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Analysis: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Defending his Reputation on Two Fronts Paxton’s legal troubles are increasing in volume, at just about the time an

Then-state Sen. Ken Paxton, who is now attorney general, during The Texas Tribune Festival on Sept. 28, 2013. Paxton is fighting for his reputation on two fronts — in the courts, and in the court of public opinion. Credit: Callie Richmond for The Texas Tribune

Analysis: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Defending his Reputation on Two Fronts

From his first campaign for statewide office in 2014 to now, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has never not been in legal trouble. And his problems are multiplying at a time when someone in his spot would ordinarily be dreaming and scheming about higher office.

THE WAY THINGS WERE ‘BACK THEN’

Times have changed much in Luke’s lifetime but he strives to keep many of the ‘old ways’ alive, such as cooking wild pork over an open fire.

THE WAY THINGS WERE ‘BACK THEN’

I recently saw 30/30 ammo going for $85 a box at a gun show and folks were standing in line to purchase it. I’m not talking about some specialty wildcat rounds that are hand loaded, I’m talking THIRTY THIRTY rounds, arguably the most common and widely used of all centerfire ‘bullets’. Just try to find a box of 9 mm or .223 ammo. It’s as scarce as hen’s teeth. If you can find it, it might be necessary to take out a loan on the homestead just to purchase a few boxes! Even rim fire .22 rounds are tough to find and pricy.

Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season
Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season
Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season
Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season
Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season
Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season
Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season
Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season

Toyota ShareLunker Program Caps off the 2020 Season

Anglers across the state entered 340 lunker bass greater than 8 pounds in the Toyota ShareLunker program from 86 lakes during the 2020 season, which wrapped up Dec. 31. In addition to helping produce bigger, better bass for Texas lakes, anglers who enter their big bass catches in the program receive special recognition and prizes, including an entry into a yearend drawing to win a $5,000 Bass Pro Shops shopping spree and an annual fishing license.

Could Long-Term Blackouts and Outages Become the New Normal?

Could Long-Term Blackouts and Outages Become the New Normal?

While you may take electricity for granted in today’s world, you might not in the future -- that is, if current trends continue. As a new report highlights, the U.S. electrical workforce is aging out and not being sufficiently replaced -- a trend which could have potentially devastating and far-reaching impacts nationwide. The report’s authors say that the time to fill the pipeline of new electrical workers and invest in training and retention is now.

Take Me Back to Tulsa
Take Me Back to Tulsa
Take Me Back to Tulsa

Take Me Back to Tulsa

The 1920 Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was a sight to behold with its multiple newspapers, movie theaters, grocery stores, schools, churches, hotels, medical centers, and nightclubs. Historians credit Tulsa for embodying very progressive racial views. See, Greenwood was a black neighborhood, a very successful black neighborhood. A black family could live, shop, and even obtain a bank loan from another black person without leaving the comfort of their own neighborhood, a feat unheard of anywhere else in the US at that time. Booker T Washington deserves much of the credit for Greenwood’s success. His visit in 1905 set all of the wheels in motion. He was instrumental in guiding the community’s black leaders toward developing 4,000 acres within Tulsa two full years before OK was even considered for statehood. I bet you’re asking why Tulsa? Again, we turn to the historians who explain that post-emancipation slaves largely stayed & settled in the Oklahoma area. They would soon rub elbows with prosperity when massive amounts of oil were discovered in 1901 and again in 1905 with the Glenpool area wells. Soon, the whole country wanted a piece of the action, too. In 1900, Tulsa’s population was 1,400. By 1920, they hit 98,874. The money was flowing as fast as the oil, and, since Booker T had persuaded the Greenwood community to stress education over everything else, a very savvy black community was poised to achieve a lifestyle that would be envied by black neighborhoods throughout the country. The Greenwood District was so successful, it picked up a trendy nickname: Black Wall Street. This is how it was meant to be, they thought. Look at us working hard one generation past slavery. Look how we’re going to persevere. Look what we’ve created. Alas, you may already know this won’t end well. If not, consider this a spoiler alert of catastrophic proportions.

“Snow” More Snow

“Snow” More Snow

An historic weather event occurred in Texas the week of February 14-19, 2021. Record setting low temperatures and actual snow fell in most of North Texas with the Forney area receiving a number of inches of snow and personal pictures normally seen in Colorado. Electricity distribution was endangered and water froze in pipes in extremely cold homes. But the Forney Family stepped up and volunteered to cook for families who had no power, bring firewood to help create warmth in people’s fireplaces, and transport those who had no other way to get to warmer accommodations.

Protect Benefits for Children with Special Needs

Protect Benefits for Children with Special Needs

If you have a child or other family member who has special needs due to physical or mental conditions, you face a variety of challenges planning for their care, including financial ones. You may also have some wellmeaning relatives who want to help, but who may not realize that their moves could actually result in some serious lifestyle and monetary problems for your loved one. Fortunately, by planning ahead, you can avoid these potential traps.

Forney ISD Aquatic Center Agreement with Metroplex Aquatics Provides New Community Engagement Opportunities
Forney ISD Aquatic Center Agreement with Metroplex Aquatics Provides New Community Engagement Opportunities

North Forney High Principal Michael Jung, Forney ISD Board President Greg Pharris, CEO of Metroplex Aquatics Brent Mitchell, Forney ISD Athletic Director Neal Weaver, Forney High Principal Dr. Jonathan Campell, Forney ISD Superintendent Dr. Justin Terry

Forney ISD Aquatic Center Agreement with Metroplex Aquatics Provides New Community Engagement Opportunities

In early November, the Forney ISD school board surprised the swim and dive teams through a Facebook live announcing the addition of an aquatic training facility to be built this spring and summer. And on Monday, February 8, Forney ISD signed an MOU with Metroplex Aquatics to manage the facility for $0 operating costs to the district while also providing community engagement opportunities.

Rep. Keith Bell Appointed to Serve on Key Committees as Vice-Chair on Criminal Jurisprudence and Public Education

Rep. Keith Bell Appointed to Serve on Key Committees as Vice-Chair on Criminal Jurisprudence and Public Education

Speaker Dade Phelan released Texas House committee assignments for the 87th Legislative Session, naming Representative Bell (R-Forney) to Vice-Chair of Criminal Jurisprudence and Public Education Committees. This will be Representative Bell’s second session serving on both of these committees.

The Gift We Give Ourselves

The Gift We Give Ourselves

I hope that most of you know that I own Flower Basket. And today, you will all learn that my birthday is on Friday. According to my children, these two facts make it impossible to shop for me (“What are we gonna get a florist the week of Valentine’s Day? Flowers?”) so they’ve worked very hard to make my birthday gifts meaningful; and every gift they give is that much more special because I know that they gave it so much thought.

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Forney Messenger

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 936, Forney, TX 75126
Physical Address: 201 W. Broad St., Forney, TX 75126
Phone: 972-564-3121
Fax: 972-552-3599