The 2026 spring severe weather season is not too far away, and the National Weather Service and local public safety officials want you to be ready. The National Weather Service (NWS) Office located in Fort Worth will be conducting a free Severe Weather Education class in Denton County on Thursday, February 26, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Texas Women’s University Student Union at Hubbard Hall (Southeast Ballroom) in Denton. There is no cost to attend this class, no pre-registration is required, and you do not have to be a resident of Denton County to attend.

As the upcoming election approaches, I would like to share several important updates to help voters prepare and feel confident when participating in the election process.

The City of Plano is turning up the heat for the 2026 Lunar New Year, officially welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse on February 17, 2026. Known for its legendary speed, charisma, and "main character energy," the Fire Horse is setting the stage for Plano’s most vibrant celebration yet.

This is official notice that there will be a Public Hearing at 5:00 pm, Monday, February 16, 2026, in the Council Chambers of the Sherman City Hall, 220 W. Mulberry St., Sherman, Texas, for the following Ordinances.

ArtFest transforms the historic McKinney Cotton Mill into a destination for art lovers, gift seekers, and weekend explorers. Visitors can browse a thoughtfully curated lineup of artists, offering fine art, handcrafted silver and gold jewelry, studio ceramics, fiber art, woodwork, photography, and more—all handmade, all original.

If anyone still has hope of a civil and orderly meeting of Fannin County Commissioners Court, apparently they will have to wait until a different county judge is wielding the gavel. Even as inspectors were on the roof of the Justice Center on Tuesday morning to determine if taxpayers will be out another million dollars for a proper roof on a building that was purchased "as is," Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham made another attempt to deflect by complaining about the condition of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse. All four commissioners confronted Cunningham over another attempt to point fingers at others while the budget of a Justice Center that was supposed to cost $11 million may now approach $20 million.

Bonham City Council called for an election on May 2 for three council member positions, plus mayor and city charter amendments.

TxDOT officials announced upcoming nightly full closures of the following roadways beginning at 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. beginning on the following dates: Feb. 8, Feb. 9, Feb. 10, Feb. 11, and Feb. 12.

Don't miss downtown McKinney's 24th annual Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras Dog Parade on Sunday, February 15, 2026. It's a free, family friendly event with vendors, a costume contest for dogs and their owners, and a Mardi Gras parade for the dogs. This year's theme is "Dogs Going Overboard - Barkus Sails the Seven Seas". You must register online prior to the event at mckinneytexas.org. The cost is $5 per dog, if you want to be in the parade.

Does your company offer materials for gardening, home, and lawn? Looking for an enjoyable way to reach customers? Fannin County Master Gardeners are on the lookout for vendors, sponsors, and food trucks for this year’s event. Last year’s attendance was around 400. Vendor benefits to your company include sales on the day of the event, new customer leads for future sales, local and statewide publicity for your company in flyers, news articles, Facebook, and radio prior to the event.

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the Fannin County Courthouse and via teleconference

Asher Oaks, a nearly 27-acre community, will feature modern homes and neighborhood amenities, providing small-town living with regional connectivity; construction begins this month.

5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at the Derrell Hall Educational Center

5:30 p.m. February 9, 2026 at Bonham City Hall

In a general election and a special election that will be held simultaneously May 2, 2026, Bonham voters will go to the polls to elect councilmembers to represent Ward 1, Ward 4, Ward 5, and a mayor to serve out a one-year unexpired term.

Officers from the Commerce Police Department and the East Texas A&M University Police Department were involved in a public safety response incident that occurred earlier this morning in the City of Commerce.

Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades, and traffic controls, and reduce their speed as they approach and travel through work zones.

On Wednesday, February 18 at 12:00 p.m., Mary Helen Dodson - a historian, author, and great granddaughter of her subject - will be at the Fannin County Courthouse to present her just-published book, The Architecture of Wesley Clark Dodson: Legacy of a Good Name. The architect of the Fannin County Courthouse, Wesley Clark Dodson is considered one of the preeminent architects of Texas' Golden Age of Courthouse Construction, in the late nineteenth century.

The 2026 spring severe weather season is not too far away, and the National Weather Service and local public safety officials want you to be ready. The National Weather Service (NWS) Office located in Fort Worth will be conducting a free Severe Weather Education class in Grayson County on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Grayson College Center for Workplace Learning Auditorium in Denison. There is no cost to attend this class, no pre-registration is required, and you do not have to be a resident of Grayson County to attend.

Feb. 7-14 marks the 14th Court Reporting & Captioning Week, sponsored by the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA), the country’s leading organization representing stenographic court reporters, captioners, and legal videographers, and the Association’s Secretary-Treasurer Stacey M. Potenza, CRC, from Secretary-Treasurer McKinney, Texas, wants to share with you and the public more about this viable career choice that offers great benefits and does not require a four-year degree.

The 11th Annual Captain Tim La Vergne Sr. Memorial Blood Drive will be hosted by the Bonham Police Department, the La Vergne Family, and Texoma Regional Blood Center.

Laroyce Antoine Lambert was charged by federal complaint with the offense of attempted interference of commerce by robbery on February 5, 2026.

Fannin County Amateur Radio Club is hosting a training session February 21, 2026 at 9:00 a.m after a short business section. Fannin County ARC invites you to join us.

Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that the southbound US 75 exit to Blythe Road will be closed for few hours from Feb. 9, 8 p.m. to Feb. 10, 5:00 a.m.

With an already suspect roof at the Fannin County Justice Center now leaking in multiple places and the project costing taxpayers twice as much as they were told, Fannin County Judge Newt Cunningham tried to deflect from his budget-busting Justice Center project with yet another rage-filled rant about the condition of the 1888 Fannin County Courthouse during Tuesday's regular meeting Fannin County Commissioners Court.

Texas nonprofits, animal shelters, and local governments can now apply for funding through the state’s newly launched $13 million Texas Spay and Neuter Pilot Program (TXSNP). Administered by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), the pilot program provides direct grant funding to help communities reduce pet overpopulation and protect public health by supporting spay, neuter, and vaccination services for dogs and cats across the state.

Due to dangerous conditions that could lead to fast-moving grassfires, Fannin County has extended a countywide ban on all outdoor burning.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials have announced upcoming nightly full closures of the following roadways beginning at 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. on the following dates: Feb. 2 to Feb. 3, Feb. 3 to Feb. 4, Feb. 4 to Feb. 5, and Feb. 5 to Feb. 6.

9:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the Fannin County Courthouse and via teleconference

Texas Department of Transportation officials today announced that the US 75 frontage roads in Howe will be converted to one-way traffic on Feb. 4. This one-way conversion will happen on both the east and west sides of US 75 from Hanning Street to FM 902.

The Frontiers of Flight Museum is proud to celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Bessie Coleman, the first Black person to earn a pilot’s license and the first American woman to earn an international pilot’s license. This interactive exhibit provides the perfect way to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Black History Month as well as the 100th anniversary of Coleman’s tragic death.

Fannin County Republican Party Chairman Darren York welcomes the crowd to the Fannin County Republican Party County Candidate Forum on Saturday, January 31 at the Roy Floyd Community Center. The last day to register to vote is Monday, February 2, 2026 and early voting begins Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Although there is a statewide delay in mailing new voter registration cards, voters are allowed to present an acceptable government-issued photo ID.

Photos from Alarcon Sanchez’s social media posts, showing a man holding AR-style rifles.

Here's a look at work planned in Fannin, Grayson, Hopkins, Franklin, Delta, Lamar, Red River, Hunt and Rains counties for the week starting February 2, 2026.

The building will be closed to the public on Feb. 1 and remain closed while construction is underway. Construction will begin Feb. 2, with an estimated completion in Fall 2026. photo by Allen Rich

Due to severe winter weather last weekend, the Republican County Candidate Forum has been rescheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, at the Roy Floyd Community Center (Armory) located at 1100 W. 5th Street in Bonham.

Join in at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31 to explore the life and work of J. Frank Dobie. Guest speaker, Mrs. Barbara Caffee, will highlight Dobie’s influential career.

The Texas Liberators: Witness to the Holocaust tells the story of 25 U.S. soldiers who participated in the liberation of the concentration camps in Europe at the end of the Second World War. Upon entering the camps, the soldiers were not prepared for the terror, torture and depravity they discovered. Although they were hailed as liberators by the prisoners, what the soldiers found haunted many of them for the rest of their lives.

As of November, 2025, adult survivors of sexual assault in Fannin County now have increased access to specialized, trauma-informed medical care through a new partnership between the Fannin County Family Crisis Center and TMC-Bonham.

Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 10:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m., at DAV Chapter 16 Building