Denton Local News - News for Denton, Texas - The Denton Record-Chronicle

Les Cockrell: Take a Soldier Fishing event offered at lake

The Take a Soldier Fishing event will return to the Isle du Bois Unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park this weekend, and area residents are invited to attend activities Saturday.

Ponder’s flagpole, as seen in 1940, will be the site of Saturday’s dedication ceremony of the town’s historical marker from the Texas Historical Commission.

Ponder’s history to be marked

Ponder will celebrate its history Saturday with the unveiling of an official state historical marker by the Texas Historical Commission.

Residents report voting glitches

As early voting in the primary election began Monday, some area residents have expressed concerns over their voter registration cards.

The Denton fire marshal has named a person of interest in the Jan. 26 conflagration that destroyed the main building at Selwyn College Preparatory School. Luther Joe Romines, 43, a maintenance man who lived in an apartment at the school on West University Drive, has not been charged in connection with the fire, but he stands charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a felon on school property. He is free on a total $30,000 bail on the second-degree felonies.

Les Cockrell: Post offers ‘Field of Honor’ event

Members of American Legion Riders Post 71 have announced a “Field of Honor” of U.S. flags to pay tribute to past or present veterans.

County expects robust election

Denton County elections officials expect a busy Saturday since early voting turnout was relatively strong, according to Frank Phillips, elections administrator.

Where to vote

Area City and School Board Elections

Church fire’s cause still a mystery

Fire investigators have not yet determined the cause of a blaze that heavily damaged the Denton County Cowboy Church near Ponder on Saturday morning.

Les Cockrell: Natives, exotics highlight annual spring garden tour

Seven gardens, both public and private, will be featured on the Denton County Master Gardener Association’s 2012 Spring Garden Tour.

TxDOT joins project

Texas Department of Transportation officials announced Thursday a project plan to widen a seven-mile-plus stretch of U.S. Highway 380 west of Denton. The nearly $26.8 million project is a combination of work and financial commitments between TxDOT, Denton and Wise counties and other regional partners.

Les Cockrell: Park presents activity options

Families searching for outdoor activities on Saturday will find several options at Ray Roberts Lake State Park.

Ten-year-old Meghan Pearce organized a food drive at L.A. Nelson Elementary School in Denton that resulted in a generous donation to a local food pantry.

Les Cockrell: Student’s food drive brings in substantial haul

A food drive organized by a fourth-grader at L.A. Nelson Elementary School in Denton has resulted in a generous donation to the Singing Oaks Church of Christ food pantry. Meghan Pearce, 10, came up with the idea on her own, said her mother, Ivon Pearce.

Les Cockrell: School plans run/walk fundraiser to aid camp

The Erick Gutierrez Legacy run, a 5-kilometer run/walk with a fun run for children, is planned for Saturday at Guyer High School

Les Cockrell: Trashy fashion show set today at library

Denton’s North Branch Library will have its first Trashy Fashion Show Earth Day event at 7 p.m. today, according to an announcement from the library.

Les Cockrell: Society slates car wash, cookout

Good Samaritan Society Denton Village will have a car wash and cookout from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday as part of its capital campaign kickoff.

Les Cockrell: Hospital plans free seminar Tuesday

A free seminar for caretakers, family members and loved ones of people who suffer from dementia will be offered from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Select Rehabilitation Hospital of Denton, 2620 Scripture St.

Les Cockrell: Wine and cheese membership drive planned

The Friends of the Denton Public Libraries organization will have its annual wine and cheese membership drive reception from 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at Emily Fowler Central Library, 502 Oakland St.

A massive wall of clouds is seen on the east side of Denton as severe weather blows through Denton County on Tuesday afternoon.

Officials offer storm safety tips

Tuesday’s twisters, while they avoided Denton County, indicate the need to always be prepared in case of emergencies.

Les Cockrell: Car giveaway revs up Easter week

The Bridge Church in Denton will celebrate its fifth anniversary this weekend with a variety of special events, highlighted by a car giveaway.

Districts target testing ‘overkill’

Three area school districts have joined more than 200 others in adopting a resolution urging state legislators to re-examine the public school accountability system.

A wall cloud hovers over the C.H.Collins Athletic Complex with finger-like projections that appeared like funnels aloft but did not touch down or cause any damage in Denton on Tuesday.

Denton area dodges bullet

Sirens sounded across Denton County as several powerful tornadoes spun across North Texas on Tuesday afternoon. But most of the Denton area was spared the worst.

Les Cockrell: Moonlight walk along Redbud Trail on tap Friday

A night hike is planned at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, and area residents are invited to join guides for a moonlight walk down the Redbud Trail.

Les Cockrell: Run for Life planned Saturday at South Lakes Park

Run for Life, featuring a 5K run and 1-mile fun run, is planned for Saturday to benefit Loreto House, a faith-based nonprofit charity. The event will begin and end in the parking lot of South Lakes Park, located off Teasley Lane at 556 Hobson Lane.

County extends Polster’s contract

Denton County commissioners approved a contract extension option for transportation consultant John Polster and his firm, Innovative Transportation Solutions Inc.

STAAR testing begins

The state assessment season will officially begin today when the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exams are launched. Throughout the spring, an estimated 2.6 million Texas elementary and high school students will take STAAR exams, according to Texas Education Agency officials.

Kids and their animals shuffle through the chaos and make their way to the swine show at the 37th annual Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair and Rodeo on Wednesday in Denton.

Competitive spirit alive, well at annual youth fair

Logan Durrett had an entry for almost every category of the home economics and environmental science projects portion of the 37th annual Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair and Rodeo on Wednesday.

Les Cockrell: Junior Girl Scouts help woman celebrate 101st birthday

Junior Girl Scouts from Troop 8667 recently visited Sterling House on the Parkway in Denton to honor a resident who was celebrating her 101st birthday and thank her for her long service to the Girl Scouts.

Les Cockrell: Corps honors Lewisville rangers

Lewisville park rangers Cliff Huddleston and Dylan Mayfield were recently presented with the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service by the Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth district, for their efforts on March 2 that led to the rescue of a Lewisville Lake visitor experiencing distress while in the water.

Denton County earth-moving equipment sits in a flooded field off Hickory Creek Road on Tuesday. The equipment became stranded after the field was covered in water from nearby Hickory Creek.

Creeks jump banks

Rain quickly turned to runoff on saturated North Texas soils overnight Monday and into Tuesday, swelling creeks and rivers and turning pastures into ponds.

Krum hears proposal for animal control service

KRUM — City leaders heard a proposal from the first of two private contractors that might be tapped to provide animal control.

Nine-year-old Kolton Nabors from Krum and his pig, Juan, head to the showers in the livestock barn at the Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair and Rodeo on Monday.

Youth fair participants’ anticipation rises

For many, Monday afternoon was move-in day as the 37th annual Denton County Livestock Association Youth Fair and Rodeo opened.

Bills cloud DCTA’s future

Transportation officials, including the Denton County Transportation Authority, continue to wait on a long-term bill to stave off possible funding woes for the industry.

Districts plan to take advantage of option

KRUM — Superintendent Mike Davis recently said he intends to recommend the Krum school board defer a grading requirement on the upcoming STAAR exams during its April meeting. “I don’t anticipate any schools in the state counting the 15 percent, simply because it’s such an unknown factor right now,” Davis said.