The Year In Review

Following are some of the stories that made news in the Madisonville Meteor during 2007:

JANUARY

€ Art Henson was sworn in as Madison County Judge on Jan. 1 by outgoing County Judge Cecil Neeley.

€ Keith Sanders was appointed county health inspector.

€ Madison County began surveying losses from a Dec. 29, 2006, series of tornadoes that ripped through the western portion of the county. Storm damages were assessed at $1.7 million.

€ Madisonville CISD Superintendent Karen Richter announced she would retire at the end of the 2007 school year.

€ Madisonville's Jimmie L. Levels told of receiving the Silver Beaver Award from President Gerald R. Ford, who died in January.

€ A Madison County grand jury indicted former Meteor interim publisher Debra Anne Myers and her husband, Charles Eugene Myers, on charges of credit card abuse.

€ Madisonville City Manager Tom Ginter resigned after being asked to do so by the city council on Jan. 25. On Jan. 28, Mayor Scott Singletary announced his resignation from the city council.

€ A group of Bedias citizens embarked on establishing the Bedias Grimes County Museum and Library by using a $3,000 donation from Terry L. Wright to help buy the old church, which was no longer in use.

€ The Lady Mustangs took the early lead in the District 19-3A basketball race.

€ Iola's Rex McDougald graduated from high school and enrolled at Baylor University, where he later inked a football scholarship.

€ Icy conditions snarled traffic on Interstate 45 and on local roads and highways as the first true blast of winter arrived in mid-January.

€ North Zulch Superintendent of Schools was granted an extension on his contract through December 2009.

€ After approval from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the City of Midway turned the tap on an improved municipal water system.

€ Respected local contractor Hugo Penaloza, 41, was killed in a two-vehicle accident on S.H. 75 near the Leon County line.

FEBRUARY

€ Sharon Phelps and Cecil Neeley were named the Madison County Chamber of Commerce Woman and Man of the Year.

€ Filings began for local city and school board positions to be decided in the May local elections.

€ The annual re-enactment of the Battle of El Camino Real was staged at Lake Madison Park, featuring some 300 re-enactors from throughout the U.S. and abroad. A highlight of the weekend featured the period-dress wedding ceremony of Linda Satsky and Tim Bayless.

€ Brenda Hill retired as organist at First Baptist Church of Madisonville, ending a career that spanned more than 50 years in church music.

€ The city council began its search for a full-time city manager to replace Tom Ginter.

€ Librarian Veronica Groom announced extended hours at the Madison County Library.

€ A new Enterprise Rent-A-Car facility opened here inside the Atkinson Toyota showroom. Enterprise is the largest auto rental firm in the U.S.

€ Special Ranger Brent Mast discussed the growing number of cattle thefts throughout Texas.

€ The Madisonville Pop Warner Colts held their annual awards banquet.

€ The Lady Mustangs won the bi-district basketball championship with a 69-48 victory over Huntington in Huntsville. They then knocked off Liberty Hill in the area championship, 54-43, in Cameron. They eventually lost in the regional quarterfinals to Diboll, 51-44, in Huntsville.

€ Demolition of structures at the intersection of Interstate 45 and S.H. 21 began in preparation for construction of a new Buc-ee's convenience store.

€ The state's Democrat Party filed suit on behalf of unsuccessful Madison County Judge candidate Carlton Bullard alleging problems with the electronic voting machines used in the November 2006 general election.

€ The city council unanimously approved appointment of Madisonville Financial Director Ruth Smith to serve as interim city manager until a replacement could be hired.

€ Arlean Duncan celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at the Truman Kimbro Center.

€ Leroy Parrish and Lois Perry reigned as Valentine King and Queen at Madisonville Care Center.

€ Keith Smith, who came to Madisonville in 1991, was named superintendent of schools following the retirement of Karen Richter.

€ County commissioners began considering the purchase of the Reed Furniture building downtown to serve as a courthouse annex.

€ The Madisonville Mustangs lost a 59-50 decision in the bi-district basketball playoffs in Willis.

€ April Ford, Nikia Robinson, Trinicia Shaffer, Chasity Young and Unique Johnson were named to the District 19-3A All-District girls basketball team.

MARCH

€ A new western-wear and farm-supply store owned by Paul and Carolyn Bailey opened on S.H. 21 west of Madisonville.

€ The Tri-County Diggers celebrated Texas Arbor Day by planting an Aristocrat Pear tree.

€ The City of Bedias received a $2.6 million USDA grant to install a wastewater collection system and treatment plant.

€ Filing for local elections ended March 12 with a full slate of candidates. Don Dean filed to run unopposed for mayor. Vying for city council seats were Debra Drake, Obie Harrison Jr., Lois Brown, Terry Don Rogers, Fredrick Randle, Dave Ward, Marvin Stanton and Donny Myrick. In the school board election, David Stiver filed to fill the unexpired term of Charles Brostow. Todd Faries, Minor Kennard, Bruce Corbell, William Parten, Latreace Craig and Greg McBee also filed for school board.

€ City council members reviewed applications from 15 candidates for city manager and decided to keep looking.

€ Clifford Aaron Stewart, formerly of Madisonville, celebrated his 100th birthday in Beaumont.

€ Madisonville Junior High students observed Black History Month on their campus.

€ Keeli Drake of North Zulch received a $12,000 scholarship from the Madison County Go Texan committee.

€ Kelsey Heath was named the 2007 Madison County Fair Queen.

€ The Madison County Arts Council hosted its fifth annual membership dinner at Oak Ridge Country Club.

€ Joel Blair was named the State Farm Scholar Athlete for 2006-07.

€ Madison County Fair buyers provided $467,947.31 in scholarship money for the county's youth exhibiting in the 2007 fair.

€ Madison St. Joseph Health Center received a check for $52,000 from the proceeds of the 2007 Brazos Bash.

APRIL

€ Madisonville Community Theatre began rehearsals for the summer's production of “Bye, Bye Birdie.”

€ Linda Renfrow retired after 27 years with the Madison County Central Appraisal District.

€ Teams for the 2007 Relay for Life continued forming in anticipation of the April 27-28 event.

€ In a rare weather twist, snow fell in the Madison County area during Easter weekend April 8, with accumulations up to 3 inches in some places.

€ The Lady Mustang softball team won its third-straight District 19-3A championship.

€ The North Zulch Lady Bulldogs clinched their second District 22-A softball championship.

€ Madisonville's Lady Mustang tennis team took second place in District 19-3A competition.

€ The Madisonville City Council voted to return to regular meetings on Monday nights rather than Tuesday nights.

€ Local authorities arrested two men near North Zulch after a kidnapping in Grimes County.

€ The Madisonville Family, Career and Community Leaders Senior Parliamentary Procedures Team and Senior Job Interview contestant Reygan Farris took first place at the state FCCLA meet in Dallas.

€ Mustang Stadium was filled with people taking part in the community's tenth year of Relay for Life.

MAY

€ The three incumbents seeking re-election to the Madisonville City Council - Debra Drake, Lois Brown and Marvin Stanton - all won their races for a two-year term. Don Dean, running unopposed for a one-year term as mayor, was also elected. Greg McBee, Todd Faries and David Stiver were elected to the school board. Only 386 people voted in the city election.

€ The Madison County Fair Association elected Bob Colwell, Donna Farris, Joe Ozio, Cary Wiseman and Becky Weaver as members of the board of directors.

€ Kevin Parrack and Reygan Farris were named king and queen of the 2007 MHS Prom.

€ The Lady Mustangs softball team fell from the state playoffs in the area round to Liberty Hill in a best-of-three series.

€ The North Zulch Lady Bulldogs lost to Shiner in the regional quarterfinal softball playoffs.

€ The Madisonville Mustangs advanced to the bi-district playoffs before losing to Lufkin Central.

€ The Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen's Association began its month-long celebration with a gala dinner, marking the group's 67th year of existence.

€ Don Craft joined the Madison County Sheriff's Office as a deputy.

€ MHS DECA students Chelsea Francis, Katerina Hollingshead, Dustin Sparkman, Lindsey Francis, Jessica Garcia and Clara Hollingshead attended the DECA International Development Conference in Orlando, Fla.

€ Fifth-grade student D.L. Shiver was selected to attend the Summer 2007 Lone Star Leadership Program.

€ The Madisonville VFW Ladies Auxiliary and other groups around the area hosted special Memorial Day ceremonies.

€ The Madisonville High School Class of 2007 graduated May 25. Chelsea Francis was valedictorian and Joel Blair was salutatorian.

JUNE

€ A re-examination of ballots cast in the Nov. 7, 2006, county judge's race did not change the results of the election.

€ Bernice Holliday retired after 40 years at Madison St. Joseph Health Center here.

€ Cory Jarrett was named the 2007 Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen's Association Queen, and Katherine Smith was named the MSCA Junior Queen, during the association's annual rodeo.

€ Roger and Curtistene Baylor, who taught together for more than 50 years, retired from MCISD.

€ A pair of would-be carjackers from Houston were held by local men until law officers could arrive and make the arrest.

€ The city council approved a bid of $283,497.50 for installation of a water line to serve the Buc-ee's location.

€ Derric Malone and Robert Moffett joined the Madisonville Police Department.

€ Parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church held groundbreaking ceremonies for Phase Two of the church's building program.

€ Detra Young was crowned as the 2007 Juneteenth Queen.

€ Madisonville head basketball coach Terrance McCloud stepped down to accept a job in Dallas.

€ Vandals spray-painted more than half a dozen local buildings in a one-night spree.

€ Justin Barham joined the Madison County Sheriff's Office as a deputy.

€ Madisonville's Jerry and Daniel Flanagan won a trip to the 2007 DukesFest in Nashville, Tenn., where they were treated to visits with the original Dukes of Hazard television cast.

€ Bethel Cemetery in nearby Grimes County was honored by the state with its own historical marker.

€ Local Scouts Gary Bladen Jr. and Andree Bartley received the Life Scout badges.

€ J.D. Huber and Ericalynn Cannon led a large cast of local talent in the Madisonville Community Theatre's presentation of “Bye, Bye Birdie.”

€ The Friends of the Library held a Fun Fest at the Kimbro Center.

JULY

€ PBS filmed a segment on Truman Kimbro as part of a series on Medal of Honor winners from World War II.

€ Two Madisonville police officers responded to a call of a fight in progress and found 150-200 people in the parking lot of a local apartment complex.

€ Upon receiving $33 million from the Texas Legislature, Texas A&M Health Science Center College of Medicine kicked off the first leg of its expansion in Bryan-College Station.

€ Russell Smithey was named athletic director at Iola; Smithey named Rick Prater to be head coach and Jamie McDonald to be girls athletic coordinator.

€ Andrew Nelson, Jarod Hall, Kyle Pohorelsky and Aaron Wright were named to the All-Brazos Valley baseball team.

€ Madisonville Little League sent two teams to play in district tournament. Both placed second in their respective categories.

€ The VFW Ladies Auxiliary held services at Lake Madison to honor U.S. service personnel.

€ Madisonville native Venora Hendrix Bealle celebrated her 100th birthday.

€ Sons of the American Legion Commander Johnny Caldwell received a lifetime membership in the American Legion in recognition of his many hours of volunteer work.

€ Brian Thurmond became the Mustangs' new head basketball coach.

€ North Zulch held summer sports camps in basketball, volleyball, softball, baseball, golf and tennis.

€ More than 30 North Zulch athletes signed up to participate in BLAST, a speed and agility training summer program.

€ Many people contributed to help the family of North Zulch native Mike Bradford, whose home in North Zulch was destroyed by fire. Last year, his home in Mississippi was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

€ The office of U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards announced that $200,000 had been secured for road repair and upgrades for Collard Street.

€ Madisonville police captured fugitive Cary Lynn Peterson, who was being hunted on a felony narcotics warrant.

€ Ashley Sims was crowned 2007 Texas Mushroom Festival Queen. Jackie Davis was crowned Junior Miss.

€ The Madison County Chamber of Commerce began a series of town meetings so citizens could meet with county leaders.

€ L.J. Jackson of Midway found and killed a rare reptile, a python or boa constrictor, in the chicken yard of Carrier Lewis.

€ The McDonald-Sloan chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy celebrated its 25th anniversary.

€ Devon Energy donated $14,000 to several local fire departments, including that of Madisonville.

€ U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards secured $120,000 to renovate the Madison St. Joseph Health Center emergency room.

€ Heath Feuhs, a local boy with a serious form of epilepsy, received a trip to Dallas to see world champion bullrider Justin McBride.

€ Reygan Farris of Madisonville was one of 70 young Texans to receive a $12,000 four-year scholarship to Texas A&M from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

€ Former Lady Mustang Ruth Stiver represented the U.S. at the Pan American Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, winning a bronze medal for women's pair rowing with team member Jennifer Reck of Detroit.

€ Mustang Varsity football player Steven McKenzie placed or won in competitions in three different summer camps.

€ Madisonville High School graduate and Marine Bobby L. Twitty died in Iraq. A week later, he was buried in Bedias Baptist Cemetery.

AUGUST

€ Madisonville police investigated a possible attempted robbery at the mobile home park at Collard and Wilson streets.

€ Many people contributed to help the Terrance Nellums family, whose home burned down.

€ Lloyd “Pee Wee” Drake was offered, but later declined, the Madisonville city manager position.

€ Billy Zanolini was named to be the Madison County Extension agent.

€ The Madisonville CISD lowered its tax rate.

€ Madison County native Alexandra Hardin turned 100.

€ Randi Lynn Standley of Madisonville was a top-10 finalist at the Ford American Quarter Horse Youth World Championship.

€ Bailey Hennessey won medals for dance in several competitions.

€ Clarence Mosley, warden of the Ferguson Unit of TDCJ died in a pool accident.

€ Jim Craig Martin, 39, of Normangee was reported missing, and searching went on for weeks. Foul play was suspected, and as of January 2008, he is still missing.

€ Molly Hazlett of Centerville won the Miss Texas 2007 competition.

€ Bertha Lou McVey Rains celebrated her 100th birthday.

€ Construction of the new North Zulch ISD gym and classroom continued.

€ Phantom Hero, a nine-year old gelding owned by Gloria and Larry G. Rice of Madisonville, won third place at the Gillespie County Fair in Fredericksburg.

€ Madison County Chapter 43 of the Texas Society Order of the Confederate Rose was chartered.

€ Citizens helped “Stuff the Bus,” by donating school supplies to help local schools.

€ A break in a water line sent North Zulch students home early on the first day of classes.

€ Rep. Chet Edwards met with community leaders to discuss projects in Washington, D.C., that could impact the county.

€ Longtime Coach Mary Green took over as Lady Mustangs' varsity volleyball coach.

SEPTEMBER

€ MCISD enrollment hit 2,224

€ Patricia Ponder of Navasota narrowly escaped serious injury when her pickup truck collided with a freight train in North Zulch.

€ Madisonville City Council voted to hire Dave Ward as Interim City Manager.

€ First Baptist Church of North Zulch celebrated its 100th anniversary.

€ MCISD began organizing its own police department.

€ Madison County Commissioners voted to buy the old Reed Furniture building to house county offices in one location instead of the complex of buildings on School Street.

€ Local authorities were on alert for two convicts who killed a female guard and escaped for a brief period of time.

€ A new business called KKim's Fashions opened for business on the downtown square.

€ High school senior Steven McKenzie was named to the Ray Guy ProKicker.com Kicking Academy's national rankings list.

€ The Lady Mustang freshman volleyball team won third place at the Splendora Tournament.

€ Madisonville High School celebrated its homecoming, naming April Ford as homecoming queen.

OCTOBER

€ Mustang Storage opened for business right off the downtown square.

€ Father Mike Barone marked 40 years in Texas, 32 as a priest.

€ St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church held open house for its new rectory and its new multi-purpose Seton Center.

€ Nucor-Jewett vice president and general manager Jim Darsey was awarded the Defense of Freedom Award from the Department of Defense.

€ When the Courthouse's air conditioner failed, commissioners scrambled to get a temporary unit in place and order a new AC unit.

€ Fifth-grader Blaine Counsil won reserve grand champion in the junior Limousin heifer show at the State Fair of Texas in Dallas.

€ Bethlehem Lutheran Church of North Zulch marked its 125th anniversary.

€ Madison County Taxidermy opened for business.

€ Outdoor burning caution was urged in the face of dry conditions.

€ Madison County celebrated the sixth annual Texas Mushroom Festival, with an estimated 10,000 in attendance. Mushroom Queen Ashley Sims and Jr. Miss Jackie Davis presided at many activities, including the Steak-and-Mushroom Gala Dinner.

€ The Teen Leadership Class of North Zulch hosted the North Zulch Race for the Cure to benefit breast cancer research and education.

€ Pop Warner youth football celebrated its fifth year in Madisonville by hosting a cheer competition at Mustang Stadium.

€ Police officer Rhonda Henry was terminated by Interim City Manager Dave Ward following citizen complaints.

€ MCISD earned the state's highest rating for financial accountability for the fifth straight year.

€ The Madison County 4-H held the first meeting if its Sewing Club and its Dog Project.

€ Ten German students spent two weeks attending Madisonville High School and touring local sites.

€ Ag people from seven counties participated in the Cow Country Congress at Windy Hill Ranch.

€ Entergy Corporation was selected by Corporate Responsibility Officer magazine for its 10 Best Corporate Citizens of 2007, ranking No. 1 of 88 utility companies evaluated.

€ When State Troopers investigated a car wreck on U.S. Highway 190, they found a large cache of marijuana and a few firearms in the wreckage.

€ The Midway Volunteer Fire Department held its annual barbecue cookoff, trail ride and dance.

€ The Madison County Farm Service Agency announced its office will close for good on Oct. 30.

€ Fall festivals were held by many groups and churches, including the Madisonville Intermediate School.

€ Madisonville Downtown Merchants Association held its annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat event for children around the downtown area, with hundreds of children going door-to-door for candy.

€ Madisonville cross-country teams, both boys and girls, placed second in district play to advance to regional.

€ The Lady Mustangs wrapped up volleyball season with a victory over Palestine.

€ Chris Whaley was named the No. 1 running back in Texas by the USA Today/MaxPreps Player of the Week poll.

NOVEMBER

€ The eleventh annual HealthFirst HealthFest was held at the Kimbro Center to educate citizens on health issues.

€ The Daughters of the Republic of Texas celebrated Stephen F. Austin's birthday with a reception at the Madison County Museum.

€ Divin Upchurch was crowned Iola High School's homecoming queen.

€ A car wreck in North Zulch claimed the life of a hospital chaplain and a retiree.

€ American Legion Family Austin Reed Post 84 honored veterans with free barbecue plates.

€ Veterans were honored by the intermediate and high schools in special programs at which all grades attended.

€ North Zulch ISD celebrated its 46th annual homecoming, electing Maricia Ferrell and Klute Kyle to be homecoming queen and king.

€ Madisonville Mustangs beat the Groesbeck Goats to clinch a playoff spot.

€ The North Zulch Lady Bulldogs beat the Grapeland Sandiettes in Class A bi-district volleyball play.

€ Navasota Energy bought a 97-acre parcel of land in anticipation of building a gas-operated power plant southwest of Madisonville.

€ County commissioners agreed to share the cost of hiring a service coordinator with Madison St. Joseph and Leon County.

€ Carmen Sowell celebrated her 100th birthday.

€ First State Bank of Bedias celebrated its 100th anniversary; the bank pledged $10,000 to each community in the county that incorporates in the next five years.

€ Iola voted to incorporate and was scheduled to receive $10,000 from First State Bank of Bedias.

€ Madisonville Intermediate School held its seventh annual Turkey Trot race.

€ Former Madison County Judge Cecil Neely was honored by Sam Houston State University for a lifetime of achievement.

€ Citizens voted on 16 state constitutional amendments.

€ The Mustang varsity football team beat Mexia in district play to advance to bi-district.

€ The North Zulch Lady Bulldog volleyball team lost to Iola in regional play.

€ The eighth-grade Colts ended their season with a loss to Mexia.

€ The JV Mustangs beat Mexia to share the district title.

€ The Colts seventh-grade B team finished the year district champs and didn't allow a point the entire season (6-0).

€ Rae Kubiak was named new Chamber of Commerce executive director.

€ A new air conditioner/chiller was installed at the Courthouse.

€ Madisonville police warned residents to keep their vehicles secure following a rash of motor vehicle burglaries.

€ After heavy rains, County Judge Art Henson lifted the burn ban that had been in place.

€ Madison County closed on purchasing the Reed Furniture building for county offices.

€ The Madisonville Mustangs lost to the Crockett Bulldogs in bi-district football competition.

€ April Ford, Chasity Young, Brittney Smith, Whitney Bishop and Amy Gault were named to the Lady Mustangs All-District volleyball team.

€ Local citizens and county and city leaders toured Navasota Energy's power plant in Wharton to get an idea of how the proposed power plant in Madison County would appear. The next evening, the company hosted a town meeting at which some landowners voiced concerns about their water wells.

€ Local merchants and restaurants staged A Night on the Town, staying open until 8 p.m. to allow citizens to do their Christmas shopping in Madisonville.

€ Senior Ashley Sims attended People to People International's sixth annual Global Youth Forum in Chicago.

€ The Lady Mustang basketball team won third place at the Lovelady tournament.

€ Madisonville's seventh-grade A Ponies won the Mance Park Junior High Tournament in Huntsville.

€ Madisonville head football coach Greg Morgan was named 2007 Coach of the Year in District 19-3A.

€ Junior Chris Whaley was named Most Valuable Player for the All-District team; senior linebacker Alonzo Whaley was unanimously named Defensive MVP.

€ Quarterback Kyle Morgan, fullback Nelson Veliz and inside linebacker Josh Snow, all seniors, were unanimous choices for all-district players.

DECEMBER

€ Madisonville started off December with a performance by the Community Christmas Chorus and the city's annual evening Christmas parade featuring lighted floats, horseback riders, and antique cars, concluding with the arrival of Santa Claus to have his photo taken with local children.

€ Eleven-year police chief George Sweetin announced his resignation but will stay on until a new chief is chosen.

€ A Madisonville policeman shot and wounded Benjamin “Cody” Morning, who was being sought on burglary warrants. Morning was transported by air ambulance to a hospital in Bryan, then to Temple, and was expected to recover.

€ The O'Reilly Auto Parts store opened on Main Street.

€ The Mustangs won their own 62nd annual MHS Basketball Tournament.

€ The Lady Mustang basketball team won third place in the Navasota Tournament.

€ The North Zulch Bulldogs won consolation in their home tournament.

€ The North Zulch Lady Bulldogs place second in their home tournament.

€ After practicing and rehearsing in many venues throughout the fall, Madisonville's FFA Ag Issues team won first place in state competition and will compete in nationals next October.

€ MCISD selected Chuck May as its new chief of police.

€ Madison County held a food drive at the Truman Kimbro Center as part of a larger effort by KBTX-TV of Bryan.

€ North Zulch Superintendent Roy Gilbert reported that the district earned an “Academically Acceptable” rating for 2006-07 based on student performance on the TAKS, and a “Gold Performance” award in social studies.

€ Ten local churches and hundreds of volunteers re-enacted scenes from the life of Jesus in the second annual Pathway of Light.

€ Bedias held a Christmas Pancake Breakfast and Parade featuring bands, vehicles and a visit from Santa Claus.

€ The Mustangs basketball team continued to be unbeaten, winning the Snook Tournament.

€ The Mid-East Groundwater Conservation District hired an attorney to write new water rules for the three-county (Madison, Leon and Freestone) area.

€ The Madisonville High School Band sent a record number of students to the Association of Texas Small School Bands' Region Band roster.

€ The Stitchin' Hens presented 63 quilts they had made and 45 hygiene kits to Madison County Child Protective Services.

€ Madisonville Wal-Mart employees held 24 Days of Sharing, in which they performed community service activities each day of December through Christmas Eve.

€ The North Zulch Lady Bulldog volleyball team made it to the regional quarterfinals. Selected to District 22-A All-District honors were Defense Specialist Calley Raynor, First Team Maricia Ferrell and Second Team Kelsey Heath, Taylor Jones, Jaycee Noey, Tara Boyd and Jana Whitmire. Also selected to All-District were Taylor Douget, Amber Lindsey and Shelby McLain.

€ The Mustang JV and freshmen basketball teams shared co-championship honors in the North Zulch Tournament.

€ The eighth-grade Colts basketball team won third place in the Navasota Tournament.

€ Tension rose as allegations against Navasota Energy, the company that is proposing to build a power plant in the county, were voiced at the Mid-East Groundwater Conservation District meeting.

€ The Post Oak Resource Conservation and Development area met for its annual meeting in Madisonville.

€ Madisonville City Council discussed hiring Interim City Manager Dave Ward as full-time city manager but decided against the move.

€ Precinct 3 County Commissioner Tommy Cornelius announced he would run for re-election.

€ Madison County Sheriff Dan Douget announced he would run for re-election.

€ Madisonville State Bank announced the junior bank board of director members for 2007-08.

€ Lady Mustang volleyball team members to win all-district academic honors were Estella Moffett, April Ford, Whitney Bishop, Brittney Smith, Amy Gault, Lindy Shaw and Lori Zarate, each maintaining a grade average of 90 or more during the 2007 season.

€ The American Legion Family, assisted by many local merchants, businesses and organizations, sponsored a toy giveaway for 323 children representing 140 families in Madison County.

€ Gay Norwood, a familiar figure in downtown Madisonville, was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Christmas Eve. As the New Year arrived, the accused driver, Joel Paul Douget, was being held without bond in the Madison County Jail facing charges of intoxication manslaughter.

€ Former Midway postal worker Terri Lynn Jenkins was indicted on felony theft charges.