A three-car collision that occurred on State Highway 121 last Thursday killed one, and seriously injured a man who has been lifelong Leonard resident. This makes the third fatality accident in a few short weeks between Melissa and Westminster and continues to raise concerns with regard to the safety of the road. As is always the case when a major accident happens on Highway 121, residents in the area hold their breath as they wait to hear if their friends or family were involved since the highway is a major thoroughfare for those working in or traveling to the McKinney area. For one Leonard family, that was a nightmare come true last Thursday.

Capital murder suspect Thomas Lloyd Taunton, shackled and clothed in maroon inmate attire, appeared in the 336th District Courtroom at the Fannin County Courthouse Thursday morning for a motion hearing. Taunton quickly entered from the holding cell, took his place alongside court-appointed defense attorney Steven R. Miears, and raised his right hand to be sworn in. After a brief exchange - no longer than ten minutes - it was determined that the motion expected to be made that day would be postponed by at least a month.

Emergency personnel worked back-to-back major accidents on State Highway 78 west of Leonard Thursday afternoon. The wrecks claimed the life of an expectant young mother and severely injured another man.

Traffic was at a standstill on State Highway 121 Tuesday afternoon after a collision just south of Randolph injured four and claimed the life of two. Emergency personnel from several agencies were dispatched to the scene after a major accident was reported on Highway 121 at the south intersection with Business Highway 121.

AUSTIN - Consumers who suffered property damage as a result of the recent severe weather should contact their insurance company or agent to file a claim as soon as possible. Starting this process is the first step toward getting money to make repairs. Homeowners insurance policies generally provide coverage for losses from wind and hail, and, in certain situations, might cover losses from wind-blown rain.

On Saturday, May 12, Leonard city elections will take place in the City Hall from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Up for election this year is the mayor race with two candidates, Willie Johnson and Margy S. Hall. The winner of this race will replace Bill Yoss as Leonard City Mayor, who bowed out gracefully this year after seeing others interested in the position.

In February of 2002, Bill Yoss filed to run for mayor of the City of Leonard and won the election as an unopposed candidate. Only one time in the ten years he has served has he been opposed at the polls - and that was eight years ago. Yoss has said for a handful of years now that he would not run again when a viable candidate showed an interest to fill the Mayor's position. Recently, Willie Johnson - who Yoss had talked to on occasion about this very matter - did just that. Yoss has officially withdrawn himself from candidacy from the Mayoral race, with Johnson and anybody else who files left on the ballot. 

When Yoss took the reigns in 2002, the city budget was around $600,000 per year and now it has grown to $1,100,000 per year. The population has also grown by 20% in the ten years and several new businesses have opened their doors or remodeled.

Other improvements taking place during his tenure include the addition of several businesses that have branched out or began, including Sonic, Dollar General, Family Dollar, City Auto Parts, Bear Creek Country Store, Florentina’s and Circle Star Quick Lube to name a few with Kwik Chek, Leonard Service Center, Lea’s Restaurant, Dairy Queen and Crossroads Hardware all making major renovations.

The Fannin County Sheriff's Office continues to put together pieces of the triple homicide case involving the deaths of Leonard residents Harold and Sue Harpst and Regina Taunton, and a big piece that was missing was uncovered Tuesday.

FCSO reported early Tuesday afternoon that the van belonging to Harold and Sue Harpst, which has been missing since the case originated Jan. 18, was found in Oklahoma. A press release by the department states that they received a call from the Durant Police Department at approximately 8:23 a.m. advising that a vehicle that had been entered in the national database by FCSO was found at a hotel in their city. Officers soon learned that it was the handicapped-equipped 2007 silver Dodge Caravan belonging to Harold and Sue Harpst. FCSO further reports that the manager of the motel contacted Durant PD to report a vehicle that had been abandoned on their property. Motel personnel indicated that the van had been parked on the lot for several weeks.

Fannin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of a woman whose body was found lying beside State Highway 11 outside of Bailey Sunday. Area residents' commutes to church and to run errands were detoured as one man reported officers had the roadway closed for at least three hours for the investigation.

A press release issued by FCSO states that a motorist discovered the body of a 57-year-old female who lived in Bailey as they passed through the area around 7 a.m. Her remains were reportedly discovered a short distance west of the intersection of Highway 11 and State Highway 78. The woman's car was located not too far from her residence a few minutes after the body was discovered. At the time of the investigation, it appeared the woman had left her car on the county road and walked across pastures towards Highway 11 where her body was found.

The Leonard Graphic has received the unfortunate news that the bodies of the three Leonard residents reported missing this week were discovered early Saturday afternoon. Fannin County Sheriff's deputies - who have worked around the clock since Wednesday on this case - recovered the remains of 73-year-old Harold Harpst, 79-year old Sue Harpst and 48-year old Regina Taunton in neighboring Grayson County. The silver 2007 Dodge Caravan also reported missing with the three has not been located, however. A source stated that their cause of death was undetermined at this time, but that Sue Harpst's 52-year-old son, Thomas Taunton - who was named as a person of interest from the beginning and arrested Thursday in Louisiana on capital murder charges - remains their prime suspect.