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Kaufman County cities had plenty to celebrate in 2021 with the Texas State Comptroller’s Office announcing that virtually every local city, with the exception of Rosser, had seen sales tax revenue growth when comparing collections totals from 2021 against those posted the previous year.

Members of the Terrell community marked a somber milestone September 11, holding a remembrance event to recognize the lives lost and sacrifices made by first responders 20 years earlier in the terrorist attacks that claimed 2,996 lives.

Kaufman County voters went to the ballot box in 2019 determined to help the county make needed infrastructure repairs. That vote of confidence began to pay dividends in earnest throughout the latter half of 2021 with numerous projects funded by those efforts coming to completion.

Emergency Management Coordinator Dustin Conner came before the Terrell City Council Tuesday night, offering up a snapshot of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Conner explained that the meeting marked an interesting milestone, coming almost exactly one year to the day that the council had first received such a report.

The Terrell High School cheerleaders opened the year in style, winning second overall at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders National Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida Jan. 1. Cheer coach Crissy Meador stated, “Gracie Hamilton received Scholar Cheerleader of the year, our seniors were approached by several colleges with interest in them cheering for them, a few were asked to try out for staff and, man, we made some amazing new friends from Solid Rock Amazonites! We learned so much this week!” Meador went on to thank everyone that has supported the team adding, “You guys are the best! The biggest hearts are definitely in Texas!” Courtesy photo

On Saturday, Jan. 15, at noon, the landmark two-mile bridge will be officially dedicated to Staff Sgt.

The Terrell City Council held its first of four scheduled meetings on Tuesday night, moving through a slate of bookkeeping items before shifting its focus to a series of public hearings and reports. Mayor Rick Carmona opened the council’s business by thanking the council and city staff members for their hard work in 2021 before explaining that 2022 would likely be even busier.

Kaufman County Commissioners Terry Barber, Precinct 3, and Ken Cates, Precinct 4, were recognized by State Representative Keith Bell at the January 4, 2022, Commissioners’ Court meeting for their completion of a voluntary advanced course on county government titled Commissioners Court Advanced Curriculum.

The Texas Department of Transportation has kicked off its statewide “Drive Sober. No Regrets” drunk driving prevention program for the holidays. Throughout the month, TxDOT has released videos of people who deal with the daily consequences of driving while impaired, either as an offender or survivor.

COVID-19 cases spike; omicron variant spreads As Texans continue to navigate life during a nearly twoyear pandemic, the number of new cases of COVID-19 rose during the past week to 51,479, an increase of 41% from the previous week, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University. The number of new deaths dropped to 266, a decrease of 44%, however.