Approximately 25 people braved the cold temperatures and participated in the annual Martin Luther King March from Denton Baptist Church to the downtown courthouse on Monday, Jan. 19. A short speech and prayer were provided on the courthouse steps.

Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the fire that destroyed the brick home of Louis and Vicki Bond at 635 Rodeo Drive in the Meadow Park development Sunday evening, Jan. 18.

Four Franklin County teens survived a one vehicle head-on collision with a cedar tree around 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 18 on FM 2723. One was seriously injured, one was hospitalized for observation, and two were treated and released. See the Jan. 22 edition of the Optic-Herald for more details.

ETMC - Mount Vernon is one of four rural hospitals involved in a regionalization program to reduce costs in an economically stressful time, according to Jerry Massey, vice-president of affiliate operations for ETMC Regional Healthcare System.

The annual Girl Scout cookie sale is underway and Girl Scouts are taking orders from customers.
Orders will be accepted through Sunday, Feb. 1 and they will be delivered the week of Feb. 23.