Les Cockrell: State park plans plenty of family activities
Visitors to Ray Roberts Lake State Park this weekend should find plenty to keep them entertained.
Pilot Point mulls pipeline project
PILOT POINT — More than 20 miles of water and sewer lines that stretch underneath Pilot Point must be replaced and it could take nearly $6 million and another water rate increase to complete, according to city staff.
Cooper Creek gets three new historical markers
Denton County Historical Commission officials held a dedication Sunday for three new historical markers in the Cooper Creek community, which lies just outside Denton city limits along Mingo Road.
Les Cockrell: Center shows support for awareness week
Staff members from the Denton County MHMR Center visited the Denton Square Thursday to display green ribbons and post a sign for Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which was observed May 5-11.
Tankersley wins seat on Lake Dallas school board
Courtney Tankersley was elected to a full term in Place 7 on the Lake Dallas school board Saturday in the district’s first contested race in five years.
Amason defeats Hanson in Corinth council contest
Incumbent Bruce Hanson, 47, lost by eight votes to newcomer Mike Amason, 32, in the only contested race in Corinth. Amason defeated Hanson 329 votes to 321.
Terrier hired as Pilot Point superintendent
PILOT POINT — The Pilot Point school board officially hired Byron Terrier of Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District as the district’s new superintendent Wednesday.
Les Cockrell: Spring garden tour offers special attractions
With the theme of “Living Green with Style,” the Denton County Master Gardener Association’s 2013 Spring Garden Tour will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Aubrey officials work on crafting plan for future
AUBREY — City officials are in the first stages of creating a plan they will use to improve the city and manage growth for several years into the future.
Creative connection
PILOT POINT — Justine Wollaston was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1969 and speaks with an English accent that has inherited a bit of Southern twang since she moved to Texas at age 12. Wollaston, barely 5 feet 5 inches tall in boots, is a freelance artist with a carefree attitude who can work in any medium.
Les Cockrell: CoServ presents three recipients with grants
The CoServ Charitable Foundation recently presented grants of more than $25,000 to three Denton County recipients, according to a CoServ press release.
A mark in history
AUBREY — A historical marker was unveiled Sunday afternoon at the Belew Cemetery in Aubrey in front of city officials, local residents and families of those buried in the cemetery.
Les Cockrell: Park program to explore ‘Stars on the Prairie’
The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area will host a program titled “Stars on the Prairie” and featuring Clyde Camp, a master naturalist and amateur astronomer, at 8:15 p.m. Friday.
Pilot Point to open volunteer center
PILOT POINT — The momentum generated from a visit by a team of city planning experts to Pilot Point is moving forward and has led city volunteers to establish a new center on the downtown square.
County hatches West Nile plan
Denton County officials are looking to get in front of the West Nile virus this season before things get out of hand.
Group to honor cemetery
The Belew Cemetery Association will have two celebrations Sunday —its annual Decoration Day and the recognition of a Historic Texas Cemetery marker.
MUD plans draw flak
AUBREY — Residential communities planned for the city of Aubrey’s extraterritorial jurisdiction have nearby municipality leaders concerned about the impact the population growth will have on their cities.
Les Cockrell: Fundraiser sets record in donations, ticket sales
The folks at Texas Cowboys Against Cancer recently reported that their fourth fundraiser to benefit people diagnosed with cancer resulted in record donations and ticket sales.
Early voting begins today in county
Early voting kicks off today in Denton County. Numerous races fill area ballots, giving people the opportunity to shape the development of their cities by voting on everything from city and school district leaders to propositions.
Weather forecasts up in air
FORT WORTH — Before dawn Monday morning, data and satellite images on Mark Fox’s computer station at the National Weather Service showed a low-pressure system developing over the Pacific Ocean, southwest of the California coast.
Les Cockrell: Senior fitness assessment set at athletic complex
A spring senior fitness assessment will be offered from 8 a.m. to noon Friday at Denton’s C.H. Collins Athletic Complex, 1500 Long Road.
Pilot Point to participate again in home improvement program
PILOT POINT — A state housing improvement program can help residents in Pilot Point improve their homes if the structures are distressed and present a health hazard.
McBroom to retire after three decades
SANGER — After nearly 30 years serving three Denton County school districts, Jackie McBroom said he’s retiring. McBroom, 59, is the assistant superintendent for educational services for the Sanger school district. He officially retires June 30. Throughout his career he’s worked as an educator for the Aubrey, Pilot Point and Sanger school districts.
Les Cockrell: Legion post announces selections for Texas Boys State
Officials with American Legion Post 71 have announced the selection of 41 high school juniors from the Denton area for Texas Boys State.
Counties seek bylaw change to gain seat
Officials from Denton and Collin counties are hoping proposed state legislation will create a much needed seat on the executive board of the North Central Texas Council of Governments.
County emergency workers ready to help
Denton County emergency personnel were ready to respond to the massive plant explosion in West on Wednesday night, relaying to state officials that the county was on standby and available if needed.
Denton people come to relative’s aid
Vic Burgess hurried from Denton to West on Wednesday night after learning his son had been seriously injured by the West Fertilizer plant explosion.
Les Cockrell: Weekend full of activities scheduled at state park
A program on mammals, hikes and a family “fish school” are among the activities available to area families this weekend at Ray Roberts Lake State Park.
Pilot Point school board chooses new superintendent
PILOT POINT — The Pilot Point school board selected Byron Terrier of the Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District as its lone finalist for the superintendent job. Board members voted 6-0 on the selection after meeting for just under 30 minutes at a special board meeting Monday. According to state law, the board must wait at least 21 days before it can officially hire Terrier.
Home, safe
Status updates and inquiries on the conditions of spectators and participants in the Boston Marathon continued to pour in through social media, with many people searching for friends and co-workers.
Denton County residents at Boston Marathon
Residents headed to social media pages to share and find news about friends and co-workers participating in Monday’s Boston Marathon that was interrupted by two bombs that exploded near the finish line. The Boston Marathon’s website listed seven participants from Denton and one each from Hickory Creek and Providence Village. There were a total of 42 registered participants from Denton County.
Les Cockrell: Kiwanis to present pancake supper, silent auction
Members of the Denton Breakfast Kiwanis will present their annual pancake supper and silent auction from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Friday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 2255 N. Bonnie Brae St.
Sanger school board nominates Crutsinger for award
The Sanger school board this week passed a resolution to nominate Kent Crutsinger for the superintendent of the year award.
Sanger to redo sewer lines
SANGER — Sewer overflows have occurred more frequently in recent years, state records show, and Sanger officials blame an aging sewer system and decaying sewer lines.
Pilot Point hits snag on water system work
The city of Pilot Point is still seeking bids for about $900,000 in water system improvements that are needed to incorporate a new water supply well.
Les Cockrell: Hikes set over the weekend at park
Area families can take advantage of several activities this weekend at Ray Roberts Lake State Park.
Denton County throws support towards special district
Denton County commissioners are throwing their support toward a developer with eyes on bringing yet another special district to Denton County.
County $5 million less in debt now
Denton County is $5 million less in debt thanks to some timely refinancing of bond debt. With interest rates low and the county’s bond rating high, officials saw an opportunity to refinance and gain greater savings than in past years.
Les Cockrell: Exhibit features at-risk children
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, and an exhibit titled “Keeping Children from Falling through the Cracks” will be on display through Friday in the lobby of the Denton County Courts Building, 1450 E. McKinney St.
Happy 167th!
The sounds of a strumming banjo and the sights of dogs playing on the courthouse lawn were more than a typical spring Saturday on the Square. Denton County was celebrating its 167th birthday with a party for young and old alike.
Portion of forfeiture money recalled
Denton County Sheriff William Travis has recalled $115,500 in drug forfeiture money that his predecessor pledged to four area constables for in-car video systems, and that change has left at least one constable scrambling to better equip his deputies’ vehicles.
Aubrey superintendent James Monaco to step down
Deputy Superintendent Debby Sanders will serve as acting superintendent for the Aubrey school district in the absence of James Monaco. Last week, Monaco said in a letter to the Aubrey school board and district staff that he planned to step down June 30, and the board named Sanders as the acting superintendent.
Les Cockrell: Event slated for park April 20
The sixth annual Take the First Step 5K/1-mile fun run/walk is planned on April 20, and those who register soon can still qualify for a T-shirt, organizers said this week.
Area leaders prepare for West Nile
Local municipalities are discussing the best approaches to defend against the possibility that another West Nile virus outbreak may occur throughout the region this summer. In May 2012, Denton County reported its first human case of the virus of the year, which originated in the southern portion of an unincorporated part of the county. That was the first in a series of cases that led to the worst outbreak on record, according to county and state health data.
Sanger city manager presents cost outline
SANGER — The city manager told council members Monday night it will take 10 years and about $8.7 million to rehabilitate the city’s most distressed roads and water utilities. City Manager Mike Brice presented his proposal to the council during a workshop session, where he outlined how the city would finance improvements and upgrades to the city’s infrastructure.
Denton County selects firm for collections
It took a couple weeks, but Denton County commissioners Tuesday decided on the firm that will handle the collection of delinquent court fines in the county. After hearing from Judge Beck Kerbow, who is the majority user of the collection services, commissioners voted 3-2 to have a one-year contract with an option for three years drawn up for the firm she has been using the past few years — McCreary, Veselka, Bragg & Allen PC.
Sheriff William Travis gives update
Denton County Sheriff William Travis presented his version of the “state of the union address” before Commissioners Court on Tuesday morning. The report, Travis said during a phone interview, was to present what had been going on within the Denton County Sheriff’s Office since he took over Jan. 1.
Worm to star in area film
PILOT POINT — The idea to shoot a short film about a giant tomato worm that served as a soldier in World War I started as a joke among a few friends in Pilot Point. But as scenes were written and ideas were bounced around, sometimes over alcohol, many felt that the idea was “so crazy that it just might work” as a short feature.
Les Cockrell: Edible Book Festival planned today at UNT
The 10th annual Edible Book Festival at the University of North Texas is planned from 2 to 3:30 p.m. today and the event is free to those who want to enter a tasty creation or sample the entries, according to a news release from UNT.
Pig tops the list at livestock auction
“Sold for $11,000.” These three words brought tears to 17-year-old Cheyanne Bullock’s eyes. This Krum High School senior’s pig brought in $1,000 more than Skylor Schertz’s Grand Champion Steer, also representing the Krum FFA.
