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.
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.
Krum ISD to host safety forum
The Krum Independent School District will host a community safety forum at 7:30 p.m. today at the district’s board room, 1200 Bobcat Blvd.
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.
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.
Colleagues mourn nurse killed in accident
A woman killed by a wrong-way driver Saturday was identified as a nurse at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton. Amy Lynne Morrow, 55, of Rhome was struck and killed by a wrong-way driver Saturday morning at about 6:20 a.m. on Interstate 35W near FM2449. She was traveling northbound on her way to work.
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.
Reports show ammonium nitrate stores
Local handlers of ammonium nitrate are facing additional scrutiny in the wake of the fertilizer plant explosion that killed 15 people and injured 200 more in West two weeks ago.
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.
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.
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.
Krum Mayor seeks another term
KRUM — Mayor Terri Wilson is seeking re-election this May and she is opposed by Larry Lamonica, who served as mayor before Wilson unseated him in 2007.
Two seek mayoral office in Justin
JUSTIN — The race for the mayor’s seat in Justin has Mayor Greg Scott and City Council member Diane Rasor vying for the city’s top office.
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.
Krum plans vaccination clinic after report of rabid skunk
In response to a report of rabies found in an euthanized skunk, the city of Krum is planning a registration and rabies vaccination clinic.
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.
Krum plans bond votes
KRUM — City officials are leaving the issuance of $4.6 million in tax bonds up to the voters, who will decide May 11 on five propositions that include the construction of a new fire station and library.
Church built in a day
JUSTIN — It’s one hour before the church service Sunday at the Rock Church in Justin, and the Rev. Shane LeJeune and Andy Gregg, an assistant pastor, are alone discussing the layout of the service in the pastor’s office.
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.
Church to take shape in day
JUSTIN — Pastor Shane LeJeune spent Wednesday afternoon preparing for the construction of his new church building, which is scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. Friday. With a load of church pews packed into the back of his pickup, LeJeune said he’s doing all he can to ensure that construction goes as smoothly as possible.
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.
Krum hires Carroll as new superintendent
KRUM — The Krum school district has a new superintendent after the school board voted unanimously this week to officially hire Cody Carroll. Since January, Carroll has served as the district’s interim superintendent. In just less than a year with the district, Carroll has moved up to its highest administrative position. He joined the Krum district as its assistant superintendent last July.
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.
Fire damages Dish hangar
DISH — A windsock waving in the wind above an airplane hangar was the only thing left untouched by an early-morning fire Monday in Dish that left the hangar and its contents burned.
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.
Justin officials seek input on city parks
JUSTIN — City officials want Justin residents to submit ideas and suggestions for events that would make the city parks more enjoyable for the community throughout the year. Earlier this week, the city’s park and recreation committee e-mailed a survey asking residents for feedback on the kinds of events they would like to attend.
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.
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.
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.
Les Cockrell: Special Olympics team wins CoServ grant
The CoServ Charitable Foundation recently awarded a $4,500 grant to the Lake Cities Storm Special Olympics Team.
Denton County OKs capital plan
Denton County commissioners have given their annual approval for the Capital Improvements Plan, which provides for the continuing development of the county.
Selwyn selects project architect
Dallas-based Cunningham Architects has been selected to design and oversee construction of the next building project at Selwyn College Preparatory School. An estimated 50 students, alumni, parents and staff attended a meeting Tuesday where the announcement was made, and they had an opportunity to meet and question representatives of Cunningham Architects.
Show and sell
Louie Rodriguez was a newcomer to the Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair this year, competing in the rabbit showmanship competition on Tuesday.
Ponder suspect turns self in
A Ponder man turned himself in to authorities Monday morning after grand jury indictments last week linked him to the attempted murder of his wife over the course of several years.
Fair to exhibit youths’ efforts
The Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair and Rodeo begins Monday and continues through Saturday with a schedule of events that includes a public speaking contest, a tractor driving competition and a pageant. This year marks the 38th anniversary of the youth fair and rodeo, which has grown from a two-day fair to a weeklong event at the North Texas State Fairgrounds.
