20 years ago…
September 29, 2005
KATRINA EVACUEES CELEBRATE HONEYMOON AT ALEXANDER B&B
Kenneth and Jevon McGruder not only lost their future home because of Hurricane Katrina, but had to divide up their children between Alabama, Irving and Dallas.
Both sets of their parents, their aunts and uncles also had to abandon their homes and evacuate New Orleans -- all losing everything they owned. Along with their community, home and belongings, their wedding plans were swept away, too.
Larry Sommer of Wedding Wishes in Dallas reached out to businesses that plan and provide all aspects of weddings in the Metroplex and asked them to donate different parts of the wedding for the McGruders.
When Pamela Alexander, owner of Alexander Bed & Breakfast, heard the request, she immediately said, “Yes” and donated a free three-night honeymoon stay at their B&B.
“The McGruders enjoyed our community, their dinners at Catfish Haven and Longhorn Ranch Grill, and especially the prayers and gifts offered them at First Baptist Church,” Alexander said. “We have all felt the need and desire to help and should continue to serve and donate in whatever way each of us can.”
GRANT TO FUND WHITESBORO FIRE STATION RENOVATION
The Whitesboro Fire Department recently received a $95,000 grant from the Oliver Dewey Mayor Foundation.
The grant, the second such large grant received in the history of the department, will fund the expansion of the east side of the station located on Main Street in downtown Whitesboro.
Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Patterson explained that the station has been there since the early 1990s and has had no substantial improvements since that time,
The expansion project, which is still in the planning phase, will include the addition of five office spaces, large storage areas, training areas and living quarters for the future growth of the department.
30 years ago…
October 5, 1995
CISD OPENS DOORS OF NEW BUILDING TO STUDENTS
The doors of Collinsville’s new secondary school building opened on Monday to 206 enthusiastic students.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Henry said, “The kids are really excited. I saw smiles on a lot of faces, and I think the 7-12 graders now feel like they have their own individual space.”
Plans for the 45,000 square foot building changed little from initial drafts to the present -- with officials praising both Architect Steve Hamilton and Plyler Construction.
S&S VOTERS APPROVE BONDS
Voters from the S&S CISD voted 384 to 311 on Saturday to approve a $6.85 million bond package for construction of a new high school.
Conceptual plans are already in hand for the proposed 100,000 square foot high school. The building, designed for future expansion, would contain 28 classrooms, as well as a core area containing the cafeteria, library and gymnasium.
Negotiations are still underway to purchase a parcel of land in the Sadler area, allowing a move for middle school students to the current high school. The elementary enrollment would be allowed to utilize all facilities at the Southmayd-based elementary/middle school.
The S&S Board of Trustees voted 7-0 during August to pursue bond election plans -- mainly to ease overcrowding conditions.
40 years ago…
October 3, 1985
WHITESBORO OFFICIALS PONDERING BOND VOTE
Hinged on the fact that Whitesboro is not able to generate needed funds for future growth, city officials are swinging toward calling a city bond election sometime in the future to combat sewer, water, electric and street operations...some of which now present problems.
Following a September 1983 study update of the waterworks and wastewater systems in Whitesboro, it was recommended that the total project cost of the waterworks system would be $485,200, while updating the waterwaste system would cost a projected $496,800.
The study update, which cost the city between $6,000 and $8,000, was done by Hogan and Rasor, Inc., engineers, panners and consultants of Dallas.
60 years ago…
September 30, 1965
4-H WEEK BEING OBSERVED IN COUNTY
More than 2 1/4 million youth, both urban and rural, throughout the nation will be observing National 4-H Club Week September 25 to October 2.
More than 700 of these youth live in Grayson County. Activities in the county have been planned to carry out the theme “Learning for Living.”
During this week, a special effort is being made to pay tribute to the 4-H members, parents, leaders, friends of 4-H and agents.
Among aims of this year’s 4-H Week observance are to encourage more young people, 9 to 19 years old, to join or form 4-H Clubs; acquaint more parents with 4-H and enlist their cooperation; urge larger numbers of capable, public-spirited men and women to volunteer as 4-H leaders; recognize the important part played by friends of 4-H locally and nationally, and express appreciation to them.