SH 154 Broadway Bridge Closure Scheduled in Hopkins County
April 28, 2026 – PARIS – The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials have announced the upcoming closure of the SH 154 Broadway Bridge in Hopkins County for construction. The project is scheduled to begin June 1, 2026. During this time, the Broadway Bridge will be fully closed for 21 days under a proposed 24-hour work schedule. The contractor for the project, THK Construction LLC, was awarded a contract with 286...
ETAMU Robotics Scores Division Runner-Up Finish at VEX U World Championship
April 28, 2026 – This was the robotics club’s first appearance at the VEX U World Championship COMMERCE, TX, April 28, 2026— East Texas A&M University’s Lion Pride Robotics Club came up just short of a shot at a world title, finishing as runner-up in the VEX U Research Division at the 2026 VEX Robotics World Championship in St. Louis, Mo., on Monday, April 27. The team, which consists of Dharsan Raviselvam,...
Drone-Assisted Deer Hunt Sparks Legal Case and Debate in Indiana
April 27, 2026 – A high-profile hunting case in southern Indiana is raising new questions about technology, ethics, and fairness in the field after authorities confirmed a prized deer was tracked using a drone before being killed. The case centers on a massive 17-point buck nicknamed the “Nucor Monarch,” a well-known animal frequently spotted near the Nucor steel fabrication plant. The deer had become something of a local legend...
A Service on Celebration Plaza in Sulphur Springs May 15th in Honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day
April 26, 2026 – Bob Kerr, from KSST’s Veterans Voices, announces that there will be an event on Celebration Plaza, downtown Sulphur Springs, Texas, beginning at 11:00am Friday, May 15, 2026, in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. Peace Officers Memorial Day is a solemn United States observance dedicated to honoring federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. It...
Paris District Road Report for April 27, 2026
April 24, 2026 – Paris — Here’s a look at work planned in Fannin, Grayson, Hopkins, Franklin, Delta, Lamar, Red River, Hunt and Rains Counties for the week starting April 27, 2026. These schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions, equipment failure or other unforeseen issues. Motorists are advised to remain alert and pay special attention to all signs, barricades, and traffic controls, and reduce their...
Mount Vernon Residents Seek to Eliminate Unfair Permit Costs for Food Venders
MOUNT VERNON — A growing number of residents are calling for change as concerns mount over a city ordinance requiring vendors to pay a $55 daily fee to sell within city limits. Critics say the rule, in place for eight years, disproportionately impacts small-scale sellers, including farmers, church groups, and elderly residents offering homemade goods. “Food trucks in our community [Mt Vernon, TX] are being charged $400 just to...
Texas Soil and Water Stewardship Week Recognizes the Soil as the Foundation of Life, Productivity, and Resilience across the State
April 23, 2026 – Hopkins-Rains Soil & Water Conservation District #445 has partnered with the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas Soil & Water Conservation Districts to highlight Soil and Water Stewardship Week and the importance of voluntary land stewardship in Texas. The statewide campaign is April 25 through May 6, 2026, and the focus this year is “Soil. Where It All...
Dinner Bell for April 29, 2026
April 21, 2026 – WEEK OF: April 29, 2026 COMMUNITY PARTNER: Hopkins County Christian Alliance The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal. Our sponsor and servers this week are from The Hopkins County Christian Alliance (HCCA). The HCCA is an organization of clergy and...
For Some City Councils, A Vote for Data Centers Means Getting Voted Out
April 23, 2026 – Voters in two Midwestern communities sent a clear message this week: concerns over environmental impact and transparency can outweigh promises of economic growth tied to large-scale tech projects. In Festus, Missouri, all four city council members who supported a proposed AI data center were voted out of office. The project had been pitched as a potential source of tax revenue, but many residents argued the...
20th Anniversary Gala Has a Few Seats Available
April 23, 2026 – Sulphur Springs, TX – As of this writing, there are seats still available for the 20th anniversary Gala coming up on May 9. Those interested in attending should act now to secure their tickets by visiting Gala2026.GiveSmart.com. As always, the community has graciously provided its support through volunteer time, ticket purchases, sponsorships, monetary donations, prizes, and other valuable help. This assistance...
