The Forney community experienced an array of good news and bad news this year, and inForney.com was there to cover each of these stories. From the devastating tornado that struck in April, to the loss of lives from accidents and illness, to the heartwarming story of an injured Vet being given a new home, our town and residents showed resiliency, compassion, and generosity. Here are our top Forney stories for 2012.
The Forney community experienced an array of good news and bad news this year, and inForney.com was there to cover each of these stories. From the devastating tornado that struck in April, to the loss of lives from accidents and illness, to the heartwarming story of an injured Vet being given a new home, our town and residents showed resiliency, compassion, and generosity. Here are our top Forney stories for 2012.
The month of April was a difficult one. On April 3, an EF-3 tornado came through the town, causing damage to downtown, along Highway 80, and then devastating the Diamond Creek subdivision. Thankfully there were no serious injuries and no deaths, truly it felt like a miracle. The response from the community was swift and overwhelming. Soon the entire nation knew where Forney, Texas was located and they saw our citizens rally to help each other.
The Forney Tornado Relief Benefit Concert was suggested by an inForney.com member, and on April 21, with the help of the Forney Sports Center and numerous donations from businesses and individuals, the concert was held and $9,000 was raised for the Forney Disaster Relief Fund.
On April 7, City leaders were distraught after learning of a motorcycle accident that claimed the life of Forney's Director of Finance, Cara Stafford. Stafford was well loved by her family, friends, and co-workers, and her loss is still felt today.
May brought better days for Forney. On May 10 the Gateway Bridge groundbreaking took place, kicking off the $22 million project. Also in May, the Lady Jackrabbits softball team once again made the 4A State Tournament, making the city proud for the second straight year. The girls make it very easy to root for their success, as do the North Forney Falcons softball team.
On July 5, the Bank of America and the Military Warriors Support Foundation presented Army Sgt. Kevin Bowden and his family with a beautiful house in the Diamond Creek neighborhood. Sgt. Bowden is a decorated war hero who suffered a traumatic brain injury in Iraq in 2008. Kevin and Andrea Bowden and their two young sons have settled in nicely to the neighborhood and are still loving being a part of the Forney community.
In August, the West Nile Virus threat struck Kaufman County and at least two Forney residents were stricken with WNV. Overall, 10 Kaufman County residents contracted the virus, but all recovered.
September was a busy month in Forney. The City Council passed the 2013 budget, which brought an unpopular, though small, property tax increase. The Council was under fire from July through September while attempting to put together a plan for the Spellman Amphitheater. A small but vocal group showed up at Council meetings to voice their opposition to any alcohol sales at the amphitheater. Arguments, eruptions, accusations, and bad blood boiled over, and ultimately the Council chose not to vote at all on the alcohol sales issue for the Spellman.
On September 11, The Lake Point Medical Center Emergency Department broke ground. The E.D. will also have a helipad, further assuring Forney and all of Kaufman County that quality, emergency medical care will be provided for our community.
A bizarre shooting occurred on September 17, when a local resident apparently acted in self-defense when he shot and killed an intruder in his home. Information later came to light that the shooter, Krys Buerck, a former football player for Baylor University, was friends with the young man he shot, William F. Trimble III. At this time, Buerck has not been charged in the shooting.
After a high number of accidents on or near the eastbound Hwy 80 entrance ramp at FM 460, Assistant City Manager Gina Nash announced at a City Council meeting in October that TxDOT would finally be willing to help fix the problem. The Council approved a contract with H.W. Lochner, Inc. to begin the engineering and design services on the project. Even after the announcement, additional accidents have taken place on the same short entrance ramp.
On October 26, the first ever Unity Bowl was held at City Bank Stadium, pitting the Forney Jackrabbits football team against the North Forney Falcons. In a hard fought game, the Jackrabbits took home the Mayor's Cup trophy with a 24-14 victory. The Jackrabbits later went on to make the playoffs, losing to Prosper 26-14 in Allen.
The month of November was full of exciting news stories in Forney. The very first Forney Arts Festival was held in downtown in early November, and on November 8 our very own Crumbzz Tasting Pavilion was recognized as the Best Downtown Business in Texas by the Texas Downtown Association. The Forney Art Council and Crumbzz share the building at 212 S. Bois D'arc.
November 14 brought the much anticipated groundbreaking for the Kroger Marketplace and fueling station north of Hwy. 80 near FM 548. Though there has not been much work done at the site, the store is scheduled to open by late 2013.
On December 25 Forney saw our first snowfall on Christmas in the last 86 years. The special white Christmas brought smiles to the face of residents and the rainfall that came before the snow was certainly a help to our drought conditions.
The end of 2012 has been a mixed bag for Forney. Applebee's opened on December 31, and Chiloso Mexican Bistro announced they are coming to Forney as well. Brady's Burgers closed in 2012, but will be re-opening in early January at a new location on Pinson Road, south of Hwy. 80. However, other businesses are dealing with issues of graffiti, and the Forney Mustang Shop was hit by an arsonist on Christmas morning, destroying several classic cars.
What will 2013 hold for Forney? Whatever the stories are, good or bad, inForney.com will be there to cover them for our readers. We wish you all a very happy and prosperous New Year.
