately 4:45 p.m., Chief Rick Burns and Officer Ron Alexander made contact with a male subject in reference to riding an ATV on public streets. After making contact with the male subject, officer discovered that the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the Honda motorcycle was partially obliterated. Due to the VIN being obliterated, officers seized the motorcycle.

On Aug. 17, Chief Burns contact the Sgt. Haskell Maronay with the Auto Theft Task Force out of Paris, Texas. With Sgt. Maronay’s assistance, it was discovered that the Honda motorcycle had been stolen out of Grayson County in 2004. Grayson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating this case.

On Aug. 16, at approximately 9:10 p.m., Officer Alexander located a male subject wanted on outstanding warrants out of Whitewright Police Department. Officer Alexander arrested the male subject and transported him to Fannin County Sheriff’s Office jail.

On Aug. 19, at approximately 5:20 a.m., Officer Gurley responded to Highway 121 and County Road 4900 in reference to a motor vehicle accident. According to reports, the driver of the vehicle had left the accident scene prior to emergency personnel arriving on scene.

The driver of the vehicle later made contact with Officer Gurley. The driver stated that the accident occurred due to him falling asleep behind the wheel. The driver was later issued citations.

On Aug. 19, at approximately 11:05 p.m., Officer Gurley conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on Highway 121 and County Road 4454. It was discovered that the driver of the vehicle, a male subject from the McKinney area, did not have a driver’s license or insurance. The driver of the vehicle was arrested and transported to Fannin County Sheriff’s Office jail.

On Aug. 20, at approximately 6:40 p.m., Officer Gurley responded to the 300 Block of Cedar Meadows to assist Fannin County Sheriff’s Office with a disturbance. While enroute to the residence, Officer Gurley was advised that the two subjects involved had left the residence.

Officer Gurley received a description of the vehicles and later located them on FM 151. Officer Gurley conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle in the parking lot of the Kwik Chek store. One of the subjects advised that his brother-in-law had assaulted him by hitting him in the face. Officer Gurley then made contact with the suspect and detained him until Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Deputy George Robinson arrived on scene.

Deputy Robinson was advised of the incident. The suspect was then arrested for assault and transported to Fannin County Sheriff’s Office jail

Short history of Honey Grove

Our dream of acquiring the Bonham Fire Bell was rather short lived I am afraid. Several people called to tell me where the bell could be found, but when we went to inquire about the bell the antique dealer who owns it informed me that the price was five dollars per pound and it weighs 495 pounds; however, he would let us have it for $2,000.

Unless there are a lot of very interested people out there who would like to help us raise the money to buy the bell, it looks like we will have to forget mounting the bell in front of the fire hall as a memorial to all the past firemen. He said he was bringing the bell to the Fannin County Fair so we will look for it.

We want to thank Alma Braudrick of Honey Grove for sending us some clippings of a column she did for the Honey Grove signal some years ago. We will be glad to print them from time to time. The following one is titled, ‘Old Diggins.’

"I been a diggin-diggin for old time news. One fact that I came up with was the north side of our square (Honey Grove) has been burned out three times. I remember one of these but the other two escape my. The reason? I just wasn’t here.

The first fire was in 1886. The Williamson building was at the west end of the north side and the top floor of this building was the Opera House. This of course was destroyed in the fire. Williamson rebuilt and Tom Spelce operated a hardware store there.

In 1897 the same side was destroyed again, once more Mr. Williamson built back. Then again in 1929, fire swept the same block, this time it was not rebuilt but sold.

For years we enjoyed a modern, comfortable much needed picture show in a beautiful building built in this spot but much to our sorrow fire destroyed this in 1958.

Another thing I found was an old postcard with the picture of the west side of our square in the late 1800s. The square was just good old plain dirt in dry season but mud in others. The old hitching posts were there and the watering trough for the horses and mules and the bales of cotton. Never saw so many; this was really a cotton center at one time.

Where our TP&L office is now was Kirbys saloon, one of about 10. Mr. Kirby must have been quite a financer; our home is in the Kirby tract of land. In front of the saloon was a lunch wagon on wheels drawn by a horse. Lane Bros. Was Brays Clothing Store.

The next was the Saddle & Harness Shop of J.W. Hamilton, Scott Bro. Grocery and the Express Office run by Mr. L.C. Hill. Next in business on the west side was Walcott and Crumley and also a millinery and dry goods store and on the corner where Clayton’s Drug is now was Underwood & Co. Today the world’s finest version of the movie ‘Ben Hur’ can be seen in Dallas, but in 1904 Mr. Bernard Parrish, on a trip to the World’s Fair saw the stage show of this wonderful story of ‘Judas Ben Hur.’

The Fannin County Historical Commission has placed historical markers on two graves in the Honey Grove Cemetery and the dedication of these will be Oct. 30 in the Civic Center in Honey Grove. Benjamin Stuart Walcott’s grave will be marked as well as Samuel Erwin’s. Both men were important to the history of Honey Grove.

Samuel Erwin was the first settler in the Honey Grove area, coming in 1839. He was a surveyor by profession and he surveyed most of the land taken up by homesteaders in this area. In 1848 he was requested by his friend and business partner, B.S. Walcott, to survey into lots and blocks the town of Honey Grove. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace for Fannin County and was the first postmaster ever appointed in Honey Grove.

B.S. Walcott is the great grandfather of John Black, who compiled the biographies from which I am quoting. He was the founder and principal developer of Honey Grove coming in 1846. He began the first mercantile in the area. Mr. Walcott was to register many firsts during his lifetime.

He constructed the first store building of lumber and also the first stone mercantile building. He introduced matches to the area in 1856. He donated the land for the first church building and donated the land and paid for the construction of the first school building in 1853. He further donated the land for the construction of a combination Masonic school and lodge hall and constructed the first steam powered flour mill.

You will be reading about the dedication in more detail later.

The Bonham High School War Dancer drill team has been working hard getting ready for the upcoming football season! With only two weeks left until game time, these girls are practicing everyday before school. The girls also attended camp this summer, as well as held summer practices at the high school.

This summer the War Dancer officers attended the HTE (Half Time Entertainment) officer training camp at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Dallas. The girls danced non-stop for three days and then were evaluated on the fourth day. The officers won many awards this year at camp! They were awarded with the spirit stick every day of camp, as well as the final, and most important spirit stick on the last day!

Also, the girls won the outstanding positive attitude award for their time at camp. In addition to receiving a trophy for their graduation from camp, the girls also won an outstanding leadership award. The girls were very excited to win this award because they were one out of only four officer squads to win it, with over 40 teams in attendance!

The 2006-2007 War Dancer officers are Captain Maddie Milburn and Junior Lieutenants, Kimberly Blain and Mackenzie Reeder. After coming home from camp, these girls are ready to help lead the War Dancers to their best year yet!

Also this summer, all of the War Dancers attended HTE’s Team Training Camp. This camp was held at the Sheraton DFW Hotel in Dallas. The girls learned many of their field routines that they will perform this year during half-time of the Warrior football games. All of the War Dancers won two spirit sticks, as well as the spirit stick award for the most spirit on the last day of camp! Also, on the last day of camp, the girls performed routines that they had learned throughout the week for their parents.

Before leaving, they graduated from camp and were presented with a team plaque. Also, War Dancer Captain Maddie Milburn, was selected for the 2006-2007 Kick Academy! This is her second year to be chosen as part of HTE’s elite kick academy team!

In conclusion, the girls have been working hard over the summer and they are very excited about the quickly approaching 2006 football season!

Please come out and support the Warrior football team and don’t forget to stick around for the half time performances! The War Dancers assure you that you will not be disappointed!

Recognition set the mood for the regular meeting of the Bonham ISD School Board. Five year school board member Doyce Taylor resigned effective July 31. "It’s been an honor to serve on this board," commented Taylor as Dr. Linda Gist presented him with a plaque of appreciation.

"I know you’re doing what’s best for the kids," noted Taylor as he turned his attention to members of the board. Dr. Jim Tarpley will now serve in Taylor’s vacancy.

Also recognized were Bonham High School Twirlers and Flag Corp for summer camp accomplishments. (See Page 12).

Amendments were made and approved to the 2006-2007 budget. The amendments included a state mandated salary raise for teachers.

A tax rate hearing was held concerning the $1.45005 tax rate. $1.37005 of the rate is specifically levied for current maintenance and operation expenses while $.08000 is levied for payment of principal and interest on debt.

The tax rate was approved by board members.

Board members were made aware of an investment of the W. Smith Scholarship Fund into a CD. The scholarship is available for graduating seniors interested in attending Texas Christian University.

First day enrollment numbers hit 1,983. Enrollment as of Aug. 21 totaled 2,020.

Kelly Trompler presented board members with a update of current technological improvements going on at BISD.

Trompler advised that 196 computers were replaced throughout all campus locations during summer vacation. Improvements to the server were also performed. Units for a new program called ‘Renaissance’ were installed at all campus locations. Five units were installed at each campus.

Nine plasma televisions are placed in the high school providing a power point presentation with school information including, menus, campus events and a morning update show performed by a BISD teacher.

LH Rather will be receiving three plasma screens with the same information available.

Technology staff are also working on an automated messaging system for the high school.

One big change that the department plans to achieve is cosmetic maintenance to the BISD website. Staff hope to make the website more user friendly with additional changes to each campus site also. They also hope to improve teacher websites which will help create stronger relationships with students and family.

Also an online grading system is being researched for students to view grades through the website.

Substitute teachers were approved along with the proposed tax rate, budget and an agreement with KFYN to broadcast Warrior sport events.

Four resignations were also accepted from Joanye McNair, Karyn Ralls, Stephanie Liebel and Stacy Taylor.