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Which Texas city is nicknamed the “Rose Capital of America”?
A) Tyler
B) Waco
C) Longview
D) Lufkin

Answer at the bottom of the newsletter!

If you would like to sponsor a weekly edition, please contact us at [email protected]

You can also view the water level daily here!

^{By Jayce Jewett, Local Fisherman}

The water temperature is in the upper 80s to low 90s this week, and the lake level is a little over two feet below normal. Largemouth bass are holding tight to main lake docks, with jigs and drop shots producing good results. Anglers are also catching bass around rocky areas on lipless crankbaits. White bass are holding on main lake points and shallow humps, with some schooling activity early in the morning and evening. Trolling has been effective. Eater-size catfish are also biting well on punch bait.

With football season underway that also means our Football contest is still continuing.

Contestants will pick the outcome of three games each week as well as a tiebreaker. The winner each week will be given a $15 gift card, and the total score winner at the end of the 10-week contest will win a $150 gift card.

This football contest is sponsored in partnership with Kathy Hobbs and EXIT Realty

EXIT Realty works with buyers and sellers of Lake Property, Commercial, Residential, Farm and Ranch. You can visit their website here, call them at 903-356-4700, or email them at [email protected]

This week’s picks will be on the following games

You can submit your guesses on the google form here. Be sure to include your name and email. They will be used to track your guesses each week. One entry each week per person.

Week 4’s winner was Jessica Castilleja

2nd Place was Jacky Goleman

3rd Place was Tammie Anthony

Entries MUST be submitted by 6:00 pm on Friday.

For more information click here!

For more information click here!

For more information click here!

October Meeting Schedule

For more information click here!

September & October Meeting Schedule

For more information click here!

You can also watch these meetings live on youtube here!

October Meeting Schedule

For more information click here!

October Meeting Schedule

For more information click here!

October Meeting Schedule

You can also watch these meetings live on youtube here!

“Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.”

Proverbs 3:7 NIV

These are the events in the area this week!

Additionally, you can find our google calendar that we have created, in case more events appear during the week, here!

More than two years ago, Jermaine arrived at TBC Animal Rescue as one of the “Jackson Five” — five dogs rescued from starvation and a feral life in the woods. Jermaine had never known the comfort of a safe home, a dependable meal, or the gentle touch of someone he could trust. Everything was unfamiliar, and almost everything was frightening. His transformation didn’t happen overnight.

With patience, consistency, food, shelter, and people willing to give him the time he needed, Jermaine slowly began to understand that he was safe. He learned that meals would come every day and that gentle hands could mean kindness instead of fear.

Today, Jermaine continues to amaze us. He has grown more confident, learned to walk on a leash, and has even discovered something we once rarely saw: He wags his tail. ❤️

For a dog who spent his early life simply trying to survive, every walk, every wag, and every new moment of trust is a victory.

Tawakoni South VFD will have a community town hall meeting Monday, Sept. 28, at 6 pm to inform the public and answer questions regarding the proposition to create an Emergency Services District in South Hunt County.

Come learn the facts and hard questions and hear directly about the future of fire and rescue coverage in southern Hunt County. The election is Nov. 3.

Like many Texas school districts, Quinlan ISD struggled for over two decades with a systemic issue that directly impacted student achievement: a chronic school bus driver shortage.

In a rural district where 80% of our 2,900 students are economically disadvantaged and nearly 2,000 rely on daily bus transportation, operational delays quickly became instructional losses. Students were missing first-period classes, while others endured exhausting 12-hour days—sometimes not getting home until after 7:00 PM. Compounding the challenge was our legacy infrastructure: for decades, our transportation team operated out of a repurposed 1969 salvage yard never designed to service or maintain a modern fleet. To solve a 20-year operational crisis, district leadership knew we needed a comprehensive strategy built on community trust, infrastructure investment, and internal capability. We knew it would take time, and that real progress relies on complete transparency.

Honoring the Bond & Mobilizing Community Trust

Removing Barriers & Building a Regional Hub

Investing in Staff and Fleet

Fulfilling Our Promise: A School and Community United Together!

After years of routinely running short by 6 to 10 drivers a day, Quinlan ISD is on the brink of history thanks to our stellar recruiting efforts this past year of multiple new drivers. Excitingly, we officially welcomed three candidates who completed our in-house training and passed all required testing, leaving us just one route driver short of total fleet fullness—with several promising leads in our pipeline.

Looking Ahead: Maintaining Our Momentum

While reaching full staffing is a major milestone, keeping our fleet fully operating requires an ongoing commitment:

Know someone who would make a great addition to our Panther team? Encourage them to apply today and help us keep Quinlan moving forward!

Ready to make a difference? Contact information is as follows:

It's A Great Day to Be a Quinlan Panther!

The Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber recently shared an important message from SCRPT, a nonprofit organization serving Hunt County through public transportation and Meals on Wheels. SCRPT provides more than meals to local seniors. Each delivery can also mean a friendly face, a wellness check, a few moments of conversation, and a reminder that someone cares. For many seniors, these regular visits help them remain independent, connected, and cared for in their own homes. Today, SCRPT is facing a critical need for reliable vehicles to deliver meals to the seniors who depend on the program.

Without dependable transportation, reaching those who rely on Meals on Wheels becomes increasingly difficult. Through its “Beyond the Plate” campaign, SCRPT is asking the community for support. Donations can help put reliable vehicles on the road and ensure seniors continue receiving not only nutritious meals, but also the compassion and personal connection that come with each delivery. The
organization emphasizes that every donation makes a difference, every mile matters, and every senior deserves to be cared for.

How to Donate: Community members who would like to help can contribute directly online through the Senior Center Resources and Public Transit website,
or through the checkout platform donation link available on SCRPT’s Facebook page. Every gift, large or small, helps SCRPT continue reaching seniors who depend on these services.
By Stephannie Barnett

The Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce recently held its September Luncheon and Fellowship, bringing together chamber members, local businesses, organizations, and community members for an afternoon of fellowship and conversation.

The luncheon was sponsored by South Hunt County Fire Rescue. Chief Ryan Biggers spoke with attendees about Emergency Services District 2 (ESD 2), discussing its role and importance to the community.
Chief Biggers also encouraged everyone to participate in the upcoming election by getting out to vote. Members had the opportunity to ask questions, and Chief Biggers gladly answered questions from those in attendance. Firehouse Subs provided lunch for the event. A special thank-you was also extended to American National Bank of Texas in Quinlan, Quinlan Florist and Gifts, and Mike Nelson for providing door prizes. The Chamber also recognized its Members of the Month, L&A Roofing and Masonry LLC, and its Non-Profit of the Month, Boles Independent School District.

President Jennifer Robinson announced that Adrian Saenz and Natalie Shaddox-White have been elected to the chamber’s board of directors. Sanez is a realtor and Shaddox-White is on the staff of Atmos Energy.

Quinlan City Council heard the monthly activity “snapshot” for the Quinlan Police Department at last week’s meeting.

Presented by Police Chief Johnny Thornburg, he said there were 269 day shift calls, while the night shift answered 412 calls. Under traffic stops, there were 180 stops with 60 resulting in citations issued and 120 warnings issued.

Criminal activity had nine arrests with six assaults, two burglaries, one criminal mischief, two criminal tresspass, nine disturbances, one drug offense, two frauds, three harassments, nine thefts, one robbery and 12 unwanted guests. There were four mental subjects and 13 welfare checks under the mental health activity and under crash and public safety, there were 33 crash reports and two missing person reports. His department assisted AMR twice, DPS five times and the sheriff’s office 10 times.

The annual Cotton Patch Challenge Bike Ride, which is sponsored by the Greenville Rotary Club as a fund raiser, was held last week and officials said it attracted somewhere between 400 and 500 riders, down from approximately 800 just a few years back. Participants had a variety of distances to select from, starting with a six-mile “family ride” to a grueling 100 mile ride for the “advanced road rally” participants.

Tawakoni was well represented in hosts at the #4 rest stop, which is held annually at the Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce Building in West Tawakoni. Among the groups working with the chamber ambassadors were the WT Park Fan Club and the WT Economic Development Corporation. Tawakoni’s rest stop is voted the “most popular” among riders.West Tawakoni once again welcomed cyclists from across the region as the 30th Annual Greenville Rotary Cotton Patch Challenge rolled through the Lake Tawakoni area on Saturday, September 19.

The Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce was proud to host Rest Stop 4, providing a welcoming stop for riders participating in the popular cycling event. The Cotton Patch Challenge, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Greenville, began in 1996 and has grown into an annual event that brings cyclists to Hunt County while raising money for charitable organizations and programs benefiting local communities. The 2026 event featured both road rally and gravel grinder routes, with cyclists able to choose distances ranging from shorter rides to the challenging 61-, 76- and 100-mile routes. For riders taking on the longer routes, the course included the scenic two-mile bridge across Lake Tawakoni, before continuing through the surrounding communities, including West Tawakoni.

Rest Stop 4 was much more than a place for riders to take a break. It was a true community effort, with volunteers from throughout the West Tawakoni and Lake Tawakoni area coming together to welcome the cyclists.

The Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce expressed its appreciation to the many volunteers and organizations who helped make the stop possible, including:

City of West Tawakoni, West Tawakoni Economic Development Corporation, West Tawakoni Park Fan Club, American National Bank of Texas. Bill Slaughter – Medicare Specialist and Agent Cindy Ray, James Ray and The Tawakoni Current, Tawakoni Civic Club, Tawakoni Volunteer Fire Department and Quinlan Ford Blue Belles.

Their combined efforts helped provide riders with a friendly West Tawakoni welcome as they made their way through the community.

While the ride provides an opportunity for cyclists to enjoy the countryside and Lake Tawakoni area, the event also has an important charitable mission. According to the Cotton Patch Challenge, proceeds from registration, merchandise and other event activities are used by the Rotary Club of Greenville to support charities and programs throughout Greenville and Hunt County. Organizations and programs listed among those receiving support include veteran’s organizations, food assistance programs, youth programs, scholarships, education initiatives and other community causes.

By Stephannie Barnett

If interested in voting in the upcoming Nov. 3 elections, those persons not registered have until the Oct. 5 deadline.

To vote in Texas, you must first register. There are many ways to register. No matter which way you choose, your county’s voter registrar must receive your application at least 30 days before an election.

Ways to register to vote:

There will be a “meet the candidates” and town hall meeting on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 10 am at the Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce building, 101 W Hwy 276, West Tawakoni.

Residents are invited to attend, meet the candidates and participate in an open community discussion. Questions may be submitted for the candidates by filling out a submission form on the LTRCC Facebook page.

In the city election, there are three candidates, incumbent Mayor Chris Burkett, Bill Creed and Jesse Hill.

In Council Place 4, there’s incumbent Councilman James “Chemp” Chemplanikal and challenger Dan Benson.

The Tawakoni Current will be live streaming this event on Facebook.

"Quinlan Ford High School continues to set new standards of excellence across academics, the arts, and athletics. The state of our campus is strong, vibrant, and moving forward." 

— Principal Dr. Jason Wallen

Every Student. Every Teacher. Every Day.

It’s a great day to be a Quinlan Panther! We are thrilled to share the incredible achievements of our Ford High School family from the 2025–2026 academic year. From massive academic gains to historic accomplishments in fine arts and athletics, our students and staff continue to demonstrate what it means to strive for excellence.

Here are a few highlights from this year's State of the Campus report:

Academic Growth & STAAR Success

College, Career, & Military Readiness

Fine Arts &

Athletics

Thank you to our dedicated parents, teachers, and community members for your unwavering support. Together, we are building a brighter future.

Go Panthers!

Every Student, Every Day.

The future of Quinlan football was honored Friday. The DSQuinlan Ford Panthers had some special guests at Lytal Field. The QSA Panthers were invited to join the varsity Panthers for the game and had quite an experience. The young athletes got an opportunity to run out onto the field alongside the older Panthers as they entered the stadium.

“For these kids, it’s more than just running onto a football field. It’s a chance to feel what it’s like to be part of something bigger—to see the lights, hear the crowd and stand alongside the players they look up to.”

Tawakoni Fire Department has been awarded a $25,000 PPE grant through the Texas Forest Service.

The grant was a 5 percent match. The grant will provide important funding to help the department purchase personal protective equipment to better equip its firefighters to safely and effectively respond to emergenciesthroughout the community.
The department also reported that it is still awaiting delivery of a new brush truck, which was also funded through a Texas Forest Service grant. The department will provide an update to the West Tawakoni City Council once confirmation of the truck’s arrival is received.

Get ready to shop it like it’s HOT at the Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce Vendor Market! Saturday, Sept. 26, from 9 am to 3 pm.

"Come browse an amazing lineup of local vendors, discover unique finds, support small businesses, and maybe even treat yourself to something you didn’t know you needed,” say organizers.

“Bring your friends, bring your shopping bags and bring your appetite for fun! There will be plenty to see, shop and enjoy as we celebrate the creativity and entrepreneurship in our community,” they say. “Come shop local, shop small and shop it like it’s HOT!”

Veterans from Lakeview Church and others in the area will be heading to Lake Tawakoni State Park Saturday for a “Veteran Mental Health Awareness Ruck Hike at 9 a.m.

A bus will be departing Lakeview Church at 8 am Saturday, if needing a ride to the park.

All veterans, their families and supporters are welcome to attend. The program starts at 9 a.m. at the park with resource tables and fellowship; followed by an optional walking portion begins at 10:30 a.m., and returning to the church at 12 noon. There will be no lunch provided and participants should wear comfortable shoes if planning to participate in the walking tour.

VFW Post 2559 in West Tawakoni will be hosting a chili cookoff Saturday. There will be a day of food, friendly competition and fun at the CASI Chili Cook-Off. Judging begins at 1:00 p.m. Chili cooks will compete for bragging rights and recognition, and the event is looking for judges to help determine the winning chili. Anyone interested in judging is encouraged to sign up ahead. Come out, enjoy some delicious chili, cold drinks and good times while supporting VFW Post 2559 and the local community.

The Tawakoni Fire Department presented its August 2026 activity report to the West Tawakoni City Council on Sept. 10, highlighting another busy month for the department. Tawakoni Fire Department responded to 129 calls for service. Medical emergencies accounted for the largest portion of the department’s activity, with 96 medical calls.
The department’s August call volume also included:
4 motor vehicle accidents; 4 structure fires; 7 grass fires; 5 smoke investigations; 1 vehicle fire; 8 boat rescues; and 4 public assists.
With August’s activity included, the department’s year-to-date call total has reached 1,167
calls.

Looking for a way to kick off the Halloween season? VFW Post 2559 in Tawakoni is hosting a Halloween-themed Painting Party on tonight (Thursday) from 6 to 8 pm.
Guests will have an evening of painting, creativity and fun while
creating a festive Halloween-inspired masterpiece featuring a spooky black cat, pumpkin and moonlit scene.
The cost is $35 per person, and reservations are required. Guests are encouraged to sign up and prepay to reserve their spot. To reserve a seat, call 903-447-4584.

The Wall Experience brings Pink Floyd’s landmark album to life with powerful music, dynamic characters, cinematic visuals and immersive theatrics at the Greenville Municipal Auditorium on Saturday, Oct. 3.

“It delivers the full eotional force of a story about alienation, authority, conformity and what happens when people build walls between themselves and the world,” said a spokesman from GMA. “Much more than a concert, it is a gripping journey through power, fear and the fight to find yourself.” Doors open at 6:30 pm and the show begins at 7:30 pm with tickets available at https://tixr.com/e/198419.

West Tawakoni Public Works crews were called into action this week after a major water leak was reported along State Highway 276.According to a post shared by the City of West Tawakoni community, the Public Works team responded within minutes and spent several hours working through muddy and wet conditions to locate and repair the leak. Crews worked in a deep, muddy excavation with heavy equipment as they worked to complete the repair. 

This was the second time this week the Public Works crew had been working in muddy conditions to address water-system issues and keep city services operating. The work comes as the city continues efforts to maintain and improve its water infrastructure. City documents have outlined improvements to the municipal water system, including work involving water lines and the city's water treatment facilities.

Residents should be aware that West Tawakoni is currently under a boil water notice until further notice. Residents should follow the instructions issued by the city and water officials regarding the use of tap water for drinking, cooking and other consumption. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality notes that boil water notices are issued when conditions may have compromised the safety of drinking water and remain in effect until the conditions are remedied and the notice is officially rescinded.

Residents should continue to monitor official City of West Tawakoni announcements for updates regarding the boil water notice and when it is lifted. The recent work by Public Works is another example of the behind-the-scenes efforts required to maintain the city's water and infrastructure systems. The community post thanked the crews for their hard work, dedication and willingness to work through difficult conditions to serve West Tawakoni residents.

A three-day gathering or revival will bring worshippers together this weekend at Duck Cove Marina. Worship leaders and speakers from Across the Community. The revival is coming to the Lake Tawakoni area, with residents invited to gather for worship, fellowship and a time of spiritual renewal at Duck Cove Ministries. The Lake Tawakoni Area Revival is scheduled for Sept. 25–27 at Duck Cove Ministries, located at 2757 Private Road 3824, Quinlan, near Duck Cove Marina on Lake Tawakoni.

Friday’s service starts at 6 pm, while Saturday begins at 10 am and Sunday at 9 am.

The event is being hosted by Sabbatical Relief Ministry and Duck Cove Ministries and is described as an opportunity to “worship the King and unify the body.” Organizers say the gathering will feature multiple speakers and worship leaders representing multiple denominations as well as non-denominational ministries, bringing different parts of the Christian community together for the weekend. The event announcement also promises free physical and spiritual food daily, with attendees encouraged to come as they are.

By Stephannie Barnett

Tawakoni Halloween Boat Parade is set for Saturday, Oct. 17.
Organizers will release the parade route, registration information and media packets this Friday. All vessels must be registered by Oct. 1 to participate.
Organizers are also seeking 15 to 20 community volunteers, along with sponsors and six to eight food vendors. Sponsorship opportunities will include support for the overall event as well as individual vessel designs.
Anyone interested in volunteering or participating may call
850-602-6687 for more information.

Looking for a great meal while supporting a good cause? AMVETS Post 36 Ladies Auxiliary in West Tawakoni hosts Steak Night every Friday at 6 p.m. AMVETS Post 36 is located at 1328 E.TX-276. For $22, guests receive a steak cooked to order, baked potato, salad, beans and dessert. To-go orders are also available by calling 903-447-4376.
Proceeds benefit the Auxiliary’s scholarship fund, helping local students pursue their educational goals. Students and families are encouraged to ask their school counselor how to apply for an auxiliary scholarship.

A practical look at how business owners can put AI to work in the real world is the theme behind the workshop at the Lake Tawakoni Regional Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 6:30 pm.

E.C. Umberger will be the presenter. He said, “This isn’t about chasing the latest shiny AI tool. It’s about learning how to think differently, work smarter and use AI as a resource to help move your business forward.”

The presentation Tuesday is free and open to the public. The LTRCC office is located at 100 SH 276 in West Tawakoni, next to the VFW Post 2559.

^{By Jessica Castilleja}

The Quinlan Ford Panthers hosted Caddo Mills last Friday night in a battle that came down to the wire!

It was a hard-fought, close game from start to finish, but after a few costly mistakes, the Panthers fell to Caddo Mills 28–21.

Top performers for the Panthers were Mason Tigue, who went one of four in passing for 20 yards; Devon Williams, 92 yards on the ground on 18 carries; and Skyler Piranio with one catch for 20 yards.

The Panthers may have come up short, but there’s still plenty of football ahead! The team will host Van Alstyne this Friday for their final pre-district game. District starts October 9th!

The Panthers have a bye next Friday, Oct. 2, before hitting the road for the district opener against the Wills Point Tigers.

The Lone Oak Buffaloes hosted the Mineola Yellowjackets last Friday night in their final pre-district matchup. The Buffaloes battled hard, but ultimately fell to Mineola, 59–29.

Top performers were Colt Bowman, seven of 15 in pass completions for 159 yards and one touchdown; Danny Barahona, 140 yards rushing on 19 touches and two touchdowns; and Lane Westbrook, 106 receiving yards.

The Buffaloes hit the road this Friday as they travel to Harmony to open district play. It's a new chapter and a fresh opportunity to compete! Kickoff is at 7:30 pm.

The Boles Hornets were back under the Friday night lights last week as they hosted Big Sandy. The Hornets battled hard, but ultimately fell to Big Sandy 56–20.

Now it’s time to turn the page and get ready for one more pre-district battle! 

This Friday, the Hornets hit the road as they travel to Detroit for their final pre-district game of the season.

They will be off next Friday, Oct. 2, but will be hitting the road on Oct. 9 to get district play started at Cumby.

District play is officially underway, and these Lady Panthers are fighting hard! 

Last Friday, the Lady Panthers hosted Caddo Mills to kick off district play. They battled hard but ultimately fell 3–0. (12-25, 14-25, 14-25)

Then on Tuesday, they hosted Wills Point in an absolute nail-biter!  The Lady Panthers came out strong and won the first two sets, putting themselves in a great position. The Lady Tigers fought back, taking the third set by just 3 points. After struggling in the fourth set, it all came down to a fifth-set tiebreaker. The Lady Panthers fought until the very end but fell short by just 2 points. (25-13, 25-11, 22-25, 6-25, 13-15)

Even though the wins haven't come yet, this team is showing heart, determination, and fight!  Every point matters, and every game is another opportunity to battle.

The Lady Panthers host Sunnyvale, and they're looking to earn their FIRST DISTRICT WIN! 

The Lady Hornets have had the week off, putting in the work and preparing for what’s next… and now DISTRICT PLAY IS HERE! 

After a week of preparation, the Lady Hornets are ready to hit the court for their FIRST DISTRICT MATCHUP OF THE SEASON! Cumby comes Friday to Quinlan Boles for the district opener.

Then, next Tuesday, the Lady Hornets will hit the road for their first away district game as they travel to Wolfe City!

The Lady Buffaloes are ROLLING in district play! 

Last Friday, the Lady Buffaloes hosted Rains and battled their way to a 3–1 victory! (25-20, 25-33, 13-25, 25-22) That win keeps them UNDEFEATED in district play at 4–0! 

On Tuesday, the girls traveled to Leonard for a non-district matchup. Although they fell 3–0, the sets were extremely close, and the Lady Buffaloes continued to battle from start to finish. (18-25, 20-25, 20-25)

Now it’s time to get back to district play! The Lady Buffaloes battle the Commerce Lady Tigers Friday.

Diane Rita Torres, Jan. 17, 1949 - Sept. 21, 2026 (age 77)

Willard “Sonny” Scribner, July 28, 1934 - Sept. 17, 2026 (age (92)

Businesses Seeking Employees or Local Community Members

Seeking parttime correspondents in Quinlan and Lone Oak to cover news in their cities. Time involved is normally five to seven hours a week; pay is base, plus pay per submission. We’ll teach you, if you can write a complete sentence. Send resumes to [email protected].

If you would like to post a job, email us at [email protected]

If you would like to place a classified advertisement, please contact us at [email protected]

Advertisement Deadline: Tuesdays at Noon! Rates can be seen here!

A: A) Tyler

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