Darcy
Beta Psi Chapter Accepting Scholarship Applications
The Scholarship Committee of the Beta Psi Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma is now accepting applications for the organization’s annual Recruitment Grant. The grant money is intended to help with funding their education.
The scholarship will be awarded to a woman who declares her major as education and is enrolled as a junior or beyond in college. An applicant must be a graduate of a Fannin County high school or be a Fannin County resident. The applicant must submit a letter and a transcript. The letter must include a thorough overview of her background, current educational status and plan for the future.
The deadline for applications will be June 1, 2026. It should be mailed to Robbie Ashcraft, 1501 N. 15th St., Honey Grove, TX 75446.
Ector Carson Cemetery Annual Memorial Business Meeting
Join us on Sunday, April 19th at 2:30pm at the cemetery pavilion.
The event will include an opportunity to view the grounds, celebrate your loved ones, and ask questions. Following a brief meeting, refreshments will be served.
The Fannin County Leader Deadline is Thursdays @ Noon
McCraw's Chapel Methodist Church and Cemetery Association Annual Homecoming
The McCraw's Chapel Methodist Church and Cemetery Association will hold its annual homecoming Sunday, May 3. The potluck picnic lunch will begin at noon, and the business meeting will follow. If you are unable to attend, but would like to make a donation, please send it to 3184 CR 3455, Honey Grove, TX 75446. For more information, please contact mccrawschapel@ gmail.com.
The stats for the approximate number of Fannin County Justice Court citations and other cases for the Month of March 2026 and the year-to-date numbers are broke down below. With the current JP Warrant Round-Up/ Closure Program going, we hope those with possible open cases will contact a Justice of the Peace Office very soon. You may verify if you have an open case in any Fannin County Justice Court by contacting any of the three Courts. There will be a list released of those with warrants/open cases prior to the April 20, 2026 closure of the Program so please make arrangements to satisfy your case before then. If unsure as to whether or not we can help, contact one of our offices and ask. JP3 has added Texting to our method of contact: (430) 373-5778. Give it a try….
Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace
Judge Louise Goodwater 101 E. Sam Rayburn Dr. Ste. 109 Bonham, TX 75418 903-583-7489
Email: jp1@fanninco.net
Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Judge Kenny Karl 711 State Hwy 56 Windom, TX 75492 903-378-0015
Email: jp3@fanninco.net
Precinct 2 Justice of the Peace Judge Paul Thomas Ivy 111 W. Collins Leonard, TX 75452 903-587-2846
Email: jp2@fanninco.net
Oak Ridge Cemetery Association Annual Meeting
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Registration - 10:30 AM
Business Meeting - 11:00 AM
Immediately Following the Business Meeting
Unveiling of Robert Milton Memorial Plaque
Catered Lunch - 12 Noon
Please Consider Making a Donation Cemetery Upkeep by Donations ONLY Send Donations to:
Oak Ridge Cemetery Association P. O. Box 63
Honey Grove, TX 75446
PayPal: oakridgecemetery2018@gmail.com
Venmo: @OakRidgeCemetery
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Meals on Wheels, BONHAM, needs VOLUNTEERS to deliver meals to home bound seniors and adults with disabilities. Just ONE HOUR of your time a week can make such a difference.
Call 903-583-8573 ♥ 210 E 6th St, Bonham Mon. - Fri. 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
behind the wheel — it can save a life. Unfortunately, drivers some-
times forget their fellow Texans and drive distracted. The Estelle family in Tarrant County knows all too well how los-
Fannin County History: The Road Down Memory Lane
ing focus can lead to a deadly crash.
“The hardest thing a mother has to do is look at her children in coffins,” said Dee DavilaEstelle.
Davila-Estelle and husband Kevin Estelle were driving home with their family when a distracted driver on their phone hit them at 70 mph. Two of their three children died in the tragic—but preventable—crash.
The family is working with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to remind everyone to focus on the road and drive like a Texan: kind, courteous and safe. The deadly reality of distracted driving
Distracted driving was the second-most common factor in Texas traffic crashes last year, contributing to more than 86,000. No matter how tempting it may be to reply to a text or scroll social media while driving, nothing is more important than your life and the lives of everyone else on
the road.
● The number of motor vehicle traffic crashes in the Paris district in 2025 that involved distracted driving (distraction, driver inattention, or cell phone use) totaled 1,492
These crashes resulted in 12 fatalities and 85 serious injuries.
o Counties in the Paris district: Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Grayson, Hopkins, Hunt, Lamar, Rains, Red River.
● In Paris in 2025, there were 84 traffic crashes that involved distracted driving (distraction, driver inattention, or cellphone use), resulting in no fatalities and 2 serious injuries.
Anything that takes your eyes off the road can be distracted driving, including changing a song, adjusting navigation or eating.
“When you’re behind the wheel, you should be completely focused on just one thing: driving,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “Road hazards and obstacles require quick thinking and reaction time, and just a few seconds can be the difference between life and death. I promise that text message or
bite of food can wait.”
What TxDOT is doing April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and TxDOT is reminding Texans to always stay focused on the road when driving. The agency is reaching out through commercials, billboards and a mobile exhibit featuring a driving simulator that brings the dangers of distracted driving to life. The goal is to educate Texans not only on the dangers of distracted driving, but
By making thoughtful choices, we can all help keep each other safe. Learn more at DriveLikeATexan.com. For more media inquiries, please contact Kristen.Prater@ txdot.gov or call (903) 737-9213.
OBITUARIES
Frances Yvonne Reese
November 23, 1936 – April 3, 2026
Frances Yvonne Reese, age 89, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2026, at Honey Grove Nursing Center.
Frances was born on November 23, 1936, in Chicota, Texas, to Bert and Faye Kinsworthy Watson. She married Bill Reese Jr. in 1972, and together they made their home in Honey Grove, Texas beginning in 1974.
She dedicated nearly 30 years of her career to Optic Electronics in Dallas, Texas.
Frances was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and matriarch who cherished time with her family. She especially enjoyed fishing and singing with her husband Bill. She had a gift for storytelling and embraced all those she loved as family.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Reese Jr.; her parents; her brothers, Dub Wortham, Bo Watson, Leonard Watson, Edward Wortham; and her sisters, Betty Jo Standifer and Hattie Naomi Brown. She is also reunited with her beloved dogs, Skeeter and Bali.
She is survived by her children, Donna Morrow and husband Roy, Michael Wharton and wife Dianne, and Coby Reese and wife Liz; her grandchildren, Mitzi Middlebrough (Rusty), Henry Martinez (Sarah), Lindsey Thomas, Connor Reese (Katie), Carson Reese, and Zakk Reese (Heather); as well as 10 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services were held at 1:00 p.m. on April 9, 2026, at Allens Point Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband.
To share a memory or leave an online condolence, please visit www.coopersorrells.com.
Tamara Denise “Tami” Dupree
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Tamara Denise “Tami” Dupree, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who left this world on April 7, 2026, at the age of 63, at TMC in Denison, Texas, surrounded by her loving family. Tami was born on March 1, 1963, in Ragley, Louisiana, to Jerry Cowart and Sandra “Sandi” Wagnon. She grew up surrounded by love and carried that spirit with her throughout her life.
On August 27, 1981, she married her high school sweetheart, Greg Dupree, beginning a lifelong journey filled with love, laughter, and shared adventures. Together, they built a beautiful life centered on family and cherished memories.
Tami dedicated 32 years of her life to nursing a profession that reflected her deep compassion and unwavering commitment to caring for others. She touched countless lives through her kindness, strength, and gentle spirit.
She had a passion for travel and adventure, especially enjoying cruises, motorcycle rides, and camping in their RV. No matter where she went, her greatest joy was always found in the time she spent with her family. She treasured every moment with her loved ones, creating memories that will live on for generations.
Tami was preceded in death by her parents, Jerry Cowart and Sandra “Sandi” Cowart.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Greg Dupree; her daughters, Alaina Johnson and her husband, and Becky Dupree and her husband; her cherished grandchildren, Kobi, Audrey, Caden, Eisley, and Brinley; and her beloved puppies, Susie and Theo. She also leaves behind her sister and brother by heart Lynette and Pete Soileau.
A memorial service honoring Tami’s life was held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Cooper-Sorrells Funeral Home.
Tami will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her love, compassion, and the joy she brought into the lives of all who knew her.
To share a memory or leave an online condolence please visit, www.coopersorrells.com
It broke my heart to lose you, but you didn’t go alone. Part of me went with you, the day God took you home.
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.
Manna House Food Pantry
In Search
Thursday Evenings 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Free Meal Included
Is Celebrate Recovery For Me?
Celebrate Recovery offers a person the opportunity to participate in a group where love and hope combine with God’s purpose to mend our lives. Ask yourself:
• Are there things in my life that I do to hurt others?
• Is there something I wish I could live without?
• Is there something in my life that has gotten out of control?
• Do I have a habit or hang-up from which I need to be freed?
Located at Calvary Baptist Church • 913 S. 5th St. Bonham, TX cbcbonham.org/celebraterecovery Email: info@cbcbonham.org
6/2/20
CALVARY UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH
When: Sun. 10:30am. Wed. 7:00pm
Where: 1190 Hwy 56 W. Bonham.
Pastor: Steven Luton, 903-583-4346
12-18-18
The Holy Bible in conservative Wesley Tradition Interested? Come Join us at Grace Methodist/Bonham For More information: info@bonhamgrace.com • 903-494-0227
2430 Albert Broadfoot St. Bonham, TX Services - Sundays 10:15 a.m.
1/21/25
3375 S outh h wy 121 - B onham 903-583-1671
Fannin County
The Call to Discipleship
and the mission of the gospel leads to true life. When we surrender our lives to Christ, we don’t actually lose. This is how we find real purpose and eternal life.
Lastly, in verse 36, we see the value of the soul. Success, fame, riches, or other worldly achievements are completely worthless if they cost us our souls. Eternal things are far more important than the things of this world.
“Take up thy cross,” the
“if thou
be;
Take up thy
nor
Leonard First Assembly of God, 108 Pecan Leonard, Texas 469-450-9777
Allen’s Point Baptist Church 310 CR 2775 Honey Grove, TX 75446 903-378-7038
Ivanhoe Baptist Church 4063 NO.FM 273 Ivanhoe, Texas 75447 (903)583-2359
Bailey Bible Baptist Church 205 Leslie Bailey, Texas 75413
Bethlehem Baptist Church “The House of Bread” 1415 Franklin Avenue, Bonham, TX 7541 Office: 903-583-8061
Bois D’Arc Creek Cowboy Church Hwy 121 & Edhube Road 903-583-1671
Boyd Baptist Church 3707 St. Hwy. 78 N Bonham, Texas Phone (903) 583-7288
Calvary Baptist Church 913 S. 5th St Bonham, TX 75418 903-583-3910
Central Baptist Church (Fundmental, Independent) 709 Union Ave. Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 505-4124
Corinth Baptist Church 277 CR 1150 N. of Bonham on Highway 78 903 583 2750
Dial Baptist Church 16816 FM 1550 Honey Grove, TX 75446 903-378-7070
Lamasco Baptist Church 346 CR 2615 Telephone, Texas 75488
Duplex Baptist Church 313 CR 2102 Ivanhoe, Texas 75447 903-664-3175
Ector Baptist Church P.O. Box 248 Ector, Texas 75439 (903) 961-2175
Edhube Baptist Church 595 FM 2815 Bonham, TX 75418 903-583-2840
Elwood Baptist Intersection of CR 2125 and CR 2544 near Ivanhoe, Texas
Faith Independent Baptist Church 12676 W Hwy 82 Savoy, Tx 75479 903-818-7312
First Baptist Church of Bailey PO Box 221 Bailey, Texas 75413 (903) 583-0732
First Baptist Church of Bonham 710 N. Center Bonham, Texas 75418 903-583-8519
First Baptist Church of Dodd City PO Box 47 Dodd City, Texas 75438-0047 (903)583-4465
First Baptist Church of Honey Grove PO Box 124 Honey Grove, Texas 75446 (903)378-2768
First Baptist Church of Ladonia 301 East Main Ladonia, Texas 75449-100 (903)367-7038
First Baptist Church of Leonard 100 East Thomas St. [PO Box 1146] Leonard, TX 75452 (903) 587-2250
First Baptist Church of Pecan Gap PO Box 100 Pecan Gap, Texas 75469 (903)359-6683
First Baptist Church of Randolph PO Box 14 Randolph, Texas 75475 (903)583-6900
First Baptist Church of Savoy .O. Box 177 Savoy, Texas 75479 (903) 965-4160
First Baptist Church of Trenton PO Box 157 Trenton, Texas 75490 (903)989-2319
First Fannin Baptist Hispanic Church Rt. 4 Box 10 Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 583-5727
Gober Baptist Church P.O. Box 82 Wolfe City, Texas 75496 (903) 583-2378
Grace Reformed Baptist Church 2800 10th St Honey Grove TX gracerbcbonham.com
Little Bethel Baptist Church PO Box 63 Ladonia, Texas 75449 Phone (903)367-7708
Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Rt 1 Box 101B, PO Box 73, Ladonia, Texas 75449 Phone (903)367-7009
New Home Baptist Church 1300 N Maple St. Bonham 903-583-4509
This week’s devotion comes from Mark 8:34-36. In this passage, Jesus calls us to true discipleship and challenges how we value our lives. First, in verse 34, we see the call to deny ourselves. This means that we should not put our desires before the things of God, we should be willing to endure hardships, sacrifice, and even suffering for the sake of the gospel, and we should actively trust and obey the Lord. It is very important that we remember that this is not just a one-time choice, but a way of daily living. Secondly, in verse 35, we see that living for ourselves only leads to loss, and that losing our lives for Jesus
The world tells us to choose success and comfort, but Jesus Christ calls us to something much deeper, which is faithfulness and surrender. The question that we must ask ourselves is, “What am I holding onto that may be keeping me from fully following Jesus Christ?”
the shame, nor let thy foolish pride rebel; thy Lord for thee the cross endured, to save thy soul from death and hell. Take up thy cross, and follow Christ, nor think till death to lay it down; for only they who bear the cross may hope to wear the glorious crown.”
Josh Stevenson
Joyful Light Baptist Church 4695 FM 2645 Savoy, TX 75418 903-436-5440
Landmark Missionary Baptist Church 1409 W. Market St. Honey Grove, Texas 75446 (615) 448-8802
New Zion Baptist Church 627 County Road 1265 Bonham, TX 75418 903-961-2027
Pilgram Rest Baptist Church 703 Agusta St. Trenton, Texas
Ravenna Baptist Church 100 Elm Street Ravenna, Texas 75476
Rising Son Cowboy Church 1526 CR 2010 Ivanhoe, Texas 75447 903-640-3377
Sandy Baptist Church Ravenna, Texas 75476 (903) 583-9546
Seventh & Main Baptist Church 617 N. Main Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 583-8679
Sovereign Grace Baptist Church 601 S. 4th St. Bonham, TX 469-207-1141
Telephone Baptist Church located on FM 273 in Telephone Office phone: 903-664-2377
Primera Iglesia Baustia Hispana 1134 FM 273 Bonham, Texas 75418 903-583-5727
Trinity Baptist Church 219 W. Denison Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 583-3388
Valley Creek Baptist Church 3615 FM 896, Leonard, TX 75452 903-587-2386 Westside Baptist Church 912 W. Commerce St. Honey Grove, Texas 75446 903-249-2987
Windom Baptist Church 203 1st Street Windom, TX 75492 (903) 623-2215
Wild Horse Creek Cowboy Church 2992 CR 2285 Telephone, Texas 75488 903-486-1630
St. Elizabeth Catholic Church corner of 10th & Maple Bonham, TX office 903-583-7734
Leonard Church of Christ 323 S US Highway 69 Leonard Texas 75452 (903) 919-0727
Ector Church of Christ Hwy 56 & Cedar St. Ector, Texas 903-961-3155
Ivanhoe Church of Christ P.O. Box 322290 CR 2040 Ivanhoe, TX 75447
Katy Blvd Church of Christ 411 Katy Blvd Bonham, TX 75418 706-294-5996
Midway Church of Christ Hwy 56 W Bonham 903 583 3989
Northside Church of Christ 2020 N. Center Bonham, Texas 75418 (903)583-3484
Savoy Church of Christ P.O. Box 212 Savoy, (903) 965-7344
Trenton Church of Christ 101 W. Saunders St. Trenton, TX 75490 903-989-2446
Bonham Living Word Church of God- 699 E Hwy 82 Bonham,TX 75418 Phone: (903) 583-5655
Jesus Needed To Die
By Mike Dickison Minister for the Ivanhoe Church of Christ
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church 623 Star Street (W 7th & Star Street) 682-201-8795
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, Bonham 1540 S Hwy 78 (972) 880-1412
St. James Lutheran Church 14394 E FM 1396 Windom Tx 75492 Phone: 903-583-5155
Christian Chapel CME 1005 West Market St. Honey Grove, Tx 75446 903-378-3518
Ector United Methodist Church 401 Church St. Ector, Texas 75439 (972) 890-4014
First Methodist Church of Leonard 206 N. Main / PO Box 218 Leonard, TX 75452 903-587-3463
First United Methodist Church of Trenton 211 North Second Street @ Hunt Trenton, TX 75490 903-989-2378
First United Methodist Church of Bonham 801 Star Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 583-3314
Grace Methodist Church 2430 Albert Broadfoot, Bonham 903-494-0227
Marvin United Methodist Church Office Phone 903-364-2411 FM 898 E Whitewright, Texas
Mulberry United Methodist Church, 5638 FM 274, Ravenna, TX 75476, phone 1-888-311-8508
McKenzie United Methodist Church 701 N. 7th Street Honey Grove, TX 75446 (903) 203-4455
Windom United Methodist Church 207 Second Street PO Box 936 Windom, TX 75492 940-390-0146
Pleasant Grove CME Church box 34 Ladonia TX 75449 Hwy 64 903-367-7870
St. Paul CME Church 801 E. 6th St. Bonham, TX 75418 903-864-8768
Virginia Point United Methodist Church 1386 CR 1200 Savoy, TX
Gospel Church 4435 County Road 2610 in Bonham, Texas (903) 227-8527 Greater Joy Fellowship Hwy. 121 & W 13th, Bonham, TX (meeting in First Con. Methodist Church Bldg. Sun. 5
That Jesus died on the cross is a documented fact. There are other questions that surround the death on the cross. Why did Jesus die? Was His death necessary? Would the church exist if He did not die? Jesus died on the cross because it was appointed by God. Isaiah records that “we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” and that “it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand” (Isaiah 53:6, 10). The apostle Peter informs us that the death of Jesus was according to God’s will, “Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands
have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23). Jesus said that His death was because of God’s love, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The death of Jesus was necessary for the redemption of mankind. Paul concluded that “both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin” and that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:9, 23). God’s word points to the same conclusion, “the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe (Galatians 3:22). The Hebrew writer stated that “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Again, it is stated that “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins” (Hebrews 10:4). Jesus speaks of himself, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day” (Luke 24:46). John, the son of Zacharias, understood that Jesus was that sacrifice for us in stating, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The death of Christ was essential for the existence of the church. Jesus promised to build his church in his declaration to Peter, “That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). Paul said to the Ephesian elders that Christ’s church was “purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). We also find that “the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:47). Jesus died because God appointed it. Christ died to redeem us from our sins. The Lord died to purchase the church. Consider the words of Paul, “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14).
A New Standard of Living
by Wil Pounds
The world is not our standard for Christian living.
The apostle Paul stressed, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .” (Rom. 12:2). Again he writes, “put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24). In the verses that follow he gives five specific examples of the higher standard of Christian conduct.
We are to put off lying and speak the truth in love (v. 25).
It is a habitual action that is to characterize the Christian life. Literally the believer is to put off “the lie” (v.25), and speak the truth. This is the same word the apostle John uses for the antichrist in 1 John 2:20-23. When a person puts his faith in Jesus Christ he is rejecting the lie, and embracing the Truth (Jn. 14:6).
First Presbyterian Church of Bonham 818 N. Main St. Bonham, Texas 75418 (903) 583-2014
Main Street Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 188 or 504 E. Main St. Honey Grove, Texas 75446 (903) 249-1325
Calvary United Pentecostal Church 1190 Hwy 56 W Bonham Texas 903-583-4346
United Pentecostal Church P.O. Box 216 Savoy, Texas 75479 (903) 965-4627
Peace Tabernacle UPC 16020 CR 635 Trenton, Texas (972) 752-4054
What a profound significance this is for the person in Christ. “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another” (v. 25). Let it be a habitual action to tell the truth. Let it characterize your lifestyle. Make a commitment to yourself and God to speak the whole truth without mixture of error in your family, business and life relationships. How much easier life is when you live an honest, open, transparent life style. Cultivate truthfulness in your life every day. Don’t be careless with your words.
Put off anger (vv. 26-27).
One of the best ways to give the devil an opportunity to gain a place in your life is to be an angry person. Paul does not give an opposite behavior in this example. In one aspect anger is not sin. It is an emotion.
He stresses, “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity (lit. a place).” Paul is emphasizing a controlled or righteous anger as opposed to and uncontrolled, selfish, or sinful anger.
Paul uses two different words for “anger” in v. 26. There are times when we should be angry, and there are times when we sin with our anger. “Be angry and do not sin” is the word for wrath, indignation, suggesting a more settled or abiding condition of mind, frequently with a view of taking revenge. It is an anger that has an abiding and settled habit of mind that is aroused under certain conditions. When this kind of anger is guided by reason, it can be a right emotion as in righteous indignation. When we cherish it, it becomes sin. It must never become just an expression of personal provocation or wounded pride. We must guard against sinful motives (1 Jn. 1:19).
“Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” It can take the form of an angry mood, a violent irritation, harmful words or eyes of fire. Paul admonishes us to deal with anger quickly before the day is over. Unresolved anger leads to other sins.
Put off stealing and have something to share with the needy (v. 28).
The motive for working Paul says is “in order that he may have something to share with him who has need.” That statement alone clarifies a lot of modern values. The winner is not the one who walks away with the most toys in life.
Have you ever counted the many ways you can steal in life? You do not have to go to prison, and few people do. Work hard so you will have
something to share with a world with true needs. Put off rotten words and put on speaking with edification that it may give grace to the hearer (v. 29).
“Unwholesome” literally means, “corrupt,” or “corrupting.” It is the word for rotting fruit. Some people’s words corrupt themselves and everyone who hears them. It rots them away. It makes you feel corrupted days after you have been around them. On the other hand, the believer should use words that will build up and encourage people (James 3:56).
How do you control your tongue? By allowing the Holy Spirit to control your mind (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:30). Put off bitterness, wrath and anger (indignation), and put on love (vv. 30-32). What is the best way to grieve the Holy Spirit? Bitterness, wrath and a settled indignation toward someone always grieves the Spirit.
The only way to put on the high standard of Christian conduct Paul is describing here is to walk in the Spirit. 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 19722005. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. Wil and his wife Ann have three grown daughters. He currently serves as a Baptist pastor and teaches seminary extension courses in Ecuador.
In 1833, Charles W. Everest wrote this classic hymn that comes from the message in this passage.
Savior said,
wouldst my disciple
deny thyself, the world forsake, and humbly follow after Me.”
cross,
heed
Bro.
National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI) Leadership Development
Sheriff Shook was selected to join twenty-two other sheriffs from across the
United States for this unique opportunity to deeply assess their individual leadership strengths and define a clear leadership direction tailored to their unique roles as elected officials and Chief Executive Officers of their respective
Press Release - Sheriff Cody Shook completed participation in the 124th session of the National Sheriffs’ Institute (NSI) Leadership Development course held at the FBINational Academy in Quantico, Virginia. This no-cost program is provided by the National Institute of Corrections (NIC), U.S. Department of Justice, in collaboration with the Major County Sheriffs of America.
Sheriff’s Offices. The NSI is an executive leadership training program designed specifically for sheriffs to prepare them for all matters that impact the Office of the Sheriff. The NSI was first developed and presented in the early 1970s in response to a need by sheriffs to meet the evolving demands of the office. There were many programs, networking connections and resources provided that benefit us locally.
Sheriff Shook was proud to represent Fannin County at a national level and looks forward to using the information presented to move the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office in a positive direction. Courtesy photos
Fannin County Mobile Food Pantry
1st Tuesday of every month
Ladonia ♥ ♥ 9am South Side of City Hall
3rd Wednesday of every month
Bonham ♥ ♥ 9am
Fannin County Multipurpose Complex
700 FM 87, Bonham, TX 75418
Volunteers are needed: justserve.org /feedingfannin
FISH FRY and ALL the TRIMMINGS & DESERTS
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2026 4:00PM - 7:00PM
ECTOR SCHOOL CAFETERIA
$12.00 Adult - $6.00 Children (5 & under free) Donations Appreciated
National Human Trafficking Hotline
888-373-7888
March News from Oakwood Cemetery, Honey Grove
Press Release - Spring arrived in March. We know this because mowing season did as well! The entire cemetery received a spruce up as faded and out of season flowers and broken items were removed. Look for another to take place in October. Our beautiful trees sometimes take a lot of effort. The oak trees shed thousands of acorns. Those were removed in March. The Oakwood Cemetery Association’s annual meeting also takes place in March. During these informative meetings, upcoming projects for the year are discussed, planned, and voted on. March keeps our volunteers busy!
Our groundskeeper is a volunteer who daily keeps her eye on the condition of the cemetery. She ensures the ditches outside the fence are clear of trash and the inside is always kept tidy.
Our yearly letter, which gave a sample of Oakwood events in 2025, has been mailed. This letter is a reminder it is very expensive to keep Oakwood a beautiful place to visit. If you own a space or a lot, please remember, the mowing and upkeep are not free. Donations are very important to cover the expenses. Volunteers do a lot, but they can’t do everything! Memorials for Roger Joyce were received in March.
Oakwood Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 96, Honey Grove, TX 75446 oakwoodcemeteryhoneygrove@gmail.com YOU’RE INVITED ECTOR
Catfish Stocking Arrives at Neighborhood Fishin’ Lakes
AUSTIN
back in Texas which signals the return of catfish angling at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
(TPWD) Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes across the state. The program gives friends and families the opportunity to reel in catfish close to home and participate in the Texas tradition of outdoor recreation.
On April 10, TPWD will resume stocking thousands of catfish at 18 Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes, including five in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, four in the Houston area, two each in Austin and San Antonio and one each in Amarillo, College Station, San Angelo, Waco and Wichita Falls.
“Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes are conveniently located in ur-
ban and suburban areas to provide a great fishing experience where most Texas residents live,” said Marcos DeJesus, East Texas Regional Director for TPWD’s Inland Fisheries Division. “Catfish are fun and easy to catch for anglers of all ages and experience levels. If you’ve never fished before, these are the perfect places to get started. If you are an experienced angler, these are the perfect places to introduce fishing to a friend or family member.” Each lake will receive channel catfish every two weeks through the end of October — with a brief pause during the heat of
August — to ensure there are plenty of angling opportunities for everyone throughout the spring, summer and early fall.
Neighborhood Fishin’ lakes are located in city and county parks with ample parking, shoreline access, restrooms, lighting and other recreational amenities in addition to fishing. Anglers can keep up to five fish of any kind (all species combined) per day with one black bass 14 inches or greater in length. Youth under 17 do not need a fishing license, but adults who fish these sites do. For as little as $11, folks can purchase a “one-day, all-water” license or they can buy an “annual, freshwater” license for $30, allowing you to fish at any time during the year. All proceeds go toward management of the fisheries, providing access and conservation of Texas fish and their habitats. To find a Neighborhood Fishin’ lake near you as well as tips on how to fish, where to purchase fishing gear or licenses, fishing regulations or to sign up for email updates, visit www. neighborhoodfishin.org. Neighborhood Fishin’ is supported by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation through donations from Friedkin Family Foundation and Phillips 66 as well as local government bodies across the state.
Lady Rebs, Trenton's Bingham set for Region II-2A golf links
By Rich Hilliard
WOLFE CITY Fannin County high
4/4/23
school girls will compete April 1314 in the Region II-2A Girls' Golf Tournament in Ferris on the Old Brickyard Golf Course. Alli Jo Hamilton finished in seventh place and River Davis took ninth individu-
ally to lead Sam Rayburn's girls golf team to a runner-up finish in the District 14-2A Tournament on March 23 at Webb Hill Country Club in Wolfe City.
Other advancing Lady Rebels included: Chloe Taylor, Jairyn Medcalf, Brinlee Malone, Giselle Na-
varro and Aileen Cedillo.
Meanwhile, Trenton sophomore Kinley Bingham qualified for girls' regional golf as a girls' district medalist. Additionally, Sam Rayburn's Cooper Robison placed 10th in boys' individuals district play.
Few new district foes in store for Fannin diamond, soccer squads
By Rich Hilliard
District diamond and soccer action will include mostly familiar opponents as well as newcomers for participating Fannin County schools during the 2026-27 athletics year.
Remaining sports districts not released on Feb. 2 as a part of the biennial realignment were posted online by the University Interscholastic League on April 1. Honey Grove, Sam Rayburn, Trenton, Dodd City, Ector and Savoy will remain in 11-2A for softball and baseball with Tom Bean and Whitewright. Celeste and Wolfe City will replace current district opponents Collinsville and Tioga.
Leonard will change from 11-
3A to 10-3A like in basketball for softball, baseball, golf, spring tennis, and track and field and remain with Bells, Blue Ridge, Gunter, Howe and Pottsboro.
Paris Chisum and Pattonville
Prairiland will be new district opponents, with S&S Consolidated being realigned into a district elsewhere in 3A.
Bonham will stay in 9-4A for softball and baseball with Gainesville, Sanger and Van Al-
styne. Aubrey will replace current district opponent Celina that is moving into Class 5A.
Meanwhile, in soccer, Bonham will move from 11-4A to 6-4A and retain Aubrey, Farmersville, Gainesville, Sanger and Pilot Point. Lake Dallas and Ponder will be new district opponents, as Celina, Frisco Panther Creek
and Prosper Richland will move into 5A.
District 14-4A golf, spring tennis, and track and field for Bonham will continue to include Paris, North Lamar, Pittsburg, Sulphur Springs and Texarkana Pleasant Grove.
District 14-2A golf, spring tennis, and track and field for Honey Grove, Sam Rayburn and Trenton will mirror its new basketball grouping, including Celeste, Cooper, North Hopkins and Wolfe City.
Likewise, 19-1A golf, spring tennis, and track and field for Dodd City, Ector, Fannindel and Savoy will, as with basketball next season, still include Campbell and Miller Grove and equate reuniting with Fruitvale.
SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS SPORTS
Bonhi golf qualifies girls' squad for first region tourney since '14
By Rich Hilliard
Bonham will end a 12 year drought in high school girls' golf this month. The Lady Warriors finished as the runner-up in the District 14-4A Girls' Tournament held March 31-April 1 on The Links at Land's End course in Yantis to qualify as a team for regional play.
Avarie McCraw, Lanie Wilder, Maddy Haggard, Rylee Dawber and Whitley Godbey will vie in the Region II-4A Girls' Tournament April 15-16 at Sulphur Springs Country Club. It will equate the first trip beyond district play for a Bonham girls' golf team since likewise advancing in 2014.
Ector girls 5X district links champ; Fannindel's Aubrey, Eagle Hull win
WOLFE CITY -- Both Ector golf teams won District 19-1A championships on March 30 at Webb Hill Country Club and qualified for regional competition in April.
It equated the fifth consecutive district golf title for Ector's girls and a repeat 191A championship for the school's boys.
Ella Laymance placed second and Audrey Arie took third, as Ector won the district's girls' team championship. Other advancing Lady Eagles include Adalynn Dederick, Ainsley Greathouse and Alana Mackey.
Zach Hull won and Kaleb Haggard equated the runner-up individually, as Ector won the boys' district team championship. Other advancing Eagles include Braedyn Barnes, Jayce Adams and Ryder Fulmer.
Meanwhile, Fannindel's Ziare Aubrey won the girls' individuals' district championship -- the school's first in golf since 2011 when her coach, Xavier Brown, triumphed as a medalist as a senior.
Aubrey led the Lady Falcons to a second place finish and team advance. Her advancing teammates included: Kennedy Roman, Lyric Brunson, Riahana Shepherd and Georgia Goudeau.
Fannindel's Maya Strong also advanced as the district's No. 1 girls' regional medalist qualifier.
Meanwhile, Dodd City's Paxton Payne advanced as the district's boys' first medalist and Fannindel's Kai Hilliard qualified as the district's No. 2 boys' medalist as the Falcons placed third.
The Region III-1A Tournaments will be held at Mount Pleasant Country Club: boys, April 13-14; girls April 15-16. - -Rich Hilliard
Ector tennis girls, boys earn 19-1A team championships
By Rich Hilliard
BONHAM -- Ector won the girls' and boys' District 19-1A tennis team championships and joined Dodd City on April 2 in claiming all of the regional berths. In girls' singles, Dodd City's Addison Weeks won and Ector's Lydia Essary finished as the runner-up to each advance. In girls' doubles, Ector's Audrey Arie and Alana Mackey triumphed and teammates Ainsley Greathouse and Aleea Wheeler equated the runner-up to advance. In boys' singles, Dodd City's Aiden Nietupski won and Ector's Braedyn Barnes took the runner-up spot to advance. In boys' doubles, Ector's Jayce Adams and Zach Hull triumphed and Dodd City's Grady and Grayson Ozment equated the runner-up to advance. In mixed doubles, Ector's Adalynn Dederick and Heath Bingham won and Aubree Arreguin and Easten Hubbard placed second to advance. The Region III-1A Tournaments will occur in North Richland Hills April 17-18.
Dodd City's Aiden Nietupski (2) competes against Savoy's Jaxx Streetman on Feb. 13 during District 19-1A boys' basketball played in Savoy. Nietupski triumphed on a different court on April 2 during District 19-1A boys' tennis played in Bonham.
Photo by Rich Hilliard
Ector's Zach Hull.
Photo by Rich Hilliard
Ector's Jayce Adams.
Photo by Rich Hilliard
Dodd City's Addison Weeks.
Photo by Rich Hilliard
Ector's Audrey Arie. Photo by Rich Hilliard
Ector's Alana Mackey.
Photo by Rich Hilliard
Ector's Lydia Essary.
Photo by Rich Hilliard
Friends of Hagerman Wildlife
Press Release - The following is the Friends of Hagerman NWR Press Release. For more information about these events, please email: friendsofhagerman@gmail.com . All events are sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman and occur at the Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center: 6465 Refuge Road, Sherman, TX 75092, unless stated otherwise. Volunteers Needed: There is something for everyone at Hagerman! From Bat & Monarch monitoring to greeting visitors and being a tram tour guide, get more information at https://friendsofhagerman.com/Volunteer.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Greeters
Meet and greet people from all over the world while giving out information about the refuge and wildlife. Hand out maps and make sales in the Nature Nook. Come and join our team! For more information, please email friendsofhagerman@gmail.com.
Butterfly Garden
Like digging in your garden? Want to learn about native plants? Come join out Master Naturalists and Gardeners in maintaining the Butterfly Garden. For more information on volunteering, please email FriendsofHagerman@email.com for details.
Outdoor Crew
Do you enjoy working outside, mowing, sprucing up hiking trails, trimming and removing brush and general cleanup? Join the Outdoor Crew at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. The Outdoor Crew meets on the First Tuesday and Fourth Saturday of every month. Please email friendsofhagerman@gmail.com for details and to join our team. Scouts welcome!
Activities & Events:
The Little Sit: April 4th 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 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?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDa te=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. Early Bird Guided Walk. Come walk on the wild side with Jack Chiles! Saturday April 11th at 8am to 9:30am Master Naturalist Jack Chiles will lead this Early Bird Walk, weather permitting. Participants will view birds and wildlife along Harris Creek Trail, walking about two miles, and returning to the Visitor Center in time for the Second Saturday program. Register to receive event updates https://friendsofhagerman. com/event-6514719?CalendarViewType=1&SelectedDa te=4/2/2026
Second Saturday: Saturday April 11th at 10am. Birding by Ear with Dr. Wayne Meyer - Observing birds requires more than just seeing them. When you learn to recognize their songs, you will find more birds and get better ideas about where to find them. Top birders hear more birds first than they see first. Come learn a few of the common birds around the refuge and improve your results.
Dr. Wayne Meyer, an ornithologist, began birding at the age of 13 in Connecticut. He has birded extensively on both coasts of the United States and has spent the past quarter century birding in Texas and Oklahoma. Dr. Meyer has conducted extensive research on prairie birds and has been studying song learning and vocal development in Painted Buntings for more than a decade. He is a sought-after speaker for Master Naturalist groups and a frequent presenter at the Friends of Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge Second Saturday programs. Refuge Rocks: Saturday April 18th at 10am. Refuge Rocks - The Secret Life of Fungi! (Ages 5-10) Mushrooms aren’t just mysterious—they’re mighty important! Young nature explorers are invited to uncover the fascinating world beneath their feet at The Secret Life of Fungi, a hands-on children’s program at Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge. This interactive class will take place Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 10:00–11:30 a.m. and is designed for youth ages 5–10. During this fun and educational program, participants will learn about the important role fungi play in nature and on the refuge—from breaking down fallen trees to helping plants grow. Kids will take a closer look at mushrooms and discover why fungi are often called nature’s recyclers and underground helpers.
The program includes:
● An age-appropriate mini lesson on fungi and mushrooms
● A creative, fungi-themed craft to take home
● A fun, hands-on activity that brings the secret life of fungi to life
Blending science, creativity, and outdoor discovery, The Secret Life of Fungi is perfect for curious kids who love nature, exploration, and a little mystery. Registration encouraged at https://friendsofhagerman.com/event-6625146?CalendarVie wType=1&SelectedDate=4/2/2026
Butterfly Garden Stroll: Saturday, April 25th from 10am to noon. Garden docents will be on hand to help identify the Texas native plants and visiting butterflies. Literature on plants and butterflies will be available. Special activities for families: scavenger hunts, the Metamorphosis Puppet and more. Registration is not necessary.
The garden is free of charge and open to the public from sunrise to sunset every day of the year.
Donations are accepted to support the Butterfly Garden, Garden Walks and other events and programs sponsored by the Friends of Hagerman NWR.
Tram Tours every Saturday and Sunday at 2:00pm Enjoy a 60 – 90-minute tour along Wildlife Drive at the Refuge. Enjoy learning about the history of the displaced town of Hagerman while watching for wildlife. Lots of stops for birdwatching and photography. Reservations required. Standbys are accepted if space permits. Free and open to the public. Funded by donations. https://www.friendsofhagerman.com/ Tram-Tours.
2026 Legal Aid of Northwest Texas Evening Clinic Dates
When: 4th Thursday @ 5:00pm
Dates: ● April 23rd ● July 23rd ● October 22rd
Where: Housing Authority
810 W. 16th St., Bonham, TX 75418
Legal Aid Hotline (888)529-5277 - Free Legal Help By Phone, Toll Free Intake & Advice Hotline, 9 am to 12 pm & 1 pm to 4 pm.
STATE BAR REFERRAL: 1-800-252-9690
PLANO BAR ASSOCIATION: 972-424-6113
DALLAS BAR ASSOCIATION: 214-220-7444
Fannin County Family Crisis Center
903-583-7694
24 Hour Hotline
903-583-7000
Daily 7AM - 10PM 1204 Silo Rd. Bonham, TX 75418 972-737-0515
Angie Smith announcing candidacy for Ector City Council
Hi, I would like to introduce myself and provide some pertinent information about me and my campaign. I am Angie Holt Smith and I am running for Ector City Council. I am a retired and devoted volunteer.
I am the proud granddaughter of the late Thurman and Dorothy Long, and the late John and Lena Holt. I am the daughter of Dale and the late Beckie Holt, the wife of Kyle Smith, a truck driver, and the mother of 3 adopted children, now in their young adulthood.
I volunteer with the Fannin County Food Pantry and the Red River Valley Car Club, and I am a proud member of Ector Baptist Church. Service has always been a central part of my life, and I feel strongly in giving back to the community that has given so much to me. I have lived over two-thirds of my life in Ector, and graduated from Ector High School. I also have an Associates degree from Grayson College and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from East Texas A&M. I am a 6th generation Ectorite, with my ancestors being founding members of Ector.
I have several, obtainable goals as a City Council member, including: Improving communication between our city and its citizens. Everyone deserves to feel informed, heard, and involved in the decisions that affect their daily lives.
4/14/26
Bringing back a strong sense of pride in our town by working alongside our city departments and partnering with civic organizations so that Ector can be a town every citizen is proud to call home.
Work with Commissioners to ensure all citizens are fairly represented-- both inside and outside of the city limits.
Open stronger lines of communication with TxDOT to address the maintenance of our state streets, culverts, and drainage systems—issues that matter to all of us.
At my core, I am committed to faith, family, service, and community. Those values guide every decision I make and every goal I set. My mom had wanted me to run for City Council for years, and since her passing last year I have decided it was time. I am fortunate enough to have my full family’s support and hope to have yours. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected, and prouder Ector.
Thank you, and God bless you all.
Partially paid for by Angie Smith
Meet the Candidates
Thursday, April 16, 2026
6 pm @ Ector School Cafeteria
County Judge Candidates H. Compton John Tynan
Ector Mayor Candidates Mary Norris Colton Whisenhunt
Ector City Council Candidates Larry Fleet Angie Smith
Sat. April 25th 11am - 6pm at the RFS: 106 Sycamore St.
Brisket w/all the Trimmings and Homemade Desserts
Bounce House for Kids
Join us for a delicious lunch & support the missions of the United Women in Faith
Family Life Center
200 West 8th Street - Bonham, Texas
Friday, April 17, 2026 11:00am - 2:00pm
Fundraiser
Bring your chair. GLORIFY GOD AMONG THE NATIONS SEEKING HIM IN ALL GENERATIONS 1 CHRONICLES 16:24 NASB National Day of
Hosted By Friends of Angie Smith 4 City Council will be celebrated Thursday, May 7, 2026 at Noon at the Fannin County Courthouse
Enjoy Big Adventures & Quiet Conversations
Hear all the sounds of spring!
Widex Allure™ combines new and updated features for crystal clear speech and accurate environmental sound. You’ll experience a natural clarity powered by a new W1 Chip that is 4x faster with 4x memory capacity. You’ll hear an improvement in speech intelligibility with the help of directional mics, noise reduction, and feedback cancellation.
Widex Allure™ delivers every voice sound with greater balance, vibrancy and authenticity than ever before.
• Precision Hearing technology
• Bluetooth-hands free phone calls & streaming
• 28-hr battery life
• Speech Enhancer Pro
• AI Sound Assistant- create instant listening environments
“ When you have a hearing loss, it forces your brain to work harder to interpret sounds, leaving you frustrated, exhausted, and often feeling isolated. It can also lead to more rapid cognitive decline for some people, which can be frightening. The good news is that with WIDEX’s remarkable hearing aid technology coupled with brain training customized to your needs, you can stay fully engaged with your life. Imagine the joy of casual conversations, streaming music, differentiating the sounds of nature! We want to help you maintain your independence so you can engage with friends and family – with life – more easily. Call now. We want to help you hear well in the year ahead. ”
Jill Sheppard, B.S., SLP/Audiology, Licensed Fitter and Dispenser of Hearing Instruments (LFDHI), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), Co-owner of HearCare & Associates
Jill Sheppard, B.S., SLP/Audiology, Kenneth Sheppard, Jr., LFDHI
Atmos
Energy Reminds Communities to Plan Ahead, Prioritize Safety During National Safe Digging Month
it to local utility companies.
FANNIN COUNTY, Texas
– April 1, 2026 – With spring weather comes the opportunity to tackle outdoor projects around the yard, but digging before locating underground utility lines can lead to serious injuries, service outages and expensive repairs. National Safe Digging Month begins today and continues throughout the month of April as an opportunity for Atmos Energy to remind homeowners, contractors, and other businesses to plan ahead, prioritize safety and contact 811 prior to any digging or excavation work.
“Across
required by law.”
Throughout National Safe Digging Month and every day of the year, please follow these steps before starting any outdoor project:
● Dial 8-1-1 on your phone or visit 811beforeyoudig.com a few days before breaking ground,
regardless of the digging depth or your familiarity with the area.
● Plan ahead. Make a free 811 request on Monday or Tuesday for work planned on the weekend, providing enough time for the approximate location of utility lines to be marked.
● If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has contacted 811. Do not allow work to begin if the lines aren't marked.
● Confirm that all lines have been marked.
● Consider moving the location of a project if it is near utility line markings.
Natural gas safety is a partnership, and everyone who contacts 811 a few days before digging is connected to a local 811 center that collects the information and communicates
Professional locators will then visit the dig site to mark the approximate location of underground utility lines with spray paint, flags or both. Once a site has been accurately marked, it is safe to begin digging around the marked areas.
Atmos Energy’s vision is to be the safest provider of natural gas services and has long been a champion for damage prevention. Everyone is invited to become a safety ambassador by taking the Atmos Energy Call 811 Pledge at atmosenergy.com/call811pledge. As a safety ambassador, you will help educate others about the value of safely locating underground utility lines. Together, we can protect our communities, prevent accidents, and enjoy safe and reliable natural gas service.
Fannin County Witnesses to History: William Tabor Alford
Army before World War II and when the war broke out he volunteered for combat and entered pilot training. He served as Captain of B-24 Liberator bombers and again volunteered, this time for a unit called "the Carpetbaggers," an elite secret unit of the OSS, forerunner of the CIA. He flew low-level, covert midnight missions in a stripped down, jet black, unarmed B-24 to aid the Resistance movements in Nazi occupied nations. He dropped arms, munitions, supplies, and secret agents.
After leaving the Air Force, he became a pilot for Braniff Airlines and served as Chairman of the International Airline Pilots Association Safety Committee, where he was instrumental in the safety de-
04/17/26 - Sliced Turkey Breast with Gravy, Lima Beans, Parmesan Tomatoes, Multigrain Bread, Fresh Banana, Milk 210 E. 6th St., Bonham, TX • Phone 903-583-8573
sign of then-new D/FW International Airport.
After retirement he bought a cattle ranch near Windom. He died in 2008 and is buried in the Windom Cemetery.
Bonham TX SENIOR Center Menu
A Joint Project of the Sam Rayburn House Historic Site and the Fannin County Historical Commission
with Spotlights of Fannin County Citizens Who Participated In or Witnessed Historical Events
By Malinda Allison, Fannin County Historical Commission
William (Bill) Alford was born in 1920 and grew up in the Panhandle. He joined the
EMPLOYMENT
HELP WANTED
Need Part-Time Welder and Part-Time Landscape Helper. Call 903-814-8620
IMMEDIATE OPENINGS for the
FOLLOWING POSITIONS
HVAC Technicians, Journeyman Electrician, and HVAC/Electric Apprentice and Helpers. Competitive wages based on experience, vacation and company paid insurance.
For more information
Call: 903-583-4018 or apply in person at Blain Service Company, 7258 N. Hwy 78, in Ravenna
CNC Mill Machinist
POSITION OPENINGS
B.F. Gammon Tool & Die
is accepting applications for IMMEDIATE openings for CNC Mill Machinist and also someone with Gear Cutting experience. 40 hours per week plus overtime. Full benefits including paid healthcare, retirement benefits and holiday, vacation and sick pay. Climate controlled shop. 7:30am-4:00pm, 5 days per week. Send resume via email to brett@bfgammon.com or call 903-583-3597
SEEKING APPLICATIONS
Part or Full Time Position
We are looking for someone who is motivated, has their own transportation. Will represent The Leader well and help our customers reach their customers/clients at the same time. Pay will be based on experience. Come in, fill out an application! Please apply in person at: The Fannin County Leader 224 N. Main St., Bonham, TX
FOR SALE
FOR SALE: Golf Cart EZ Go Workhorse Gas, 4 Seater, Raised Heavy Suspension $1900 903-227-8310
HOUSEKEEPING
CLEANING HOUSES and SMALL LAWNS Fannin & Grayson Counties. Call: 903-640-6352 or 903-486-5537
MISCELLANEOUS
A PAW UP Helping Animals In Need Thrift Store 101 West Hayes, Savoy Open Friday thru Sunday 10am-5pm.
FREE CLOTHES & HOUSEWARES: Clothes Closet Valley Creek Baptist Church, 3615 FM 896, Leonard. Wednesdays 8-10am
PERSONALS
SEEKING COMPANION
Albert Gilberti 72 lived in Denison 2004 / 2022. Hugo Okla., Youngstown Ohio, Knoxville TN, Vermont. NJ., Ma. Now going back to TX. Seek companion who has car, can travel. Have son AJ, In Allen. gilbertialbert@gmail.com
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL PAINT & DRYWALL REPAIRS: Cracks, holes, patches, water damage, sheetrock repair, ceilings, walls, matched texturing. Interior/ Exterior Painting. 45+ years experience. Call Johnny @ 903-209-6958
PASTURE MOWING
$60 per acre
Free Estimates Call David 214-577-1026
STAPP TREE
TRIMMING and REMOVAL
Hauling, Storm Damage, Demolition Work, Dead Wood Removal, Licensed and Bonded. Over 25 Years Experience. Call 903-583-7888. “Cheaper than the cheapest. Give me a call, I can handle it all, guaranteed.”
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.
FLEX BASE 6 Yards Flex Base: $350 1-½” Crusher Run: $400 Pea Gravel: $450 Shreddd Tree Mulch: $200
FREE Delivery in Fannin County! Also available: Other landscape materials. After hours and weekend deliveries available. Call for details! 469-585-9167
TREES and MÁS Large Acreage Mowing with Tractor, Landscaping, Fences, Stump Grinding, and Concrete. Roofing- Metal or Shingles, Indoor or Outdoor Remodeling & Repairs. House Painting. Pressure Washing. Insured, Call for free estimate. 903-2276940, 903-227-8369 or 903-486-2868.
HANDY ANDY VENTURES,LLC
Drywall Repairs, Painting, Carpentry, Remodeling. No Job Too Small. 40 yrs. Experience. References. Call 352-208-8832
App House Leveling & Foundation repair Pier and Beam/ Slab Foundation/ Small & Large Remodels. 903-227-2860
PUBLIC SALES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC SALE
Pursuant to Chapter 59, Texas Property Code, Northtown Storage at 416 NW US Hwy 69, Leonard TX 75452 will hold a public auction of property being sold to satisfy a landlord’s lien. The sale will be held at StorageAuctions.com starting April 9, 2026 to April 23, 2026 at 10:00 am. Property being sold includes contents in space listed: Isaac Weaver, Unit A06, furniture, sink, misc household items, chinacabinet
REAL ESTATE
HOUSES FOR RENT
3 Bdrm, 1 bath, C/A, Good Kitchen, New Floors, Fenced Yard. $1300 - - - - - - -3 Bdrm, 1 ½ bath, C/A, Fresh Paint, New Floors. $1200
- - - - - - - -
3 Bdrm, 1½ bath, Brick, C/A, Fenced Yard. $1200
- - - - - - -Apartment For Rent
2 Bdrm, 2 Bath Single Story, Brick, All appliances including Dishwasher & Microwave $1,000 mo. 903-227-0920
Taking Applications For Full - Time and Part-Time Sales Representatives
No experience necessary-will train in all aspects of outside sales.
• Must be personable and dependable
• Income based on your efforts
• Provide your own transportation
• Full commission rate immediately
• Sales call list will be provided to build your accounts for a great start!
• A great opportunity in a growing county!
• Applicants are subject to a back-ground check and drug screen.
• Apply in person, no phone calls please Come by 224 N. Main St., Bonham Texas for an application
CITATION BY PUBLICATION - TRC 109 & 114 THE STATE OF TEXAS CAUSE NO. CV-25-47201 § IN THE COURT OF § 336TH DISTRICT COURT Billie Harruff v. James A. Smith and Vickie D. Smith Or Those Claiming By, Through, Or Under Them; Ed Flippo and Evelyn Flippo Or Those Claiming By, Through, Or Under Them; Cleta Fay Bridges Or Those Claiming By, Through, Or Under Her § FANNIN COUNTY, TEXAS
TO: Cheryl Jones 1223 Denrock Avenue Dalhart TX 79022, or wherever he/she may be found, DEFENDANTGREETING
NOTICE TO DEFENDANT: “You have been sued. You may employ an attorney. If you or your attorney do not file a written answer with the clerk who issued this citation by 10:00 a.m. on the Monday next following the expiration of forty-two (42) days after the date this citation was issued, a default judgment may be taken against you. In addition to filing a written answer with the clerk, you may be required to make initial disclosures to the other parties of this suit. These disclosures generally must be made no later than 30 days after you file your answer with the clerk. Find out more at TexasLawHelp.org” TRCP. 99 You are hereby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Petition at or before 10:00 o’clock A.M. on the Monday next after the expiration of 42 days after the date of issuance of this citation the same being Monday, the , before the Honorable 336th District Court of Fannin County, Texas, at the South Annex Courthouse in said County in Bonham, Texas. Said Plaintiff's Petition was filed in said court on the March 13, 2026 in the above entitled cause. The brief statement of the nature of this suit is as follows, to-wit: If land describe:_____acres, lot &block # TRACT 1: BEGINNING at the S.E. corner of lot #7 in said block thence go West 108 ft., 9 in. for a point of beginning. From said point of beginning go East 38 ft. with the south line of the property herein described:
THENCE N. 144 ft. THENCE W. with the North line thereof 38 ft. THENCE S. 144 ft. to the place of beginning.
TRACT TWO:
a default judgment may be taken against you. In addition to filing a written answer with the clerk, you may be required to make initial disclosures to the other parties of this suit. These disclosures generally must be made no later than 30 days after you file your answer with the clerk. Find out more at TexasLawHelp.org” TRCP. 99
You are hereby commanded to appear by filing a written answer to the Plaintiff’s Petition at or before 10:00 o’clock A.M. on the Monday next after the expiration of 42 days after the date of issuance of this citation the same being Monday, the , before the Honorable 336th District Court of Fannin County, Texas, at the South Annex Courthouse in said County in Bonham, Texas. Said Plaintiff's Petition was filed in said court on the March 13, 2026 in the above entitled cause.
The brief statement of the nature of this suit is as follows, to-wit:
If land describe:_____acres, lot &block # TRACT 1: BEGINNING at the S.E. corner of lot #7 in said block thence go West 108 ft., 9 in. for a point of beginning. From said point of beginning go East 38 ft. with the south line of the property herein described:
THENCE N. 144 ft.
THENCE W. with the North line thereof 38 ft.
THENCE S. 144 ft. to the place of beginning.
TRACT TWO:
BEGINNING at the Southeast corner of said Lot No. 7 in Block No. 9;
THENCE North 139 feet to the N. E. corner of said Lot 7;
THENCE West with North line of said Lot No. 7, 72 2 feet to the Northwest corner thereof;
THENCE North five (5) feet to the N. E. corner of Lot No. 6 in said Block No. 9;
THENCE West with the North line thereof 36 feet 3 inches a stake;
THENCE South 144 ft. to the South line of said Lot No. 6; Thence East 108 feet 9 inches to the places of beginning,
4/24
the place of beginning.
TRACT TWO: BEGINNING at the Southeast corner of said Lot No. 7 in Block No. 9; THENCE North 139 feet to the N. E. corner of said Lot 7; THENCE West with North line of said Lot No. 7, 72 2 feet to
PUBLIC NOTICE
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION MAY 2, 2026 CHARTER AMENDMENTS – CITY OF BONHAM, TEXAS
Notice is hereby given that a Special Election will be held on May 2, 2026, 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., to consider amendments to the City of Bonham Home Rule City Charter. The Charter amendment propositions, and the proposed text changes are attached as Exhibit “A”. The election shall be administered by the City of Bonham in accordance with the Texas Election Code. See https://www.cityofbonham.org/253/Election-Information for more information.
Fiscal Impact Statement
This notice is published in accordance with Texas Local Government Code, sec. 9.004(c). If Proposition D is approved, City Council compensation would increase by $40 per regular meeting per council member. Mayor compensation would increase by $80 per regular meeting. Upon canvassing the election results, compensation would be $50 per regular meeting, not to exceed $600 annually per council member. Compensation for mayor would be $100 per regular meeting, not to exceed $1,200 annually. This would remain in effect until City Charter Section 2 and 4 is amended. It is estimated that there will be no fiscal impact to the City of Bonham for any of the other proposed propositions.
The election shall be held on May 2, 2026, at the Bonham City Hall at 514 Chestnut St, Bonham, Texas. Polls will be open on May 2, 2026, between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted at Bonham City Hall, 514 Chestnut St, Bonham, Texas 75418 as follows:
Applications for ballot by mail shall be requested from and mailed to: Heather Stockton, Early Voting Clerk, 514 Chestnut St, Bonham, Texas 75418. Applications for ballot by mail must be received no later than close of business on April 20, 2026.
Issued by: John Burnett, Mayor City of Bonham
EXHIBIT A
City of Bonham Proposed Charter Amendments and Text Changes Proposition A – Term Limits
Increasing the term limits is warranted given the growth coming to Bonham and the need for consistency in working on long range planning involving master planning and redevelopment projects.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
(In the text of the proposed amendment, words stricken out would be deleted from the Charter. All other words would be in the Charter if the amendments are adopted. Words to be added are typically shown by underlining.)
Beginning with the May 2015 and May 2016 elections described above, a councilmember may serve a maximum of two (2) three (3) consecutive terms as a councilmember and additionally, two three consecutive terms in the office of Mayor. For councilmembers in Place 1 and Place 5 elected to two (2) year terms in the May 2015 regular election, these councilmembers may serve a maximum of three (3) consecutive terms of office. After a councilmember or mayor has served their maximum term of office, a one (1) year (365 day) absence from office is required before that person will be eligible to hold another elective office.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION A
Shall Section 2, of the Home Rule Charter be amended to increase term limits for the mayor and city council to three (3) three-year terms? __________ FOR __________ AGAINST
Section affected: Section 2
Proposition B – Moral Turpitude
The term “moral turpitude” has never been definitively defined by the legislature or the courts and is somewhat antiquated. It is recommended to change the provision to provide that one of the reasons for a councilmember to forfeit office is upon final conviction of a felony for which the person has not been pardoned or had resulting disabilities removed. REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
The office of a councilmember shall become vacant upon the member’s death, resignation or removal from office or forfeiture of office in any manner authorized by law. A councilmember shall forfeit that office if the councilmember:
1. Fails to meet the residency requirements.
2. Violates any express prohibition of this charter.
3. Is finally convicted of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude for which the person has not been pardoned or had resulting disabilities removed, or
4. Fails to attend three consecutive meetings of the Council without being excused by the Council.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION B
Shall Section 2 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that a councilmember who has been finally convicted of a felony for which the person has not been pardoned or had resulting disabilities removed shall forfeit office? ____ FOR __________ AGAINST
Section affected: 2
Proposition C – Fill a Vacancy
Currently there is no procedure to fill a vacancy on the city council. Therefore, the City must rely on Texas Constitution Art. 11, which requires a special election. However, Art. 11 does allow home rule cities by charter provision to fill a vacancy by appointment when vacancy is less than one year. This provision would save taxpayer resources.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
Vacancies in the city council for which the remaining term is twelve months or less shall be filled by appointment by majority vote of the remaining members of the city council by a person meeting the qualifications of the charter to serve the remainder of the unexpired term. When there are two (2) or more vacancies at any one time, the vacancies shall be filled by special election to be held on the earliest date allowed by law for the purpose of allowing the qualified voters of the city to elect a person to swerve the remained of the unexpired term unless the date of the next general election for the city council occurs first.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION C
Shall Section 2 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to add authority for the city council to fill a vacancy by appointment when the vacancy for the unexpired term is less than one year? __________ FOR __________ AGAINST
Section affected: Section 2
Proposition D – Council Compensation
The duties, commitments, and responsibilities of the Mayor and City Council members warrant an increase in compensation for their valuable time, expense, and work. The impact on the city budget is negligible. Currently the city council meets once per month and are paid $20 and $10 respectively, per regular meeting attended for a total budget outlay of $960 annually. The increase would result in a budget impact of $4,800, or an increase of $3,840.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
The mayor shall receive as compensation $100 for each regular meeting attended and Each each councilmember shall receive as compensation $10.00 $50.00 for each regular monthly meeting they attend.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION D
Shall Section 2 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to provide compensation for the mayor of $100.00 for each regular meeting attended and compensation of $50.00 for each regular meeting attended by a city councilmember? __________ FOR __________ AGAINST
Section affected: Section 2 and Section 4
Proposition E – Meetings
Current provisions require the city council to meet at city hall on the second Monday. This would be amended to provide that city council may hold regular meetings at city hall or other locations designated by city council and that city council shall meet at least once a month.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
Newly elected members shall assume duties of office following the canvass of election results and taking the oath of office. The City Council shall meet in a regular meeting at the City Hall or such other locations as shall be designated by the City Council on the second Monday of at least once each month, the hour of such regular meeting shall be fixed by ordinance or resolution. In case a quorum shall not be present at any such meeting, a smaller number may adjourn from time to time, no time to be more than three days apart until a quorum is obtained, and such adjourned meeting be deemed and held a regular meeting. Special meetings shall be called by the City Secretary upon the written request of the Mayor, the City Manager or three members of the City Council. Notice of such special meeting shall state the subject to be considered. All meetings of the City Council and the committees thereof shall be open to the public except as provided by State Statute (Government Code, Chapter 551, Subchapter D and any other statutory references). Any inhabitant of the City shall have a reasonable opportunity to be heard at any regular meetings of the City council on any matter, and any special meeting on any subject before the special meeting. The City Council may enter into Executive Session IAW as provided by State law.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION E
Shall Section 3 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to provide the city council with greater flexibility with regard to the location and day of council meetings? __________ FOR AGAINST
Section affected: Section 3
4/7/26
Proposition F – Public Hearings for Ordinances
State law only requires public hearings in certain cases (eg: zoning textual and map changes, property tax rates, certain annexations, adoption of CIP). Thus, the charter is more restrictive than state law. Additionally, all ordinances are considered at a public meeting at which the public has an opportunity to be heard any item on the agenda in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. This revision would save taxpayer resources.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
The City Secretary shall publish the ordinance by caption together with a in the City Council agenda and provide notice setting out the time and place for a public hearing thereon and for its consideration by the City Council. The public hearing shall follow the publication by at least seven days, may be held separately or in connection with a regular or special council meeting and may be adjourned from time to time; all persons interested shall have an opportunity to be heard. After the hearing, the The City Council may adopt the ordinance on first and final reading or reject it. If the ordinance is amended as to any matter of substance, the City Council may not adopt it until the ordinance or its amended sections have been subjected to all the procedures herein before required in the case of a newly introduced ordinance.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION F
Shall Section 7 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to remove the public hearing requirement for ordinances considered by the city council unless a public hearing is required by state law?
Section affected: Section 7
__________ FOR AGAINST
Proposition G – Emergency Ordinances
State law requires that emergency laws can only be effective for 60 days. Therefore, this change brings the charter in compliance with state law
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
Emergency ordinances may be passed without the requirement of prior publication with the affirmative vote of all members of the City Council. An emergency ordinance shall be introduced in the form and manner prescribed for ordinances generally, except that it shall be plainly designated as an emergency ordinance, and shall contain after the enacting clause, a declaration stating that an emergency exists and describing it in clear and specific terms. Emergency ordinances may be effective for no more than sixty (60) days. After its adoption, the emergency ordinance shall be published in the newspaper of record. No measure making a grant renewal, or extension of a franchise, or other special privilege or regulating the rate required for its services for any public utility shall ever be passed as an emergency measure. All other ordinances in effect at the time of the adoption of the emergency ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION G
Shall Section 7 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to provide that emergency ordinances shall be effective for 60 days? required by state law?
Section affected: Section 7
__________ FOR AGAINST
Proposition H– Budget
This will address what should happen if a budget is not adopted by adding language to provide that in the event the Council does not adopt a budget before the last day the current fiscal year, then the previous year’s budget shall remain in effect on a month-to-month basis until a budget is adopted. Further the current provisions in the Charter which states that if the City Council fails to adopt a budget the City Manager submitted budget shall be deemed adopted is likely unconstitutional.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
Following a public hearing the City Council may adopt the budget with or without amendment. The City Council shall adopt the budget before the last day of the fiscal year currently ending. Should the City Council take no fail to take final action on or prior to such day, the budget adopted for the previous fiscal year shall remain in effect on a month to month basis until a budget is adopted for the current fiscal year, as submitted by the City Manager, shall be deemed to have been finally adopted by the City Council. To implement the adopted budget, the City Council shall adopt, prior to the beginning of the new fiscal year:
1. An appropriation ordinance making appropriations by fund and department.
2. A tax levy ordinance authorizing the property tax levy or levies and setting the tax rates; and
3. Any other ordinances required to authorize new revenues or to amend the rates or other features of existing taxes or other revenue sources.
The City of Bonham shall adhere to the requirements of all current and future State statutes, which have an effect on municipal budgeting and taxation and the scheduling of such activities.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION H
Shall Section 15 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to establish a procedure to allow the previous year ’s budget to remain in effect on a month-to-month basis should the city council fail to adopt a budget before the last day of the current fiscal year?
Section affected: Section 15
__________ FOR AGAINST
Proposition I – Errors or Defects
The Texas Legislature has added procedural requirements to the budget and tax rate adoption process in the past few legislative sessions. If the city inadvertently misses a requirement or makes an error in the process this provision would prohibit such error or defect from invalidating the budget and tax rate adopted.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION Errors or defects in the form or preparation of the budget or the failure to perform any procedural requirement shall not nullify the tax levy or the tax rate.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION I
Shall Section 15 of the Home Rule Charter be amended to add provisions ensuring that errors or defects in the form or preparation of the budget or the failure to perform any procedural requirement shall not nullify the tax levy or the tax rate?
Section affected: Section 15
__________ FOR AGAINST
Proposition J – Recall
The Charter currently does not include a provision by which citizens can recall the mayor or city council members when a majority of citizens are dissatisfied with the actions of their elected representatives. A recall provision gives the citizens, upon submission of a valid petition, the opportunity to vote to remove the official from the city council. Recall provisions are found in 93% of all home rule city charters in Texas. It is recommend limitations be placed on recall provisions to prevent a recall from being filed within six months after election to office or within three months of expiration of the person’s current term.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
§ 22. Independent School District. REPEALED Recall of Mayor and City Council Members Repealed May 13, 2006 by voter approval The Mayor and/or any City Council members may be recalled and removed from office by electors qualified to vote in City of Bonham elections.
(a) Procedure.
1. Before the question of recall of the mayor or a council member shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the city, a petition addressed to the city council of the City of Bonham demanding the recall of the mayor or a council member shall first be filed with the city secretary, which petition shall name the mayor or council member whose removal is sought, and contain a complete statement of the grounds for which the removal is sought. A separate petition shall be required for the mayor and each council member whose removal is sought.
2. The petition shall be signed by qualified voters equal in number to at least ten (10) percent of the total number of qualified voters on the date of the last regular municipal election of the city.
3. Notice shall be given in writing to the city secretary by five (5) registered voters on the first day that such petition is circulated, and the total signatures required must be secured and the petition filed within thirty (30) days thereafter
4. The petition may consist of one (1) or more papers circulated separately and the signatures thereto may be upon the paper or papers containing the form of the petition, or upon other paper attached thereto. For a petition signature to be valid, a petition must contain, in addition to the signature: the signer’s printed name, residence address, county of residence, date of signing, and either voter registration number or date of birth, and must comply with any other applicable requirements prescribed by state law. One (1) of the signers to each of such papers shall make oath before an official competent to administer oaths that each signature is that of the person whose name it purports to be and was signed by such person on the date indicated.
5. Within ten (10) days after the filing of such petition, the city secretary shall examine the same and from the list of qualified voters ascertain whether or not said petition is signed by the requisite number of qualified voters. The city secretary shall attach to said petition a certificate showing the result of such examination.
6. If by the secretary’s certificate the petition is shown to be insufficient, it may be amended within ten (10) days from the date of said certificate. The secretary shall, within ten (10) days after such amendment is filed, in the event one is filed, make like examination of the said amended petition, and if the certificate shall show the petition to be insufficient, it shall not be further amended.
7. If the petition is found to be sufficient, the city secretary shall within five (5) days or at the next regular city council meeting, whichever is later, submit it and the certificate declaring the petition to be sufficient to the city council, and notify the affected mayor or council member sought to be recalled. The city council, in the event that the mayor or council member fails to resign, shall order and set an election to be held on the earliest date allowed by law following the submission of the certified petition to the city council.
8. If the mayor or council member in question resigns, no recall election shall be necessary and the vacancy shall be filled by the council as in other cases of vacancies. (b) Appeal. Should the city council fail or refuse to order an election as herein provided for the recall of the mayor or a council member, when all the requirements for such election have been complied with by the petitioning citizens, in conformity with this article of the charter, then it shall be the duty of any one of the district judges of Fannin County, Texas, upon proper application being made therefore, to order such election and to enforce the carrying into effect of the provisions of this article of the charter.
(c) Recall limitations. No recall petition shall be filed against the mayor or any council member within six (6) months after such person’s election or appointment to the city council and qualifying for office within three (3) months after an election for such person’s recall, and in no case within three (3) months prior to the expiration of such person’s current term of office.
Continued from Pg. 15
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Notice Of A Public Hearing Before The Fannin County Commissioners Court
Notice is hereby given that the Commissioners Court of Fannin County, Texas will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, starting at 8:45am in the Fannin County Court House, 101 E Sam Rayburn Dr. Bonham, TX. The Commissioners Court will consider:
1. Restricting thru truck traffic on CR 1505 and CR 1545 in the unincorporated area of Bonham.
This hearing and actions by the Commissioners Court are subject to the Texas Transportation Code, Section 251.151. For further information regarding this hearing on proposed no thru truck traffic, please contact Commissioner Waggoner, Precinct 1, at 903-965-7030 or County Judge Newt Cunningham at 903-583-7455.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
4/14/26
Notice is hereby given that original Letters Testamentary for the Estate of Elizabeth A. O’Hara-Manuel AKA Elizabeth Ann Manuel, Deceased, were issued on March 31, 2026, in Cause No. PR-2026-13535, pending in the Probate Court of Fannin County, Texas, to: Logan Scott Kotloroff AKA Logan Scot Kotloroff. All persons having claims against this Estate which is currently being administered are required to present them to the undersigned within the time and in the manner prescribed by law.
Logan Scott Kotloroff AKA Logan Scot Kotloroff c/o Ashley Hoyer 950 Echo Lane, Suite 200 Houston, Texas 77024
SIGNED on March 31, 2026.
/S/ Ashley Hoyer
Ashley Hoyer
State Bar No.: 24117224
Christopher B. Heald
State Bar No.: 24066671
Telephone: (713) 904-5274
Facsimile: (713) 255-4426
Email: ahoyer@silblawfirm.com
Attorney for Logan Scott Kotloroff AKA Logan Scot Kotloroff
Proposition K – Initiative and Referendum
The Charter currently does not include a provision by which citizens can petition the governing body to ask the city council to act on a specific issue when it has not done so previously.
4/14/26
An initiative and referendum provision gives the citizens more opportunity to be involved in legislation by allowing them direct participation in the legislative process, upon submission of a valid petition to seek to have ordinances passed or repealed. Initiative and referendum provisions are found in 88% of all home rule city charters in Texas. It is recommend limiting referendum petitions to matters that do not involve ordinances levying taxes, appropriating money, authorizing the issuance of bonds, zoning and any other ordinance that is not the proper subject of referendum by state law.
REDLINE VERSION OF APPLICABLE CHARTER SECTION
§ 24. Board of Equalization. REPEALED Initiative and Referendum
Repealed May 13, 2006 by voter approval
(a) Power of initiative. The people of the City of Bonham reserve the power of direct legislation by initiative, and in the exercise of such power may propose that any ordinance, except those not legally authorized to be considered by initiative by the state constitution or state law, be submitted to the qualified voters of the city by submitting a petition to the city secretary which shall contain the full text of the proposed ordinance, signed by qualified voters of the city equal in number to ten (10) percent of the total number of qualified voters on the date of the last regular municipal election. The signatures to the petition need not all be appended to one (1) paper, but all signers shall in addition to their signature provide their residence address, county of residence, printed name, date of signing and comply with any other applicable requirements prescribed by state law. One (1) of the signers to each of such papers shall make oath before an officer of the State of Texas competent to administer oaths that each signature is that of the person whose name it purports to be and was signed by such person on the date indicated. All petition papers comprising an initiative petition shall be assembled and filed with the city secretary as one instrument on the same day
1. Examination of initiative petition. Within ten (10) days from the date of filing an initiative petition, the city secretary shall examine the same and ascertain from the list of qualified voters whether or not said petition is signed by the requisite number of qualified voters, and shall attach to said petition a certificate showing the result of such examination. If by the secretary’s certificate the petition is shown to be insufficient, it may be amended within ten (10) days from date of said certificate. The secretary shall within ten (10) days after receipt of such amendment make like examinations of the amended petition. If the secretary’s certificate shall show the same to be insufficient, the petition may not be further amended, however, a new petition may be filed to the same effect. The city attorney shall review the petition to determine that it is a proper subject and in proper form. If the petition shall be found to be sufficient, the secretary shall submit the same to the city council without delay
2. City council action. When the city council receives an initiative petition certified by the city secretary to be sufficient, the city council shall either: i. Pass said proposed ordinance without alteration within twenty (20) days after the attachment of the city secretary’s certificate of sufficiency to the accompanying petition; or ii. Call a special election to be held on the next allowable election date as authorized by state law at which said ordinance, without alteration, shall be submitted to a vote of the people.
3. Ballots—Proposed initiative ordinance. The ballots used when voting upon an ordinance proposed by initiative petition shall state the nature of the proposed ordinance and shall contain the words “For the Ordinance,” and “Against the Ordinance.” Any number of proposed ordinances may be voted at the same election, in accordance with the provisions of
4.
be presented to the city council, the ordinance shall thereupon be suspended from taking effect, and it shall be the duty of the city council to reconsider such ordinance, and if the same is not entirely repealed the city council shall submit the ordinance to the vote of the qualified voters of the city at the next uniform election date or other date allowed
and any ordinance not the proper subject of referendum by the state constitution or state law.
Ballot Text: PROPOSITION K
Shall Section 24 be added to the Home Rule Charter to provide procedures for initiative and referendum? __________ FOR AGAINST
Section affected: Section 24 Proposition L – Power of Condemnation Over the past few legislative sessions, the Texas Legislature has added certain requirements and has attempted to limit the ability of a city to exercise the power of eminent domain. The purpose of this provision is to ensure that the city charter complies with state law and to ensure the City retains all powers related to eminent domain.
The City shall have the full power authority and right to exercise the power of eminent domain to acquire property by condemnation within or without its corporate limits for any municipal purpose in any manner authorized or permitted by the Constitution and laws of the State of Texas when necessary and desirable to carry out any of the
AVISO PÚBLICO AVISO DE ELECCIÓN ESPECIAL 2 DE MAYO DE 2026 ENMIENDAS A LA CARTA
– CIUDAD DE BONHAM, TEXAS
Se notifica que se celebrará una Elección Especial el 2 de mayo de 2026, de 7:00 a.m. a 7:00 p.m., para considerar enmiendas a la Carta de Autonomía de la Ciudad de Bonham. Las proposiciones de enmienda de la Carta y los cambios propuestos en el texto se adjuntan como Anexo “A”. La elección será administrada por la ciudad de Bonham de acuerdo con el Código Electoral de Texas. Consulta https://www.cityofbonham.org/253/Election-Information para más información.
Estado de Impacto Fiscal Este aviso se publica conforme al Código de Gobierno Local de Texas, sección 9.004(c). Si se aprueba la Propuesta D, la compensación del Ayuntamiento aumentaría en 40 dólares por reunión ordinaria y miembro del concejal. La compensación del alcalde aumentaría en 80 dólares por reunión ordinaria. Al consultar los resultados electorales, la compensación sería de 50 dólares por reunión ordinaria, sin exceder los 600 dólares anuales por miembro del concejal. La compensación para el alcalde sería de 100 dólares por reunión ordinaria, sin exceder los 1.200 dólares anuales. Esto permanecería en vigor hasta que se modifiquen las Secciones 2 y 4 de la Carta de la Ciudad. Se estima que no habrá impacto fiscal para la ciudad de Bonham por ninguna de las otras propuestas propuestas.
La elección se celebrará el 2 de mayo de 2026 en el Ayuntamiento de Bonham, en 514 Chestnut St, Bonham, Texas. Las urnas estarán abiertas el 2 de mayo de 2026, entre las 7:00 y las 19:00. La votación anticipada por comparecencia personal se realizará en el Ayuntamiento de Bonham, 514 Chestnut St, Bonham, Texas 75418, de la siguiente manera:
Las solicitudes para la papeleta por correo deberán solicitarse y enviarse a: Heather Stockton, Secretaria de Votación Anticipada, 514 Chestnut St, Bonham, Texas 75418. Las solicitudes de votación por correo deben recibirse a más tardar antes del cierre de la jornada el 20 de abril de 2026.
Emitido por: John Burnett, Alcalde Ciudad de Bonham
EJEMPLO A
Propuestas de enmiendas a la carta y cambios en el texto de la ciudad de Bonham
Proposición A – Límites de mandato
Es justificado aumentar los límites de mandato dado el crecimiento que se avecina en Bonham y la necesidad de coherencia en la planificación a largo plazo que implique proyectos de planificación maestra y reurbanización.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
(En el texto de la enmienda propuesta, las palabras eliminadas serían eliminadas de la Carta. Todas las demás palabras estarían en la Carta si se adoptan las enmiendas. Las palabras que se van a añadir suelen mostrarse subrayadas.)
A partir de las elecciones de mayo de 2015 y mayo de 2016 descritas anteriormente, un concejal puede desempeñar un máximo de dos (2) tres (3) mandatos consecutivos como concejal y, además, dos tres mandatos consecutivos en el cargo de alcalde. Para los concejales en los Puestos 1 y 5 elegidos para mandatos de dos (2) años en las elecciones ordinarias de mayo de 2015, estos concejales podrán desempeñar un máximo de tres (3) mandatos consecutivos. Después de que un concejal o alcalde haya cumplido su mandato máximo, se requiere una ausencia de un (1) año (365 días) antes de que esa persona pueda ocupar otro cargo electo.
Texto de la papeleta:
PROPOSICIÓN A
¿Se debe modificar la Sección 2 de la Carta de Autogobierno para aumentar los límites de mandatos para alcalde y ayuntamiento a tres (3) mandatos de tres años?
Sección afectada: Sección 2
__________ PARA _ EN CONTRA
Proposición B – Turpitud moral
El término “turpitud moral” nunca ha sido definido de forma definitiva por la legislatura ni por los tribunales y es algo anticuado. Se recomienda modificar la disposición para establecer que una de las razones por las que un concejal renuncie al cargo es tras una condena definitiva por un delito grave por el que la persona no ha sido indultada o no se le hayan eliminado las discapacidades resultantes.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
El cargo de concejal quedará vacante tras el fallecimiento, dimisión o destitución del cargo o pérdida de cargo de cualquier manera autorizada por la ley. Un concejal perderá ese cargo si el concejal:
1. No cumple con los requisitos de residencia.
2. Viola cualquier prohibición expresa de esta carta.
3. Finalmente es condenado por un delito grave o un delito que implique turpitud moral por los que la persona no ha sido indultada ni se le han eliminado las discapacidades resultantes, o
4. No asiste a tres reuniones consecutivas del Consejo sin ser excusado por el Consejo.
Texto de la papeleta:
PROPOSICIÓN B
¿Debe modificarse la Sección 2 de la Carta de Autogobierno para establecer que un concejal que haya sido finalmente condenado por un delito grave por el que la persona no haya sido indultada o haya tenido la discapacidad resultante eliminada renunciará al cargo?
Sección afectada: 2
__________ PARA ___ EN CONTRA
Proposición C – Cubrir una vacante
Actualmente no existe ningún procedimiento para cubrir una vacante en el ayuntamiento. Por lo tanto, la ciudad debe basarse en el Art. 11 de la Constitución de Texas, que exige una elección especial. Sin embargo, el Art. 11 permite que las ciudades de autonomía local, mediante disposición de la carta, cubran una vacante mediante nombramiento cuando la vacante sea inferior a un año. Esta disposición ahorraría recursos a los contribuyentes.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
Las vacantes en el ayuntamiento cuyo mandato restante sea de doce meses o menos deberán ser cubiertas por nombramiento por mayoría de los miembros restantes del ayuntamiento por una persona que cumpla con los requisitos de la carta para servir el resto del mandato no expirado. Cuando haya dos (2) o más vacantes en un momento dado, las vacantes se cubrirán mediante elección especial que se celebrará en la fecha más temprana permitida por ley, con el fin de permitir a los votantes cualificados de la ciudad elegir a una persona que evite el resto del mandato no expirado, salvo que se presente primero la fecha de las próximas elecciones generales para el ayuntamiento.
Texto de la papeleta: PROPOSICIÓN C
¿Debe modificarse la Sección 2 de la Carta de Autogobierno para añadir autoridad al ayuntamiento para cubrir una vacante mediante nombramiento cuando la vacante para el mandato no expirado sea inferior a un año? _ PARA ______ EN CONTRA
Sección afectada: Sección 2
Propuesta D – Compensación del Consejo
Las funciones, compromisos y responsabilidades del alcalde y de los miembros del Ayuntamiento justifican un aumento de la compensación por su valioso tiempo, gasto y trabajo. El impacto en el presupuesto municipal es insignificante. Actualmente, el ayuntamiento se reúne una vez al mes y recibe un pago de 20 y 10 dólares respectivamente, por reunión ordinaria a la que asisten, para un presupuesto total de 960 dólares anuales. El aumento supondría un impacto presupuestario de 4.800 dólares, o un incremento de 3.840 dólares.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
El alcalde recibirá como compensación 100 $ por cada reunión ordinaria a la que asista y cada concejal recibirá como compensación 10,00 $ 50,00 $ por cada reunión mensual ordinaria a la que asista.
Texto de la papeleta: PROPOSICIÓN D
¿Se modificará la Sección 2 de la Carta de Autogobierno para proporcionar una compensación de 100,00 dólares por cada reunión ordinaria asistida y una compensación de 50,00 dólares por cada reunión ordinaria a la que asista un concejal municipal?
__________ PARA _____ EN CONTRA
Sección afectada: Sección 2 y Sección 4
4/7/26
Hayes Equine ● April 2026
Newsletter
STRATEGIC DEWORMING OF THE HORSE Worm parasites are dormant in winter and hot summer months, so those seasons are not a good time to worm. We worm in the spring and fall. In the spring (April), the larva stage strongyle worms (bloodworms) that are encysted in the large intestine wall hatch and molt into adult worms. The new adult worm attaches to the intestine, sucks blood, and lays eggs which are passed out in the manure contaminating the pasture. WE no longer worm every 2 months as previously practiced but
instead recommend a strategic worming schedule that deworms when there are the most parasites. The promotion overusing these wormers in past years has led to parasite resistance to the wormers and the emergence of summer sores. Changing the brand of wormer often does not change the contents of the tube. There are only a limited number of equine antiparasitic on the market. Benzimidazoles (Fenbendazole/Oxibendazole), Pyrimidines (Pyrantel), and Macrocyclic lactones (Ivermectin/ Moxidectin) are the only 3 main drug classes. There are no new upcoming drugs. If these chemicals become more
ineffective due to overuse, we will have no more options to control parasites. APRIL 15, TIME TO DEWORM Worm now with Ivermectin or Quest for the adult strongyles, the L3 larval form, and bots. Zimecterin Gold, Quest Plus and Equimax have Praziquantel which kills the tapeworms too. There is another worm hatch in 6 months. On October 15 we worm the young horses age 1-3 and do a fecal test on adult horses to see if they need to be wormed. Baby horses get their 1st wormer with Panacur double dose at 2 months of age and then wormed monthly. TIME FOR SPRING VACCINATIONS AND COGGINS TEST
7 Way is an annual vaccine that contains Eastern & Western Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Flu, and Rhino/ Equine Herpes 1,4. This is recommended for horses that travel to shows, playdays, breeding farm, trails. Booster high risk horses (those exposed to outside horses) with a Rhino/Equine Herpes 1,4 vaccine every 6 months. Rabies Vaccine booster is given annually to horses. Core Vaccine is a basic vaccine has East/West Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, Rabies. It does not contain or provide protection from Flu or EHV1. This vaccine is for horses that don’t go anywhere and have no exposure to outside horses.
Any horse that has not been
Propuesta E – Reuniones
vaccinated will need a booster in 4 weeks then annually.
Don’t forget to confirm that your horse has a current Coggins test. This blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia is required for a change of ownership, a health certificate when crossing state lines, horse shows, playdays, barrel races, ropings, and trail ride areas. We run the tests on Tuesdays and Thursdays here at the clinic. Don’t miss an event because your Coggins is expired! FIRST AID KIT
Make kits in a backpack or tote for the barn and to carry in the horse trailer. Oral dose of Banamine or Bute for colic, fever or pain. Bandage material such as cotton, vet wrap, and Neospo-
rin antibiotic cream for cuts. Eye ointment for an eye that is watering, squinting or eye injury. A thermometer. A drug store human digital thermometer will due. Normal temperature is 100. Prepare for transport. Be sure your trailer is ready or keep phone numbers of friends in your kit who will haul your horse to the vet in case of an emergency.
FOUNDER ALERT For those easy keepers or horses that have foundered before, it is time to get them off the green grass so they will not founder again. CASTRATION SIGNS April 8-14.
Las disposiciones actuales exigen que el ayuntamiento se reúna en el ayuntamiento el segundo lunes. Esto se modificaría para establecer que el ayuntamiento podrá celebrar reuniones ordinarias en el ayuntamiento u otros lugares designados por el ayuntamiento y que el ayuntamiento se reunirá al menos una vez al mes.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
Los nuevos miembros elegidos asumirán sus funciones tras la revisión de los resultados electorales y la toma de juramento. El Ayuntamiento se reunirá en una reunión ordinaria en el Ayuntamiento o en cualquier otro lugar que el Ayuntamiento designe el segundo lunes de al menos una vez al mes; la hora de dicha reunión ordinaria será fijada por ordenanza o resolución. En caso de que no haya quórum presente en dicha reunión, un número menor podrá levantarse de vez en cuando, sin que haya más de tres días de diferencia hasta que se obtenga el quórum, y dicha reunión levantada se considere y celebre una reunión ordinaria. Las reuniones extraordinarias serán convocadas por el Secretario Municipal a petición escrita del Alcalde, el Gerente Municipal o tres miembros del Ayuntamiento. El aviso de dicha reunión extraordinaria indicará el tema a considerar. Todas las reuniones del Ayuntamiento y de sus comités estarán abiertas al público, salvo lo que disponga el Estatuto Estatal (Código de Gobierno, Capítulo 551, Subcapítulo D y cualquier otra referencia legal). Cualquier habitante de la Ciudad tendrá una oportunidad razonable para ser escuchado en cualquier reunión ordinaria del consejo municipal sobre cualquier asunto, y en cualquier reunión especial sobre cualquier asunto antes de la reunión extraordinaria. El Ayuntamiento puede entrar en Sesión Ejecutiva según lo dispuesto por la ley estatal. Texto de la papeleta:
PROPOSICIÓN E
¿Debe modificarse la Sección 3 de la Carta de Autogobierno para otorgar al ayuntamiento mayor flexibilidad respecto a la ubicación y el día de las reuniones del consejo? __________ PARA __________ EN CONTRA
Sección afectada: Sección 3
Proposición F – Audiencias públicas para ordenanzas
La ley estatal solo exige audiencias públicas en ciertos casos (por ejemplo: cambios en el texto y mapas de zonificación, tipos del impuesto sobre la propiedad, ciertas anexiones, adopción del CIP). Por tanto, la carta es más restrictiva que la ley estatal. Además, todas las ordenanzas se consideran en una reunión pública en la que el público tiene la oportunidad de escuchar cualquier punto del orden del día conforme a la Ley de Reuniones Abiertas de Texas. Esta revisión ahorraría recursos a los contribuyentes.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
El Secretario Municipal publicará la ordenanza mediante un pie de foto junto con un documento en la agenda del Ayuntamiento y proporcionará un aviso estableciendo el momento y el lugar para una audiencia pública al respecto, así como para su consideración por parte del Ayuntamiento. La audiencia pública seguirá la publicación al menos siete días, podrá celebrarse por separado o en relación con una reunión ordinaria o extraordinaria del consejo y podrá ser aplazada de vez en cuando; todas las personas interesadas tendrán la oportunidad de ser escuchadas. Tras la audiencia, el Ayuntamiento podrá adoptar la ordenanza en primera y última lectura o rechazarla. Si la ordenanza se modifica respecto a cualquier asunto de fondo, el Ayuntamiento no podrá adoptarla hasta que la ordenanza o sus secciones enmendadas hayan sido sometidas a todos los procedimientos anteriormente establecidos en el caso de una ordenanza recién introducida.
Texto de la papeleta:
PROPOSICIÓN F
¿Se modificará el artículo 7 de la Carta de Autonomía para eliminar el requisito de audiencia pública para las ordenanzas consideradas por el ayuntamiento, salvo que la ley estatal requiera una audiencia pública? __________ PARA _____ EN CONTRA
Sección afectada: Sección 7
Proposición G – Ordenanzas de Emergencia La ley estatal exige que las leyes de emergencia solo puedan ser efectivas durante 60 días. Por lo tanto, este cambio pone la carta en conformidad con la legislación estatal.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
Las ordenanzas de emergencia pueden aprobarse sin necesidad de publicación previa con el voto afirmativo de todos los miembros del Ayuntamiento. Una ordenanza de emergencia deberá introducirse en la forma y manera prescritas para las ordenanzas en general, excepto que deberá designarse claramente como ordenanza de emergencia y, tras la cláusula de promulgación, contener una declaración que indique que existe una emergencia y la describa en términos claros y específicos. Las ordenanzas de emergencia pueden ser efectivas durante un máximo de sesenta (60) días. Tras su adopción, la ordenanza de emergencia se publicará en el periódico correspondiente. Ninguna medida que renueve una subvención, una extensión de una franquicia, u otro privilegio especial o regule la tarifa requerida para sus servicios para cualquier servicio público será aprobada como medida de emergencia. Todas las demás ordenanzas vigentes en el momento de la adopción de la ordenanza de emergencia permanecerán plenamente vigentes.
Texto de la papeleta:
PROPOSICIÓN G
¿Se debe modificar el artículo 7 de la Carta de Autogobierno para establecer que las ordenanzas de emergencia serán efectivas durante 60 días? ¿Exige la ley estatal?
Sección afectada: Sección 7
__________ PARA _____ EN CONTRA
Propuesta H– Presupuesto
Esto abordará lo que debería ocurrir si no se adopta un presupuesto, añadiendo un lenguaje que establezca que, en caso de que el Consejo no adopte un presupuesto antes del último día del año fiscal actual, el presupuesto del año anterior permanecerá en vigor mes a mes hasta que se adopte un presupuesto. Además, las disposiciones actuales de la Carta, que establecen que si el Ayuntamiento no adopta un presupuesto, el presupuesto presentado por el Director de la Ciudad será considerado adoptado, probablemente sean inconstitucionales.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
Tras una audiencia pública, el Ayuntamiento podrá adoptar el presupuesto con o sin enmienda. El Ayuntamiento adoptará el presupuesto antes del último día del ejercicio fiscal que actualmente finalice. Si el Ayuntamiento no toma ninguna medida final en o antes de ese día, el presupuesto adoptado para el año fiscal anterior permanecerá en vigor mes a mes hasta que se apruebe un presupuesto para el año fiscal en curso presentado por el Gerente de la Ciudad, se considere que ha sido finalmente adoptado por el Ayuntamiento. Para implementar el presupuesto adoptado, el Ayuntamiento adoptará, antes del inicio del nuevo año fiscal:
1. Una ordenanza de asignaciones que otorga asignaciones por fondos y departamento.
2. Una ordenanza de gravamen fiscal que autoriza el gravamen o gravámenes del impuesto sobre la propiedad y fija los tipos impositivos; y
3. Cualquier otra ordenanza necesaria para autorizar nuevos ingresos o para modificar los tipos u otras características de los impuestos existentes u otras fuentes de ingresos. La ciudad de Bonham deberá cumplir con los requisitos de todas las leyes estatales actuales y futuras, que afecten al presupuesto y la fiscalidad municipales, así como a la programación de dichas actividades.
Texto de la papeleta:
PROPOSICIÓN H
¿Se modificará la Sección 15 de la Carta de Autogobierno para establecer un procedimiento que permita que el presupuesto del año anterior siga vigente mes a mes si el ayuntamiento no adopta un presupuesto antes del último día del ejercicio fiscal actual? __________ PARA _____ EN CONTRA
Sección afectada: Sección 15
Proposición I – Errores o defectos
La Legislatura de Texas ha añadido requisitos procedimentales al proceso de adopción de presupuestos y tipos impositivos en las últimas sesiones legislativas. Si la ciudad inadvertidamente incumple un requisito o comete un error en el proceso, esta disposición prohibiría que dicho error o defecto invalide el presupuesto y la tasa impositiva adoptada. VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
Los errores o defectos en la forma o preparación del presupuesto o el incumplimiento de cualquier requisito procedimental no anularán el gravamen fiscal ni la tasa impositiva.
Texto de la papeleta: PROPOSICIÓN I
¿Se modificará el artículo 15 de la Carta de Autogobierno para añadir disposiciones que garanticen que los errores o defectos en la forma o preparación del presupuesto o el incumplimiento de cualquier requisito procesal no anulen el gravamen fiscal ni el tipo impositivo?
Sección afectada: Sección 15
April 14, 2026 • 903-583-3280
Proposición J – Revocación
Actualmente, la Carta no incluye una disposición por la cual los ciudadanos puedan destituir al alcalde o a los miembros del consejo municipal cuando la mayoría de los ciudadanos estén insatisfechos con las acciones de sus representantes electos. Una disposición de revocación otorga a los ciudadanos, tras la presentación de una petición válida, la oportunidad de votar para destituir al funcionario del ayuntamiento. Las disposiciones de revocación se encuentran en el 93% de todas las cartas de ciudades con autonomía local en Texas. Se recomienda imponer limitaciones a las disposiciones sobre revocación para evitar que se presente una revocación dentro de los seis meses posteriores a la elección o dentro de los tres meses posteriores a la expiración del mandato actual de la persona.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
§ 22. Distrito Escolar Independiente. DEROGADO Destitución del alcalde y de los miembros del ayuntamiento Derogado el 13 de mayo de 2006 por aprobación de los votantes El alcalde y/o cualquier miembro del Ayuntamiento podrá ser revocado y destituido por electores que tengan derecho a votar en las elecciones de la ciudad de Bonham. (a) Procedimiento.
1. Antes de que la cuestión de la revocación del alcalde o de un concejal sea sometida a los votantes cualificados de la ciudad, se presentará primero una petición dirigida al ayuntamiento de la ciudad de Bonham exigiendo la revocación del alcalde o de un concejal ante el secretario municipal, petición que nombrará al alcalde o concejal cuya destitución se solicite, y contienen una exposición completa de los motivos por los que se busca la expulsión. Se requerirá una petición separada para el alcalde y cada concejal cuya destitución se solicite.
2. La petición deberá ser firmada por votantes cualificados que tengan al menos un diez (10) por ciento del total de votantes cualificados en la fecha de las últimas elecciones municipales regulares de la ciudad.
3. La notificación por escrito al secretario municipal será enviada por cinco (5) votantes registrados el primer día que se distribuya dicha petición, y se deberán obtener el total de firmas requeridas y presentar la petición en un plazo de treinta (30) días posteriores.
4. La petición puede consistir en uno (1) o más documentos distribuidos por separado y las firmas pueden estar en el papel o documentos que contengan el formulario de la petición, o en otros documentos adjuntos a ellos. Para que una firma de petición sea válida, esta debe contener, además de la firma: el nombre impreso del firmante, la dirección de residencia, el condado de residencia, la fecha de firma y el número de registro de votante o la fecha de nacimiento, y debe cumplir con cualquier otro requisito aplicable prescrito por la ley estatal. Uno (1) de los firmantes de cada uno de estos documentos deberá jurar ante un funcionario competente para administrar juramentos de que cada firma es la de la persona cuyo nombre supuestamente se presenta y fue firmada por dicha persona en la fecha indicada.
5. Dentro de los diez (10) días posteriores a la presentación de dicha petición, el secretario municipal deberá examinarla y, a partir de la lista de votantes cualificados, determinar si dicha petición ha sido firmada por el número requerido de votantes cualificados. El secretario municipal adjuntará a dicha petición un certificado que muestre el resultado de dicho examen.
6. Si el certificado del secretario demuestra que la petición es insuficiente, puede ser modificada en un plazo de diez (10) días desde la fecha de dicho certificado. El secretario deberá, dentro de los diez (10) días posteriores a la presentación de dicha enmienda, en caso de que se presente, examinar de igual manera dicha petición enmendada, y si el certificado demuestra que la petición es insuficiente, no será modificado más.
7. Si la petición se considera suficiente, el secretario municipal deberá, en un plazo de cinco (5) días o en la próxima reunión ordinaria del ayuntamiento, lo que ocurra más tarde, presentarla junto con el certificado declarando que la petición es suficiente ante el ayuntamiento, y notificar al alcalde afectado o al concejal que se solicite revocar. El ayuntamiento, en caso de que el alcalde o el concejal no dimita, ordenará y fijará una elección en la fecha más temprana permitida por ley tras la presentación de la petición certificada al ayuntamiento.
8. Si el alcalde o el concejal en cuestión dimite, no será necesaria una elección de revocación y la vacante será cubierta por el ayuntamiento como en otros casos de vacantes.
(b) Apelación
Si el ayuntamiento no logra o se niega a ordenar una elección como se establece para la revocación del alcalde o de un miembro del concejo, cuando los ciudadanos que solicitan hayan cumplido todos los requisitos para dicha elección, conforme a este artículo de la carta, entonces será deber de cualquiera de los jueces de distrito del condado de Fannin, Texas, tras la debida solicitud, ordenar dicha elección y hacer cumplir la aplicación de las disposiciones de este artículo de la carta.
(c) Limitaciones de retirada.
No se podrá presentar ninguna petición de revocación contra el alcalde ni contra ningún concejal dentro de los seis (6) meses posteriores a su elección o nombramiento en el ayuntamiento y que haya calificado para el cargo dentro de los tres (3) meses posteriores a una elección para su revocación, y en ningún caso dentro de los tres (3) meses previos a la expiración del mandato actual de dicha persona.
Texto de la papeleta:
PROPOSICIÓN J
¿Se añadirá la Sección 22 a la Carta de Autogobierno para establecer el procedimiento para la destitución del alcalde y de los miembros del ayuntamiento?
Sección afectada: Sección 22
PARA _______ EN CONTRA
Proposición K – Iniciativa y Referéndum
Actualmente, la Carta no incluye una disposición mediante la cual los ciudadanos puedan solicitar al órgano de gobierno que solicite al ayuntamiento que actúe sobre un asunto específico cuando no lo ha hecho anteriormente. Una disposición de iniciativa y referéndum da a los ciudadanos más oportunidades de participar en la legislación al permitirles la participación directa en el proceso legislativo, tras la presentación de una petición válida para solicitar la aprobación o derogación de ordenanzas. Las disposiciones de iniciativa y referéndum se encuentran en el 88% de todas las cartas municipales de gobierno autónomo en Texas. Se recomienda limitar las peticiones de referéndum a asuntos que no impliquen ordenanzas que impongan impuestos, asignación de dinero, autorización de la emisión de bonos, zonificación y cualquier otra ordenanza que no sea objeto adecuado de referéndum por ley estatal.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
§ 24. Junta de Igualación. DEROGADO Iniciativa y referéndum
Derogado el 13 de mayo de 2006 por aprobación de los votantes (a) Poder de iniciativa. El pueblo de la ciudad de Bonham se reserva el poder de legislación directa por iniciativa y, en el ejercicio de dicho poder, puede proponer que cualquier ordenanza, excepto aquellas que no estén legalmente autorizadas para ser consideradas por iniciativa por la constitución estatal o la ley estatal, sea presentada a los votantes cualificados de la ciudad mediante la presentación de una petición al secretario municipal que contendrá el texto completo de la ordenanza propuesta, firmados por votantes cualificados de la ciudad equivalen en número al diez (10) por ciento del total de votantes cualificados en la fecha de las últimas elecciones municipales ordinarias. No es necesario que todas las firmas de la petición estén añadidas a un (1) papel, pero todos los firmantes deben, además de su firma, proporcionar su dirección de residencia, condado de residencia, nombre impreso, fecha de firma y cumplir con cualquier otro requisito aplicable prescrito por la ley estatal. Uno (1) de los firmantes de cada uno de estos documentos deberá jurar ante un funcionario del Estado de Texas competente para administrar juramentos de que cada firma es la de la persona cuyo nombre supuestamente es y fue firmada por dicha persona en la fecha indicada. Todos los documentos de la petición que compongan una petición de iniciativa deberán reunirse y presentarse ante el secretario municipal como un solo instrumento el mismo día.
1. Examen de la petición de iniciativa. En un plazo de diez (10) días desde la fecha de presentación de una petición de iniciativa, el secretario municipal la examinará y determinará a partir de la lista de votantes cualificados si dicha petición está firmada por el número requerido de votantes cualificados, y adjuntará a dicha petición un certificado que muestre el resultado de dicho examen. Si el certificado del secretario demuestra que la petición es insuficiente, puede ser modificada en un plazo de diez (10) días desde la fecha de dicho certificado. El secretario deberá, dentro de los diez (10) días posteriores a la recepción de dicha enmienda, realizar examinaciones similares de la petición enmendada. Si el certificado del secretario demuestra que es insuficiente, la petición no podrá ser modificada más; sin embargo, se podrá presentar una nueva petición con el mismo efecto. El abogado de la ciudad revisará la petición para determinar que es un asunto adecuado y en la forma adecuada. Si la petición se considera suficiente, el secretario deberá presentarla al ayuntamiento sin demora.
2. Acción del ayuntamiento. Cuando el ayuntamiento reciba una petición de iniciativa certificada por el secretario municipal como suficiente, el ayuntamiento deberá: i. Aprobar dicha ordenanza propuesta sin modificaciones dentro de veinte (20) días tras la incorporación del certificado de suficiencia del secretario municipal a la petición que la acompañaba; o ii. Convoca una elección especial que se celebrará en la siguiente fecha permitida según lo autorizado por la ley estatal, en la que dicha ordenanza, sin modificaciones, será sometida a votación popular.
3. Papeletas—Propuesta de ordenanza de iniciativa. Las papeletas utilizadas al votar una ordenanza propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa deberán indicar la naturaleza de la ordenanza propuesta y contener las palabras “A favor de la Ordenanza” y “En contra de la Ordenanza.” Cualquier número de ordenanzas propuestas podrá votarse en la misma elección, de acuerdo con las disposiciones de esta sección de la carta.
4. Fecha válida y efectiva de la ordenanza iniciada. Si la mayoría de los votantes cualificados que voten sobre una ordenanza propuesta por petición de iniciativa vota a favor de ella, dicha ordenanza se convertirá entonces en una ordenanza válida y vinculante de la ciudad, y cualquier ordenanza adoptada por el ayuntamiento propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa, o que sea adoptada por voto del pueblo, no podrá ser derogada ni enmendada salvo por voto del pueblo.
5. Derogación o enmienda de la ordenanza iniciada. El ayuntamiento podrá presentar una propuesta para derogar cualquier ordenanza adoptada por el ayuntamiento propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa o dicha ordenanza adoptada por voto del pueblo, o para enmiendas a ella, que será votada en cualquier elección municipal sucesivas, y si dicha propuesta así presentada recibe la mayoría de los votos emitidos en dicha elección, dicha ordenanza será derogada o enmendada en consecuencia. 6. Publicación de ordenanza propuesta por iniciativa de petición. Siempre que alguna ordenanza propuesta mediante petición de iniciativa sea requerida por la carta constitutiva para ser presentada a los votantes cualificados de la ciudad en cualquier elección, el secretario municipal deberá hacer que la ordenanza propuesta se publique al menos treinta (30) días antes de dicha elección en un periódico local u otra publicación oficial de la ciudad, o por cualquier otro medio que permita la ley estatal.
7. Cuando la ordenanza de iniciativa sea efectiva. Ninguna ordenanza propuesta por petición de iniciativa aprobada por el ayuntamiento ni ordenanza adoptada por voto del pueblo entrará en vigor hasta treinta (30) días después de su aprobación definitiva, salvo cuando lo requieran lo contrario las leyes generales del estado. (b)Poder del referéndum. Los votantes cualificados de la ciudad pueden exigir que cualquier ordenanza promulgada por el ayuntamiento sea presentada a los votantes cualificados de la ciudad para su aprobación o desaprobación, presentando una petición ante el secretario municipal dentro de los cuarenta y cinco (45) días posteriores a la aprobación de dicha ordenanza o dentro de los cuarenta y cinco (45) días posteriores a su publicación, lo que ocurra más tarde. Dicha petición deberá ser firmada por votantes cualificados de la ciudad que equivalgan en número al menos al diez (10) por ciento del total de votantes cualificados en la fecha de las últimas elecciones municipales ordinarias. En un plazo de diez (10) días tras la presentación de la petición, el secretario municipal deberá examinarla y, a partir de la lista de votantes cualificados, determinar si la petición está firmada por el número requerido de votantes cualificados. Si por el certificado del secretario municipal la petición resulta ser suficiente, la petición será presentada al ayuntamiento, la ordenanza quedará suspendida de su entrada en vigor y será deber del ayuntamiento reconsiderar dicha ordenanza, y si no se deroga por completo, el ayuntamiento deberá someter la ordenanza a votación de los votantes cualificados de la ciudad en las próximas elecciones uniformes Fecha u otra fecha permitida por la ley estatal. Dicha ordenanza quedará suspendida de su entrada en vigor y no entrará en vigor posteriormente a menos que la mayoría de los votantes calificados que voten a favor de la ordenanza. El poder de referéndum no se aplicará a ordenanzas que impongan impuestos, asignen dinero, autoricen la emisión de bonos, zonificación y cualquier ordenanza que no sea objeto de referéndum por la constitución estatal o la ley estatal.
Texto de la papeleta: PROPOSICIÓN K
¿Se debe añadir el artículo 24 a la Carta de Autogobierno para establecer procedimientos de iniciativa y referéndum? __________ PARA _______ EN CONTRA
Sección afectada: Sección 24
We love our members and more members are needed (Age 18 and up)
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 Texas Senior Center every 1st Monday of each month at 3:00 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, Secretary Bonham Texas Senior Center ● 972-529-0282 Mail: 210 E 6th Street, Bonham, 75418
Beware
of Scam calls, emails or texts
Be on Alert - Medicare never calls you unless you have called them and requested a call back, and neither does Social Security. Scammers might even say you will be receiving a new Medicare card. Also, please be careful in taking any calls about Medicare or Insurance plans unless it is your LOCAL AGENT. Please never give out your SS# or Medicare# or DOB, etc. to anyone. If something sounds too good you know it usually is not good.
**DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS IN ANY EMAILS CONCERNING YOUR SHIPPPING ADDRESS! This is a new scam asking for credit information. Delete the e-mail. Do Not Risk Your Credit Card Information or your computer’s integrity.
Proposición L – Poder de Condena
The Fannin County Leader Deadline is Thursdays @ Noon
Skyway Towers, LLC proposes to build a 155-foot Selfsupport Communications Tower at the approx. vicinity of 6872 Highway 69, Trenton, Fannin County, TX 75490 [Lat: 33-25-01.051 N, Long: 96-18-16.390 W]. Public comments regarding potential effects from this site on historic properties may be submitted within 30 days from the date of this publication to: Trileaf Corp, Arjun Pai, a.pai@trileaf.com, 7700 West Highway 71, Suite 200, Austin,
En las últimas sesiones legislativas, la Legislatura de Texas ha añadido ciertos requisitos e intentado limitar la capacidad de una ciudad para ejercer el poder de expropiación. El propósito de esta disposición es asegurar que la carta municipal cumpla con la ley estatal y garantizar que la ciudad conserve todos los poderes relacionados con la expropiación.
VERSIÓN REDLINE DE LA SECCIÓN DE LA CARTA APLICABLE
La Ciudad tendrá pleno poder, autoridad y derecho a ejercer el poder de expropiación para adquirir bienes por expropiación dentro o fuera de sus límites corporativos para cualquier propósito municipal , de cualquier manera autorizada o permitida por la Constitución y las leyes del Estado de Texas cuando sea necesario y deseable para ejercer cualquiera de los poderes conferidos a la ciudad por esta carta o por la Constitución y las leyes del Estado de Texas. El poder de expropiación por la presente conferido incluirá el derecho de la Ciudad a tomar el dominio absoluto de las tierras así expropiadas.
Texto de la papeleta: PROPOSICIÓN L
¿Se debe modificar el artículo 29 de la Carta de Autogobierno para aclarar que la ciudad tiene pleno poder de expropiación?
Sección afectada: Sección 29
4/7/26
PARA
EN CONTRA
PHOENIX (April 1, 2026)
– Sparklight, a leading highspeed internet provider, is now accepting applications for its Spring 2026 Charitable Giving Fund. Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Sparklight’s 24-state service areas are invited to apply for funding from April 1‒30. Each year, Sparklight awards $250,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations working to strengthen the communities they serve. Funding supports initiatives in three key areas where the need is significant and the impact is lasting:
● Education and Digital Literacy
● Hunger Relief and Food Insecurity ● Community Development
“Local nonprofits are the backbone of strong communities — meeting pressing needs, creating meaningful opportunities and making a lasting difference every day,” said Jim Holanda, Sparklight CEO. “Through our Charitable Giving Fund, we’re proud to support their work and help extend their impact in the communities we serve.” Since the Fund’s inception in 2020, Sparklight has awarded more than $1.2 million in grants to more than 275 nonprofits. These investments have supported initiatives in digital literacy, hunger relief, child and senior advocacy, housing and broader community programs. For additional information about the Sparklight Charitable Giving Fund or to apply for a grant, please visit www. sparklight.com/charitablegiving. To learn more about Sparklight internet and mobile services, visit www.sparklight.com/internet.
Crossword Solution
