News | Wood County Monitor

Panthers sweep Tigers for bidistrict championship

The Alba-Golden Panthers are bi-district champions, sweeping the Linden-Kildare Tigers on Friday in Hooks. They owe that largely to the pitching arms of starters Mason Smith and Tucker Samples. Smith … more

By John Arbter | 5/7/26 10:29 AM

Lady Panthers advance after split series with Frankston

The mob started somewhere just on the first base side of the infield. As teammates joined, the momentum pushed the mob into foul territory halfway to the screen. Buried in the middle of the … more

By John Arbter | 5/7/26 10:29 AM

MHS trio advances to state finals in track and field

A trio of Mineola student-athletes will be headed to the UIL State Track and Field Championships next week. Defending state champion Tierany Neighbors, Raylie Peebles and Zane Strange will compete on … more

By John Arbter | 5/7/26 10:28 AM

Quitman student wins award in film contest

How is your life online shaping the relationships you have offline? That is the question Texas high school students were asked to explore through Healthy Futures of Texas’ 11th annual Student Film … more

5/7/26 10:27 AM

Wood County Gardeners complete “Science Days” program despite challenges

The Wood County Master Gardeners Association (WCMGA) recently completed its “Science Days” program, reaching 239 third-grade students across Wood County despite challenging weather conditions. … more

5/7/26 10:26 AM

Quitman FFA and Young Farmers to host community auction May 8

The Quitman FFA chapter, in partnership with local Young Farmers, will host its annual auction on Friday, May 8 at the ag pavilion off FM 2088. The evening will begin with a community dinner at 5:30 … more

5/7/26 10:24 AM

Work begins for Hwy. 37 widening project

Construction is starting this week on widening State Hwy. 37 north of Mineola. The $4.1 million project will add a center turn lane from just north of Walmart to Rose Hill Road. It is the second … more

5/7/26 10:21 AM

Wood County commissioners address budget, staffing and senior services needs

Wood County commissioners opened with a prayer Tuesday focused on community safety and the need for favorable weather conditions. Commissioners reviewed several personnel changes, including temporary … more

By Carley Tucker | 5/7/26 10:20 AM

Grand Jury hands down indictments

The Wood County Grand Jury handed down the following indictments on Monday, April 27. John Wilson McGuire, Holly Lake Ranch, possession of a controlled substance (PCS) penalty group (PG) 1/1-B less … more

5/7/26 10:17 AM

Corner Column

If memory serves (a dicey proposition these days) it was around Labor Day 1978, barely two months after starting my first newspaper job, and I had returned to the state capital to see some of the … more

5/7/26 09:32 AM

A life‑lessons education at the kitchen table

The morning routine for the Daley children is pretty well set. It starts early with feeding and care of the animals, only then – breakfast. Once the kitchen table is cleared, school convenes. Each … more

By John Arbter | 5/7/26 09:31 AM

Mineola ISD celebrates fourth annual fiesta event

Mineola ISD’s fourth annual Fiesta event held on April 24 provided close to 200 Spanish-speaking families with information, food, entertainment, and prizes. Several community organizations sent … more

5/7/26 09:27 AM

From lullabies to letting go

“Why is he already texting me about signing him out for lunch?” Ashly thinks to herself as she looks at her phone while walking into her office. “He” is her son Justice, a senior, and he may … more

By Carley Tucker | 5/7/26 09:25 AM

Alba-Golden ISD voters reject $20.6 million bond proposition

Voters voiced their opinions at the polls last Saturday, deciding on several hotly contested races. Among the most contested propositions was Alba-Golden ISD’s … more

By Carley Tucker | 5/7/26 09:24 AM

Woman accused of running over boyfriend, leaving him to die

Lisa Ann Guetter of Quitman has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of her 71-year-old boyfriend, Donald Kaping, according to investigators with the Wood County … more

5/7/26 09:20 AM

Wood County Local May 2 Final Election Results (Unofficial)

All results are unofficial until canvassed by their respective entities. See the May 7 edition of the Wood County Monitor for full results. more

Reporting by Carley Tucker, James Taylor | 5/2/26 11:12 PM

Jarvis competing in HBCUAC 2026-27

Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, Jarvis Christian University in Hawkins will begin competing in the Historically Black Colleges & Universities Athletic Conference (HBCUAC). The move was … more

4/30/26 07:53 AM

Jackets taking talents on the road in college

The Mineola community celebrated two accomplished scholastic athletes last week as Allyson Blackwell and Chance Williams signed letters to continue their artistic and athletic feats at universities … more

By John Arbter | 4/30/26 07:50 AM

Lady Panthers win battle against Lady Tigers

The Alba-Golden Lady Panthers are bi-district softball champions. They made short work of the Linden-Kildare Lady Tigers last week with a two-game sweep by scores of 8-2 and 8-0. The Lady … more

By John Arbter | 4/30/26 07:49 AM

Panthers overtake Eagles 10-7

The key sequence in Alba-Golden’s 10-7 win last Wednesday against the visiting Como-Pickton Eagles came in the top of the fifth inning. The Panthers had just knocked the Eagles starter … more

By John Arbter | 4/30/26 07:49 AM