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Ellis Island

Ellis Island

Young Catherine stood on the ship’s bow as it sailed into Ellis Island. She was a teenager. Her hair was tied behind her head. She had a slender neck. Young face.

A Texas Park on Leased Land Near Dallas Must Close Because the State’s Landlord is Selling the Property to a Developer

The view from a lakeside campsite at Fairfield Lake State Park. The park, which opened to the public in 1976 on land leased to the state, will close at the end of February because the owners are selling the land to a private developer. Credit: Jennifer M. Ramos

A Texas Park on Leased Land Near Dallas Must Close Because the State’s Landlord is Selling the Property to a Developer

Fairfield Lake State Park, 96 miles south of Dallas, is expected to close permanently by the end of the month because its landlord is selling the land.

Annual White Bass Run is Quickly Approaching

The annual white bass run is heating up and anglers across Texas are preparing for exciting days on the water. Each spring, white bass run upstream from reservoirs into rivers and creeks to spawn, creating prime fishing opportunities for new and seasoned anglers. White bass can be targeted from the bank, motorized boat or paddle craft in multiple publicly accessible locations throughout the state.

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update
Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update
Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

It was my honor to welcome you to the Capitol! The 2023 Kaufman County Day was a huge success with over 150 attendees. Thanks for attending and know my office and I enjoyed being your host. I appreciate the opportunity to be your State Representative!

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Enjoyed visiting with Mark Holley of Tool, Texas on behalf of Texas Land Title Association.

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Great to meet with Dr. Schnell, System Medical Director of UT Health East Texas about the healthcare services they provide in Athens and Gun Barrel City. Thanks for the visit and your work in Henderson County!

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Great to meet with local energy providers from Trinity Valley Electric Co-op and Rayburn Electric Cooperative to discuss how they continue to meet the needs of those in their service area.

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Enjoyed a visit from Beau Humble, Administrator for Lakeside Health and Wellness in Kemp.

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Had a great visit with Texas Independent Automobile Dealers Association including Chris Knox, owner of Auto Center of Texas in Terrell.

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update
Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Enjoyed being back in Kaufman County last weekend catching up with friends at the Mabank VFD Chili Supper!

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

I’m honored for the appointment to serve on committees that directly impact Kaufman and Henderson Counties. I am grateful for the opportunity and ready to get started!

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Representative Keith Bell’s Capitol Update

Lawsuits Pile Up Two Years After Texas’ Devastating Winter Storm

Cherrilyn Nedd, whose home was damaged during the 2021 winter storm, poses for a portrait in Houston on Feb. 10. Lawyers expect thousands of cases will be filed against power companies, transmission and distribution utilities and ERCOT as the two-year statute of limitations on winter storm-related cases approaches. Credit: Callaghan O’Hare for The Texas Tribune

Lawsuits Pile Up Two Years After Texas’ Devastating Winter Storm

A car drives through a darkened West Austin neighborhood that lost power on Feb 18, 2021. The devastating winter storm that struck the state two years ago left millions of Texans without power and caused hundreds of deaths. Credit: Jordan Vonderhaar for The Texas Tribune

Lawsuits Pile Up Two Years After Texas’ Devastating Winter Storm

Thousands are accusing power companies, distribution companies, electric grid operators and others of failing to prepare properly for the February 2021 storm, creating a catastrophe.

Be the Sprinkles on the Cake

Be the Sprinkles on the Cake

I hope that most of you know that I own Flower Basket. And today, you will all learn that my “significant” birthday is in February, less than a week from Valentine’s Day. 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.

Encouraging Physical Activity to Upgrade Quality of Life in Aging Adults

Older adults practicing yoga. (Adobe Stock Image)

Encouraging Physical Activity to Upgrade Quality of Life in Aging Adults

As we age, strength training and aerobic exercise become increasingly important. Studies have shown strength training may enhance quality of life and improve our ability to do everyday activities, while physical inactivity— also known as sedentary behavior—can lead to numerous adverse health conditions and outcomes, including premature death.

Gov. Greg Abbott Tells State Agencies to Stop Considering Diversity in Hiring

Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during the Texas Rally for Life event at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 28. Credit: Montinique Monroe for The Texas Tribune

Gov. Greg Abbott Tells State Agencies to Stop Considering Diversity in Hiring

Gov. Greg Abbott’s office is warning state agency and public university leaders this week that the use of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — policies that support groups who have been historically underrepresented or discriminated against — is illegal in hiring.

The Queen of Ballard Road
The Queen of Ballard Road

The Queen of Ballard Road

At some point, back in the early 60s, my father blew into Seagoville, TX, with his two near adult sons. Perhaps he was still married to his first wife. He isn’t around to ask, nor is she, nor is wife number two, my mother. Wife 3 died decades ago. I am not sure about wife 4 as we lost touch along the way. Lesson one, never assume the stories will last longer than the people who made them. I couldn’t have fathomed I would be sitting here in my mid-50s struggling to tell a tale with no one in my back pocket to edit what my own feeble mind recalls. I am not sure why my father did not settle in Wilmer or Palmer or Ferris, where his parents and 3 siblings lived. He chose the Ville. Soon, Daddy and Uncle Spider (aside: I also had an Uncle Goat, though from my mother’s clan) bought a building and opened a washateria. Uncle Spider did not enjoy the laundry entrepreneur life and bowed out shortly thereafter. Daddy hired my mother’s aunt to manage his business, met her very young, very tall, strawberry blonde niece, and promptly set up house with her in a single wide mobile home on a 3-acre tract of land in a then unincorporated area of SE Dallas County. We were a no man’s land bereft of things like city water or trash pickup. Electricity had to be purchased from the next county over. The family who sold him the property was a big deal in those parts. I didn’t understand fully, until I needed to memorize my address for school purposes. Daddy bought the parcel from the matriarch of that family. She was Charlie Ballard’s mother, though I only knew her as Granny Ballard. Charlie was Seagoville’s towing king and one of my father’s dearest friends. We lived on Ballard Road.

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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