Both Madisonville basketball teams withdrew from their scheduled holiday break tournaments this week due to health and safety protocols. The men’s squad was scheduled to compete in the Houston County Tournament Tuesday through Thursday while the women's team was slated to compete in the Aggieland Classic Monday through Wednesday. Both teams defeated Aggieland Homeschool at MHS in standalone matchups Dec. 21 with the men’s team prevailing 53-32 and the women’s team earning a 45-31 victory. The current plan is for the men’s team to return to the court Jan. 4 at Wilmer-Hutchins and the women’s team to return to open district play at MHS against Mexia. (Pictured: Wayne Roundtree and MaKayla Ford) CAMPBELL ATKINS

On Dec. 16, Brazos Valley Thin Blue Line Foundation, Inc. donated $2,500 to assist the family of Madison County Sheriff Sergeant Curtis Klingle in their efforts to raise money for his wife, Kathryn, who is battling cancer MADISON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Normangee’s Izaha Jones signed his letter of intent to continue his football career at the collegiate level at Lamar University in the presence of friends and family last week. NORMANGEE PANTHER FOOTBALL

AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is encouraging everyone to end 2021 safely as they head out on the road for the holidays. The Texas Highway Patrol will conduct its annual Christmas and New Year’s holiday traffic enforcement campaigns beginning Dec. 23, looking for people who are speeding, not wearing their seat belts, driving while intoxicated or committing other traffic violations.

COURTESY PHOTO The 8th grade Madisonville women’s basketball team won the Junior High Madisonville Classic in its first year in existence over the weekend. The Lady Mustangs, coached by Joey Renner and Kourtney Johnson-Montebano, went 3-0 to seize the crown at MHS..