News

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 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.

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.

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

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.

**Various folks have asked me questions the past few years. I will try to answer some of them to the best of my remembering or “looking up.” Please, be tolerant!**

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.

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.

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.

The Forney Historic Preservation League Monthly Board of Directors Business Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p. m. by President Charles Beason, who announced a quorum and all members present—Charles Beason, Sharon Bowen, Tracy Drane, Jana Garner, Donna Hervey, Lawrence Higgins, Andy Parker, L. C. Randolph, Debbie Stuart, Don Themer, Margaret Tull, George Venner—and Museum Manager, Kendall Milton.

The UKRAINE has been mentioned so much recently in news reports and, some would say, in “fake news reports,” that I decided to do a little research to refresh and broaden my ideas about the area. I was helped along by internet sites and television news reports. The Encyclopedia Britannica has been the most helpful, but just a starting point for deep investigation.

On Friday, Feb. 14, the Forney ISD swim and dive team had 6 divers competing at the state competition in Austin. They represented the district well at this advanced level of student/ athlete competition.

The City of Forney is excited to announce that Seattle-based corporation, Amazon, has begun construction on a 200,000 square-foot distribution center in Forney. Under the development of Seefried Properties, the distribution center will be located in the Gateway Development.