For the first time in three years, the bulk of normal activities returned to Wood County – as well as much of the nation and the world.

While COVID-19 cases continued to be reported, numbers were generally low after a spike around the first of the year. There was a slight rise in late summer, but hospitalizations and deaths were on the wane by year-end.

As a result, when many activities resumed, attendance was healthy as people seemed to be ready to get back to normal.

Wood County saw its total case count rise to 10,794 with a total of 311 deaths since the start of record keeping in March 2020 by the Northeast Texas Public Health District.

Here’s a few of the highlights from the year.

January

The year dawned with a new district clerk in the county courthouse when Suzy Wright was sworn in to replace Donna Huston, who resigned with a year left on her term. Wright filed for election to a full term.

The Alba City Council approved plans for a deck on the front of a downtown store for a coffee shop.

Mineola school board received cost estimates for a potential bond issue, with just under $20 million for a new primary school and $30 million total with other improvements.

The Omicron variant of COVID 19 hit Mineola schools with 13 staffers out and a large number of students.

Mineola High School students Emily Miller (flute) and Gabby Wolf (trombone) made the all-state band.

The Flint and Steel Coalition made plans to seek funding to convert the Mineola Community Skate Park from wood to concrete.

Mineola celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a program at the civic center, with most attendees remaining in their vehicles.

School closures and limitations on visitors come to local schools as the Omicron variant of the virus spreads.

Alba-Golden School Superintendent Cole McClendon announced his retirement from the district after just two years, and from a 30-year education career.

Sabine River Authority has ambitious plans to improve the public amenities at Lake Fork.

Wood County Economic Development Commission planned to offer $50,000 for the first phase of the Quitman memory care facility project.

The Quitman EDC pitched in $35,000 for the memory project.

Alba-Golden school trustees announced a $16 million bond election for May to include a new gym and elementary classrooms.

Public forums got underway for the local candidates in the March party primaries.

February

The Mineola school board met with its appointed facility committee to outline plans for an anticipated school bond election to be called in May.

Duplex developments in Mineola received approval from the Zoning Board of Adjustments for shorter setbacks from property lines on Francis St. and Kings Lane.

Staff shortages forced Amtrak to curtail local train service again, with fewer trains weekly.

A winter storm closed schools and many businesses around the area Feb. 2-4.

Following a public forum, Mineola School Board called a special meeting to set the bond election in motion.

The every-other-year UIL realignment for high school competitions saw few changes for Wood County schools.

Alba-Golden and Mineola school boards made their bond elections official.

Early voting began for the party primaries.

Some last minute filing gave city councils and school boards contested races in May.

The WCEDC planned a workshop for lodging establishments to help identify the signs of human trafficking.

The new director of the Historic Theater in Mineola, George Jones,  outlined his plans to help the facility keep entertaining the community for another 100 years.

March

Angela Albers earned her first full term as district attorney after serving an unexpired term. She defeated former DA Jim Wheeler in the Republican primary and had no Democratic opponent.

In a rematch of 2018, Kevin White defeated incumbent County Judge Lucy Hebron and also faced no opponent in the November election. Incumbent County Commissioners Jerry Gaskill and Russell Acker had no trouble gaining reelection, and Jerry Parker was reelected justice of the peace.

The city of Mineola issued $4 million in certificates of obligation for required upgrades to the city sewer plant.

Highway improvements between Mineola and Quitman got underway, set to last the rest of the year.

Wood County commissioners approved almost $400,000 in consulting fees for assistance in spending the $8.8 million in federal COVID relief funds.

A project to build a walking trail along an old rail bed connecting downtown Mineola to the Nature Preserve got going after years of little activity.

Alba-Golden school trustees set a timeline for the hiring of a new superintendent.

A subdivision was proposed for property just south of Tractor Supply in Mineola.

With the recommended sale of property in downtown Mineola, plans moved forward for the creation of a brew pub by Cowburners BBQ owners Jason and Holly Herring.

The Quitman Planning and Zoning Commission approved zoning changes for single family homes off Cliff St. and duplexes off Cedar St.

New contests for floral cup, public speaking and kitchen creations joined the lineup for the Wood County Junior Livestock Show.

The Lake Country Symphony readied for the final concert under the direction of Mike Holbrook, who helmed the community band for 15 years.

The Quitman City Council tabled the requested zoning change on Cedar St.

Altered district court records received attention from the state after old cases during Jim Wheeler’s years as district attorney show the prosecutor to be Angela Albers, in some instances for cases before she was even in Wood County.

Some Mineola High School parents asked the school district to pitch in for state championship rings for the marching band, which won its third straight championship.

Meanwhile the director who brought those titles to the Sound of the Swarm, Chris Brannan, announced he is leaving for Mont Belvieu Barbers Hill.

The WCEDC looked at lodging owners who have not paid their hotel-motel taxes.

April

The Wood County Junior Livestock Show concluded with the annual premium auction which drew total bids of $308,000.

Richard Elston retired as the manger of the Pizza Hut in Mineola after 31 years at the location.

The Mineola Planning and Zoning Commission established rules for brew pubs in the anticipation that Jason and Holly Herring will establish one in the downtown area.

Indictments were handed down against Courtney Keel, the Hainesville volunteer fireman accused of eight counts of arson.

County government attempted to address what is called the inadvertent switching of the name of former District Attorney Jim Wheeler to current DA Angela Albers for cases dating back before Albers even came to the county. By year-end the problem was still not corrected.

Longtime prosecutor in the DAs office Joey Fenlaw disputed a claim that he resigned.

Early voting got underway in school and municipal elections, including the two bond elections.

The Alba-Golden School Board finalized a contract with Macie Thompson to serve as the new superintendent, after serving the district as high school principal.

Jim Best returned to Mineola as the new band director after previously serving as an assistant director and then leading the Winnsboro band to its first state contest.

The saga of the assistant DA took a new turn when DA Albers announced that Fenlaw had been terminated.

Red Beard’s Tobacco near Yantis began the process to have a wet-dry election called for the precinct, an effort that was unsuccessful in even getting the matter on the ballot.

Quitman City Council approved a zoning change to allow duplexes on Cedar St.

The Mineola May Fiesta was scheduled to return after a two-year COVID hiatus.

Former Wood County Sheriff Chief Deputy Nikki Wright pleaded guilty to a driving while intoxicated charge and received 15 months probation.

May

Voters prepared to head to the polls to decide the Mineola and Alba-Golden school bonds as well as school board and city council seats.

The Bellamy Brothers were announced as the feature entertainment during the Bassmaster fishing tournament at Lake Fork.

With high demand for housing, the preliminary numbers from the Wood County Appraisal District show property values continued to climb during 2021.

Voters approved Mineola ISD’s nearly $30 million bond to include a new primary campus and refurbishing the existing elementary into a high school career and technical education center.

Alba-Golden voters turned down the $16 million bond by a more than 2:1 margin.

The annual Quitman chamber of commerce banquet included honors of Kelly Keike as woman of the year and Scott Dunson as man of the year.

O’Reilly Auto Parts acquired the former Chevrolet dealership in Quitman with plans to raze the structure and build a new store.

Brittany Hall was named new high school principal for Alba-Golden.

County Treasurer Becky Burford resigned her post ahead of the end of her term Dec. 31. Daphne Carter was appointed to fill the post. She was the lone candidate in the Republican primary and expected to be seated Jan. 1.

Rising interest rates added to the cost of a Mineola city bond for sewer plant improvements.

The Wood County Economic Development Commission proposed four projects of $1 million each to help address needs for broadband internet in rural areas of the county.

A program to help retain police officers was adopted by the Quitman City Council in the face of all departments, especially smaller ones, seeing fewer candidates for open positions.

High school graduations commenced across the county.

A 3% rate increase for garbage rates in Mineola is based on the Consumer Price Index and is going up for the second straight year.

June

As high school graduations ceremonies celebrated the Class of 2022, the Mineola Flint and Steel Coalition held the graduation of its first class from the new program at the junior high.

The Memorial Day ceremony on the courthouse square returned after a two-year absence.

A runoff for the state party primaries saw a low voter turnout with no locally contested races.

The WCEDC deemed the recent bass fishing tournament a big success.

The extension of Park Central in the Mineola industrial park was proposed in the new Mineola EDC budget in anticipation of a business expansion as well as connecting to a proposed housing addition.

Mineola ISD trustees chose the construction manager at-risk method for the projects approved by voters in May.

The petition to conduct a wet-dry election in Precinct One was received and approved by county commissioners.

Demethrius Boyd joined the board of directors for the Meredith Foundation in Mineola.

The city of Alba will spend part of its federal COVID relief funds on a radio-read system of water meters.

June 8 was declared John DeFoore Jr. day in Mineola in honor of the late guitar teacher and entrepreneur who tutored such stars as Miranda Lambert and Kacey Musgraves.

Alba-Golden school board filled a slate of administrative positions.

The Wood County mural project near downtown Mineola was set to kick off a week of work by the Flint and Steel Coalition.

The Mineola School Board sought interested parties for the vacant board seat created by the resignation of Jay McGough so that his wife could apply for a school nursing position.

The mural project began to take shape on the north wall of the Ramirez building on S. Pacific St.

Mineola school trustees learned the district should receive an A on its state rating based on projections.

“In unity there is strength” proclaimed the first major mural project from the Flint and Steel Coalition, which involved hundreds of man hours.

The memory care project in Quitman received a $50,000 boost from the WCEDC to help start the planning stage of the project.

The Wood County Appraisal District board announced it will not proceed with plans to fully fund the district’s retirement program after some objections were voiced by some of the taxing entities.

Quitman High School named Mineola assistant Jeff Tittle as its new principal.

A dry spring and summer resulted in county commissioners issuing a ban on outdoor burning.

July

Jackson Construction of Quitman was chosen to construct the new Mineola primary school campus.

Erin Mason joined the Wood County Airport as its on-site assistant manager.

4th of July festivities proceeded at the Mineola Civic Center.

Mineola Kiwanis Club initiated a project to provide shade structures at the civic center splash pad.

Quitman was forced to close its splash pad at Jim Hogg City Park after an issue at the water plant, with repairs delayed by a needed part.

Alba implemented the first stage of voluntary city water restrictions.

Mineola school taxpayers saved a little money when the proposed tax rate to repay the school bonds came in less than expected.

Quitman school trustees approved bids for a new high school agriculture facility and renovations to the IT department.

The Mexican consulate brought its mobile services to Mineola to assist with various paper work.

The effort to bring a wet-dry election to Precinct One fell well short of the needed signatures on the petition.

The city of Quitman purchased a new asphalt machine to help with city streets.

Plans to convert the old Sears store in Mineola to senior apartments were shelved in favor of controlled climate storage, chiefly due to the high cost of a required fire sprinkler system.

August

Final values from the Wood County Appraisal District showed property values up significantly across the board.

Quitman prepared to celebrate the Old Settlers Reunion for the 121st time.

A staff shortage forced the city of Mineola to suspend curbside brush pickup.

The city got its planning effort underway for the sesquicentennial in 2023.

The First Baptist Church of Mineola sought a permit to demolish the Kitchens home just across from the church, which it had owned for many years.

Taxing entities rolled out their property tax rates, generally lower due to the rising property values.

Alba city council looked at adding a full-time police officer during budget talks.

Mineola and Quitman school districts earned the top A-rating from the state.

Alba-Golden, Hawkins and Winnsboro scored Bs.

Quitman superintendent Rhonda Turner announced she would be retiring at the end of the calendar year.

Mineola’s Meredith Memorial Stadium got a facelift and upgrade with a new football field and track surface.

Dr. Beverly Waddleton of Quitman celebrated 40 years as a hometown physician and would retire later in the year.

The Mineola City Council postponed its decision on allowing the Kitchens home demolition as a public hearing drew support for keeping the home intact.

A traffic crash between Mineola and Alba on Hwy. 69 took the life of Alba student Asa Davis and recent Mineola grad Ginger Durham.

The Quitman council wanted to know if the fire department was getting its fair share of county fire funding.

September

The property tax rate that the Mineola City Council approved for senior citizens lowered the city’s total values enough that a tax increase was required to balance the proposed budget.

Though it sits outside the south city limits, the planned Sabine Mud Ranch drew a critique, and a defense, during the public comment section of the Mineola City Council meeting.

The Quitman City Council set Paul Street as one-way during school hours to assist with pickup and drop off of students.

Heavy rainfall allowed Wood County commissioners to rescind the outdoor burning ban.

Commissioners also approved three locations for branch early voting for the general election.

Chad Earl Carr was arrested for the cold case murder of Brittany McGlone in Winnsboro in 2007.

The Mineola School Board approved a property tax rate of $1.165, although higher due to the school bonds, was still a half-cent lower than the rate just three years ago.

Laina Wanttie of Mineola was killed in a head-on crash with a UT Health ambulance near Lindale on Toll 49.

The Yantis School Board called a special election, asking voters to approve purchasing tax credits as a way to avoid the possibility of another district annexing property for tax purposes or even consolidation.

The First Baptist Church of Mineola sought a demolition permit for the former Kitchens home.

Wood County commissioners approved a five-cent reduction in the property tax rate.

Alba city council members split on the size of a proposed employee pay raise.

The Mineola First Baptist Church gained approval for the demolition of the Kitchens home to make room for parking.

Lou Hooks Wagner, well-known in Mineola as an educator, later serving as the school district business manager, longtime trustee with the Meredith Foundation and with roots in the Hooks family that operated the Select Theater, died at 83.

The Iron Horse Festival returned and promised to be better than ever, sponsored by the Mineola Chamber of Commerce.

Lisa Bright, assistant manager of the Mineola Civic Center, was promoted to serve as the manager.

Plans were announced to convert the former Stage Store in Mineola into an Auto Zone.

Quitman City Council approved incentives for an apartment complex and hotel to be constructed just south of Brookshire’s Grocery.

Assistant Superintendent Chris Mason was named the lone finalist to be the new Quitman ISD superintendent.

The Mineola Hay Show earned $32,000 for the support of Mineola agriculture education programs.

October

The Mineola Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request to change the zoning from single family to mixed use for a subdivision off U.S Hwy. 69 South, which would allow for smaller lots.

The company that owns the Sonic Drive-in in Mineola was exonerated in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission.

An affidavit revealed details that led to the cold case murder arrest of Chad Kerr.

The Wood County Economic Development Commission awarded $120,000 in grants from hotel-motel occupancy taxes.

The trend of declining engagement in civic and social organizations manifested itself with the disbanding of the Friends of Lake Holbrook Association.

Yantis school district voters easily approved the tax credit election.

Golden prepared to celebrate the 40th edition of the Sweet Potato Festival.

Hainesville Baptist Church celebrated its 125th anniversary.

The Quitman Eastern Star chapter celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Quitman ISD trustees made it official with a contract for Chris Mason to be the new superintendent Jan. 1.

Mineola ISD trustees learned their bond funds were earning a good interest rate, but that could be offset by rising construction costs.

Early voting was set to begin in the 2022 general election. No county races were contested.

Alba-Golden school trustees heard a proposal to start an education foundation.

The Mineola City Council agreed to spend $120,000 in city funds if the plan to construct an emergency services radio tower at the Mineola Nature Preserve cannot be completed in time to qualify for grant funds.

The three-time state champion marching band from Mineola won the area championship in a non-advancement year.

The request to rezone the subdivision in south Mineola failed to get a motion by the city council.

Alba-Golden became one of the state’s first school districts to receive an intruder audit, a response to the murder of 19 students and two teachers in Uvalde in May.

November

Mineola celebrated planes, trains and automobiles with a series of events.

Voters prepared to take part in the general election.

Mineola City Council chose to revise the requested zoning change for the park central subdivision.

The county economic development commission held its meeting in Winnsboro and toured the arts center.

Wood County airport continues its expansion plans, participants learned at the annual briefing.

One man was killed in an officer-involved shooting following a traffic crash near Winnsboro, with the Texas rangers called in to investigate.

As the Alba City Council was deliberating how to repair a city street, a call came from police Chief Juan Ramirez that he had been involved in a crash with a deer.

The Quitman Eastern Star Chapter celebrated 100 years of service.

Precinct Two Constable Kelly Smith was indicted by a federal grand jury in Sherman for “deprivation of rights under color of law” for an arrest incident in which his canine bit a wanted suspect.

Four Wood County residents were killed in a traffic crash north of Quitman, including three members of one family and a popular Winnsboro restaurant owner, whose wife was seriously injured.

On the second attempt, the Mineola City Council granted a zoning change to the proposed subdivision.

WCEDC Director Christophe Trahan resigned to take a job in Palestine.

Alba Golden School Board took steps to begin an education foundation.

County chambers of commerce joined forces during a WCEDC-sponsored workshop to brainstorm ways to assist in the county’s growth and development.

Wood County voters backed Republican candidates at an 85% clip during the general election.

An in-custody report filed with the state showed the man shot by police following the traffic accident had made several threats including self harm.

Wood County communities offered up grand plans to celebrate the holidays with parades and many other events.

County commissioners approved emergency repairs to the county jail air-handling system.

Sales tax revenues continued to climb for Wood County cities.

December

County commissioners held a workshop concerning voting systems and heard testimony from several in support of a return to paper ballots.

The Mineola holiday tour of homes returned after a two-year hiatus.

The Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Quitman was dedicated to the late Ila Wisdom, whose efforts helped the event to get off the ground.

In a stunning development, the accused killer of Brittany McGlone was released from the county jail after a grand jury decided not to indict Chad Carr.

Constable Kelly Smith pleaded not guilty to a federal charge of deprivation of rights under color of law.

Some local United Methodist churches decided to split from the denomination and join the newly-formed Global Methodist Church.

The Alba-Golden School Board explored the potential benefits of shifting to a four-day school week.

A planned subdivision in south Mineola was granted a variance in lot sizes for single family homes to 40-foot widths and 5-foot side setbacks.

The cost for constructing a new primary school campus in Mineola won’t be known until March, after school officials met with the construction team.

Wreaths Across America made its way to the Mineola area for the first time as 677 Christmas wreaths were placed on the graves of military veterans at Roselawn Cemetery.

A replat of the Park Central subdivision with 40-foot residential lots was rejected by the Mineola City Council on a 3-2 vote.

The Mineola Boy Scout troop is the last scouting organization operating in Wood County and may be out of business in less than a year.

The city of Mineola dedicated its 150th anniversary mural with a proclamation in preparation for a 2023 filled with celebratory activities.

Plans to expand the city of Mineola parks board were turned down by the city council.

The removal of a traffic light at Line St. and U.S. Hwy. 80 in Mineola came as a surprise to city officials.

Outgoing Quitman ISD Superintendent Rhonda Turner was honored with a reception on her retirement and reflected on her career.

The end of the year was marred by a police shooting on the square.