News

Few, if any, families have not been affected by cancer. Estimates based on data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer suggested that 19.3 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in 2020, which reflects the far-reaching impact cancer has on people across the globe.

One thing I remember very well is that Texas High School Track “ran” and “measured” its events in miles, yards, inches—not the metric—until somewhere around 1980, and then the change was not always graceful or well-accepted! I once told a student in my English class in the 1990s that when I had run in a few open track meets when I was holding summer track for the interested girls in Forney that I had run a “10.5” (my best ever) in the “100” and came in next-to-last against a field of mainly college track guys from neighboring North Texas State University and a couple athletically minor junior colleges. I was shocked that they thought I was really fast until I remembered that by then they were running 100 meter races and not 100 yards! (You can do the math and figure out how much longer 100 meters is!)

A 20-year veteran of the United States Army, Sandi Primous is living proof of the benefits that can come from decades of service to our country. Having grown up in a military family, with her father and uncle both enlisted in branches of the Armed Forces, young Sandi knew the value of hard work. So much so, she graduated high school at age 16 and began her military career at age 17. “Entering the military at the age of 17 had an effect on me like no other,” she says. “What I mean is, I grew up, matured, and learned responsibility at a very young age. The Army reiterated values I learned at home such as honor, respect, and integrity. The Army instilled lifelong values in me such as loyalty, duty, personal courage, and selfless service.”

The Forney Independent School District recently announced the District’s 2020-2021 District Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year. The announcement was made at the Forney Education Foundation’s Casino Night Fundraising event on Saturday, April 24, 2021. Forney ISD Superintendent Dr. Justin Terry, Forney ISD Board of Trustees President Mr. Greg Pharris and Forney ISD Board of Trustees Vice President Chad Johnson announced the winners at the event.

The American Medical Association (AMA) is urging Americans to get vaccinated as soon as they’re eligible and continue precautions against COVID-19 infection. But patients have many questions.

Ouachita Baptist University communications & media students have received five national Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA) for the Ouachitonian yearbook and 39 state awards for the Ouachitonian, Signal newspaper and Ouachita Sports Digital Network from the Arkansas College Media Association (ACMA) as the spring 2021 semester comes to a close.

As many parts of our area are opening back up in full force, remember your local food bank. The Forney Food Pantry is always accepting donations of food and toiletries. This valuable community resource assists many local families and individuals who are at risk of being food-insecure. While the Forney Food Pantry will accept any unexpired food donations, they do have a list of most commonly needed items. Additionally, financial donations can be made to the Food Pantry through their website, www.forneyfoodpantryinc. org. For more information, call (972) 552-2011.

Texas cotton producers could have a tough year due to drought, but good prices are likely to soften the blow, according to a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

More than a year into the pandemic, the “open” sign in countless online and retail storefronts has evolved into a universal symbol of the grit of small businesses. Tenacious entrepreneurs nationwide made a way to stay open in spite of all the obstacles.

Over several weekends this spring, the FHS Percussion line keeps its playing sharp and focused by competing in the North Texas Color Guard Association Competition. The competition takes place over several weekends in different North Texas Schools. To date the Percussion line has had one virtual presentation of its program and two live performances. The program presentations are short and thematic, and additions are made to it at each competition event. The FHS Percussion is under the leadership of Director Riley Warren and is assisted by Shannon Jacobs. Here the FHS Percussion line is shown practicing in the parking lot of Alvarado Jr. High School before performing their program in the school’s gym.

Whether rediscovering the joy of riding a bike or taking a ride for the first time, cycling saw a boom during the pandemic, and many believe this trend is here to stay.

CenterPoint Commercial Properties will invest approximately $650,000 to improve the Northridge Shopping Center located at 1805 North Galloway Avenue. The improvements will include façade enhancements, new tenant signage, roof repairs and storefront renovations. In 2020 the developer purchased the shopping center, which was constructed in 1960, and has proposed plans to renovate the center to attract new tenants and approve its appearance.

I enjoyed a couple of days in the outdoors this past week and I truly wish each and every one of you could have been with me. Since that’s impossible, let me describe the short but fun and action packed couple of days.