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During the 1970s through the 1990s, “Watergate” triggered about the same thoughts in nearly everyone who heard the word—the plot to break into and “bug” the Democratic Party Headquarters in the Watergate Complex in June of 1972. The event was “bungled,” using the words of reporters, and led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon. One man most took the blame for the bungling of the attempt to steal Democratic secrets, but refused to implicate any other participants, and was sentenced to prison for 20 years for the burglary and attempted wire-tapping.

STAR Transit is providing free rides for persons with confirmed appointment to get the COVID 19 vaccine shots. The curb-to-curb service extends outside of the agency’s service area. Rides are available Monday – Friday, 6:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. For this purpose, STAR Transit is temporarily adding Saturday service from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Reservations should be made at least one service day in advance and are based on vehicle availability.

From ceremonial ground breakings to official doors opening, Forney ISD has been very busy with creating classrooms. The starting of construction for Jerry and Helen Griffin Elementary School, Tim Rhodes Intermediate School, and Tony Jackson Middle School began in August of 2020 and they are projected to open their respective doors to students for the Fall of 2021 right on time. And the work continues this spring: the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Forney ISD Aquatic Center and Don R. Willett Elementary School happened in April, 2021 and the groundbreaking ceremony for the new campus for O.B. Johnson El ementary School took place in early May, 2021 with the openings for these facilities expected to take place in 2022.

After four months of Zoom meetings due to COVID, Alpha Tau met live and virtually, celebrating the 92nd birthday of DKG! It was a blessing to be together again and to celebrate each other— and to include a Founder’s Day tribute to our DKG sisters. “Hats off to the Founders” was the title of the tribute that Bettye Penny shared. The historical information was presented by having different members each read a stanza of a poem, highlighting the founding women of DKG. Bettye also shared historical information about Alpha Tau, our Kaufman County chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. The Alpha Tau chapter was organized on April 15, 1933, in Terrell. The first president was Mrs. Pearl Larue, and charter members were the following: Mrs. H. C. Akin, Mrs. Ada Lou Adams, Mrs. Emma Lucille Anderson, Cleo Armstrong, Mrs. J. M. Bettis, Mrs. Otis Bryant, Thelma Clarke, Mrs. Charles Choate, Addie Mae Creecy, Ruth Elmore, Minnie Jane Gribble, Mamie Sue Halbrook, Mrs. Annie T. Magee, Pearl Mickie, Mrs. W. H. Petty, Agnes Peyton, Mrs. Clara Richards, Ethel Rives, Inez Strong, Mrs. Ollie Williams, Gladys Wright, and Mrs. E. J. Watson.

Born 12/24/1940 (Yes, he is really 80 years old!) in Brooklyn, New York, and married to wife, Christine, ANTHONY STEPHEN FAUCI is a renowned American immunologist and physician and scientist. He is the Director of the United States National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and “Chief Medical Advisor to the President.”

Due to the February 12, 2021 disaster declaration by the governor, certain properties within Kaufman County may qualify for a temporary exemption under section 11.35 of the Texas Property Tax Code.

Few, if any, families have not been affected by cancer. Estimates based on data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer suggested that 19.3 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2020, which reflects the far-reaching impact cancer has on people across the globe.

One thing I remember very well is that Texas High School Track “ran” and “measured” its events in miles, yards, inches—not the metric—until somewhere around 1980, and then the change was not always graceful or well-accepted! I once told a student in my English class in the 1990s that when I had run in a few open track meets when I was holding summer track for the interested girls in Forney that I had run a “10.5” (my best ever) in the “100” and came in next-to-last against a field of mainly college track guys from neighboring North Texas State University and a couple athletically minor junior colleges. I was shocked that they thought I was really fast until I remembered that by then they were running 100 meter races and not 100 yards! (You can do the math and figure out how much longer 100 meters is!)

A 20-year veteran of the United States Army, Sandi Primous is living proof of the benefits that can come from decades of service to our country. Having grown up in a military family, with her father and uncle both enlisted in branches of the Armed Forces, young Sandi knew the value of hard work. So much so, she graduated high school at age 16 and began her military career at age 17. “Entering the military at the age of 17 had an effect on me like no other,” she says. “What I mean is, I grew up, matured, and learned responsibility at a very young age. The Army reiterated values I learned at home such as honor, respect, and integrity. The Army instilled lifelong values in me such as loyalty, duty, personal courage, and selfless service.”

The Forney Independent School District recently announced the District’s 2020-2021 District Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. The announcement was made at the Forney Education Foundation’s Casino Night Fundraising event on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Forney ISD Superintendent Dr. Justin Terry, Forney ISD Board of Trustees President Mr. Greg Pharris and Forney ISD Board of Trustees Vice President Chad Johnson announced the winners at the event.

The American Medical Association (AMA) is urging Americans to get vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible and continue precautions against COVID-19 infection. But patients have many questions.

Ouachita Baptist University communications & media students have received five national Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) for the Ouachitonian yearbook and 39 state awards for the Ouachitonian, Signal newspaper and Ouachita Sports Digital Network from the Arkansas College Media Association (ACMA) as the spring 2021 semester comes to a close.

As many parts of our area are opening back up in full force, remember your local food bank. The Forney Food Pantry is always accepting donations of food and toiletries. This valuable community resource assists many local families and individuals who are at risk of being food-insecure. While the Forney Food Pantry will accept any unexpired food donations, they do have a list of most commonly needed items. Additionally, financial donations can be made to the Food Pantry through their website, www.forneyfoodpantryinc. org. For more information, call (972) 552-2011.