Friday From The Chamber July 28, 2023
Total Eclipse Sulphur Springs… Are You Ready?! When April 8, 2024 rolls around, get ready! Almost weekly, we are messaged, called or visited by people who will be coming to Hopkins County for the total solar eclipse on that date. They are coming from around the country and literally around the world. Our latest message was from Karen Ridgway in the United Kingdom, who said she was coming to Sulphur Springs for the eclipse....
Governor Abbott Names Chair, Appoints Three To Texas Board Of Criminal Justice
Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Bill Welch, Nate Sprinkle, and Sydney Zuiker to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice for terms set to expire on February 1, 2029. Additionally, he named Eric Nichols as chair. The Board provides confinement, supervision, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the state’s convicted felons. Bill Welch of Austin is a retired United States Air Force Brigadier General and Austin-area businessman. He has...
Meal A Day And Senior Citizen Center Calendar July 31st-August 4th, 2023
Volunteers prepare meals at the Sulphur Springs Senior Citizens Center and deliver them five days a week to Meal A Day program recipients in Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County. The Meal A Day Menu for the week of July 31st-August 4th, 2023 includes: MONDAY, July 31 – Stuffed Bell Peppers, Cantaloupe and BreadTUESDAY, August 1 – Mexican Chicken Spaghetti, Grapes and BreadWEDNESDAY, August 2 – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus and...
Rural Texas May Lose Out On Billions In Broadband Infrastructure Funding Due To Federal Regulations
When Texas was awarded $3.3 billion in federal money last month toward expanding broadband infrastructure across the state, government leaders and telecommunication companies celebrated the news. With over 7 million residents disconnected from the rest of the World Wide Web, Texas’ broadband needs were no secret. With the federal funds, along with $1.5 billion from the state’s wallet, rural and underserved Texas communities finally...
Rains County Jury Believed the Children not Jimmy Ardell Harden
Office of the County Attorney Robert F. VititowRains County, Texas220 W. QUITMAN SUITE D EMORY, TEXAS 75440TELEPHONE (903) 473-5000 * TELECOPIER (903) 4743-5085 PRESS RELEASEJULY 25, 2023 A jury was selected on Monday, July 17, 2023, in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Rains County in Cause Nos. 6260, 6261, 6453, 6454, 6455, and 6456, entitled The State of Texas v. Jimmy Ardell Harden. Harden, a local citizen of Rains County was...
Texas House And Senate Reach A Deal On How To Cut Property Taxes
After a long standoff among Texas’ top Republicans, state GOP lawmakers struck a deal on how to cut Texans’ property taxes. The $18 billion compromise between the Texas House and Senate — which includes more than $5 billion approved for property tax relief in 2019 — would lower taxes for the state’s 5.7 million homeowners and add a temporary cap on appraisal increases for some non-homesteaded properties. It would also cut franchise...
Game Warden Field Notes
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) law enforcement reports. You Never Even Called Me by My Name While patrolling Cedar Creek Lake, Anderson and Henderson County Game Wardens investigated a potential Boating While Intoxicated case. The violator gave consent for a blood sample resulting in an arrest. The wardens assisted with returning the boat to shore since the other occupant was...
Texas A&M Forest Service Encourages Caution As Wildfire Danger Increases Statewide
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — As persistent triple-digit temperatures and dry conditions increase wildfire danger for much of the state, Texas A&M Forest Service urges Texans to be cautious with outdoor activities that create sparks. Through Friday, high temperatures and increased wind speeds will support the potential for large wildfires that may be resistant to firefighters’ suppression efforts. Areas at risk include North, Central...
Texas Education Leaders Prepare For Special Session On Teachers Pay And School Vouchers
While there’s still time this year for Texas lawmakers to carve out legislation to raise teachers’ pay, educators are still disappointed that they will enter the school year uncertain about what those raises could be. Despite entering the regular session with a record $32.7 billion surplus for Texas, legislators failed to reach an agreement on teacher pay increases. Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde...
Emergency Rules Adopted For Movement Of Breeder Deer
AUSTIN — In response to continued positive detections of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer breeding facilities, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has adopted an emergency rule implementing additional movement and testing restrictions for white-tailed deer in deer breeding facilities. Since June, TPWD has received confirmation of CWD in deer breeding facilities in three counties- Brooks, Frio and Zavala. In 2023...
