EarthCam Stream Jefferson Highway Main St. Bonham, TX
Family Circus Page 10
December 30, 2025
The Paper Of Record for Fannin County Texas
Locally Owned & Operated Since 2020 by Connie Estes, Sharon Haynes, Weesie Holland & Tim Meek Serving all of Fannin County ● Recipe page 4 ● Birthdays page 16 224 N. Main St., Bonham, TX 75418 ● Faith Page 5 ● Sports page 11 For 53 Years Locally owned & operated The Leader’s fcleditor2020@gmail.com www.fannincountyleader.us
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Courthouse Christmas Decoration Donation
5/6/25 07/02/19
● Legals and Emp page 15 ● Obituaries page 12, 13 ● Business Card pages 6, 10 ● Classifieds pages 14, 15
TACLB005958C
INSURANCE CLAIMS SPECIALIST
In 2026, we wish you
Fannin County enjoyed a special decoration for the Christmas season donated by David and Janie Herrington. They have promised to donate their classic buck-wagon each year to add to the glow of the Courthouse lawn.
From all of us at The Fannin County Leader!
Page 2 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
Galyon Insurance
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11/25/25 We have 21 bale bundles of coastal Bermuda squares available in Riverby, TX
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Please Help Bring Kaiser Home
Clean/weedfree, fertilized every cutting and horse quality. Drew Davis: 903-227-7304
Family Violence Affects the Children
Children depend on the adults around them for protection, guidance and a feeling of belonging.
Brad Bankston: 903-715-2784
Children flourish in a positive environment!!
12/24/24
Kaiser is friendly, neutered male with caramel colored freckles across his face. He has no collar and no microchip. He disappeared on Nov. 23rd from the Randolph area. Please contact Linda Gardner Call or text 903-249-3673
Call for help. There is never any shame in saving a young life from pain and despair.
Fannin County Family Crisis Center 903-583-7694
24 Hour Hotline 903-583-7000
101 N. Center St. Bonham, TX || 903-449-4315
Fresh Pasture Raised Chicken & Pork
Newly Renovated Laundromat! New LARGER Machines, great for your comforters!
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Farm Fresh Eggs: $5.00 per Dozen Bermuda Square Bales $15.00 • Wheat Straw Bedding $12.00
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Shop Local!. Save Big! Support Veterans! Looking for name brand items without leaving town? Visit The PatriotStore — your one-stop shop located inside the Sam Rayburn Memorial VA Medical Center in Building 3 – Parking at Walking Park across from BLDG 3! Find Name Brand Shoes, Clothing, Toys, Cookware, Electronics, and more — all from trusted name brands you love! Every purchase supports programs that benefit Veterans and their Families. Extended Shopping Hours! Open till 5:30 Weekdays – November 3 – Christmas Eve Saturdays – 8AM – 12PM No ID required everyone is welcome to shop!
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Page 3 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
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5/13/25 2150 S. Church St. Paris, TX
• The Latest Estimate For Completion Of The Justice Center Is January 12, 2026
25. County policies, ordinances, regulations and enforcement – County Judge 26. Construction; Courthouse repairs and Justice Center – County Judge. Commissioner Waggoner commented “I want to thank LGS Windows for their prompt and professional services on this project, for the County and Historical Commission, they come in and done all the re-caulking on the windows in the courthouse.” The latest estimate for completion of the Justice Center is January 12, 2026. 27. County budget and revenue sources – County Judge. 28. Fannin County roads, water issues and risk assessment – County Judge. Commissioner Self reported that engineers will give a presentation to Commissioners Court on January 6, 2026. 29. Solar, wind, battery energy storage systems and Fire Marshal – County Judge. 30. Emergency Medical Services – County Judge. Adjourn
The weekly Fannin County Commissioners meeting is recorded on video via Zoom. This recording also includes an audio transcript to the right so you are able to read what was actually said and the details/discussions of each agenda item. The length of the meetings makes it unfeasible to report every comment made on every agenda item. Scan this QR code with your phone camera and it will link you to the Fannin County Commissioners Court Audio and transcribed Recordings. Tim
Open discussion items may be passed on unless discussion requested by a member of the Court or a Citizen.
Attention Fannin County Elected Officials
All Fannin County Commissioners and elected officials are invited and encouraged to submit updates from their Precinct or County Office weekly, bi-weekly or quarterly. Publication is free as a service to Fannin County residents to keep the voters informed. Please e-mail them to fcleditor2020@gmail.com or fcltimmeek@gmail.com
And...Did You Know?
Citizens of Fannin County have a voice also. We welcome Letters to the Editor on topics that would be of concern and interest to the community. The decision to publish is left to the Editor and Management. We do not allow personal attacks on individuals, that’s what Face Book is for. If a process is broken, you have a strong opinion, or something is just dead wrong, e-mail us a letter and sign your name. Un-signed letters will not be published. Letters 400 words or less are published for FREE. Please e-mail them to fcleditor2020@gmail.com or fcltimmeek@gmail.com
2026 Fannin County Candidates
FANNIN COUNTY JUDGE Bill Carey H Compton Newt Cunningham Jim Simpson John Tynan FANNIN JUDGE, COUNTY COURT AT LAW Charles Butler FANNIN DISTRICT CLERK April Gibbs FANNIN COUNTY CLERK Jenny L. Garner FANNIN COUNTY TREASURER Dale Mcqueen Derek Moore FANNIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2 Jimmie Allred Brandon Wallace
FANNIN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 1 Louise Goodwater FANNIN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 2 Mark Buchanan Paul Ivy FANNIN JUSTICE OF THE PEACE PRECINCT 3 Kenneth "Kenny" Karl FANNIN COUNTY CHAIR Darren York FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_4_REP Karen Mcelhannon Butler FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_5_REP Diana L Young FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_6_REP Sherman Swartz FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_7_REP Greg Floyd
FANNIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4 Mike Keene Doug Kopf FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_9_REP Wade Riza FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_11_REP Joyce Buchanan FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_12_REP Gary Michael Tucker FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_16_REP Sara Young FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_18_REP Mary Hale FANNIN PRECINCT CHAIR FOR PCHR_19_REP Violet Spell
(ACROSS FROM EVERGREEN CEMETERY NEXT TO THE CHEVRON GAS STATION)
903-784-3303 WE BUY IN-SHELL PECANS RETAIL STORE - CRACKING, CLEANING, HARVESTING
WWW.HOWLANDPECAN.COM Owners Harvey & Nancy McCoin You can also go to:https://www.co.fannin.tx.us/ Click on the link that says Commissioners’ Court Meetings
11/4/25
Let our New Year’s resolution be this: we will be there for one another as fellow members of humanity, in the finest sense of the word. - Goran Persson
S A H R T SER Y T N
COU
Preliminary Plat for Hidden Oaks development on CR 2980 in Windom; 43 lots 1+ acre lots on 58.097 acres, Property ID#s 75788, 75787 and 1821 – Development Services Director. Approved 20. Discussion and possible action to create Policy to implement the use of and reimbursement of Health Cards for Commercial Driver’s License holders – Commissioner Precinct 3. This item was passed on 21. Discussion and possible action regarding purchase of a used Pugmill (creates oil sand) by Precinct 3; $20,000 – Commissioner Precinct 3. Approved 22. Discussion and possible action to nominate one candidate to fill the vacancy on the Fannin County Central Appraisal District Board of Directors – County Judge. This item was passed on, nominees are submitted by all the taxing entities in the County and the deadline to fill the vacancy is January 16, 2026. 23. Discussion and possible action to officially name the Justice Center as Fannin County Justice Center – County Judge. Commissioner Waggoner spoke on this item “I think the citizens have spoke on this deal. They are pretty serious about leaving it like it is.” Commissioners Court voted 5-0 to name the Justice Center as Fannin County Justice Center. 24. Discussion and possible action to approve names for the dedication plaque at the new Justice Center – County Judge. This item was passed on after some discussion about the names that might go on the plaque. Commissioner Waggoner commented “We could dedicate it to the citizens of Fannin County and leave everybody’s name off of it.” OPEN DISCUSSION ITEMS:
VICE
The Fannin County Commissioners met on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 9:00 AM for a regular meeting of the Fannin County Commissioners Court. Quorum was established with all Commissioners and Judge Cunningham present. Attendance at start of meeting was 13 citizens present. 5.Public Forum No speakers. ROUTINE ITEMS: 6. Approve payment of bills – County Auditor. Approved 7. Approve minutes of previous meeting(s) – County Clerk. Approved 8. Emergency Medical Services Report for November 2025 – County Judge for Michael Gilbert of Allegiance. Matt Brown reported November results: 191 calls, 158 patients transported, treated 18 on the scene, average response time 11.20 minutes, longest response was 33.18 minutes. 9. Approve Treasurer’s Financial Report for November 2025 – County Treasurer. Approved 10. Approve Treasurer’s Investment Report for November 2025 – County Treasurer. Approved 11. Auditor monthly reports for November 2025 – County Auditor. Approved 12. Report of monies received by the office of Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1 for the month of November; $30,695.10 – County Judge (for JP 1). Report Only 13. Report of monies received by the office of District Clerk for the month of November; $22,416.70 – County Judge (for District Clerk). Report Only DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ITEMS: 14. Discussion and possible action to approve the use of $10,000 from the Asset Forfeiture Fund to pay deputy overtime for proactive enforcement
efforts – County Sheriff. Approved 15. Discussion and possible action to approve contract for PowerDMS, policy and personnel safety management software – Purchasing Agent for County Sheriff. Approved 16. Discussion and possible action to approve the purchase of an enclosed trailer for County use; $7,852.50, 7’ interior height, to be paid from Contingency – Purchasing Agent for Commissioner Precinct 1. The County, in the past had borrowed an enclosed trailer from 7th and Main Baptist Church. The trailer is needed to transport election equipment vs individual vehicles being used. Commissioner Waggoner reported he received some great quotes from The Trailer Guys in Trenton, TX. Judge Cunningham voiced concerns that the trailer search was done by Commissioner Waggoner and not the Purchasing Agent Julie Criswell. It was mentioned that Julie is extremely busy and Commissioner Waggoner chose to help with the process. There was no budget for this purchase however and the vote was 4-1 for approval with the money to come out of contingency, Judge Cunningham voting nay. 17. Discussion and possible action to approve US Imaging, Inc. to scan and digitize Civil Record books on-site for a fee of $41,504.46; to be paid from account 193-300-1620 (Records Preservation) and will work with auditor to transfer these funds to new line item 193-545-4250 (Professional Services) – Purchasing Agent for District Clerk. Approved 18. Discussion and possible action to approve a onetime severance of 1.023 acres from an 83.09-acre tract on County Road 2040 in Ravenna – Development Services Director. Approved 19. Discussion and possible action to approve
Will work for good hay!
My Carpet Cleaner
Fannin County Commissioners Meeting By Tim Meek
25 Years Experience
2 Yard Dumpster $80.00/mo 4 Yard Dumpster $125.00/mo Regular Service $30.00 / Month with 1 cart provided
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For The Best In Designing and Cleaning Flower Beds Call
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LANDSCAPE SERVICES Free Estimates
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IF THE BOOT FITS, REPAIR IT!
6/3/25
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• Full or Half Sole • Ladies High Heels or Flats • Refinishing • Boot Repair
RISK102SHOE STORE & REPAIR S. Crockett • Sherman, TX West Side of Square
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Page 4 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
C & K CONSTRUCTION / JOHNSON LAWN CARE Fences, Decks & Pergolas, Wood & Vinyl Siding, Flooring, Home Repair & Remodeling, Painting, Staining, Powerwashing, etc.
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GARAGE DOOR SERVICE CO.
Commercial & Residential Sales & Service On All -Doors, Springs & Openers Call Barry Williams 903-227-0600
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We8/22/23 love our members and more members are needed
LAND CLEARING DRIVEWAYS
POND BUILDING CLEANOUT REPAIRS
903-664-5363
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
2/18/25
Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline:
Come join the Friends who support our seniors. Make new friends just like you! They use their time and talents to support senior activities and be a part of fund raisers. It will improve your social life and theirs. We meet at the Bonham Senior Citizens Center every 4th Monday of each month at 5:00 PM. (210 E 6th Street). If you are unable to give of your time please consider a tax deductible donation. Questions: text Jan at 972-529-0282. Submitted by Jan Johnson, President Friends of the of Bonham Senior Citizens Center 972-529-0282 Mail: 210 E 6th Street, Bonham, 75418
1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Take action for yourself and be there for others.
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2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar 1 Tbsp. shallot (minced) salt and pepper to taste
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This Winter Salad recipe is (oranges, clementines a healthy and colorful mix or tangerines) of spring greens tossed in a ½ c. pomegranate seeds or homemade dressing, a de- substitute Crossword Puzzleit's Sponsored By: dried cranberries lightful choice for parties or ½ c. feta cheese crumbled Fannin County gatherings and a festive touch ½ c. candied pecans roughly Family to any table. chopped Crisis Center WWW.GFCF.ORG WINTER SALAD Dressing: 903-583-7694 Facebook: Glaser-Family-Charitable-Foundation 1/3 c. olive oil 7 c. mixed spring greens 1 Tbsp. honey 24 Hour Hotline 1¼ c. orange segments 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
12/30/25
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ANSWERS ON PAGE 15
DEMOLITION CLEAN UP
Fannin Lamar-Grayson honeydodirtworksllc@gmail.com
8/12/25
(Age 18 and up)
EXCAVATION SITE PADS
Prepare the salad and make the dressing (shake to mix) and pour over salad. Happy New Year! ENJOY!!! Please send me your favorite or unique recipes to Fannin County Leader at 224 N. Main St. Bonham, TX 75418 or email me: fclweesie@gmail.com
Nothing brings people together like good food!
Crossword Puzzle Sponsored By:
JE Legacy Management 469-796-5081
12/30/25 Fannin County History: 5/27/25 Crossword Solution The Road Down Memory Lane
“A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” Robert Heinlein, American author
CLUES ACROSS
1. Paddles 5. Sunscreen rating 8. Very fast airplane 11. Immune responses 13. “Partner” to feather 14. New England river 15. Longest river in New Guinea 16. Midway between east and southeast 17. Israeli politician 18. Back bones 20. Consumed 21. One you can rely on 22. Dressed up gaudily 25. Representatives 30. Dog breed 31. Pitching statistic 32. Manpower 33. S. Korean entertainer 38. Outsourcing firm 41. Viceroy of Egypt under Turkish rule 43. One who removes antlers from a flower 45. Potluck dish 48. Discount 49. Airborne (abbr.) 50. Cavalry sword 55. Basics
56. Hollywood director Howard 57. Afflicted in mind or body 59. Horsley and Majors are two 60. Midway between northeast and east 61. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation 62. Malaysian isthmus 63. Fall back 64. Cheek
CLUES DOWN
1. Former CIA 2. Baseball’s best pitchers 3. __ Nui, Easter Island 4. Invests in little enterprises 5. Constant 6. Hobby 7. A place to store food 8. Short-tail marten 9. Burn with a hot liquid 10. Left his heart in San Francisco 12. Swedish krona 14. Legendary actor Connery 19. French cleric ANSWERS ON PAGE 15
23. Former measure of length for textiles 24. Opaque glassy substance 25. Residue of burned item 26. A place to unwind 27. Japanese honorific 28. Terminus 29. Fails to make a shot 34. Journalist Tarbell 35. College hoops tournament 36. Monetary unit of Macao 37. Of she 39. Spoke ill of 40. Elements 41. Kilocalorie (abbr.) 42. Shades 44. Poem of fourteen lines 45. Pole used in Scottish sport 46. Hollyhocks genus 47. Street name for marijuana 48. Polio vaccine developer 51. Swiss river 52. Prejudice 53. Actor Idris 54. Confederate soldiers 58. Criticize
Photos courtesy of the Fannin County Historical Museum three blocks south of the Courthouse Square in Bonham, One Main Street Bonham, Texas 75418 903-583-8042 Visit Facebook: “Fannin County Historical Group”
Christmas Parade,1950’s featuring Scout Troop 54
MERRY CHRISTMAS! From The Leader
Page 59 • December 30, 17, 2025 2024 • 903-583-3280
Spanish Sunday School
Every Sunday @ 9:45 AM Calvary Baptist Church 913 S. 5th Bonham, TX Children, Adults, Everyone Invited Call Rita For More Information 516-262-8191 Email: twin2_santana@yahoo.com
Sunday Morning Re-Wind
ANNOUNCING GRACE METHODIST CHURCH BONHAM 12-18-18 A GLOBAL METHODIST CONGREGATION
Rescue the Perishing
Hello everyone!
The Bible tells us in Proverbs 11:30, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” This verse emphasizes the life-giving influence of a righteous person and the wisdom of leading others to the Lord. The word “fruit,” in this context, is the visible results of righteous living, such as words, actions, character, and influence. A tree of life symbolizes life, blessing, healing, and nourishment. Those that are righteous do not just live well for themselves; their life brings encouragement, truth, peace, and guidance to others. To win souls means to
lead people away from the error of their ways to the righteousness of God. Those who includes teaching, witnessing, correcting with love, and living as a faithful example. Such a person is wise in the sight of the Lord because they put their efforts toward what matters most, which is eternal souls, and not temporary gains. True wisdom is not measured by worldly success, but by eternal impact. A righteous life will naturally lead others toward truth and life. The Lord values those who help others find spiritual life more than those who value earthly achievements. In 1869, Fanny Crosby wrote this classic hymn that comes from the message in
this verse. “Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen, tell them of Jesus the mighty to save. Rescue the perishing, duty demands it, strength for your labor the Lord will provide; back to the narrow way patiently win them, tell the poor wand’rer a Savior has died. Rescue the perishing, care for the dying; Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.” Bro. Josh Stevenson
The Gospel Call
By Mike Dickison Minister for the Ivanhoe Church of Christ
God calls man! This is true, but how does God call man today? Does He call through the wind? Does He call through the Spirit, secretly? Does He give nudges or special thoughts? The word of God answers the question of how He calls man. God has given the ‘good news’ to the purpose of salvation to all. Our Creator “called you (us) by our(the) gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thessalonians 2:14). Paul said that he was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16). What is this ‘good news’? The ‘good news’ has been translated into the word ‘Gospel’. What is the Gospel? The gospel is the declarable message of Jesus, “that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:14). The Gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Every part of the Christian life is connected to the FACT of the Gospel. The Gospel is a message to be obeyed. The vengeance of the Lord is “on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). How is the Gospel, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, obeyed? Consider what Paul writes to the church in Rome. “How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:2). This is the DEATH to sin. We then see how we are connected to the death of Jesus, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his
death?” (Romans 6:3). Next Paul explains the burial and resurrection, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). In this same chapter of Romans 6, Paul reminds the church at Rome, Christians, that they had” obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered them” (Romans 6:17). We see that baptism is essential in being obedient to the Gospel. The Lord said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). And the invitation is given by the Holy Spirit, through the Gospel message and the bride, the church, “the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
Sleepless Nights and Stressful Days
What do you do when the pressures of daily life assail and assault you? Since the LORD God has saved you by His grace from beginning to end, why should you tremble before the lesser dangers of this life? King David tells of an experience how he was able to lie down and sleep in the midst of a sudden danger occasioned by his son Absalom’s rebellion (2 Samuel 15-16). “I lie down and sleep; I awake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side” (Psalm 3:5-6). David went to sleep trusting God with one of the greatest threats to his life. God was a shield around David as he slept trusting God with his life. C. H. Spurgeon said, “It is the most bitter of all afflictions to be led to fear that there is no help for us in God.” Those are the most crushing moments in our lives. We feel as if the very floor has been pulled out from us, and someone has greased the rope we were holding on to desperately. King David in the first stanza gave expression to the great crisis he was experiencing. He acknowledged and deeply experienced the deep anxious feelings. His enemies have risen up against him. “O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me? Many are saying of me, ‘God will not deliver him’” (vv. 1-2). Think about it. Sometimes we, too, feel like our enemies are giants much larger than life, and we are mere ants ready to be crushed. We seem overwhelmed when we take
inventory of our lives. David was fleeing from his son Absalom. Are you fleeing the presence of a son, daughter, or spouse who has turned their lives against everything you believe in and are committed to in life? Perhaps you face an uphill battle in pursuing the God-given goals in your life. You may feel like the cutthroat environment where you work is an open warfare. Instead of swords, knives and bullets they are swords of lying gossip, rumors, deceit, misrepresentation, etc. As you go to work you are dreading the living hell in the jungle at the office. There is always that animal that is pushing buttons trying to find your vulnerable spot. The enemies of the gospel are saying, “God will not deliver you.” Who hasn’t felt the assault of the enemy? The second stanza tells us how David gained the victory. He put his confidence in the LORD God. There is no other way to explain the change. He takes his mind off his enemies and focuses his attention on the only one who can deliver him. “But You are a shield around me, O LORD, You bestow glory on me and lift up my head. To the LORD I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. Selah” (vv. 3-4). Like a great crescendo of orchestra music the psalmist says, “Pause. Just think about it.” We often respond with “Praise the Lord!” Faith says, “I have committed my soul to the LORD God in His matchless grace in Jesus Christ. Since He has saved me by His grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, He is quite capable as my sovereign God to
take care of this frightful matter at hand. This personal ordeal I am presently facing is small in comparison to what God has done to save my soul. I can trust this to Him and rest.” When we gaze at the problems we face and see our weakness it all seems impossible. However, when we bring God into the picture we see Him in His true great stature as the eternal sovereign one. Our mountains become foothills. Our giants become ants. Our fears become occasions to see the great hand of God in our lives. David cried out to God for help, knowing that God heard Him. He leaned upon the LORD saying, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side” (vv. 5-6). Are you willing to say? “Lord, I hand this matter over to You. You are bigger than this problem can ever become. Nothing gets out of hand with You.” David prayed, “Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! . . . From the LORD comes deliverance.” And like David, you can go to sleep knowing the LORD will deliver you. by Wil Pounds Wil is a graduate of William Carey University, B. A.; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Th. M.; and Azusa Pacific University, M. A. He has pastored in Panama, Ecuador and the U. S, and served for over 20 years as missionary in Ecuador and Honduras. He had a daily expository Bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries from 1972-2005.
CALVARY UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH When: Sun. 10:30am. Wed. 7:00pm Where: 1190 Hwy 56 W. Bonham. Pastor: Steven Luton, 903-583-4346
Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 Nothing added. Nothing Subtracted. The Holy Bible in conservative Wesley Tradition Interested? Come Join us at Grace Methodist/Bonham 2430 Albert Broadfoot St. Bonham, TX Services - Sundays 10:15 a.m. For More information: info@bonhamgrace.com • 903-494-0227
Sunday Services at 10:45 • Women’s Bible Study Tuesdays 6:45 Young Adults Bible Study Wednesdays @ 6:30
1/21/25
3375 S o u t h h w y 121 - B o n h a m 903-583-1671 ● P a S t o r K e v i n L a n e Apostolic
New Life Holiness Church of Jesus Christ 210 Hamilton St, Trenton, TX 903-818-8412
Assembly of God
First Assembly of God, Bonham 1650 N. Center Bonham, TX 75418 (903) 583-5883 Leonard First Assembly of God, 108 Pecan Leonard, Texas 469-450-9777 New Hope Assembly of God of Whitewright, TX Corner of Spruce & Bond 903-364-2150
Baptist
Allen’s Point Baptist Church 310 CR 2775 Honey Grove, TX 75446 903378-7038 Bailey Bible Baptist Church 205 Leslie Bailey, Texas 75413
Fannin County Baptist
Honey Grove Cowboy Church 3050 Hwy 100 North Honey Grove, TX Iglesia Bautista Sublime Gracia 1713 Oriental St, Bonham, TX 75418 469-604-6040
Christian
First Christian Church of Bonham 701 N Main Street Bonham, TX 75418 903.583.2227
Congregational
First Congregational Church-corner of Ivanhoe Baptist Church 4063 NO.FM 273 Hwy 121 and W 13th St. PO Box 386 Ivanhoe, Texas 75447 (903)583-2359 Bonham, TX 75418 903-449-4914 Joyful Light Baptist Church 4695 FM 2645 Episcopal Savoy, TX 75418 903-436-5440 Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 623 Star Lamasco Baptist Church 346 CR 2615 Street (W 7th & Star Street) 682-201-8795 Telephone, Texas 75488
The Church of Jesus
Landmark Missionary Baptist Church Christ of Latter-day Saints Bethlehem Baptist Church “The House 1409 W. Market St. Honey Grove, Texas The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterof Bread” 1415 Franklin Avenue, 75446 (615) 448-8802 day Saints, Bonham 1540 S Hwy 78 Bonham, TX 7541 Office: 903-583-8061 (972) 880-1412 Little Bethel Baptist Church Lutheran Bois D’Arc Creek Cowboy Church PO Box 63 Ladonia, Texas 75449 St. James Lutheran Church 14394 E Hwy 121 & Edhube Road 903-583-1671 Phone (903)367-7708 FM 1396 Windom Tx 75492 Phone: 903-583-5155 Boyd Baptist Church 3707 St. Hwy. 78 N Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Rt 1 Box Bonham, Texas Phone (903) 583-7288 101B, PO Box 73, Ladonia, Texas Methodist 75449 Phone (903)367-7009 Christian Chapel CME 1005 West Calvary Baptist Church 913 S. 5th St Market St. Honey Grove, Tx 75446 Bonham, TX 75418 903-583-3910 New Home Baptist Church 1300 N 903-378-3518 Maple St. Bonham 903-583-4509 Central Baptist Church (Fundmental, Ector United Methodist Church Independent) 709 Union Ave. Bonham, New Zion Baptist Church 627 County Road 401 Church St. Ector, Texas 75439 1265 Bonham, TX 75418 903-961-2027 Texas 75418 (903) 505-4124 (972) 890-4014 Corinth Baptist Church 277 CR 1150 N. Pilgram Rest Baptist Church of Bonham on Highway 78 903 583 2750 703 Agusta St. Trenton, Texas
First Methodist Church of Leonard 206 N. Main / PO Box 218 Leonard, TX Cross Point Baptist Church 22025 Ravenna Baptist Church 100 Elm Street 75452 903-587-3463 S. Hwy. 78 Leonard 214-551-4707 Ravenna, Texas 75476 First United Methodist Church of TrenRising Son Cowboy Church 1526 CR ton 211 North Second Street @ Hunt Dial Baptist Church 16816 FM 1550 2010 Ivanhoe, Texas 75447 903-640-3377 Trenton, TX 75490 903-989-2378 Honey Grove, TX 75446 903-378-7070 Sandy Baptist Church Ravenna, Texas First United Methodist Church of BonDuplex Baptist Church 313 CR 2102 75476 (903) 583-9546 ham 801 Star Bonham, Texas 75418 Ivanhoe, Texas 75447 903-664-3175 (903) 583-3314 Seventh & Main Baptist Church 617 N. Main Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) Ector Baptist Church P.O. Box 248 583-8679 Grace Methodist Church Ector, Texas 75439 (903) 961-2175 2430 Albert Broadfoot, Bonham Sovereign Grace Baptist Church 601 S. 903-494-0227 Edhube Baptist Church 595 FM 2815 4th St. Bonham, TX 469-207-1141 Bonham, TX 75418 903-583-2840 Marvin United Methodist Church Telephone Baptist Church located on FM 273 Office Phone 903-364-2411 FM 898 E Elwood Baptist Intersection of CR 2125 in Telephone Office phone: 903-664-2377 Whitewright, Texas and CR 2544 near Ivanhoe, Texas Primera Iglesia Baustia Hispana 1134 FM Mulberry United Methodist Church, 273 Bonham, Texas 75418 903-583-5727 5638 FM 274, Ravenna, TX 75476, Trinity Baptist Church 219 W. Denison phone 1-888-311-8508 Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 583-3388 McKenzie United Methodist Church First Baptist Church of Bailey Union Baptist Church 682 CR 1105 PO 701 N. 7th Street Honey Grove, TX PO Box 221 Bailey, Texas 75413 75446 (903) 203-4455 Box 118 Ravenna,TX 75476 (903) 583-0732 Valley Creek Baptist Church 3615 FM First Baptist Church of Bonham 710 N. 896, Leonard, TX 75452 903-587-2386 Windom United Methodist Church 207 Second Street PO Box 936 Center Bonham, Texas 75418 Westside Baptist Church 912 W. Commerce Windom, TX 75492 940-390-0146 (903) 583-0732 St. Honey Grove, Texas 75446 903-249-2987 West Shady Grove Baptist Church Pleasant Grove CME Church box 34 First Baptist Church of Dodd City PO 13665 East Line Road Trenton, TX Ladonia TX 75449 Hwy 64 903-367-7870 Box 47 Dodd City, Texas 75438-0047 Windom Baptist Church 203 1st Street (903)583-4465 St. Paul CME Church 801 E. 6th St. Windom, TX 75492 (903) 623-2215 Bonham, TX 75418 903-864-8768 First Baptist Church of Honey Grove Wild Horse Creek Cowboy Church 2992 CR PO Box 124 Honey Grove, Texas 75446 2285 Telephone, Texas 75488 903-486-1630 Virginia Point United Methodist Church (903)378-2768 1386 CR 1200 Savoy, TX Catholic St. Elizabeth Catholic Church corner of 10th First Baptist Church of Ladonia 301 Non-Denominational East Main Ladonia, Texas 75449-100 & Maple Bonham, TX office 903-583-7734 (903)367-7038 Church of Christ Golden Gospel Church 4435 County Leonard Church of Christ 323 S US Highway Road 2610 in Bonham, Texas First Baptist Church of Leonard 100 69 Leonard Texas 75452 (903) 919-0727 (903) 227-8527 East Thomas St. [PO Box 1146] Leonard, TX 75452 (903) 587-2250 Ector Church of Christ Hwy 56 & Cedar Greater Joy Fellowship Hwy. 121 & W St. Ector, Texas 903-961-3155 13th, Bonham, TX (meeting in First Con. First Baptist Church of Pecan Gap Methodist Church Bldg. Sun. 5 PM) PO Box 100 Pecan Gap, Texas 75469 Honey Grove Church Of Christ - 403 W. (903)359-6683 Main St. Honey Grove, 903-227-2606 The Way Christian Fellowship. 308 E Ivanhoe Church of Christ P.O. Box 322Fowler St, Savoy Tx 75479 290 CR 2040 Ivanhoe, TX 75447 First Baptist Church of Randolph PO Box 14 Randolph, Texas 75475 Pentecostal Katy Blvd Church of Christ 411 Katy (903)583-6900 SR Church P.C.G. 1850 S HWY 121 Blvd Bonham, TX 75418 706-294-5996 Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 640-3025 First Baptist Church of Savoy .O. Box Presbyterian 177 Savoy, Texas 75479 (903) 965-4160 Midway Church of Christ Hwy 56 W Bonham 903 583 3989 First Presbyterian Church of Bonham 818 N. Main St. Bonham, Texas 75418 First Baptist Church of Trenton Northside Church of Christ 2020 N. Center (903) 583-2014 PO Box 157 Trenton, Texas 75490 Bonham, Texas 75418 (903)583-3484 (903)989-2319 Main Street Presbyterian Church Oak Ridge Church of Christ 10368 E FM 1550 Ladonia, Texas 75449 903 583 0849 P.O. Box 188 or 504 E. Main St. Honey First Fannin Baptist Hispanic Church Rt. 4 Grove, Texas 75446 (903) 249-1325 Box 10 Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 583-5727 Savoy Church of Christ P.O. Box 212 Savoy, (903) 965-7344 United Pentecostal Gober Baptist Church P.O. Box 82 Trenton Church of Christ 101 W. Saunders Calvary United Pentecostal Church 1190 Wolfe City, Texas 75496 (903) 583-2378 St. Trenton, TX 75490 903-989-2446 Hwy 56 W Bonham Texas 903-583-4346 Church of God Grace Reformed Baptist Church Bonham Living Word Church of God- 699 E Hwy United Pentecostal Church P.O. Box 216 2800 10th St Honey Grove TX 82 Bonham,TX 75418 Phone: (903) 583-5655 Savoy, Texas 75479 (903) 965-4627 gracerbcbonham.com Gathering Tine Cabin Ministry 487 CR Lannius Church of God 2803 Hwy 897 Peace Tabernacle UPC 16020 CR 635 Trenton, Texas (972) 752-4054 2105 Ivanhoe, TX 903-449-0180 Dodd City, TX 75438 903-623-3007 Faith Independent Baptist Church 12676 W Hwy 82 Savoy, Tx 75479 903-965-5517
Prayer for Fannin County
If If you you would would like like to to join join others others in in regular regular prayer prayer nd for Fannin Fannin County, County, you you are are Welcome: Tues., 33rdrd for Welcome: 22nd Tues., Continued Continued Tues., 44thth Tues., Tues., 55thth Tues. Tues. @ @ Noon. Noon. Bonham Bonham Historic Historic Tues., Depot, 1 N. Street, Bonham. For more info: Depot, 1 N. Center Center Street, Bonham. For more info: See Commissioners See PUZZLE ON PAGE 8 Text Sharon Sharon Terry, Terry, 903-227-3834. Text 903-227-3834. on on page page 19 19
Page 6 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
Fannin County Sheriff Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge addresses review over Activities & Events: training hours The Little Sit:
By KXII Staff
FANNIN COUNTY, Texas (KXII) Dec. 11, 2025 - The Fannin County Sheriff spoke about a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement review that stemmed from the 2024 Sheriff’s Race. In a statement, Sheriff Cody Shook said the commission has withdrawn allegations of falsified training hours, and Shook agreed to accept responsibility for what he described as minor record-keeping errors. He took responsibility for clerical errors for a firearms course and active shooter response course he taught in 2023. Sheriff Shook said he completed a six-month probationary period in 2024 as part of a settlement, before he took office at the start of 2025. “While it is difficult to publicly admit any mistake, I believe the people of Fannin County deserve honesty and transparency from their Sheriff,” said Sheriff Shook. “I am grateful this matter is now resolved without any finding of dishonesty or falsification and with TCOLE withdrawing all allegations of the same. My focus remains on leading this office with integrity and providing professional, reliable service to our community.” Copyright 2025 KXII. All rights reserved.
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January 3rd at 7:00am Pad-H on the West side of Hagerman NWR If you want to learn how to identify the birds of North Texas, the “Little Sit” is the perfect way to start. Meet the Bird Census Team while learning how to identify the birds of North Texas, and enjoy the beautiful sunrise over Lake Texoma! Modeled after Cornell’s national “Big Sit” event, a group of dedicated birders invite you to join them at sunrise to conduct a bird count as multiple species fly to the water and the surrounding land to feed. Leaders will bring spotting scopes and will provide tips for identification of the many species you will see. This event etc lasts a couple of hours, but all are welcome to come and go as they please. Participants are advised to bring a chair, binoculars and water. We meet on the first Saturday of each month, 30 minutes before sunrise to watch the birds come into the water and begin to feed. We usually stay out for 2-3 hours, but you are welcome for all or part of the Sit. For more information, a map to Pad-H and to register to receive event updates (registering is recommended to be informed of location change) https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/event-6486768?Cal endarViewType=1&SelectedDate=12/26/2025 Or email: friendsofhagerman@gmail.com. GPS Coordinates to Pad-H: 33.734961, -96.780582 Free and open to the public, funded by donations.
KING FOR
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Robert & JR Stephens Bailey, TX 75413 Mobile: 903-227-0513 or 903-227-7918
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Jeremiah Welch 903-249-5750
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OFFICE: 903-465-0145 FAX: 903-465-0642 JEFF FRANCIS Cell 903-814-3127 jfrancis5419@hotmail.com
PAT MILLER Cell 580-920-5575 pmmiller69@gmail.com
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GILDERSLEEVE DOZER CONTRACTING Ranch Beautification is our Specialty
(903) 587-9015
Ron Gildersleeve, Owner/Operator
Leonard, Texas
Window Replacement • Contract Glazing • Custom Mirror Work Patio Doors • Screens • Tub Enclosures • Shower Doors Insurance Claims Adjusted
1/4/22
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8/10/10
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Page 7 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
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903-449-7133
Brandon Chaney - Owner Randy Pendergrass - Project Manager Jon Kinkade - Project Manager
brazosbuilding.com
Press Release - The Fannin County Children’s Center has received a generous donation of $35,000.00 from TXB/McCraw Oil. The company hosted their 17th annual fishing and golf tournament to honor the Texas CASA Network, in October 2025, raising a total of $180,000.00. The funds raised are distributed amongst Texas CASA programs in the communities where TXB/McCraw Oil locations serve, so they ensure they are pouring back into their home counties. This contribution brings TXB/ McCraw Oil’s total donations to the Texas CASA network to $1,224,000.00 over the years, demonstrating their commitment to supporting children in foster care. TXB/McCraw Oil supports the work and mission of CASA and the Fannin County Children’s Center through other fundraising events throughout 200 WINKLER • BONHAM • 903-486-6165 the year. Many members of the TXB/McCraw Oil team spend countless hours volunteering for FCCC to support the families served. The Fannin County Children’s Center is grateful for their continued collaboration New Chiropractor and support from TXB/McCraw Oil to ensure the continuation of in Bonham Tx. the initiatives to promote safety Bill Wilson- President of McCraw, Michaela Shank- CASA Advocate Supervisor, 1717 N. Center #300 Julie Luton- CASA Program Director, Stephanie Garcia- FCCC Executive Director, and improve the lives of abused and neglected children in Fannin 903-990-0521 Sherry Dean-Event Coordinator-TXB County.
TXB/McCraw Oil Donates $35,000 12/16/25 to Fannin County Children’s Center
6/24/25
57 Years of Service!
99 $ 99 7 $ 99 8 ¢
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Elect
Mark 11/18/25
BUCHANAN for Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Common Sense Conservative
Pd. Pol. Ad By Mark Buchanan Campaign, Keith Kirkland Treasurer , 507 E. Mulberry St. Leonard TX 75452
3/4/25
12/9/25
Page 8 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
Meade-Norman & Bayless
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National Drought Summary
4/22/25
West: Following another week of subnormal precipitation, and with temperatures ranging above-normal, the South saw further drought degradations. A small area of heavier precipitation fell across far South Texas, resulting in reductions of D1 and D0, but drought expanded or intensified across the southern Texas plains, Hill Country, and the Piney Woods. Drought also intensified along the Red River Valley, and degradations were more widespread across the eastern two thirds of Oklahoma and Arkansas. In Arkansas,
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local observers continue to report drying lakes and ponds, while in Oklahoma, record warmth, strong winds, and persistently belownormal precipitation promoted expansion of D2 and D3 conditions. Across Tennessee, precipitation was more generous, and a swath of 1 inch or more fell across the central portion of the state where D0 conditions are currently in place. Despite this rainfall, 60to 90-day precipitation levels remain belownormal, and SPI values continue to indicate dry conditions. Therefore, no improvements were made across Tennessee.
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Texas Crop and Weather Report
Conservative Republican
Re-Elect
DOUG KOPF FOR FANNIN COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4
Experience Matters
North Much-needed rain across the district was received, with 1 to 3 inches reported depending on the location. More rain in the forecast could help bolster soil moisture levels and carry crops for several weeks. Winter wheat was planted and emerging. Topsoil moisture was reported as adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture was reported as adequate to short across the district. Corn conditions overall were in good shape and were being harvested across the district. Yields reports were strong. Crop conditions overall were in good shape. Livestock conditions were reported as good, and the grass was still growing. Some producers were starting to build stockpiles and
supplementing hay. The hay harvest was in full swing. No major disease or significant insect outbreaks were reported. East Areas in the district received rainfall, which helped relieve some of the drought stress. Other areas remained extremely dry and under burn bans. The cattle market remained strong overall. However, Houston County reported slightly lower prices. Livestock were in fair to good condition, with supplementation taking place. Wild pig activity increased along with the damage they had caused. Central Warm weather and muchneeded rain, from a quarter of an inch to 3 inches, occurred across the district. More rain
and cooler temperatures were forecast. Pastures looked good throughout the district. Forage was decreasing, and trees were dropping leaves. Recent precipitation lifted the burn ban. Water sources were stable. Winter wheat and oats planting were near completion. Small grains should take off following the rainfall. Warm-season grasses were going dormant. Cool-season grasses, like ryegrass, were beginning to emerge. No significant insects were reported. Livestock were in good condition on pasture. Supplemental feeding increased slightly. Hay producers were reporting a large storage of hay from previous cuts.
Texas A&M Agriife Freezing temperatures eventually reach every corner of Texas, due to the state’s famously unpredictable winter weather. With advance preparation, Texans can reduce damage to their homes and landscapes while keeping animals safe when temperatures drop. Prepare now for winter weather The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Disaster Assessment and Recovery unit has multiple resources for Texans to access to help prepare for any potentially severe winter weather events. Texas livestock owners face different winter challenges depending on their region, said Eric Kneese, DVM, clinical associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Texas Panhandle producers often face prolonged freezes and blizzards, while Central and East Texas operations cope with wet, cold conditions and wind chills. In South Texas, producers may deal with short but sharp temperature drops. “Preparation looks different depending on location, but the principles are the same: reduce wind exposure, keep animals dry, ensure reliable water access and provide enough nutrition,” Kneese said. Producers should utilize windbreaks such as tree lines, brush, natural terrain features, barns or temporary barriers such as tarps or plywood on windward sides of shelters. In addition, rolling out hay can help provide dry, insulated ground for livestock to rest. Healthy cattle tolerate cold well when they are dry and
shielded from wind. Horses benefit from run-in sheds, covered areas or barn aisles. Reliable water access becomes one of the biggest challenges during freezes. In the Panhandle, many producers rely on tank heaters to keep water from freezing during long cold spells. Farther south in Central Texas, owners may depend on insulated buckets or make twice-daily rounds to break ice by hand. In South Texas, where freezes are shorter but still damaging, producers focus on making sure automatic waterers continue flowing through sudden cold snaps. Kneese encourages daily checks for frozen troughs and icy footing or declining body condition of livestock. Kneese said many owners underestimate the impact of brief cold snaps, especially when wind and wet conditions combine. From the subtropical Rio Grande Valley to the cold Panhandle, winter plant protection varies by region as well, said Mike Arnold, Ph.D.. However, watering thoroughly is always the first step. Arnold is a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University. “Well-watered plants survive freezes better than drought-stressed ones,” Arnold said. “Moist soil freezes more slowly, providing insulation during sudden temperature drops.” Before a freeze, Arnold recommends homeowners: Drain irrigation systems, unhook hoses and cover hose bibs.
Apply 2-to-3 inches of organic mulch to protect plant roots. Cover plants susceptible to damage from cold weather with frost cloths or blankets. Place old-style holiday lights beneath frost cloths for especially cold-sensitive plants such as citrus. Do not let the lights contact the frost cloths to avoid fire hazards. Be sure to remove plant covers once temperatures rise above freezing to prevent overheating, Arnold said. He also advises leaving dead growth on perennials, bananas, palms and many woody plants until late winter or early spring. Pruning too early can cause freeze damage. “Be patient. Learn to love ugly,” he said. Pipe insulation is one of the most important — and often overlooked — winter tasks, said Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and Texas Well Owner Network coordinator, BryanCollege Station. “It’s always cheaper to prepare and prevent than to fix things,” Pigg said. He encourages Texans to buy insulation materials early because pipe wrap and heat tape often sell out once freeze warnings are issued. Northern regions need earlier preparation, but South Texas should also plan for the rare — yet still damaging — deep freezes. Homeowners should: Insulate well houses, wrap pipes and position safe heat sources before cold weather arrives. Especially be sure to protect vulnerable pipes in attics or exterior walls.
Protect Livestock, Plants, Pipes And Pets From Winter Weather
12/30/25
903-249-6138 Political Ad Paid For By Doug Kopf Campaign
E-EDITION ONLINE @ WWW.FANNINCOUNTYLEADER.INFO
Page 9 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
History repeated itself when the Guadalupe River swept away Camp Mystic Why few lessons were learned after the 1987 flood
Alejandra Martinez and Zach Despart, The Texas Tribune , KERR COUNTY — Lavonda Koons gripped the back of the driver’s seat, watching as the Guadalupe River rose quickly around her stalled school bus. Through the rearview mirror, she saw a van behind them sinking into the floodwaters. She locked eyes with her husband who was driving the bus. It was still raining and the sky was dim with the early light of dawn. About five car lengths away, they could see dry land. They needed to get the kids to safety. With water creeping higher, her husband told the children to go. The group stepped out of the bus into the cold, murky flood. They linked arms forming a human chain. The roar of rushing water made it impossible to hear each other. The current swept past Koons’ chest. “You couldn’t swim, that was just impossible … the water just took you where it wanted to,” Koons said. It pulled them apart. The children scattered and some vanished under the churning rapids. Koons saw a large tree ahead, its branches already crowded with kids. The current pulled her straight toward it. She grabbed one of the girls who was struggling to hold on to the tree. “Then we looked over,” Koons said. “The bus had rolled over and was coming toward our tree.” Afraid to get crushed, she let go of the girl. Koons was 27, a counselor at the Pot O’Gold Ranch, a Christian youth camp in Kerr County, when the Guadalupe River flooded in 1987 killing 10 campers from North Texas. Their bus was near the back of the caravan evacuating the camp, after staff was alerted to flash flooding. The bus was later found a mile
down the river, crushed and under debris. Thirty eight years and two weeks later, about 25 miles west of the bus washout, the Guadalupe jumped its banks again during heavy rain. Just like in 1987, locals and visitors were caught off guard in the middle of the night by the rapidly rising river. And once again, young campers on summer break drowned in the raging flood. This time, the water killed at least 135 people in Kerr County and other counties in Central Texas. But despite the ample warnings that the Guadalupe would flood the region again and the decades of time to act, the Fourth of July flood this year revealed that little had been done to protect the community against future storms. After the 1987 flood, river gauges were installed to provide real-time information to forecasters and emergency managers. But as the years passed, political will and funding for flood warning infrastructure diminished. An effort to get flood sirens never came to fruition; local governments were repeatedly passed over for grants by the state; and the county eliminated its own flood protection tax. The wake of death and destruction left by the July 4, 2025 flood has brought a renewed sense of urgency to make such investments by state lawmakers promising funding for infrastructure. But survivors of the 1987 flood say it’s unconscionable that history is repeating itself, with few apparent lessons learned. “I almost lost my life. Ten of my friends lost their lives, and I feel like we didn’t learn anything from it,” said Kathryn McCay-Sylvester, who was a 15-year-old Pot O’Gold camper during the 1987 flood. “That’s a disrespect if we’re not learning from that and improving it so
that it doesn’t happen again.” Kerr County, the location of both camp flood tragedies, is one of the most flash floodprone areas in the nation. Over the past century, the Guadalupe River basin has experienced more than 42 major floods, many of them deadly. A massive flood in 1932 killed seven people. In 1978, a tropical storm stalled and dumped more than 48 inches in parts of the Hill Country, causing floods that killed 33. On the evening of July 16, 1987, a line of storms repeatedly passing over the same areas caused widespread flooding along the Guadalupe River. At 1:01 a.m. the next day, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning, urging people to move to higher ground and avoid driving through roads under water. Hundreds of people had to be evacuated. In the days after the deadly flood, grief settled over Kerr County. The small-town flood was on the front page of the The New York Times: “Texas River Engulfs Bus.” Reporters and TV crews documented the devastation and the funerals, putting Hill Country’s flood dangers in the national spotlight. The Texas Legislature convened just six days after the bus washout for an already planned special session, but lawmakers did not add a single item related to flooding. At the time, flood control was considered a local issue, said Ken Kramer, a longtime water consultant at the Legislature. The state would offer loans to help with flood mitigation projects like basins and dams, but small counties like Kerr struggled to access them due to a lack of steady revenue to pay them back. Absent state help, local leaders began discussions about upgrading camp evacuation plans and improving road
infrastructure. The lowwater crossing near where the church bus was swept was replaced with a bridge. A bronze memorial plaque commemorating the victims and survivors was placed near the river at the entrance to the Pot O’ Gold Ranch. In 1989, the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, which was primarily responsible for monitoring the river’s water quality, installed “the Hill Country’s first-ever flood alert system,” according to the Kerrville Daily Times. The $200,000 project consisted of 22 sensors placed along the Guadalupe River and its tributaries. These gauges transmitted real-time rainfall and river level data to a central office, where officials could monitor conditions and issue flood warnings. To pay for it, the authority raised property taxes, its main funding source, by 44%. For the average homeowner, that meant paying an extra $6 annually. The tax hike lasted just five years. “We’ll be able to help camps and anyone else up and down the river with enough information ahead of time so that they can get some of their valuables, as well as themselves, out of flood danger,” Kerrville Fire Chief Raymond Holloway, who also served as the city’s emergency operations center coordinator, told reporters at the time. But one of the system’s major drawbacks was that it did not include public alerts or sirens, leaving residents without direct warning during future flood events. As Kerrville moved forward, so did the survivors. Lavonda and her husband Richard Koons, a youth pastor who was driving the bus, met in college and married six years before the flood. Their summers with the kids were a special time for them. Richard said it was “indescribable” how close and how much fun the
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group had there. “You come back a different group than you left,” he said. The couple said they were “like a mom and dad” to the teenagers. Richard had coached some of the kids who died in football and basketball. Lavonda made sure everyone obeyed curfew. In the immediate aftermath, they leaned heavily on each other for emotional support. “It was just us and we spent a lot of nights crying ourselves to sleep,” Richard Koons said in an interview with his wife at their home in Mesquite. The couple turned to their faith to begin healing. After the flood, they briefly moved to a small town in East Texas, where they were embraced by a new church community that, in Lavonda’s words, “loved them back to normality.” Others’ mourning turned into anger. Several families sued the Pot O’ Gold Ranch, the church that ran the camp and two administrators for more than $11 million, accusing them of negligence in the children’s deaths. “The whole reason for the trial is safety. Not the money,” one attorney, whose firm represented parents of three flood victims, told the press at the time. “But you don’t get safety in this society unless you have money sometimes.” The parties reached a confidential settlement. Since the 1987 flood, the county’s population has grown by 50% and its annual budget more than tripled. Yet the portion commissioners court spent on flood control never exceeded 1.5% between 2009 and the present, according to budget records published on the county website. It approved a small property tax for flood control improvements beginning in 1988, but abolished that levy a decade later. The county has never attempted to pay for the flood
warning system out of its own roughly $30 million budget. The river authority also opted not to tap its own funds for a system with sirens. Meanwhile in Houston, the epicenter of Harvey’s damage, Harris County officials persuaded voters to pass a $2.5 billion bond for flood protection projects a year after the storm. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly suggested in a July 5 news conference that a reason that the flood warning system had not been built was because some local taxpayers objected to the price. “The public reeled at the cost,” Kelly said. Pollard, Kelly’s predecessor, said the county’s mostly conservative constituents are a tough sell on more public spending. “The anti-tax people are pretty powerful in this county,” Pollard said. “I’m not sure I agree with them all the time; there are some things that are pretty important and you’ve got to do what’s right.” Kelly and the four county commissioners declined to be interviewed or did not respond. UGRA General Manager Tara Bushnoe and her three predecessors did not respond. Unwilling to spend local dollars, officials kept looking for funding elsewhere. Just as it had in 1987, the Guadalupe rose quickly in the early hours of July 4 during intense rains. More than 10 inches of rain fell near the South Fork, sending a wall of water downriver that swept away residents and vacationers before they could flee to higher ground. Among the dead were 27 girls and staff from Camp Mystic and more than 30 visitors at adjacent RV parks in Ingram. Longtime local residents were used to repeated floods. But they said the river on July 4 reached heights it hadn’t since the 1932 deluge.
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44 years ago...1981
By Tim Meek We moved to Bonham in 1981 so I was a 26 year old driving to Grand Prairie every day to work, 96 miles one way, 1000 miles a week. Did that for 20 years. I know a lot of our readers did the same, travel long distances daily to live in the country, and a lot of you are currently making the drive. God bless you... Hopefully, not 180 miles a day! So I was curious to look back on my first year of the long daily commute starting in 1981. 1981 was a pivotal year marked by significant political shifts with Ronald Reagan’s inauguration and the release of American hostages from Iran, major technological milestones like the launch of MTV and the debut of the IBM PC, and cultural moments including the Prince Charles & Lady Diana wedding and the release of blockbuster films, all set against the backdrop of the Cold War. Science & Technology: First Space Shuttle Flight: NASA launched the Space Shuttle Columbia on April 12, the first flight of a reusable spacecraft. IBM PC Release: The original IBM Personal Computer. (Model 5150) was released on August 12, helping to standardize the home computing market. Osborne 1: The first commercially successful portable computer was unveiled in April. First AIDS Reports: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported the first cases of what would later be identified as HIV/AIDS.
Pop Culture & Entertainment Launch of MTV: MTV: Music Television premiered on August 1 with the first music video “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. Royal Wedding: Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were married on July 29, an event watched by an estimated 750 million people worldwide. Arcade Gaming: Nintendo released Donkey Kong, which introduced the character Mario (originally known as “Jumpman”).Blockbuster Films: The year saw the release of iconic movies like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Stripes, and The Cannonball Run. Top Music: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes was the year’s top Billboard single. TV Shows (1981–1982 Season) Dallas (CBS): The high-stakes drama of the Ewing family held the #1 spot for the second consecutive year. 60 Minutes (CBS): The premier newsmagazine
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Trenton's Loving's softball days to extend w/Clarendon College By Rich Hilliard
Trenton's Kaylee Loving scores on Feb. 27 during play in the Bells-Bonham Softball Tournament in Bonham. Photo by Rich Hilliard
Senior shortstop Kaylee Loving on Dec. 16 became the latest Trenton Lady Tiger to declare her intent to extend her softball career at the next level, per her social media post. "God is so good!!! I am beyond blessed and excited to announce my commitment to further my academic and athletic career at Clarendon (College)," wrote Loving of the Texas Panhandle school. "I want to thank my family who have been my biggest supporters throughout this journey," she continued. "Thank you to my teammates for the lifelong friendships, endless laughs, unforgettable
Page 11 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
memories, and shared love for this game. A huge thank you to all of my coaches who have helped me get to this point, you have each played a major role in my journey, and I am truly grateful. "Thank you Clarendon for this incredible opportunity. I am so excited for this next chapter in my life. Go Bulldogs!" With her senior high school season starting in February, Loving will look to add to her yearly escalating all-district awards: 15-2A second-team infielder, freshman year; 15-2A first-team infield, sophomore year; 11-2A Defensive Most Valuable Player, junior year.
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Leonard volleyball's Jones nets TGCA Academic All-State nod By Rich Hilliard Leonard senior Madison Jones earned a spot on the Texas Girls Coaches Association Class 3A Academic All-State team for 2025. Elsewhere, Dodd City and Ector finished tied for spots in the final TGCA 1A volleyball rankings for 2025. The Lady Hornets ended at No. 9 with Abbott, Jonesboro, Fayetteville, Klondike, Buena Vista, Jonesborp, Oglesby and Utopia, following making their first regional semifinals advance since 2020 after repeating as the undefeated District 21-1A champion. The Lady Eagles tied for No. 17 with Woodson, Neches, Coolidge Fort Elliot, Gustine, Avalon, Knox City, Chester, Lingleville, San Perlita, Perrin-Whitt, Miami and Benjamin, following their first trip to the regional quarterfinals in the sport after advancing as 21-1A's runner-up.
Trenton's Kaylee Loving (4) slides safely into third base on April 8 ahead of a throw to Ector's Ella Laymance during District 11-2A softball in Ector. Photo by Rich Hilliard
Leonard's Madison Jones (11) serves on Sept. 16 during a District 11-3A volleyball match in Bells. Photo by Rich Hilliard
Eight Enough To Stay In: Bonham barely to remain in 4A for '26-27, '27-28 seasons
By Rich Hilliard
Bonham will remain in Class 4A overall and 4A-II for football for the upcoming two athletics years -- by only eight. Bonham will stay in both after submitting a 557 for its snapshot average daily membership (ADM) earlier during the fall -- three less than its 2024 submission of 560. Class 4A for 2026-27 and 2027-28 athletics years will include high schools with 550-1,304 overall ADM and 550-895 for 4A-II football, respectively, per new minimums and maximums released by the University Interscholastic League on Dec. 16.
While still The cutoffs possibly playequated the ing in other next part of sports, Leonard the 2026 bienwill not have nial realignto contend in ment which football in diswill continue trict play with with new Gunter which district comwill move into position an3A-I via a 389 nouncements ADM. Gunter for football, won the previvolleyball and ous three 3A-II basketball State football tiin February. Leonard's Tigers stand for the school's song on Nov. 28 following their Class 3A New districts Division-II football semifinal win over district rival Blue Ridge inside Melissa ISD's tles, before being stopped by Wall for other sports Coach Kenny Deel Stadium. Photo by Rich Hilliard this fall in the will be released ably stay in 3A overall and the classification. State semifinals. later during the 3A-II for football via its 2026 The new 3A and 3A-II will Leonard's deepest football 2026 spring semester. Meanwhile, Leonard, as submission of 283 -- a signif- include high schools with postseason run in 12 years foreshadowed on Snapshot icant increase from its 255 in ADM of 246-549 and 246- ended earlier this month with a loss to Gunter in a district Day on Oct. 31, will comfort- 2024 which barely kept it in 366.9, respectively.
rematch in a 3A-II regional final. Elsewhere, the status quo will remain for Fannin County's other high schools in the upcoming realignment, with regard to overall classifications and divisions for football-playing schools. Honey Grove (228) and Trenton (203) will stay in 2A-I (175.6 - 245.9) for football and remain with Sam Rayburn (146) in 2A (105245) overall. Savoy (80) and Fannindel (44) will remain, respectively, in 1A-I (57.6 - 104.9) and 1A-II (57.5 and below) for football and with Dodd City (94) and Ector (76) in 1A (104.9 and below) overall.
Addison's Athletics Achievement: DC all-around athlete Weeks to play hoops for Hardin-Simmons
Dodd City senior Addison Weeks (center seated) on Dec. 16 signs her letter of intent to play women's college basketball for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, with dad Dillon and mom Candace present, during her signing day ceremony in the Dodd City High School gymnasium. Photo by Rich Hilliard
Dodd City senior Addison Weeks on Dec. 16 holds up her letter of intent to play women's college basketball for Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, during her signing day ceremony in the Dodd City High School gymnasium. Photo by Rich Hilliard By Rich Hilliard DODD CITY -- Just call her 'Lil’ A' -- everybody else does. "It’s a nickname [Addison] got when I was pregnant with her actually," related mom Candace Weeks. "We had Abby and Austin; she’s the
littlest of the A’s. "She says she doesn’t know what she’ll do when her new coach actually calls her by her name," said the mom. "All the kids in elementary school, teachers and coaches [here at Dodd City] all call her that." One thing now is for sure.
Following graduation in May, the Dodd City senior will go from being a Lady Hornet to a Cowgirl. Addison Weeks has chosen to extend her women's basketball career as a shooting guard for HardinSimmons University in Abilene, Texas -- one of four schools to offer her the opportunity to extend her career in the sport. "I thought Hardin-Simmons was the most family friendly. I felt welcome. The campus is pretty," said Addison Weeks. "I’ve heard so much good about them and nothing
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bad," she said. "They were probably at the top of my list since last year, even before I got their offer. The coaches were friendly. "Their players were also friendly; they really swung it for me. They took me to lunch -- and didn't treat me like competition." A signing day ceremony on Dec. 16 acknowledged her decision, occurring in the Dodd City High School gymnasium -- where she's excelled for four years as a varsity basketball and volleyball player, en route to consistently earning district, regional
Dodd City's Addison Weeks. Photo by Rich Hilliard
and statewide recognition. Weeks last season won the District 19-1A Most Valuable Player award before also garnering statewide recognition for her 202425 season efforts: secondstraight All-State recognition in 1A from the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and Texas Girls Coaches Association as well as a Super Elite Team 1A girls' basketball selection from the Texas High School Coaches Association. "We're here to honor Addison Weeks who's going to Division III HardinSimmons which is a very
competitive program," said Michael Huxon, Dodd City ISD athletics director and junior high/high school principal. "We're very excited for her." "I think, for Addison Weeks; it's her work ethic and drive that got her to this point," said Landon Dyer, Dodd City's head girls' basketball and volleyball coach. "She definitely has one of the best jump shots around here," said Dyer. "That's a skill a lot of small school players don't have. "She has a bright future at Hardin-Simmons."
Page 12 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
OBITUARIES
Bobbie Jean Hohenberger
Bobbie Jean (Simpson) Hohenberger, formerly of Honey Grove, Texas, passed away December 16, 2025, at Paris Chalet Senior Living in Paris, Texas. Funeral services were held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 19, at First Baptist Church of Honey Grove. Pastor Trevor Williams presided; serving as pallbearers were Blake Hohenberger, Jack Kizer, Vernon Kizer, Matt Cowen, Eric Lair, and Mark Herriage. Honorary pallbearers were Chad Hohenberger, Matt Hasten, Chris Vega, James Hohenberger, Art Hohenberger, Alfred Piland, Jimmy Simpson, Danny Simpson, Jerry Simpson, Fred Wilkerson, and Todd Simpson. Interment followed at Allen’s Point Cemetery. Bobbie was born June 25, 1931, in Honey Grove, Texas, to Lev and Betty Simpson. She married Harvey Benton Hohenberger on June 8, 1948. He preceded her in death on June 16, 2004. She was a homemaker, loving mother and grandmother, and manager of a women’s apparel in Bonham, Texas for several years. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Honey Grove and served as a Sunday School Teacher for over 50 years. Bobbie is survived by son, Harvey Jr, and wife Gail, of Klondike, Texas; son, Bryon, and wife, Sylvia, of Dodd City, Texas; son in law, Don Herriage, of Petty, Texas; eight grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and eight great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harvey; daughter, Beverly Ann Herriage, and great grandson, Logan Lair. The family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to Paris Chalet Senior Living and Waterford Hospice for the excellent care provided and the love shown to Bobbie. In lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to Bertha Voyer Public Library in Honey Grove, Texas. To share a memory or leave an online condolence please visit, www.coopersorrells.com
Tammy June Reich
Tammy June Reich, age 60, of Bonham, Texas, passed away peacefully on December 19, 2025. Tammy was born on March 15, 1965, in Antlers, Oklahoma, to Melvin Rodney and Bobbie Sue (Blankenship) Lovitt. She devoted her life to her family and her community with boundless love, kindness, and a generous spirit. Tammy’s career was marked by her dedication to serving and nurturing others. She worked for many years as a paraprofessional with Bonham Independent School District, where she touched the lives of countless students and colleagues with her patience, warmth, and unwavering support. After retiring, she continued her work in education at Footsteps & Fingerprints, a place that brought her continued joy, especially as it allowed her to be near her beloved grandson, River. Above all else, Tammy cherished being a mom. Her children where the heart of her world, and she reveled in every moment spent with them. She delighted in family gatherings, especially at Christmas — a season she truly loved. Tammy treasured the memories of the family Christmas parties they would throw for the whole family when her kids were still living at what is home. She also found great joy in the simple pleasures of life, including watching her favorite soap operas, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. Tammy’s greatest pride and joy was her grandson, River. Being part of his life brought her immeasurable happiness, and she embraced every opportunity to care for him, laugh with him, and make lasting memories together. She was preceded in death by her mother, Bobbie Sue Lovitt and her father Melvin Rodney Lovitt. Tammy is survived by her daughter Andrea Sanderson and husband, Derek of Bonham, TX, son, Drew Reich of Grand Prairie, TX, grandson, River Sanderson of Bonham, TX, brother, James Rodney Lovitt and wife, Alisa of Nashoba, OK, niece, Robyn Fry and husband, Andrew Fry of Dewey, OK, nephew, Blake Lovitt of Nashoba, OK, cousins, Brad Luman of Dallas, TX and Brian Luman of Mena, Arkansas, special friends Denise Perryman of Whitesboro, Texas and Deborah Boyce of Bonham, Texas and many other cherished relatives and friends. She will be deeply missed by her family — her children, her grandson River, her extended family, and her many friends — and by all who were touched by her generous heart and loving nature. A Celebration of Life service was be held at 2:00 PM Friday December 26 at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home in Bonham. In memory of Tammy, please consider a donation to Fannin County Children’s Center 112 W Fifth St. Bonham, TX. 75418 To share a memory or leave an online condolence please visit, www.coppersorrells.com
Thank You to Cooper Sorrells Funeral Home For Sponsoring The Obituary Section.
James Marvin Nichols
James Marvin Nichols passed away at the age of 77 on December 20, 2025, in Honey Grove, Texas. Born on September 22, 1948, in Bonham, Texas. James’s life was one marked by joy and much laughter. James was known for his quick wit and his ability to find humor in every situation, traits that endeared him to everyone he met. After marrying the love of his life, Marita, who preceded him in death, James built a life in Honey Grove that was rich in love and family. Together, they raised their son, Jess. His family continued to be a source of immense pride and joy for James. James leaves behind his son, Jess Nichols with wife Roxanne, and Granddaughter, Abigail Cardenas. He also leaves behind one brother, Tommy Nichols and wife Kay, and daughter Cassie as well as many other nieces and nephews, whom he loved very much. We want to give a special thank you to the people who helped his son and wife take care of James: Jana Whitlock, Dulcie Evans, Bonnie Watson, and Elizabeth Weber. As well as Waterford Hospice and his Nurse Morgan Mendez. James’s legacy is one that will be cherished and remembered by all who knew him. As we bid farewell to James Marvin Nichols, we celebrate a life well-lived, a life filled with love, laughter, and a profound kindness that touched the hearts of many. James’s memory will continue to live on through the countless stories and cherished moments shared by those who loved him. Although he has left this earthly realm, the impact of his warm spirit will remain forever. We take solace in the knowledge that James is now reunited with his beloved Marita and that his legacy of love and laughter will continue to resonate through the generations. He will be deeply missed, but the light he brought into this world will never fade. Funeral services for James were held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at CooperSorrells Funeral Home in Honey Grove, with Pastor DJ Harris officiating. Serving as pallbearers were; Keith Daniels, Jason Hanson, Chris Brooks, Jeremy Brooks, Mark Stallings, and Josh Clark. To share a memory or leave an online condolence please visit, www.coopersorrells.com
Ruth Ann Thompson King
Ruth Ann Thompson King (83) passed away in her home the morning of December 20, 2025. She was surrounded by loved ones and listening to one of her favorite hymns, Great is Thy Faithfulness, at the time of her death. Born April 16, 1942, in Honey Grove, Texas, she was the beloved only child of Scott and Mayola Thompson. It was due to their love for her that she enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the east Texas countryside. Ruth was the wife of Jack W. King. They lived all but two of their many years together in Forest Hill, Texas. The only exceptions to this include two years in the 1960’s. One year was spent in North Kansas City, Missouri and another in Dallas, Texas. Just as her parents had been blessed with an only daughter, so too were the Kings blessed with the birth of Emily Suzanne King Clark in 1968. She was the valedictorian of West Lamar High School, Paris Junior College and East Texas State University. She majored in English and received a Learning Disabilities Certificate. From then on, she was a career educator. She was a high school English teacher for several years before she began to teach students with learning disabilities. She retired with 34 years of experience in the Paris Independent School District. Mrs. King was a lifelong member of the Forest Hill United Methodist Church. She loved the church and its congregation and was the acting pianist for nearly two decades. She was also a proud member of Delta Kappa Gamma and the Lamar Delta Retired Teachers Association. Ruth was an avid reader, notorious for spoiling the ending of her books before going back to the beginning. She also loved to help others anytime that she could. She often went the extra mile to check on and support neighbors and community members. However, her favorite pastime was spending time with her family and loved ones. Ruth’s family was her joy. She loved when her family came to her home for holidays such as Easter and Thanksgiving or simply for vacation. When she was with both her immediate and extended family, she was complete. Ruth is preceded in death by her parents, Scott and Mayola Thompson, her husband, Jack King, and her son-in-law, Jerry Dewayne Clark. She is survived by her daughter, Emily Suzanne King Clark, and her granddaughter, Codi Brooke Clark. She is also survived by many cousins, nieces, nephews and several friends. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in her honor be made to either the Forest Hill United Methodist Church in care of Richard and Gina Gadberry or the Forest Hill Cemetery Association in care of Vickie Foster. A funeral service for Ruth was held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Hill United Methodist Church. Burial followed at Forest Hill Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers: Seth Rogers, Nathan Rogers, Kason Fortner, Brad Gifford, Kenyon Fortner, Kyson Fortner, Jesse Fortner, and Kenny Colgan. Honorary Pallbearers: Rodney Rogers, Mike Ford, Ronnie Robbins, Earl Fortner, Bob Rast, and Kyle Kellams. To share a memory or leave an online condolence please visit, www.coopersorrells.com
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Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home 2022 North Center Street Bonham, TX 75418 903-583-5555 Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home 803 East Main Street Honey Grove, TX 75446 903-378-2291
Bells – 903-965-4244
Wolfe City – 903-496-2331
We are family owned and operated
God’s Garden God looked around His garden And found an empty place. He then looked down upon the earth And saw your tired face. He put His arms around you And lifted you to rest. God’s garden must be beautiful He always takes the best. He saw the road was getting rough And the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids And whispered “Peace be thine.” It broke our hearts to lose you But you didn’t go alone, For part of us went with you The day God called you home.
Page 13 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
Lois Marie Clark Kennedy
Lois Marie Clark Kennedy, born on June 10, 1936, peacefully passed away on December 19, 2025. A cherished member of her community, Lois was well-known as the Owner and Operator of Smith Moore & Williams in Bonham, Texas, where she dedicated herself to providing beautiful plants and gardening baskets, earning the affection of her customers and friends. Being a dedicated and spirited individual, Lois exemplified strength and independence throughout her life. Her commitment extended beyond her business; she was also a long-standing member of the Dodd City Baptist Church, where she fostered meaningful relationships and shared her faith with others. In her personal life, Lois was surrounded by a loving family. She leaves behind her brothers, Harold (Beverly) Clark and Freddie Clark, along with her sisters Betty Lackey, Brenda Holloway, and Virginia (Jimmy) Peebles, and her daughter in law Suzanne Kennedy, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She also held a special friendship with Ruth Blevins, which enriched her life in ways that will be cherished by those who knew her. Lois is reunited in heaven with her beloved mother and father Rachel and Fred Clark; her husband, Earl Kennedy; son, Jeff Kennedy; daughter, Virginia Workman; sister, Dorothy Barber; and brothers R.L. Clark and Carrol Clark. Their memories will forever remain in the hearts of all who loved her. The family would also like to express Thanks and gratitude to the Wesley House. Pallbearers were, Tracy Lackey, Dean Lackey, Kendall Clark, Loren Clark, Bud Clark, and Freddie Clark. Honorary pallbearers were Billy Johnson, Jimmy Caplinger, Alan Dowd, and the deacons of the Dodd city Baptist Church. Services werre under the Direction of Wise Funeral Home. Visitation for family and friends was held on December 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Dodd City Baptist Church with services following at 11:00 AM. Burial was held at Dodd City Cemetery.
OBITUARIES Rayetta Copening Falls
Rayetta Copening Falls, 82, passed peacefully from this life on December 2, 2025, in Paris, Texas. She was a beautiful and caring woman, known for her joyful and compassionate nature. She was born March 15, 1943, in Arlington, Texas to Raymond Lee Copening and Viola Marie Sherwood. She was blessed with 2 brothers, and they all enjoyed getting together throughout their life. Rayetta was a majorette at Honey Grove High School, before moving to Oklahoma in her senior year. After high school, she met the love of her life Charles Howard Falls, at a church in Las Vegas, where her father was preaching. They later married in June of 1963 and started their family in Northern California. Rayetta thrived as a devoted and passionate wife, mother, and business owner. Charles passed away in 1991, and Rayetta never remarried. A woman of many interests, Rayetta enjoyed gardening, painting, designing, playing Jeopardy and Scrabble, shopping, and accessorizing. Rayetta was a doting grandmother - she was affectionately called “Gammi”. She also greatly enjoyed spending time with family and creating her glorious gardens each year. She is survived by her son Justin and wife DeeDee; brother Bobo Copening and wife Lou; grandsons, Zachary Charles Falls and wife Emily and grandson Tristan Ray Falls; niece Carla Copening; nephew Steve Copening and wife Sue and many cousins. Rayetta was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Howard Falls; her parents, Raymond Lee Copening and Viola Marie Sherwood and brother Raymond “Carlton” Copening and niece Jill Copening Maples. A service celebrating Rayetta’s life will be held at Cooper Sorrells Funeral Home in Honey Grove, Texas on Friday January 2, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. To share a memory or leave condolences, please visit www. coopersorrells.com
Lee-Nan Myers
Lee-Nan Myers, born on January 23, 1948, passed away peacefully on December 20, 2025. A dedicated professional, Lee-Nan spent 25 years working for Blue Cross Blue Shield, where she played a pivotal role in processing health insurance claims. A graduate of Garland High School, she took pride in her educational background and the career she built within the health insurance industry. Lee-Nan was known for her stubborn spirit and great sense of humor. Her passion for the Dallas Cowboys was legendary, making game days a spirited occasion in her household. Beyond her professional life, Lee-Nan found joy in cooking, often exploring new recipes and reading cookbooks. Her deep affection for her role as a “Nana” brought warmth and laughter to the lives of her grandchildren. In addition, Lee-Nan was a devoted dog lover. Lee-Nan leaves behind her son, Christopher Chad Reid, and daughter-in-law, Cindy Reid. She will be fondly remembered by her granddaughter, Christie Lee Reid, and her grandson, Christopher Conner Reid. Her family also includes her father, Harris Myers, stepsister Sherry Griffith and her husband Marty, along with numerous cousins: Brian and Ann Roberts, Brad and Delane Roberts, and Wanda Hayes. Preceding her in death are her beloved mother, Lutherine Myers; stepmother, Lois Myers; aunt and uncle, Barbara and Charles Hayes; cousins, Mike, David, and Bill Hayes; aunt and uncle, Walter and Nancy Roberts; as well as her cherished grandparents, Bill and Opal Hayes and Virginia and Harris Myers. Arrangements are under the loving care of Wise Funeral Home, Bonham, TX. Services werer held on Monday, December 29, 2025 at 2pm at the First Methodist Church in Bonham. Burial followed at Willow Wild Cemetery with Pastor Julie Henson officiating.
The HOPE Program Recycle! The HOPE Program provides local GED classes at NO COST.
Did you know
•The Grand Canyon can hold around 900 trillion footballs •The Great Wall of China is approximately 6,430 Km long (3,995 miles) •The Taj Mahal in India is made entirely out of marble •The Eiffel Tower has 1,792 steps •Buckingham Palace has over 600 rooms •The Eifel Tower has 2,500,000 rivets •There are 7 points on the Statue of Liberty’s crown •The Eiffel Tower has 1,792 steps •Niagara Falls could fill 4,000 bathtubs every second •New York’s Central Park was opened in 1876 •There is no proof as to who built the Taj Mahal
FREE! How do we do it you ask?
This is possible due to the donations and support from our community. Our Recycling Fundraiser is a Win Win for everyone. Benefiting the people of Fannin County.
The HOPE Program
Recycle Old computers, printers, copiers, fax machines, VCR's, DVD's, power tools, medical equipment, audio equipment, electronics, cameras, vacuums, small appliances, sporting goods. Items can be in any condition & do not have to working. Items may be donated any time of the year.
Contact Corey Baker @ 903-583-7446
EHV Newsletter - Hayes Equine - December 2025 We are understandably receiving many calls regarding the EHV-1 outbreak. Dr Hayes wanted to again address your concerns. The outbreak began with horses that attended a WPRA barrel racing competition in Waco, TX and the BFA the Lazy E Arena is Guthrie, OK. These events have many horses in close contact and stalled in closed barns. This can put a large number of horses at a high risk for getting and spreading a virus, especially when they are moving on to other competitions. The EHV-1 virus is airborne, is spread by horse-to-horse contact, and contaminated buckets and people. The EHV-1 virus is not spread by mosquitos or other insects. If your horse has been kept at home or at a stable where none of the horses have attended these barrel events (and had no contact with horses that have), they are at a minimal to no risk due to this outbreak. We at Hayes Equine are taking
all precautions. Exposed horses are not allowed into our hospital. These horses should be quarantined and isolated on their home place. Dr Hayes will only see them on a farm call and strict biosecurity is practiced. Dr Hayes and staff will wear hazmat suits and disinfect themselves head to toe in the event of a contact. It is recommended that your horse have a current Rhino vaccine. Per manufactures instructions, a Rhino/Flu vaccine booster should be given every 6 months. If your horse competes (many horses at an event equals higher risk) giving the EHV1 vaccine every 3 months is better. TAHC and OSU recommends that horses that attended the Waco barrel racing competition, the Lazy E and subsequent events be isolated for 2 weeks. Horses known to be exposed are under hold orders by the TAHC for a least 14 days. The normal incubation period is 2-10 days and horses can
shed the virus during this period. Take the horse’s temperature am and pm for 14 days. The normal equine temperature is 99-101.5. The first signs are low fever, greater than 101.5. Often the horse is not off their feed. A PCR test can be done to confirm EHV-1 is present, but only when the horse has a fever and clinical signs. The first PCR test can be negative even if the horse does have the virus. If your horse is in isolation practice strict biosecurity even in it is non symptomatic. Disinfect your hands and change clothes after contact with this horse. Make sure the insolated horse has its own feed and water buckets. Feed and care for this horse last. Do not allow the end of the hose to come in contact with the bucket or submerge it into the water when filling it. If the isolation horse is non symptomatic you can continue to ride it. Ride this horse last and do not ride it with others. Travel for the potentially exposed horses can resume
21 days post event, after December 11th. TAHC does not have plans to stop movement of all Texas equine. Be sure to check with your destination before traveling outside Texas. Some states have placed additional equine entry requirements or restrictions due to the EHV-1 epidemic. THE EQUINE HERPES VIRUS (RHINO) Equine Herpes Virus is a family of equine viruses that occur in horses worldwide. EHV-1 is a highly contagious respiratory virus but with treatment is usually mild. In pregnant mares both the EHV-1 and EHV-4 forms can cause abortions. EHV-1 and EHV-4 (rarely) can both cause the pathic neurologic strain EHVM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy). In horses (and humans) the herpes virus can stay in the body and resurface when stress lowers the body’s immune system. In humans it can cause a cold sore. In the horse, the EHV-1 form can cause mild fever and respiratory disease with
a snotty nose, cough and sometimes swelling of the legs. Infected horses can shed the virus 7-10 days. With the neurologic strain form EHM, the virus causes vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels) thrombosis (blood clots) and blockage of the spinal cord blood vessels resulting in spinal cord damage & neurologic disease. The first sign is fever then incoordination of the hind legs, tripping, dragging the hind feet, unbalanced, difficulty getting up and urine dribbling or retention. There is a 5% death rate, which is horses that go down and can’t get up. With EHV-1 and EHVM treatment is with Banamine or Bute to control the fever and in EHVM to decrease the inflammation in the spinal cord. Anti-viral drugs are also used. The horse may require supportive care & IV Fluids. Vaccinating the horse as recommended can reduce nasal shedding of EHV and reduce viremia (presence of viruses in the blood). We have vaccines that have
EHV1 (rhino) in them, (FLU/ RHINO, PNEUMABORT K and 7WAY Vetra Gold) that help prevent the respiratory and abortive form, but do not offer protection from the neurologic strain. A vaccine specifically for EHVM has been unsuccessful in development. There is also an EHV-2 form that causes respiratory disease in young horses, for which there is no vaccine. Caution is recommended at all times during an outbreak. EHV is spread by aerosol particles from nasal discharge or from contaminated surfaces, including people. Practice strict biosecurity protocols. Disinfect all surfaces, equipment and people that come into contact with affected horses. Horses can be carriers of the EHV disease, show no symptoms, and spread the disease to others. Movement of horses on & off the farms should be according to risk factors.
Page 14 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
HAYES EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES HORSES ONLY
We Make Farm Calls To Fannin County 6544 FM 1753, Denison, TX
903-465-0777
www.hayesequinevet.com
Fishin report Sponsored By: 82 Bait & Tackle Located at 281 County Road 2904, Dodd City, Texas (3 miles east of Bonham on Highway 82).
Eagle Claw •Danielson • Frabill • Live Minnows • Shad • Shrimp • Nightcrawlers Open Wednesday Through Sunday 6 am to 6 pm.
Lance Stahnke - Trenton TX/Fannin County, Chocolate Fallow Deer, MPR-Montgomery Ranch Texas. Send YOUR FISHING OR HUNTING pictures to fcltimmeek@ gmail.com or text to 903-227-5702 for FREE publication on the Outdoor Page.
Week of December 24, 2025
promising locations like Bois d’Arc Lake, where we've noticed accelerated growth rates! Important Reminder for Bois d’Arc Anglers: Bois d’Arc Lake anglers that catch a largemouth bass that is thought to be 13 pounds or heavier must be 24 inches or
longer to be retained for the Toyota ShareLunker program so be sure to pack your measuring boards. How to Measure Your Fish Correctly: • Place the fish on a flat measuring board. • Make sure the mouth is completely closed.
• Align the mouth with the zero (0) mark. • Measure to see if the fish is at least 24 inches. If your fish meets the length requirement and looks like a potential Legacy Class Lunker, contact us immediately!
AUSTIN – Just in time for the holiday season, rainbow trout arrives at waterbodies across the state for the annual Texas winter tradition of trout fishing. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will begin stocking thousands of rainbow trout Nov. 26, the day before Thanksgiving. It doesn’t take a lot of sophisticated fishing equipment to reel in a rainbow trout. They can be caught using simple, light tackle or handtied flies on a fly rod. However, anglers should keep an array of baits and lures nearby as well as ice to keep trout fresh. Rainbow trout are an attractive, tasty fish, and anglers can easily find recipes online. “TPWD is proud to continue the tradition of bringing rainbow trout to waters across Texas,” said Neil Pugliese, TPWD rainbow trout program director. “Our annual stocking program is designed to make fishing accessible and enjoyable for everyone from seasoned anglers to families casting a line for the very first time. It’s about
more than fishing; it’s about creating opportunities to connect with nature and build lasting memories.” TPWD plans to stock 335,048 rainbow trout in Texas from Nov. 26 to March 6. Because rainbow trout are unable to survive in most areas of Texas after winter due to the warm water temperatures, anglers are encouraged to keep up to their daily bag limit of five trout. Exceptions exist within special trout management zones on the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Lake, which often remains cool enough for rainbow trout to survive year-round. This portion of the Guadalupe River is recognized as one of the top 100 trout streams in the nation and is considered the southernmost trout stream in North America. Fishing for rainbow trout on Texas rivers and streams is popular among anglers. In addition to stocking the Guadalupe River downstream of Canyon Lake, TPWD also stocks rainbow trout in the Brazos River downstream of Possum Kingdom Lake, por-
tions of the Frio and South Llano rivers, and in the Clear Fork of the Trinity River. Other stocking locations include dozens of local cityand county-managed park ponds and the newly renovated Lake Zebco and Centex and Strike King ponds at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center. Although trout stockings take place at numerous locations in Texas, TPWD’s Neighborhood Fishin’ program provides a unique experience for families and new anglers to catch a fish in and around major cities. TPWD manages 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes statewide in most major urban centers, including Amarillo, Austin, the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Houston, San Angelo, San Antonio and Wichita Falls. These lakes — frequently stocked with rainbow trout during winter — offer plenty of amenities so family members of all ages can enjoy a fun and relaxing day fishing and connecting in nature. Other stocking locations include dozens of local city and county park ponds. In addition, anglers can enjoy complementary fishing without a license in a Texas state park from a bank, dock or pier. TPWD recommends anyone planning a trip to a state park reserves a day pass in advance especially during busy times like weekends and holidays. Day passes can be reserved online though the
TPWD website or over the phone by calling (512) 3898900. Texas does not require a fishing license for youth under the age of 17, but adults must have a fishing license with a freshwater fishing endorsement. Funds from the sale of fishing licenses and freshwater fishing endorsements directly support efforts by TPWD to provide great fishing opportunities for current and future generations. An angler fishing in a Community Fishing Lake or from a dock, pier or jetty within a Texas State Park may use no more than two poles. The statewide bag limit is five trout with no minimum length limit, except on parts of the Guadalupe River where special limits are in effect. The dates and locations are subject to change due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Be sure to check the 202526 Trout Stocking Schedule online before going fishing to confirm the stocking date, check fishing regulations and to find other winter trout stocking program angling tips. Denison Waterloo Park Pond 12/18/2025, 1/4/2026, 2/1/2026, 3/1/2026 Sherman Pebblebrook Community Park Pond 3/1/2026
Rainbow Trout Stocking Returns to Texas Waters
•Dozer Service •Welding Service •Residential and Commercial Construction
254.482.0935
Lake Texoma Professional Guide Service
5/20/25
REX BRIDGES *STRIPER FISHING*
FISHING & HUNTING
MOBILE # 903-814-8400 1-800-211-7808 www.rexbridges.com PO BOX 1148 POTTSBORO 75076 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Out Of The Lighthouse Marina, Saturday Morning Fishing Great Job Guys. From Mesquite, TX. Thanks For Coming!!
• 6 HOUR TRIPS • COMPANY TRIPS AILABLE • PRIVATE CHARTERS • BAIT & TACKLE FURNISHED • FISH CLEANED & BAGGED
n’s
stock C Live 1230/25
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Texas Lake Levels +/as of 12/26/25
Benbrook -1.75 Bois d’Arc Lake -2.32
Bonham -2.89 Bridgeport -4.45 Caddo 0.70 Cedar Creek -3.32 E. V. Spence -51.21 Eagle Mountain -1.91 Fork -2.82 Granbury -0.53 Grapevine -0.26 JB Thomas -25.78 Joe Pool -0.34 Lavon -2.06 Lewisville -0.01 O. C. Fisher -31.75 O.H. Ivie -19.15 Pat Mayse -2.30 Possum Kingdom -3.41 Ray Roberts -1.05 Tawakoni -1.67 Texoma -0.17 Toledo Bend -4.09
12/20/25 Head Count: 636 Sellers: 119 Cows: 233 Bulls: 20 Calves: 343 Goats: 40
STEERS
300 lbs and under: 300-400 lbs: 400-500 lbs: 500-600 lbs: 600-700 lbs: 700-800 lbs: 800 and up:
300 - 590 290 - 580 280 - 515 275 - 450 250 - 405 190 - 355 150 - 335
300 lbs and under:
300 - 575 290 - 490 275 - 480 260 - 415 195 - 360 120 - 320 120 - 305
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Bois d’Arc SLOW. Normal stain; 47 degrees; 2.25 below pool. Water temperatures are 44-54 degrees. Early morning bite is slow, with a better bite mid morning to evening. Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits are fair around bushes and pad stems in 3-6 feet. Suspending jerkbaits still work around trees, but are best around pond dams in 4-7 feet. Texas rigs are fair on big timber in 5-8 feet with beavers or creature baits. Report by Marc Mitchell, Mitchell’s Guide Service. Crappie are slow in the creek channels in 30-50 feet of water on timber. Cover a lot of water. Report by River Bottom Boys Guide Service. Cooper SLOW. Water stained; 53 degrees; 3.86 feet below pool. Crappie continue to be slow in the river channels with minnows. Report by River Bottom Boys Guide Service. Lavon FAIR. Water stained; 51 degrees; 2.12 feet below pool. Crappie are deep hugging the bottom of humps, in 25-30 feet on structure, and hugging silt bottoms. Spider rig fishing working with minnows and jigs. Some crappie can be caught in 6-12 feet in the private boat slips with structure from 7-9 a.m. then from 3 p.m. to dark. White bass are deep anywhere from 100-500 yards off the dam. Turn on your noise making thumper or splasher and anchor up for about 10 minutes. If fish do not come, move a quarter of the way down the dam and try again. Fish should be in the same area as the threadfin. Use live-scope to watch fish get near your lure, then slowly reel up to trigger a bite once the fish starts to study the bait. Small swimbaits on 5/8 ounce jigheads, minnows, or slabs will work. Live threadfin are great. Expect to catch crappie, catfish, or a largemouth while targeting sandies. Ray Roberts GOOD. Water slightly stained; 55 degrees; 0.94 feet below pool. Crappie are on main lake brush piles 35-45 feet of water, and in the creeks in 12-18 feet of water on timber and in deep holes. Crappie are good with natural colored jigs or minnows. Channel catfish are good on baited holes. Blue catfish can be caught on flats with 40-60 feet of water with cut bait. Sand bass are fair on humps with live bait, or slabs. Largemouth bass are fair to good running in pockets, ditches and draws with a swim jig. Report by Daniel Koberna, Lt. Dan’s Crappie Co. Tawakoni GOOD. Water lightly stained; 52 degrees; 1.65 feet below pool. Lake Tawakoni has settled into a healthy winter pattern and all species of fish are feeding! Water temperatures are sitting right at 52 degrees on the main lake. There is a big warm-up in the forecast, so water temperature could rise as high as 55 degrees on the main lake. The hybrid striper and white bass bite has been solid. Lots of big whites and some jumbo hybrids being caught on artificials in 30-50 feet. Best lures have been 4 inch swimbaits and 4 inch chartreuse flukes. The eating sized catfish bite has slowed some as it does every year when waters get into the lower 50s. Fishing under the cormorant roosts still are producing good numbers of quality eating sized fish 3-6 pounds. The trophy catfish bite is good for fish up to 55 pounds. Targeting fish in 20-35 feet has been the ticket on fresh cut gizzard shad. The crappie bite is steady. Fish have staged up in deeper more open water and finding the bigger schools of fish is important. Jigs are working best in 18-35 feet near bridge pilings and deep vertical timber. The largemouth bite is surprisingly good right now. Docks in 4-7 feet have been very good with Texas or Carolina rigged soft plastics, or slow rolled square bills crankbaits. Report by Captain Michael Littlejohn, Lake Tawakoni Guide Service. Texoma GOOD. Water stained; 53 degrees; 0.31 feet above pool. Stripers are in between patterns due to the weather warming back up and water temperatures hovering in the mid 50s. Live bait in 30-50 feet of water is catching good fish with a few bigger fish mixed in. Good fish size fish can be caught with swimbaits on structures and points in 10-20 feet of water. Still waiting on bigger fish to move in on the structure. The Deadstick bite is producing fish in 40-60 feet out in the open water areas off river ledges. Catfishing is good in deeper water 50-60 feet range on bigger cut baits suspended just off the bottom. Crappie will continue to settle in on deeper structures in 20-30 feet of water with jigs and dead minnows being the bait of choice. Report by Jacob Orr, Lake Texoma, Guaranteed Guide Service. Stripers are hit-or-miss with fish easy to find but hard to tempt to bite. Continue to deadstick in 24-50 feet down in deep water, when this bite ends there is an active bite shallow with Alabama rigs or swimbaits. Report by John Blasingame, Adventure Texoma Outdoors.
Got a 13 Pound Bass? From January 1 through March 31, donate your Legacy Lunker to the ShareLunker program. Immediately Call or Text (903) 681-0550 We’re gearing up for another exciting year and are hopeful that many 13+ lb bass will be submitted — especially from
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TAKE ISinHg!ING F D I K A or Hunt
The 2026 ShareLunker Collection Season is Almost Here! 2/5/19
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Fishin’ Report
HEIFERS
SALE EVERY SATURDAY 300-400 lbs: 400-500 lbs: 500-600 lbs: @11 A.M.
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600-700 lbs: 700-800 lbs: 800 and up:
SLAUGHTER
1354 Clement Road • Paris, TX Cows: Bulls: STOCKERS 903-784-2238 • 903-784-7800 Stocker: Pairs: Fax 903-785-6933 Mobile 903-782-6330 OTHERS Baby Calves: Steers: Charles Mallicote - 903-785-7191 Holstein Holstein Heifers: Goats & Sheep:
80 - 162 155 - 216 850 - 3650 1550 - 4000 600 - 1025 190 - 240 850 - 1850 50 - 370
CLASSIFIEDS FARMING HAY FOR SALE Jerry Magness 903-227-9955 HAY FOR SALE Good quality mix. $45.00 to $60.00 250 Rolls. 903-513-2907 FOR SALE FERTILIZED SQ. BALES OF HAY Wheat Straw $6.00/Bale Fertilized Haygrazer $10.00/Bale Call: 903-227-2920 STILL RIVER RANCH QUALITY HAY, POLLED HEREFORDS Pick Up Hay at 6933 FM 68, South of Gober. 214-491-7017 YOUNG TRACTOR WORKS Specializing in complete pasture care under 50 acres. Services include: pasture mowing, spraying, pasture renovation, discing, planting winter rye, seeding pastures, repair hog damage. Also do dirt work: driveways, building sites, grading for drainage. Experienced fast professional service! Call: 903-271-7394. HAY FOR SALE Square bales, mixed grass hay $7.00 per bale. Also have 100 bales of quality 2nd cutting Bermuda hay. Call or text 469-422-2348
E-EDITION ONLINE @ WWW.FANNINCOUNTYLEADER.INFO
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS
CAREGIVERS
R&B TRASH SERVICE & TRASH REMOVAL Call: 430-422-9093 or 430-422-7871
FOR SALE 4.1 ACRES WREN ST., ECTOR TX Power & Water $187,530.00 FAD Appraised 214-707-5527
I’M A CAREGIVER: Reliable, punctual with 20 years experience. I can provide many references upon request and pass background check. I have compassion and respect while giving the best personal and medical care. Call 580-453-1612 and talk to Gina Jones who is local in Fannin County.
EMPLOYMENT
FARM and LAWN MAINTENANCE Tree service, landscaping, brush clearing, fence of any kind, pipe fence painting, power washing, house painting, flagstone patios, gravel driveways, lot mowing, gutters and drainage, concrete demolition, any odd jobs. Firewood! Call Jose Vazquez at 903-2275898.
TREES and MÁS Large Acreage Mowing HELP WANTED with Tractor, Landscaping, Need Part-Time welder and Fences, Stump GrindPart-Time Landscape Helper. ing, and Concrete. RoofCall 903-814-8620 ing- Metal or Shingles, Indoor or Outdoor RemodIMMEDIATE OPENINGS eling & Repairs. House for the Painting. Pressure WashFOLLOWING POSITIONS ing. Insured, Call for free HVAC Technicians, Jour- estimate. 903-227-6940, neyman Electrician, and 903-227-8369 HVAC/Electric Apprentice or 903-486-2868. and Helpers. Competitive wages based on experiFLEX BASE ence, vacation and com6 Yards Flex Base: $350 pany paid insurance. 1-½” Crusher Run: $400 For more information PeaGravel: $450 Call: 903-583-4018 FREE Delivery or apply in person at in Fannin County! Blain Service Company, Also available: 7258 N. Hwy 78 in Ravenna. Mulch & other landscape materials. CNC Lathe/ Mill After hours and weekend Machinist deliveries available. POSITION OPENINGS Call for details! B.F. Gammon Tool & Die is 469-585-9167 accepting applications for immediate openings for CNC Lathe/Mill Machinist and also someone with Gear Cutting experience. 40 hours OFFICES FOR RENT: per week plus overtime. Full 520 S. Center benefits including paid healthBonham, TX 75418 care, retirement benefits and 2 offices, bathroom holiday, vacation and sick & storage area, pay. Climate controlled shop. Plenty of parking space. 7:30am-4:00pm, 5 days per $750 per month. week. Send resume via (utilities not included) email to brett@bfgammon. Call or text com or call 903-583-3597 903-583-0108.
REAL ESTATE
3 BEDROOM HOUSE IN HONEY GROVE 1 bathroom. All electric, w/ 1 bay parking garage. Small storage room w/ concrete floor. 2 deadbolt locking door. $1,200.00 per month rent. $500.00 deposit. East Commerce and South 14th St. Text 903-227-6133
FIREWOOD Seasoned Firewood For Sale Dodd City 903-486-7164
MISCELLANEOUS A PAW UP Helping Animals In Need Thrift Store 101 West Hayes, Savoy Open Friday thru Sunday 10am-5pm.
BillBuysHouses.com Buying homes As Is Since ‘91. Also buys lots, land & Manuf. Homes 214.478.8979
SEAMSTRESS NEEDED Elderly, handicapped woman needs someone to do alterations. Please call 903-821-4322
Check BEFORE you develop!
Currently, permits are required in Fannin County if you wish to:
•Install a Culvert •Right Of Ways •Floodplain •Manufactured Home •Rental Community •Subdivisions •Building permits around Bois d’arc & Lake Ralph Hall •RV parks •Junk yards •Septic system You can find more information on the Fannin County Clerk Website, http://www. co.fannin.tx.us/page/ fannin.County.Clerk Development Services – Di Hopkins 903-449-4220 (Culverts, Lake Zoning, Subdivisions & Rental Communities)
Cattails – Habitat or Hassle
Cattails can be desirable or undesirable, depending upon a pond or marsh manager’s goals. for other organisms. They can hinder fishing, swimming, and boating. They can impede water flow through irrigation or drainage channels. They can interfere with fish harvests in aquaculture facilities. Extensive stands of cattails accelerate the eutrophication of impoundments, which is a process of aging, nutrient enrichment, and sedimentation. Cattails spread very quickly. A few cattails are easier to control than many, so prompt action is warranted when a pond or marsh manager’s goals dictate that cattails should be controlled or managed. There are many tools available for the job, including increasing water depth, cutting, crushing, grazing, stocking grass carp, or spraying herbicides. To prevent cattails from dominating an impoundment, design or excavate most of it deeper than 3.5 feet during construction. Shallow areas of existing impoundments can be excavated with backhoes, track hoes, or other machines to minimize the areas where cattails can grow. Sometimes the height of dams or water control structures can be raised to increase
water depths. However, impoundment manipulations that occur after initial construction tend to be relatively expensive. Seedling cattails can be killed by simply pulling them up before they establish rhizomes. Established cattails can be killed by repeated cutting, crushing, or grazing (several times a year), which depletes their energy reserves as they try to regrow and basically starves them to death. Generally, the latter approach also involves drawdowns to facilitate the cutting, crushing, or grazing. These treatments usually harm other emergent aquatic and shoreline plants in the vicinity of the treatments. Large grass carp, typically those over 10 pounds, control cattails in many impoundments. However in some impoundments, they seem to impact cattails relatively little. Generally, at least ten grass carp per surface acre are stocked to control submerged aquatic plants. When the grass carp eliminate the submerged aquatic plants and grow large enough, they often consume coarse emergent aquatic plants such as cattails.
Cattails, Typha spp., are common emergent aquatic plants. They are native perennials that grow in moist soil and are adapted to water depths up to 2.5 feet. Two species of cattails occur in south central Oklahoma and north central Texas. Cattails can be desirable or undesirable, depending upon a pond or marsh manager’s goals. They provide nesting habitat for blackbirds and some duck species, as well as brood rearing cover and feeding substrate for ducks and fish. They help prevent erosion of dams and pond banks. Stands of cattails provide natural blinds for duck hunters and bird watchers. For those interested in native foods, several parts of the plants are edible. The corms and young greenish shoots attached to the rhizomes can be collected during fall, winter, and early spring. The corms and shoots can be eaten raw or cooked as vegetables. The shoots should be collected before they are two feet tall and peeled before eating. The immature green spikes can be collected during late spring FANNIN COUNTY and peeled, boiled, and served EMPLOYMENT NOTICE like corn on the cob. Immediately after the staminate (male) Job Opening – Facilities Coordinator spikes ripen, yellow pollen can be collected, sifted, dried, and The Fannin County Commissioners Court is in search of mixed with other flour for food a Facilities Coordinator. such as pancakes and muffins. Sponsored From late fall through early The Facilities Sudoku Coordinator will provideBy: maintenance for spring, the inner part of the rhiall county facilities. The ideal candidate should have zomes can provide gluten-rich expertise in all areas of building maintenance including flour. This flour is generally obbut not limited to: plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, tained by peeling the rhizomes, painting, grounds and any other duties as assigned by breaking them apart underwathe Commissioners Court. ter, washing the flour from the fibers, straining the fibers from Benefits include Vacation, PTO, Health Insurance, the flour, washing the flour Retirement, 14 paid holidays. Salary is DOQ. again, and then pouring off the water. The wet flour can be used Applications may be picked up at the Auditor’s office at immediately or dried and then 101 E. Sam Rayburn Drive, Ste 302 or on the county stored. website at www.co.fannin.tx.us. Any questions should The cottonlike down collectbe addressed to Commissioner Self @ 430-373-5242 or ed from ripe pistillate (female) aself@fanninco.net. spikes has been used for flotation in life rafts and life preservers. The long basal leaves are used for making rush seating in chairs. The by-products from The City of Leonard hereby gives notice of the City’s processing cattails can be fed intent to revise the flood hazard information, generally to livestock or used as mulch. located between E Locust Street and East Palamino The spring growth provides fair Drive. Specifically, the flood hazard information shall be cattle forage. revised along Unnamed Tributary of Arnold Creek from Yet, with their many Crossword potenPuzzle Sponsored By: a point approximately 680 feet downstream of State tial benefits, cattails frequently become pests. In shallow imHighway 69 to a point approximately 200ft upstream of 12/23/25 poundments, they can domiEast Palamino Drive. nate plant communities, reducWWW.GFCF.ORG ing plant diversity and habitat As a result of the revision, the 1% annual chance water-
LEGAL NOTICE
JE Legacy Managemen 469-796-5081
PUBLIC NOTICE
Facebook: Glaser-Family-Charitable-Foundation surface elevations shall be established, and the 1% annual chance floodplain shall widen and narrow within the area of revision.
To Whom It May Concern:
The City of Honey Grove, Texas will conduct a hearing in Municipal Court at Honey Grove City Hall, 633 N. 6th Street, Honey Grove, Texas, on February 03, 2026 at Crossword Puzzle Sponsored By: 01:00 pm to determine if the Real Property described in the Notice is a dangerous/substandard building or a nuisance consistent with the Ordinance of the City.
FREE CLOTHES & HOUSEWARES: Clothes ClosetValley Creek Baptist Church, 3615 FM 896, Leonard. Wednesdays 8-10am.
Page 15 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
JE Legacy Management 469-796-5081
Physical Address: 804 E Market Street, Honey Grove, Texas Legal Description: Acres 0.500, Lot E 1/2, Blk 86, Subd S9850, CITY OF HONEY GROVE ADDN, BLOCK 86, LOT E 1/2, ACRES .5 Property ID Number: 95215 Listed Owner: East Oak, LLC.
Maps and detailed analysis of the revision can be reviewed at the City of Leonard City Hall at 111 W. Collin Street, Leonard, TX, 75452. Interested persons may call the City Secretary Melissa Verde at 903-587-3334 for additional information from Monday-Friday from 8-12 and 1-4:30.
12/23/25
LEGAL NOTICE
PETS
To Whom It May Concern:
10/30/25
FREE ½ German Shepherd ½ Lab needs a country home. Call: 903-227-5310
The City of Honey Grove, Texas will conduct a hearing in Municipal Court at Honey Grove City Hall, 633 N. 6th Street, Honey Grove, Texas, on January 06 at 01:00 pm to determine if the Real Property described in the Notice is a dangerous/substandard building or a nuisance consistent with the Ordinance of the City.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
12/30/25
Physical Address: 107 Bois D’ Arc Street, Honey Grove, Texas Legal Description: CITY OF HONEY GROVE ADDN, BLOCK 33, LOT 1 Property ID Number: 95010 Listed Owner: Project United Community Development Corp.
HANDY ANDY VENTURES,LLC Drywall Repairs, Painting, Carpentry, Remodeling. No Job Too Small. 40 yrs. Experience. References. Call 352-208-8832
LEGAL NOTICE
To Whom It May Concern:
10/30/25
App House Leveling & Foundation repair Pier and Beam/ Slab Foundation/ Small & Large Remodels. 903-227-2860
The City of Honey Grove, Texas will conduct a hearing in Municipal Court at Honey Grove City Hall, 633 N. 6th Street, Honey Grove, Texas, on January 20 at 01:00 pm to determine if the Real Property described in the Notice is a dangerous/substandard building or a nuisance consistent with the Ordinance of the City.
Puzzle On Page 4
Crossword Solution
Physical Address: 1013 W. Market Street, Honey Grove, Texas Legal Description: Acres Acres 0.874, Abst A0348, A0348 S ERWIN, ACRES .874 Property ID Number: R000074902 Listed Owner: Mountain Pine, LLC. Fannin County Series C/O Brian Boquillon
STAPP TREE TRIMMING 23. Former measure of 56. Hollywood director and REMOVAL CLUES ACROSS length for textiles Howard 1. Paddles Hauling, Storm Dam24. Opaque glassy 57. Afflicted in mind or 5. Sunscreen rating age, Demolition Work,8. Very fast airplane substance body To Whom It May Concern: 59. Horsley and Majors are 25. Residue of burned item Dead Wood Removal,11. Immune responses 10/30/25 26. A place to unwind two to feather Licensed and Bonded.13. “Partner” The City of Honey Grove, Texas will conduct hearing honorific in Municipal Court at 27.aJapanese 60. Midway between 14. New England river Over 25 Years Experi-15. Longest Honey Grove City Hall, northeast 633 N. 6th Street, Honey Grove, Texas, on 28. Terminus February 03, 2026 and east river in New at 01:00 pm to determine if the Real Property described in the a dangerous/ ence. Call 903-583-Guinea 29. Fails to Notice make aisshot 61. Spiritual leader of a substandard building or aJewish nuisance consistent with the34. Ordinance of Tarbell the City. Journalist congregation 7888. “Cheaper than the16. Midway between east 35. College hoops 62. Malaysian isthmus cheapest. Give me aand southeast Physical Address: 1210 W. Street, Honey Grove, Texas tournament 63.Market Fall back 17. Israeli politician Legalbones Description: Acres 64. 0.305, Abst A0348, A0348 S ERWIN, ACRES call, I can handle it all,18. Back 36. Monetary unit.3053 of Macao Cheek Property ID Number: R000074960 37. Of she guaranteed.” 20. Consumed CLUES DOWN
LEGAL NOTICE
Listed East LLC. 21. One youOwner: can rely on Oak,1. Former CIA 22. Dressed up gaudily 2. Baseball’s best pitchers 25. Representatives
39. Spoke ill of 40. Elements 41. Kilocalorie (abbr.)
Puzzle On Page 4
Page 16 • December 30, 2025 • 903-583-3280
Every time you tear a leaf off a calendar, you present a new place for new ideas and progress.
GlobalWafers America Wins Award at Texas Workforce Conference
- Charles Kettering
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS Gladys Cardwell 18th Terri Clement Blackerby 22nd K.C. Webb 25th Jesus Christ 25th Lauren Swayne 30th Let’s get more local birthdays listed! Send them to: fcltimmeek@gmail.com For printing in The Leader.
Chairman Joe Esparza, Commissioner Representing Employers, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC); LeAn Powlison, HR Director, GlobalWafers America; Marsha Lindsey, Deputy Director, Workforce Solutions Texoma; Stephanie Davidson, Compliance & Community Relations Coordinator, GlobalWafers America; Alberto Trevino III, Commissioner Representing Labor, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC); Brent Connett – Commissioner Representing the Public, Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) Courtesy photo Award honors local employer for excellence in Texas Denison – Workforce Solutions Texoma is proud to recognize GlobalWafers America as the region's 2025 Local Employer of Excel-
TxDOT Project Box
Paris, Texas -- Here’s a look at work planned in Fannin County for the week starting December 22, 2025. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues
Bonham State Park, Park Road 24. Park Road 24 in the Bonham State Park will have daytime lane closures while crews rehabilitate the main road, camping spots and parking lots within the park. Detour routes will be present during construction to allow for the flow of traffic. FM 68, at the North Sulphur River bridge. FM 68 at the North Sulphur River bridge replacement is completed and the bridge is open to traffic. However, construction crews will continue working on the remaining bridge structure and roadway final works. During this final stage, traffic is asked to watch for workers and equipment and drive slowly when going through the work zone. FM 2645, from FM 898 to FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect occasional delays as the contractor performs the final minor activities in the work zone. FM 274, from SH 78 to FM 1753. Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate and widen the roadway to an overall width of 26 feet. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone. SH 121 overpass at US 69. The SH 121 overpass at US 69 opened to all traffic on 6/23/2025. Construction crews will continue working on minor items at this location. Motorists should expect delays as there will be daily lane closures through the construction zone. SH 78 from FM 273 to Oklahoma State line: Watch for daytime lane closures as crews work to rehabilitate the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as signals and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone. CR 1202 at Tributary of Brushy Creek. The onsite detour on CR 1202 at Tributary of Brushy Creek has been removed. The new bridge is competed and open to traffic. Traffic is asked to approach the bridge slowly and drive at an appropriate speed through the work zone while crews continue working on finishing the remaining bridge work. CR 2865 at Sanders Creek Tributary. CR 2865 at Sanders Creek Tributary was closed to traffic on Monday, April 21 to allow for replacement of the bridge. The bridge at Sanders Creek Tributary is completed and opened to traffic. The bridge on CR 2825 at Sanders Creek was closed on June 21 & the Contractor demolished the bridge. The bridge is now completed and opened to traffic. SH 78, from FM 981 to Collin County line. Watch for daytime lane closures as maintenance crews perform overlay operations on the roadway. Motorists should expect delays as flaggers and pilot cars direct traffic through the work zone.
lence. GlobalWafers America accepted the award at the Texas Workforce Commission's (TWC) 28th Annual Texas Workforce Conference held Dec. 3 - Dec. 5, 2025, in Corpus Christi. Local Workforce Development Boards nominate employers who make a positive impact on workers, the community, and the state through their partnerships with Texas Work-
LeAn Powlison, HR Director, GlobalWafers America Stephanie Davidson, Compliance & Community Relations Coordinator, GlobalWafers America Courtesy photo
force Solutions. GlobalWafers America is a global leader in semiconductor technology, providing innovative, advanced technology solutions to leading chip manufacturers focused on transforming the foundation of a connected world. GlobalWafers America focuses on innovation through its business. As a trusted partner, Global Wafers serves
History, noun : a record of significant events (such as those affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes. “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.” Robert Heinlein, American author
First Presbyterian Church of Leonard Marker Text: This congregation was organized as a mission of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A., in 1875 at Valley Creek (3 mi. N) through the efforts of H. L. Parmele, the community’s founder and leading merchant. The Rev. DeCoasta Howard Dodson, a noted Christian educator, became the first pastor. After a spring storm damaged the church building in 1883, the congregation moved to the new town of Leonard, created by the coming of the Denison and Southeaster Railroad. They built the town’s first church building on the corner of Houston and Main streets. In 1905 Leonard Presbyterian Church merged with the local Cumberland Presbyterian Church, which had been organized at Grove Hill (3.5 mi. NE) in 1870. The Rev. N. M. Grafton became the new pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, as it was named after the union. The church structure on this site was used for worship by the Cumberland Presbyterian congregation and continues in use today. Additional facilities were built as membership increased. Members here have included pioneer settlers and prominent community leaders who made significant contributions to the area’s development and heritage. Location: Connet & Thomas St., Leonard
100% of the top 25 customers in the semiconductor industry. Three years ago, Global Wafers announced the decision to invest $3.5 billion to build the first fully integrated 300-mm chip factory in Sherman – the first to be built in the United States in over 20 years and the largest and most advanced silicon wafer facility in the world. A recent announcement was made to invest another $4 billion to build an additional facility. GlobalWafers is a strong community partner, working tirelessly to provide jobs for local individuals and support for local schools and colleges in developing curriculum to train future employees. “The Employer of Excellence award is a well-earned recognition for outstanding contributions to both the community and the Texas economy,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “From job creation to workforce innovation, GlobalWafers America is a model for a growing and thriving business in Texas.” Workforce Solutions Texoma is among 28 Local Workforce Development Boards located throughout the state. The Board serves Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Through partnerships with TWC and their communities, Workforce Boards meet the needs of Texas employers and workers through locally designed, marketdriven workforce development initiatives and services. All employers and individuals can take advantage of these services. For more information about resources available to Texas employers and job seekers, visit https://www.workforcesolutionstexoma.com
1400 N Center St. Suite 100 Bonham, Texas 903-304-5810 www.horatiodental.com greatsmile@horatiodental.com - Walk-ins Welcome - Family (Adult & Children) Dentistry - Extraction including Wisdom teeth removal - Implants - Crowns & Bridges - Root Canals including Molar Root Canal - Dentures including immediate dentures, implant support dentures, flexible denture, etc. - Teeth Whitening - Nitrous Oxide sedation, etc. - All Dental Emergency Services
OFFICE HOURS: 9:00am - 6:00pm (M-Th)