Closing out a decade -- a look back at 2009

Senior Christian Negron works the tumbler at BHS’ Project Graduation raffle in November. Van’Go’photo This week the Buffalo Press invites you to come along on a ride -- hop aboard our "Time Machine" for a quick spin before we jump in to 2010. We know that you have other options for your local news, so the staff at the Buffalo Press considers it one of the annual privileges of this local newspaper to finish the year with you, our readers and look back on the more newsworthy, exciting or even devastating events that shaped our headlines over the past year.

- JANUARY -

The annual BVFD's Firemans Ball ushered in the New Year, and Harry Vanskike of Dew held the final raffle ticket worth $5000.

Just days later there was a tragic house fire that claimed the life of Buffalo's Cameron McCabe. BHS ninth grader Laken McCabe escaped the blaze by jumping from a second story window.

Buffalo Elementary Counselor (and UIL coach) Gwena Thomason and Principal Johnny Veretto celebrate the campus’ first ever District UIL Championship. Van’Go’photo Newly elected county officials, including Sheriff Jerry Wakefield and Precinct 3 Commissioner Mark Ivey, began their terms of office.

Palestine Regional announced that, after 13 years, they would be pulling their ambulance service out of the northeast portion of the county. Supporters of an emergency services taxing district for the Buffalo/Flo/Oakwood went to work to get the establishment of ESD #4 on the May ballot.

The Buffalo Chamber of Commerce celebrated their 30th anniversary at their annual awards banquet, and recognized this year's honorees: Business of the Year-- Larry Lynch Construction; Citizen of the Year-- Jerry Ansley; and Civic Organization of the Year--Leon County 4-H Horse Club.

Buffalo's own Rebecca Robinson, the reigning Miss Texas, competed in the 2009 Miss America Pageant, and was chosen "Miss Congeniality" by her fellow contestants.

Johnny and Debra Williams were the guests of honor at a bash when they retired from the Postal Service.

- FEBRUARY -

Buffalo Mayor Ken Stevens resigned from his office. Royce Dawkins stepped in to serve in as Mayor Pro Tem for the remaining three months in the unexpired term.

The City of Oakwood hired their first Chief of Police, Oly Ivy.

Several winter evenings were warmed up with music, as enthusiastic crowds turned out for the "Flo Jamboree" at the Lone Star Community Center and "Open Mic Night" at The Horses Mouth.

The Oakwood Lady Panthers and the Leon Lady Cougars won their District, Bi-District and Area titles before being eliminated from the state basketball playoffs.

- MARCH -

After evading law enforcement officials for several weeks, James Lee Phillips of Centerville was arrested in Houston on charges that included aggravated kidnapping.

Nineteen-year-old James Granberry of Buffalo, a 2008 graduate of Teague High School, lost his life in a one-car accident just east of Dew.

Candidates on the Flo Water Reform Committee's ballot won election to the Board of Directors.

- APRIL -

The Leon County Youth Livestock Show celebrated fifty years. Buffalo's Macey Jonas exhibited the Grand Champion Steer which sold for $10,000 before add-ons.

Oakwood's Chief of Police was arrested for allegedly tasering his live-in girlfriend.

Northeast Leon County's ambulance service contract expired, and Legacy Ambulance Services out of Bryan/College Station was set up to serve as an interim provider until the ESD election.

Centerville High School was vandalized, and a Centerville man and a local juvenile were arrested in connection with the crime.

Buffalo High's UIL Academic team won their second consecutive District Championship.

BHS' One Act Play troupe advanced through Zone, District, Area and Regional competition with their play "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum".

Jurors made the call to settle a Leon County feud. Marine Corps veteran Russell Collins was acquitted of aggravated assault charges brought by his neighbor Richard Posey.

A Union Pacific train derailed after encountering a burning tressle at Keechi Creek.

Tom and Jeannie Davis opened Davis Country Store, with an estimated 2500 people attending their Grand Opening celebration.

The Lady Bison softball team earned a share of the district championship, and Leon's Lady Cougars captured a playoff spot in their district.

- MAY -

Swine Flu gained the nation's attention.

Music was in the air. The Buffalo Chamber of Commerce hosted their third annual Fiddler's Contest and Spring Fest at Shelly Pate Park, and Centerville was host to the first annual Black Gospel Festival.

Little League kicked off with 140 local youngsters participating in Opening Day ceremonies at Harriman Park.

Election Day brought changes. Citizens in Buffalo also passed a proposition allowing beer and wine sales in convenience and grocery stores, and the sale of mixed drinks at restaurants. The election also found Royce Dawkins winning the Buffalo mayoral race, Schmidt defeating long-time incumbent Beddingfield in Leon ISD's School Board race, and Judy Kirpatrick inching out a two-vote majority to hold on for her fifth term as mayor of Jewett. The Northeast Leon County Emergency Services District was voted into existence by an overwhelming majority, and Joey Rodell was later chosen as chairman of the Board of Directors of ESD #4.

Centerville was shaken by a one-vehicle accident in which two CISD students were killed and three critically injured.

Local high school's celebrated Prom '09. BHS' theme was Casino Night and it was held at the high school gym.

The BHS Journalism team, consisting of Andrew Roberts and Kelsey Fahler, took first place at the State UIL meet.

The City of Buffalo enlarged their water storage capacity by erecting a new 150,000-gallon tower near Pate Park.

BHS graduated 44 seniors in the Class of 2009. De'Anne Sterling was the Valedictorian, and Ashley Elsom Salutatorian.

Buffalo High's One Act Play team took their show to the State Meet in Austin for the second year in a row.

- JUNE -

The Leon County Relay for Life, held at the Leon High football stadium, celebrated cancer survivors, supported families affected by the disease, and raised over $75,000 for research.

An Oakwood man, Mike Crockett, received knife wounds in an attack at the Freestone County Fair.

Drought became a hot topic in our area, and would be throughout the summer.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation picked a Buffalo teen, Amanda Gonzalez, as a wish recipient.

- JULY -

The Buffalo Flower Basket building burned.

A Beaumont man was apprehended by civilians at Overton Fish Farm after a three-hour manhunt in our county.

Another fugitive -- this one a 9 foot alligator -- was spotted by an Oakwood firefighter, but left in peace per instructions from local game wardens.

Four Leon County cowboys qualified for the Texas High School Rodeo Nationals.

Baseball-sized hail pelted parts of the county in a freak summer storm.

Two women in western Leon County were victims of sexual assault -- marking the beginning of a crime spree which has still not be solved.

- AUGUST -

Steve Oliver resigned from the Buffalo City Council, and Bob Winn was appointed to fulfill his term.

A Centerville man, Kevin Kelly, survived multiple gunshot wounds in a domestic dispute in Walker County.

An Iraq veteran, Brian Reed, died of electrical burns while raising a flag pole in Normangee.

A town hall style meeting in Marquez, hosted by Congressman Joe Barton, drew over 400 citizens anxious to express opposition to the proposed Health Care Plan.

- SEPTEMBER -

The Salt Water Treatment Plant in Marquez burned, with lightning suspected as the catalyst.

Jewett Police Chief Larry Whittington resigned.

Another elderly woman in Marquez was assaulted in her home by the serial rapist.

A auto accident after the Buffalo/Elkhart game claimed the lives of four Anderson County teens.

Locals recalled the crash of Braniff Flight 542 on the 50th anniversary of the tragedy.

A Vermont pilot was killed in a crash at Hilltop Lakes.

Buffalo High defeated Wortham at Homecoming, and sennior Victoria Chapa was named 2009 Homecoming Queen.

- OCTOBER -

An Oakwood man was arrested after shooting a neighbor's guest.

Buffalo's Markay Carmeans was critically injured at the CPRA finals in a barrelracing accident. She survived with five broken bones in her back.

Leon County Sheriff's officers handled a murder/ suicide on the Beaver Creek Bridge just south of Centerville.

Armed robbers hit the check cashing store in Jewett and assaulted owner John Lucas.

The Dick Scott Ford dealership in Mexia burned to the ground.

A Centerville octengenarian escaped an attack in her home as the serial rapist continued to terrorized the area.

- NOVEMBER -

Prompted by the ongoing attacks on elderly women, more than 200 citizens attended a county-wide community meeting hosted by the sheriff's department. Marquez and Centerville formed neighborhood watch groups, a Jewett citizens group purchased alarms for elderly women, and the County Commissioners authorized two additional deputies on the force.

Oakwood voters defeated the OISD bond proposition to build a new elementary school.

A tractor rollover took the life of Leona resident Bob Ferguson.

BHS' football team earned a spot in the state playoffs but was eliminated by Newton in the first round.

Tom and Sandra Araya held the winning tickets in BHS' Project Graduation fundraiser.

- DECEMBER -

A bomb threat emptied Brookshire Brothers.

A Leon County jury convicted Jerry Duane Martin of capital murder, and handed down a death sentence for the prison escapee who rammed a female guard with a stolen pickup.

The City of Buffalo is wrapping up their water/sewer system improvements, but several old water lines broke under the increased pressure as new tanks were brought on-line.

The Buffalo Elementary UIL Academic team won the Championship title for the first time.

Christmas festivities -- cantatas, plays, concerts and parades -- filled the December calendar throughout the county.