1927 – 2025 Burke Joseph Landry, the last remaining World War II veteran in Madison County, Texas, passed away Friday, March 14, 2025 at Madisonville, Texas with his great granddaughter, Megan McBride and his daughter, Glenda Landry Collard, by his side. He was 97 years old.

1933 – 2025 With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Ione, who finished her race with grace, faith, and unwavering strength. After a courageous battle with cancer, she entered the arms of Jesus, free from pain and suffering.

A dog once struggling to adapt to home life has become a crucial asset for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, making history as the agency’s first K-9 officer. Maverick, formerly known as Randy, is now a nationally certified Narcotics Detection dog and one of the few pit bulls serving in law enforcement across the United States.

STUDENTS BUILD READING CONNECTIONS

The FC Lady Mustangs soccer organization will host tryouts for their new U11 girls team on Wednesday, May 7 at the Madison County Soccer Club fields. The organization has new opportunities in work for 2015-2016 birth year girls.

FC Mustangs will hold open tryouts for their 2025-2026 season teams. The club seeks players for 2013 Elite D1, 2013 Blue EDPL D2, 2012 EDPL Super 2, 2016 EDPL D2 and 2017 Jrs HTX Academy League divisions.

Madison County 4-H will host its 5K Color Run fundraiser Saturday, April 12, at the Madison County Fairgrounds. The fundraiser supports local 4-H youth programs, with all proceeds returning to Madison County 4-H.

A flag donation to the Madisonville Post Office led to a complete grounds renovation after Madison County Veterans Service Officer Erica Greene discovered issues with the facility’s flagpole. Greenewenttothepost officetodonateaPOW/ MIA flag, which federal law requires to be displayed alongside the American flag.

The Fifth Annual Barrel Race for the First Responders of Madison County will take place at Champion Fit Equine Arena on April 12, with proceeds benefiting local emergency personnel. “We are super excited to produce the 5th Annual Race for the first responders of Madison County,” Haylei Lively said.

Aprons have long history and were mentioned in Volumes 1 and 2 of Madison County history. Volume 1, printed in 1984, stated that Andrew Jackson Farris (18271883) was a Mason, and at that time, his Masonic apron was still in possession of family members. In the same book, his grandson Peter Nathan Farris (1884-1983) was quoted saying that he had his grandfather’s sheepskin Masonic apron in his possession for many years and was also a Mason. Among folks kin to those two men are/were Vernon Farris, Preston Burke, Jeff Gates, Bob Ellisor, Cindy Whitten Stevens, Gary Raynor, Jeff Farris Jr., Blanche Dillon, Angela Fannin, and Blair Fannin.