Feb. 3, 2011 - For the second time in a month, Leonard schools closed due to inclement weather that hit the northeast Texas region. The weather was part of a line of winter weather that stretched from Texas to the northeast. The National Weather Service showed an over 2100-mile line that would potentially drop at least one inch of snow, but as much as one- to two-feet, in the states affected by the storm.

In Leonard, sleet fell early Tuesday morning - as the first day of February dawned and succeeded in maintaining its reputation for being the coldest month in North Texas. Calls went out from Leonard ISD around 6 a.m. that school was closed for the day as the roads were slippery and impassable for the buses. The slick roads were desolate, as many stayed home from work in the warmth of their homes. A second call went out Tuesday afternoon that school would remain closed on Wednesday.

Feb. 3, 2011 - The Leonard Picnic planning committee met last Wednesday to get a head-start on organizing the annual town celebration, and in remembrance of the 10-year anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, a theme of "Honoring our American Heroes" was decided on.

Feb. 3, 2011 - In 1925, Delta and Lena Ewing built a home on Connett Street. The home was one-story with three bedrooms, a kitchen, dining room, living room, bathroom, a screened-in porch on the southeast (front) corner of the house and a carport made just wide enough for a Model T or A. The house was brick and the posts around the carport and front porch bore the same material halfway up where wooden posts showed to the roof line.

Jan. 27, 2011 - Prior to Madeline and Mary Burke moving to Houston to prepare for 15-year-old Madeline's lung transplant, an account was set up with Children's Organ Transplant Association to handle donations being made to the family. Donations go into this fund and are disbursed to the family as needed, and are not considered taxable income for the family. A local account was set up at American Bank of Texas for the convenience of local persons or organizations wishing to donate to the COTA fund in honor of Madeline Burke.

Jan. 27, 2011 - Leonard Volunteer Fire Department personnel responded to a barn fire called in at 6:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 21. A passing motorist observed the fire first at Oleo Acres on Private Road 76 southwest of Leonard.

Jan. 27, 2011 - On Thursday, Feb. 3, Leonard ISD will embark on a new initiative - Rachel's Challenge, and the school is asking parents to join them in the gym that evening for a community-wide assembly. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will last for one hour. This will be a community-wide challenge in hopes of spreading Rachel’s life-changing message to everyone, and is age specific for Pre-K through twelfth grade. There is a website that offers more information at www.rachelschallenge.org.

The last day for Leonard Sports Association T-Ball/Baseball/Softball sign-ups for the 2011 season is this Sunday, Jan. 23 at the elementary gym from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Kids ages 5-14 are eligible to sign up. Players will try on their uniforms, for sizing purposes, at the time of registration. This is the last day to register. Cost is $80 per player (no cash please).

For more information or comments relating to baseball, contact commissioner Regina Handle at 972-977-3406. For more information or comments relating to  softball, contact commissioner Daniel Medders at 214-355-0940.

Jan. 201, 2011 - The Leonard High School girl's powerlifting team pulled out a first place win at the Anna powerlifting meet last Saturday. The team earned a combined total of 44 points, followed by Anna in second place with 29 points.

Jan. 20, 2011 - Jim R. Wilson moved to Texas in 1875 as a lad of 13 years, living in the Valley Creek area with his family. In 1880, when the foundation stones of the City of Leonard were laid, he sought employment and went to work for the Thomas and Saxon livery stable. In 1888, Jim went into business for himself, opening a furniture store and undertaking parlor on the west side of the square, located where the Leonard Family Dentistry and Leonard Chiropractic offices are currently.

Jan. 20, 2011 - Taxpayers within the City of Leonard may notice a change on their 2010 tax bill. At some point, an error was made and some residents started receiving the Homestead Exemption, despite no resolution allowing it from the city council. Recently, a new computer system was initiated at the tax office that caught the error, and the city and tax office are now taking the necessary steps to correct it. City council members voted last Tuesday night to pass a resolution forbidding the appraisal district to apply the exemption.