20 years ago…
August 4, 2005
WHS RENOVATION DONE JUST IN TIME
Renovations are complete and just in the nick of time for Whitesboro High School with less than two weeks remaining before students fill the now empty halls and classrooms.
The project includes a 3,400 sq. ft. dressing area, 1,300 sq. ft. concession area, and 6,600 sq. ft. renovations in the existing dressing areas and choir room, which now features a raised area from which the director can lead the group and risers for the choir.
The total cost for all construction and equipment was just over 1.1 million dollars.
NEW CISD PRIMARY SCHOOL READY
Excited teachers from the Collinsville Elementary School started their migration to the newly completed primary school campus last week.
CISD Superintendent Randy Mohundro explained that the new facility, which was built just east of the current elementary school building, features 17 classrooms and over 26,000 square feet of additional space.
The new building also features a new library with 3,000 square feet of floor space, nearly three times the size of the current library.
Mohundro said the school will be able to meet the district’s needs for a long time to come.
30 years ago…
August 10, 1995
CAUSE SOUGHT FOR CATFISH HAVEN FIRE
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of a Sunday morning fire that gutted Catfish Haven Restaurant.
Damage to the eatery, located on Highway 377 near Gordonville, has yet to be specifically tallied.
The sum for total loss of the building, all appliances, furniture and fixtures is thought to be well in excess of $100,000.
Firefighters from Whitesboro, Gordonville and Sherwood Shores arrived on the scene shortly after 4:50 a.m. to find flames shooting through the roof of the building.
Crews initially cleared the scene at approximately 11:30 a.m. after finding no further smoke.
However, shortly following their departure, the roof of the structure fell to the interior of the building, causing the fire to rekindle.
Firemen returned to the scene, continuing to fight the blaze until nearly 1 p.m.
Several firefighters were treated for heat exhaustion by M.T.S. ambulance personnel.
According to Grayson County, Arson Investigator Tommy Turner, an initial inquiry on Tuesday did not provide any evidence that the fire was an arson.
MILE-LONG FOOT PURSUIT ENDS IN MAN’S CAPTURE
A mile-long foot pursuit on Friday afternoon led to the capture of a 24-year-old Whitesboro man sought in connection with an out-of-state felony warrant.
Officer Bart Bruton and Officer Jeff Onstott, utilizing information received from a local woman following a domestic disturbance on Water Street, confirmed that the subject was wanted.
Attempting to serve the Arkansas forgery warrant, both officers returned to the residence, but the suspect fled the scene after jumping from a rear window.
According to the report, he continued to run southbound on foot into a field.
Officer Larry Carter, contacted to assist in the manhunt, apprehended the suspect approximately one-half mile south of the city limits.
Both Carter and the subject required medical attention from M.T.S. for injuries sustained during the chase.
40 years ago…
August 8, 1985
‘BOMB’-WIELDING ASSAILANT ROBS FIRST NATIONAL BANK
The First National Bank, U.S. Highway 82, Whitesboro, was robbed Wednesday morning at gunpoint of more than $14,000. Within 38 minutes, Whitesboro policemen had arrested a 40-year-old Sadler resident in connection with that robbery.
A federal agent is calling the arrest a record for the State of Texas and possibly a record for the nation.
The robbery resulted in no injuries and there were no customers in the bank at the time.
Authorities in ballistics, however, were called to the scene to inspect a suspicious bomb-looking device left on the floor of the bank lobby by the suspect.
“We think it’s a phony but we’re not going to touch it until we get someone in here who knows,” said Whitesboro Chief of Police Al Miller.
Harold Butts, vice-president of the bank, told the News-Record that the white male suspect was wearing blue jeans and that he came through the front door very quietly.
“His face was uncovered, except for his beard and sunglasses,” said Butts. “He came through the front door and he had a gun in his hand. He went over to (bank teller) Doris (Turner) and asked for money.”
Butts said the suspect did not threaten to harm anyone in the bank.
“But he told us to be still and as he left, he told us to get on the floor or he would detonate the explosive. Everyone got on the floor,” Butts said.
Before fleeing, the suspect had placed a square box-like device on the floor. It was about 5x4 and wrapped in black electrical tape and had an antenna protruding from it.
Board member Murray Akins followed the suspect on U.S. Highway 82, pursuing him to the Sadler exit.
Whitesboro Officer Andy Layman, off-duty Wednesday, responded to the Sadler area where he found a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car. From that point, sequences led to the arrest of the suspect.
60 years ago…
August 5, 1965
HARRELL TO BE AWARDED HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP
Norris Harrell of Collinsville will be awarded one of ten honorary life memberships in the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas to be presented at a statewide meeting in Dallas.
Mr. Harrell retired at the end of the last school year, and Ralph Maglaughlin was named to succeed him.
Mr. Maglaughlin also will attend the meeting, which will be from August 10 to 13. The honorary life membership will be awarded to Mr. Harrell on August 11.
Mr. Harrell began his teaching career in the rural schools of Hunt and Fannin counties, where he taught eight years before entering the vocational agriculture field 23 years ago. He spent all 23 years in Collinsville.
COLLINSVILLE SCHOOLS ARE REMODELED
Extensive building, repairing and redecorating is underway at the Collinsville schools -- made possible by a $60,000 bond issue voted this spring.
A new building for the vocational agriculture department is the only completely new building to be constructed but the remodeling and redecorating program includes the main school building, the gymnasium, and the lunch room.
Remodeling of the main building includes replacing windows, tinting front-facing windows, repairing or replacing ceilings throughout the building and a complete new roof on the building.
Much new equipment is also being purchased for the school, including equipment for the science rooms, home economics department and classrooms.