Attached to the photographs were newspaper clippings. One article from May 2008 speaking of Pinebox Elementary opening a separate building to house its daycare. Another dated October 1998 that wrote about the fires that destroyed half of the Indian Summer Trailer Park. A third dated August 18th, 1939 regarding a girl named Sally Mayfair undergoing special psychiatric care in the city’s hospital. Five more were included from various periods over the past century, all with no immediate connection.

While the package is more than likely nothing but some kind of hoax, its delivery comes at a very interesting time for Pinebox. One can’t help but notice oddities amongst recent news both through the Report and other local news agencies. Upon comparing national newspapers, and even more local articles written in Dallas and Houston, Pinebox news tends to possess themes that most other cities would find absurd. Locals may just be used to it, but here on campus—where a good portion of us come from places far outside the Texas border—our perspective must be different. The photographs I received, as well as the newspaper clippings are interesting. And given the city’s history and present I’m not entirely willing to toss it into the shredder, though a feeling in the pit of my stomach is telling me that I’d be smarter doing just that.

Originally published May17th, 2008

photo by: Pinebox City Council

In a ribbon cutting ceremony presided over by Mayor James Flowers, the Pinebox Elementary Daycare was opened this morning. Those in attendance included elementary school faculty members, district administrators and members of the Risen Church of Pinebox whose generous donations helped to open the building before the end of the current school year. Flowers addressed the attendees noting, “Without the kind donations from the Risen Church and several Pinebox businesses we would not be here celebrating the rebirth of an organization our city’s parents have come to count on when it comes to the care of their kids.”

The new daycare facility was required by the school after the portable classrooms Pinebox Elementary used previously were destroyed when a delivery truck driven by an intoxicated Bill Reyes crashed into them in December of last year. While the buildings were completely demolished the accident occured in the early morning hours before school had begun and no one, except for Reyes, was injured. Reyes was rushed to Pinebox Memorial where he succumbed to internal injuries.

Area police have been advised to increase patrols around the new facility to ensure that Pinebox drivers properly adjust to the new fifteen mile-per-hour speed limit. “The safety of the kids are our number one priority,” noted Sheriff Butch Anderson, “and we’ll be watching the streets to make sure there aren’t any more accidents.”