FORNEY, Texas — The year 2014 saw plenty of ups and downs, wins and losses, life and, most regrettably — death. The following list of top stories is compiled by comparing total pageviews, reader interactions, social media reach, and the amount of impact the story had on the community.
FORNEY, Texas — The year 2014 saw plenty of ups and downs, wins and losses, life and, most regrettably — death. The following list of top stories is compiled by comparing total pageviews, reader interactions, social media reach, and the amount of impact the story had on the community.
In its third year delivering news to Forney, Texas, and Kaufman County, readership on inForney.com in 2014 more than doubled readership numbers delivered in 2013 — up from 1,117,561 pageviews to 2,492,885 pageviews, respectively. Of course, these numbers wouldn’t be possible without the continued support from our local readers and our local advertisers.
Here’s to 2015:
1. The first on our list isn’t one story but a multiple reports surrounding the many motions, searches for evidence, jury selection, trial, and conviction of former Kaufman County Justice of the Peace Eric Williams and his estranged wife, Kim, who were both indicted on three counts of capital murder in the deaths of Kaufman County District Attorney Mike McLelland, his wife, Cynthia, and prosecutor Mark Hasse.
On December 4, 2014, after only an hour-and-a-half of deliberations by a Rockwall County jury, found Eric Williams guilty of the capital murder of Cynthia McLelland. The same jury deliberated for less than four hours before returning the death sentence on December 17, 2014.
On December 30, 2014, Kim Williams pled guilty to a lesser charge of murder in the death of Hasse and received a 40-year prison sentence and would become eligible for parole in 20 years. Kim testified against Eric during the punishment phase of his trial.
2. On July 21, 2014, 50-year-old Dr. John Adam Malonis, a well-respected Fort Worth surgeon, was killed after the vehicle he was driving fell from an overpass following a two-vehicle accident on I-20 just south of Forney, Texas. Malonis was traveling to pick up his daughter from summer camp at the time of the accident.
3. On November 19, 2014, 18-year-old Amy Mendoza of Forney, Texas, was killed in a single-vehicle accident just a mile from her home on Farm-to-Market 548. Investigators said her vehicle was traveling northbound on FM 548 when she approached a curve in the road and continued straight, striking a fence.
4. Five Wills Point, Texas, family members were tragically killed in a single-vehicle rollover accident in Louisiana while they were traveling to Walt Disney World in Florida. A 16-year-old driver reportedly fell asleep, veered off the highway, woke up, and over corrected which sent the vehicle overturning several times — ejecting six passengers and killing five.
5. A Kaufman, Texas, man was indicted for intoxication manslaughter on December 2, 2014, for a deadly August head-on collision which killed a Balch Springs, Texas, man and injured two others.
6. 22-year-old Logan Michael Drumm of Kaufman, Texas, was arrested following a deadly shooting in Seagoville, Texas, which resulted in the death of a Mesquite, Texas, man and injured another. Police searched overnight for the gunman who allegedly shot the two individuals over a pair of shoes, jeans, and documentation.
7. A Forney woman and teacher is recovering after she was ejected from her Jeep when it overturned on FM 548 in the early morning hours of November 15, 2014.
8. Three females were arrested at Walmart in Forney, Texas, after attempting to defraud the retailer of $19,000 in fraudulent prepaid credit cards. Police say the planning began on Facebook and one of the females was a Walmart employee.
9. The Texas Department of Public Safety eradicated approximately 2,500 marijuana plants in Kaufman County between Forney, Texas, and Terrell, Texas, with the use of helicopters.
10. On April 2, 2014, fire department from Crandall, Forney, Seagoville, Combine, and Kaufman responded to a fire at the Cotton Gin restaurant in Crandall, Texas. The restaurant has been closed since. h
Here are some other noteworthy stories you may have forgotten about in 2014.
Forney woman claims $1 million Powerball prize purchased at local gas station.
Google Maps' satellite snaps unique view of Forney.
Although he didn’t make the final cut, Forney High School’s Caleb Hanie signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
Kroger Marketplace and Aldi made the list of top stories of 2013. This year, stories on both stores opening made the top 100 list of articles based on pageviews.
In downtown Forney news, Mama’s Daughters’ Diner and Groovy’s opened for business and Zanata withdrew plans on their public-private partnership with the Forney Economic Development Corporation.
Two major vehicle burglary rings were thwarted by the Forney Police Department and the Kaufman County Sheriff’s Office.
Mesquite man dies after being struck by train in Elmo.
And, who can forget the countless accidents on U.S. Highway 80? The county has taken lead on the construction project to relocate the entrance and exit ramps on the south service road. No plans have been announced to address the narrow bridges.
Editor’s Note: Again, inForney.com would like to thank our readers and local advertisers for their continued support through the years. Without you, inForney.com would not be possible.
