The Carter Blood Care blood donation bus will be at the Logan’s Pointe Apartment Complex from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9. Everyone in the community is encouraged to visit the bus at 101 Logans Pointe Drive to make a blood donation. For more information, call Debi Renner at 903-285-4888.Everyone wishing to donate blood should eat a balanced meal prior to donation and should bring their driver’s license for ID purposes.

The number of confirmed victims of child abuse/neglect in Franklin County is on the rise. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Databook for 2008, there were 2,205 children in Franklin County with 38 confirmed victims of child abuse/neglect recorded.  See the April 30 edition of the Optic-Herald for more information.

The American Legion Auxillary Unit No. 243 recently presented the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department with a $1,000 check for the purchase of a new drug dog.

The annual Providence Cemetery Association fund-raiser is underway for 2009. Several items have been donated to raise funds for the group. Items donated this year include a $300 Visa gift card donated by Ruth Campbell and a $200 Wal-Mart gift card given by Jeanette O’Neal. For more information, see the April 30 edition of the Optic-Herald.

Tamera Byrd received an honorary history award and induction into the Alpha Delta Upsilon Chapter in ceremonies at Texas A&M University - Texarkana on Saturday, April 25. Ms. Byrd will graduate from the university in August with a bachelors degree in history and a minor in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in education. She is the daughter of Dorothy Byrd of Mount Vernon and is a 1995 graduate of Mount Vernon High School.