February is National Heart Month, a time when healthcare networks spread awareness of good cardiovascular health. Titus Regional Medical Center has been educating the public and promoting heart-healthy tips all month long, such as the importance of self-care and the benefits of regular blood donation.

Driver Operator James Riley operating the Plow on a grass fire Fire Captain Phillip Fry supervises the extinguishing efforts with deck guns Firefighters extinguished this blaze at an abandoned business last month This fire broke out in Talco in 2020 Fire Fighter Ranson Pipes and EMS working on a wreck victim. Fire Fighter Cody Craig COURTESY PHOTOS / JUSTIN HARGROVE.

A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the #1 priority for residents is to get out safely.

Watch your cooking Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.

Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast.

COOKING: Cooking was the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in 2015-2019 and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Cooking caused 49 percent of reported home fires, 20 percent of reported home fire deaths, and 42 percent of home fire injuries.

Every year, wildfires burn across Texas, and a growing number of people are living where wildfires are a real risk. It is a peril that impacts all parts of the state and can occur throughout the year. Despite billions of dollars to support wildfires suppression efforts, the number of homes lost in wildfires continues to increase.

The Mount Pleasant High School UIL Academic team continued its season on Friday and Saturday, February 11-12 at the annual Winter Tiger Invitational held on the Mount Pleasant High School campus. Overall, Mount Pleasant High School took first place in the large school division at the meet. Six teams including Science, Mathematics, Number Sense, Calculator, Spelling, and Journalism all took 1st place team honors in their respective events.

The Mount Pleasant High School Cheerleaders traveled to Orlando, Florida to compete in the UCA National High School Cheerleading Championships on February 11-13 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

9th Grade Rachel Albin, Yoselin Amador, Gopi Amin, Alan Barrientos, Aneth Canales, Zoey Cato, Alessandra Cervantes Ramirez, Samuel Chappell, Emely Chavelas, Angel Chavez, Diya Desai, Jose Gonzalez, Stephanie Guerrero, Sidney Harbour, Christorpher Jimenez, William Johnson, Nayeli Lujano, Joyce Luke, Tanner Marshall, Amir Martinez, Josue’ Martinez, Daniela Pina, Yahaira Pina, Misely Ramirez, Luisa Rodriguez, Mia Ross, Christopher Sorto, Katelyn Tejeda, Luke Thurman, Diego Ugalde, Javier Valerio Basaldua 10th Grade Dylan Bennett, Ella Cross, Clinton DeBord, John David Freeman, Estefani Garcia, Sophie Greco, Owen Green, Abigail Gutierrez Takahashi, Angelina Hernandez, Silvia Lopez, Nathaniel Martinez, Angel Munoz, Annie Munoz, Bianca Quistian, Kiara Rundles, Orion Senence, Daniel Sunderland, Diana Vargas, Conlee Zachry, Michelle Zelaya 11th Grade Manoa Bagsic, VanessaJane Bayna, Madison Carpenter, Natalie Crockett, Melanie De La Cruz, Lincoln Ellis, Alexandra Estrada, Perla Guzman, Ethan Harbour, Kylie Humber, Camdon Johnson, Virginia Landaverde, Alison Majors, Samantha McClenan, Dana Memije, Collin Moss, Lizeth Navarro, Anthony Orellana, Yasenia Paloblanco, Yadeline Perez Valentin, Katherine Phelan, Esmeralda Ramirez, Elijah Rider, Dulce Rivera, Chris Russell, Emily Shelton, Melissa Vasquez, Amy Vazquez, Javier Vazquez, Jack Welborn 12th Grade Delaila Aleman, Yoana Amador, Aachal Amin, Miguel Banda, Rossy Banegas Garcia, Nevaeh Bardwell, Lainy Blackstone, Vanessa Buendia, Emma Burrows, George Burrows, Henry Chappell III, Parker Colley, Connelly Cowan, Jackelin Gomez, Luz Gonzalez, Jesus Gonzalez-Segura, Hannah Harvill, Mary Kait Heeren, Taylor Hubbs, Mackenzie Lide, Emyly Lopez, Leslie Mayo, Katherine Ochoa, Cadance Perez, Neida Perez, Emily Perez-Solis, Abril Ramirez, Holly Reese, Mona Rodarte, Guillermo Sanchez-Medina, Sam Sloan, Keller Thompson, Amiah Thornton, Esteban Trejo, Matthew Tucker, Micah Tucker, Kurion Walker, Anna Claire Wall, Dalton Woods, Yael Zavala, Filippo Zunino.