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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Permit No. 00002 Gainesville, Texas The ECRWSS Weekly News of Cooke County © 2020 The Weekly News of Cooke County Volume 17, Number 31 Cooke County, Texas December 30, 2020 Cooke County’s LARGEST and MOST READ Newspaper! King Retiring County Employees Around Address Commissioners; Town by Grice King No Action Taken on PACE By Delania Raney ity of law-enforcement service. years. I feel like I did a good job. roads, not go out and build new Th e Weekly News Th e excellent reputation of the Regardless of what some public ones. Everything that was out Cooke County Sheriff ’s Offi ce statements would be in the news- there, I inherited…. Again I am GAINESVILLE – Two county stands as a commendable testa- paper or Facebook… I don’t like going to leave this on a positive employees gave farewell speeches ment to Sheriff [Terry] Gilbert’s Facebook. I can go into this is note. Th ank you Suzy. Th ank the during the Monday, Decem- steadfast leadership and continu- how Precinct 3 fi xes roads… eTh supporters of Precinct 3 that did ber 28, 2020 regular meeting of al concern for the welfare of the thing is, I was able to sleep ev- come out to support me. And ap- Cooke County Commissioners citizens of the county.” ery night because I knew I did a preciate everything the court has Court. Retiring Cooke County Sher- good job. Th ere’s only so much done. Th at’s all I have to say.” “My tenure with the Cooke iff Terry Gilbert said his message a person can get done. I want to Th e changes for county offi - County Sheriff ’s Offi ce has been would be “short and sweet.” thank the court for working with cials are eff ective December 31, some of the most satisfying of my “It was an honor and it was a me the last four years. I’ve en- 2020. Hello 2021 and Goodbye career….,” Chief Deputy Finn pleasure. If you ever need me, I’ll joyed this. It’s been an honor to Th e commissioners also ap- 2020! Th is past year has been Jones said. “I was very fortunate be around,” he said. be able to sit up here with y’all. proved two days of vacation time unlike anything we have ever to be a member of an administra- Also departing his position is I want to thank my wife. She payout for Cooke County Emer- seen and sure seems like we tion that was guided by a man of Cooke County Commissioner put up with me for four years gency Management Coordinator all aged 10 years in 2020. Or character and vision. His dedica- Pct. 3 John Klement. and plus the campaign from the Ray Fletcher. His vacation days maybe it’s just me? Anyway, tion to developing a premier law Following an executive ses- fi rst year. We didn’t get to travel could not be taken due to his with the new year brings ex- enforcement agency has benefi ted sion, John Klement said, “I want as much. Anything we did was duties related to the COVID-19 citement for change. Hope for the Cooke County citizenry vast- to take a few moments, didn’t for county business. I think she’s pandemic. good things to come our way. ly more than they ever expected. want to do this at the begin- looking forward to me being Commissioners unanimously Resolutions and refl ection. I Th e many accolades generated by ning of court because I thought home, not have to answer the approved the monthly treasurer’s love this time of year – partial- the outstanding achievements of maybe I’d get emotional. I’m re- phone 24-hours a day because I report. Th e commissioners also ly because we always end up the sheriff ’s offi ce reflected in the ally looking forward to getting was on call 24-hours a day. I did approved unanimously Kiowa with a bunch of snack foods newspaper of the county attest to out that door. I’ve enjoyed be- what I told the public I was going RV Park on FM 902 in Precinct and football games – but it’s this agency as an exemplary qual- ing the commissioner for four to do. I was going to try to fi x the (Continued on Page 5) the optimism about the future that is the best part. So many good things are going to hap- pen in 2021 I can just feel it! So, here’s a toast to the New Year. May it bring everyone better times and lots of happi- ness! Here is some more of what’s happening around town this week. ++++++++ A few months ago our very own Shana Powell, Contribut- ing Historian, penned a series of “Eating in the Neighbor- hood” articles that I just hadn’t had the space to run yet. I am happy to say that we are start- ing the series in this week’s paper and should be able to have them in the following 3 editions. So keep an eye out for this interesting piece about local restaurants and our com- munity history! Th anks Shana for all you do and for the great reads about County Offi cials Retire – Cooke County Chief Deputy Fin Jones and Cooke County Sheriff Terry Gilbert discussed their upcom- our County! ing retirements at the Monday, December 28, 2020, regular Commissioners Court Meeting. Jones and Gilbert along with Precinct 3 Commissioner John Klement are leaving offi ce December 31. (The Weekly News Photos) ++++++++ Does Winter have you feel- ing blue? Beat the winter blues by joining the Cooke County County Receives First Allotment AgriLife Extension offi ce on- line as they discuss Seasonal Aff ective Disorder. ‘Beating the Winter Blues’ is set for January 5 from 12:00 noon to of COVID-19 Vaccinations 1:00 pm. Follow that up with ‘Mindful Wellness’ off ered on January 12, 19 and 26 from GAINESVILLE – Cooke Coun- tial medical workers in Cooke on site for the curative SARS- lated deaths, 295 active cases and ty received its fi rst allotment of County,” Cooke County Emer- COV-2 assay oral swab test. Pre- 2,193 total cases. (Continued on Page 6) COVID-19 vaccinations De- gency Management Coordinator registration is allowed 24 hours County case numbers indicate cember 23, 2020. Ray Fletcher said in the release. prior to desired testing date Gainesville reported the highest Th e doses were administered “Th ey, along with the other clin- only at https://curative.com/ number of cases last week at 132. by health care providers at Fam- ics, doctor’s offi ces, and hospitals sites/10033. COVID cases by gender are split ily 1st Care in Gainesville. Th e throughout Cooke County have Drive up testing is available fairly evenly with 144 male cases clinic applied to be a vaccina- teamed up to fi ght COVID in from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Mon- reported and 151 female positive tion site in October, according an organized and coordinated ef- days, Tuesdays and Wednesdays cases noted. to a news release from the Cooke fort.” through December 30. Testing According to the Texas Depart- County Judge’s Offi ce. Fletcher said vaccinations were dates include Dec. 28-30. ment of State Health Services, First on the list for the Mod- provided to fi rst phase/fi rst tier Results will be returned via text 1,476,674 COVID cases have erna vaccine were essential health medical staff including workers message or email within approxi- been reported overall in Texas. care workers in Cooke County from North Texas Medical Cen- mately two to fi ve days of testing. Th e highest number of CO- in accordance with the Texas ter, Muenster Memorial Hospital Information from county of- VID-19 cases in the state is Har- Department of State Health Ser- and Cooke County Emergency fi cials also indicates the number ris County which has a total of vices Expert Vaccine Allocation Medical Services. of coronavirus cases includes a 225,443. Dallas County has Panel recommendations, the re- Th e county continues off ering number of individuals living in 161,278 and Tarrant County lease stated. free testing at the Cooke County convalescent facilities have tested has reported 118,641 cases as of “We’re grateful that the part- Fair Association Barn at 1901 positive for the virus. Monday, December 28. ners at Family 1st Care stepped Justice Center Boulevard. As of Wednesday, December Denton County has 30,268 up to take care of our essen- Registration will be completed 23, there were 29 COVID-19-re- (Continued on Page 10) The Weekly News 216 W. Pecan • Gainesville, TX 2 December 30, 2020 Offi ce: 940.665.2320 Cooke County History Our Business is Growing! Eating in the Neighborhood By Shana Powell they travel. Th ey do not the city have enjoyed the Café, Dixie Dog, Clown Contributing Historian want to eat at a place they tasty work produced by Hut, Coff ee Pot Café, Th e Weekly News Curtwood restaurant, Eat- A-Bite Café, Green Frog At one time the only res- Café, Peacock, and many taurants found in commu- more. nities were those that were But before turning to locally owned and run by those local spots in town managers that most peo- one early chain should be ple in town knew. Th ose mentioned and that was places to eat were unique the Harvey House restau- to their area.