All taxpayers are now eligible for identity protection PINs
From IRS Guidewire The IRS has expanded the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to all taxpayers who can verify their identity. The Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit code known only to the taxpayer and to the IRS. It helps prevent identity thieves from filing fraudulent tax returns using aContinue Reading
Lawmakers start $7 billion away from target
From Texas Press Association, Chris Cobler Texas House and Senate leaders appear to agree on their proposed budgets. Next, they just have to figure out how to cut $7.2 billion. Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, worked with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to propose a state budget of $119.7 billion inContinue Reading
$500 grants available for fire departments
Press Release from State Farm Last year, more than 58,000 fires burned 10 million acres across the U.S. Wildfires are a peril that impacts every state and can occur at any time during the year. They cost the U.S. up to an estimated $285 billion per year in losses. To help combatContinue Reading
CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System Designated Regional COVID-19 Vaccination Hub
Press Release Longview, TX, Jan. 25, 2021 – CHRISTUS Good Shepherd Health System has been named a COVID-19 Vaccination Hub by the State of Texas to serve Gregg County. This COVID-19 Vaccination Hub clinic is in partnership with Gregg County, the State of Texas and City of Longview. Today we jointly announce theContinue Reading
Financial Focus: Remote Work May Offer Financial Benefits
From Edward Jones’ Joey Romano During the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have been forced to work from home. But once we’ve moved past the virus, many workers may continue working from home. More than one-third of companies with employees who started working from home now think that remote workContinue Reading
County Sets Date for Move-In to Restored Courthouse
The County Judge and Commissioners are pleased to announce we will be moving back to the courthouse. “We are on the finishing touches of our Courthouse restoration project” wrote Judge LaFleur in a press release. County offices will be closed the week of February 15th-19th 2021. The County Judge, Commissioners,Continue Reading
SAIL receives $650 grant from Siemens Entergy
Press Release Siemens Energy employees nominated local charitable organizations to have the opportunity to receive donations of up to $10k each and 122 organizations across 20 states were selected to receive a donation Local organization Summer Adventure In Learning was one of the recipients of the grants and received $650.Continue Reading
Locals make Dean’s List at SAU
Southern Arkansas University has announced that 577 students earned a 3.5 for the fall 2020 semester and have been named to its’ Dean’s List. Among them were Jefferson natives Mason Rayne McNeely, a sophomore chemistry major and Maggie Raine St.Denis, a senior nursing (BSN) major. SAU “feels like home” andContinue Reading
Lady Dawgs topple Arp 56-36
Jefferson Lady Bulldogs beat Arp 56-36 on Friday, Jan. 15. Jefferson jumped out to a 14-3 lead at the end of the first quarter and never let off the gas. The led 29-20 at halftime and 44-31 at the end of the third quarter. Da’Navia Thomas led the attack withContinue Reading
Whatever happened to the ‘three-legged stool’ of retirement?
By NYLife’s Brad Collins According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, just 51% of private sector employers offer defined contribution or defined benefit pension plans, and only 8% offer traditional defined benefit plans, thereby eliminating a guaranteed source of lifetime income. Social Security benefits replace about 40% of the averageContinue Reading
Financial Focus: Pre-retirees: plan now for health care costs
By Edward Jones’ Joey Romano If you’re close to retirement, you’ll have several financial issues to consider. But you’ll want to pay attention to one of the most important of these issues: health care costs. How can you prepare yourself for these expenses? First, get an early start on estimatingContinue Reading
New Arrival
After moving to Jefferson, from California a few months ago to be near family and to raise their children in a better place, Casey and Sarah Foster welcomed their newest addition last week. Macy Ann Foster came into this world at 6:41 a.m. on Jan. 15, 2021, at Christus GoodContinue Reading
Moment With the Minister: Finding joy in sad times
By Dan Eakin I have heard many people say that Jan. 6, 2021, when Trump supporters marched to the capitol, was a sad day in America. It was. A lot of things happened that day that shouldn’t have happened. But what many people were saying got me to thinking: It’sContinue Reading
Take the keys
By Glenn Melancon We all know to take the keys away from a drunk driver. Drinking impairs decision making and judgment. In government, lies produce the same results. Over 400,000 of our neighbors have died because of COVID-19 lies and political denial. Will our democracy be next? On Jan. 22, 2020Continue Reading
He was just the hands
By Austin Lewter You have read about the rough start with our son Jackson You read about our mantra inspired by 1st Thessalonians and how our son defied the odds. I told you we were blessed with a wonderful surgeon and said he was a subject for another column. Well,Continue Reading
Karen Frances Bates Ives
Karen Frances Bates Ives, 68, of Garland, Texas, died January 10, 2021 in Plano, Texas from complications from kidney disease. She is survived by her husband, Harold “Ike” Ives of Garland, Texas. Daughter Carrie Ives and husband Tim Isakson of Richardson, Texas, and daughter Mary Paulin and husband Jeremy ofContinue Reading
Catherine Leona (Osborne) Stork
April 10, 1927 ~ January 4, 2021 A private family graveside service for Catherine Leona Osborne Stork, 93, of Jefferson will be held at a later date in Carmichael, California. Catherine Stork was born April 10, 1927 in Akron, Ohio to Thomas Osborne and Lois Harmon Osborne and passed awayContinue Reading
Vera Bank to make customer upgrades
VeraBank notified customers this week via mail that they will soon be upgrading their systems and online banking will not be available during part of the March 19-21, 2021, weekend. They indicated the system upgrade will cause the Mobile and Online Banking to be unavailable, but will not affect theContinue Reading