May 29 Declared Hopkins County Memorial Day
There was a Memorial Day program on Celebration Plaza Friday morning. Art Romanat, a retired Air Force Lt. Col was emcee. During the program, Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom delivered a proclamation reading which declared Friday, May 29, as Hopkins County Memorial Day. “I want to welcome you to your town square where we are going to pay tribute to all our comrades in uniform from all the armed conflicts in our nation’s...
County Seeks Participation in State Pilot Program
Hopkins County government is excited about the prospects of being a part of a pilot program through the Texas Secretary of State’s Office that will reduce the number of county polling sites but will also allow voters to cast a ballot at any polling spot in the county on Election Day. County Judge Robert Newsom stated that county government is excited about the concept and he is sure the citizens of the county will love it. The...
Newsom, Commissioners Return to Austin to Promote SB1158
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and the County Commissioners are expected to make a trip to Austin early this week to attend a discussion of Senate Bill 1158, which would allow the county government, with voter approval to pay for their new County Jail by an increase in the sales tax. The discussion will take place Tuesday at 9 a.m. before the Senate Finance Committee in the State Capitol.
County Jail Sales Tax Bill Stalled in Committee
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom says Senate Bill 1158, which will allow the county to pay for their new County Jail using an increase in the sales tax in lieu of property taxes with voter approval, remains in a Senate committee. State Senator Bob Hall has requested a hearing for the bill. The bill would still have to navigate its’ way through the House. The current Legislative session goes through the end of May. Click...
Proposal to Change Voting in Hopkins County
In hopes of being included in a pilot voting project by the Texas Secretary of State, Hopkins County government is holding some meetings. The project would allow county voters to cast a ballot at any polling place in the county on election day. It would also allow the county to reduce polling sites, perhaps from 21 to 14. County Judge Robert Newsom hopes rural schools choose to be polling sites.
County Judge on Proposed Sales Tax Increase
County Judge Robert Newsom agreed that Hopkins County has the highest hotel/motel tax and would have the highest sales tax should Senate Bill 1158 be approved as it is written and the tax approved by Hopkins County voters. Newsom also told KSST/Channel 18 news and ksstradio.com that the sales tax would only role back the county property tax for the current year. The tax revenue from the potential additional sales tax could only be...
Danny Davis is the new Hopkins County Veterans’ Service Officer
Danny Davis is the new Hopkins County Veterans’ Service Officer. He was introduced Monday by County Judge Robert Newsom. Davis replaces the retiring Captain Joe Reid Scott who served in the post for 19 years. Davis is retired from the Air Force after a 23 and a half year career. That included five deployments to the Middle East. Davis comes to the county from Texas A&M-Commerce where he worked in veterans’ benefits....
Chicks for Charity Hopkins County Received the Community Pride Award
Chicks for Charity Hopkins County received the Community Pride Award Thursday night during the 89th Annual Hopkins County Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Chicks for Charity started in November 2011 with a social gathering in the fellowship hall at First United Methodist Church. Each of eight women who regularly met as a dinner club invited 10 other women who shared their desire to make a difference in the community. When they met, each...
Hopkins County District Clerk’s Office Moves to the Annex Building
After the Hopkins County District Clerk’s Office moved from the Courthouse to across the street, office holders in the Courthouse made moves. The County Commissioners now have offices on the first floor with County Judge Robert Newsom. District Judge Eddie Northcutt has moved down to the second floor. District Judge Will Biard now has an office with Courthouse Bailiff Henry Turner. Now in new basement offices are County...
Judge Newsom Proposes a Fairer Way to Pay For New Jail
Hopkins County Judge Robert Newsom and most of the County Commissioners were in Austin several days this week. Judge Newsom is proposing an idea that if approved by the State Legislature could result in a slight increase in sales tax here that would offset the six-cent increase in the tax rate affecting property taxes to build the $16-million County Jail. I talked with Judge Newsom Friday morning. [pb_vidembed title=””...
