Hot Off the Press!

KILLEEN — The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce hosted joint ceremonies Saturday to celebrate the designation of the Fort Hood-Central Texas Region as a Great American Defense Community and to unveil Interstate 14 signage.

The Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce hosted joint ceremonies Saturday to celebrate the designation of the Fort Hood-Central Texas Region as a Great American Defense Community and to unveil Interstate 14 signage.

Growth dominated two state of the region speeches delivered Tuesday by Bell County Judge Jon Burrows and Killeen Mayor Jose Segarra. The judge and mayor discussed growth and other happenings in their areas at an event hosted by the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce at the Grace Christian Center, 1401 Elms Road.

The Killeen Independent School District hosted a Community Impact Day to empower high school girls to care for themselves and encourage one another. A group of 50 girls from the four KISD high schools met Wednesday with community mentors to learn together from a wide range of community leaders.

COPPERAS COVE — The City Council on Tuesday approved the authorization of Councilman Dan Yancey to travel to California to observe military training activities at the National Training Center.

Now that the Killeen area soon will see Interstate 14 signs along U.S. Highway 190, area leaders say the move will bring in new business and represent a show of support to the military. The Texas Transportation Commission approved a new interstate, a 25-mile span of U.S. Highway 190 through Bell County, as part of a long-term federal transportation bill on Jan. 26.

Jimmie Don Aycock has worn many hats over the course of his life. He was a captain in the Army from 1970 to 1972. He received his doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1970, and spent much of his life as a vet and a rancher.

Metroplex Health System, in partnership with the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce and Central Texas College, is hosting a Cook Smart Cooking Class on from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Culinary Arts Building at CTC.

Community members gathered Friday for a mural dedication in downtown Killeen. The new mural, at Avenue D and Gray Street, celebrates the military. The mural’s theme is “Camp Hood to Fort Hood — Embracing our Rich Military History,” a tribute to the bond between Fort Hood and Killeen, and a display of the talent that lives in the community.

KILLEEN — III Corps and Fort Hood commander Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland discussed his recent command post in the Middle East and the current status of the Army during the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce’s Military Relations Council luncheon Friday at Grace Christian Center in Killeen