News

At the second emergency City Council meeting to have been called for the City of Forney within the last week, Mayor Penn and the Council heard from Forney Police Chief Mica Lunt. At this March 23 meeting, the Chief strongly urged Council to consider adopting a Shelter in Place Order in light of the current rapid spread of COVID-19. As the rate of confirmed cases multiplies exponentially, local, state, and federal government race to put protective measures in place with hopes of slowing the coverage of the virus. Enacting a Shelter in Place Order will allow the City to assist in reducing the spread of the disease while still providing resources to aid in response to the pandemic.

During these unprecedented times in our nation and world, many are worried not only about the health impact of COVID-19, but also about the economic hardships this will present moving forward. Over the last two weeks, countless businesses and organizations have temporarily closed their doors to the public, and this trend continues under the directive of Texas Governor Greg Abbott who stated that businesses such as restaurants, bars, and cafes could no longer serve eat-in customers.

The Texas Economic Development Council cl’EDC) announced the recipients of its Annual Economic Excellence Recognition program for 2019. The awards were presented at a breakfast held Thursday, February 20, 2020 at the TEDC Winter Conference in College Station, TX.

Staff members of the Forney ISD Marketing and Communications Department recently attended the Texas School Public Relations Association, (TSPRA), annual conference in Austin, Texas during the week of Feb. 24 and was awarded the organization’s highest state award for school marketing and communications. The five member staff received the TSPRA Platinum Award for the 2018-2019 Forney Family marketing campaign. The Platinum Award honors a year-long project that exhib- its the highest standards of excellence according to research, analysis, communication and evaluation. Forney ISD launched Forney Family in 2018 across the District and throughout the community to promote the many successes of students and educators in the District as well as those in the community that work with and support the District. The District believes that maintaining academic excellence doesn’t just happen by chance. It starts with making sure tax dollars are spent wisely, teachers are committed to superior instruction for every single child and students take their education seriously towards their preparation for college or career. And, it takes a community that rallies behind every school, every teacher, every administrator and every student in every part of the district.

The 2020 Primaries have officially come to a close. Even with an increase in Democratic voter turnout this year, Kaufman County remains red.

Avoid. Deny. Defend. On the evening of Thursday, February 27, over 350 area residents gathered to learn exactly what those terms mean in relation to active mass attacks. Led by Forney’s Chief of Police, Mica Lunt, and CareFlite Paramedic, Doug Schletz, this two and a half hour training seminar focused on fostering a resilience and empowerment in citizens, rather than allowing an attitude of fear or fatalism to take root.

I first fished with my friend and guide Jason Barber about 12 years ago while doing the leg work for a magazine article on Cedar Creek Lake. I remember asking Jason what species we were going to fish for. He replied with a question, “What do you wish to catch?” Through the years I’ve witnessed him back up that statement many times by putting me on some red hot catching for hybrid stripers, white bass, largemouth, trophy class blue catfish and ever the most finicky of all freshwater fish, crappie. When I need to do an article of Cedar Creek fishing, regardless the species, Jason has always obliged.

The Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of the Kaufman County Criminal District Attorney have partnered together to bring interested citizens a free 11-week course outlining the law enforcement and county government processes in relation to crimes and prosecution. Previously existing in the form of two separate course options, the Citizens Police Academy became a joint venture for the first time this year. With both of these branches of our county government working together, attendees are able to learn in a more time-efficient way exactly how the county government works and how a portion of our tax dollars are spent.

On Friday, February 21, the Forney Area United Way received its largest ever donation by a singular entity in the form of a check for over $51,000 from local company Smurfit Kappa. A constant contributor for nearly two decades, management and employees of the Smurfit Kappa Forney Mill are dedicated to continuing their involvement in making the Forney community a great place to live. One of the many ways they are involved in this pursuit is through donations to the Forney Area United Way, our local branch of a nationwide 501©3 organization that distributes donations to other local nonprofits for the benefit of the community.

Couples engaged to be married have a lot on their plates as they begin planning their weddings. Whereas tradition once demanded parents of the bride pay for a couple’s wedding, nowadays more and more engaged couples are completely or partially financing their own nuptials. That means prospective brides and grooms must develop wedding budgets that won’t ensure their first act as Mr. and Mrs. is paying down debt.