*Correction* Mahoney Homecoming is Planned for June 8th
June 3, 2025 – The Mahoney Homecoming will be held Sunday, June 8, 2025. Activities begin at 10:30am. not 11:00am. This event will be held at the Mahoney Church and Cemetery. The public is invited. Bring a lunch to share with your family and friends.
Brashear Cemetery Association to Hold Homecoming Meeting June 7th
June 2, 2025 – The Brashear Cemetery Association announces that the Annual Homecoming Meeting will be held Saturday, June 7, 2025. The meeting will start at 10:30am at the Brashear Baptist Church Family Life Center. The public is asked to bring their favorite covered dish and enjoy the Fellowship with friends and neighbors. If you can not attend, but wish to donate, donations may be mailed to the Brashear Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 72, Brashear, Texas, 75420.
Emblem Memorial Day Service to be Held June 8th
June 2, 2025 – Emblem Memorial Day Service and cemetery meeting will be held at 11:00 AM Sunday, June 8th, 2025, at the Emblem Cemetery Chapel on FM highway 71. Following the service, there will be a covered dish lunch.
This and That for June 2025 From Master Gardener David Wall
June 2, 2025 – Growing cucumbers and tomatoes? Assuming you haven’t already done so, it’s not too late to plant sunflowers right next to them that will grow to 6-8’ tall (12-14’ tall sunflowers re a wee bit much!). Both have similar soil requirements, and your vegetable fruits results are sweeter. Also, the sunflowers are a great trap crop as many insects prefer the sunflower over the cucumber and tomato!
Plants can hear water gurgling through the soil and will turn some of its roots toward that source. Also, microbes in a symbiotic relationship with your plants can tell them where a water source is located.
The tag on a plant saying full sun is perhaps a wee bit exaggerated. It doesn’t mean put me in the harshest sun from dawn to dusk. Most full sun plants would welcome some afternoon shade during the afternoon heat. Six hours of sun should suffice.
All you need to make your own great liquid fertilizer is a 5-gallon bucket, compost, water and a stirring stick. Fill a 5-gallon bucket half-full of compost. Now fill the bucket to near the top with water. As you water, stir the mixture and water with a stick to begin the process of water absorbing nutrients. If you’re using treated water, pour a bucketful of water and let it sit for a week to let unwanted chemicals in the water leach out. After a week of stirring, pour the mixture through a filter of some type into another bucket, which can now be used to fertilize plants. Gou can use it very 7-10 days.
If you’ve ever wondered, mulch can attract termites, but so what? They aid decomposition in the garden, but don’t allow if your garden is close to the house!
Finally, peat moss is acidic but won’t acidify your soil.
Funeral for Ava Moore Will Include Military Honors
June 2, 2025 – A funeral service for Ava Moore will be held in North Texas on Saturday, honoring the life of a young woman who was on the cusp of beginning a promising military career. Moore had recently graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy Preparatory School and was just weeks away from starting basic training—an opportunity she had long dreamed of and proudly pursued, according to friends and family.
Daikerlyn Alejandra Gonzalez Gonzalez, accused in a Grapevine Lake jet ski hit-and-run crash had her bond set at $500,000. Maikel Coello Perozo, the man who helped her flee the crime scene, has a $3,000 bond. But because both now have an immigration hold, they will stay in custody if they post bond.
She had returned home to visit her parents over Memorial Day weekend, a time meant for remembrance and reflection, making her passing all the more poignant for those who loved her. Moore’s ambition and dedication to serving her country left a deep impression on those around her, who described her as driven, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.
In recognition of her service and aspirations, the U.S. Air Force will render full military honors at the conclusion of the ceremony. The gesture will serve as a solemn tribute to her commitment and sacrifice, even before officially joining the ranks.
Her community is expected to gather in large numbers to celebrate her life, mourn her loss, and offer support to her grieving family. Moore’s legacy will be remembered not only through military honors but through the lasting impact she made on those around her.
Trevor McEuen Found; Back In Custody After Standoff
June 2, 2025 – Kaufman County Sheriff Bryan Beavers announced that 32-year-old Trevor McEuen is in custody following a month-long manhunt. McEuen was captured at his grandparents’ home in Van Zandt County after a standoff involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office, Van Zandt County Sheriff’s Office, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
McEuen is accused of shooting and killing his neighbor, Aaron Martinez, on Neal Road in Forney on May 1, 2023. Investigators said he shot 35-year-old Martinez multiple times and then admitted to the murder after a SWAT standoff.
McEuen was scheduled to begin his capital murder trial on May 5, 2025, but instead removed his court-ordered ankle monitor and fled. Authorities say he had been staying with relatives in Van Zandt County while awaiting trial. His disappearance prompted an intensive search across the region.
McEuen faces several serious charges, including capital murder, murder, and four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The details of the underlying case have not been publicly disclosed, but officials confirmed that the charges stem from a violent incident involving multiple victims.
McEuen is currently in custody, with new charges likely to be added related to his escape.
Canton Trade Days Hit With Storm Damage
June 2, 2025 – Canton Trade Days, one of Texas’ largest flea markets, suffered damage after severe storms swept through Van Zandt County, toppling trees, downing power lines, and flooding walkways and vendor booths. The storms left parts of the market nearly unrecognizable, with debris scattered across the grounds and several structures damaged or destroyed. Local officials and volunteers responded quickly.
Van Zandt County Sheriff Kevin Bridger reported that most of the damage in the area has now been cleared. Cleanup crews worked through the aftermath to restore access and safety across the Trade Days grounds. Remarkably, no injuries were reported in connection with the storms, and authorities have praised both first responders and vendors for their swift cooperation.
While the damage posed serious concerns for vendors and visitors alike, many remain hopeful that the historic market will recover in time for upcoming events. Canton Trade Days, a major economic and cultural event for the region, draws thousands of visitors monthly. Local officials have encouraged the public to stay updated through official channels for information about rescheduling or relocation of vendor booths. Despite the setback, community resilience and rapid response have laid the groundwork for a strong recovery.
HB 6 Passes; Increases Punishment Options For Teachers
June 1, 2025 – Texas schools will soon be able to impose harsher disciplinary measures on students after the Legislature passed House Bill 6, a broad package aimed at curbing campus violence and disruptions. The bill, passed Wednesday, is part of a post-pandemic effort by lawmakers to address growing concerns about student behavior and safety in schools.
“Disruptions are impeding both the ability of teachers to teach and the ability of students to learn,” said Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, one of the bill’s key supporters. Under HB 6, schools will have more authority to remove students from classrooms for unruly behavior, and districts will face fewer restrictions when placing students in alternative education programs. The bill also expands what qualifies as a disciplinary offense, including persistent classroom disruptions and threatening behavior.
Supporters argue the legislation is a necessary response to rising incidents of violence and misconduct since students returned to in-person learning after the COVID-19 pandemic. However, critics warn the bill could disproportionately affect students of color and those with disabilities, and fear it may lead to overuse of punitive practices rather than addressing root causes. Still, with bipartisan support, HB 6 is set to significantly change how Texas schools manage student discipline.
STAAR Test Lives On
June 1, 2025 – A legislative push to eliminate the STAAR test failed in the final days of the Texas legislative session, ending hopes for major reform in the state’s student assessment system. House Bill 4, authored by Rep. Brad Buckley, proposed replacing the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) with three shorter exams spread across the academic year. Supporters argued this approach would reduce pressure on students and provide more timely feedback to educators.
Despite passing in the House, the bill stalled after closed-door negotiations between the Senate and House failed to yield a compromise before a critical deadline. The impasse ultimately prevented the measure from moving forward, disappointing educators, parents, and lawmakers who have long criticized the STAAR test for contributing to student stress and narrowing classroom instruction.
The failed effort highlights ongoing divisions over how best to assess academic progress in Texas. While proponents of change say the STAAR system is outdated and overly punitive, others defend it as a necessary tool for accountability. With the session now over, STAAR will remain in place for the foreseeable future, and any future attempts at reform will have to wait until the next legislative session.
NCL Canada/New England Cruise Deal
May 31, 2025 – Fall in love with the Northeast aboard Norwegian Getaway. When you’re in Portland, don’t leave without seeing one of the picturesque lighthouses or eating some mouthwatering lobster. Take a walk on the wild side at St. John’s glass Skywalk, which stretches 120 feet over the impressive Reversing Falls Rapids, or embark upon a whale watching tour where you may see humpbacks, minkes and finbacks in the spectacular Bay of Fundy. Then enjoy a narrated excursion through scenic Halifax, past historic sites and along a coastal highway to the picturesque village of Peggy’s Cove. Pricing starting at $727
7 days and 5 ports:
Day 0: Embark the Getaway in New York, New York
Day 1: Spend the day exploring the ship and it’s amenities at sea
Day 2: Boston, Massachusetts
Day 3: Bar Harbor, Maine
Day 4: Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
Day 5: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Day 6: Spend the day exploring the ship and it’s amenities at sea
Day 7: Disembark the Getaway in New York, New York
Experience the best that the Norwegian Getaway has to offer including; 19 Dining Venues, 15 Bars and Lounges, Variety of Entertainment Options, Onboard Spa Services as well as Onboard Shopping, and of course, the More at Sea package which includes Unlimited Open Bar, Specialty Dining, Wi-Fi package and Excursion Credits.
Contact Sara for latest deals to Canada & New England on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship Getaway
[email protected] or (903)243-7940
