County Seeking Funds From State and FEMA
Hopkins County Commissioners may be a little closer to receiving federal disaster funds after a Tuesday meeting with a representative of the Federal Emergency Management Agency or FEMA. We get the latest on potential disaster funds from County Judge Robert Newsom. Newsom says two specific plans are being pursued by the county. One is a state of Texas plan that would provide $350,000 total for the county. That money from the Department...
Budget and Rural Meals Fill County Judge’s Plate
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom has had a lot on his plate lately. Thursday morning KSST News talked with Newsom about the NETO investigation that could have an impact on a county rural meals program and about budget preparation. Newsom said that some funding that had been coming to the county may not be available. NETO funded meals for homebound will not be funded. County Commissioners along with Judge Newsom are speaking with an...
County Commissioners Begin County Budget Discussions Monday
It is budget season for county government and Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom along with the County Auditor have been working since May in preparation for the week of July 13-17. Newsom and County Commissioners will meet in work sessions next week, beginning Monday afternoon, to finalize the budget for the coming year. He hopes to have a budget posted online for the public soon after the week of meetings. Newsom said he is trying...
Newsom Seeks Commissioner Precinct 1 Nomination
Maci Newsom of Hopkins County announced today her candidacy for Commissioner of Precinct 1 in the Republican primary. Newsom was born and raised in Hopkins County. She is a graduate of Sulphur Springs High School and Columbus State University. Mrs. Newsom is married to Jonathan Newsom, also born and raised in Hopkins County, and is the proud mother of their two children, Noah, who is eight years old and Anna-Claire, who is six. Her...
“Updated” Hopkins County Moves Slowly Regarding SCOTUS Ruling; Governor Issues Directive
(Editors note: Governor Greg Abbott has issued a directive to state agencies and employees to not violate religious beliefs in government decisions or actions realted to belief on marriage. See governor’s statement made Friday afternoon June 26 here. In it he says the government must never pressure a person to abandon or violate his or her sincerely held relgious beliefs regarding a top such as marriage…”) In a 5-4...
Hopkins County Awaits Supreme Court Ruling
Tomorrow or any day this month, the nation could receive the ruling by the U S Supreme Court regarding same-sex marriage. Same sex couples in states which currently ban their marriage are now making wedding plans as courthouse officials are getting ready for different scenarios. Steadfast foes to same sex marriage are working on their strategies to keep up the opposition. Marriage license bureaus are bracing for a rush of applicants...
State Accepts Pilot Program for Hopkins County Voters
Hopkins County has been approved by the Texas Secretary of State for a pilot program that will allow county voters to cast ballots at any voting site in the county. Voting sites will also be reduced from 21 to 14. County Judge Robert Newsom commended County Clerk Debbie Shirley with enabling this change. Approval for the change began last summer to enable electronic voting allowing a registered voter to vote at any location in the...
County Added to Disaster List; Seeks $3.6 Million
Hopkins County is one step closer to being eligible for disaster funds due to excessive rainfall and storms after recent action from the Governor. County Judge Robert Newsom said an amended proclamation issued by Governor Gregg Abbott includes Hopkins County as a disaster county making Hopkins County eligible for federal and state funds. Newsom said the application made last week reported the county as having received six to eight...
County Disassociating Themselves from NETO; Fraud Being Investigated
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom says a 2013 audit of North East Texas Opportunities or NETO reveals more than $700,000 in fraud. NETO currently has a senior citizen meals program for rural county residents and a utility service. Judge Newsom says the county and others are disassociating themselves from NETO. State and federal investigations of NETO are underway. Judge Newsom has been assured that county residents receiving...
County Judge Issues Declaration of Disaster
Monday afternoon Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom issued a declaration of disaster for the county. The declaration follows a month of heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms that swept across much of the county. Newsom said his tardiness in issuing the declaration is attributed to the lack of electrical power and problems with the county’s phone system immediately following the May 25th severe weather. Although the initial...
