Social Security Recipients Can Expect Another Raise for 2024
September 1, 2023 – Anyone who gets a check from the Social Security Administration (SSA) each month got a hefty raise for 2023 with an average 8.7% increase due to recent inflation. The Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) is calculated each year and the next year’s adjustment is released by SSA sometime in October preceding the next calendar year. This year’s scheduled date for the announcement is October 12, 2023, but...
Tolley Arrested, Faces Child Sexual Abuse Charges
September 1, 2023 – JAMES DOUGLAS TOLLEY, a resident of Como, was arrested this week. He is charged with: 1 22.021(A)(2)(B) AGG SEXUAL ASSLT CHILD1 22.011(A)(2) SEXUAL ASSLT CHILD James Tolley, 2021. No mugshot provided. Photo provided by public social media page. The alleged events are reported to have occured January 15, 2023. Bond set at $200,000.
Big Tex Writes a Doctor’s Note
August 31, 2023 – To combat the problem of coming up with an excuse to take off of work to attend this year’s State Fair of Texas, “Dr.” Big Tex is offering some help by sending your boss a doctor’s note to combat State Fair Fever. His Prescription?: A health dose of fair food, thrilling rides, and general fair fun! The folks at the State Fair of Texas have taken this tongue-in-cheek campaign even...
Sulphur Springs Emergency Sirens Will Be Tested August 31
August 31, 2023 – Emergency sirens will be tested in Sulphur Springs at noon today by the Sulphur Springs Emergency Management Office. The test is to gauge the reliability of the emergency warning system and is conducted to find any potential flaws in the system so they can be corrected prior to a real emergency situation. The sirens could be sounded not only for weather warnings such as tornadoes, which are the most common in the...
Temporary Fossil Park in Ladonia
August 30, 2023 – Along the banks of the North Sulphur River, construction is underway on Lake Ralph Hall which will evenutally cover 12 square miles. The Upper Trinity Regional Water District (UTRWD) is in charge of the project. Construction of the new lake has displaced a fossil park along the shores under a the State Highway 34 bridge, but fossil hunters are still in luck as a temporary park has opened while construction of...
West Texas A&M Will No Longer Require Students To Pay For Textbooks
August 29, 2023 – The president of the Canyon, TX campus announced by letter to students, faculty and staff that the university will be moving to eliminate the need for students to pay for textbooks by the Fall semester starting in 2024. The university is also encouraging faculty to explore how artificial intelligence can be used as a teaching aid. The purchase of reference books and digital materials like style guides may still...
Emory Resident Arrested for 3rd DWI
August 28, 2023 – Emory resident CARLTON DEWAYNE CAGLE, age 61, was arrested this weekend and charged with at least his third DWI. Carlton Dewayne Cagle, 2023 A report of a reckless driver was received by dispatch late Sunday night. The driver could not maintain his lane. A Hopkins County Sheriff’s Deputy traveled to 154 South and was able to locate the northbound vehicle. A traffic stop was performed and the white Malibu...
Sulphur Springs Man Stopped with Half Pound of Concealed Meth
August 28, 2023 – A Hopkins County Deputy was on routine patrol this weekend on I-30 when he noticed a vehicle fail to signal a lane change. The Hyundai was traveling east on I-30. The deputy pulled out and began following the car. The driver exited the interstate near Cumby and again failed to signal. A traffic stop was performed in the parking lot of a gas station on the south service road. When contacted, the driver was...
Burn Ban In Effect for Hopkins County
August 28, 2023 – The Hopkins County Commissioner’s Court voted to enact a burn ban for Hopkins County effective immediately. No outdoor burning of any kind will be allowed during the ban. The dry conditions and lack of rain have elevated drought conditions across the State of Texas and few counties are left without burn bans. Hopkins County recently entered the “Abnormally Dry” level on the Texas Drought...
Charged with Theft, Daniel Back in Hopkins County Jail
August 28, 2023 – Holly Rena Daniel is back in Hopkins County Jail. Her bond is set at $75,000. She now faces this charge: 1 31.03(E)(5) THEFT PROP >=$30K<$150K Holly Rena Daniel, August 2023 Daniel was arrested earlier this year and charged with: 1 32.51(C-1) FRAUD USE/POSS IDENT INFO # ITEMS <5 ELDERLY See that story here.
