December 2021

Concerns that the recent Thanksgiving holiday gatherings would lead to a spike in newly reported COVID-19 cases locally have been put to rest in recent weeks with just 56 new confirmed or probable cases reported by the Northeast Texas Public Health District over the most recent 7-day reporting period.

As the holiday season wraps up, first responders and emergency officials are urging drivers to remain cautious as you travel. The Van Fire Department reported the accident at right, noting that the vehicle hydroplaned off Interstate 20 and struck a light pole, coming to rest near the service road east of FM 314 near Van. The driver was transported by CHRISTUS EMS for evaluation of non-life threatening injuries.

The Martins Mill High School Robotics Team has done it again, bringing home a slew of awards and accolades from UIL competition. The team brought home the following titles: UIL State Game Chamipion, UIL State Notebook Champion, UIL second runner up BEST Award, IGUS Top Gun Award (a high score by Ty Gandy and Ty Latham) and the Lockheed Martin Most Elegant Robot award.

Edgewood High School students, in partnership with the Edgewood Development Corporation, helped The Donut Palace in Edgewood update their business sign. Wesley Hartman, a senior in advanced graphic design at Edgewood High School, worked with Mr.

National Wreaths Across America Day was held Dec. 18 at 3,136 participating locations across the country. The nation’s heroes were remembered as each name was said aloud and honored as over 525 truckloads of wreaths were delivered - representing 390 different carriers - and over two million volunteers, a third of whom were children, helped place more than 2.4 million veterans’ wreaths on headstones of our fallen across the country.

This was the “runner-up”for the back of my Mama’s funeral program this past February. My siblings and I appreciate your attendance at this celebration of the life of our Mama, Wanda Sipes.

Years ago, songwriter Mac Davis penned the lyrics to a song about a tiny orphan girl who evidently longed to experience being loved. In the song, “Whoever Finds This, I Love You”, she writes a note containing those words, and it into the wind. A lonely old man eventually found the note among the autumn leaves and read her plea for love. That was the beginning of a beautiful and warm friendship that both desperately needed.

Services for Carolyn Inez Tatum Elliott, 77, of Little Elm, formerly of Canton, were held Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at Eubank Funeral Home in Canton with Dr. Mark Moore officiating. Interment was in Haven of Memories. Mrs. Elliott passed away on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021.

Roby Marie Lester Johnson, 94, was born July 24, 1927, in Wills Point, the daughter of Sam and Lida Coleman Lester. Roby passed away on Dec.

In loving memory of Dennis R Burley born Dec. 1, 1943, and passed on Dec. 11, 2021. Dennis was a loving father and an anchor for the family. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, and golfer. He is deeply missed. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Barbara Burley, and his parents Howard and Betty Burley of Seattle.