July 2025

October 21, 1970 – July 1, 2025 Cara Lynn Cox, 54, of Terrell passed away on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, in Dallas. She was born on October 21, 1970, in Longview.

Dear Editor, Hello, my name is Alexander Reybok. I am a Boy Scout in Van Zandt County.

Andrews Behavioral Health invites residents across five East Texas counties to participate in an important Community Mental Health Needs Assessment Survey. The results of this survey will inform future health programming, community outreach, and partnerships with local healthcare providers in our five-county service area to help strengthen mental health support across the region.

Thinking about when I served underneath a legendary administrator, I was reminded of the leadership and guidance I received. In a world where titles are often seen as the measure of success, Dick Hedges never saw his roles, as college president of Fort Scott Community College, mayor, or board of trustee, as positions of power, but rather as platforms for service.

April 20, 1937 – June 23, 2025 Merlin Edwin Westbrook, 88, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2025, in Terrell. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Merlin lived a life marked by service, dedication, and quiet strength.

April 16, 1955 – June 11, 2025 Suzanne ‘Suzy’ Birdwell, 70, of Wills Point passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. Suzanne Elise Birdwell was born on April 16, 1955, in Dallas to Eugene Fields Birdwell and Helen Earl Curtis Birdwell.

September 27, 1946 – July 6, 2025 Robert ‘Bob’ Samuel Brooks, Jr., 78, of Hideaway passed away on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Tyler. Bob was born on September 27, 1946, in Dallas to Robert Samuel Brooks, Sr.

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Tim Ball Correspondent The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center (TFFC) held a soft opening in Athens on Saturday, June 28. Tom Lang, director of the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens stated the event was open to contractors, departmental staff, and their families, retirees of the department, and their families.