City Council members Larry Sheppard, Willie Goode and Frank Seffrood were the only council members present during a special meeting Friday afternoon to canvas the results from the Nov. 4 election.

Sheppard led the meeting while Goode and Seffrood made the motions and seconds to canvas the returns from the special election for mayor, for the recall election and the bond propositions.

Cove House Emergency Shelter and the Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity are among the seven finalists for a $25,000 office makeover contest for local charities.

The winning organization will receive new office furniture along with space planning, design and installation services. The winner and runner-up will receive an office prize package including office machines, artwork and supplies.

Multiple burglaries and thefts occurred over the weekend on the west side of Copperas Cove, including two incidents at Copperas Cove High School.

Around 11 a.m. Friday two reports were taken at CCHS. The first of a stolen Nintendo DS valued at $130. The second report is a theft of 15 laptop computers valued at $15,000.

Copperas Cove Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Danny Austin said the Nintendo DS was stolen Nov. 7, but the student did not report it until the next week.

Editors Note: The following article is an editorial piece based on my father's death.

Thursday is the Great American Smokeout. A day where smokers and tobacco users of all kinds are encouraged to snuff out and spit out their deadly habit.

While I have never lit up, I have seen first hand what smoking can do not only to an individual person, but how it can affect an entire family.